US3633995A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Acousto-optic light deflection system
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1970-02-17
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Granted: 1972-01-11
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Expires: 1990-02-17
Abstract
Abstract A system for deflecting a light beam such as a laser beam including a crystal substrate, preferably piezoelectric, having a reflective coating on its surface which functions as a mirror. At least one surface acoustic wave transducer is mounted on the crystal and is actuated by a high-frequency signal source. The transducer propagates surface acoustic waves on the crystal, which produce a periodic deformation on the mirror surface which functions as a phase grating. A light beam directed onto the mirror surface will therefore be deflected at an angle dependent on the acoustic frequency of the surface waves. A plurality of transducers arranged approximately in a semicircle on the crystal and selectively actuated provides a two-dimensional scanning system.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric G Lean
- 👤 Keith S Pennington
- 👤 Robert V Pole
- 👤 Carl G Powell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 00:37
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/10; H01S3/101; G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/29; G02F1/33; G02F1/332
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus for deflecting a light beam in a selected direction comprising: a crystal capable of supporting surface acoustic waves, a reflective coating disposed on a portion of a surface of said crystal, said reflective coating being in the path of a light beam, at least one surface wave acoustic transducer disposed on a surface of said crystal; and a source of electrical signal having a selected frequency connected to said at least one transducer for actuating said transducer to propagate surface acoustic waves in said crystal, said surface acoustic waves producing a surface deformation of said crystal surface which deflects said light beam at an angle determined by said frequency of said electrical signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus for deflecting a light beam in a selected direction comprising: a crystal capable of supporting surface acoustic waves, a reflective coating disposed on a portion of a surface of said crystal, said reflective coating being in the path of a light beam, at least one surface wave acoustic transducer disposed on a surface of said crystal; and a source of electrical signal having a selected frequency connected to said at least one transducer for actuating said transducer to propagate surface acoustic waves in said crystal, said surface acoustic waves producing a surface deformation of said crystal surface which deflects said light beam at an angle determined by said frequency of said electrical signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said reflective coating and said at least one transducer are on the same surface of said crystal, and wherein said propagated surface acoustic waves produce a deformation of said surface having said reflective coating.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus for deflecting a light beam according to claim 1 wherein said crystal is a prism having a triangular cross section, said reflective coating being on one surface of said crystal and said at least one transducer being on another surface of said crystal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus for deflecting a light beam according to claim 1 wherein a plurality of surface wave acoustic transducers are disposed in an array on the surface of said crystal; and including means for selectively connecting said source of electrical signal separately to each of said transducers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus for deflecting a light beam according to claim 4 wherein said plurality of surface wave acoustic transducers are arranged in a substantially semicircular array around said reflective coating, said transducers being each separately actuated to deflect said light beam in a different radial direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
123 words
A laser cavity comprising an active laser medium for producing a beam of laser light by stimulated emission and first and second reflective means positioned on opposite sides of said active laser medium for reflecting said beam of laser light, at least one of said reflective means being a crystal having a reflective coating on a portion of the crystal surface opposite said active medium, at least one surface wave acoustic transducer disposed on the surface of said crystal, and a source of electrical signal connected to said at least one acoustic transducer for actuating said transducer to propagate surface acoustic waves in said crystal, said surface acoustic waves producing surface deformation of said reflective coating which deflects said beam of laser light.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
123 words
A laser cavity comprising an active laser medium for producing a beam of laser light by stimulated emission and first and second reflective means positioned on opposite sides of said active laser medium for reflecting said beam of laser light, at least one of said reflective means being a crystal having a reflective coating on a portion of the crystal surface opposite said active medium, at least one surface wave acoustic transducer disposed on the surface of said crystal, and a source of electrical signal connected to said at least one acoustic transducer for actuating said transducer to propagate surface acoustic waves in said crystal, said surface acoustic waves producing surface deformation of said reflective coating which deflects said beam of laser light.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus for deflecting a light beam according to claim 6 wherein a plurality of surface wave acoustic transducers are disposed in an array on the surface of said crystal, and including means for selectively connecting said source of electrical signal separately to each of said transducers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus for deflecting a beam of laser light according to claim 7 wherein said plurality of surface wave acoustic transducers are arranged in a substantially semicircular array around said reflective coating, said transducers being each separately actuated to deflect said input beam in a different radial direction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3174044A
Cited
US3297876A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-10 | 1975-07-12 | 1976-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-10 | 1979-07-12 | 1980-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-10 | 1983-07-12 | 1984-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |