US3633996A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Two-dimensional acousto-optic deflection system
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1970-03-04
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Granted: 1972-01-11
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Expires: 1990-03-04
Abstract
Abstract A system for deflecting a light beam in two dimensions is described. The system includes a piezoelectric crystal having an acoustic surface wave transducer on its surface for propagating acoustic surface waves on the crystal. Means are provided for applying a nonuniform electric field to the crystal to vary the effective stiffness constant of the crystal in a nonuniform manner. When a beam of laser light is directed onto the crystal it is deflected in one dimension as a function of the frequency of the acoustic wave produced by the transducer and in a second dimension as a function of the nonuniform electric field.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric G Lean
- 👤 Robert V Pole
- 👤 Samuel C Tseng
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 06:17
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/29; G02F1/33
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A system for deflecting a light beam in two dimensions comprising: a piezoelectric crystal in the path of said light beam, means connected to said crystal for propagating a surface acoustic wave in said crystal in a given direction for producing surface deformations on said crystal, and means connected to said crystal for applying a nonuniform electric field on said crystal for changing the direction of the wave fronts of said surface acoustic wave, said light beam being deflected at a first angle in one dimension determined by said surface deformations and at a second angle in a second dimension determined by the direction of said wave fronts of said acoustic wave producing said surface deformations.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
116 words
A system for deflecting a light beam in two dimensions comprising: a piezoelectric crystal in the path of said light beam, means connected to said crystal for propagating a surface acoustic wave in said crystal in a given direction for producing surface deformations on said crystal, and means connected to said crystal for applying a nonuniform electric field on said crystal for changing the direction of the wave fronts of said surface acoustic wave, said light beam being deflected at a first angle in one dimension determined by said surface deformations and at a second angle in a second dimension determined by the direction of said wave fronts of said acoustic wave producing said surface deformations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system for defecting a light beam in two dimensions according to claim 1, wherein said light beam is a laser beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
A system for deflecting a light beam in two dimensions according to claim 1, wherein said means for propagating a surface acoustic wave in said crystal includes an acoustic surface wave transducer connected to said crystal and an alternating current signal source connected to said acoustic surface wave transducer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
106 words
A system for deflecting a light beam in two dimensions according to claim 3, wherein said crystal has a top surface, a bottom surface and at least two sides and wherein said means for applying a nonuniform electric field on said crystal includes a first electrode connected to one surface of said crystal and extending substantially the same width as the width of said acousto-optic transducer, a second electrode connected to the other surface of said crystal proximate to one of said sides and having a width substantially smaller than that of said first electrode, and a voltage source connected to said first and second electrodes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
94 words
A system for deflecting a light beam in two dimensions according to claim 3 wherein said crystal has a top surface, a bottom surface and at least two sides and a nonuniform thickness, the thickness at one of said sides being substantially greater than the thickness at the other side; and wherein said means for applying a nonuniform electric field on said crystal includes a first electrode connected to one of said crystal surfaces, a second electrode connected to the other surface, surface, and a voltage source connected to said first and second electrodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A system for deflecting a light beam in two dimensions according to claim 5 wherein said signal source connected to said acoustic surface wave transducer generates a signal having a varying frequency and wherein said voltage source connected to said first and second electrode produces a voltage of varying amplitude.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3461402A
Cited
US3510199A
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 |