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US3746866A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Acousto-optical systems
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1971-12-20
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Granted: 1973-07-17
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Expires: 1991-12-20
Abstract
Abstract An acousto-optical system which diffracts or modulates light passing through a crystal of Tl3AsSe3 by means of sound waves in the crystal is disclosed. Sound waves are generated in the crystal by means of a transducer connected to an RF generator. The acousto-optical system may be in the form of a display device, a laser modulator, or other devices. An acoustic delay line using a crystal of Tl3AsSe3 is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 J Feichtner
- 👤 M Gottlieb
- 👤 G Roland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 01:22
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/11; H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/10; H01S3/106; H01S3/1068
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
8 words
means for generating sound waves in said medium;
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said angle is 0* and the frequency of said sound wave is less than about 50MHz.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said sound waves move parallel to said optical faces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
a source of light having a wavelength of about 1.25 to about 17 Mu m directed at one of said optical faces at a diffracting angle to the wave fronts of said sound wave; and
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
means for detecting at least part of said light after it passes through said medium, the improvement which comprises a medium which consists of a crystal of Tl3AsSe3 having two parallel optical faces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said sound waves are shear waves.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said light is parallel, polarized, and strikes a viewing screen after passing through said crystal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein the frequency of said sound waves is at least about 50MHz and the sin of said angle is lambda / Lambda where lambda is the wavelength of said light and Lambda is the wavelength of said sound wave.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein said viewing screen is a thermally-quenched, UV-excited phosphor screen.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said light is from a laser which comprises a lasing medium positioned between two opposing mirrors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein said crystal of Tl3AsSe3 is positioned between said lasing medium and one of said two opposing mirrors.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein said crystal of Tl3AsSe3 is positioned external to said laser.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said crystal is greater than 1cm3 in volume and said optical faces are each at least about 10 3 cm wide.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
5 words
In an acousto-optical system having
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
An acousto-optical system according to claim 12 wherein said sound waves are a shear waves.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
An acousto-optical system according to claim 12 wherein said sound waves move parallel to said optical faces.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
An acousto-optical system according to claim 12 wherein said diffracting angle is 0* and the frequency of said sound wave is less than about 50MHz.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
An acousto-optical system according to claim 12 wherein said means for generating sound waves is a transducer affixed to said crystal and electrically connected to an RF generator.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
An acousto-optical system according to claim 12 wherein said means for detecting said light is a viewing screen.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
An acousto-optical system according to claim 17 wherein a second means generates a second sound wave normal to the first sound wave.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
An acousto-optical system according to claim 18 wherein said second means is a transducer affixed to said crystal and electrically connected to an RF generator.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
An acousto-optical system according to claim 17 wherein said light is unidirectional and polarized.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
An acousto-optical system according to claim 17 wherein said viewing screen is a phosphor coated screen.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
An acousto-optical system according to claim 17 wherein said viewing screen is a thermally-quenched UV-excited phosphor screen.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
47 words
An acousto-optical system according to claim 17 wherein the frequency of said sound wave is at least about 50MHz and the sin of said diffracting angle is lambda / Lambda where lambda is the wavelength of said light and Lambda is the wavelength of said sound wave.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
An accousto-optical system according to claim 12 wherein the source of said light is a laser comprising a lasing medium and two opposing mirrors.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
An acousto-optical system according to claim 24 wherein said crystal is positioned between said lasing medium and one of said mirrors.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
An acousto-optical system according to claim 24 wherein said crystal is positioned external to aid laser.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
29 words
An acousto-optical system according to claim 12 wherein said crystal is greater than 1cm3 in volume and said optical faces are each at least about 10 3 cm wide.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-16 | 1977-01-15 | 1977-07-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-16 | 1981-01-15 | 1981-07-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-16 | 1985-01-15 | 1985-07-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |