US3791718A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wideband traveling-wave microstrip meander-line light modulator
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
•
Filing: 1972-11-21
•
Granted: 1974-02-12
•
Expires: 1992-11-21
Abstract
Abstract A traveling-wave electro-optical light modulator comprises an electro-optical crystal wafer with electrodes on the top and bottom surfaces and a high reflectivity coating covering the side surfaces except for two predetermined areas. A beam of light enters the crystal through one of these areas, is reflected a number of times between the two side surfaces, and leaves the crystal through the other area. The top electrode is in the form of a strip. The light beam passes under the strip once during each reflection. The strip lies on the crystal surface in such a manner that the traveling-wave impressed on the electrodes is traveling in the same direction as the light beam when modulation occurs.
Inventors
- 👤 K Chow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 03:32
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/03; G02F1/035; G02F1/0356; G02F2201/00; G02F2201/17
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
A wideband traveling-wave, electro-optical, light modulator comprising: a single electro-optical crystal having top and bottom parallel surfaces and two parallel side surfaces, one side surface receiving light to be modulated; means physically attached to the sides of said crystal for causing the light to reflect within the crystal between said side surfaces more than one time, so that this light remains within the crystal during the entire modulation process; a plurality of sections of electrically conductive material connected together to form a conductive strip disposed on the top surface of said crystal in a shape such that each of at least two of said sections of electrically-conductive material are disposed on the top surface, each over a different section of the lIght path through said crystal in parallel direction with the light path; a ground electrode of electrically conductive material disposed on the bottom surface of said crystal and covering at least that area which is directly opposite to said conductive strip; means for impressing a traveling-wave modulation potential on said conductive strip such that light traveling on the pathsections over which the sections of electrically conductive material are disposed, will be cumulatively modulated by said traveling-wave modulation potential; and means for transmitting the modulated light from the body of said crystal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
212 words
A wideband traveling-wave, electro-optical, light modulator comprising: a single electro-optical crystal having top and bottom parallel surfaces and two parallel side surfaces, one side surface receiving light to be modulated; means physically attached to the sides of said crystal for causing the light to reflect within the crystal between said side surfaces more than one time, so that this light remains within the crystal during the entire modulation process; a plurality of sections of electrically conductive material connected together to form a conductive strip disposed on the top surface of said crystal in a shape such that each of at least two of said sections of electrically-conductive material are disposed on the top surface, each over a different section of the lIght path through said crystal in parallel direction with the light path; a ground electrode of electrically conductive material disposed on the bottom surface of said crystal and covering at least that area which is directly opposite to said conductive strip; means for impressing a traveling-wave modulation potential on said conductive strip such that light traveling on the pathsections over which the sections of electrically conductive material are disposed, will be cumulatively modulated by said traveling-wave modulation potential; and means for transmitting the modulated light from the body of said crystal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The light modulator of claim 1 wherein: said crystal has a front and a back; and said plurality of conductive sections are comprised of first sections which lie in a front-to-back direction and second sections which lie at an angle to said first sections and connect said first sections with each other.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The light modulator of claim 2 wherein only said second sections are disposed over sections of the light path.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
The light modulator of claim 3 wherein: at least one of said first sections is disposed on the top surface a first predetermined distance from one side of the crystal; and, at least one of said first sections is disposed on the top surface a second predetermined distance from the other side of said crystal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The light modulator as in claim 4 wherein: the first predetermined distance is equal to the second predetermined distance and further wherein; the length of each of said second sections being determined by the maximum phase difference tolerable between the light wave and the traveling-wave modulation potential during modulation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The light modulator as in claim 1 wherein said means for causing the light to reflect is a high reflectivity coating covering all of the surfaces of said crystal except for small areas at either end for the entry and exit of the light.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-11 | 1977-08-13 | 1978-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-11 | 1981-08-13 | 1982-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-11 | 1985-08-13 | 1986-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |