US3832567A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Travelling wave frequency converter arrangement
Assignee: Thales SA
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Filing: 1973-07-20
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Granted: 1974-08-27
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Expires: 1993-07-20
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to travelling wave frequency converter arrangements based on the harmonic generation. The converter in accordance with the invention comprises a harmonic generation interface obtained by bringing together a metal film and an optical waveguide layer whose thickness is such that the phase velocities of the fundamental and harmonic frequency radiations transmitted are substantially matched with one another. Optical coupling means are associated with the optical waveguide and electrical means may be provided for altering the phase velocity matching.
Inventors
- 👤 M Papuchon
- 👤 A Jacques
- 👤 D Ostrowsky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:10
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/35; G02F1/37; G02F1/377
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
Travelling wave frequency converter arrangement for generating a harmonic electromagnetic radiation of frequency p times higher than the frequency of an incoming fundamental electromagnetic radiation, p being an integer greater than unity, said arrangement comprising: an optical waveguide layer of at least one refractive material having one free face and a further face parallel to said free face, a further material positioned for forming with said further face an interface having harmonic generation properties, and coupling means arranged at the opposite ends of said free face for respectively launching and collecting at least one of said electromagnetic radiations travelling along said optical waveguide layer; the thickness of said refractive material being selected for matching with one another the respective phase velocities of said electromagnetic radiations.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
Travelling wave frequency converter arrangement for generating a harmonic electromagnetic radiation of frequency p times higher than the frequency of an incoming fundamental electromagnetic radiation, p being an integer greater than unity, said arrangement comprising: an optical waveguide layer of at least one refractive material having one free face and a further face parallel to said free face, a further material positioned for forming with said further face an interface having harmonic generation properties, and coupling means arranged at the opposite ends of said free face for respectively launching and collecting at least one of said electromagnetic radiations travelling along said optical waveguide layer; the thickness of said refractive material being selected for matching with one another the respective phase velocities of said electromagnetic radiations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
Arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said optical waveguide layer is a glass layer; said further material being a metal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
83 words
Arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said coupling means comprise at each of said ends, a prism having a first lateral face arranged on said free face said fundamental electromagnetic radiation undergoing refraction at a second lateral face of said prism, and falling onto said first lateral face at an angle of incidence greater than the limiting angle of refraction; the injection of said fundamental electromagnetic radiation being carried out by means of the evanescent waves generated along said first lateral face.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
Arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said coupling means comprise, at each of said ends, a holographic phase grating, the injection of said fundamental electromagnetic radiation being carried out along a transmission path corresponding to one of the diffraction orders of said grating.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
Arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said optical waveguide layer is constituted by two superimposed films.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
Arrangement as claimed in claim 1, further comprising electrical modulating means for creating an electric field in said refractive material; said electric field causing an amplitude modulation of said electromagnetic radiations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
Arrangement as claimed in claim 6, wherein said further material is an electrically non-conductive material; said electrical modulating means comprising at least two electrodes surrounding said interface over a portion at least of the path along which said electromagnetic radiations are transmitted by said optical waveguide layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
Arrangement as claimed in claim 7, wherein said electrodes are located in a plane parallel to said interface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
Arrangement as claimed in claim 7, wherein said electrodes are stacked on one another along a direction substantially perpendicular to said interface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3584230A
Cited
US3655993A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-26 | 1978-02-25 | 1978-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-26 | 1982-02-25 | 1982-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-26 | 1986-02-25 | 1986-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |