US3849740A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integrated optical and/or gate
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1973-05-01
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Granted: 1974-11-19
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Expires: 1993-05-01
Abstract
Abstract An integrated thin-film optical logic gate comprising a first and second optical input waveguide coupled to a laser active film. The laser active film includes an optical feedback means coupled to an output optical waveguide. The laser active film has a threshold energy level above the coupled energy of either the input waveguides, but below that of the coupled energy of both inputs in the AND mode, and a threshold energy below the energy coupled from either input waveguide in the OR mode.
Inventors
- 👤 G Brandt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:08
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F3/00; H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/05; H01S3/06; H01S3/063; H01S3/0632; H01S3/14; H01S3/16; H01S3/168
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A thin film optical logic device comprising: first and second optical waveguides for propagating optical energy at predetermined levels; a laser resonator including an active laser medium; means for positioning said laser medium close enough for evanescent coupling of optical energy propagating through said waveguides into said laser medium; said laser medium having a lasing threshold below the energy level of that optical energy coupled via at least one of said evanescent couplings; and an output waveguide positioned with respect to said laser medium for coupling into said output waveguide optical energy from said laser medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A thin film optical logic device comprising: first and second optical waveguides for propagating optical energy at predetermined levels; a laser resonator including an active laser medium; means for positioning said laser medium close enough for evanescent coupling of optical energy propagating through said waveguides into said laser medium; said laser medium having a lasing threshold below the energy level of that optical energy coupled via at least one of said evanescent couplings; and an output waveguide positioned with respect to said laser medium for coupling into said output waveguide optical energy from said laser medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical logic device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said laser resonator comprises a pair of mirrors integrated with the said laser medium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
An optical logic device as set forth in claim 1 wherein resonator is a ring resonator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
107 words
A thin film optical logic device comprising: first and second optical waveguides angularly offset with respect to each other for propagating optical energy at predetermined levels; a laser resonator including an active laser medium; means for positioning said laser medium close enough for evanescent coupling of monochromatic light of the same frequency propagating through said waveguides into said laser medium; said laser medium having a lasing threshold below the energy level of that optical energy coupled via at least one of said evanescent couplings; and an output waveguide positioned with respect to said laser medium for coupling into said output waveguide optical energy from said laser medium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
107 words
A thin film optical logic device comprising: first and second optical waveguides angularly offset with respect to each other for propagating optical energy at predetermined levels; a laser resonator including an active laser medium; means for positioning said laser medium close enough for evanescent coupling of monochromatic light of the same frequency propagating through said waveguides into said laser medium; said laser medium having a lasing threshold below the energy level of that optical energy coupled via at least one of said evanescent couplings; and an output waveguide positioned with respect to said laser medium for coupling into said output waveguide optical energy from said laser medium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
An optical logic device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said laser medium has a lasing threshold greater than the energy level of each of said evanescent couplings and below the combined energy level of said evanescent couplings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
An optical logic device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said laser medium has a lasing threshold greater than the energy level of each of said evanescent couplings and below the combined energy level of said evanescent couplings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
An optical logic device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said output waveguide comprises a portion of said laser medium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
An optical logic device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said laser medium comprises a host material selected from the group consisting of glass and transparent crystalline material and films and including active laser ions and dyes, respectively, doped in the region bounded by said first and second waveguides and wherein said output waveguide comprises a part of said host material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3408131A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-18 | 1978-05-20 | 1978-11-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-18 | 1982-05-20 | 1982-11-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-18 | 1986-05-20 | 1986-11-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |