US3873183A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical beam modulation in optical waveguides
Assignee: Honeywell Inc
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Filing: 1973-07-25
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1993-07-25
Abstract
Abstract Electro-optic modulation in an optical waveguide is achieved by depositing electric charges on a surface of the electro-optic dielectric layer which serves as the waveguide.
Inventors
- 👤 Tzuo-Chang Lee
- 👤 Di Chen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:27
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/03; G02F1/035; G02F1/29; G02F1/295; G02F1/0333
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of modulating a light beam comprising: directing the light beam through a thin film optical waveguide having an electric field controllable optical property; generating electrical charges at a position remote from a surface of the thin film optical waveguide; depositing electrical charge on a selected region of the surface of the thin film optical waveguide to selectively alter the electric field controllable optical property; and removing the deposited electrical charge from the selected region by directing a flooding electron beam onto the surface to cause secondary emission of electrons from the surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of modulating a light beam comprising: directing the light beam through a thin film optical waveguide having an electric field controllable optical property; generating electrical charges at a position remote from a surface of the thin film optical waveguide; depositing electrical charge on a selected region of the surface of the thin film optical waveguide to selectively alter the electric field controllable optical property; and removing the deposited electrical charge from the selected region by directing a flooding electron beam onto the surface to cause secondary emission of electrons from the surface.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of modulating a light beam comprising: directing a light beam through a thin film optical waveguide having an electric field controllable optical property, the thin film optical waveguide having electrical conductivity which is controllable by radiation of particular wavelengths; generating electrical charges at a position remote from a surface of the thin film optical waveguide; depositing electrical charge on a selected region of the surface of the thin film optical waveguide to selectively alter the electric field controllable optical property; and removing the deposited charge from the selected region by directing radiation of wavelengths capable of increasing the conductivity of the thin film optical waveguide onto the selected region of the surface of the thin film waveguide.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of modulating a light beam comprising: directing a light beam through a thin film optical waveguide having an electric field controllable optical property, the thin film optical waveguide having electrical conductivity which is controllable by radiation of particular wavelengths; generating electrical charges at a position remote from a surface of the thin film optical waveguide; depositing electrical charge on a selected region of the surface of the thin film optical waveguide to selectively alter the electric field controllable optical property; and removing the deposited charge from the selected region by directing radiation of wavelengths capable of increasing the conductivity of the thin film optical waveguide onto the selected region of the surface of the thin film waveguide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
99 words
A light beam modulation system comprising: an optical waveguide layer having an electric field controllable optical property; and means for depositing electrical charge on a selected region of a surface of the optical waveguide layer to selectively alter the electric field controllable optical property, the means comprising: electric charge source means for producing electrical charge; control grid means positioned between the electric charge source means and the optical waveguide layer; and control voltage source means for applying a voltage to the grid means for controlling the amount of electrical charge deposited on the surface of the optical waveguide layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
99 words
A light beam modulation system comprising: an optical waveguide layer having an electric field controllable optical property; and means for depositing electrical charge on a selected region of a surface of the optical waveguide layer to selectively alter the electric field controllable optical property, the means comprising: electric charge source means for producing electrical charge; control grid means positioned between the electric charge source means and the optical waveguide layer; and control voltage source means for applying a voltage to the grid means for controlling the amount of electrical charge deposited on the surface of the optical waveguide layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The light beam modulation system of claim 3 wherein the electric charge source means comprises a corona source means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The light beam modulation system of claim 4 wherein the corona source means comprises: corona electrode means; and corona voltage source means for applying a voltage to the corona electrode means sufficient to generate a corona discharge.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The light beam modulation system of claim 5 wherein the corona electrode means comprises a corona wire.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The light beam modulation system of claim 5 wherein the corona electrode means comprises a corona sheet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The light beam modulation system of claim 3 wherein the electric charge source means comprises: cathode means for generating electrons; and anode means positioned proxiMate the optical waveguide layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The light beam modulation system of claim 8 wherein the electric charge source means further comprises: cathode voltage source means for applying a voltage between the cathode means and the anode means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The light beam modulation system of claim 8 wherein the anode means comprises an open anode ring proximate the surface of the optical waveguide layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The light beam modulation system of claim 3 and further comprising: container means for enclosing the cathode means, the anode means, and the optical waveguide layer in a vacuum.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The light beam modulation system of claim 3 and further comprising: mask means positioned proximate the surface of the optical waveguide layer for defining a selected region on the surface of the optical waveguide layer upon which electrical charge may be deposited.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-24 | 1978-09-23 | 1979-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-24 | 1982-09-23 | 1983-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-24 | 1986-09-23 | 1987-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |