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Patent US3873187A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3873187A
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Light modulator array and method of making it
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp
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Filing: 1973-10-29
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Granted: 1975-03-25
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Expires: 1993-10-29
Abstract
Abstract An array of light modulators particularly suitable for wideband holographic data recording. The light modulator may be arranged to be a light switch and preferably consists of a ferroelectric ceramic having electro-optical properties capable of changing under the influence of an electric field. A suitable electrooptical material is lead, lanthanum, zirconium titanate (PLZT). In order to provide a uniform electric field the electrodes are applied at right angles to the surface of the material. Accordingly, a strip of the material is provided with a plurality of parallel cuts to manufacture individual elements or islands each forming a modulator or light valve. The cuts are now filled with a conductive material such as a wire and a conductive paste or alternatively they are coated with a conductive material such as metal.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert E Brooks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:23
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/03; G02F1/055; G02F1/0551
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
The method of manufacturing an array of light modulators from a substantially rectangular strip of electro-optical material transparent to optical radiation, said method comprising the steps of: a. mounting the strip of electro-optical material on a substrate having a substantially plane surface and being transparent to the optical radiation; b. coating the electro-optical material with a first protective coating removable by a chemical compound; c. repeatedly cutting through the protective coating, the electro-optical strip and into the substrate to provide a plurality of substantially parallel cuts defining a plurality of individual electro-optical elements; d. coating the thus obtained structure with a metal forming a second coating which is not removed by the compound; and e. removing the first coating but not the metal from the original surface of the electro-optical strip, thereby to obtain a plurality of electro-optical elements, the cuts of which are coated with the second coating.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
149 words
The method of manufacturing an array of light modulators from a substantially rectangular strip of electro-optical material transparent to optical radiation, said method comprising the steps of: a. mounting the strip of electro-optical material on a substrate having a substantially plane surface and being transparent to the optical radiation; b. coating the electro-optical material with a first protective coating removable by a chemical compound; c. repeatedly cutting through the protective coating, the electro-optical strip and into the substrate to provide a plurality of substantially parallel cuts defining a plurality of individual electro-optical elements; d. coating the thus obtained structure with a metal forming a second coating which is not removed by the compound; and e. removing the first coating but not the metal from the original surface of the electro-optical strip, thereby to obtain a plurality of electro-optical elements, the cuts of which are coated with the second coating.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method defined in claim 1 which includes the additional step of attaching a conductive lead to the conductive metal in each cut.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
114 words
The method of preparing a plurality of electro-optical elements for a substantially rectangular strip of material to form a light modulator array which comprises the steps of: a. mounting the rectangular strip of electro-optical material on a substrate having a plane face and being transparent to the same optical radiation as is the strip; b. cutting through the strip and a portion of the substrate to provide a plurality of substantially parallel cuts to seperate the strip into a plurality of individual electro-optical elements; and c. coating at least the walls of each cut with a conductive material to proviDe electrodes substantially at right angles to the surface of the strip of electrooptical material.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
114 words
The method of preparing a plurality of electro-optical elements for a substantially rectangular strip of material to form a light modulator array which comprises the steps of: a. mounting the rectangular strip of electro-optical material on a substrate having a plane face and being transparent to the same optical radiation as is the strip; b. cutting through the strip and a portion of the substrate to provide a plurality of substantially parallel cuts to seperate the strip into a plurality of individual electro-optical elements; and c. coating at least the walls of each cut with a conductive material to proviDe electrodes substantially at right angles to the surface of the strip of electrooptical material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method defined in claim 3 including the additional step of surrounding the electro-optical material along both long sides thereof with a blocking material having substantially the same depth as the electro-optical material and prior to the cutting step, but after the mounting step, whereby the blocking material serves the purpose of aligning the electro-optical material with respect to the substrate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3449038A
Cited
US3725910A
Cited
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 |