US3877781A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electro-optical thin-film device
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1974-01-16
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Granted: 1975-04-15
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Expires: 1994-01-16
Abstract
Abstract Three parallel longitudinally extending spaced-apart electrodes are formed on an electro-optic waveguiding thin film. The outer two electrodes are connected to one output terminal of a modulating signal source and the center electrode is connected to the other terminal thereof. The resulting electric field configuration in the thin film under the center electrode includes a component that is perpendicular to the thin film. This component is effective to modify the nature of an optical beam propagated longitudinally in the film under the center electrode. A phase or amplitude modulator for optical signals is thereby realized.
Inventors
- 👤 Ivan Paul Kaminow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:16
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/03; G02F1/035
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
In combination in an integrated optical device, a substrate, electro-optic thin-film means on one surface of said substrate for propagating a laterally confined optical signal along a longitudinal path, and electrode means for establishing in a substantial extent of the longitudinal path of said thin-film means a modulating electric field that is oriented perpendicular to said one surface and confined to said thin-film means and the immediate region of the one surface of said substrate, wherein said electrode means comprises three longitudinally extending parallel spaced-apart electrodes on the top surface of said device, the center one of said electrodes being disposed on said thin-film means over and parallel to said longitudinal path, so that optical signals propagated along said longitudinal path are propagated directly under said center electrode, and means for coupling optical signals to said device to propagate therein in said thin-film means directly under said center electrode only.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
In combination in an integrated optical device, a substrate, electro-optic thin-film means on one surface of said substrate for propagating a laterally confined optical signal along a longitudinal path, and electrode means for establishing in a substantial extent of the longitudinal path of said thin-film means a modulating electric field that is oriented perpendicular to said one surface and confined to said thin-film means and the immediate region of the one surface of said substrate, wherein said electrode means comprises three longitudinally extending parallel spaced-apart electrodes on the top surface of said device, the center one of said electrodes being disposed on said thin-film means over and parallel to said longitudinal path, so that optical signals propagated along said longitudinal path are propagated directly under said center electrode, and means for coupling optical signals to said device to propagate therein in said thin-film means directly under said center electrode only.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
72 words
A combination as in claim 1 wherein said thin-film means comprises a thin film on the entire one surface of said substrate, and further including first electrical contact means connected to said center electrode and adapted to be connected to one terminal of a two-terminal modulating signal source, and second electrical contact means directly connecting together said other two electrodes and adapted to be connected to the other terminal of said source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A combination as in claim 2 further including a two-terminal modulating signal source, and means connecting said first contact means to one terminal of said source and said second contact means to the other terminal of said source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
100 words
A combination as in claim 1 wherein said thin-film means comprises a longitudinal thin-film waveguiding ridge on the one surface of said substrate, and wherein the center one of said electrodes is disposed on said ridge and the other two electrodes are disposed on the one surface of said substrate, and further including first electrical contact means connected to said center electrode and adapted to be connected to one terminal of a two-terminal modulating signal source, and second electrical contact means directly connecting together said other two electrodes and adapted to be connected to the other terminal of said source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A combination as in claim 4 further including a two-terminal modulating signal source and means connecting said first contact means to one terminal of said source and said second contact means to the other terminal of said source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
121 words
A combination as in claim 1 wherein said thin-film means comprises a planar thin film on the entire one surface of said substrate, and further including a longitudinal stripe on said planar thin film for defining in said thin film a waveguiding portion below said stripe, and wherein the center one of said electrodes is disposed on said stripe and the other two electrodes are disposed on said planar thin film, and further including first electrical contact means connected to said center electrode and adapted to be connected to one terminal of a two-terminal modulating signal source, and second electrical contact means directly connecting together said other two electrodes and adapted to be connected to the other terminal of said source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A combination as in claim 6 further including a two-terminal modulating signal source, and means connecting said first contact means to one terminal of said source and said second contact means to the other terminal of saId source.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
147 words
In combination in an electro-optical thin-film device, a substrate, an electro-optic thin-film waveguiding layer on said substrate, said layer being adapted to propagate an optical signal along a reference axis thereof, and electrode means disposed only on one surface of said device, said electrode means comprising three parallel spaced-apart electrodes, the middle one of said electrodes being disposed on said layer directly above and parallel to said reference axis, wherein optical signals coupled to said device are propagated along a longitudinal path including said reference axis, said path in said layer lying directly under said middle electrode, and further including first electrical contact means connected to said middle electrode and adapted to be connected to one terminal of a two-terminal modulating signal source, and second electrical contact means directly connecting together said other two electrodes and adapted to be connected to the other terminal of said source.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
147 words
In combination in an electro-optical thin-film device, a substrate, an electro-optic thin-film waveguiding layer on said substrate, said layer being adapted to propagate an optical signal along a reference axis thereof, and electrode means disposed only on one surface of said device, said electrode means comprising three parallel spaced-apart electrodes, the middle one of said electrodes being disposed on said layer directly above and parallel to said reference axis, wherein optical signals coupled to said device are propagated along a longitudinal path including said reference axis, said path in said layer lying directly under said middle electrode, and further including first electrical contact means connected to said middle electrode and adapted to be connected to one terminal of a two-terminal modulating signal source, and second electrical contact means directly connecting together said other two electrodes and adapted to be connected to the other terminal of said source.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A combination as in claim 8 further including a two-terminal modulating signal source, and means connecting said first contact means to one terminal of said source and said second contact means to the other terminal of said source.
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) | 1978-04-14 | 1978-10-14 | 1979-04-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-14 | 1982-10-14 | 1983-04-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-14 | 1986-10-14 | 1987-04-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |