US3891308A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Acoustooptic modulator
Assignee: Liconix
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Filing: 1974-08-05
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Granted: 1975-06-24
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Expires: 1994-08-05
Abstract
Abstract An improved acoustooptic modulator for modulating a light beam comprising an acoustooptic body having a first planar surface and a second surface opposite and effectively nonparallel to the first surface, the second surface having scores therein; and an acoustic transducer coupled to the first surface for transmitting an acoustic wave into the body through the first surface for forward propagation to the second surface. The scores serve to randomize the reflection component of the acoustic wave from the second surface so as to prevent the reflection component from destructively combining with the forward propagating wave. This modulator is effective to cause a substantially noise-free turnon or turn-off of an optical grating formed by the acoustic wave as it propagates through the body. The modulator lends itself to insertion into a laser cavity for use in modulating a laser beam.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph D Hawkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 00:58
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01S; H01S3/00; H01S3/10; H01S3/106; H01S3/1068; G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
An acoustooptic modulator for modulating a light beam comprising: an acoustooptic body having a first planar surface and a second surface opposite and effectively nonparallel to said first surface, said second surface having scores therein; and an acoustooptic transducer coupled to said first surface for transmitting an acoustic wave into said body through said first surface for propagation to said second surface, said scores randomizing the reflection component of said acoustic wave from said second surface for preventing said reflection component from destructively combining with the forward propagating component of said acoustic wave.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
An acoustooptic modulator for modulating a light beam comprising: an acoustooptic body having a first planar surface and a second surface opposite and effectively nonparallel to said first surface, said second surface having scores therein; and an acoustooptic transducer coupled to said first surface for transmitting an acoustic wave into said body through said first surface for propagation to said second surface, said scores randomizing the reflection component of said acoustic wave from said second surface for preventing said reflection component from destructively combining with the forward propagating component of said acoustic wave.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
An acoustooptic modulator for modulating a light beam as recited in claim 1 wherein said scores have a depth of at least the wavelength of said acoustic wave.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
An acoustooptic modulator for modulating a light beam as recited in claim 1 wherein said second surface forms an angle of less than 10* relative to said first surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An acoustooptic modulator for modulating a light beam as recited in claim 3 wherein said angle is approximately 5*.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
An acoustooptic modulator for modulating a light beam as recited in claim 1 wherein said acoustooptic body is fused silica.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
An acoustooptic modulator for modulating a light beam as recited in claim 1 wherein said second surface and said scores comprise a triangular pattern in cross-section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
An acoustooptic modulator for modulating a light beam as recited in claim 6 wherein the apex of each of the triangles in said pattern lies in a plane that is disposed at an angle of about 5* relative to said first surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
An acoUstooptic modulator for modulating a light beam as recited in claim 7 wherein said triangles are isosceles and wherein the distance between adjacent apexes is 4 times the wavelength of said acoustic wave.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
An acoustooptic modulator for modulating a light beam as recited in claim 1 wherein said body is a Littrow prism.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
130 words
An acoustooptic modulator for modulating a laser beam, said modulator comprising: an acoustooptic body having a first surface which is planar and arranged substantially parallel to the direction of said laser beam and a second surface which is corrugated in appearance so as to define a plurality of alternating crests and troughs, said troughs lying in a first plane which is disposed opposite to and at a small acute angle relative to said first surface; and an acoustic transducer coupled to said first surface for transmitting an acoustic wave into said body through said first surface for propagation to said second surface, said second surface randomizing the reflection component of said acoustic wave for preventing said reflection component from destructively interferring with the forward propagating component of said acoustic wave.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
130 words
An acoustooptic modulator for modulating a laser beam, said modulator comprising: an acoustooptic body having a first surface which is planar and arranged substantially parallel to the direction of said laser beam and a second surface which is corrugated in appearance so as to define a plurality of alternating crests and troughs, said troughs lying in a first plane which is disposed opposite to and at a small acute angle relative to said first surface; and an acoustic transducer coupled to said first surface for transmitting an acoustic wave into said body through said first surface for propagation to said second surface, said second surface randomizing the reflection component of said acoustic wave for preventing said reflection component from destructively interferring with the forward propagating component of said acoustic wave.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
An acoustooptic modulator for modulating a laser beam as recited in claim 10 whrein said acoustooptic body is fused silica.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
An acoustooptic modulator for modulating a laser beam as recited in claim 10 wherein said angle between said first surface and said first plane is about 5*.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
An acoustooptic modulator for modulating a laser beam as recited in claim 10 wherein said second surface resembles a sequence of triangles in cross-section.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
An acoustooptic modulator for modulating a laser beam as recited in claim 13 wherein said triangles are isosceles having apexes that correspond to said crests, the distance between adjacent apexes being about 4 times the wavelength of said acoustic wave.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
An acoustooptic modulator for modulating a laser beam as recited in claim 14 wherein said apexes lie in a second plane that is substantially parallel to said first plane.
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) | 1978-06-23 | 1978-12-23 | 1979-06-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-23 | 1982-12-23 | 1983-06-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-23 | 1986-12-23 | 1987-06-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |