US3904274A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Monolithic piezoelectric wavefront phase modulator
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co Inc
•
Filing: 1973-08-27
•
Granted: 1975-09-09
•
Expires: 1993-08-27
Abstract
Abstract A wavefront phase modulator is disclosed which is formed from a monolithic piezoelectric medium which undergoes dimensional changes in response to an electric field impressed thereacross. A thin metallized sheet is cemented to one surface of the piezoelectric medium to provide a mirror surface. Means are provided to produce a plurality of discretely electrically addressable locations on the piezoelectric medium. Such means include a series of segmented electrodes and/or saw cuts or drilled holes. Means are also provided for addressing each of the discrete locations with a variable strength voltage in order to cause the piezoelectric medium to undergo controlled and continuous surface deformations. These surface deformations are calculated to provide distortion correction for wavefronts reflected from the mirror surface of the modulator.
Inventors
- 👤 Julius Feinleib
- 👤 Stephen G Lipson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 07:48
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03F; G03F7/00; G03F7/70; G03F7/70058; G03F7/70191; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/06; G03F7/70216; G03F7/70308
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A piezoelectric wavefront modulator, comprising: a. a monolithic piezoelectric medium which undergoes dimensional changes in response to an electric field impressed thereacross, said piezoelectric medium having a mirror surface on one side thereof; b. means for providing said piezoelectric medium with a plurality of discretely electrically addressable locations; and, c. means for addressing each discretely electrically addressable location with a variable strength voltage, said field being sufficient at each location to cause the piezoelectric medium to undergo continuous surface deformation which is capable of correcting distortion in a wavefront striking said mirror surface of the piezoelectric medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
A piezoelectric wavefront modulator, comprising: a. a monolithic piezoelectric medium which undergoes dimensional changes in response to an electric field impressed thereacross, said piezoelectric medium having a mirror surface on one side thereof; b. means for providing said piezoelectric medium with a plurality of discretely electrically addressable locations; and, c. means for addressing each discretely electrically addressable location with a variable strength voltage, said field being sufficient at each location to cause the piezoelectric medium to undergo continuous surface deformation which is capable of correcting distortion in a wavefront striking said mirror surface of the piezoelectric medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
A modulator of claim 1 wherein said means for providing said piezoelectric medium with a plurality of discretely electrically addressable locations comprises a segmented electrode on one surface of said piezoelectric medium and a continuous electrode on the other side, each of said segmented electrodes being connected to a variable voltage supply.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
A modulator of claim 2 additionally including saw cuts in said piezoelectric medium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
82 words
A modulator of claim 1 wherein said means for providing said piezoelectric medium with a plurality of discretely electrically addressable locations comprises a continuous electrode on one side of said piezoelectric medium and a series of segmented electrodes on the other side thereof, and a series of holes extending through said piezoelectric medium, said means for addressing includes a variable voltage source, and each of said holes contains a wire extending from said variable voltage source to one of said segmented electrodes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
A modulator of claim 4 wherein said piezoelectric medium comprises barium titanate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A modulator of claim 4 wherein said piezoelectric medium comprises a lead zirconium titanate based ceramic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A modulator of claim 4 wherein said piezoelectric medium comprises a single crystal of bismuth germanium oxide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A modulator of claim 4 wherein said piezoelectric medium comprises a single crystal of quartz.
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) | 1978-09-08 | 1979-03-10 | 1979-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-08 | 1983-03-10 | 1983-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-08 | 1987-03-10 | 1987-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |