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US3923374A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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High speed electro-optic waveguide modulator
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1974-07-22
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Granted: 1975-12-02
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Expires: 1994-07-22
Abstract
Abstract An optical waveguide for transmitting light energy is defined by a channel of diffusant in a selected substrate material. An electrical conductor is positioned proximate to each side of the optical waveguide channel and a source of electrical signals is connected to the electrical conductors to develop an electrical field across the optical waveguide, producing resultant changes in refractive index commensurate with the electrical signals impressed upon the parallel electrical conductors. The changes of refractive index cause changes in polarization of light energy transmitted through that portion of the optical waveguide so that such light energy is phase modulated. In a preferred waveguide electro-optic modulator assembly, polarized light energy transmitted by the optical waveguide may undergo a change of polarization which, when intercepted by a polarization-sensitive filter, will produce an amplitude modulation of the light energy transmitted by the assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 William E Martin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 15:22
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/03; G02F1/035; G02F2201/00; G02F2201/06; G02F2201/066
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A CHANNEL WAVEGUIDE ELECTRO-OPTIC MODULATOR COMPRISING: A SUBSTRATE MATERIAL OF A II-VI COMPOUND, AN OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE HAVING A PREDETERMINED UNIFORM WIDTH DEFINED BY A CHANNEL OF DIFFUSANT IN A PORTION OF SAID SUBSTRATE MATERIAL, SAID DIFFUSANT BEING AN ELEMENT CHOSEN FROM THE GROUPS II AND VI OF THE PERIODIC TABLE OF ELEMENTS, ANELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR OF PREDETERMINED UNIFORM WIDTH DISPOSED PROXIMATE TO AND PARALLEL WITH EACH SIDE OF SAID CHANNEL OF DIFFUSANT, THE RATIO OF THE WIDTH OF SAID OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE TO THE WIDTH OF EACH SAID ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR BEING SUBSTANTIALLY OF THE ORDER OF 2:1, AND
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A CHANNEL WAVEGUIDE ELECTRO-OPTIC MODULATOR COMPRISING: A SUBSTRATE MATERIAL OF A II-VI COMPOUND, AN OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE HAVING A PREDETERMINED UNIFORM WIDTH DEFINED BY A CHANNEL OF DIFFUSANT IN A PORTION OF SAID SUBSTRATE MATERIAL, SAID DIFFUSANT BEING AN ELEMENT CHOSEN FROM THE GROUPS II AND VI OF THE PERIODIC TABLE OF ELEMENTS, ANELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR OF PREDETERMINED UNIFORM WIDTH DISPOSED PROXIMATE TO AND PARALLEL WITH EACH SIDE OF SAID CHANNEL OF DIFFUSANT, THE RATIO OF THE WIDTH OF SAID OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE TO THE WIDTH OF EACH SAID ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR BEING SUBSTANTIALLY OF THE ORDER OF 2:1, AND
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A waveguide electro-optic modulator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said diffusant is selected for increasing the refractive index within said channel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A waveguide electro-optic modulator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said diffusant is selected for increasing the refractive index within said channel by a predetermined amount.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A waveguide electro-optic modulator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said diffusant is diffused into said channel in an amount to produce a predetermined increase in the refractive index of said channel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
A waveguide electro-optic modulator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said substrate is a compound from the group comprising the sulfides, selenides, and tellurides of zinc and cadmium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A waveguide electro-optic modulator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said diffusant is an element from the group comprising sulfur, selenium, tellurium, cadmium, and zinc.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A waveguide electro-optic modulator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electrical conductors comprise metallic films deposited on said substrate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
An electro-optic modulator assembly including the waveguide electro-optic modulator as claimed in claim 1 and comprising: a source of polarized light energy disposed for transmission by said modulator; and a polarization-sensitive filter positioned to intercept the light energy transmitted by said modulator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
An electro-optic modulator assembly as claimed in claim 8 wherein said source of polarized light energy comprises a source of coherent light and a polarizer means.
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) | 1978-12-01 | 1979-06-02 | 1979-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-01 | 1983-06-02 | 1983-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-01 | 1987-06-02 | 1987-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |