US3995311A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical logic elements
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1975-09-22
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Granted: 1976-11-30
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Expires: 1995-09-22
Abstract
Abstract Two light paths are disposed to induce resonant coupling of light energy from one path to the other. Electrodes connected to an electrical source are positioned relative to the two light paths and to develop electric fields which inhibit the resonant coupling from one light path to the other. A photoconductive region is positioned in one of the two light paths or in an additional third light path so that transmission of light energy through the photoconductive material produces a lowered resistance path between the electrodes, substantially diminishing the potential across the electrodes, and causing commensurate dimunition of the electric fields so that resonant coupling is inhibited between the resonantly coupled optical paths. Three light paths may be employed to provide an optical AND gate while two light paths can be arranged to provide an optical OR gate.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry F. Taylor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:41
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/29; G02F1/31; G02F1/313; G02F1/3132; G02F3/00; H; H03; H03K; H03K19/00; H03K19/02; H03K19/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
An optical OR logic gate comprising: first and second optical waveguides spatially disposed to produce resonant coupling of light energy therebetween; electrodes disposed contiguous to said first and second optical waveguides for common connection to an electrical potential of polarity generating electric fields of opposite sense to inhibit said resonant coupling; an electrical potential connected in circuit with said electrodes; and a photo responsive region in one of said optical waveguides responsive to the transmission of light energy therethrough for substantially diminishing the potential thereacross, causing commensurate diminution of said electric fields, and permitting resonant coupling of light energy between said first and second optical waveguides.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
An optical OR logic gate comprising: first and second optical waveguides spatially disposed to produce resonant coupling of light energy therebetween; electrodes disposed contiguous to said first and second optical waveguides for common connection to an electrical potential of polarity generating electric fields of opposite sense to inhibit said resonant coupling; an electrical potential connected in circuit with said electrodes; and a photo responsive region in one of said optical waveguides responsive to the transmission of light energy therethrough for substantially diminishing the potential thereacross, causing commensurate diminution of said electric fields, and permitting resonant coupling of light energy between said first and second optical waveguides.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
112 words
An optical AND logic gate comprising: first and second optical waveguides spatially disposed to produce resonant coupling of light energy therebetween; electrodes disposed contiguous to said first and second optical waveguides for common connection to an electrical potential of polarity generating electric fields of opposite sense across said waveguides to inhibit said resonant coupling; an electrical potential connected in circuit with said electrodes; a third optical path; and a photo responsive region in said third optical path responsive to the transmission of light energy therethrough for substantially diminishing the potential thereacross, causing commensurate diminution of said electric fields, and permitting resonant coupling of light energy between said first and second optical waveguides.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
112 words
An optical AND logic gate comprising: first and second optical waveguides spatially disposed to produce resonant coupling of light energy therebetween; electrodes disposed contiguous to said first and second optical waveguides for common connection to an electrical potential of polarity generating electric fields of opposite sense across said waveguides to inhibit said resonant coupling; an electrical potential connected in circuit with said electrodes; a third optical path; and a photo responsive region in said third optical path responsive to the transmission of light energy therethrough for substantially diminishing the potential thereacross, causing commensurate diminution of said electric fields, and permitting resonant coupling of light energy between said first and second optical waveguides.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
111 words
An optical logic element comprising: a plurality of light paths including at least two optical waveguides disposed to produce resonant coupling of light energy therebetween; electrodes disposed contiguous to said two optical waveguides for common connection to an electrical potential of polarity generating electric fields of opposite sense across said waveguides to inhibit said resonant coupling; an electric potential connected in circuit with said electrodes; and a photo responsive region in one of said light paths responsive to the transmission of light energy therethrough for substantially diminishing the potential thereacross, causing commensurate diminution of said electric fields, and permitting resonant coupling of light energy between said first and second optical waveguides.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
111 words
An optical logic element comprising: a plurality of light paths including at least two optical waveguides disposed to produce resonant coupling of light energy therebetween; electrodes disposed contiguous to said two optical waveguides for common connection to an electrical potential of polarity generating electric fields of opposite sense across said waveguides to inhibit said resonant coupling; an electric potential connected in circuit with said electrodes; and a photo responsive region in one of said light paths responsive to the transmission of light energy therethrough for substantially diminishing the potential thereacross, causing commensurate diminution of said electric fields, and permitting resonant coupling of light energy between said first and second optical waveguides.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical logic element as claimed in claim 3 wherein said optical waveguides are comprised of semiconductor material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An optical logic element as claimed in claim 3 wherein said optical waveguides comprise two parallel dielectric waveguides in an electro-optic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical logic element as claimed in claim 3 wherein said optical waveguides are comprised of ferroelectric material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical logic element as claimed in claim 3 wherein said photo responsive region is a photoconductive material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical logic element as claimed in claim 3 wherein said photo responsive region is a photoemissive material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3909108A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-11-30 | 1980-05-31 | 1980-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-11-30 | 1984-05-31 | 1984-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-11-30 | 1988-05-31 | 1988-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |