Optical amplitude modulation modulator

Claim 2

An amplitude modulation modulator for at least one optical beam comprising: an optical fiber waveguide transmitting said optical beam therealong; and an amplitude modulation modulated acoustic wave coupled to a selected region of said waveguide along its length to modulate at least one transmission characteristic of said waveguide in said selected region by said amplitude modulation of said modulated acoustic wave to impart said amplitude modulation of said modulated acoustic wave to said optical beam; said selected region including a plurality of shorter regions in a series relationship with each other, and an acoustic absorber disposed between adjacent ones of said plurality of shorter regions.

Claim 3

A modulator according to claim 1, wherein said waveguide has a longitudinal axis, and said modulated acoustic wave is launched toward said waveguide at a given angle with respect to said axis, said acoustic wave having a plane wavefront in said selected region traveling along said axis.

Claim 4

A modulator according to claim 1, wherein said amplitude modulation is digital in nature.

Claim 5

A modulator according to claim 1, wherein said amplitude modulation is analog in nature.

Claim 6

A modulator according to claim 1, wherein said transmission characteristic is an index of refraction.

Claim 7

A modulator according to claim 5, wherein said amplitude modulation is digital in nature.

Claim 8

A modulator according to claim 5, wherein said amplitude modulation is analog in nature.

Claim 9

An amplitude modulation modulator for at least one optical beam comprising: an optical fiber waveguide transmitting said optical beam therealong; an amplitude modulation modulated acoustic wave coupled to a selected region of said waveguide along its length to modulate at least one transmission characteristic of said waveguide in said selected region by said amplitude modulation of said modulated acoustic wave to impart said amplitude modulation of said modulated acoustic wave to said optical beam; said waveguide having a longitudinal axis; and a single angle Bragg cell switch disposed at said selected region and surrounding said waveguide to receive said modulated acoustic wave launched perpendicular to said axis to enable said modulated acoustic wave to modulate said transmission characteristic of said selected region.

Claim 10

An amplitude modulation modulator for at least one optical beam comprising: an optical fiber waveguide transmitting said optical beam therealong; an amplitude modulation modulated acoustic wave coupled to a selected region of said waveguide along its length to modulate at least one transmission characteristic of said waveguide in said selected region by said amplitude modulation of said modulated acoustic wave to impart said amplitude modulation of said modulated acoustic wave to said optical beam; said waveguide having a longitudinal axis; and a single angle Bragg cell switch disposed at said selected region and surrounding said waveguide to receive said modulated acoustic wave launched perpendicular to said axis to enable said modulated acoustic wave to modulate said transmission characteristic of said selected region.

Claim 11

A modulator according to claim 8, wherein said amplitude modulation is digital in nature.

Claim 12

A modulator according to claim 8, wherein said amplitude modulation is analog in nature.

Claim 13

A modulator according to claim 8, wherein said transmission characteristic is an index of refraction.

Claim 14

A modulator according to claim 11, wherein said amplitude modulation is digital in nature.

Claim 15

A modulator according to claim 11, wherein said amplitude modulation is analog in nature.

Claim 16

An amplitude modulation modulator for at least one optical beam comprising: an optical fiber waveguide transmitting said optical beam therealong; an amplitude modulation modulated acoustic wave coupled to a selected region of said waveguide along its length to modulate at least one transmission characteristic of said waveguide in said selected region by said amplitude modulation of said modulated acoustic wave to impart said amplitude modulation of said modulated acoustic wave to said optical beam; said waveguide having a longitudinal axis; and a multiangle Bragg cell switch disposed at said selected region and surrounding said waveguide to receive said modulated acoustic wave launched perpendicular to said axis to enable said modulated acoustic wave to modulate said transmission characteristic of said selected region.

Claim 17

An amplitude modulation modulator for at least one optical beam comprising: an optical fiber waveguide transmitting said optical beam therealong; an amplitude modulation modulated acoustic wave coupled to a selected region of said waveguide along its length to modulate at least one transmission characteristic of said waveguide in said selected region by said amplitude modulation of said modulated acoustic wave to impart said amplitude modulation of said modulated acoustic wave to said optical beam; said waveguide having a longitudinal axis; and a multiangle Bragg cell switch disposed at said selected region and surrounding said waveguide to receive said modulated acoustic wave launched perpendicular to said axis to enable said modulated acoustic wave to modulate said transmission characteristic of said selected region.

Claim 18

A modulator according to claim 14, wherein said amplitude modulation is digital in nature.

Claim 19

A modulator according to claim 14, wherein said amplitude modulation is analog in nature.

Claim 20

A modulator according to claim 14, wherein said transmission characteristic is an index of refraction.

Claim 21

A modulator according to claim 17, wherein said amplitude modulation is digital in nature.

Claim 22

A modulator according to claim 17, wherein said amplitude modulation is analog in nature.