US4119930A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coupling modulation in travelling wave resonator
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1976-09-24
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Granted: 1978-10-10
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Expires: 1996-09-24
Abstract
Abstract A wideband optical ring modulator is disclosed. A ring resonator containing a synchronous travelling wave electro-optic modulator is disposed external to a laser cavity. The invention provides a compact lightweight optical modulator which combines the power enhancement capabilities of a resonant cavity with the wideband capabilities of a travelling wave coupling modulator. The present invention is especially useful for, although not limited to, ultra-wideband infrared laser communication systems utilizing PCM techniques.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard L. Abrams
- 👤 David M. Henderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:28
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/03; G02F1/0344; G02F1/21; G02F2201/00; G02F2201/17
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
A wideband optical ring modulator comprising, in combination, a ring resonator supportive of unidirectionally propagating optical energy, a travelling wave electro-optic modulator disposed within said ring resonator, first means for coupling unmodulated optical energy into said ring resonator from an external source and second means for coupling modulated optical energy from said ring resonator to the exclusion of unmodulated optical energy.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
A wideband optical ring modulator comprising, in combination, a ring resonator supportive of unidirectionally propagating optical energy, a travelling wave electro-optic modulator disposed within said ring resonator, first means for coupling unmodulated optical energy into said ring resonator from an external source and second means for coupling modulated optical energy from said ring resonator to the exclusion of unmodulated optical energy.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
110 words
A wideband optical modulator comprising, in combination: a plurality of geometrically arranged reflecting members, said reflecting members defining a ring resonator for optical energy, a first of said reflecting members being transmissive to optical energy incident thereon from an optical source external to said ring resonator; at least one element of electro-optic material disposed within said ring resonator; means for coupling a modulating signal to said element of electro-optic material; said element of electro-optic material being capable of modulating the optical energy within said ring resonator in response to said modulating signal; and means for coupling modulated optical energy from said ring resonator to the exclusion of unmodulated optical energy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
110 words
A wideband optical modulator comprising, in combination: a plurality of geometrically arranged reflecting members, said reflecting members defining a ring resonator for optical energy, a first of said reflecting members being transmissive to optical energy incident thereon from an optical source external to said ring resonator; at least one element of electro-optic material disposed within said ring resonator; means for coupling a modulating signal to said element of electro-optic material; said element of electro-optic material being capable of modulating the optical energy within said ring resonator in response to said modulating signal; and means for coupling modulated optical energy from said ring resonator to the exclusion of unmodulated optical energy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical modulator according to claim 2 including means for varying the resonant length of said ring resonator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The optical modulator according to claim 2 wherein said element of electro-optic material comprises an elongated rod of cadmium telluride.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The optical modulator according to claim 2 wherein a second of said reflecting members comprises a reflective polarizer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The optical modulator according to claim 2 wherein said means for coupling optical energy from said ring resonator comprises a transmissive polarizer disposed between two of said reflecting members.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
128 words
A wideband optical modulator comprising, in combination: a plurality of geometrically arranged reflecting members, said reflecting members defining a ring resonator supportive of unidirectionally propagating optical energy, a first of said reflecting members being transmissive to optical energy incident thereon from an optical source external to said ring resonator; at least one element of electro-optic material disposed within said ring resonator; at least one strip transmission line for coupling an rf modulating signal to said element of electro-optic material in substantial synchronism with the optical energy propagating therein; said element of electro-optic material being capable of modulating the optical energy within said ring resonator in response to said modulating signal; and means for coupling modulated optical energy from said ring resonator to the exclusion of unmodulated optical energy.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
128 words
A wideband optical modulator comprising, in combination: a plurality of geometrically arranged reflecting members, said reflecting members defining a ring resonator supportive of unidirectionally propagating optical energy, a first of said reflecting members being transmissive to optical energy incident thereon from an optical source external to said ring resonator; at least one element of electro-optic material disposed within said ring resonator; at least one strip transmission line for coupling an rf modulating signal to said element of electro-optic material in substantial synchronism with the optical energy propagating therein; said element of electro-optic material being capable of modulating the optical energy within said ring resonator in response to said modulating signal; and means for coupling modulated optical energy from said ring resonator to the exclusion of unmodulated optical energy.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The optical modulator according to claim 7 wherein said means for coupling optical energy from said ring resonator comprises a transmissive polarizer disposed between two of said reflecting members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
93 words
In combination: a laser oscillator having a pair of end reflecting members defining a resonant laser cavity and a laser medium disposed within said laser cavity, one of said end reflecting members providing an output for optical energy generated by said laser oscillator; a ring resonator supportive of unidirectionally propagating optical energy; a travelling wave electro-optic modulator disposed within said ring resonator; means for coupling the output of said laser oscillator into said ring resonator; and means for coupling modulated optical energy from said ring resonator to the exclusion of unmodulated optical energy.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
93 words
In combination: a laser oscillator having a pair of end reflecting members defining a resonant laser cavity and a laser medium disposed within said laser cavity, one of said end reflecting members providing an output for optical energy generated by said laser oscillator; a ring resonator supportive of unidirectionally propagating optical energy; a travelling wave electro-optic modulator disposed within said ring resonator; means for coupling the output of said laser oscillator into said ring resonator; and means for coupling modulated optical energy from said ring resonator to the exclusion of unmodulated optical energy.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination according to claim 9 wherein said travelling wave electro-optic modulator comprises at least one elongated rod of cadmium telluride and at least one strip transmission line electromagnetically coupled thereto.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-10-09 | 1982-04-10 | 1982-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-10-09 | 1986-04-10 | 1986-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-10-09 | 1990-04-10 | 1990-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |