US4128299A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Waveguide optical modulator
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1977-05-12
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Granted: 1978-12-05
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Expires: 1997-05-12
Abstract
Abstract Light propagating in a waveguide is modulated by deforming a cladding on at least one surface of the waveguide. The cladding has a thickness at least equal to the exponential depth of the evanescant field of the propagating light. A pair of electrode means is used to impress a field across the waveguide and cladding so that the cladding is deformed to a degree sufficient to interfere with the evanescant field and to modulate the propagating light.
Inventors
- 👤 James Maher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:07
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/0128
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for modulating light propagating in a waveguide, the waveguide having on at least one surface a deformable cladding of a material having a lower index of refraction than the waveguide, the cladding having a thickness at least equal to the exponential depth of the evanescant field of the propagating light, the waveguide and cladding being positioned between a pair of electrode means, the method comprising impressing a field between the electrode means in order to attract the electrodes towards each other so that the cladding is deformed to a degree sufficient to interfere with the evanescant field of the propagating light, whereby propagation of the light is modulated.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
110 words
A method for modulating light propagating in a waveguide, the waveguide having on at least one surface a deformable cladding of a material having a lower index of refraction than the waveguide, the cladding having a thickness at least equal to the exponential depth of the evanescant field of the propagating light, the waveguide and cladding being positioned between a pair of electrode means, the method comprising impressing a field between the electrode means in order to attract the electrodes towards each other so that the cladding is deformed to a degree sufficient to interfere with the evanescant field of the propagating light, whereby propagation of the light is modulated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the deformable cladding is made from an elastomeric material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the elastomeric material is selected from the group consisting of polydimethylsiloxane, 25 mol. percent polyphenylmethylsiloxane and 50 mol. percent polyphenylmethylsiloxane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the waveguide is formed from a material selected from the group comprising glass, sputtered glass and elastomeric materials.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the thickness of the cladding varies from about 0.1 micron to about 1 micron.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the pair of electrode means comprises a plurality of parallel, electrically connected filaments positioned to contact the cladding and oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of the light propagation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the waveguide has a cladding on only one surface and the opposite surface is supported by a substrate, the electrode means opposite the cladding comprising a conductive layer between the waveguide and the substrate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the waveguide has a cladding on both surfaces and one cladding is supported by a substrate, the electrode means on the supported surface comprising a conductive layer between the cladding and the substrate.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus for modulating light propagating in a waveguide, the apparatus comprising: (a) a waveguide adapted for propagating light therethrough; (b) a deformable cladding on at least one side of the waveguide, the cladding having a thickness at least equal to the exponential depth of the evanescant field of the propagating light; and (c) a pair of electrode means positioned on either side of the waveguide and cladding adapted for impressing a field across the waveguide and cladding in order to attract the electrodes toward each other so that the cladding is deformed to a degree sufficient to interfere with the evanescant field of the propagating light, whereby propagation of the light is modulated.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
114 words
An apparatus for modulating light propagating in a waveguide, the apparatus comprising: (a) a waveguide adapted for propagating light therethrough; (b) a deformable cladding on at least one side of the waveguide, the cladding having a thickness at least equal to the exponential depth of the evanescant field of the propagating light; and (c) a pair of electrode means positioned on either side of the waveguide and cladding adapted for impressing a field across the waveguide and cladding in order to attract the electrodes toward each other so that the cladding is deformed to a degree sufficient to interfere with the evanescant field of the propagating light, whereby propagation of the light is modulated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the waveguide is formed from a material selected from the group comprising glass, sputtered glass and elastomers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the deformable cladding is made from an elastomeric material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the elastomeric material is selected from the group consisting of polydimethylsiloxane, 25 mol. percent polyphenylmethylsiloxane, and 50 mol. percent polyphenylmethylsiloxane.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the thickness of the cladding varies from about 0.1 micron to about 1 micron.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein at least one of the pair of electrode means comprises a plurality of parallel electrically connected filaments positioned to contact the cladding and oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of the light propagation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the waveguide has a cladding on only one surface and the opposite surface is supported by a substrate, the electrode means opposite the cladding comprising a conductive layer between the waveguide and the substrate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the waveguide has a cladding on both surfaces and one cladding is supported by a substrate, the electrode means on the supported surface comprising a conductive layer between the cladding and the substrate.
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) | 1981-12-04 | 1982-06-05 | 1982-12-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-12-04 | 1986-06-05 | 1986-12-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-12-04 | 1990-06-05 | 1990-12-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |