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System and method for the real-time conversion of two-color incoherent or coherent light to two-color coherent light

Assignee: Ben Gurion University of the Negev Research and Development Authority Ltd
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Filing: 1977-08-23
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Granted: 1979-04-10
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Expires: 1997-08-23
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Abstract

Abstract A system and method are described for the real-time conversion of a two-cr optical input into coherent light of two colors. The system includes a first electrooptic device oriented to receive the optical input, the device having applied thereto a periodic voltage producing an electrical field periodically varying between magnitudes effective to block one or the other color of the optical input. The system further includes a second electrooptic device oriented to produce coherent light of two colors, this device having applied thereto a second periodic voltage in synchronization with the first-mentioned voltage to produce an electrical field periodically varying between magnitudes effective to block one or the other color of the coherent light source. A gate applies the second periodic voltage to the second electrooptic device only when light of either of the two colors is outputted by the first electrooptic device.

Inventors

  • 👤 Nadav Bar-Chaim
  • 👤 Ady Seidman
  • 👤 Eliezer Wiener-Avnear

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-28 12:00
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/03; G02F1/055

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim 240 words
A system for the real-time conversion of an optical input having two colors into coherent light of two colors, comprising: a first electrooptic device oriented to receive said optical input and effective to block or pass light therefrom in accordance with the magnitude of an electrical field applied thereto; means for applying to said first electrooptic device a first periodic voltage varying between two levels for producing a first electrical field periodically varying between one magnitude effective to block one colour of the optical input and a second magnitude effective to block the other colour of the optical input; a source of coherent light of two colors; a second electrooptic device oriented to receive light from said coherent light source and effective to block or pass light therefrom in accordance with the magnitude of an electrical field applied thereto; means for producing a second periodic voltage in synchronization with the first periodic voltage and varying between two levels for application to the second electrooptic device to produce a second electrical field periodically varying between one magnitude effective to block one color of the coherent light source and a second magnitude effective to block the other color of the coherent light source; and a photoconductor switch receiving the light outputted from said first electrooptic device and effective, when light of either of said colors is received thereby, to gate the application of said second periodic voltage to the second electrooptic device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 240 words
A system for the real-time conversion of an optical input having two colors into coherent light of two colors, comprising: a first electrooptic device oriented to receive said optical input and effective to block or pass light therefrom in accordance with the magnitude of an electrical field applied thereto; means for applying to said first electrooptic device a first periodic voltage varying between two levels for producing a first electrical field periodically varying between one magnitude effective to block one colour of the optical input and a second magnitude effective to block the other colour of the optical input; a source of coherent light of two colors; a second electrooptic device oriented to receive light from said coherent light source and effective to block or pass light therefrom in accordance with the magnitude of an electrical field applied thereto; means for producing a second periodic voltage in synchronization with the first periodic voltage and varying between two levels for application to the second electrooptic device to produce a second electrical field periodically varying between one magnitude effective to block one color of the coherent light source and a second magnitude effective to block the other color of the coherent light source; and a photoconductor switch receiving the light outputted from said first electrooptic device and effective, when light of either of said colors is received thereby, to gate the application of said second periodic voltage to the second electrooptic device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 24 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said optical input is of incoherent light, whereby the system operates as a two-color incoherent-to-coherent light converter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 38 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein said optical input is of coherent light at least one color of which is different from those of said coherent light source, whereby the system operates as a coherent-light color converter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 39 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein each of said first and second electrooptic devices includes an electrooptic ceramic having electrodes for applying the electric field thereto, and polarizer means on the input and output sides of the ceramic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 17 words
A system according to claim 4, wherein said electrooptic ceramic is a PLZT slip loop farroelectric ceramic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 24 words
A system according to claim 4, wherein said second electrooptic device operates in the transmission mode and includes separate polarizers on its opposite sides.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 30 words
A system according to claim 4, wherein said second electrooptic device operates in the reflection mode and includes a polarizer on one side and a mirror on the opposite side.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 19 words
A system according to claim 7 wherein said mirror is sandwiched between the photoconductor switch and the electrooptic ceramic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 18 words
A system according to claim 7, further including a beam-splitter between said polarizer and said coherent light source.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 24 words
A system according to claim 4, wherein said electrodes are disposed to produce an electrical field transversely to the direction of the optical input.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 24 words
A system according to claim 4, wherein said electrodes are disposed to produce an electrical field longitudinally of the direction of the optical input.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 52 words
Apparatus for the real-time conversion of an image of two colors into coherent light of two colors comprising a system according to claim 11, wherein the ceramic of the second electrooptic device includes the photoconductor switch on the surface facing the first electrooptic device, and transparent electrodes on its two outer faces.
Claim 14
Independent Claim 217 words
A method for the real-time conversion of an optical input having two colors into coherent light of two colors, comprising the steps: orienting a first electrooptic device to receive said optical input, said device being effective to block or pass light in accordance with the magnitude of an electrical field applied thereto; applying to said first electrooptic device a first periodic voltage varying between two levels for producing a first electrical field periodically varying between one magnitude effective to block one color of the optical input and a second magnitude effective to block the other color of the optical input; transmitting coherent light of two colors to a second electrooptic device effective to block or pass light in accordance with the magnitude of an electrical field applied thereto; producing a second periodic voltage in synchronization with the first periodic voltage and varying between two levels for application to the second electrooptic device to produce a second electrical field periodically varying between one magnitude effective to block one color of the coherent light source and a second magnitude effective to block the other color of the coherent light source; and gating the application of said second periodic voltage to the second electrooptic device only when light of either of said colors is outputted by the first electrooptic device.
Claim 15
Independent Claim 217 words
A method for the real-time conversion of an optical input having two colors into coherent light of two colors, comprising the steps: orienting a first electrooptic device to receive said optical input, said device being effective to block or pass light in accordance with the magnitude of an electrical field applied thereto; applying to said first electrooptic device a first periodic voltage varying between two levels for producing a first electrical field periodically varying between one magnitude effective to block one color of the optical input and a second magnitude effective to block the other color of the optical input; transmitting coherent light of two colors to a second electrooptic device effective to block or pass light in accordance with the magnitude of an electrical field applied thereto; producing a second periodic voltage in synchronization with the first periodic voltage and varying between two levels for application to the second electrooptic device to produce a second electrical field periodically varying between one magnitude effective to block one color of the coherent light source and a second magnitude effective to block the other color of the coherent light source; and gating the application of said second periodic voltage to the second electrooptic device only when light of either of said colors is outputted by the first electrooptic device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 39 words
The method according to claim 13, wherein each of said first and second electrooptic devices includes an electrooptic ceramic having electrodes for applying the electric field thereto, and polarizer means on the input and output sides of the ceramic.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3791717A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1982-04-09 1982-10-09 1983-04-10 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1986-04-09 1986-10-09 1987-04-10 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1990-04-09 1990-10-09 1991-04-10 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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