Patent US4010748A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4257686A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4257686A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Multiple layer piezoelectric wavefront modulator
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Guidance and Electronics Co Inc
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Filing: 1978-12-14
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Granted: 1981-03-24
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Expires: 1998-12-14
Abstract
Abstract A wavefront modulator includes a multiple layer unitary block of a piezoelectric medium having a mirror bonded to the uppermost surface of the block. First and second sets of electrodes are formed within the block at each of a plurality of discrete electrically-addressable locations, such that the electrodes of the first set are positioned at one side of each of the layers, and the electrodes of the second set are positioned at opposite sides of each of the layers in order to increase the sensitivity of response of the modulator to in turn decrease the requisite driving or control voltages. The first and second sets of electrodes are offset with respect to each other to provide for ease of electrical access to each electrode of each set.
Inventors
- 👤 Nedo P. Albertinetti
- 👤 Ralph E. Aldrich
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 21:04
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/06; H; H10; H10N; H10N30/00; H10N30/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
243 words
In a piezoelectric wavefront modulator, comprising: a. a unitary block of piezoelectric medium (1) which undergoes dimensional changes in response to electric fields produced therein; b. a mirror (7) coupled to said unitary block of piezoelectric medium; c. means for providing said piezoelectric medium with a plurality of discretely electrically-addressable locations (V 1 , V 2 , V 3 ); d. means for addressing each discretely electrically-addressable location with a variable strength voltage (11, 14), the resulting field being sufficient at each location to cause the piezoelectric medium to undergo deformation which is capable of correcting distortion in a wavefront striking said mirror; the improvement wherein: e. said unitary block of piezoelectric medium comprises layers of material (2, 3, 4, and 6), each layer having uniform piezoelectric properties throughout, and said means for addressing each discretely electrically-addressable location within said unitary piezoelectric medium further includes: e-1. a first set of electrodes (8, 9, and 10) at each of said addressable locations positioned at one side of each of said layers; e-2. a second set of electrodes (12, 13) at each of said addressable locations positioned at an opposite side of each of said layers; e-3. a first conductor (11) coupled to said first set of electrodes at each location; e-4. a second conductor (14) coupled to said second set of electrodes at each said location, thereby to increase the sensitivity, and decrease the requisite driving voltage applied to each of said addressable locations.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
243 words
In a piezoelectric wavefront modulator, comprising: a. a unitary block of piezoelectric medium (1) which undergoes dimensional changes in response to electric fields produced therein; b. a mirror (7) coupled to said unitary block of piezoelectric medium; c. means for providing said piezoelectric medium with a plurality of discretely electrically-addressable locations (V 1 , V 2 , V 3 ); d. means for addressing each discretely electrically-addressable location with a variable strength voltage (11, 14), the resulting field being sufficient at each location to cause the piezoelectric medium to undergo deformation which is capable of correcting distortion in a wavefront striking said mirror; the improvement wherein: e. said unitary block of piezoelectric medium comprises layers of material (2, 3, 4, and 6), each layer having uniform piezoelectric properties throughout, and said means for addressing each discretely electrically-addressable location within said unitary piezoelectric medium further includes: e-1. a first set of electrodes (8, 9, and 10) at each of said addressable locations positioned at one side of each of said layers; e-2. a second set of electrodes (12, 13) at each of said addressable locations positioned at an opposite side of each of said layers; e-3. a first conductor (11) coupled to said first set of electrodes at each location; e-4. a second conductor (14) coupled to said second set of electrodes at each said location, thereby to increase the sensitivity, and decrease the requisite driving voltage applied to each of said addressable locations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1, wherein said mirror is bonded to major portions of one side of said unitary block of said piezoelectric medium.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination as set forth in claims 1 or 2, wherein said first and second sets of electrodes are laterally offset with respect to each other to provide ease of electrical access to each set of electrodes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination as set forth in claim 3 wherein each layer is internally polarized in an opposite direction with respect to the next adjacent layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination as set forth in claim 2 wherein each layer is internally polarized in an opposite direction with respect to the next adjacent layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein each layer is internally polarized in an opposite direction with respect to the next adjacent layer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3742234A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-03-23 | 1984-09-22 | 1985-03-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-03-23 | 1988-09-22 | 1989-03-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-03-23 | 1992-09-22 | 1993-03-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |