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US4687286A
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US
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Methods of and apparatus for optical spatial scanning
Assignee: Verizon Laboratories Inc
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Filing: 1985-05-03
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Granted: 1987-08-18
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Expires: 2005-05-03
Abstract
Abstract A chirped grating focuses guided waves to variable space points as determined by the intensity of a control beam. This can be achieved with a light controlled spatial scanner which includes a corrugated waveguide fabricated of a material having a non-linear index coefficient of refraction n 2 . The waveguide has corrugations with a period that varies linearly from Λ(O) at one point to Λ(L) at another point, where Λ(O) is greater than Λ(L). Guided modes of light are applied within the waveguide in a direction from the one point to the other point wherein the corrugations couple light from the guided modes to radiation modes focused at a focal spot in space. The intensity of the light within the waveguide is varied to cause the focal spot to traverse a path without the waveguide, dependent upon the varied intensity.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert G. Winful
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:54
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/34; G02B6/10; G02B6/12; G02B6/122; G02B6/124; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/29; G02F1/293; G02F1/35; G02F1/3515; G02F1/295; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S359/00; Y10S359/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A light controlled spatial scanner comprising a corrugated waveguide fabricated of a material having a nonlinear index coefficient of refraction n 2 , said waveguide having corrugations with a period that varies linearly from Λ (0) at one point to Λ (L) at another point, where Λ (0) is greater than Λ (L); means for applying guided modes of light within said waveguide in a direction from said one point to said another point, wherein said corrugations couple light from said guided modes to radiation modes focused at a focal spot in space; and means for varying intensity of said light within said waveguide to cause said focal spot to traverse a path without said waveguide dependent upon the varied intensity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A light controlled spatial scanner comprising a corrugated waveguide fabricated of a material having a nonlinear index coefficient of refraction n 2 , said waveguide having corrugations with a period that varies linearly from Λ (0) at one point to Λ (L) at another point, where Λ (0) is greater than Λ (L); means for applying guided modes of light within said waveguide in a direction from said one point to said another point, wherein said corrugations couple light from said guided modes to radiation modes focused at a focal spot in space; and means for varying intensity of said light within said waveguide to cause said focal spot to traverse a path without said waveguide dependent upon the varied intensity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
The scanner as recited in claim 1 wherein said waveguide is formed of a thin film of material having an index coefficient of refraction n f , deposited upon a substrate material having an index coefficient of refraction n s , and including a capping layer having an index coefficient of refraction n c , wherein n s >n f >n c .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
120 words
A light controlled spatial scanner comprising a corrugated waveguide fabricated of a material having a nonlinear index coefficient of refraction n 2 , said waveguide having corrugations with a period that varies linearly from Λ (0) at one point to Λ (L) at another point, where Λ (0) is greater than Λ (L); means for applying guided modes of light within said waveguide in a direction from said one point to said another point, wherein said corrugations couple light from said guided modes to radiation modes focused at a focal spot in space; and means for varying said index coefficient of refraction to cause said focal spot to traverse a path without said waveguide dependent upon the varied index coefficient.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
120 words
A light controlled spatial scanner comprising a corrugated waveguide fabricated of a material having a nonlinear index coefficient of refraction n 2 , said waveguide having corrugations with a period that varies linearly from Λ (0) at one point to Λ (L) at another point, where Λ (0) is greater than Λ (L); means for applying guided modes of light within said waveguide in a direction from said one point to said another point, wherein said corrugations couple light from said guided modes to radiation modes focused at a focal spot in space; and means for varying said index coefficient of refraction to cause said focal spot to traverse a path without said waveguide dependent upon the varied index coefficient.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The scanner as recited in claim 3 wherein said means for varying said index coefficient of refraction of said waveguide comprises a control beam applied to said waveguide for altering said index of refraction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The scanner as recited in claim 3 wherein said means for varying said index coefficient of refraction of said waveguide comprises a signal beam of varying intensity for varying said index of refraction.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of controlling a spatially scanned beam of light comprising the steps of providing a corrugated waveguide fabricated of a material having a nonlinear index coefficient of refraction n 2 , said waveguide having corrugations with a period that varies linearly from Λ (0) at one point to Λ (L) at another point, where Λ (0) is greater than Λ (L); applying guided modes of light within said waveguide in a direction from said one point to said another point, wherein said corrugations couple light from said guided modes to radiation modes focused at a focal spot in space; and varying intensity of said light within said waveguide to cause said focal spot to traverse a path without said waveguide dependent upon the varied intensity.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of controlling a spatially scanned beam of light comprising the steps of providing a corrugated waveguide fabricated of a material having a nonlinear index coefficient of refraction n 2 , said waveguide having corrugations with a period that varies linearly from Λ (0) at one point to Λ (L) at another point, where Λ (0) is greater than Λ (L); applying guided modes of light within said waveguide in a direction from said one point to said another point, wherein said corrugations couple light from said guided modes to radiation modes focused at a focal spot in space; and varying intensity of said light within said waveguide to cause said focal spot to traverse a path without said waveguide dependent upon the varied intensity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method as recited in claim 6 wherein said waveguide is formed of a thin film of material having an index coefficient of refraction n f , deposited upon a substrate material having an index coefficient of refraction n s , and including a capping layer having an index coefficient of refraction n c , wherein n s >n f >n c .
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as recited in claim 7 wherein said index coefficient of refraction of said waveguide is varied by applying a control beam to said waveguide for altering said index of refraction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as recited in claim 7 wherein said index coefficient of refraction of said waveguide is varied by varying intensity of a signal beam applied thereto.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of controlling a spatially scanned beam of light comprising the steps of providing a corrugated waveguide fabricated of a material having a nonlinear index coefficient of refraction n 2 , said waveguide having corrugations with a period that varies linearly from Λ (0) at one point to Λ (L) at another point, where Λ (0) is greater than Λ (L); applying guided modes of light within said waveguide in a direction from said one point to said another point, wherein said corrugations couple light from said guided modes to radiation modes focused at a focal spot in space; and varying said index coefficient of refraction to cause said focal spot to traverse a path without said waveguide dependent upon the varied index coefficient.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of controlling a spatially scanned beam of light comprising the steps of providing a corrugated waveguide fabricated of a material having a nonlinear index coefficient of refraction n 2 , said waveguide having corrugations with a period that varies linearly from Λ (0) at one point to Λ (L) at another point, where Λ (0) is greater than Λ (L); applying guided modes of light within said waveguide in a direction from said one point to said another point, wherein said corrugations couple light from said guided modes to radiation modes focused at a focal spot in space; and varying said index coefficient of refraction to cause said focal spot to traverse a path without said waveguide dependent upon the varied index coefficient.
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) | 1990-08-17 | 1991-02-16 | 1991-08-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-08-17 | 1995-02-16 | 1995-08-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-08-17 | 1999-02-16 | 1999-08-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |