US4786128A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Device for modulating and reflecting electromagnetic radiation employing electro-optic layer having a variable index of refraction
Assignee: Quantum Diagnostics Ltd
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Filing: 1986-12-02
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Granted: 1988-11-22
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Expires: 2006-12-02
Abstract
Abstract A multi-layer device for modulating and reflecting light. The device is formed of an electro-optic layer with a variable index of refraction sandwiched between two other layers having a pre-determined index of refraction. An electric field applied across the electro-optic layer controls the index of refraction of the layer and thus the reflectance and transmittance of light through the multi-layer stack. The device can therefore be used as a mirror, window, beam-splitter, shutter, light modulator, or other optical logic element.
Inventors
- 👤 Curtis A. Birnbach
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 02:07
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/21; G02F1/19; G02F1/03; G02F2201/00; G02F2201/34; G02F2201/346
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A device for modulating and reflecting light, comprising: (a) a layer of electro-optical material having a variable index of refraction sandwiched between two layers of dielectric material having a pre-determined index of refraction; and (b) electrodes mounted on the outer edge portions on opposite faces of said electro-optic layer for applying a potential laterally across said electro-optic layer to vary the index of refraction of said electro-optic layer which controls the reflectance and transmittance of light through said device in a direction orthogonal to said layers.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
86 words
A device for modulating and reflecting light, comprising: (a) a layer of electro-optical material having a variable index of refraction sandwiched between two layers of dielectric material having a pre-determined index of refraction; and (b) electrodes mounted on the outer edge portions on opposite faces of said electro-optic layer for applying a potential laterally across said electro-optic layer to vary the index of refraction of said electro-optic layer which controls the reflectance and transmittance of light through said device in a direction orthogonal to said layers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device for modulating and reflecting light as recited in claim 1, wherein said potential is applied to said electro-optic layer from two orthogonal directions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device for modulating and reflecting light as recited in claim 1, comprising a plurality of said layers of electro-optic material, each sandwiched between said layers of material having a pre-determined index of refraction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device for modulating and reflecting light as recited in claim 3, wherein the potentials applied across each of said electro-optic layers are driven independently.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
A device for modulating and reflecting light as recited in claim 1, comprising a plurality of said layers of electro-optic material, each sandwiched between said layers of material having a pre-determined index of refraction said potential being applied to each of said electro-optic layers from two orthogonal directions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A device for modulating and reflecting light as recited in claim 5, wherein the potential applied across said electro-optic layer in the first of said two orthogonal directions is driven independently of the potential applied in the second of said two orthogonal directions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device for modulating and reflecting light as recited in claim 6, wherein said potentials applied in said first and second orthogonal directions comprise a quadrature output video signal.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
125 words
A device for modulating and reflecting light, comprising: (a) a layer of electro-optical material having a variable index of refraction sandwiched between two layers of dielectric material having a pre-determined index of refraction; and (b) thin layer electrodes having substantially the same pre-determined index of refraction as said two layers of dielectric material, said thin layer electrodes mounted on substantially the entirety of opposite faces of said electro-optic layer and disposed between said electro-optic layer and each of said two layers of material having a pre-determined index of refraction for applying a potential across said electro-optic layer to vary the index of refraction of said electro-optic layer which controls the reflectance and transmittance of light through said device in a direction orthogonal to said layers.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
125 words
A device for modulating and reflecting light, comprising: (a) a layer of electro-optical material having a variable index of refraction sandwiched between two layers of dielectric material having a pre-determined index of refraction; and (b) thin layer electrodes having substantially the same pre-determined index of refraction as said two layers of dielectric material, said thin layer electrodes mounted on substantially the entirety of opposite faces of said electro-optic layer and disposed between said electro-optic layer and each of said two layers of material having a pre-determined index of refraction for applying a potential across said electro-optic layer to vary the index of refraction of said electro-optic layer which controls the reflectance and transmittance of light through said device in a direction orthogonal to said layers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device for modulating and reflecting light as recited in claim 8, wherein said potential is applied to said electro-optic layer from two orthogonal directions.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
72 words
A device for modulating and reflecting x-rays, comprising a plurality of layers of material having a high electron density interleaved with a plurality of layers having a low electron density, wherein the transmittance of said device to x-rays travelling through said device in a direction orthogonal to said plurality of layers is increased by increasing the electron density in said layers having a low electron density by applying a current source thereto.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
72 words
A device for modulating and reflecting x-rays, comprising a plurality of layers of material having a high electron density interleaved with a plurality of layers having a low electron density, wherein the transmittance of said device to x-rays travelling through said device in a direction orthogonal to said plurality of layers is increased by increasing the electron density in said layers having a low electron density by applying a current source thereto.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
69 words
A device for modulating and reflecting x-rays, comprising a plurality of layers of material having a high electron density interleaved with a plurality of layers having a low electron density, wherein the reflectance of said device to x-rays travelling in a direction orthogonal to said pluralities of layers is increased by increasing the electron density in said layers having a high electron density by applying a current source thereto.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
69 words
A device for modulating and reflecting x-rays, comprising a plurality of layers of material having a high electron density interleaved with a plurality of layers having a low electron density, wherein the reflectance of said device to x-rays travelling in a direction orthogonal to said pluralities of layers is increased by increasing the electron density in said layers having a high electron density by applying a current source thereto.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
74 words
A device for modulating and reflecting x-rays, comprising a plurality of layers of material having a high electron density interleaved with a plurality of layers having a low electron density, wherein the transmittance of said device to x-rays travelling through said device in a direction orthogonal to said plurality of layers is increased by decreasing the electron density in said layers having a high electron density by applying a current sink and load thereto.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
74 words
A device for modulating and reflecting x-rays, comprising a plurality of layers of material having a high electron density interleaved with a plurality of layers having a low electron density, wherein the transmittance of said device to x-rays travelling through said device in a direction orthogonal to said plurality of layers is increased by decreasing the electron density in said layers having a high electron density by applying a current sink and load thereto.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
71 words
A device for modulating and reflecting x-rays, comprising a plurality of layers of material having a high electron density interleaved with a plurality of layers having a low electron density, wherein the reflectance of said device to x-rays travelling in a direction orthogonal to said pluralities of layers is increased by decreasing the electron density in said layers having a low electron density by applying a current sink and load thereto.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
71 words
A device for modulating and reflecting x-rays, comprising a plurality of layers of material having a high electron density interleaved with a plurality of layers having a low electron density, wherein the reflectance of said device to x-rays travelling in a direction orthogonal to said pluralities of layers is increased by decreasing the electron density in said layers having a low electron density by applying a current sink and load 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) | 1991-11-22 | 1992-05-23 | 1992-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-22 | 1996-05-23 | 1996-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-22 | 2000-05-23 | 2000-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |