US4881110A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Double-Schottky diode liquid crystal light valve
Assignee: Victor Company of Japan Ltd
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Filing: 1988-05-16
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Granted: 1989-11-14
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Expires: 2008-05-16
Abstract
Abstract A double Schottky diode light valve (5) includes a liquid crystal (80) for locally modulating a beam (120) by polarization rotation to produce a modulated beam (121), and a photoconductor (40) located adjacent the liquid crystal (80) for receiving and absorbing a second beam (110). The photoconductor (40) controls the polarization responsively to the optical content of the second beam (110). The photoconductor (46) includes a semiconductor substrate and a pair of Schottky diodes (60/40, 30/40) disposed on opposing sides of the substrate. The absorption of the second beam (110) by the substrate (40) produces photogenerated carriers. The pair of Schottky diodes (60/40, 30/40) maintain the substrate (40) substantially depleted of such carriers and also reflects the modulated beam back through the liquid crystal.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul O. Braatz
- 👤 Uzi Efron
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 20:02
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/135; G02F1/1354; G02F1/015
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A photosubstrate for use in light valve devices comprising: semiconductor substrate means for absorbing an incident beam of radiation, said absorption producing photogenerated carriers; first and second Schottky diode means, alternately reverse-biased, disposed on opposing sides of said substrate means for maintaining said substrate substantially depleted of said carriers, at least one of said Schottky diode means having a plurality of metal islands in a matrix pattern, wherein said second Schottky diode means comprises a plurality of metal islands with insulating channels therebetween oriented to reflect a readout beam of radiation whereby diodes are formed by the interface of asid metal islands and said substrate means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A photosubstrate for use in light valve devices comprising: semiconductor substrate means for absorbing an incident beam of radiation, said absorption producing photogenerated carriers; first and second Schottky diode means, alternately reverse-biased, disposed on opposing sides of said substrate means for maintaining said substrate substantially depleted of said carriers, at least one of said Schottky diode means having a plurality of metal islands in a matrix pattern, wherein said second Schottky diode means comprises a plurality of metal islands with insulating channels therebetween oriented to reflect a readout beam of radiation whereby diodes are formed by the interface of asid metal islands and said substrate means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A photosubstrate as defined in claim 1, wherein said substrate means comprises a substrate material chosen from the group of silicon, gallium arsenide, indium arsenide, or indium phosphide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A photosubstrate as defined in claim 1, wherein said metal comprises a metal chosen from the group of indium tin oxide, aluminum, platinum and gold.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
A photosubstrate as defined in claim 1, wherein said first Schottky diode means comprises a plurality of metal-semiconductor diodes disposed on a first side of said substrate means in optical communication with said incident beam, said diodes including a grid of metal disposed immediately adjacent said substrate means, whereby said diodes are formed by the interface of said grid and said substrate means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A photosubstrate as defined in claim 4, wherein said metallic grid comprises a silicide of platinum and silicon material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A photosubstrate as defined in claim 4, wherein said metallic grid comprises indium tin oxide or platinum.
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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) | 1992-11-13 | 1993-05-15 | 1993-11-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-13 | 1997-05-15 | 1997-11-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-13 | 2001-05-15 | 2001-11-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |