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US4940316A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for increasing the efficiency of an acousto optic diffractive device
Assignee: Micron Technology Inc
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Filing: 1988-05-13
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Granted: 1990-07-10
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Expires: 2008-05-13
Abstract
Abstract An acousto optic diffractive device including a transducer for launching acoustic energy into a crystal so as to maximize overlap of the acoustic energy within the crystal, and a light source for illuminating the crystal so that the light is diffracted by the overlapping acoustic energy. By operating an acousto optic diffractive device in resonance, the amount of power required to drive the acousto optic diffractive device is significantly lowered, without adversely affecting the wavelength pass band of the device.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald B. Brandt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 07:51
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
An acousto optic tunable filter system comprising: a crystal; acoustic means for launching acoustic energy into said crystal so as to maximize overlap of said acoustic energy within said crystal; means for modulating the acoustic energy launched into said crystal in accordance with a reference signal; means for illuminating said crystal with light so that the light is diffracted by said overlapping acoustic energy; means for providing said reference signal; and means for detecting light exiting said crystal being in phase with said reference signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
An acousto optic tunable filter system comprising: a crystal; acoustic means for launching acoustic energy into said crystal so as to maximize overlap of said acoustic energy within said crystal; means for modulating the acoustic energy launched into said crystal in accordance with a reference signal; means for illuminating said crystal with light so that the light is diffracted by said overlapping acoustic energy; means for providing said reference signal; and means for detecting light exiting said crystal being in phase with said reference signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
An acousto optic tunable filter system according to claim 1, wherein said crystal has two parallel sides.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
An acousto optic tunable filter system according to claim 2, wherein said acoustic energy has a wavelength, and said two sides are spaced apart by an integral number of said wavelength.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
An acousto optic tunable filter system according to claim 1, wherein said crystal comprises an anisotropic material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
An acoustic optic tunable filter system according to claim 1, wherein said means for modulating includes frequency modulating means for frequency modulating said acoustic energy.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
An acousto optic tunable filter system according to claim 1, wherein said means for modulating includes a means for amplitude modulating said acoustic energy launched into said crystal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1993-07-09 | 1994-01-08 | 1994-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-07-09 | 1998-01-08 | 1998-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-07-09 | 2002-01-08 | 2002-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |