Patent US4948225A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4948225A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Nonlinear optical article for modulating polarized light
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1989-10-11
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Granted: 1990-08-14
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Expires: 2009-10-11
Abstract
Abstract A nonlinear optical article for the controlled propagation of electromagnetic radiation is disclosed. The article includes a reflective metal layer having a thickness in the range of from 100 to 1000 Å and work function in the range of from 2.5 to 4.5 eV, an optical coupler, a dielectric medium comprised of a poled polymeric layer exhibiting a glass transition temperature of at least 50° C. and a second order polarization susceptibility greater than 10 -9 electrostatic units, and means for variably applying an electrical potential to a surface of the dielectric medium remote from the reflective metal layer. A protective metal fluoride or oxide layer having a thickness of less than 0.1 μm is interposed between the reflective metal layer and the poled polymeric layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Christopher B. Rider
- 👤 Michael Scozzafava
- 👤 Jay S. Schildkraut
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:07
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/011; G02F1/0115; G02F1/0118; G02F1/19; G02F1/195; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/31504
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
An optical article capable of modulating the reflection of electromagnetic radiation comprising a reflective metal layer having a thickness in the range of from 100 to 1000 Å comprised of at least one metal having work function in the range of from 2.5 to 4.5 eV, means for directing polarized electromagnetic radiation to and acting as a support for said reflective metal layer, a dielectric medium capable of exhibiting a change in its refractive index as a function of an applied electrical potential gradient overlying said reflective metal layer, and means for variably applying an electrical potential to a surface of said dielectric medium remote from said reflective metal layer, characterized in that said dielectric medium is comprised of a poled polymeric layer exhibiting a glass transition temperature of at least 50° C. and a second order polarization susceptibility greater than 10 -9 electrostatic units and a protective layer having a thickness of less than 0.1 μm consisting essentially of at least one of a metal oxide and a metal fluoride is interposed between said reflective metal layer and said poled polymeric layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
An optical article capable of modulating the reflection of electromagnetic radiation comprising a reflective metal layer having a thickness in the range of from 100 to 1000 Å comprised of at least one metal having work function in the range of from 2.5 to 4.5 eV, means for directing polarized electromagnetic radiation to and acting as a support for said reflective metal layer, a dielectric medium capable of exhibiting a change in its refractive index as a function of an applied electrical potential gradient overlying said reflective metal layer, and means for variably applying an electrical potential to a surface of said dielectric medium remote from said reflective metal layer, characterized in that said dielectric medium is comprised of a poled polymeric layer exhibiting a glass transition temperature of at least 50° C. and a second order polarization susceptibility greater than 10 -9 electrostatic units and a protective layer having a thickness of less than 0.1 μm consisting essentially of at least one of a metal oxide and a metal fluoride is interposed between said reflective metal layer and said poled polymeric layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
An optical article according to claim 1 further characterized in that said metal layer is a silver layer having a thickness in the range of from 150 to 700 Å.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An optical article according to claim 1 further characterized in that said poled polymeric medium exhibits a glass transition temperature of at least 80° C.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
An optical article according to claim 3 further characterized in that said poled polymeric medium contains a nonlinear polymer containing organic molecular dipoles within its repeating units.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
An optical article according to claim 1 further characterized in that said metal has a work function in the range of from 3.5 to 4.5 eV.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
An optical article according to claim 5 further characterized in that said metal is chosen from the group consisting of magnesium, indium, titanium, aluminum, nickel, cobalt, zinc, silver, tin, antimony, bismuth, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
An optical article according to claim 5 further characterized in that said metal is silver.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
An optical article according to claim 1 further characterized in that said protective layer is comprised of a metal oxide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
An optical article according to claim 8 further characterized in that said metal oxide is chosen from the group consisting of rare earth oxides, alkaline earth oxides, alumina, and silica.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
An optical article according to claim 1 further characterized in that said protective layer is comprised of a metal fluoride.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
An optical article according to claim 10 further characterized in that said metal fluoride is chosen from the group consisting of alkali metal fluorides, alkaline earth fluorides, and rare earth fluorides.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical article according to claim 10 further characterized in that said metal fluoride is an alkali metal fluoride.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical article according to claim 12 further characterized in that said alkali metal fluoride is lithium fluoride.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
An optical article according to claim 10 further characterized in that said metal fluoride is an alkaline earth fluoride.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
An optical article according to claim 14 further characterized in that said alkaline earth fluoride is magnesium fluoride.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
An optical article according to claim 1 further characterized in that said protective layer has a thickness in the range of from 100 to 700 Å.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
An optical article according to claim 1 further characterized in that said means for directing electromagnetic radiation is a prism.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
An optical article according to claim 1 further characterized in that said means for directing electromagnetic radiation is a waveguide.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
46 words
An optical article according to claim 18 further characterized in that said waveguide is an optical fiber comprised of a core of a first refractive index and a surrounding cladding layer of a lower refractive index and said metal layer is optically coupled to said core.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
62 words
An optical article according to claim 19 further characterized in that said optical fiber is partially embedded in a dielectric mounting block presenting a planar surface, a portion of said optical fiber form a portion of said planar surface, and said metal layer lies in contact with said portions of said planar surface formed by said mounting block and said optical fiber.
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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) | 1993-08-13 | 1994-02-12 | 1994-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-08-13 | 1998-02-12 | 1998-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-08-13 | 2002-02-12 | 2002-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |