US5015052A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical modulation at millimeter-wave frequencies
Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute Inc
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Filing: 1989-07-20
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Granted: 1991-05-14
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Expires: 2009-07-20
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for modulation of optical signals at millimeter-wave frequencies comprises a thin elongate dielectric slab (1) of lithium niobate to partially confine and guide therein a polarized electrical signal (8) at millimeter-wave frequencies; a thinner optical waveguide (3) of lithium niobate with titanium diffused therein to substantially confine and guide therein an optical signal (9), having at least one elongate surface adjacent to an elongate surface of the dielectric slab (1); an optical grating (5) of arsenic trisulfide for directing a polarized optical signal (9) into the waveguide (3) to propagate in a lengthwise direction therein; an optical grating (7) of arsenic trisulfide for directing the optical signal (9) out of the waveguide (3) after it has traversed a predetermined distance therein; and a metallic waveguide (2) for directing an electrical signal (8) into the dielectric slab (1) in the same direction as that of the optical signal (9) in the waveguide (3), and at a center frequency such that it propagates at a phase velocity substantially matching the phase velocity of the optical signal (9).
Inventors
- 👤 Richard W. Ridgway
- 👤 Milton R. Seiler
- 👤 Van E. Wood
- 👤 George T. Ruck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 03:24
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/03; G02F1/035; G02F1/0356
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
Apparatus for modulation of optical signals at millimeter-wave frequencies comprising a thin elongate slab of dielectric material having such thickness as to partially confine, and propagate as a guided wave therein, a polarized electrical signal at millimeter-wave frequencies, a thinner optical waveguide to substantially confine and guide therein an optical signal, having at least one elongate surface adjacent to an elongate surface of the dielectric slab, means for directing a polarized optical signal into the optical waveguide to propagate in a lengthwise direction therein, means for directing the optical signal out of the topical waveguide after it has traversed a predetermined distance therein, and means for directing an electrical signal into the dielectric slab in the same direction as that of the optical signal in the optical waveguide, and at a center frequency such that it propagates at a phase velocity substantially matching the phase velocity of the optical signal; the apparatus being free of electrically conductive material in the proximity of the dielectric slab and the optical waveguide in the region thereof that is traversed by the optical signal, thereby providing efficient electrooptic modulation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
Apparatus for modulation of optical signals at millimeter-wave frequencies comprising a thin elongate slab of dielectric material having such thickness as to partially confine, and propagate as a guided wave therein, a polarized electrical signal at millimeter-wave frequencies, a thinner optical waveguide to substantially confine and guide therein an optical signal, having at least one elongate surface adjacent to an elongate surface of the dielectric slab, means for directing a polarized optical signal into the optical waveguide to propagate in a lengthwise direction therein, means for directing the optical signal out of the topical waveguide after it has traversed a predetermined distance therein, and means for directing an electrical signal into the dielectric slab in the same direction as that of the optical signal in the optical waveguide, and at a center frequency such that it propagates at a phase velocity substantially matching the phase velocity of the optical signal; the apparatus being free of electrically conductive material in the proximity of the dielectric slab and the optical waveguide in the region thereof that is traversed by the optical signal, thereby providing efficient electrooptic modulation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein an elongate surface of the optical waveguide contacts the adjacent surface of the dielectric slab.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the means for directing the electrical signal into the dielectric slab comprises a metallic waveguide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the polarization of the electrical signal is transverse magnetic and the polarization of the optical signal is transverse magnetic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the optical waveguide comprises lithium niobate with titanium diffused therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as in claim 5, wherein the optical signal is in the visible wavelength range for the thickness of the waveguide layer is about 0.5 to 3.0 micrometer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the dielectric slab comprises lithium niobate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as in claim 7, wherein the thickness of the dielectric slab is about 0.1 to 0.5 millimeter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as in claim 7, wherein the thickness of the dielectric slab is about 0.25 millimeter and the center frequency of the electrical signal is about 94 gigahertz.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the means for directing the optical signal into the waveguide comprises an optical grating.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as in claim 10, wherein the means for directing the optical signal away from the waveguide comprises an optical grating.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus as in claim 11, wherein each grating comprises arsenic trisulfide.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the dielectric slab comprises a pair of substantially identical members adjacent to the optical waveguide along opposite elongate surfaces of the waveguide.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as in claim 13, wherein the means for directing the electrical signal into the dielectric slab comprises a metallic waveguide.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as in claim 14, wherein the means for directing the optical signal into the waveguide comprises an optical fiber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as in claim 15, wherein the means for directing the optical signal away from the waveguide comprises an optical fiber.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
Apparatus as in claim 16, wherein each optical fiber comprises lithium niobate.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-05-13 | 1994-11-12 | 1995-05-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-05-13 | 1998-11-12 | 1999-05-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-05-13 | 2002-11-12 | 2003-05-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |