US5029978A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical phase modulator
Assignee: BAE Systems Electronics Ltd
•
Filing: 1989-08-14
•
Granted: 1991-07-09
•
Expires: 2009-08-14
Abstract
Abstract An optical phase modulator comprises a body 1 of a matrix material which supports a length of optical fiber 2, the said body including a polymer material having piezoelectric properties and being provided with spaced electrode areas 4 such that the application of an electrical potential between said areas will produce a mechanical strain in the body 1, the said strain affecting the said fiber 2 so as to control phase modulation of light when this is present in the fibre. This can give a device of inexpensive construction which is robust and has high sensitivity.
Inventors
- 👤 Alan C. Curtis
- 👤 Michael L. Henning
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 11:44
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/0128; G02F1/0131; G02F1/0134
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
An optical phase modulator comprising a body of a matrix material which supports a length of optical fibre, the said body being a polymer material having piezoelectric properties and being provided with spaced electrode areas such that the application of an electrical potential between said areas will produce a mechanical strain in the body, the said strain affecting the said fibre so as to control phase modulation of light when this is present in the fibre and said fibre is arranged in the form of a coil within the said body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
An optical phase modulator comprising a body of a matrix material which supports a length of optical fibre, the said body being a polymer material having piezoelectric properties and being provided with spaced electrode areas such that the application of an electrical potential between said areas will produce a mechanical strain in the body, the said strain affecting the said fibre so as to control phase modulation of light when this is present in the fibre and said fibre is arranged in the form of a coil within the said body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A phase modulator as claimed in Claim 1, in which the said fibre is embedded in the polymer body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A phase modulator as claimed in claim 1 in which electrode areas are located on opposite faces of said body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A phase modulator as claimed in claim 1 in which one of said electrode areas is carried on a surface of said fibre.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A phase modulator as claimed in claim 1 in which the fibre is arranged longitudinally within a body of elongated form.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A phase modulator as claimed in claim 1 in which the matrix material is composed of two or more chemical phases.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A phase modulator as claimed in claim 1 in which the matrix material has isotropic properties.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A phase modulator as claimed in claim 1 in which the matrix material comprises one continuous chemical phase with another dispersed phase.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4002896A
Cited
US4235113A
Cited
US4525818A
Cited
US4792207A
Cited
US4729620A
Cited
GB2166020A
Cited
US4886333A
Cited
US4844577A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-07-08 | 1995-01-07 | 1995-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-07-08 | 1999-01-07 | 1999-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-07-08 | 2003-01-07 | 2003-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |