US5202786A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Optical switching devices
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1991-09-12
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Granted: 1993-04-13
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Expires: 2011-09-12
Abstract
Abstract An optical switching device employs a rare earth bis-phthalocyanine having good third-order nonlinear susceptibilities. In a preferred optical switch, the rare earth bis-phthalocyanine is employed as a nonlinear optical material body that fills the space between two partially reflecting mirrors. When light incident on the switch is below a given intensity level, light passes through the switch and the switch is in an open state. When light is above a given intensity level, light is trapped in the nonlinear optical material and the switch is in a closed state.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael E. Boyle
- 👤 James S. Shirk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:27
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/35; G02F1/355; G02F1/361; G02F1/3619; G02F1/01; G02F1/21; G02F1/0126
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
An optical switch comprising: switching means, comprising of a pair of spaced, partially reflecting mirrors defining a cavity therebetween; and a body of nonlinear optical material which substantially fills said cavity for providing an open state wherein in response to light incident thereon of an intensity below a first level a substantial portion of the incident light passes therethrough, and for providing a closed state wherein in response to light incident thereon of an intensity greater than a second level a substantial portion of the incident light does not pass therethrough, said nonlinear optical material comprising a rare earth bis-phthalocyanine.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
An optical switch comprising: switching means, comprising of a pair of spaced, partially reflecting mirrors defining a cavity therebetween; and a body of nonlinear optical material which substantially fills said cavity for providing an open state wherein in response to light incident thereon of an intensity below a first level a substantial portion of the incident light passes therethrough, and for providing a closed state wherein in response to light incident thereon of an intensity greater than a second level a substantial portion of the incident light does not pass therethrough, said nonlinear optical material comprising a rare earth bis-phthalocyanine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The optical switch of claim 1, wherein said switch employs incident light of more than one wavelength.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The optical switch of claim 1, wherein said nonlinear optical material comprises a solid rare earth bis-phthalocyanine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The optical switch of claim 1, wherein said nonlinear optical material comprises a solution of a rare earth bis-phthalocyanine.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The optical switch of claim 1, wherein said nonlinear optical material comprises scandium bis-phthalocyanine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The optical switch of claim 1, wherein said rare earth bis-phthalocyanine comprises lutetium bis-phthalocyanine.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The optical switch of claim 1, wherein said nonlinear optical material comprises ytterbium bis-phthalocyanine.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical switch of claim 1, wherein said nonlinear optical material comprises yttrium bi -phthalocyanine.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The optical switch of claim 1, wherein said rare earth bis-phthalocyanine comprises gadolinium bis-phthalocyanine.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The optical switch of claim 1, wherein said nonlinear optical material comprises europium bis-phthalocyanine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The optical switch of claim 1, wherein said rare earth bis-phthalocyanine comprises neodymium bis-phthalocyanine.
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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) | 1996-04-12 | 1996-10-12 | 1997-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-04-12 | 2000-10-12 | 2001-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-04-12 | 2004-10-12 | 2005-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |