US5210637A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High speed light modulation
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1991-11-12
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Granted: 1993-05-11
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Expires: 2011-11-12
Abstract
Abstract A device for modulating light, wherein a layer of material having a superconducting state is placed in the optical path of a light source and is switched between transparent, non-superconducting and non-transparent, superconducting states by a modulation circuit, thereby providing optical data modulation. A cooling device is provided to maintain the layer of material in its superconducting state. The light source is maintained at a constant optical output which reduces spectral dispersion.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth A. Puzey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:58
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/0147; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S505/00; Y10S505/70; Y10S505/701
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A light modulation device comprising: a light source supplying light to be modulated, said light source having a light output; a layer of material deposited on the light output of said light source, said material having a first, superconducting state wherein light is not transmitted therethrough and a second state wherein light is transmitted therethrough; and a modulation circuit for controlling electrical current flow through said layer of material for switching said material between its first, superconducting state and its second state thereby modulating light from said light source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
A light modulation device comprising: a light source supplying light to be modulated, said light source having a light output; a layer of material deposited on the light output of said light source, said material having a first, superconducting state wherein light is not transmitted therethrough and a second state wherein light is transmitted therethrough; and a modulation circuit for controlling electrical current flow through said layer of material for switching said material between its first, superconducting state and its second state thereby modulating light from said light source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The light modulation device of claim 1 wherein said light source is a laser device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The light modulation device of claim 1 wherein said light source is a light emitting diode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The light modulation device of claim 1 wherein said layer of material enters said first, superconducting state when the temperature of said layer of material is lowered below a critical temperature, said light modulation device further comprising: means for cooling said layer of material to below said critical temperature such that said material enters said first, superconducting state.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The light modulation device of claim 4 wherein said means for cooling is a refrigeration device containing said light source, said layer of material and said modulation circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The light modulation device of claim 1 further comprising a constant current source connected to said light source for maintaining said light source at a constant light output.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The light modulation device of claim 1 wherein said modulation circuit includes switching means for switching said layer material between said first, superconducting state and said second state at a rate of between about 100 MHz to about 1 THz.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The light modulation device of claim 7 wherein said switching means includes Josephson junction devices as switching elements.
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) | 1996-05-10 | 1996-11-09 | 1997-05-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-05-10 | 2000-11-09 | 2001-05-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-05-10 | 2004-11-09 | 2005-05-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |