Apparatus for controlling the propagation characteristics of coherent light within an optical fiber

Claim 2

An information processor as recited in claim 1 wherein said control means is operable to vary the optical path length of said optical fiber section in accordance with said signal.

Claim 3

An information processor as recited in claim 1 wherein said control means comprises means for applying pressure to said optical fiber section and varying said pressure in accordance with said signal.

Claim 4

An information processor as recited in claim 1 wherein said control means is operable to vary the polarization of the coherent light as it is propagated through said fiber section in accordance with said signal.

Claim 5

An information processor as recited in claim 1 wherein said optical fiber is constructed to support only a single dielectric mode of propagation of said coherent light.

Claim 6

An information processor as recited in claim 6 wherein said single dielectric mode is the HE11 mode.

Claim 7

An information processor for use with a source of coherent light comprising a plurality of optical fibers having their entrances arranged in first plane to receive light from said coherent source, a source of signals, and means responsive to said signals to vary the propagation characteristics of at least sections of said fibers in accordance with said signals to thereby vary a characteristic of said coherent light as it is propagated through said fibers, said fiber sections being arranged so that the amount of light energy from said source guided by each of said fiber sections from one end of such section to the other throughout the entire length of such section is maintained substantially constant.

Claim 8

An information processor as recited in claim 8 wherein said optical fibers are constructed to support propagation of said coherent light only in the HE11 mode.

Claim 9

An information processor as recited in claim 8 further comprising a screen, and means for focusing the light emerging from said exits of said fibers on said screen.

Claim 10

An information processor as recited in claim 8 wherein there is provided means to scan light from said coherent source across said entrance of said fibers.

Claim 11

An information processor for use with a source of coherent light comprising an optical fiber through which is propagated coherent light from said source, means for producing a time varying signal, control means responsive to said signal to vary the optical path length of said optical fiber in accordance with said signal, said fiber being arranged so that the amount of light energy from said source guided by said fiber from one end of said fiber to the other throughout the entire length of said fiber is substantially constant as the optical path length of said fiber is varied, and reference means for detecting a change in the optical path length of said fiber caused by said signal.

Claim 12

An information processor as recited in claim 12 wherein said reference means comprises a second optical fiber propagating light from said source of coherent light, said optical fibers being arranged so that the light propagated through said second optical fiber of said reference means interferes with the light propagated through said first mentioned optical fiber.

Claim 13

An information processor for use with a source of coherent lIght comprising an optical fiber through which is propagated coherent light from said source, means for producing a signal, and stressing means operable to apply compression across the diameter of said optical fiber and to vary the compression applied thereby in accordance with said signal, said fiber being arranged so that the amount of light energy from said source guided by said fiber from one end to the other throughout the entire length of said fiber is substantially constant as the compression across the diameter of said fiber is varied.

Claim 14

An information pressor as recited in claim 14 wherein said stressing means comprises a piezoelectric crystal arranged to vary the compression applied across the diameter of said fiber in response to said signal.

Claim 15

An information processor as recited in claim 14 wherein said stressing means comprises magnetostrictive material arranged to vary the compression applied across said diameter in response to said signal.

Claim 16

An information processor for use with a source of coherent light comprising an optical fiber through which is propagated coherent light from said source, means for producing a signal, and control means responsive to said signal for twisting said fiber to alter the polarization of said coherent light as it is propagated through said fiber in accordance with said signal, said fiber being arranged so that the amount of light energy from said source guided by said fiber from one end of said fiber to the other throughout the entire length of said fiber is substantially constant as the amount of twist applied to said fiber is varied.

Claim 17

An information processor as recited in claim 17 wherein said coherent light entering said optical fiber is plane polarized.

Claim 18

An information processor as recited in claim 18 further comprising a polarization analyzer positioned to receive the light propagated through said fiber.

Claim 19

An information processor for use with a source of coherent light comprising an optical fiber through which is propagated coherent light from said source, means for producing a signal, and a pressure chamber through which said fiber passes, said pressure chamber including means to vary the pressure therein in accordance with said signal, said fiber being arranged so that the amount of energy from said source guided by said fiber from one end of said pressure chamber to the other throughout the entire length of said fiber in said pressure chamber is substantially constant as the pressure in said chamber is varied.

Claim 20

An information processor for use with a source of coherent light comprising an optical fiber through which is propagated coherent light from said source, means for producing a signal, and control means responsive to said signal for applying mechanical force to at least a section of said optical fiber and varying said force in accordance with said signal to thereby vary a characteristic of said coherent light as said coherent light is propagated through said fiber section, said section being arranged so that the amount of light energy from said means guided by said section from one end of said section to the other throughout the entire length of said section is substantially constant as said mechanical force is varied.