Patent US3311887A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3701131A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Magneto-optic storage element
Assignee: Airbus Defence and Space GmbH
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Filing: 1970-06-01
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Granted: 1972-10-24
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Expires: 1990-06-01
Abstract
Abstract Magneto-optic storage element for the storage of information. A nonconductive carrier, such as glass, is provided with a ferromagnetic metal or metal alloy coating which is in turn coated with an evaporated homogenous dielectric and optically transparent layer. An electromagnetic field is caused to surround the ferromagnetic layer. If plane-polarized light is reflected from the magnetic layer, the plane of polarization thereof is rotated due to the Kerr effect. If plane-polarized light penetrates the magnetic layer, same is then rotated due to the Faraday effect. The magnetization applied to the magnetic layer determines the rotation of e plane of polarization and same constitutes the input information. The rotation achieved for the output light constitutes the read out signal and same can be read by any analyzer capable of interpreting the plane.
Inventors
- 👤 Klaus J Brauser
- 👤 Athanasios Kritikos
- 👤 Walter Kroy
- 👤 Walter E Mehnert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:58
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C13/00; G11C13/04; G11C13/06; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/09
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A storage element positionable in the path of a polarized light beam for the storage of information therein, comprising: means defining an elongated, nonmagnetically influenceable, light path adapted to transmit said light from one end thereof to the other end, said light path means comprising at least one elongated light conducting optical fiber; ferromagnetic metal means defining a magnetizable magnetic layer in the path of said light beam and adapted to reflect said light beam, said ferromagnetic metal means comprising a ferromagnetic coating around the outside of said optical fiber; a diaelectric coating around the outside of said ferromagnetic coating; and elongated coil means for generating an electromagnetic field surrounding said light path and said magnetic layer, said electromagnetic field magnetizing said magnetic layer to effect a rotation of the plane of polarization of said light beam by the Kerr effect when said polarized light strikes said magnetized layer, the amount of said rotation being proportional to the intensity of said magnetization of said magnetic layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
A storage element positionable in the path of a polarized light beam for the storage of information therein, comprising: means defining an elongated, nonmagnetically influenceable, light path adapted to transmit said light from one end thereof to the other end, said light path means comprising at least one elongated light conducting optical fiber; ferromagnetic metal means defining a magnetizable magnetic layer in the path of said light beam and adapted to reflect said light beam, said ferromagnetic metal means comprising a ferromagnetic coating around the outside of said optical fiber; a diaelectric coating around the outside of said ferromagnetic coating; and elongated coil means for generating an electromagnetic field surrounding said light path and said magnetic layer, said electromagnetic field magnetizing said magnetic layer to effect a rotation of the plane of polarization of said light beam by the Kerr effect when said polarized light strikes said magnetized layer, the amount of said rotation being proportional to the intensity of said magnetization of said magnetic layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A storage element according to claim 1, wherein said coil means comprises an electrical current conductor and control means for supplying electrical current to said conductor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
114 words
A storage element according to claim 2, wherein said control means comprises a photo-electric transparent layer mounted on said one end of said light conducting optical fiber, the wave length of energy produced by said photo-electric layer being different from said light beam; wherein said current conductor is connected at one end to said photo-electric layer; and including an anode plate positioned in the path of said energy path from said photo-electric layer when said photo-electric layer is struck by said light beam, said anode plate being connected to the positive terminal of a power source and the other end of said current conductor being connected to the negative terminal of said power source.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A storage element according to claim 1, including a plurality of said storage elements in a block of insulation material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A storage element according to claim 1, wherein said coil means comprises a conductor system in the form of a matrix.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
190 words
A storage element positionable in the path of a polarized light beam for the storage of information therein, comprising: means defining an elongated, nonmagnetically influenceable, light path adapted to transmit said light from one end thereof to the other end, said light path means comprising an elongated hollow light conduction optical fiber; ferromagnetic metal means defining a magnetizable magnetic layer in the path of said light means and adapted to reflect said light beam, said ferromagnetic metal means including an elongated ferromagnetic rod filling the hollow interior of said hollow light conducting optical fiber; elongated coil means encircling said hollow light conducting optical fiber for generating an electromagnetic field surrounding said light path and said magnetic layer, said electromagnetic field magnetizing said magnetic layer to effect a rotation of the plane of polarization of said light beam by the Kerr effect when said polarized light strikes said magnetized layer, the amount of said rotation being proportional to the intensity of said magnetization of said magnetic layer; and a diaelectric coating around the outside of said hollow light conducting optical fiber and disposed between said optical fiber and said coil means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
190 words
A storage element positionable in the path of a polarized light beam for the storage of information therein, comprising: means defining an elongated, nonmagnetically influenceable, light path adapted to transmit said light from one end thereof to the other end, said light path means comprising an elongated hollow light conduction optical fiber; ferromagnetic metal means defining a magnetizable magnetic layer in the path of said light means and adapted to reflect said light beam, said ferromagnetic metal means including an elongated ferromagnetic rod filling the hollow interior of said hollow light conducting optical fiber; elongated coil means encircling said hollow light conducting optical fiber for generating an electromagnetic field surrounding said light path and said magnetic layer, said electromagnetic field magnetizing said magnetic layer to effect a rotation of the plane of polarization of said light beam by the Kerr effect when said polarized light strikes said magnetized layer, the amount of said rotation being proportional to the intensity of said magnetization of said magnetic layer; and a diaelectric coating around the outside of said hollow light conducting optical fiber and disposed between said optical fiber and said coil means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A storage element according to claim 6, wherein said dielectric coating is transparent.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-24 | 1976-04-24 | 1976-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-24 | 1980-04-24 | 1980-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-24 | 1984-04-24 | 1984-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |