US3781081A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electro-optical waveguide arrangements
Assignee: Telent Technologies Services Ltd
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Filing: 1972-04-17
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Granted: 1973-12-25
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Expires: 1992-04-17
Abstract
Abstract An optical switching element is described which has at least two optical paths. The paths are formed by blocks of electro-optical material which, when subjected to an electrical field, suffers a change in refractive index. The material is sensitive to the polarity of the electric field and, by appropriately orientating the material forming the two paths, a common electric field applied across both paths will produce a change in refractive index in opposite senses in the two paths. This enables light transfer between the two paths to be controlled. Also described are logic elements formed by coupling two or more such switching elements.
Inventors
- 👤 G Rokos
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:05
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/29; G02F1/31; G02F1/313; G02F1/3132; G02F1/01; G02F1/03; G02F1/035; G02F3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
An electromagnetic wave guiding arrangement comprising a first member, a second member along which a wave is to be guided mounted in contact with the first member to form a common interface, the interface at least partially defining the path along which the wave is to be guided, means for applying a common electric field across the first and second members, and a source of electromagnetic waves operable to direct electromagnetic waves to the second member, the first and second members being of a material having an ordered structure and being so orientated relative to one another as to cause the refractive indicies of the first and second members to vary in opposite senses in response to a change in value of the common electric field applied to the first and second members so that when the electric field has a first predetermined value a wave entering the second member will be prevented from dispersing from the second member to the first member through the interface and when the electric field has a second predetermined valve the same wave will disperse from the second member through the said common interface into the said first member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
An electromagnetic wave guiding arrangement comprising a first member, a second member along which a wave is to be guided mounted in contact with the first member to form a common interface, the interface at least partially defining the path along which the wave is to be guided, means for applying a common electric field across the first and second members, and a source of electromagnetic waves operable to direct electromagnetic waves to the second member, the first and second members being of a material having an ordered structure and being so orientated relative to one another as to cause the refractive indicies of the first and second members to vary in opposite senses in response to a change in value of the common electric field applied to the first and second members so that when the electric field has a first predetermined value a wave entering the second member will be prevented from dispersing from the second member to the first member through the interface and when the electric field has a second predetermined valve the same wave will disperse from the second member through the said common interface into the said first member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein electromagnetic wave source comprises an optical light source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
An arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the first member comprises an elongate section cut out from a block of the electro-optical material and the second member comprises the remainder of the block, the first member being replaced in the remainder of the block after rotation through an angle of 180*.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
179 words
An optical network, comprising a substrate of electro-optical ordered structure material whose refractive index varies in deendence upon the value and polarity of an applied electric field, the substrate having first and second channels therein, which have respective intermediate portions which lie closely alongside each other, first and second electro-optical members filling the channels to form light Guiding paths through the channels, the first and second members being so orientated with respect to the substrate that when the members and the portion of the substrate separating the members are subjected to a common electrical field the said portion of the substrate on the one hand and the two members on the other hand suffer a change in refractive index in opposite senses for a polarised light beam, and first and second electrodes mounted in opposite sides of the substrate for applying the said common electric field to the members and the said portion of the substrate whereby to control the transfer of a polarised light beam between the members in dependence upon the magnitude of said common electric field.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
179 words
An optical network, comprising a substrate of electro-optical ordered structure material whose refractive index varies in deendence upon the value and polarity of an applied electric field, the substrate having first and second channels therein, which have respective intermediate portions which lie closely alongside each other, first and second electro-optical members filling the channels to form light Guiding paths through the channels, the first and second members being so orientated with respect to the substrate that when the members and the portion of the substrate separating the members are subjected to a common electrical field the said portion of the substrate on the one hand and the two members on the other hand suffer a change in refractive index in opposite senses for a polarised light beam, and first and second electrodes mounted in opposite sides of the substrate for applying the said common electric field to the members and the said portion of the substrate whereby to control the transfer of a polarised light beam between the members in dependence upon the magnitude of said common electric field.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A network according to claim 4, wherein the substrate and the members comprise potassium di-hydrogen phosphate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A network according to claim 4, wherein the members are of rectangular cross-section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A network according to claim 4, wherein the two ends of each channel-filling member of the network respectively form an input port and an output port so that an electrical field applied to said electrodes can control the transfer function between the ports.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
112 words
An EXCLUSIVE OR logic function circuit comprising a first network according to claim 7, a second network according to claim 7, a light source arranged to direct light at one input part of the first network, first means optically connecting one output port of the first network with one input port of the second network, and second means optically connecting the other output port of the first network or the other input port of the second network, the two electrodes of each network being arranged to form the two inputs of the circuit and one of the output ports of the second network being arranged to form the output of the circuit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
100 words
An INCLUSIVE OR logic function circuit comprising a first network according to claim 7, a second network according to claim 7, a light source arranged to direct light at one input port of the first network and at one input port of the second network, and means optically connecting one output port of the first network with the other input port of the second network, the two electrodes of each network being arranged to form the two inputs of the circuit and one of the output ports of the second network being arranged to form the output of the circuit.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-12-24 | 1977-06-25 | 1977-12-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-24 | 1981-06-25 | 1981-12-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-24 | 1985-06-25 | 1985-12-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |