Patent US3856378A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3856378A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and means for modulating light propagating in an optical waveguide by bulk acoustic waves
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1973-02-28
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Granted: 1974-12-24
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Expires: 1993-02-28
Abstract
Abstract A method and means for modulating light propagating in an optical waveguide by passing ultrasonic acoustic waves, either longitudinal or shear bulk waves, through said optical waveguide. Also disclosed is a method and means for coupling light between at least two optical waveguides separated by a thin film having a lower index of refraction than said guides by passage of bulk acoustic waves through both of the guides.
Inventors
- 👤 G Brandt
- 👤 M Gottlieb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:16
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/50; G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/11; G02F1/125; G02F1/29; G02F1/33; G02F1/335
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
40 words
A method for modulating light propagated through an optical waveguide comprising: passing ultrasonic acoustic bulk waves through said waveguide substantially perpendicular to the plane of the waveguide and to the direction of light propagation for interaction with said propagated light.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
40 words
A method for modulating light propagated through an optical waveguide comprising: passing ultrasonic acoustic bulk waves through said waveguide substantially perpendicular to the plane of the waveguide and to the direction of light propagation for interaction with said propagated light.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said acoustic waves are selected from the group consisting of longitudinal and shear bulk waves.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of coupling light between at least two waveguides separated by thin film of loweR refractive index material, comprising: directing a beam of propagated light through at least one of said waveguides, and passing ultrasonic acoustic bulk waves through both of said waveguides substantially perpendicular to the plane of the waveguide and to the direction of light propagation to couple light into said other guide.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
66 words
A method of coupling light between at least two waveguides separated by thin film of loweR refractive index material, comprising: directing a beam of propagated light through at least one of said waveguides, and passing ultrasonic acoustic bulk waves through both of said waveguides substantially perpendicular to the plane of the waveguide and to the direction of light propagation to couple light into said other guide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as set forth in claim 3 wherein said acoustic waves are selected from the group consisting of longitudinal and shear bulk waves.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
56 words
An apparatus for modulating light comprising: a. an optical waveguide adapted to propagate light, b. an optical insulator mounted to a surface of said waveguide and having an index of refraction less than said waveguide, and c. an ultrasonic transducer mounted to said insulator and adapted to generate bulk acoustic waves substantially perpendicularly through said waveguide.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
56 words
An apparatus for modulating light comprising: a. an optical waveguide adapted to propagate light, b. an optical insulator mounted to a surface of said waveguide and having an index of refraction less than said waveguide, and c. an ultrasonic transducer mounted to said insulator and adapted to generate bulk acoustic waves substantially perpendicularly through said waveguide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein an acoustical delay line is interposed between said insulator and transducer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 including an acoustical absorber mounted to the surface of said waveguide opposite from said transducer.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
56 words
An apparatus for modulating light comprising an optical waveguide adapted to propagate light therethrough and being piezoelectric, and a pair of electrodes, said electrodes being mounted to opposite surfaces of said waveguide for generating bulk acoustic waves substantially perpendicularly through said waveguides and having interposed between each of said electrodes and said waveguide an optical insulator.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
56 words
An apparatus for modulating light comprising an optical waveguide adapted to propagate light therethrough and being piezoelectric, and a pair of electrodes, said electrodes being mounted to opposite surfaces of said waveguide for generating bulk acoustic waves substantially perpendicularly through said waveguides and having interposed between each of said electrodes and said waveguide an optical insulator.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
91 words
An apparatus for coupling light between at least two waveguides, said apparatus comprising at least two optical waveguides having at least planar portions located adjacent each other and having positioned between said adjacent portions thin film adapted to transmit evanescent waves therethrough upon application of acoustic energy and having an index of refraction less than said waveguide, and an acoustic transducer mounted to the surface of one of said waveguides for generating bulk acoustic waves substantially perpendicularly through said waveguides and including an optical insulator positioned between said guide and transducer.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
91 words
An apparatus for coupling light between at least two waveguides, said apparatus comprising at least two optical waveguides having at least planar portions located adjacent each other and having positioned between said adjacent portions thin film adapted to transmit evanescent waves therethrough upon application of acoustic energy and having an index of refraction less than said waveguide, and an acoustic transducer mounted to the surface of one of said waveguides for generating bulk acoustic waves substantially perpendicularly through said waveguides and including an optical insulator positioned between said guide and transducer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said waveguide is piezoelectric.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
55 words
An apparatus for coupling light between at least two waveguides comprising at least two waveguides having at least planar portions located adjacent each other and separated by a thin piezoelectric film and electrode means positioned adjacent each of said waveguides for generating bulk acoustic waves substantially perpendicularly through said waveguides by activating said piezoelectric film.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
55 words
An apparatus for coupling light between at least two waveguides comprising at least two waveguides having at least planar portions located adjacent each other and separated by a thin piezoelectric film and electrode means positioned adjacent each of said waveguides for generating bulk acoustic waves substantially perpendicularly through said waveguides by activating said piezoelectric film.
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) | 1977-12-23 | 1978-06-24 | 1978-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-23 | 1982-06-24 | 1982-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-23 | 1986-06-24 | 1986-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |