US3944335A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Acousto-optic filter
Assignee: Panasonic Holdings Corp
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Filing: 1974-08-27
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Granted: 1976-03-16
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Expires: 1994-08-27
Abstract
Abstract An acousto-optic filter utilizing the far-off-axis anisotropic Bragg diffraction comprising an optically anisotropic acousto-optic medium embodied by a paratellurite crystal. An ultrasonic wave generated by a transducer is propagated in a direction different from that of the wave front normal to make the light-sound interaction length in the medium elongate by slanting the bonding surface of the transducer to the crystal medium.
Inventors
- 👤 Koetsu Saito
- 👤 Tsutomu Yano
- 👤 Akinori Watanabe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:12
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/11; G02F1/116
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
An acousto-optic filter comprising: an acousto-optic medium in which light has two different phase velocities in a propagating direction, transducer means for propagating an ultrasonic wave in said medium, and means for directing a light beam to said medium so as to cause far-off-axis anisotropic Bragg diffraction with said ultrasonic wave, said diffraction occurring at a relatively large indicent angle with respect to the plane of the wave front of said ultrasonic wave in said medium, the propagation direction of the diffracted light being displaced from the plane of the wave front of said ultrasonic wave in the same direction as that of undiffracted light to produce optical filtering, wherein the wave front normal and the energy flow direction of the ultrasonic wave propagating in the medium are different from each other.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
An acousto-optic filter comprising: an acousto-optic medium in which light has two different phase velocities in a propagating direction, transducer means for propagating an ultrasonic wave in said medium, and means for directing a light beam to said medium so as to cause far-off-axis anisotropic Bragg diffraction with said ultrasonic wave, said diffraction occurring at a relatively large indicent angle with respect to the plane of the wave front of said ultrasonic wave in said medium, the propagation direction of the diffracted light being displaced from the plane of the wave front of said ultrasonic wave in the same direction as that of undiffracted light to produce optical filtering, wherein the wave front normal and the energy flow direction of the ultrasonic wave propagating in the medium are different from each other.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
An acousto-optic filter according to claim 1, wherein said acousto-optic medium is a paratellurite single crystal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An acousto-optic filter according to claim 2, wherein said transducer means is adhered to a surface slanted from the (110) plane of the crystal medium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
An acousto-optic filter according to claim 2, wherein a wedge-shaped intermediate medium is inserted between the (110) surface of the crystal medium and the transducer means so as to form a slanted structure therewith.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An acousto-optic filter according to claim 4, wherein said intermediate medium has substantially the same acoustic impedance as that of said crystal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3419322A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-03-16 | 1979-09-15 | 1980-03-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-03-16 | 1983-09-15 | 1984-03-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-03-16 | 1987-09-15 | 1988-03-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |