US4201442A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid crystal switching coupler matrix
Assignee: Unisys Corp
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Filing: 1978-10-02
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Granted: 1980-05-06
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Expires: 1998-10-02
Abstract
Abstract Directionally coupling internal channel wave guide electrooptical switches are provided that employ electric field-effect liquid crystal compositions and that lend themselves to use in large scale planar integrated switching arrays. Light propagation through the liquid crystal medium is restricted to the very small part of that medium actively associated with the electric switching field, thus minimizing light losses.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald H. McMahon
- 👤 Richard A. Soref
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:49
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/1326; G02F1/29; G02F1/31; G02F1/313; G02F1/3137
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
Electrooptical switch means comprising: first dielectric plate means having first planar surface means, first internal channel optical wave guide means having first boundary means at said first planar surface means, second dielectric plate means having second planar surface means, second internal channel optical wave guide means having second boundary means at said second planar surface means, said first and second dielectric plate means being disposed with said first and second surface means in facing spaced parallel relation so that said first and second internal channel optical wave guide means cross one over the other for forming a cross-over region, liquid crystal fluid means disposed between said first and second surface means, and means for selectively applying an electric field in said liquid crystal fluid means substantially only at said crossover region, including first and second transparent electrode means respectively affixed in opposed facing relation to said first and second planar surface means and to said first and second boundary means, said first and second internal channel optical wave guide means being formed in situ by permanent induction of first and second regions of increased index of refraction at said first and second planar surface means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
Electrooptical switch means comprising: first dielectric plate means having first planar surface means, first internal channel optical wave guide means having first boundary means at said first planar surface means, second dielectric plate means having second planar surface means, second internal channel optical wave guide means having second boundary means at said second planar surface means, said first and second dielectric plate means being disposed with said first and second surface means in facing spaced parallel relation so that said first and second internal channel optical wave guide means cross one over the other for forming a cross-over region, liquid crystal fluid means disposed between said first and second surface means, and means for selectively applying an electric field in said liquid crystal fluid means substantially only at said crossover region, including first and second transparent electrode means respectively affixed in opposed facing relation to said first and second planar surface means and to said first and second boundary means, said first and second internal channel optical wave guide means being formed in situ by permanent induction of first and second regions of increased index of refraction at said first and second planar surface means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein: said first and second dielectric plate means comprise a glass material, and said first and second internal channel optical wave guide means comprise said glass material whose index of refraction is locally altered by injection of metal ions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said liquid crystal fluid means comprises 4-cyano-4'-n-hexylbihenyl.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said glass material comprises a soda-lime glass.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 further including wall means for completing liquid crystal fluid enclosure means defined in part by said first and second dielectric plate means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein, in the absence of said electric field, the index of refraction of said liquid crystal fluid means is lower than the index of refraction of said first and second internal channel optical wave guide means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein, in the presence of said electric field, the index of refraction of said liquid crystal fluid means is greater than the index of refraction of said first and second internal channel optical wave guide means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein the index of refraction of said first and second dielectric plate means is lower than the index of refraction of said first and second internal channel optical wave guide means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein: said first and second dielectric plate means each comprise contiguous substrate and photopolymer layers, said photopolymer layers providing said first and second surface means spaced in facing parallel relation, and said first and second internal channel optical wave guide means lying wholly within said photopolymer layers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said first and second internal channel optical wave guide means in said photopolymer layers are formed in situ by photopolymerization of masked portions of said photopolymer layers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said liquid crystal fluid means comprises a nematic material exhibiting substantially only electric-field-induced re-alignment of the molecular order thereof without turbulent flow.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the angle between said first and second internal channel optical wave guide means at said cross-over region lies between two and six degrees.
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) | 1983-05-06 | 1983-11-05 | 1984-05-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-05-06 | 1987-11-05 | 1988-05-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-05-06 | 1991-11-05 | 1992-05-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |