US4385799A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Dual array fiber liquid crystal optical switches
Assignee: Unisys Corp
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Filing: 1980-06-26
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Granted: 1983-05-31
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Expires: 2000-06-26
Abstract
Abstract The invention pertains to improved electrooptical devices for switching pluralities of unpolarized or polarized optical signals between input and output multimode single strand fiber optical guides and more particularly relates to novel electrooptical switch elements employing electric field-effect liquid crystal compositions adaptable for the construction of large scale, integrated multiple switch arrays.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard A. Soref
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:42
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/1326; G02F1/29; G02F1/31; G02F1/315
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
Optical switching means comprising: transparent prism means having a rectangular cross section and first and second inclined faces, said first inclined face being inclined from a first to an opposed second side of said transparent prism means, and said second inclined face being inclined from a third to an opposed fourth side of said transparent prism means, first planar liquid crystal matrix switching means at and parallel to said first inclined face for selectively deflecting light from a plurality of optical input means through said transparent prism means along selected paths, second planar liquid crystal matrix switching means at and parallel to said second inclined face for selectively deflecting said light into ones of a plurality of optical output means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
Optical switching means comprising: transparent prism means having a rectangular cross section and first and second inclined faces, said first inclined face being inclined from a first to an opposed second side of said transparent prism means, and said second inclined face being inclined from a third to an opposed fourth side of said transparent prism means, first planar liquid crystal matrix switching means at and parallel to said first inclined face for selectively deflecting light from a plurality of optical input means through said transparent prism means along selected paths, second planar liquid crystal matrix switching means at and parallel to said second inclined face for selectively deflecting said light into ones of a plurality of optical output means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said first inclined face lies at an angle between 67° and 72° with respect to said first side of said transparent prism means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said first, second, third, and fourth sides are coated with an optical absorbing substance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said first planar liquid crystal matrix switching means includes at least one M by N array of transparent electrically excitable electrode means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as described in claim 4 wherein said second planar liquid crystal matrix switching means includes at least one N by M array of transparent electrically excitable electrode means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein half wave retardation plate means is disposed within said transparent prism means in a plane generally perpendicular at least to said first side of said transparent prism means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein the liquid crystal materials of said first and second planar liquid crystal switching means respectively exhibit positive and negative dielectric anisotropy.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the liquid crystal material of said first and second planar liquid crystal switching means both exhibit positive dielectric anisotropy.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as described in claim 8 wherein said second inclined face lies at an angle between 67° and 72° with respect to said second side of said transparent prism means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as described in claim 8 wherein the extraordinary refractive index of said liquid crystal material is substantially equal to the index of refraction of said transparent prism means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said plurality of optical input means includes a first planar array of fiber wave guide means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein said plurality of optical output means includes a second array of fiber wave guide means lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to said first planar array of fiber wave guide means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein said optical input means comprises first fiber optic wave guide means coupled to said first planar liquid crystal matrix switching means through rod collimating lens means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus as described in claim 13 wherein said optical output means comprises second fiber optic wave guide means coupled to said second planar liquid crystal matrix switching means through rod decollimating lens means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as described in claim 14 wherein said rod collimating and decollimating lens means each have an axial length L which is 0.252 p<L<0.260 p where p is the fiber optic wave guide pitch.
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) | 1986-05-30 | 1986-11-29 | 1987-05-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-05-30 | 1990-11-29 | 1991-05-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-05-30 | 1994-11-29 | 1995-05-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |