The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 16, 2025
Filed:
Jan. 25, 2023
National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, Llc, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Nils Thomas Otterstrom, Edgewood, NM (US);
Matt Eichenfield, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Daniel Dominguez, Albuquerque, NM (US);
Andrew Jay Leenheer, Albuquerque, NM (US);
National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC., Albuquerque, NM (US);
Abstract
An acousto-optic modulator that includes a waveguide on an acoustic actuator is disclosed. The waveguide carries an optical signal having a UV or visible wavelength. When the acoustic actuator is activated, the optical signal in the waveguide is bathed in intense acoustic waves. By using a waveguide having the appropriate dimensions to strongly confine both the optical signal and the acoustic waves, strong optomechanical coupling may be achieved between the optical and acoustic modes, resulting in an efficient modulator. By employing either intra-modal or inter-modal conversion, the modulator may be used to implement a variety of dual- or single-sideband functions, including an isolator, a phase modulator, a single-sideband frequency shifter, or a high-extinction shutter.