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:
Mar. 12, 1985
Filed:
Nov. 02, 1981
W John Carlsen, Boston, MA (US);
Paul Melman, Newton, MA (US);
GTE Laboratories Incorporated, Waltham, MA (US);
Abstract
Interferometric multimode fiber optic switches and modulators include combinations of various components. Two electro-optical crystals have a dielectric beam splitting coating affixed to portions thereof. The coated portions of the two crystals are juxtaposed. Means are provided for varying indices of refraction of the two crystals with respect to each other. Light entering into the first crystal and traveling within the two crystals can be switched to selectively exit from one crystal or from the other by varying the index of refraction of one of the crystals with respect to that of the other. By interferometric principle of operation, the phase relation of light is transformed into spatial direction. The crystals can be selected from the group consisting of lithium niobate, lithium tantalate, and barium strontium niobate. The dielectric beam splitting coating can be formed of multiple layers of material such as zirconium oxide and silicon dioxide. The indices of refraction of the crystals are varied by applying electric fields of one polarity at opposite surfaces thereof. Light enters the various crystals, and is reflected, and is transmitted at various surfaces thereof so that, upon entering a particular area within the crystals, reinforcement or interference of light can occur.