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:
Oct. 27, 1992
Filed:
Feb. 22, 1990
George W Webb, Del Mar, CA (US);
Innova Laboratories, Inc., San Diego, CA (US);
Abstract
A light-modulated photoconductor, exhibiting a variable permittivity, provides the basis for various instrumentation devices and methods. In one embodiment, the light-modulated photocondcutor is used as a dielectric between conductive plates to provide a light-modulated capacitor (photocapacitor). One of the conductive plates may be transparent to facilitate application of the modulating light to the photoconductor. The light-modulated capacitor may be used for numerous applications, such as instrumentation used to, e.g., measure the work function of surfaces during processing or as a non-contact voltmeter. In another embodiment, the light-modulated photoconductor is used as a mirror or lens wherein the index of refraction is optically modulated. Such light modulated lens or mirror assembly may be used as a beam steering device, e.g., a solid state infra-red (IR) beam steering device.