Total internal reflection modulator
AssigneeEastman Kodak Company
InventorsJames G. Ko, Reynolds W. Meritt
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A total internal reflection (TIR) modulator includes a member comprising an electro-optic material; a plurality of first electrode sets; a plurality of second electrode sets; and a first set of electrical conductors, each electrical conductor in the first set of electrical conductors being coupled to one of the second electrode sets wherein the electrodes in each second electrode set are arranged in an interdigitated relationship with the electrodes in one of the first electrode sets; and each of the first electrode sets comprises a first electrode, the first electrodes being arranged in an interdigitated relationship with the electrical conductors in the first set of electrical conductors.
Claims26
A total internal reflection (TIR) modulator comprising:
- a member comprising an electro-optic material;
- a plurality of first electrode sets on a surface of the TIR;
- a plurality of second electrode sets on the surface of the TIR;
- and
- a first set of electrical conductors, each electrical conductor in the first set of electrical conductors being coupled to one of the second electrode sets;
- wherein:
- the electrodes in each second electrode set are arranged in an interdigitated relationship with the electrodes in one of the first electrode sets;
- and each of the first electrode sets comprises a first electrode, the first electrodes being arranged in an interdigitated relationship with the electrical conductors in the first set of electrical conductors;
- and
- wherein a voltage applied to a first electrode set or a second electrode set or both, causes a change in a birefringent state of the member, which changes an angle of reflection off the surface.
A total internal reflection (TIR) modulator comprising:
- a member comprising an electro-optic material;
- a first set of electrodes and a second set of electrodes, the electrodes in the first set of electrodes being arranged in an interdigitated relationship with the electrodes in the second set of electrodes on a surface of the member;
- a first electrical conductor arranged on the surface of the member, the first electrical conductor being coupled to the second set of electrodes, wherein the first set of electrodes comprises a first electrode, a first portion of the first electrode being positioned abreast of an electrode in the second set of electrodes, and a second portion of the first electrode being positioned abreast of the first electrical conductor;
- and
- wherein a voltage applied to a first electrode set or a second electrode set or both, causes a change in a birefringent state of the member, which changes an angle of reflection off the surface.
A total internal reflection (TIR) modulator comprising:
- a member comprising an electro-optic material;
- a plurality of first electrode sets, each of the first electrode sets comprising a first plurality of elongated electrodes arranged on a surface of the member;
- a plurality of second electrode sets, each of the second electrode sets comprising a second plurality of elongated electrodes arranged on the surface of the member;
- a first set of electrical conductors, each electrical conductor in the first set of electrical conductors being coupled to one of the second electrode sets and each electrical conductor in the first set of electrical conductors being adapted to provide an electrical signal to each electrode in an associated one of the second electrode sets;
- wherein:
- the electrodes in each second electrode set are arranged in an interdigitated relationship with the electrodes in one of the first electrode sets;
- and at least one of the first electrode sets comprises a first electrode, each first electrode being positioned between two adjacent electrical conductors in the first set of electrical conductors;
- and
- wherein a voltage applied to a first electrode set or a second electrode set or both, causes a change in a birefringent state of the member, which changes an angle of reflection off the surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.