Electrooptical light gating methods and apparatus
AssigneeImo Delaval Inc.
InventorNorbert E. Samek
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Electrooptical light gating methods and apparatus divide pluralities of light gates into distinct groups, each extending along a light gate structure. The light gates are staggered in at least one of these groups relative to light gates in at least another of the groups. At least two of the groups may be arranged on the same light gate structure, and light gates in one of these two groups are then staggered relative to light gates in the other of the two groups on the same light gate structure. On the other hand, at least two of the groups may be arranged on at least two different light gate structures, and light gates on one of the two light gate structures are then staggered relative to light gates on the other of such two light gate structures.
Claims28
In a method of inhibiting spurious cross-energization between light gates of an elongate electrooptical light gate structure, the improvement comprising in combination the steps of:
- providing along an elongate first region of said light gate structure a series of spaced first opaque electrodes extending transversely of said elongate first region;
- providing along an elongate second region adjacent said first region of said light gate structure a series of spaced second opaque electrodes extending transversely of said elongate second region;
- staggering said second electrodes relative to said first electrodes;
- interdigitating with said spaced first electrodes spaced third electrodes extending transversely of said elongate first region for providing first light gates between said first and third electrodes operating in a transverse birefringent mode;
- interdigitating with said spaced second electrodes spaced fourth electrodes extending transversely of said elongate second region for providing second light gates between said second and fourth electrodes operating in a transverse birefringent mode;
- staggering said fourth electrodes relative to said third electrodes;
- and
- interconnecting said first and second electrodes with a conductor extending between and along said elongate first and second regions.
In an elongate electrooptical light gate structure, the improvement comprising in combination:
- a series of spaced opaque first light gate electrodes extending along an elongate first region of said light gate structure and transversely of said elongate first region;
- a series of spaced opaque second light gate electrodes extending along an elongate second region adjacent said first region of said light gate structure and extending transversely of said elongate second region;
- said second electrodes being staggered relative to said first electrodes;
- means for providing first light gates operating in a transverse birefringent mode, including spaced third electrodes interdigitated with said spaced first electrodes and extending transversely of said elongate first region;
- means for providing second light gates operating in a transverse birefringent mode, including spaced fourth electrodes interdigitated with said spaced second electrodes and extending transversely of said elongate second region;
- said fourth electrodes being staggered relative to said third electrodes;
- and
- said light gate structure including a conductor extending between and along said elongate first and second regions for interconnecting said first and second electrodes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.