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US 4,784,473 AGranted
Ferroelectric optical switching
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorDebra M. Gookin
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A switchable optical element uses solution grown barium titanate or other otorefractive ferroelectric to selectively switch the power from a first light beam to a second light beam. A polarity reversible electric field is applied to electrodes on the crystal. Light beams each with a component that is orthogonal to the crystal c axis are passed through the crystals. By selectively reversing the polarity of the electric field, the switching of the power from one of the light beams to the other light beams is accomplished.
Claims17
An optical switch comprising:
- a photorefractive ferroelectric crystal having a c axis;
- first and second electrodes formed on opposing c axis faces of said crystal;
- means connected to said first and second electrodes for applying a polarity reversible electric field across said crystal and for selectively reversing said polarity;
- means for directing first and second beams of light through said crystal such that said first and second beams each have a component that is orthogonal to said c axis, whereby reversal of said electric field causes the power from said first beam of light to switch to said second beam of light
1 more element
An optical switch comprising:
- a photorefractive ferroelectric crystal having a c-axis;
- first and second electrodes formed on opposing c-axis faces of said crystal;
- means connected to said first and second electrodes for applying a polarity reversible electric field across said crystal;
- means for directing a first beam of light through said crystal such that said first beam of light has a component that is orthogonal to said c-axis;
- means for directing first and second pump beams through said crystal in opposite directions such that, each of said first and second pump beams has a component that is orthogonal to said c-axis, and further such that there is created a phase conjugate beam that is parallel to but opposite indirection from said first beam and such that switching of said polarity reversible electric field causes switching of the power from said first and second pump beams to said phase conjugate beam.
2 more elements
An optical switch comprising:
- a photorefractive ferroelectric crystal having a c-axis and opposing c-axis faces, and further having a coercive field lever associated therewith;
- first and second electrodes formed on said opposing c-axis faces;
- means connected to said first and second electrodes for applying a polarity reversible electric field across said crystal and for selectively reversing said polarity so as to reverse the direction of said c-axis;
- means for directing first and second beams of light through said crystal such that said first and second beams each have a component that is orthogonal to said c-axis, whereby reversal of said electric field causes the power from said first beam of light to switch to said second bem of light.
1 more element
An optical switch comprising:
- a photorefractive ferroelectric crystal having a c-axis and opposing c-axis faces and further having a coercive field lever associated therewith;
- first and second electrodes formed on said opposing c-axis faces;
- means connected to said first and second electrodes for applying a polarity reversible electric field across said crystal and for selectively reversing said polarity so as to reverse the direction of said c-axis;
- means for directing a first beam of ligth through said crystal such that said first beam of light has a component that is orthogonal to said c-axis;
- means for directing first and second pump beams through said crystal in opposite directions such that, each of said first and second pump beams has a component that is orthogonal to said c-axis, and further such that there is created a phase conjugate beam that is parallel to but opposite in direction from said first beam and such that switching of said polarity reversible electric field causes switching of the power from said first and second pump beams to said phase conjugate beam.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.