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US 5,668,657 AGranted
PLZT based electro-optic phased array optical scanner
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
InventorPierre J. Talbot
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Abstract
The unique properties of quadratic lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) compositions make feasible the development of phased array optical scanners. Two implementations of integrated PLZT phased array scanners as two-port and three-port devices are presented. The three-port offers a significant reduction in the maximum electrode voltage required to effect a specific scan angle. The maximum electrode voltage of the PLZT phased array scanner is characterized in terms of the resolution of the scanner.
Claims12
An electro-optic phased array scanner comprising:
- a transparent quadratic electro-optic aperture for processing optical signals;
- a plurality of electrodes that form an electrode grating within said transparent electro-optic aperture effective for inducing a grating index of refraction pattern within the transparent electro-optic aperture by applying a controlled current signal to the electrode grating;
- a current source that produces a current I and that is connected to the electrode grating;
- a set of input resistors interconnected in a circuit between each of the electrodes in the electrode grating to provide a plurality of controlled DC voltage signals to induce said grating index of refraction pattern;
- and
- said set of input resistors being defined by ##EQU19## where R.sub.n is the resistance of the nth member of said set of input resistors, and
- v.sub.o is a controlled DC voltage signal.
4 more elements
An electro-optic phased array scanner comprising:
- a transparent quadratic electro-optic aperture for processing optical signals;
- a plurality of electrodes that form an electrode grating within said transparent electro-optic aperture effective for inducing a grating index of refraction pattern within the transparent aperture by an application of a controlled current signal to the electrode grating;
- a current source that produces a current I and that is connected to the electrode grating;
- a set of input resistors interconnected in a circuit between each of the electrodes in the electrode grating to provide a plurality of controlled DC voltage signals to induce thereby said grating index of refraction pattern;
- and
- said set of input resistors being defined by ##EQU20## n=1,2,3 . . . , N, where R.sub.n is the resistance of the nth member of said set of input resistors, and
- v.sub.o is a controlled DC voltage signal.
4 more elements
A two-port electro-optic phased array scanner comprising:
- a transparent quadratic electro-optic aperture for processing optical signals;
- a plurality of electrodes that form an electrode grating within said transparent electro-optic aperture effective for inducing a grating index of refraction pattern within the transparent aperture by applying a controlled DC current signal to the electrode grating;
- first and second ports that supply said controlled DC current signal;
- a set of input resistors interconnected in a circuit between each of the electrodes in the electrode grating to provide a plurality of controlled DC voltage signals to induce said grating index of refraction pattern;
- and
- said set of input resistors being defined by ##EQU21## where R.sub.n is the resistance of the nth member of said set of input resistors, and
- v.sub.o is a controlled DC voltage signal.
4 more elements
A three-port electro-optic phased array scanner comprising:
- a transparent quadratic electro-optic aperture for processing optical signals;
- a first port that supplies a first controlled DC current signal;
- a plurality of electrodes that form an electrode grating effective for inducing a grating index of refraction pattern within the transparent aperture by an application of said first controlled DC current signal from said first port to the electrode grating;
- a second port that supplies a second controlled DC current signal;
- at least one current source connected to the electrode grating;
- a set of input resistors interconnected in a circuit between each of the electrodes in the electrode grating to provide a plurality of controlled DC voltage signals to induce said grating index of refraction pattern;
- a third port which connects the electrode grating to an electrical ground;
- and
- said set of input resistors being defined by ##EQU25## n=1,2,3 . . . , N, where R.sub.n is the resistance of the nth member of said set of input resistors, and
- v.sub.o is a controlled DC voltage signal.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.