Solid state optical data reader using an electric field for routing control

A solid state optical beam routing device operative as a reader of data of an array of positions comprising:

• a solid material for passing optical energy for use with an optical energy source, said optical energy source for directing a first beam of optical energy to traverse said solid material along a plane of said solid material;
• at least two elements each forming an electrically-controlled optical beam redirector formed of electric-field responsive pattern-poled material within said solid material, each said optical beam redirector being disposed transverse of the path of said first beam, each said optical beam redirector characterized by a first state which is substantially optically transmissive and a second state which is at least partially reflective in order to selectively reflect said optical energy of said beam into a first direction to a reflective target external of said solid material and to transmit in a second direction substantially in reverse of said first direction through said solid material to a detector;
• and
• at least a first electrically-conductive material forming a first electrode, said first electrode confronting said solid material at each said optical beam redirector for creating an electric field through said optical beam redirectors for activating said second state by inducing a patterned change in refractive index in said patterned poled material.

An optical beam routing apparatus for use in reading positions on a medium for containing data information comprising:

• a solid material for passing optical energy;
• a first channel waveguide segment traversing said solid material along a plane of said solid material;
• a plurality of second waveguide segments traversing said solid material along said plane and being disposed transverse to said first channel waveguide segment, said second waveguide segments being disposed to exchange optical energy with said first channel waveguide segment at a plurality of intersection regions;
• at least two electric field-responsive elements forming a plurality of electrically-controlled optical beam redirectors, each said optical beam redirector being disposed transverse of said first channel waveguide segment in one of said intersection regions, said optical beam redirectors being operative to reflect optical energy between said first channel waveguide segment and said second waveguide segments;
• a plurality of optical reflectors disposed at selected locations on said plane each in line with said second waveguide segments for projecting optical energy at least into said plane;
• and
• first electrically-conductive materials each forming a first electrode, each said first electrode confronting said solid material at each said intersection for creating an electric field through each said optical beam redirectors.