METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MODULATING LIGHT
First Claim
1. An apparatus for modulating light, comprising:
- a modulator crystal, wherein the modulator crystal comprises a electro-optic material, wherein the modulator crystal has an optic axis, a first polarization axis, and a second polarization axis, wherein the first polarization axis and the second polarization axis are each perpendicular to the optic axis and perpendicular to each other, at least two electrode pairs, wherein each electrode pair is positioned such that when a voltage is applied across the electrode pair an electric field is created through a portion of the modulation crystal, wherein the electric field has at least a component perpendicular to the optic axis, wherein application of the electric field modulates light passing through the modulator crystal that has a direction of travel that has a component parallel to the optic axis.
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Abstract
Embodiments relate to a method and apparatus for producing polarized light, having a modulator crystal, where the modulator crystal incorporates a birefringent electro-optic material. The modulator crystal has an optic axis, a first polarization axis, and a second polarization axis, where the first polarization axis and second polarization axis are each perpendicular to the optic axis and perpendicular to each other. The apparatus can also include an electrode pair, where application of an electric field modulates light passing through the modulator crystal that is polarized along the first polarization axis. Embodiments pertain to a method and apparatus for modulating light. The apparatus incorporates a modulator crystal having a electro-optic material. The device also has at least two electrode pairs, where each electrode pair that modulates light passing through the modulator crystal that has a direction of travel that has a component parallel to the optic axis.
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Citations
61 Claims
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1. An apparatus for modulating light, comprising:
- a modulator crystal, wherein the modulator crystal comprises a electro-optic material, wherein the modulator crystal has an optic axis, a first polarization axis, and a second polarization axis, wherein the first polarization axis and the second polarization axis are each perpendicular to the optic axis and perpendicular to each other, at least two electrode pairs, wherein each electrode pair is positioned such that when a voltage is applied across the electrode pair an electric field is created through a portion of the modulation crystal, wherein the electric field has at least a component perpendicular to the optic axis, wherein application of the electric field modulates light passing through the modulator crystal that has a direction of travel that has a component parallel to the optic axis.
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2-19. -19. (canceled)
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20. An apparatus for producing polarized light, comprising:
- a modulator crystal, wherein the a modulator crystal comprises a birefringent electro-optic material, wherein the modulator crystal has an optic axis, a first polarization axis, and a second polarization axis, wherein the first polarization axis and second polarization axis are each perpendicular to the optic axis and perpendicular to each other, wherein light enters a first end of the modulator crystal at a first surface and exits a second end of the modulator crystal at a second surface, wherein the first surface of the first end lies in a first plane and the second surface of the second end lies in a second plane, wherein the first plane and the second place are not parallel, an electrode pair, wherein the electrode pair is positioned such that when a voltage is applied across the electrode pair an electric field is created through a portion of the modulation crystal, where the electric field has at least a component perpendicular to the optic axis, wherein application of the electric field creates a difference in a first index of refraction for light polarized along the first polarization axis so as to modulate light passing through the modulator crystal that is polarized along the first polarization axis, wherein when light is incident on the first end, passes through the modulator crystal, and exits the second end, the light is split into a first beam that is polarized along the first axis of polarization and a second beam that is polarized along the second axis of polarization as the light exits the second end, wherein the first beam and the second beam diverge from each other as the light exits the second end.
- View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method for modulating light, comprising:
providing a modulator crystal, wherein the modulator crystal comprises an electro-optic material, wherein the modulator crystal has an optic axis, a first polarization axis, and a second polarization axis, wherein the first polarization axis and the second polarization axis are each perpendicular to the optic axis and perpendicular to each other, providing at least two electrode pairs, wherein each electrode pair is positioned such that when a voltage is applied across the electrode pair an electric field is created through a portion of the modulation crystal, wherein the electric field has at least a component perpendicular to the optic axis, wherein application of the electric field modulates light passing through the modulator crystal that has a direction of travel that has a component parallel to the optic axis;
incidenting a light beam on a first end of the modulator crystal wherein the light beam enters the modulator crystal and travels in a direction having a component parallel to the optic axis;
applying a first voltage across a first pair of the at least two pairs of electrodes so as to modulate the light beam;
applying a second voltage across a second pair of the at least two pairs of electrodes so as to modulate the light beam.
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41-59. -59. (canceled)
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60. An method for producing polarized light, comprising:
providing a modulator crystal, wherein the a modulator crystal comprises a birefringent electro-optic material, wherein the modulator crystal has an optic axis, a first polarization axis, and a second polarization axis, wherein the first polarization axis and second polarization axis are each perpendicular to the optic axis and perpendicular to each other, incidenting light on a first surface of a first end of the modulator crystal such that the light enters the first end of the modulator crystal and exits a second surface of a second end of the modulator crystal, wherein the first surface of the first end lies in a first plane and the second surface of the second end lies in a second plane, wherein the first plane and the second place are not parallel, providing an electrode pair, wherein the electrode pair is positioned such that when a voltage is applied across the electrode pair an electric field is created through a portion of the modulation crystal, wherein the electric field has at least a component parallel to the first polarization axis, wherein application of the electric field creates a difference in a first index of refraction for light polarized along the first polarization axis so as to modulate the light passing through the modulator crystal that is polarized along the first polarization axis, wherein the light that is incident on the first end, passes through the modulator crystal, and exits the second end is split into a first beam that is polarized along the first axis of polarization and a second beam that is polarized along the second axis of polarization as the light exits the second end, wherein the first beam and the second beam diverge from each other as the light exits the second end.
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61-79. -79. (canceled)
Specification