Optical waveguide linear modulator array

• US 3,954,323 A
• Filed: 03/23/1973
• Issued: 05/04/1976
• Est. Priority Date: 03/23/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Milton, A. Fenner, Giallorenzi, Thomas G., Andrews, Ronald A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Corbin, John K.
• Application Number:
  US05/344,404
• Time in Patent Office: 1,138 Days
• Field of Search: 350/96 WG, 350/160 R
• US Class Current: 385/8
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/035 in an optical waveguide structure

Abstract

An optical waveguide linear modulator array comprising an optical waveguide having an input coupler and an output coupler. The waveguide or substrate is formed of electrooptical material with different shaped electrodes secured thereto. An electrical field applied between the electrodes modulates the radiation passing through the waveguide so that the radiation may be phase shifted or shaped into desired outputs.

Claims

1. An optical waveguide modulator array;

which comprises,

a rectangular waveguide layer,

a rectangular substrate supporting said waveguide layer,

said substrate having an index of refraction less than that of said waveguide layer,

a medium on the opposite side of said waveguide layer from said substrate,

said medium having an index of refraction less than that of said waveguide layer,

a plurality of pairs of electrodes secured relative to said waveguide layer electrically insulated therefrom and with each pair operative to modulate the phase of radiation passing through said waveguide layer whose length is a function of position across the optical beam,

one electrode of each pair of electrodes secured on and above said waveguide layer and the other electrode of said pairs secured below said waveguide layer opposite said upper electrode within said substrate, and

each pair of said electrodes are of different shape.

2. An optical waveguide modulator array;

which comprises,

a rectangular waveguide layer,

a rectangular substrate supporting said waveguide layer,

said substrate having an index of refraction less than that of said waveguide layer,

a medium on the opposite side of said waveguide layer from said substrate,

said medium having an index of refraction less than that of said waveguide layer,

a plurality of electrodes secured above said waveguide layer relative thereto electrically insulated therefrom and with each separate electrode operative to modulate the phase of radiation passing through said waveguide layer whose length is a function of position across the optical beam,

a common ground electrode below said waveguide layer opposite said plurality of electrodes secured above said waveguide layer, and

each of said plurality of electrodes secured above said waveguide layer are of different shape.

3. An optical waveguide modulator system which comprises;

a rectangular waveguide layer,

a rectangular substrate supporting said waveguide layer,

said substrate having an index of refraction less than that of said waveguide layer,

a medium on the opposite side of said waveguide layer from that of said substrate,

said medium having an index of refraction less than that of said waveguide layer,

a plurality of different shaped pairs of electrodes secured relative to and along said waveguide layer, electrically insulated therefrom and operative to modulate the phase of radiation passing through said waveguide layer whose length is a function of position across the optical beam,

one electrode of each said pair secured on and above said waveguide layer and the other electrode of each said pair secured below said waveguide layer opposite said upper electrode of said pair within said substrate,

a radiation input coupler means secured relative to the input end of said waveguide layer for coupling radiation into said waveguide layer,

a focusing lens in optical alignment with said input coupler means for focusing radiation onto said input coupler, and

a radiation source for producing desired radiation directed onto said focusing lens.

4. An optical waveguide modulator system which comprises;

a rectangular waveguide layer,

a rectangular substrate supporting said waveguide layer,

said substrate having an index of refraction less than that of said waveguide layer,

a medium on the opposite side of said waveguide layer from that of said substrate,

said medium having an index of refraction less than that of said waveguide layer,

a plurality of different shaped upper electrodes secured relative to and along the upper surface of said waveguide layer, electrically insulated therefrom and operative to modulate the phase of radiation passing through said waveguide layer whose length is a function of position across the optical beam,

a common ground electrode secured below said waveguide layer opposite said plurality of different shaped upper electrodes secured relative to and along the upper surface of said waveguide,

a radiation input coupler means secured relative to the input end of said waveguide layer for coupling radiation into said waveguide layer,

a radiation output coupler means secured relative to the output for coupling radiation out of said waveguide layer,

a focusing lens in optical alignment with said input coupler means for focusing radiation onto said input coupler, and

a radiation source for producing desired radiation directed onto said focusing lens.