On line electro-optic modulator

• US 4,076,381 A
• Filed: 11/01/1976
• Issued: 02/28/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/1976
• 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: Hammer, Jacob Meyer
• Primary Examiner(s): Corbin, John K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hille, Rolf
• Application Number:
  US05/737,807
• Time in Patent Office: 484 Days
• Field of Search: 350/96 C, 350/96 WG, 350/150, 350/160 R, 350/162 R
• US Class Current: 385/8
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/035 in an optical waveguide structure

Abstract

An electro-optic modulator wherein a light waveguide is in the form of a film disposed on a prismatic substrate and beneath modulating electrodes. The substrate has opposite end faces disposed at predetermined angles to its longitudinal axis and cooperates with grating couplers on the waveguide to direct an entrance beam through the waveguide and to provide an exit beam along a predetermined path relative, e.g., parallel, to the entrance beam.

Claims

1. An electro-optic modulator device comprising:

a waveguide film having substantially parallel plane surfaces and characterized by electro-optic properties;

first and second gratings formed in one of said plane surfaces of said waveguide and adjacent opposite ends thereof;

electrode means, disposed against said one of said plane surfaces of said waveguide film between said first and second gratings, for subjection of said waveguide film to varying electrical fields;

a prismatic refractive substrate having a plane surface disposed against the other of said plane surfaces of said waveguide, said substrate having opposite plane end faces disposed at pedetermined angles to the longitudinal axis of said substrate, whereby a beam of light travelling along a predetermined entry axis parallel to said parallel plane surfaces and entering said substrate through one of said end faces is refracted to impinge on said first grating so as to be propagated within said waveguide film toward said second grating by which the light is directed to said second end face for refraction and exit from said substrate along an exit axis that is aligned with said entry axis.

2. An electro-optic modulator device as defined in claim 1, and wherein:

said one of said end faces is adjacent said first grating, said other of said end faces is adjacent said second grating, and said propagation of said light in said waveguide film is in a forward direction relative to said beam of light entering said substrate.

3. An electro-optic modulator device as defined in claim 1, and wherein:

said one of said end faces is adjacent said second grating, said other of said end faces is adjacent said first grating, and said propagation of light in said waveguide film is in a backward direction relative to said beam of light entering said one end face of said substrate and exiting said other end face thereof.

4. An electro-optic modulator as defined in claim 2, and wherein:

said waveguide film comprises Li Nb_x Ta_1-x O₃, and said substrate comprises Li Ta O₃.

5. An electro-optic modulator as defined in claim 3, and wherein said waveguide film comprises Li Nb_x Ta_1-x O₃.