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Electro-optical multiplexer having multiple frequency resonant excitation

  • US 4,175,827 A
  • Filed: 02/21/1978
  • Issued: 11/27/1979
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/21/1978
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. Switchable optical coupling apparatus comprising:

  • a plate of optically transparent material characterized by an electrically variable effective index of refraction,first isolated electrode means for establishing a first electric field through said plate for changing the effective index of refraction thereof at a first location, thereby establishing a first pair of selectable diverging light paths within said plate normal to said variable electric field,said first isolated electrode means being excited by a fundamental frequency sinusoidal voltage, andsecond and third isolated electrode means disposed in cooperative relation with said respective first pair of selectable diverging light paths for establishing second and third electric fields through said plate for changing the effective index of refraction thereof at respective second and third locations spaced from said first location, thereby establishing second and third pairs of selectable diverging light paths within said plate respectively normal to said second and third variable electric fields,said second and third isolated electrode means being excited by a frequency that is harmonic of said fundamental frequency sinusoidal voltage,said fundamental and harmonic sinusoidal frequency voltages being phased in a predetermined manner whereby discrete ones of said second and third pairs of selectable diverging light paths are selected.

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