Directionally solidified eutectic structure and method of forming the same

• US 4,252,408 A
• Filed: 03/09/1979
• Issued: 02/24/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Original Assignee: Regents of the University of California (University of California)
• Inventors: Parsons, James D., Yue, Alfred S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Levy, Stewart J.
• Application Number:
  US06/019,129
• Time in Patent Office: 718 Days
• Field of Search: 350/96.24, 350/96.25, 350/96.30, 350/96.33, 350/96.34, 65/4 A, 65/4 B, 106/39.5, 106/50, 106/73.1, 23/304, 313/475
• US Class Current: 313/475
• CPC Class Codes: C30B 21/02 by normal casting or gradient freezing

Abstract

A directionally solidified, optically conductive eutectic system and method of forming the same. A Type II eutectic which divides into fiber and matrix phases when directionally solidified consists of a fiber phase having a lesser molecular weight but higher refractive index than the matrix phase. The resulting fiber array is optically conductive, and may be used to advantage in applications such as CRT screens, waveguides, fiber optic image intensifiers, and lasers.

Claims

1. A directionally solidified, optically conductive eutectic system, comprising:

a matrix material comprising a first component of a type II eutectic system, and

a plurality of mutually spaced, optical fibers within said matrix material, said fibers being formed from a second material component of said type II eutectic system, said fiber material being characterized by a lesser molecular weight but greater refractive index than said matrix material.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said fibers are substantially colinear.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said fibers are arranged substantially in a packed hexagonal array.

4. The system of claim 1, the diameter of said fibers being no greater than about 3 micrometers.

5. The system of claim 1, said matrix material comprising CaF₂, and said fiber material comprising MgO.

6. The system of claim 1, said matrix material comprising KF, and said fiber material comprising LiF.

7. A fiber optic waveguide, comprising:

an elongate, directionally solidified eutectic system extending generally along an axis, said system comprising a matrix and a plurality of optically conductive fibers disturbed within said matrix substantially colinear with the system axis, said matrix and fibers being formed respectively from materials comprising the components of a type II eutectic system, said fiber material being characterized by lesser molecular weight but greater refractive index than said matrix material.

8. In a cathode ray tube having an electron beam source and means controlling the direction of a beam emitted by said source, the improvement comprising a high resolution screen adopted to be illuminated by said beam, said screen comprising:

a fiber optic mosaic having a first surface facing the electron beam source and a second surface opposite said first surface forming a screen, said mosaic comprising a matrix and a plurality of optically conductive fibers distributed within and extending across said matrix from said first to said second surface, said matrix and fibers being formed respectively from materials comprising the components of a type II eutectic system, said fiber material being characterized by a lesser molecular weight but greater refractive index than said matrix material, said fibers being substantially colinear and of sufficient density to transmit a high resolution image, and

a fluorescent coating over said first mosaic surface positioned to receive an electron beam, and in response thereto to emit light into said mosaic.

9. A high resolution video screen, comprising:

a fiber optic mosaic having a pair of opposed surfaces, one of said surfaces forming a screen, and a flourescent coating over the other of said surfaces, said coating being adapted to emit light into said mosaic in response to its being illuminated by an electron beam;

said mosaic comprising a matrix and a plurality of optically conductive fibers distributed within and extending across said matrix between said opposed surfaces, said matrix and fibers being formed respectively from materials comprising the components of a type II eutectic system, said fiber material being characterized by a lesser molecular weight but greater refractive index than said matrix material, said fibers being substantially colinear and of sufficient density to transmit a high resolution image to the screen surface.