Proximity coupled electro-optic devices
First Claim
1. In an electro-optic device includingan electro-optic element,a plurality of electrodes proximate said electro-optic element, andmeans coupled to said electrodes for applying voltages thereto, whereby electric fields are coupled into said electro-optic element;
- the improvement comprising;
a substrate for supporting at least one of said electrodes, andmeans engaged with said electro-optic element and with said substrate for maintaining said substrate supported electrodes within a small gap distance of said electro-optic element, thereby proximity coupling said substrate supported electrodes to said electro-optic element.
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Abstract
One or more electrodes of an electro-optic device are supported on a separate substrate which is held in close contact with the electro-optic element of the device so that the electric fields that are created when voltages are applied to such electrodes are proximity coupled into the electro-optic element. Proximity coupling is especially advantageous for multi-gate light valves and the like where separate electrical connections have to be made to a multitude of electrodes because it permits those connections to be made remotely from the electro-optic element. However, the broader aspects of proximity coupling are applicable to electro-optic devices in general, including bulk and TIR electro-optic modulators and straight through and TIR multi-gate electro-optic light valves.
29 Citations
11 Claims
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1. In an electro-optic device including
an electro-optic element, a plurality of electrodes proximate said electro-optic element, and means coupled to said electrodes for applying voltages thereto, whereby electric fields are coupled into said electro-optic element; -
the improvement comprising; a substrate for supporting at least one of said electrodes, and means engaged with said electro-optic element and with said substrate for maintaining said substrate supported electrodes within a small gap distance of said electro-optic element, thereby proximity coupling said substrate supported electrodes to said electro-optic element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification