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Instrumentation apparatus and methods utilizing photoconductors as light-modulated dielectrics

  • US 5,159,486 A
  • Filed: 02/22/1990
  • Issued: 10/27/1992
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/22/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. Beam steering apparatus comprising:

  • a photoconductor having a band gap frequency, said photoconductor exhibiting a first permittivity when not exposed to light or when exposed to light of frequencies less than said band gap frequency, and a permittivity other than aid first permittivity when exposed to light of frequencies greater than said band gap frequency, said photoconductor being transparent to a beam of electromagnetic radiation of a frequency less than said band gap frequency, said transparent photoconductor exhibiting an index of refraction that varies as a function of the permittivity exhibited by said photoconductor;

    light exposing means for selectively exposing said photoconductor to light having frequencies greater than said band gap frequency, whereby said photoconductor exhibits a permittivity other than said first permittivity when so exposed, said light exposing means further including means for exposing said photoconductor to light having an intensity profile that varies in tow directions, said light causing a volume to be created within said photoconductor that exhibits different permittivities than said first permittivity; and

    beam directing means for directing a beam of electromagnetic radiation toward said photoconductor, the amount of refraction or bending of said beam as it passes through said volume of said photoconductor being controlled by selectively exposing said photoconductor to light with said light exposing means.

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