Two dimensional electro-optic modulator array

• US 5,528,414 A
• Filed: 05/05/1994
• Issued: 06/18/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Imation Corporation (Glassbridge Enterprises, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Lotus Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Oakley, William S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps, Georgia Y.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BEY, DAWN MARIE
• Application Number:
  US08/238,644
• Time in Patent Office: 775 Days
• Field of Search: 359/245, 359/250, 359/254, 359/257, 359/276, 359/259, 359/279, 359/296, 385/8, 385/2
• US Class Current: 359/257
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/0305 Constructional arrangements G02F1/0327 - G02F1/05 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2203/12 spatial light modulator

Abstract

A two-dimensional modulator array for modulating a plurality of light beams. The modulator array is comprised of a plurality of stacked wafer layers. Each of the wafer layers have a linear array of transversely driven Pockels modulators. The Pockels modulators are formed by placing a plurality of electrodes over a top surface of an optical material and extending the electrodes over a beveled edge of the optical material. A ground plane resides on the bottom surface of the optical material. Conductive end reflectors are associated with each of the modulator electrodes. These end reflectors reflect the light beams back through the wafer. Electrical attachments are connected to the ends of each electrode for controlling the modulation for each electrode. Thereby, separate light beams can be individually modulated.

Claims

1. An electro-optic modulator for modulating a two-dimensional array of light beams comprising:

a plurality of wafer layers having a top surface, a bottom surface, and an edge common to said top surface and said bottom surface, wherein a first wafer layer is stacked on top of a second wafer layer;

a plurality of modulation electrodes associated with each of said wafer layers for independently modulating light beams of said array of light beams, wherein said modulation electrodes reside on said top surface and said edge of one of said wafer layers;

a plurality of ground planes residing on said bottom surface of one of said wafer layers; and

a conductive end reflector coupled to each of said modulator electrodes for reflecting said light beams back through said wafer layers, wherein an optical beam is converged and focused onto said conductive end reflector.

2. An electro-optic modulator for modulating a two-dimensional array of light beams comprising:

a plurality of wafer layers having a top surface, a bottom surface, and an edge common to said top surface and said bottom surface, wherein a first wafer layer is stacked on top of a second wafer layer;

a plurality of modulation electrodes associated with each of said wafer layers for independently modulating light beams of said array of light beams, wherein said modulation electrodes reside on said top surface and said edge of one of said wafer layers;

a plurality of ground planes residing on said bottom surface of one of said wafer layers; and

a beveled plane interposed between said top surface and said edge.

3. A two-dimensional modulator array for modulating a plurality of light beams, comprising:

a first wafer layer having a first linear array of transversely driven Pockels modulators comprised of;

an optical material having a first surface and a second surface;

a plurality of electrodes residing on said first surface of said optical material;

a ground plane residing on said second surface of said optical material; and

a plurality of conductive reflectors coupled to said electrodes for reflecting light beams back through said modulator array, wherein said light beams are converged and focused onto said conductive reflectors; and

a second wafer layer adjacent to said first wafer layer having a second linear array of transversely driven Pockels modulators.

4. The two-dimensional modulator array of claim 3 further comprising a conductor connected to each of said conductive reflectors for controlling said electrodes.