Controllable optical periodic surface filter

• US 6,028,692 A
• Filed: 05/30/1995
• Issued: 02/22/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Ryan, Daniel J., Hoffman, Richard G. II, Rhoads, Charles M., Kesler, Oren B., Frazier, Gary
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps, Georgia
• Assistant Examiner(s): LETENDRE, SUZANNE M
• Application Number:
  US08/453,302
• Time in Patent Office: 1,729 Days
• Field of Search: 359/248, 359/299, 359/244, 359/359, 359/360
• US Class Current: 359/245
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 20/00 Nanooptics, e.g. quantum optics or photonic crystals
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/781 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/0126 Opto-optical modulation, i.e. control of one light beam by another light beam, not otherwise provided for in this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/015 based on semiconductor elements having potential barriers, e.g. having a PN or PIN junction G02F1/03 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/017 Structures with periodic or quasi periodic potential variation, e.g. superlattices, quantum wells
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/01716 Optically controlled superlattice or quantum well devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 15/002 said selective devices being reconfigurable or tunable, e.g. using switches or diodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/2676 Optically controlled phased array
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/46 Active lenses or reflecting arrays
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/105 by controlling the mutual position or the reflecting properties of the reflectors of the cavity , e.g. by controlling the cavity lengthH01S3/10076, H01S3/13 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01S 3/115 using intracavity electro-optic devices

Abstract

Generally and in one form of the invention this is a periodic surface filter comprising at least one element at a surface of the filter and electronic controls to change the optical characteristics of the element. Other methods and devices are disclosed.

Claims

1. A tunable surface filter comprising:

a. at least one element at a surface of said filter wherein said element comprises a patterned antenna structure and at least one end stub; and

b. electronic control to change electromagnetic characteristics of said element.

2. The filter of claim 1, wherein said electronic control or connects said patterned antenna structure and said end stub.

3. The filter of claim 1, wherein said element is isolated.

4. The filter of claim 1, wherein said element is slotted.

5. The filter of claim 1, wherein said element forms a capacitive patterned antenna structure.

6. The filter of claim 1, wherein said element forms an inductive patterned antenna structure.

7. The filter of claim 1, wherein said element is a dipole.

8. The filter of claim 1, wherein a conducting overcoat electrically connects said element at a surface of said filter to another element at a surface of said filter.

9. The filter of claim 8, wherein said overcoat is metal.

10. The filter of claim 1, wherein a conducting undercoat electrically connects said element at a surface of said filter to another element at a surface of said filter.

11. The filter of claim 10, wherein said undercoat is metal.

12. The filter of claim 10, wherein said undercoat is a doped semiconductor.

13. The filter of claim 1, wherein said filter is a bandpass filter.

14. The filter of claim 1, wherein said filter is a bandreject filter.

15. The filter of claim 1, wherein said filter is periodic.