Guided wave acousto-optic device
US4012120A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 14, 1975 |
| Grant date | Mar 15, 1977 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 14, 1995 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06E3/001
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An acousto-optic device suitable as a correlator, convolution integrator or Fourier transform device. The device comprises a piezoelectric substrate or crystal such as lithium niobate. The substrate is covered by a thin, outer layer having higher index of refraction than the substrate and a thickness on the order of 50 micrometers. Two acoustic transducers such as interdigital transducers are disposed on opposite ends of the crystal to launch two acoustic surface waves in opposite directions. A laser beam is guided through the outer layer and is coupled with the two acoustic waves to generate either a correlation function, a Fourier transform or a convolution integral depending on the signals impressed thereon.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.