Patent · US Expired

Optical modulation at millimeter-wave frequencies

US5015052A · kind A · utility

28Cited by
10References
17Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 20, 1989
Grant dateMay 14, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 20, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02F1/0356
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Apparatus for modulation of optical signals at millimeter-wave frequencies comprises a thin elongate dielectric slab (1) of lithium niobate to partially confine and guide therein a polarized electrical signal (8) at millimeter-wave frequencies; a thinner optical waveguide (3) of lithium niobate with titanium diffused therein to substantially confine and guide therein an optical signal (9), having at least one elongate surface adjacent to an elongate surface of the dielectric slab (1); an optical grating (5) of arsenic trisulfide for directing a polarized optical signal (9) into the waveguide (3) to propagate in a lengthwise direction therein; an optical grating (7) of arsenic trisulfide for directing the optical signal (9) out of the waveguide (3) after it has traversed a predetermined distance therein; and a metallic waveguide (2) for directing an electrical signal (8) into the dielectric slab (1) in the same direction as that of the optical signal (9) in the waveguide (3), and at a center frequency such that it propagates at a phase velocity substantially matching the phase velocity of the optical signal (9).

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.