Instrumentation apparatus and methods utilizing photoconductors as light-modulated dielectrics
US5159486A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 22, 1990 |
| Grant date | Oct 27, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 22, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01Q15/006
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A light-modulated photoconductor, exhibiting a variable permittivity, provides the basis for various instrumentation devices and methods. In one embodiment, the light-modulated photocondcutor is used as a dielectric between conductive plates to provide a light-modulated capacitor (photocapacitor). One of the conductive plates may be transparent to facilitate application of the modulating light to the photoconductor. The light-modulated capacitor may be used for numerous applications, such as instrumentation used to, e.g., measure the work function of surfaces during processing or as a non-contact voltmeter. In another embodiment, the light-modulated photoconductor is used as a mirror or lens wherein the index of refraction is optically modulated. Such light modulated lens or mirror assembly may be used as a beam steering device, e.g., a solid state infra-red (IR) beam steering device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.