Photocondutively controlled electro-optic laser modulation
US5384798A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 3, 1992 |
| Grant date | Jan 24, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 3, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01S3/1127
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The optical modulator of the invention comprises an electro-optic material or magneto-optic material EOD which modulates optical energy in accordance with an applied electromagnetic waveform. The electromagnetic waveform impressed in the EOD is controlled by a light activated switch, or switches, which varies the magnitude of the electromagnetic waveform to the EOD by switching portions of a transmission line (of which the EOD forms all or at least a part of the dielectric) in or out. The switch, or switches, may be configured between segments of one of the conductors of the transmission line and may overlay the electro-optic dielectric material. The transmission line may include a plurality of sections, each charged to a selected voltage, so that when switched by said light activated switches, the electromagnetic waveform to the EOD is controlled. When used in a laser cavity, the optical modulator can control the output of the laser cavity in response to optical input control signals. The optical modulator may be used for Q-switching the laser cavity, mode-locking the laser, cavity dumping the laser cavity, or modulating the output of the laser cavity, or combinations of the above…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.