Electro-optic wedge structure for beam steering and method of manufacture
US5615029A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 8, 1995 |
| Grant date | Mar 25, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 8, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F1/133371
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for steering a beam of light. A volume of electro-optic, light transmissive material has a predetermined geometric shape, such as a wedge, and is positioned to intersect the beam of light so that the beam of light is directed into the material. The material has a first surface on which the beam of light is incident and a second surface opposite the first surface, the first and second surfaces defining a portion of the material therebetween having a thickness which varies with the beam of light passing through the portion of the material. A voltage source applies a potential difference across the portion of the material. A control circuit varies the magnitude of the potential difference applied to the portion of the material. As a result, the beam of light is deflected by an angle which is a function of the varying thickness of the portion of the material and the refractive index of the portion of the material as determined by the magnitude of the potential difference.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.