Method and apparatus for adjusting the phase of an optical beam
US6775425B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 26, 2002 |
| Grant date | Aug 10, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 16, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F2203/50
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Method and apparatus for adjusting the phase of an optical beam. In one aspect of the present invention, an optical device includes a substrate through which an optical beam is to be directed along an optical path. In one embodiment, the optical device includes an array of segments of optical phase-shifting structures along the path. In one embodiment, each respective one of the segments is to be selectively switched on or off to adjust a phase of the optical beam. In one embodiment, the optical phase-shifting structures include capacitive structures to induce the plasma optical effect to adjust the phase of an optical beam. In another embodiment, the optical phase-shifting structures include an electro-optic material such as Lithium Niobate.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.