Electro-optic beam deflector device having adjustable in-plane beam control

US9823541B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Analog Devices, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Michael H. Anderson · Lyons, US
• Scott R. Davis · Denver, US
• Scott D. Rommel · Lakewood, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 6, 2017
• Grant date: Nov 21, 2017
• Expiry date: Apr 6, 2037

Classification

• Technology area (CPC —): General

Abstract

A substantially planar waveguide for dynamically controlling the out-of-plane angle at which a light beam exits the waveguide. Generally, liquid crystal materials may be disposed within a waveguide in a cladding proximate or adjacent to a core layer of the waveguide. In one example, the waveguide may contain one or more taper regions such that the light beam exits the waveguide and propagates out-of-the-plane of the waveguide into an out-coupling medium at a propagation angle. In one example, the waveguide may contain one or more electrodes onto which one or more voltages may be applied. The magnitude of the propagation angle may be electronically controlled by altered by controlling or altering the magnitude of the one or more applied voltages.