Abstract: Disclosed is a solid state apparatus for and a method of (1) modulating the intensity of a multimode light beam; (2) coupling the light beam to an input optic fiber that is butt coupled to a diffraction grating that is formed of a plurality of stripe domains in a magnetic film; (3) altering, by the application of suitable magnetic fields, the angular orientation of the stripe domains in the plane of the magnetic film, and (4) multiplexing the diffracted light beam to a selected one of a plurality of several output optic fibers. The apparatus uses a liquid-phase epitaxially (LPE) grown film of bismuth substituted rare earth iron garnet to form a magnetizable layer in which stripe domains may be generated, sustained and moved about. The stripe domains form a diffraction grating. The angular orientation of the stripe domains in the plane of the diffraction grating may be altered by the application of external magnetic fields -- see the E. J. Torok, et al, U.S. Pat. No.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of optically recording or writing data into a thermoplastic layer is disclosed. The recording medium is fabricated as an integral part of the face of a cathode ray tube (CRT) and includes a layer of thermoplastic material that is thermoplastically responsive to a heating light beam having a wavelength within the infrared (IR) range and that is a dielectric capable of storing charges corresponding to a data-containing charging (electron) beam. The thermoplastic layer is first selectively exposed to the charging (electron) beam for spatially selectively electrically charging the exposed surface of the thermoplastic layer and is then softened by the heating (IR) beam causing the charged, softened surface to distort under the forces of the data-bearing charge.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for achieving consistent recording or writing of optical data in thermoplastic films is disclosed. An empirically determined level of developing energy E is set into a heat controller that applies developing energy E (heat) to the thermoplastic film that had been previously subjected to an electrostatic charge and an optical signal (light). The monitored frost intensity F.sub.m is then compared to an empirically determined desired frost intensity F.sub.d. If F.sub.m .noteq. F.sub.d the developing energy E that is to be applied to the thermoplastic film is adjusted accordingly in preparation for the next writing operation. Control of the writing process is through control of the developing energy E that is applied to the thermoplastic film with all other developing parameters held relatively constant.