Abstract: An electrooptic assembly for a light modulator, suitable for use in a printer, is constructed as a sequence of film-type layers of electrooptic material, particularly PLZT, supported upon a transparent substrate and having comb-electrode structures disposed as electrode layers at all of the interfaces between the layers of electrooptic material. The electrooptic layers and the electrode layers are readily fabricated by photolithography. A polarizer and an analyzer with crossed polarization axes are disposed on opposite sides of the electrooptic assembly along an optical path to provide, with the electrooptic assembly, an electrooptic modulator. Light passes via the optical path through the modulator upon energization of electrodes with an electric field transverse to a common direction of the electrodes.

Abstract: A device for damping the vibrations of an elongated, substantially rectangular crystal in response to an applied high voltage electrical field comprises a pair of dielectric panes which are impedance matched with the crystal and are attached to opposite sides thereof. As attached to the crystal, each of the panes is disposed at the periphery of the electrical field, and an aluminum block is attached to each of the panes on a surface which is opposite from the crystal. The mass of aluminum blocks, and the texture of their exposed outer surfaces cooperate to mechanically dampen the acoustic vibrations transmitted from the crystal through the panes. Additionally, the rectangular dimensions of the crystal are chosen to delay the propagation of acoustic waves from the surfaces of the crystal to its center.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator comprising a solid state light valve comprising a high density two-dimensional array of "Kerr-cell" like pixels formed in a solid state electro-optical composition such as lanthanum modified lead zirconium titanate (PLZT). Transverse electrodes are deposited on a layer of PLZT the composition of which may provide for memory mode or non-memory mode operation. Pixels are defined in the electro-optic materials in regions between adjacent electrodes deposited on the electro-optic material. The array may be addressed optically or electronically to generate an electric field in the electro-optic material, and thus activate pixels.

Abstract: An optical modulator includes a substrate, a first waveguide layer formed on the substrate, a second waveguide layer stacked together with the first waveguide layer in a direction of a thickness thereof on the substrate, the second waveguide layer having a waveguide mode different from that of the first waveguide layer, a diffraction grating formed in a region where the waveguide modes of the first and second waveguide layers overlap each other, and an electrode. When the electrical signal is applied through the electrode, the wavelength of the light coupled by the diffraction grating is changed, and light output from the second waveguide layer is modulated in accordance with the electrical signal. A method of modulating light using the above optical modulator is also disclosed.

Abstract: A Fabry-Perot etalon is utilized as an optical switch for controllably switching an input optical signal on an input optical conduit between first and second output optical conduits. The etalon is comprised of a cavity formed by plane parallel periodic multilayer reflective surfaces with a variable index of refraction semiconductor medium sandwiched therebetween. The medium and periodic multilayer structures comprise, for example, Aluminum Gallium Arsenide. An optical pump injects an optical control beam into the medium to vary the index of refraction of the medium so as to cause the input optical signal to either be reflected from the cavity into the first output conduit or transmitted through the cavity to the second output conduit. Alternatively, electric fields, thermal fields, or injected carriers can be applied to the medium to vary the index of refraction thereof, thereby effecting the optical switching action.

Abstract: A novel optical filter structure for selectively blocking radiation of predetermined wavelength is described which comprises a plurality of alternate first and second layers deposited on a substantially transparent substrate, the first layers comprising a transparent nontransitioning material of first refractive index, the second layers comprising a material characterized by a transition from ferroelectric phase having second refractive index to nonferroelectric phase having third refractive index different from the first and second indices upon being heated to a characteristic transition temperature, each of the first and second layers having a thickness substantially equal to one-fourth times the ratio of the predetermined wavelength to the respective index of refraction.