Color Centers Patents (Class 365/119)
  • Patent number: 11541599
    Abstract: A device and method of forming a three-dimensional component includes filling a reservoir (26) with a volume of curable resin (30), the resin configured to undergo a first reaction to form a first product when exposed to light (42) of a first wavelength and to undergo a second reaction to form a second product when exposed to light (62) of a second wavelength. The presence of the first and second products at a common location in the resin causes a third reaction that results in a solid polymer at the common location. The method further includes directing a first light source (34) of the first wavelength into the reservoir, directing a second light source (54) of the second wavelength into the reservoir such that the first and second light sources intersect at a first predetermined location (78) within the reservoir, and allowing the third reaction to form the solid polymer at the first predetermined location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Nichols, Christopher Seubert, Chelsea Cates, Kevin Richard John Ellwood
  • Patent number: 10875247
    Abstract: A multi-beam volumetric resin curing system and method for whole-volume additive manufacturing of an object includes a bath containing a photosensitive resin, a light source for producing a light beam, and a spatial light modulator which produces a phase- or intensity-modulated light beam by impressing a phase profile or intensity profile of an image onto a light beam received from the light source. The system and method also include projection optics which then produces multiple sub-image beams from the modulated light beam which are projected to intersect each other in the photosensitive resin to cure select volumetric regions of the resin in a whole-volume three-dimensional pattern representing the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Securitv. LLC
    Inventors: Maxim Shusteff, Christopher M. Spadaccini, Nicholas Fang, Robert Matthew Panas, Johannes Henriksson, Brett Kelly, Allison E. Browar
  • Patent number: 10330595
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for particle characterization by optical phase modulation and detection of aerosol backscattering. In some aspects, a compact and cost effective particle detector device to measure the aerosol density and its size distribution by backscattered focusing using projected optical modified field distribution imaging into the aerosol medium (air). The disclosed device can be used in a variety of scientific and industrial applications, e.g., such as a particle sensor for automobiles able to detect harmful pollution which may then be filtered from the car cabin, or warnings provided to the driver. The device can also capture and store data, enabling detailed pollution maps of various roadways in real-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Lin Pang, Yeshaiahu Fainman, Andrew C. Kummel, Brandon Hong
  • Patent number: 10186310
    Abstract: Quick optical DRAM reset and data erasure can be performed during power down (power cycling) or chip cooling and removal from the socket. In this way cold boot attacks on DRAM secret information are prevented using simple and cheap embodiment. In wafer level packaging (chip scale package) die is usually on top (flip-chip) and metal interconnections does not interfere with penetrating light during chip illumination. IR light penetrates through chip's thin epoxy on top and it is absorbed in the die, near active layer, and generates electron-hole pairs. Electron-hole pairs diffuse to chip active layer and generate discharging photocurrents in PN junctions connected to DRAM capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Inventor: Goran Krilic
  • Patent number: 9449655
    Abstract: Systems and methods for driving a non-volatile memory device in a standby operating condition are disclosed. A standby detection circuit detects whether the non-volatile memory system is in a standby condition. In response to determining that the non-volatile memory system is in a standby condition, a bias control circuit provides bias currents to drivers of the non-volatile memory system in a standby mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Cristinel Zonte, Vijay Raghavan, Iulian C. Gradinariu, Gary Peter Moscaluk, Roger Bettman, Vineet Argrawal, Samuel Leshner
  • Patent number: 9373351
    Abstract: A system and method of operating a dual-beam detection system of a holographic data storage disc, including: impinging a data beam on a data layer of the holographic data storage disc; impinging a tracking beam on a tracking element of the holographic data storage disc; detecting a reflection of the tracking beam from the tracking element; and coordinating position of the data beam relative to the tracking beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Comany
    Inventors: Victor Petrovich Ostroverkhov, Kenneth Brakeley Welles, Brian Lee Lawrence, Xiaolei Shi, Zhiyuan Ren, Mark Cheverton, Ruediger Kusch
  • Patent number: 9028728
    Abstract: The present invention relates to photochromic materials that include one or more indeno-fused naphthopyrans that have particular groups at the 7, 11, and 13 positions thereof, and at the position alpha to the oxygen of the pyran ring thereof. With some embodiments, hydrogen or an alkoxy group is bonded to the 7 position, an optionally substituted phenyl is bonded to the 11 position, two alkyl groups are bonded to the 13 position, and two optionally substituted phenyl groups are bonded to the position alpha to the oxygen of the pyran ring of the indeno-fused naphthopyran compound. The 13 position of the indeno-fused naphthopyrans is free of ether groups in which an ether oxygen is bonded to the 13 position, and hydroxyl. The present invention also relates to photochromic articles and compositions that include such indeno-fused naphthopyrans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Transitions Optical, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin E. Bancroft, Anu Chopra, Xiao-Man Dai, Beon-Kyu Kim, David B. Knowles, Jason R. Lewis, Victor A. Montes, Stephen D. Straight, Massimiliano Tomasulo, Barry Van Gemert, Robert W. Walters, Wenjing Xiao, Huayun Yu, Elizabeth A. Zezinka
  • Patent number: 8054669
    Abstract: A non-volatile programmable electro-optical element alters absorption characteristics of an optical medium that comprises a doped transition metal oxide material including F-centers. The F-centers are electrostatically moved into or out of the regions containing a wavefunction of an optical beam. A specific F-center profile in the transition metal oxide material may be programmed into the optical medium. The F-center profile alters an absorption profile within the optical medium. The spectral range for transmission of electromagnetic radiation in the optical medium may be tailored by the F-centers. Once the absorption profile is set by an electrical signal, the optical element maintains its state even when the electrical signal is turned off. Thus, the programming node may be disconnected from a power supply network, thereby enabling a low power operation of the electro-optical element. The inventive electro-optical element may be employed for both the visible and the infrared wavelength spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gerhard I. Meijer, Thilo H. Stöferle
  • Patent number: 7606106
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device operates by using a fixed power and a variable power. The device includes a plurality of word lines which select rows of a memory cell array, a plurality of word line drivers each of which is connected to a corresponding one of the word lines and includes a first CMOS gate, a first cutoff switch which is connected between a fixed power terminal and a power terminal of the first CMOS gate and cuts off the fixed power in a sleep mode, a switching circuit which is connected to the plurality of word lines and connects the plurality of word lines to a ground terminal in the sleep mode, and a power control circuit which generates the variable power by using the fixed power and sets the variable power to 0 V in the sleep mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tomoaki Yabe, Akihito Tohata
  • Patent number: 7556750
    Abstract: Various non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure relate to photochromic materials comprising a reactive substituent. For example, the present disclosure contemplates photochromic materials, such as photochromic naphthopyrans and indeno-fused naphthopyrans having a reactive substituent comprising a reactive moiety linked to the photochromic naphthopyran by one or more linking groups. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the reactive moiety comprises a polymerizable moiety. In other non-limiting embodiments, the reactive moiety comprises a nucleophilic moiety or an electrophilic moiety. Other non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure relate to photochromic articles, compositions, and methods of making the photochromic articles, wherein the photochromic articles and compositions comprise the photochromic naphthopyrans described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Transitions Optical, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenjing Xiao, Barry Van Gemert
  • Patent number: 6850092
    Abstract: A FIFO design interfaces a sender subsystem and a receiver subsystem operating on different time domains. The sender subsystem and the receiver subsystem may be synchronous or asynchronous. The FIFO circuit includes a put interface configured to operate in accordance with the sender time domain and get interface configured to operate in accordance with the receiver time domain. The FIFO circuit includes an array of cells having a register and state controller indicative of the state of the cell. Each cell also has a put component part configured to operate according to the sender time domain including a put token passing circuit and put controller circuit. Each cell has get component part configured to operate according to the receiver time domain including a get token passing circuit and a get controller circuit. A mixed-clock relay station design interfaces a sender subsystem and a receiver subsystem working at different time domains, and where the latency between sender and receiver is large.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: The Trustees of Columbia University
    Inventors: Tiberiu Chelcea, Steven M. Nowick
  • Patent number: 6770524
    Abstract: An apparatus including a contact on a substrate, a dielectric material overlying the contact, a phase change element overlying the dielectric material on a substrate, and a heater element disposed in the dielectric material and coupled to the contact and the phase change element, wherein a portion of the dielectric material comprises a thermal conductivity less than silicon dioxide. A method including introducing over a contact formed on a substrate, a dielectric material, a portion of which comprises a thermal conductivity less than silicon dioxide, introducing a heater element through the dielectric material to the contact, and introducing a phase change material over the dielectric material and the heater element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Chien Chiang, Guy C. Wicker
  • Patent number: 6747145
    Abstract: The invention provides photochromic bis-naphthopyran compounds as well as methods for their manufacture and their use. The bis-naphthopyran compounds of the invention exhibit a wide range of color, i.e., from pink to purple to blue gray, upon activation by a source of UV light. Additionally, the bis-naphthopyran compounds of the present invention exhibit broad coloration ability, fast response as to both color change on activation and return to original color, and good fatigue-resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Weili Zhao, Erick M. Carreira
  • Patent number: 6680860
    Abstract: Techniques for continuously programming a coherent transient spatial-spectral optical signal processor involve the repeated application of two or more spatially distinct optical programming pulses to a non-persistent hole-burning material to write an accumulated, spatial-spectral population grating with low intensity optical pulses as compared to single shot programming. An optical data stream is introduced on a processing beam, resulting in a processor output signal spatially distinct from all the processing pulses. Programming and processing take place simultaneously, asynchronously and continuously. For accumulated gratings, the frequency stability of the optical source is an important consideration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Research and Development Institute Inc.
    Inventors: Kristian Merkel, William Babbitt
  • Patent number: 6608774
    Abstract: Selected domains, normally 2×103×2×103 such domains arrayed in a plane, within a three-dimensional (3-D) volume of radiation-sensitive medium, typically 1 cm3 of spirobenzopyran containing 2×103 such planes, are temporally and spatially simultaneously illuminated by two radiation pulses, normally laser light pulses in various combinations of wavelengths 532 nm and 1024 nm, in order, dependent upon the particular combination of illuminating light, to either write binary data to, or read binary data from, the selected domains by process of two-photon (2-P) interaction/absorption. One laser light pulse is preferably directed to illuminate all domains during its propagation along one directional axis of the volume. The other laser light pulse is first spatially encoded with binary information by 2-D spatial light modulator, and is then (i) directed and (ii) time sequenced to intersection with the other light pulse in a locus of intersection domains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Peter M. Rentzepis
  • Patent number: 6528234
    Abstract: High density, photon-gated persistent spectral holeburning is effectuated in rare earth doped II-VI compounds such as MgS, CaS, BaS and SrS. Two-photon ionization of rare earth ions is performed, selected by a narrow band laser, producing narrow regions of reduced absorption (optical holes) in the absorption spectrum of a rare earth ion. These holes are useful for such applications as high density memory (especially, high density re-writable or photo-erasable memory), spectral holographic memory, communication, etc., no and demonstrate great survivability over reading cycles, thermal cycles and elevated temperatures. The embedment of the rare earth doped II-VI compound in a matrix comprising a polymeric material (such as PMMA), prior to the effectuation of the holeburning, may be advantageous for many embodiments. Inventive practice has successfully burned two hundred forty photon gated spectral holes in the zero phonon line (ZPL) of the 4f-5d transition of Eu2+ in a magnesium sulfide host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Veerendra Kumar Mathur, Zameer Ul Hasan
  • Patent number: 6514435
    Abstract: High density, photon-gated persistent spectral holeburning is effectuated in rare earth doped II-VI compounds such as MgS, CaS, BaS and SrS. Two-photon ionization of rare earth ions is performed, selected by a narrow band laser, producing narrow regions of reduced absorption (optical holes) in the absorption spectrum of a rare earth ion. These holes are useful for such applications as high density memory (especially, high density re-writable or photo-erasable memory), spectral holographic memory, communication, etc., and demonstrate great survivability over reading cycles, thermal cycles and elevated temperatures. The embedment of the rare earth doped II-VI compound in a matrix comprising a polymeric material (such as PMMA), prior to the effectuation of the holeburning, may be advantageous for many embodiments. Inventive practice has successfully burned two hundred forty photon gated spectral holes in the zero phonon line (ZPL) of the 4f-5d transition of Eu2+ in a magnesium sulfide host.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Zameer Ul Hasan, Veerendra Kumar Mathur
  • Patent number: 6483735
    Abstract: Three-, and four-dimensional (“3-D” and “4-D”) volume radiation memories store multiple binary bits of information—typically about five to ten and more typically eight such bits—in the same physical volumes on several different photochromic chemicals co-located in the volume. Each of the multiple photochromic chemicals is individually selectively written with an individually associated pair of radiation beams of an appropriate combined frequency—i.e., a “color”—and energy by a process of two-photon (“2-P”) absorption. All the multiple information bits that are stored within all the photochromic chemicals in each addressable domain are read in common, and induced to simultaneously fluoresce, again by process of 2-P absorption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Peter M. Rentzepis
  • Patent number: 6407831
    Abstract: A method for optimizing the interaction of a resonant material having generalized crystal symmetry with a beam or beams of radiation. The invention includes determining a special direction relative to the axes of crystal symmetry of the material and polarizing the interaction radiation beam along this direction. The polarized radiation beam is propagated through the material perpendicular to this special direction. The method and system are used in any application which involves the coherent interaction of optical radiation beams or fields with resonant ion-doped or molecular crystals of various types. Coherent interaction of optical radiation beams or fields with resonant ion-doped or molecular crystals of various types includes the phenomena of optical coherent transients, spectral hole burning, and spatial-spectral holography (also called time and space domain holography) and provides the basis for optical-electronic devices. Such applications include computer and communications networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Research and Development Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: Rufus L. Cone, Guanrring Wang, Yongchen Sun, Randy W. Equall
  • Patent number: 6280904
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of optical recording materials, in particular, fluorescent compounds and matrices suitable for use in optical memory systems, including three dimensional optical memory systems for READ ONLY MEMORY (ROM). In particular, nonfluorescent Rhodamine B lactams are photochemically transformed into fluorescent Rhodamine B derivatives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Assignee: Tridstore IP, LLC
    Inventors: Natalia T. Sokoluk, Vladimir V. Shubin, Eugene B. Levich, Jacob N. Malkin
  • Patent number: 6067246
    Abstract: An optical memory system includes memory cells which utilize synthetic DNA as a component of the information storage mechanism. In the preferred embodiment, memory cells contain one or more chromophoric memory units attached to a support substrate. Each chromophoric memory unit comprises a donor, an acceptor and, at some time during its existence, an active quencher associated with the donor and/or the acceptor. The donor and the acceptor permit non-radiative energy transfer, preferably by Forster energy transfer. To write to the memory cell, the quencher is rendered inactive, preferably by illumination with ultraviolet light. To read, the chromophoric memory units in a read portal are illuminated, and the read illumination is detected. In the preferred embodiment, multiple chromophoric memory units having resolvable read properties are contained within a single read portal. In this way, a multibit word of data may be read from a single diffraction limited read portal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Nanogen
    Inventors: Michael J. Heller, Eugene Tu
  • Patent number: 6027855
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of optical recording materials, in particular, fluorescent compounds and matrices suitable for use in optical memory systems, including three dimensional optical memory systems for READ ONLY MEMORY (ROM). In particular, nonfluorescent Rhodamine B lactams are photochemically transformed into fluorescent Rhodamine B derivatives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: OMD Devices LLC
    Inventors: Natalia T. Sokoluk, Vladimir V. Shubin, Eugene B. Levich, Jacob N. Malkin
  • Patent number: 5849403
    Abstract: Disclosed is an organic thin film device having an organic thin film consisting of a mixed-stacked charge-transfer complex, wherein the organic thin film contains n species of donor molecule D.sub.1 . . . D.sub.n and m species of acceptor molecule A.sub.1 . . . A.sub.m and forms mixed crystal represented by (D.sub.1).sub.x1 . . . (D.sub.n).sub.xn -(A.sub.1).sub.y1 . . . (A.sub.m).sub.ym and the combinations of a donor molecule and an acceptor molecule consist of a group forming ionic complex crystal and a group forming neutral complex crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Shinya Aoki, Toshio Nakayama
  • Patent number: 5835404
    Abstract: An optical memory system includes memory cells which utilize synthetic DNA as a component of the information storage mechanism. In the preferred embodiment, memory cells contain one or more chromophoric memory units attached to a support substrate. Each chromophoric memory unit comprises a donor, an acceptor and, at some time during its existence, an active quencher associated with the donor and/or the acceptor. The donor and the acceptor permit non-radiative energy transfer, preferably by Forster energy transfer. To write to the memory cell, the quencher is rendered inactive, preferably by illumination with ultraviolet light. To read, the chromophoric memory units in a read portal are illuminated, and the read illumination is detected. In the preferred embodiment, multiple chromophoric memory units having resolvable read properties are contained within a single read portal. In this way, a multibit word of data may be read from a single diffraction limited read portal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Nanogen
    Inventors: Michael J. Heller, Eugene Tu
  • Patent number: 5812318
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for spatially routing an optical pulse (data pulse) of an electromagnetic radiation and containing a specific address temporal profile and possibly additional data. Routing generally involves a unit of active material that is programmed using one or more input beams or pulses of the electromagnetic radiation providing address (i.e., waveform-discriminating) and directional (i.e., pulse routing) information to the active material. During programming, a spatial-spectral grating is created by optical interference on or in the active material of the input pulses encoding the address and directional information pertinent to the data pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: William Randall Babbitt, Thomas W. Mossberg
  • Patent number: 5636195
    Abstract: The recording method and apparatus according to this invention is an "optical recording method utilizing a simulated photon echo" in which information is recorded by irradiating data a.d record excitation lights at the same time or at different times on the same location of a recording medium, and in which the delay time of a record excitation light electric field and a data light electric field is recorded as the information by use of a common incoherent light split into two equal parts: the data light and the record excitation light. In the reproducing method and apparatus according to this invention, reproducing excitation and probe lights are illuminated on the recording medium and the stimulated photon echo light emitted from the medium by illumination of the reproducing excitation light overlaps the probe light. The "stimulated photon echo" reproducing the information is utilized by converting the synthetic light obtained from the overlap into an electrical signal at a photo detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Seishiro Saikan, Kiyoshi Uchikawa, Hisao Ohsawa
  • Patent number: 5581499
    Abstract: A device for optically storing and retrieving information incorporating a cadmium fluoride crystal. Using focused ionizing radiation, patterns can be formed in the crystal by the creation of color centers and/or intrinsic luminescence quenched areas. The stored information can then be retrieved by irradiating the crystal with visible light, ultraviolet light, ionizing radiation or combinations thereof. The device and the storage technique allows the storage of various different levels of information, the different levels being retrievable by using different irradiating media and magnifications of the retrieved information. The device and technique also allows the information to be stored for a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Inventor: Gilbert Hamamdjian
  • Patent number: 5568460
    Abstract: The recording method and apparatus according to this invention is an "optical recording method utilizing a simulated photon echo" in which information is recorded by irradiating data and record excitation lights at the same time or at different times on the same location of a recording medium, and in which the delay time of a record excitation light electric field and a data light electric field is recorded as the information by use of a common incoherent light split into two equal parts: the data light and the record excitation light. In the reproducing method and apparatus according to this invention, reproducing excitation and probe lights are illuminated on the recording medium and the stimulated photon echo light emitted from the medium by illumination of the reproducing excitation light overlaps the probe light. The "stimulated photon echo" reproducing the information is utilized by converting the synthetic light obtained from the overlap into an electrical signal at a photo detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Seishiro Saikan, Kiyoshi Uchikawa, Hisao Ohsawa
  • Patent number: 5424974
    Abstract: Methods and apparatii are described for information storage in photoconductive film of single layer composition by irradiation of memory elements simultaneously with application of an electric field. Information is stored as trapped charge accumulations in the film when the irradiation is removed, but trapped charge can be released by subsequent irradiation. Repeated information storage, followed by erasure, returns the films to their original state without degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1995
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Chongyang Liu, Horng-long Pan, Allen J. Bard, Marye A. Fox
  • Patent number: 5371698
    Abstract: The multi-dimensional optical memory utilizes the wavelength and intensity dimensions to effect a high density record. With incorporation of a broadband light source, scanning monochromator and photo detector array, a high speed random access optical memory system is realized. The system is executed in terms of a silicon based manufacturing technology allowing advantages of low cost and small physical size resulting from photolithographic batch-processing producibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1994
    Inventor: Dale R. Koehler
  • Patent number: 5369665
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for coherent time-domain optical data storage utilizing a randomizing phase modulation to increase storage capacity. A laser (10) generates write. read, and data pulses which are applied to an acousto-optic modulator (11), which modulates the pulses according to a modulation signal received from a radio-frequency modulator (12), and the modulated pulses are applied to the storage medium (13). The data signal to be recorded on the storage medium is subjected to spread-spectrum modulation, and in particular to pseudo-random phase modulation. The RF-modulator (12) modulates the write and read pulses with a frequency-chirping modulation and modulates the data pulse with the spread-spectrum modulated data signal before applying the respective pulses to the storage medium. The result is that a significantly longer data signal may be effectively recorded on the optical storage medium for a given characteristic de-phasing time of the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: SRI International
    Inventors: Yu Sheng Bai, Ravinder Kachru
  • Patent number: 5339201
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical computing element for use in an optical computer utilizing computing light rays having a plurality of wavelength components. The optical computing element comprises a photo-chemical hole burning element which functions as a wavelength selecting filter of the computing light rays. Therefore, the optical computer using the photo-chemical hole burning element of the invention can perform arithmetic operations by taking advantage of differences in optical wavelength. The computer can efficiently perform bulky arithmetic processing, and can also speedily perform arithmetic operations through simultaneous parallel processing for information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1994
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Nishimura, Motomu Yoshimura, Mitsuo Maeda
  • Patent number: 5327373
    Abstract: Methods and apparatii are described for information storage in photoconductive film of single layer composition by irradiation of memory elements simultaneously with application of an electric field. Information is stored as trapped charge accumulations in the film when the irradiation is removed, but trapped charge can be released by subsequent irradiation. Repeated information storage, followed by erasure, returns the films to their original state without degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1994
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Chongyang Liu, Horng-long Pan, Allen J. Bard, Marye A. Fox
  • Patent number: 5325324
    Abstract: Selected domains, normally 10.sup.3 .times.10.sup.3 such domains arrayed in a plane, within a three-dimensional (3-D) volume of active medium, typically 1 cm.sup.3 of spirobenzopyran containing 10.sup.2 such planes, are temporally and spatially simultaneously illuminated by two radiation beams, normally laser light beams in various combinations of wavelengths 532nm and 1024nm, in order, dependent upon the particular combination of illuminating light, to either write binary data to, or read binary data from, the selected domains by process of two-photon (2-P) absorption. One laser light beam is preferably directed to illuminate all domains of the selected plane in and by a one-dimensional spatial light modular (1-D SLM). The other laser light beam is first spatially encoded with binary information by 2-D SLM, and is then also directed to illuminate the domains of the selected plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Peter M. Rentzepis, Sadik Esener
  • Patent number: 5317453
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical computing element for use in an optical computer utilizing computing light rays having a plurality of wavelength components. The optical computing element comprises a photo-chemical hole burning element which functions as a wavelength selecting filter of the computing light rays. Therefore, the optical computer using the photo-chemical hole burning element of the invention can perform arithmetic operations by taking advantage of differences in optical wavelength. The computer can efficiently perform bulky arithmetic processing, and can also speedily perform arithmetic operations through simultaneous parallel processing for information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Nishimura, Motomu Yoshimura, Mitsuo Maeda
  • Patent number: 5306599
    Abstract: A material for optical recording by utilizing the photochemical hole burning is disclosed. The optical recording material is a composition comprising a watersoluble deuterated polymer as a host component and a water-soluble organic pigment dispersed in the host component as a guest component. By virtue of the deuteration of the host component, the tunnel effect of the hydrogen atoms in the host component is prevented, so that the hole width is narrowed. Thus, the wavelength multiplicity is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuaki Sakoda, Masayuki Maeda, Masao Iwamoto
  • Patent number: 5305254
    Abstract: A magneto-optic memory device, such as a magneto-optic disk or magneto-optic card having a pair of opposed substrates at least one of which is transparent. Between the substrates is a magneto-optic memory layer made of a stack of dielectric film, a rear earth-transition metal alloy thin film, a dielectric film and a light reflecting film built on the surface of the transparent substrate opposed to the other substrate. An adhesive layer covers the memory layer and bonds the transparent substrate to the other substrate. Lastly, a metal nitride film interposed between the light reflecting film of the memory layer and the adhesive layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiteru Murakami, Junichiro Nakayama, Ichiro Hiramatsu, Akira Takahashi, Kenji Ohta, Kazuo Van, Hiroyuki Katayama
  • Patent number: 5297076
    Abstract: Phase modulation is used to record data in a spectral hole burning material. A laser and a phase modulator are used to generate both a reference pulse and a phase modulated data pulse to the material. The data is recorded as spectral holes in the absorption spectrum of the material. In order to read the data, a second reference pulse is generated which creates an echo pulse from the material. This echo pulse is combined with a frequency shifted comparator pulse in order to generate a heterodyne signal. A phase sensitive demodulator detects the phase transitions in the heterodyne signal and generates a digital signal representative of the data recorded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Carl M. Jefferson, Alfred J. Meixner
  • Patent number: 5276637
    Abstract: Data storage methods and apparatus are disclosed that utilize a swept-carrier optical approach with an inhomogeneously broadened absorber material having multiple special storage cells. Data are encoded on a data pulse by appropriately modulating the data pulse. Data storage in a storage cell is effected by exposing the cell to the data pulse and a reference pulse cotemporal with the data pulse. Both the data and reference pulses are frequency-chirped across the inhomogeneously broadened bandwidth of the absorber material, the data pulse being chirped at a frequency that is offset relative to the reference pulse. Data retrieval from the storage cell is performed by exposing the cell to a read pulse which causes the cell to produce a signal pulse comprising the encoded data. The read pulse can have a temporal profile that produces a signal pulse shaped either similarly to the data pulse or as a mirror image of the data pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: State of Oregon acting by and through the State Board of Higher Education on behalf of the University of Oregon
    Inventor: Thomas W. Mossberg
  • Patent number: 5255218
    Abstract: A frequency multiple outgoing light is obtained by intensity-modulating a frequency multiple incident light in frequency domain, after irradiating a pump beam to an optical recording medium consisting of photochromic material and the like to generate optical Stark effect thereon and shifting the light absorption spectrum of the optical recording medium by optical Stark effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1993
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Eiji Yagyu, Tetsuya Nishimura, Motomu Yoshimura, Noriaki Tsukada
  • Patent number: 5240762
    Abstract: An organic thin film element is disclosed which has an organic thin film consisting of a mixed stacked charge-transfer complex of donor and acceptor molecules, wherein the organic thin film is made neutral by forming the mixed stacked charge-transfer complex which is ionic under the bulk state into a thin film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Akira Miura, Nobuhiro Gemma, Toshio Nakayama, Shun Egusa, Makoto Azuma
  • Patent number: 5231626
    Abstract: A wavelength selective optical recording and reproducing method includes an optical recording and reproducing step of information composed of time series signals on a recording medium having recording tracks as position series signals with light having a variable wavelength while switching the wavelength between predetermined values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki K.K.
    Inventors: Michihiro Tadokoro, Motomu Yoshimura, Mitsuo Maeda, Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 5204770
    Abstract: An image processing apparatus having a third-order nonlinear stimulated photon echo medium (1). The photon echo medium (1) can store large numbers of images in the form of a Fourier transformed pattern by spectral modulation. The spectral modulation is carried out by sending optical pulses in an optical pulse train having (or not having) image information to the medium (1) so that the population in the ground and excited states are modulated after the passage of the pulse trains and pulses. The Fourier transformed pattern is converted back to temporal modulation, consisting of a sequence of echo pulses that reproduce the original data pulse train. By using the apparatus, ultrafast operation such as convolution and correlation between a number of reference images and a test image can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Ravinder Kachru, Emily Y. Xu, Stefan Kroll, David L. Huestis, Myung-Keun Kim
  • Patent number: 5204215
    Abstract: A wavelength multiplexed optical recording material is disclosed wherein a photosensitive material including substituted porphine, such as tetra(pentafluorophenyl) porphine or tetra(4-methoxyphenyl) porphine, is uniformly dispersed into an optically transparent dispersion medium. When such wavelength multiplexed optical recording material is cooled to a temperature of liquid helium and irradiated with a laser beam, a large number of holes of narrow width are formed in an inhomogenous absorption band under the phenomenon of photochemical hole burning. As compared to unsubstituted porphine, the above porphine derivatives give an improved recording sensitivity and narrow hole width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Agency of Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kishii, Shinichiro Tamura, Nobutoshi Asai, Koichi Kawasumi, Jenetsu Seto
  • Patent number: 5191574
    Abstract: Apparatus for storage and retrieval of digital data includes a multidimensional holographic storage medium for storing phase holographic images representative of the digital data. Selected regions of the medium are independently addressable by a beam of light. The storage medium is a spectral hole burning material having absorption regions independently addressable by selected frequencies of light, and includes selectively bleached absorption structures forming frequency channels. An external electric field of selected voltage can be applied to the storage medium to induce Stark effect broadening of the spectral holes, so that at a given frequency of light, a different phase hologram can be stored for each of a plurality of voltages, whereby multiple phase holograms can be stored for each frequency of light. Alternatively, physical stress can be applied to the storage medium to induce a stress field and associated broadening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Sparta Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip D. Henshaw, Steven A. Lis
  • Patent number: 5151813
    Abstract: A three-dimensional object producing method, and the apparatus for carrying it out, of the type in which a beam is irradiated on a liquid surface of a liquid photo-curable resin to form a succession of cured resin layers corresponding to successive cross-sectional laminae of the three-dimensional object and step-wise moving the cured resin layers as they are formed to build up a three-dimensional copy of object, wherein the improvement of the method comprises vector-scanning the beam on a first layer of photo-curable resin along one or more paths corresponding to the contour or contours of a first one of the cross-sectional laminae of the object, thereafter, raster-scanning the beam on one or more layers of photo-curable resin which are subsequent to the first layer of photo-curable resin, and alternating repeating these different scanning steps until a complete copy of the object is thereby produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masanobu Yamamoto, Kazumine Itoh
  • Patent number: 5142493
    Abstract: An erasable optical disk drive system is disclosed which utilizes an electron trapping media coated on the disk surface to store data in the form of light energy. Data is written onto the disk, which is contained in a light-tight contamination-free environment similar to a Winchester hard disk drive system, using a near infrared light laser beam. Data is read from the disk using a visible light laser beam. The entire optical disk drive system is designed to fit within a standard mini or 51/4 inch disk drive form factor for personal computers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1992
    Assignee: Quantex Corporation
    Inventor: Joseph Lindmayer
  • Patent number: 5124944
    Abstract: An optical data storage medium, comprising; (a) an amorphous matrix; and (b) guest molecules dispersed in the amorphous matrix, the guest molecules consisting essentially of electron donors and electron acceptors which are in a solid state at room temperature, the optical data storage medium having an inhomogeneously broadened absorption band due to a distribution of local environments around the guest molecules dispersed in the amorphous matrix, such that the optical data storage medium is capable of storing at least two bits of data in a frequency domain by virtue of an irreversible multiphotonic electron transfer reaction consisting of more than one photon process, in which at least one electron is transferred from the electron donors to the electron acceptors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Suzuki, Toshiyuki Shimada, Toshihiro Nishi, Hiroaki Hiratsuka
  • Patent number: 5107483
    Abstract: An apparatus in accordance with the present invention sequentially fixes the wavelength of a light beam irradiated from a light source whose oscillation wavelength sequentially varies to a plurality of different wavelengths to a recording medium to required wavelengths each capable of forming a hole at absorption spectrum of the recording medium, synchronizes timing of change of the wavelength of the light source with timing of recording or regenerating each bit of information, records the optical hole formed in a manner that each bit of information corresponds to the wavelength varying in sequence, and detects the formed hole to regenerate information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiki Nakajima, Kunimaro Tanaka, Kyosuke Yoshimoto, Motomu Yoshimura, Mitsuo Maeda, Koichi Takeuchi, Kouichi Yamada, Masaharu Ogawa, Kazuhiko Nakane, Hajime Nakajima, Masayoshi Shimamoto, Fumio Matsuda, Minoru Ozaki
  • Patent number: 5051337
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optical recording material comprising a porphine derivative having at least an ionic group and a polymer compatible with this porphine derivative. As the porphine derivative, there are used a porphine derivative having an N-alkylpyridinium group, such as 5,10,5,20-tetra(4-N-methylpyridinium) porphine, a porphine derivative having a quaternary amino group, such as 5,10,15,20-tetra(4-N,N,N-trimethylaminophenyl) porphine, a porphine derivative having a sulfonatophenyl group, such as 5,10,15,20-tetra (4-sulfonatophenyl) porphine, and a porphine derivative having a carbonatophenyl group, such as 5,10,15,20-tetra-(4-carbonatophenyl) porphine. Either an organic polymer or an inorganic polymer is used as the polymer. From the viewpoint of the recording stability, a water-soluble polymer such as polyvinyl alcohol or sodium polystyrene sulfonate is preferred as the organic polymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1991
    Assignee: Director-General of Agency of Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Kazuaki Sakoda, Kazuhiko Kominami, Masao Iwamoto