US3609009A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Binary light beam deflector using acoustic waves
Assignee: RCA Corp
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Filing: 1969-02-13
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Granted: 1971-09-28
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Expires: 1989-02-13
Abstract
Abstract A binary light beam deflector is disclosed which includes a medium, such as water or quartz, which is transparent to an incident light beam. Two electroacoustic transducers are positioned to propagate acoustic waves of the same frequency through the medium so that each acoustic wave intercepts the incident beam at an angle equal to the Bragg angle. A radiofrequency oscillator is connected to one or the other of the transducers to cause deflection of the light beam in one or the other of two output directions. A plurality of the described deflectors may be arranged in cascade to provide any desired amount of deflection in binary steps.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D Lohman
- 👤 Gerard A Alphonse
- 👤 Walter F Kosonocky
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 13:05
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/29; G02F1/33; G02F1/332
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
Deflector means to deflect an incident light beam in either one of two divergent directions within a plane, comprising a medium which is transparent to said light beam and through which an acoustic wave can be propagated, means to direct said incident light beam through said medium, first and second spaced electro-acoustic transducers positioned to propagate two respective acoustic waves of the same wavelength through said medium in different directions within said plane so that the wavefront of each acoustic wave intercepts the incident light beam at an angle equal to the Bragg angle, means to mask the undiffracted zero order portion of the incident light beam emerging from said medium, means to energize one transducer to cause an output comprising the first order diffraction portion of the light beam diverged in one direction, means to energize the other transducer to cause an equal intensity output diverged an equal amount in the other direction, and fixed reflectors positioned on the output side of said medium to redirect the diffracted output light beams to directions that are parallel with the incident light beam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
Deflector means to deflect an incident light beam in either one of two divergent directions within a plane, comprising a medium which is transparent to said light beam and through which an acoustic wave can be propagated, means to direct said incident light beam through said medium, first and second spaced electro-acoustic transducers positioned to propagate two respective acoustic waves of the same wavelength through said medium in different directions within said plane so that the wavefront of each acoustic wave intercepts the incident light beam at an angle equal to the Bragg angle, means to mask the undiffracted zero order portion of the incident light beam emerging from said medium, means to energize one transducer to cause an output comprising the first order diffraction portion of the light beam diverged in one direction, means to energize the other transducer to cause an equal intensity output diverged an equal amount in the other direction, and fixed reflectors positioned on the output side of said medium to redirect the diffracted output light beams to directions that are parallel with the incident light beam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
A plurality of light beam deflectors each as defined in claim 1 arranged in cascade so that a diffracted output light beam from one deflector constitutes an incident light beam for the next following deflector, said means to energize said transducers including an electrical oscillator, and switch means to selectively connect the output of said oscillator to one transducer of each light deflector.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-27 | 1975-03-29 | 1975-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-27 | 1979-03-29 | 1979-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-27 | 1983-03-29 | 1983-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |