초록 ▼

An optical beam routing apparatus is constructed of solid material in which is embedded a beam routing array structure (1370) which has at least a first waveguide segment (1376) traversing the solid material along a plane, second waveguide segments (1378) traversing the solid material along the same

An optical beam routing apparatus is constructed of solid material in which is embedded a beam routing array structure (1370) which has at least a first waveguide segment (1376) traversing the solid material along a plane, second waveguide segments (1378) traversing the solid material along the same plane and encountering the first waveguide segment at a plurality of intersections, electrically-controlled gratings 1372, 1373) disposed transverse to the intersections to controllably reflect optical energy between the first waveguide segment and the second waveguide segments, and optical reflectors (1374, 1375) at selected locations in line with the second waveguide segments (1378) for projecting optical energy into and/or out of the plane from a selected position (1382) on an-out-of-plane medium which might contain optically readable or writable information, such as a disc. Electrodes at the intersections and the electrically-controllable gratings (1372, 1373) disposed transverse of the intersections and controlled by the electrodes controllably reflect optical energy between the first waveguide segment and the second waveguide segment upon application of a controlled electric field at the electrodes.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An optical beam routing apparatus for use in illuminating positions on a medium for containing data information comprising:a solid material for passing optical energy;a first channel waveguide segment traversing said solid material along a plane of said solid material;a p

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An optical beam routing apparatus for use in illuminating positions on a medium for containing data information comprising:a solid material for passing optical energy;a first channel waveguide segment traversing said solid material along a plane of said solid material;a plurality of second waveguide segments traversing said solid material along said plane and being disposed transverse to said first channel waveguide segment, said second channel waveguide segments being disposed to exchange optical energy with said first channel waveguide segment at a plurality of intersection regions;at least two electric field-responsive elements forming a plurality of electrically-controlled optical beam redirectors, each said optical beam redirector being disposed transverse of said first channel waveguide segment in one of said intersection regions, said optical beam redirectors being operative to reflect optical energy between said first channel waveguide segment and said second waveguide segments;a plurality of optical reflectors disposed at selected locations on said plane each in line with said second waveguide segments for projecting optical energy at least out of said plane; andfirst electrically-conductive materials each forming a first electrode, each said first electrode confronting said solid material at each said intersection for creating an electric field through each said optical beam redirectors.