Patent ID: 7839565
Filing Date: 2010-11-23
Classification: G02F

Abstract:
1. An optical deflector, comprising: an electro-optic material having an interaction region in which an applied electric field produces a refractive-index distribution that varies linearly in a first direction aligned with the applied electric field, for deflecting a light beam in the first direction by refraction within the interaction region according to the refractive-index distribution and deflecting the light beam in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction by refraction at an interface where the light beam enters or leaves the interaction region, wherein the refractive index of the electro-optic material varies by the Kerr effect and the interaction region comprises at least a first region, a second region, and a third region disposed in series in a direction of propagation of the light beam, and wherein: the first region has a first surface and a second surface, the light beam entering the first region at the first surface and exiting the first region at the second surface, and the first surface and the second surface being mutually nonparallel; the second region has a third surface and a fourth surface, the light beam entering the second region at the third surface and exiting the second region at the fourth surface, and the third surface and the fourth surface being mutually nonparallel; the third region has a fifth surface and a sixth surface, the light beam entering the third region at the fifth surface and exiting the third region at the sixth surface, and the fifth surface and the sixth surface being mutually parallel; the first surface is parallel to the fourth surface; and the second surface is parallel to and faces the third surface.