Abstract:
The system herein includes light optic means which functions as a light beam distributor in making available, almost instantly, an information bearing beam of light at a multiplicity of output positions in the system, as opposed to many well known line scan beam deflection systems.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to the system disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,872,451 issued to this inventor Mar. 18, 1975, and utilizes therein certain teachings set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 3,804,489 concerning induced stationary diffraction gratings. Such gratings are produced by an interdigital electrode structure which is deposited on an electro-optic material. The application of a voltage to the structure produces a spatial modulation of the electro-optic material&#39;s refractive index and thereupon allowing the material to act as a diffraction grating to light incident thereon. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An information bearing light beam is directed along a primary optical path, by means of a series of reflections, and made readily available for a redirecting thereof along secondary paths, selectively, utilizing electro-optic means at any of a number of controllable light reflecting positions in the system. The light beam, or information contained therein, in combination with its output position, may thereupon be utilized in communications or for data handling purposes. 
     It is an object of the invention to effect light beam positioning or distribution control independent of the control system stability of more conventional beam deflection methods. These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will best be understood from the description which follows when read in connection with the accompanying drawing. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 are first and second views of a light beam positioning system of the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a diagramed detail of an electro-optic light beam control means of the invention; and 
     FIG. 4 is a view of a further embodiment of a light beam positioning system. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 a beam control unit 10 is illustrated which includes, for example, a four sided length of a light conducting material such as glass, plastic, crystaline material or the like, having a length L, and will be referred to as a light guide 12. Depending upon the light control requirements of the invention the guide 12 may be formed so as to present more, or less, than a four sided figure. Closely adjacent one side 21 thereof there is shown a prism 20, the material being somewhat like that of the guide 12 or of an exact material. Light, preferably from a laser source, is directed along a path 17 at an angle a, as indicated in FIG. 2. The angle indicated has been exaggerated, however, so as to simplify the discussion of the invention. Upon entering the light guide 12 the beam of light will be directed along, what will be referred to as, a primary optical path 16, spiralling its way to a point of exit 15 at the opposite end 14 of the guide 12. 
     Adjacent the side 23 of the guide 12 light conducting material having the form of a prism 25 is shown extending the length of the guide 12. Between the prism 25 and the side 23 there is an assembly of electro-optic light reflection control means 26, one of which is illustrated in FIG. 3, including a thin film of electro-optic material 29 deposited on the side 23 surface of the guide 12, and an interdigital electrode structure 28 comprised of electrodes 31 and 32, respectively. The material 29 may be that of a number of Kerr effect or Pockels effect materials in either a solid, liquid, gas or colloidal state. The electrodes can be of a light transparent electrically conductive material, tin oxide, for example. The dimensions of all Figures are of course exaggerated. 
     In spiralling its way through the light guide 12 the beam of light along the path 16 undergoes a series of reflections, one at each interface of the guide 12 material and media adjacent each of its sides 21, 22, 23 and 24, the media in each case presenting a lower index of refraction than that of the guide material. Upon closing a switch so as to extend the influence of an electrical potential to an individual one of the reflection control means of the assembly 26 a change in the electro-optic characteristics of the material 29 thereof will frustrate to a predetermined degree the reflection of light and allow a passing of light along a secondary path 50. Therefore, a beam of light entering the guide 12 will be reflected along a series of 360° side-by-side optical paths until reaching the point of exit 15, or, be permitted to pass along a secondary path 50, each leading from one of a plurality of light output positions 51, 52, 53, etc. 
     An interdigital electrode structure 28, intimately joined to the film of material 29, is positioned to coincide with each of the light output positions. When the influence of a potential is extended to an electrode structure 28, exemplified in FIG. 3 as being comprised of a potential source 40 under the control of a switch means 41, a potential difference is established between the fingers of the electrodes which results in a spatially varying change in the index of refraction in the film material 29 in the direction of light propagation. This change in the index of refraction acts as a diffraction grating for the light being directed along the path toward a given output position. Light is thereby diffracted through the material 29 and the electrode structure 28 and thereupon along an output path 50. In the absence of an induced grating the light will be deflected by the film material 29, which has a thickness, for example, of at least one wavelength, or, just thick enough so as to allow the light to be reflected without having to engage the grating of the electrode structure 28. 
     Although the use of a prism 25 is shown, depending upon light path 50 directional requirements, it may not be required. And in FIG. 4, instead of a prism, the use of another form of light guide means 42 is illustrated, being intimately joined to the electrodes 28 so as to establish a light output path 60. Also illustrated in this embodiment is the establishment of additional light output positions adjacent still another side 22 of the light guide 12, using a second assembly 26 of reflection control means. Similar assemblies may, of course, be supported adjacent the sides 21 and 24. Through the use of a light guide 12 comprised of an electro-optic material such as that of the film 29 the electrodes 31 and 32 may be intimately joined thereto and having an index matching material in the spacing therebetween, each such material having a lower index of refraction than that of the guide 12. When a potential difference is established between the fingers of the electrodes, this would result in a spatially varying change in the index of the guide 12 to the extent of providing the diffraction grating adjacent the surface 23 to a predetermined depth into the guide material. Light is thereby diffracted adjacent the interface of the light guide 12 and the electrode structure 28 and directed along an output path. 
     It should be understood by those skilled in the arts pertaining to the construction and application possibilities of the invention herein set forth that the embodiments included herein illustrate in a very limited sense the usefulness of the invention and that the invention includes such other modifications and equivalents as may be seen by those skilled in the arts, but still be within the scope of the appended claims.