Patent ID: 8023170

Claim:
A total internal reflection (TIR) modulator comprising: a member comprising an electro-optic material; a plurality of first electrode sets on a surface of the TIR modulator; a plurality of second electrode sets on the surface of the TIR modulator; and a first set of electrical conductors, each electrical conductor in the first set of electrical conductors being coupled to one of the second electrode sets; wherein: the electrodes in each second electrode set are arranged in an interdigitated relationship with the electrodes in one of the first electrode sets; and each of the first electrode sets comprises a first electrode, the first electrodes being arranged in an interdigitated relationship with the electrical conductors in the first set of electrical conductors; and wherein a voltage applied to a first electrode set or a second electrode set or both, causes a change in a birefringent state of the member, which changes an angle of reflection off the surface.