Cavity thickness compensated etalon filter

Details Cavity thickness compensated etalon filter Cavity thickness compensated etalon filter

1995-12-12

1998-01-20

Nelms, David C.

Optical: systems and elements

Optical modulator

Light wave temporal modulation

359254, 359260, 359271, G02F 103

Patent

active

057106550

ABSTRACT:
A cavity thickness compensated etalon filter. A tuning medium is placed in a Fabry-Perot etalon cavity. The index of refraction of the tuning medium varies as a function of voltage applied across the medium. The etalon is formed of two generally flat substrates disposed substantially parallel to one another. Each substrate has a layer of conductive material within the cavity adjacent the substrate. Each substrate also has a layer of reflective material within the cavity adjacent the substrate. At least one layer of reflective material is only partially reflective so as to enable light to pass into and out of the cavity. Liquid crystal material may be used as a tuning medium in the cavity. In the case of liquid crystal material, the etalon also comprises an alignment layer disposed within the cavity adjacent each substrate to pre-order the liquid crystal material. Means are provided for selectively varying the profile of the voltage across the tuning medium so as to compensate for variation in flatness and separation of the etalon substrates. Means are also provided to the render the filter polarization insensitive.

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