Electro-optic waveguide deflector using a nonlinear optic film or liquid-crystal overlay cell for use in an optical pickup head.

摘要

An electro-optic waveguide deflector appropriate for use in an optical pickup head uses any film exhibiting high second order susceptibility such as nonlinear optic organic Langmuir-Blodgett films or nonlinear optic organic poled polymer films, or a liquid-crystal overlay cell. The deflector comprises a base support, a planar electrode layer disposed on the base support, a first buffer layer atop the first electrode layer, and an optical waveguide layer overlying the first buffer layer and planar electrode. When nonlinear optic films are used to form the waveguide layer, a second buffer layer is disposed atop the waveguide layer, and a pair of spaced electrodes is disposed atop the second buffer layer. When a nematic-type liquid-crystal overlay cell is used, it is disposed atop a passive dielectric waveguide, and a pair of spaced electrodes is disposed on the under surface of the liquid-crystal cell cover plate. The spaced electrodes are shaped so that selectively applying an electric field causes deflection to vary with the applied voltage according to the geometrical configuration of the spaced electrodes.