Abstract:
A LIGHT DEFLECTOR SYSTEM IS PROVIDED WHEREIN A LIGHT BEAM CAN BE QUICKLY POSITIONED IN RESPONSE TO A RELATIVELY SMALL MAGNETIC, MECHANICAL, OR ELECTRIC SIGNAL, THEREBY ENABLING THE PRECISE POSITIONING OF THE BEAM TO PRESELECTED LOCATIONS.
Abstract:
A magneto-optic transducing system is utilized to convert a magnetic recording into electrical signals. For purposes of decoding the electrical signals into data, it is necessary that the electrical signal transduced from a magnetic recording be synchronized with a reference clock signal. Synchronization is obtained herein by fixing the frequency of the reference clock signal and varying the frequency of the data signal as transduced from the magnetic recording. The frequency and phase of the data signal are varied by varying the scanning sweep speed used in a magneto-optic transducer. Two alternative embodiments are shown. In the first embodiment, the scanning is accomplished by a vidicon which scans the magneto-optic image of a large block of data. In an alternative embodiment, a cathode ray tube is used as the light source for the magneto-optic transducer so that each bit may be separately scanned by deflecting the beam in the cathode ray tube. Synchronization is obtained by comparing the frequency and phase of the data signal from the transducing system with the frequency and phase of the reference clock and feeding back an error signal to the deflection coils of the cathode ray tube or the vidicon. The correction signal increases or decreases the sweep speed as is necessary to synchronize the data with the clock.
Abstract:
VARIABLE DIGITAL LIGHT DEFLECTION IS OBTAINED BY STACKING LIGHT DEFLECTION PLATES ON THE HYPOTENUSE OF A RIGHT-ANGLE PRISM. LIGHT ENTERS ONE FACE OF THE PRISM AND STRIKES THE HYPOTENUSE OF THE PRISM AT AN ANGLE EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN THE CRITICAL ANGLE. NORMALLY, THE LIGHT WILL BE TOTALLY INTERNALLY REFLECTED IN THE PRISM AND PASS OUT THE OTHER FACE OF THE PRISM. HOWEVER, IF A DEFLECTOR PLATE IS ATTACHED TO THE HYPOTENUSE OF THE PRISM AND IS MAKING OPTICAL CONTACT WITH THE HYPOTENUSE OF THE PRISM, THE TOTAL INTERNAL REFLECTION WILL BE FRUSTRATED, AND THE LIGHT BEAM WILL PASS INTO THE DEFLECTOR PLATE. THE DEFLECTOR PLATES MAY BE STACKED ONE ON TOP OF THE OTHER. THE PHENOMENON OF TOTAL INTERNAL REFLECTION AND FRUSTRATION OF TOTAL INTERNAL REFLECTION IS USED TO CONTROL HOW MANY DEFLECTOR PLATES THE LIGHT BEAM PASSES THROUGH BEFORE IT IS TOTALLY INTERNALLY REFLECTED AND MOVES BACK THROUGH THE DEFLECTOR PLATES, THE PRISM, AND OUT THE FACE OF THE PRISM. THE DEFLECTOR PLATES MAY BE SOLID GLASS PLATES OR LIQUID CELLS. THEY MAY BE ENERGIZED BY A PIEZOELECTRIC CRYSTAL TO FLEX AND THEREBY MAKE OR BREAK OPTICAL CONTACT.
Abstract:
1279661 Light deflector INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORP 5 Nov 1969 [15 Nov 1968] 54164/69 Heading G2J A light deflector for directing a light beam 14 along a path pre-selected from two available paths 14A, 14D comprises a light transmissive element 10 having a beam receiving surface 11 and a boundary surface 13 and a reflective cell 17 containing a light transmissive fluid 21 retained by a light transmissive wall member 8, displaceable towards and away from said boundary surface, the arrangement being that when the wall member is displaced from the surface total internal reflection of a beam takes places at the surface but when the wall member and boundary surface are in abutting relationship, this reflection is frustrated. Cell 17 is composed of materials having the same refractive index and the wall member is preferably a transparent plate 18. A reflective backing member 20 defines with the plate 18 a chamber wherein the transparent fluid is disposed such that in the arrangement shown a beam of light e.g. 14, 14C will travel between the elements and be reflected 14D from the front reflecting surface 22 of the backing member 20 or from its rear surface 23, when the reflective coating is absent. Movement of the cell into and out of co-operation with the element 10 is achieved by Piezo-electric or magnetostrictive devices and this serves to provide digital offset of the incident light-beam. Fig. 6 (not shown) shows a device which can provide a continuously variable offset of the incident light-beam (over a larger range), according to an actuator which has for this purpose an inter-connected reservoir of fluid to enable the volume of the cell to be varied. The deflector may also be combined Fig. 5 (not shown) with others, not necessarily in the same place to provide a system giving a series of offset light-beams for a single incident beam. The light transmissive element may be a right angle prism a non right angle prism, a curved body or a non-planar body. Reference has been Directed by the Comptroller to Specification 1215209.