Importance

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Abstract

An integrated optoelectronic chip 116 produces multiple modulatable outputs in a read write head. An array of light guides in a light guide switchyard has some terminations at output apertures and some at beam dumps within the read/write head. The beam dumps absorb and dissipate any light conveyed to them. The beam switches allow control of the direction of light emitted from an on-board laser 106 which enters the array of light guides. By switching between a respective beam dump and a respective output aperture, the beam switch is used to modulate the output from the aperture. The light emitted can be imaged onto a target surface by a lens system or a single holographic element. In an alternative embodiment, instead of dumping the light to a beam dump, it can also be directed away from the target surface. An optoelectronic chip for modulating multiple outputs can be formed without an embedded laser. Instead, a separate laser may be connected to a chip having light guides, optoelectronic switches, and beam dumps, only.

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First Claim