Appeal No. 95-1923
Application 08/051,987
having a shorter duration and/or a higher signal to noise ratio can be obtained than can typically
be obtained using a single stage optical gate. In a two gate embodiment, Kerr gates are
configured by arranging a non-linear Kerr cell, first and second polarizers and first and second
analyzers so that the first polarizer, the Kerr cell and the first analyzer form a first optical Kerr
gate and the second polarizer, the same Kerr cell and the second analyzer form a second optical
Kerr gate, the second polarizer having a polarization axis parallel to that of said first analyzer.
Appellants’ Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate two of appellants’ embodiments.
The Prior Art
In his figure, Siebert discloses a pair of optical Kerr cells OKC-1 and OKC-2 and
associated alternately crossed polarizers P4, P5 and P6 serially disposed at the output of laser 26,
with polarizer P5 disposed between the two Kerr cells.
The Rejection under 35 U.S.C. § 102/103
After consideration of the positions and arguments presented by both the examiner and the
appellants, we have concluded that the rejection should not be sustained.
We do not agree with the examiner’s position to the effect that the non-linear medium,
referred to four times in claim 19, is not a structure but is only a limitation of a type of material
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