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Polarization-independent switchable lens system

  • US 10,274,805 B2
  • Filed: 06/13/2017
  • Issued: 04/30/2019
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2017
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A polarizer-free single chamber energized lens system comprising:

  • a front optical system having at least a static refractive layer with a curved front surface and a curved back surface, and a focal length that is different for two polarizations of light;

    a twisted nematic liquid crystal layer having at least a front curved surface, a back curved surface, and a nematic liquid crystal between the front curved surface and the back curved surface;

    the front curved surface having at least a transparent conductive electrode and an alignment layer for aligning a portion of the liquid crystal adjacent to the alignment layer;

    the back curved surface having at least a transparent conductive electrode and an alignment layer for aligning a portion of the liquid crystal adjacent to the alignment layer of the back curved surface, the alignment layer of the back curved surface oriented perpendicular to the alignment layer of the front curved surface;

    the front curved surface and the back curved surface having different radii of curvature;

    a thickness of a liquid crystal layer passing light therethrough meeting a Mauguin condition;

    a back optical system having at least a static refractive layer with a curved front surface and a curved back surface, and a focal length that is different for two polarizations of light; and

    a controller located outside an optical zone that enables application of an electric field between the transparent conductive electrodes of the twisted nematic liquid crystal layer, wherein the energized lens system is configured such that a focal length is different when an electric field is applied between the transparent conductive electrodes than when no such electric field is applied, and the focal length of the energized lens system is independent of the polarization of light whether or not an electric field is applied between the transparent conductive electrodes, wherein a single focal length is achieved with a single switchable liquid crystal layer, without a polarizer.

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