Locally-switched reversible electrodeposition optical modulator
First Claim
1. A reversible electrodeposition device for controlling the propagation of electromagnetic radiation, comprising:
- an optical modulation electrode which is substantially transparent to the radiation;
a counter electrode comprised of a plurality of electrically isolated segments; and
an electrolyte containing ions of an electrodepositable metal, in electrical contact with said optical modulation electrode and said counter electrode, such that a positive electrical potential applied to one of said segments relative to said optical modulation electrode tends to cause the electrodepositable metal to be electrodeposited from said electrolyte onto a localized area of said optical modulation electrode, and such that a negative electrical potential applied to one of said segments relative to said optical modulation electrode tends to cause the electrodepositable metal to be dissolved into said electrolyte from a localized area of said optical modulation electrode, wherein the amount of electrodeposited metal subsisting on said optical modulation electrode affects the propagation of electromagnetic radiation by the device.
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Abstract
The present invention is a reversible electrodeposition optical modulation device employing a segmented counter electrode that permits localized areas of a continuous optical modulation electrode to be switched independently of each other. Such devices can be configured to enable practically seamless switching over the entire device for smart window and adjustable mirror applications, or to minimize cross-talk and pixel overlap for display applications. Since the electrical contacts and switching circuitry are located on the counter electrode, more active area is available for optical modulation.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A reversible electrodeposition device for controlling the propagation of electromagnetic radiation, comprising:
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an optical modulation electrode which is substantially transparent to the radiation;
a counter electrode comprised of a plurality of electrically isolated segments; and
an electrolyte containing ions of an electrodepositable metal, in electrical contact with said optical modulation electrode and said counter electrode, such that a positive electrical potential applied to one of said segments relative to said optical modulation electrode tends to cause the electrodepositable metal to be electrodeposited from said electrolyte onto a localized area of said optical modulation electrode, and such that a negative electrical potential applied to one of said segments relative to said optical modulation electrode tends to cause the electrodepositable metal to be dissolved into said electrolyte from a localized area of said optical modulation electrode, wherein the amount of electrodeposited metal subsisting on said optical modulation electrode affects the propagation of electromagnetic radiation by the device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A reversible electrodeposition device for controlling the propagation of electromagnetic radiation, comprising:
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an optical modulation electrode which is substantially transparent to the radiation;
a counter electrode comprised of a plurality of electrically isolated segments of a metal disposed on an electrically insulating substrate comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of glasses, ceramics, plastics, resins, and composites; and
an electrolyte containing ions of an electrodepositable metal, in electrical contact with said optical modulation electrode and said counter electrode, such that a positive electrical potential applied to one of said segments relative to said optical modulation electrode tends to cause the electrodepositable metal to be electrodeposited from said electrolyte onto a localized area of said optical modulation electrode, and such that a negative electrical potential applied to one of said segments relative to said optical modulation electrode tends to cause the electrodepositable metal to be dissolved into said electrolyte from a localized area of said optical modulation electrode, wherein the amount of electrodeposited metal subsisting on said optical modulation electrode affects the propagation of electromagnetic radiation by the device.
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19. A reversible electrodeposition device for controlling the propagation of electromagnetic radiation, comprising:
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an optical modulation electrode which is substantially transparent to the radiation;
a counter electrode comprised of a plurality of electrically isolated segments of an oxide conductor disposed on an electrically insulating substrate comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of glasses, ceramics, plastics, resins, and composites; and
an electrolyte containing ions of an electrodepositable metal, in electrical contact with said optical modulation electrode and said counter electrode, such that a positive electrical potential applied to one of said segments relative to said optical modulation electrode tends to cause the electrodepositable metal to be electrodeposited from said electrolyte onto a localized area of said optical modulation electrode, and such that a negative electrical potential applied to one of said segments relative to said optical modulation electrode tends to cause the electrodepositable metal to be dissolved into said electrolyte from a localized area of said optical modulation electrode, wherein the amount of electrodeposited metal subsisting on said optical modulation electrode affects the propagation of electromagnetic radiation by the device.
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Specification