INTERCONNECTION TAB USED WITH OPTICAL DEVICES

• US 20090201461A1
• Filed: 09/10/2007
• Published: 08/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alphamicron Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alphamicron Incorporated
• Inventors: Taheri, Bahman, Park, Eui-Yeul, Martincic, Christine, Kosa, Tamas, Miller, Roy
• Granted Patent: US 7,936,496 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 351/159
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/101 having an electro-optical light valve electro-optical elements per se G02F
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13452 Conductors connecting driver circuitry and terminals of panels

Abstract

An optical device with at least one interconnection tab is provided. The optical device includes a pair of opposed substrates with a gap therebetween filled with an electro-optic material. Each substrate has a facing surface with a substrate electrode disposed thereon. A sealing material is disposed between the pair of opposed substrates to contain the electro-optic material. At least one interconnection tab is interposed between the substrates. The interconnection tab includes an insulator layer with opposed surfaces. A tab electrode layer is provided on each surface, wherein each tab electrode layer contacts a corresponding substrate electrode. And each tab electrode layer includes a portion that extends from the pair of opposed substrates on selected portions of the insulator layer.

Claims

1. An optical device having at least one interconnection tab, comprising:

a pair of opposed substrates having a gap therebetween filled with an electro-optic material, each said substrate having a facing surface with a substrate electrode disposed thereon;

a sealing material disposed between said pair of opposed substrates to contain said electro-optic material; and

at least one interconnection tab interposed between said substrates, said tab comprising;

an insulator layer having opposed surfaces;

a tab electrode layer on each said surface, each said tab electrode layer contacting a corresponding substrate electrode, wherein each said tab electrode layer includes a portion that extends from said pair of opposed substrates on selected portions of said insulator layer.

2. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein said insulator layer has opposed side edges with each said portion disposed near one opposite side edge so that only one said portion is along each side edge.

3. The optical device according to claim 2, further comprising:

an electrode pad on each said insulator layer surface with each said pad disposed near one opposite side edge so that only one said electrode pad is along each side edge.

4. The optical device according to claim 3, wherein each said electrode pad is positioned on a side of said insulator layer surface opposite said portion.

5. The optical device according to claim 4, wherein said insulator layer, said portion, and said electrode pad has at least one via extending therethrough.

6. The optical device according to claim 5, wherein said via is electrically conductive so that said electrode pad opposite said leg portion are electrically connected to one another.

7. The optical device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a conductive adhesive disposed on at least a portion of said tab electrode layer.

8. The optical device according to claim 1, wherein said insulator layer has a lens edge received between said pair of opposed substrates opposite a terminal edge extending from said substrates.

9. The optical device according to claim 8, wherein said tab electrode layers are L-shaped, and wherein said portion extends along said lens edge to said terminal edge.

10. The optical device according to claim 9, wherein each said L-shaped tab electrode layer comprises a first leg which extends substantially along said lens edge and a second leg extending from said first leg toward said terminal edge.

11. The optical device according to claim 10, wherein said insulator layer has opposed side edges that extend from said lens edge to said terminal edge.

12. The optical device according to claim 11, wherein each said second leg is positioned along one of said opposed side edges.

13. The optical device according to claim 12, further comprising:

an electrode pad on each said insulator layer surface with each said pad disposed near said terminal edge and one of said opposed side edges.

14. The optical device according to claim 13, wherein each said electrode pad is positioned on a side of said insulator layer surface opposite said second leg.

15. The optical device according to claim 14, wherein said insulator layer, said second leg and said electrode pad has at least one electrically conductive via extending therethrough.