LIQUID CRYSTAL DEVICE AND METHOD OF FABRICATION THEREOF
First Claim
1. A tunable-focusing liquid crystal lens cell comprising:
- first and second optically transparent substrates defining a cell gap therebetween;
a liguid crystal layer arranged within said cell gap; and
an alignment layer provided on a third optically transparent substrate having a non-planar shape for giving a non-planar profile to said liquid crystal layer.
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Abstract
A tunable-focusing liquid crystal lens (TLCL) cell has a liquid crystal layer arranged within a cell gap defined between substrates, a layer of optically transparent material arranged between the first substrate and the LC layer, and a liquid crystal alignment layer arranged between the optically transparent layer and the LC layer. The alignment layer is provided on a third optically transparent substrate having a non-planar shape for giving a non-planar profile to the LC layer, which substrate is obtained from a flexible sheet initially provided with the alignment layer and then formed into the non-planar shape. The lens further has a first optically transparent electrode provided on the second substrate, a second optically transparent electrode provided on either or both of first and third substrates. The electrodes are arranged to generate an electric field acting on the LC layer to change the focal distance of the LC cell. Methods for fabricating such TLCL cell are also provided
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A tunable-focusing liquid crystal lens cell comprising:
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first and second optically transparent substrates defining a cell gap therebetween; a liguid crystal layer arranged within said cell gap; and an alignment layer provided on a third optically transparent substrate having a non-planar shape for giving a non-planar profile to said liquid crystal layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of manufacturing a tunable-focusing liquid crystal lens cell having a liquid crystal cell arranged within a cell gap defined between first and second optically transparent substrates, said second substrate being provided with a first optically transparent electrode, said method comprising the steps of:
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i) providing a third optically transparent substrate maintained in a substantially planar shape with a liquid crystal alignment layer; ii) providing one of said first substrate and said third substrate with a second optically transparent electrode; iii) providing a layer of optically transparent material having a refractive index and having a side facing toward an inner side of said first substrate; iv) joining said layer of optically transparent material and said third substrate, the liquid crystal alignment layer facing outwardly from the junction; v) forming said third optically transparent substrate provided with the alignment layer into a non-planar shape; vi) joining said liquid crystal alignment layer to a liquid crystal layer at one side thereof; and vii) joining said liquid crystal layer at the other side thereof to said second substrate; wherein said liquid crystal alignment layer gives to said liquid crystal layer a non-planar profile. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification