Optically hidden electromagnetic source for generation of spatially non uniform magnetic field and tunable devices made thereof

• US 20100007807A1
• Filed: 06/22/2009
• Published: 01/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Point Financial, Inc.
• Original Assignee: LensVector, Inc.
• Inventors: ASATRIAN, Karen, BABRAMYAN, Aram, TORK, Amir, ZOHRABYAN, Armen, GALSTIAN, Tigran, PRESNIAKOV, Vladimir
• Granted Patent: US 8,184,218 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 349/23
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13768 based on magneto-optical effects
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/294 Variable focal length devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 5/003 Printed circuit coils
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/20 without armatures cores H01F3/00; coils H01F5/00 ; shaping metal by applying magnetic forces B21D26/14; electromagnets specially adapted for NMR applications G01R33/381

Abstract

An electromagnetic source has an electrode structure coupled to a substrate. The electrode structure has interspaced electrodes, at least one of which is spiral-shaped. At least one electrical contact interconnects the electrodes of the electrode structure. The electrode structure is responsive to an applied electrical current to generate a spatially non-uniform magnetic field. This field can act on a LC layer such that optical properties of the layer are controllable.

Claims

1. An electromagnetic source comprising:

a substrate;

an electrode structure coupled to said substrate, said electrode structure including interspaced electrodes, at least one of which is spiral-shaped; and

at least one electrical contact interconnecting the electrodes of said electrode structure, whereby said electrode structure is responsive to an applied electrical current to generate a spatially non-uniform magnetic field.

2. An electromagnetic source as defined in claim 1, wherein said magnetic field is dynamically variable on a basis of said electrical current.

3. An electromagnetic source as defined in claim 1, wherein said electromagnetic source is optically transparent.

4. An electromagnetic source as defined claim 1, wherein said electrodes are transparent.

5. A tunable optical device for controlling the propagation of light, said optical device comprising:

a liquid crystal layer; and

an electromagnetic source adjacent said liquid crystal layer, said electromagnetic source operative to generate a spatially non-uniform magnetic field acting on said liquid crystal layer, said magnetic field being dynamically variable on a basis of electrical current applied to said electromagnetic source, such that optical properties of said device are controllable.

6. A device as defined in claim 5, wherein said electromagnetic source includes:

a substrate;

an electrode structure coupled to said substrate, said electrode structure including interspaced electrodes, at least one of which is spiral-shaped; and

at least one electrical contact interconnecting the electrodes of said electrode structure, whereby said electrode structure is responsive to the applied electrical current to generate said spatially non-uniform magnetic field.

7. A device as defined in claim 6, wherein said electromagnetic source is optically transparent.

8. A device as defined in claim 7, wherein said electrodes are transparent.

9. A device as defined in claim 6, wherein said electrodes are source electrodes, said device further comprising at least one device electrode for generating an electric field acting on said liquid crystal layer.

10. A device as defined in claim 9, wherein said at least one device electrode is responsive to a voltage applied between itself and at least one of said source electrodes to generate said electric field.

11. A device as defined in claim 5, wherein said device is a gradient index lens.

12. A device as defined in claim 6, wherein said device is a gradient index lens.

13. A device as defined in claim 9, wherein said device is a gradient index lens.

14. A device as defined in claim 10, wherein said device is a gradient index lens.

15. A variable liquid crystal optical device for controlling the propagation of light, said optical device having its propagation of light controlled by modulation of a spatially non-uniform magnetic field.