PHOTOCHROMIC OPTICAL ELEMENTS

• US 20120013981A1
• Filed: 07/18/2011
• Published: 01/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/19/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sol-Grid LLC
• Original Assignee: Sol-Grid LLC
• Inventors: Matera, Pasquale, Kessler, David
• Application Number:
  US13/185,208
• Publication Number:
  US 20120013981A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/485.05
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/3058 comprising electrically conductive elements, e.g. wire grids, conductive particles

Abstract

An optical element has a substrate material having a pattern of cavities formed on a surface and a substantially transparent seal layer disposed against the surface. A photochromic or electrochromic material is sealed by the substantially transparent seal layer within the cavities formed in the surface.

Claims

1. An optical element comprising:

a substrate material having a pattern of cavities formed on a surface;

a substantially transparent seal layer disposed against the surface; and

a photochromic or electrochromic material sealed by the substantially transparent seal layer within the cavities formed in the surface.

2. The optical element of claim 1 wherein the pattern of cavities is formed by a wire grid polarizer.

3. The optical element of claim 1 further comprising a non-conductive cooling fluid sealed within the cavities.

4. The optical element of claim 1 further comprising an aerogel material sealed within the cavities.

5. The optical element of claim 1 wherein the cavities are formed by molding or are embossed.

6. The optical element of claim 1 wherein the photochromic or electrochromic material is fluidic.

7. The optical element of claim 1 wherein the cavities are within cells that are formed on the surface of the substrate material.

8. The optical element of claim 1 wherein the photochromic or electrochromic material is also a polarizing material.

9. The optical element of claim 1 wherein the substrate material is flat.

10. An optical element comprising first and second wire grid polarizers spaced apart from each other to form opposite surfaces and an interstitial material sealed between and in direct contact with the first and second wire grid polarizers.

11. The optical element of claim 10 wherein the interstitial material comprises a photochromic or electrochromic material.

12. The optical element of claim 11 wherein the interstitial material further comprises an aerogel material.

13. The optical element of claim 10 wherein the first wire grid polarizer comprises a carbon layer.

14. The optical element of claim 10 further comprising a heater disposed to heat the interstitial material.

15. An optical element comprising a substrate material, one or more wire grids formed on one or more surfaces of the optical element, at least a first electrode that connects to the one or more of wire grids, and a fluidic electrochromic material sealed against the one or more wire grids.

16. The optical element of claim 15 further comprising a patterned array and a second electrode that connects to the patterned array of switching elements.

17. The optical element of claim 15 further comprising a second electrode that connects to a second wire grid.

18. The optical element of claim 16 further comprising a control logic processor in signal communication with the patterned array.

19. The optical element of claim 15 wherein the one or more wire grids are formed from a ferro-electric material.

20. The optical element of claim 15 wherein at least one of the wire grids is a wire grid polarizer.