Rigid electro-optic device using a transparent ferroelectric ceramic element
First Claim
1. An electro-optic phase retardation device comprising an optically transparent lanthanum-modified lead zirconate titanate electro-optic ceramic element exhibiting substantially isotropic properties in a quiescent state and quadratic electro-optic properties in a field-induced state, said electro-optic ceramic element having substantially parallel optical quality surfaces, electrode means for applying an electric field to said electro-optic ceramic element in a plane normal to the direction of propagation of light through the electro-optic device;
- and isotropic sheet elements bonded to said electro-optic ceramic element in sandwich-like configuration with an adhesive effective to provide a rigid boundary between the interfaces of said ceramic electro-optic element and isotropic sheet elements.
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Abstract
A rigidly bonded electro-optic phase retardation device comprising a transparent, electrically induced ferroelectric ceramic element bonded with a rigid adhesive in sandwich-like configuration between transparent sheet elements, such as glass, or polarizer elements is described. The electro-optic phase retardation device, provided with means for applying an electric field across at least a portion of the induced ferroelectric ceramic element, can be utilized as a birefringent optical device for controllable modulation of polarized light passing through the device. The device is bonded with an adhesive material, such as a cross-linked unsaturated polyester, effective to provide a rigid boundary between the ceramic material and the sheet elements thereof and exhibits rapid optical response speed in the switching from a field-induced birefringent mode to an isotropic zero-field condition. The device is thus suited to application in welding plates, glasses, goggles, helmets and similar devices for controlling the transmission of light radiations to the wearer'"'"'s eyes, particularly in the prevention of flashblindness.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. An electro-optic phase retardation device comprising an optically transparent lanthanum-modified lead zirconate titanate electro-optic ceramic element exhibiting substantially isotropic properties in a quiescent state and quadratic electro-optic properties in a field-induced state, said electro-optic ceramic element having substantially parallel optical quality surfaces, electrode means for applying an electric field to said electro-optic ceramic element in a plane normal to the direction of propagation of light through the electro-optic device;
- and isotropic sheet elements bonded to said electro-optic ceramic element in sandwich-like configuration with an adhesive effective to provide a rigid boundary between the interfaces of said ceramic electro-optic element and isotropic sheet elements.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- 13. An electro-optic phase retardation device comprising an optically transparent lanthanum-modified lead zirconate-titanate electro-optic ceramic element exhibiting substantially isotropic properties in a quiescent state and quadratic electro-optic properties in a field-induced state, said electro-optic ceramic element having substantially parallel optical quality surfaces, electrode means for applying an electric field to said electro-optic ceramic element in a plane normal to the direction of propagation of light through the electro-optic device, and polarizer elements bonded to said electro-optic ceramic element in sandwich-like configuration with an adhesive effective to provide a rigid boundary between the interfaces of said electro-optic ceramic element and said polarizer elements.
Specification