Liquid crystal matrices
First Claim
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1. An optical switching matrix comprising:
- first port means for propagating an input light beam having components in first and second linearly polarized states so as to intersect, at a predetermined angle and at a first location, a confined layer of electrooptically active nematic material for reflection of said first polarized state component and for transmission therethrough of said second polarized state component for forming respective second and third divergent light beams,polarization converter means for interchanging the respective polarizations of said respective second and third divergent light beams, andreflector means for redirecting said second and third light beams so as to intersect, at said predetermined angle and at a second location, said confined layer for redirecting said second and third light beams to form a combined light beam, said combined light beam propagating through second port means in substantially the same direction as said input light beam.
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Abstract
The improved electrooptical devices provide means for switching pluralities of polarized or unpolarized optical signals between input and output multimode single strand light guides. The electrooptical switching elements employ electric field-effect liquid crystal compositions and are adapted to use in the construction of large scale, integrated multiple switching arrays.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. An optical switching matrix comprising:
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first port means for propagating an input light beam having components in first and second linearly polarized states so as to intersect, at a predetermined angle and at a first location, a confined layer of electrooptically active nematic material for reflection of said first polarized state component and for transmission therethrough of said second polarized state component for forming respective second and third divergent light beams, polarization converter means for interchanging the respective polarizations of said respective second and third divergent light beams, and reflector means for redirecting said second and third light beams so as to intersect, at said predetermined angle and at a second location, said confined layer for redirecting said second and third light beams to form a combined light beam, said combined light beam propagating through second port means in substantially the same direction as said input light beam. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An optical switching matrix comprising:
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at least first and second transparent prismatic bodies, first port means affixed to one of said bodies for propagating an input light beam having components in first and second lineally polarized states so as to intersect, at a predetermined angle and at a first location, a layer of electrooptically active nematic material confined between parallel disposed spaced sides of said first and second transparent prismatic bodies for reflection of said first polarized state component and for transmission therethrough of said second polarized state component for forming respective second and third divergent light beams, the spatial splitting of said second and third beams occurring in the absence of an enabling electric field at said first location, reflector means for redirecting said second and third light beams so as to intersect, at said predetermined angle and at a second location, said confined layer for redirecting said second and third light beams to form a combined light beam with the structure of said optical switching matrix being so configured that the respective polarization states of said respective second and third divergent beams remain unchanged before recombination thereof, second port means affixed to the first of said bodies for the output propagation of said combined light beam when an enabling electric field is absent at said second location, the light flow in the second port being substantially at 46°
to said input light beam, andthird port means affixed to the second of said bodies for the output propagation of said combined light beam when an enabling electric field is present at said second location, the light flow in said third port being in the same direction as said input beam. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. An optical switching matrix comprising,
first, second and third transparent prismatic bodies in spaced apart relation for defining first and second electroactive regions, first and second electrooptically active layer means respectively disposed in contiguous first and second locations within said first electroactive region, third and fourth electrooptically active means disposed in respective spaced apart third and fourth locations within said second electroactive region, electrooptically inactive means disposed between said third and fourth locations, said first, second, third, and fourth electrooptically active layer means including electrooptically active nematic material selectively activatable by associated electric fields at said respective first, second, third, or fourth locations and cooperating with said electrooptically inactive means for selectively transmitting light incident at a predetermined angle at said first or third location therethrough or for reflecting same.
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32. An optical switching matrix comprising:
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first, second, third, fourth, and fifth transparent prismatic bodies in spaced apart relation for defining therebetween first, second and third electroactive regions, first and second electrooptically active layer means respectively disposed centrally in contiguous side-by-side relation within said first electroactive region, first and second electrooptically inactive regions respectively disposed on each side of said first and second electrooptically active layer means and coplanar therewith, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth electrooptically active layer means respectively disposed in coplanar relation within said second electroactive region, said third electrooptically active layer means being disposed at one end of said second electroactive region, said fourth, fifth, and sixth electrooptically active layer means being disposed in contiguous coplanar relation and spaced apart from said third electrooptically active layer means at a second end of said second electroactive region, seventh and eighth electrooptically active layer means respectively disposed centrally in contiguous relation within said third electroactive region, and third and fourth electrooptically inactive regions respectively spaced on each side of said seventh and eighth electrooptically active layer means and coplanar therewith. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification