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Deflector for an optical beam

  • US 4,964,701 A
  • Filed: 10/04/1988
  • Issued: 10/23/1990
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/04/1988
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for deflecting on optical beam, said apparatus comprising:

  • an optical element including a first window having an optically-transparent common electrode, a second window having a multiplicity of electrodes in the form of electrically-isolated parallel stripes, and a layer of liquid crystal molecules intermediate said first and second windows,said optical element positioned so that said optical beam is incident on said first window, said beam being reflected from within said optical element;

    means for generating a multiplicity of control signals; and

    means for applying said control signals individually between said multiplicity of stripe electrodes and said common electrode, thereby creating local variations of refractive index in said liquid crystal layer, said applying means comprising;

    an electrically-insulating layer affixed to said optical element opposite said first window;

    a multiplicity of electrically-conductive contact pads on an external surface of said insulating layer, each of said pads underlying a plurality of said stripe electrodes; and

    a multiplicity of conductors, each extending through said insulating layer for providing electrical conductivity between an individual stripe electrode and a corresponding pad.

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