Optical device containing a liquid crystal element for changing optical characteristics of a lens element
First Claim
1. An optical device for electrically controlling optical characteristics, comprising:
- an electrically controlled phase modulation liquid crystal element having a plurality of fine image pixels with a variable refractive force, said fine image pixels being positioned relative to one another in two dimensions for modulating a phase of transmitted light waves;
a plurality of drive electrodes, including timing and data electrodes, coupled to the phase modulation liquid crystal element for driving each of said fine image pixels by time division, anda lens with a fixed focus and having either a positive or negative refractive force larger than the refractive force of the fine image pixels optically coupled to the phase modulation liquid crystal element to define an optical system.
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Abstract
A liquid crystal active lens having, in combination, a fixed-focal-point lens having a high index of refraction and a phase modulation element comprising two-dimensionally arranged fine pixels, and having power and being capable of electrically controlling the lens characteristics as a function of space. An electrically controlled optical system can be realized without having a moving portion. Owing to the combination of the liquid crystal element for modulating space phase and the high-power lens of a fixed focal length, it is possible to electronically control the focal length and to electronically control the lens in a spatially split manner.
198 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An optical device for electrically controlling optical characteristics, comprising:
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an electrically controlled phase modulation liquid crystal element having a plurality of fine image pixels with a variable refractive force, said fine image pixels being positioned relative to one another in two dimensions for modulating a phase of transmitted light waves; a plurality of drive electrodes, including timing and data electrodes, coupled to the phase modulation liquid crystal element for driving each of said fine image pixels by time division, and a lens with a fixed focus and having either a positive or negative refractive force larger than the refractive force of the fine image pixels optically coupled to the phase modulation liquid crystal element to define an optical system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification