Electrically tunable polarization-independent micro lens using polymer network twisted nematic liquid crystal
First Claim
1. A method of forming a polarization independent electronic lens, comprising the steps of:
- forming a lens with a layer of approximately 90°
twisted nematic liquid crystal (TN-LC) in inhomogeneous polymer network which gradually varies from outside edges of the layer to the center area of the layer;
passing a beam of light through the layer; and
tuning a refractive index profile of the light beam passing through the lens with a voltage source.
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Abstract
Inhomogeneous concentrated polymer network with approximately 90° twisted nematic liquid crystal (TN-LC) is used for fabricating lens and prisms. For forming a positive lens, the approximately 90° TN-LC polymer network concentration can gradually decrease from the center to the side edges. For forming a negative lens, the approximately 90° TN-LC polymer network concentration can gradually increase from the center to the side edges. The lens can be created by ultra violet (UV) light exposure to patterned photo masks. The lens can be tuned by applying voltage above the threshold voltage to the polymer network. The inhomogeneous 90° TN-LC polymer network can also be used in Fresnel lens and prisms. Applications of the invention can be used for micro lens, array, optical communication, micro-optics, adaptive optics and beam steering.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method of forming a polarization independent electronic lens, comprising the steps of:
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forming a lens with a layer of approximately 90°
twisted nematic liquid crystal (TN-LC) in inhomogeneous polymer network which gradually varies from outside edges of the layer to the center area of the layer;passing a beam of light through the layer; and tuning a refractive index profile of the light beam passing through the lens with a voltage source. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A tunable electronic lens, comprising:
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an inhomogeneous layer of approximately 90°
twisted nematic liquid crystal (TN-LC) polymer network which gradually changes from the side edges of the layer to the center of the layer sandwiched between a first and second transparent substrate each having transparent electrodes;a means for passing a light source; and a means for tuning the inhomogeneous layer. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification