Switchable polymer-dispersed liquid crystal optical elements
First Claim
1. A method for forming a switchable holographic waveguide filter comprising:
- etching a channel into a substrate;
filling the channel with a polymerizable material;
forming at least two sets of electrodes on the substrate, wherein forming the at least two sets of electrodes further comprises;
coating the substrate with an electrically conductive material;
covering the electrically conductive material with a photoresist;
exposing the photoresist to light and dark regions of radiation;
etching the photoresist to form alternating regions of electrically conductive material and substrate; and
exposing the polymerizable material to at least two interfering light beams in order to form a hologram therein.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Transmission and reflection type holograms may be formed utilizing a novel polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material and its unique switching characteristics to form optical elements. Applications for these switchable holograms include communications switches and switchable transmission, and reflection red, green, and blue lenses. The PDLC material of the present invention offers all of the features of holographic photopolymers with the added advantage that the hologram can be switched on and off with the application of an electric field. The material is a mixture of a polymerizable monomer and liquid crystal, along with other ingredients, including a photoinitiator dye. Upon irradiation, the liquid crystal separates as a distinct phase of nanometer-size droplets aligned in periodic channels forming the hologram. The material is called a holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC).
180 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method for forming a switchable holographic waveguide filter comprising:
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etching a channel into a substrate; filling the channel with a polymerizable material; forming at least two sets of electrodes on the substrate, wherein forming the at least two sets of electrodes further comprises; coating the substrate with an electrically conductive material; covering the electrically conductive material with a photoresist; exposing the photoresist to light and dark regions of radiation; etching the photoresist to form alternating regions of electrically conductive material and substrate; and exposing the polymerizable material to at least two interfering light beams in order to form a hologram therein. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification