Switchable polymer-dispersed liquid crystal optical elements
First Claim
1. An optical system for wavelength selection comprising:
- at least one coherent light source for inputting multiple wavelengths;
a first polymer-dispersed liquid crystal switchable holographic component for diffracting a first single wavelength of an incident beam;
a second polymer-dispersed liquid crystal switchable holographic component for diffracting a second single wavelength of an incident beam, wherein the first and second polymer-dispersed liquid crystal switchable holographic components are located in stacked relationship with one another and placed in the path of the incident beam; and
an output component alternately configured for receiving from the first and second polymer-dispersed liquid crystal holographic;
(a) all undiffracted multiple wavelengths; and
(b) both the first and second diffracted single wavelengths and the undiffracted multiple wavelengths;
wherein the output component is not a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal switchable holographic component.
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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 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).
200 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An optical system for wavelength selection comprising:
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at least one coherent light source for inputting multiple wavelengths; a first polymer-dispersed liquid crystal switchable holographic component for diffracting a first single wavelength of an incident beam; a second polymer-dispersed liquid crystal switchable holographic component for diffracting a second single wavelength of an incident beam, wherein the first and second polymer-dispersed liquid crystal switchable holographic components are located in stacked relationship with one another and placed in the path of the incident beam; and an output component alternately configured for receiving from the first and second polymer-dispersed liquid crystal holographic; (a) all undiffracted multiple wavelengths; and (b) both the first and second diffracted single wavelengths and the undiffracted multiple wavelengths; wherein the output component is not a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal switchable holographic component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification