Optimizing performance parameters for switchable polymer dispersed liquid crystal optical elements
First Claim
1. A method for driving a polymer dispersed liquid crystal hologram comprising:
- providing a polymer dispersed liquid crystal hologram between a first and second substrate, the first and second substrate having a first and second electrode pattern thereon, respectively, for applying a switching voltage to the polymer dispersed liquid crystal hologram, wherein the first and second electrode patterns consist of interdigitated electrodes;
applying a first voltage scheme, wherein a voltage approximately equal to the switching voltage is applied to the interdigitated electrodes on the first substrate and the interdigitated electrodes on the second substrate are connected to ground in order to drive the polymer dispersed liquid crystal hologram off; and
removing the first voltage scheme and applying a second voltage scheme, wherein a voltage approximately equal to the switching voltage is applied to every other interdigitated electrode on the first and second substrates and the intermittent electrodes therebetween are connected to ground in order to drive the polymer dispersed liquid crystal hologram on.
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Abstract
Described herein are the materials, mechanisms and procedures for optimizing various performance parameters of HPDLC optical devices in order to meet differing performance requirements. These optimization tailoring techniques include control and independent optimization of switchable HPDLC optical devices to meet the demanding requirements of anticipated applications for, inter alia, the telecommunications and display industries. These techniques include optimization of diffraction efficiency, i.e., index modulation, polarization dependence control, haze, cosmetic quality, control of response and relaxation time, voltage driving for on and off switching, and material uniformity. This control and independent optimization tailors properties of switchable HPDLC optical devices according to the specific requirements of the application of the switchable HPDLC optical device. The invention disclosed herein retains the desirable attributes of the multi-functional acrylate system for forming HPDLC optical devices, but adds new materials to the acrylate system and/or new process control to the recording to optimize performance parameters as may be needed for specific applications. This results in high optical quality switchable holograms with good diffraction efficiency and low, stable switching voltage.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for driving a polymer dispersed liquid crystal hologram comprising:
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providing a polymer dispersed liquid crystal hologram between a first and second substrate, the first and second substrate having a first and second electrode pattern thereon, respectively, for applying a switching voltage to the polymer dispersed liquid crystal hologram, wherein the first and second electrode patterns consist of interdigitated electrodes; applying a first voltage scheme, wherein a voltage approximately equal to the switching voltage is applied to the interdigitated electrodes on the first substrate and the interdigitated electrodes on the second substrate are connected to ground in order to drive the polymer dispersed liquid crystal hologram off; and removing the first voltage scheme and applying a second voltage scheme, wherein a voltage approximately equal to the switching voltage is applied to every other interdigitated electrode on the first and second substrates and the intermittent electrodes therebetween are connected to ground in order to drive the polymer dispersed liquid crystal hologram on. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification