Electrically tunable ionic liquid optics
US11036110B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 26, 2019 |
| Grant date | Jun 15, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 26, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F1/29
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The disclosure relates to electrically tunable optical cells including ionic liquids. The optical cell includes opposing substrates defining an internal cell volume containing the ionic liquid. The optical cell further includes an electrically conductive layer or film on at least one substrate, where the electrically conductive layer is adapted to receive a voltage differential and induced current therethrough. The resulting current through the electrically conductive layer induces a charge density gradient in the neighboring ionic liquid. The refractive index of the ionic liquid in the optical cell can be controlled by adjusting the charge density gradient in the ionic liquid. At least some of the components of the optical cell can be formed from transparent materials, thus providing transmissive or reflective optical cells.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.