Patent · US Expired

Liquid crystal optical element with liquid crystal in polymer matrix with particular modulus of elasticity

US5235445A · kind A · utility

56Cited by
7References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 17, 1992
Grant dateAug 10, 1993
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 17, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02F2203/30
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A liquid crystal optical element comprises a pair of substrates with electrodes and a liquid crystal and polymer composite material, which is interposed between the pair of substrates, in which liquid crystal is dispersed and held in a polymer matrix so that the refractive index of the polymer matrix substantially coincides with the refractive index of the liquid crystal used in either state of applying a voltage or without applying voltage, and the refractive indices don't coincide with each other in the other state, wherein the elastic modulus of the polymer material which forms the polymer matrix is 3.times.10.sup.7 N/m.sup.2 or less at 20.degree. C. and 1.times.10.sup.3 N/m.sup.2 or more at 40.degree. C.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.