Optical device comprising a plurality of units having at least two geometrically-differentiated tapered optical waveguides therein
US5657408A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 23, 1994 |
| Grant date | Aug 12, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 23, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S385/901
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides an optical device comprising: (a) a substrate; and (b) a plurality of units on the substrate. Each of the units comprises a plurality of tapered waveguides wherein: (i) each of the waveguides has a light input surface adjacent the substrate (a) and a light output surface distal from the light input surface and the light input surface area is greater than the light output surface area; (ii) each of the waveguides tapers from its light input surface to its light output surface at an angle; and (iii) at least one of the light input surface area or the light output surface area of at least one of the tapered waveguides is different than the corresponding surface area of the remaining tapered waveguides in the unit. Preferably, the optical device is a viewing film. The present viewing film has reduced or substantially eliminated intensity hot spots and interference patterns. The present viewing film may be used in display devices, such as for example projection display devices, off screen display devices, and direct view displays. Such displays are used in a wide range of applications including computer terminals, airplane cockpit displays, automotive inst…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.