Chiral smectic liquid crystal phase spatial light modulator for unpolarized light in which a reflector is at an angle to the output surface of the liquid crystal cell
US5764329A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 17, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jun 9, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 17, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F1/141
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A phase spatial light modulator composed of a liquid crystal cell and a reflective element. The modulator capable of receiving and modulating substantially 100% of unpolarized light impinging thereupon. The modulator intended for use within an electro-optical system additionally composed of a light source, driver/control circuitry and an optional optical magnification system. In operation, an external stimulus is applied, such as a voltage supplied by an external power source, thereby changing the phase of light emitted therethrough, generating two beams of light traveling in different directions. The first beam of light impinges upon the reflective element and is reflected to travel in the same directional path as the second beam of light.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.