Liquid crystal optical processing systems
US6778251B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 19, 2003 |
| Grant date | Aug 17, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 19, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F2203/12
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A liquid crystal optical processor is configured in various applications, including a liquid crystal optical switch, polarization independent variable optical attenuator, wavelength selector switch, optical multiplexer and demultiplexer, tunable filter and flexible optical add drop multiplexer. The optical processor is generally configured to include a deposited metal gasket moisture barrier bonding two opposing substrates each having a spacer layer to accurately control cell gap thickness. The optical processor may be temperature insensative and be configured in one or more pixel configurations. The optical processor may include integrated subwavelength optical gratings. It may also include an integrated thermal sensor and heater deposition layer sandwiched between or deposited on at least one or both opposing substrates.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.