Optical deflection device and optical deflection method that control occurrence of alignment defect
US7038835B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 20, 2003 |
| Grant date | May 2, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 19, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F1/141
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An optical deflection device includes an optical deflection element having a pair of transparent boards arranged in a mutually opposing manner. A liquid crystal layer is filled between the boards and forms a chiral smectic C phase. An orientation film orients liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer in a substantially perpendicular direction with respect to the liquid crystal layer. Electrodes generate an electric field in a substantially parallel direction with respect to the liquid crystal layer. A first voltage application part applies, to the electrodes, an ac voltage of a deflection frequency switching the optical deflection direction of the optical deflection element. A second voltage application part applies, to the electrodes, an ac voltage of a higher frequency than the deflection frequency. A stop process part causes the second voltage application part to apply the ac voltage of the higher frequency than the deflection frequency after causing the first voltage application part to apply the ac voltage of the deflection frequency, when stopping an operation of switching the optical deflection direction of the optical-deflection element.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.