Patent · US Expired

Polarized UV exposure system

US7413317B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
17References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 2, 2004
Grant dateAug 19, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 20, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG02F1/133788
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A light exposure system is used to expose an alignment layer formed of anistropically absorbing molecules so as to allow alignment of subsequently applied liquid crystal polymer (LCP) molecules. The light incident on the alignment layer is polarized. When a single polarizer is used, the azimuthal polarization direction varies across the substrate carrying the alignment layer. Various approaches to reducing the azimuthal polarization variation may be adopted, including the introduction of various types of polarization rotation reduction element and in selecting an appropriate tilt angle for the light source. Furthermore, a reflective structure may be inserted between the light source and the alignment layer. Use of the reflective structure increases the total amount of light incident on the alignment layer.

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