Thermal liquid crystal optical device
US8184217B1 · kind B1 · utility
1Cited by
0References
15Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 28, 2010 |
| Grant date | May 22, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 23, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F1/29
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A variable optical device for controlling the propagation of light has a body of liquid crystal optical material with a center and a periphery, a heating system including an electrically controllable heat source and a thermal radiator arranged at the periphery for cooling a portion of the body of material. The heating system is operative to generate a spatially modulated temperature gradient and to provide a desired light propagation behavior.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.