Abstract:
A liquid crystal optical device is provided. The optical device includes a liquid crystal cell controlling optical properties of light passing therethrough and has: a liquid crystal layer, a planar electrode located to one side of said liquid crystal layer; an electric field control structure located to the opposite side of the liquid crystal layer; and a wavefront adjustment structure configured to provide optical phase front adjustment. In some embodiments the wavefront adjustment structure is a conductive floating electrode. In other embodiments the wavefront adjustment structure is a weakly conductive structure having spatially variable sheet resistance. In other embodiments the wavefront adjustment structure a weakly conductive structure having spatially variable sheet resistance having a frequency dependent characteristic.
Abstract:
Los aparatos de cristal líquidos variables para controlar la propagación de la luz a través de una capa de cristal líquido utilizan un material dependiente de la frecuencia para reconfigurar dinámicamente las estructuras efectivas de los electrodos en el aparato. La frecuencia de una señal de operación que genera un campo eléctrico en el aparato puede ser variada, y el material dependiente de la frecuencia tiene diferentes movilidades de carga para las diferentes frecuencias. En una movilidad de baja carga, el material dependiente de la frecuencia tiene poco efecto en la estructura existente del electrodo. Sin embargo, en una movilidad de alta carga, el material dependiente de la frecuencia aparece como una extensión de los electrodos fijos, y puede ser utilizada para cambiar la estructura efectiva del electrodo y de esta manera, el perfil espacial del campo eléctrico. Este, a la vez, cambia las propiedades ópticas del cristal líquido, permitiendo de esta manera que el aparato óptico sea controlable por la frecuencia.
Abstract:
A liquid crystal optical device has a layered structure with split liquid crystal layers having alignment surfaces that define in a liquid crystal material pre-tilt angles of opposite signs. Four liquid crystal layers can provide two directions of linear polarization. In the case of a lens, the device can be a gradient index lens, and the alignment surfaces can have a spatially uniform pre-tilt.
Abstract:
An auto-focus system employing a tunable liquid crystal lens is provided that collects images at different optical power values as the liquid crystal molecules are excited between a ground state and a maximum optical power state tracking image focus scores. An image is acquired at a desired optical power value less than maximum optical power established with the liquid crystal molecules closer a fully excited state than the maximum optical power state having the same image focus score. This drive signal employed during image acquisition uses more power than was used to achieve the same optical power value during the auto-focus scan, while actively driving the liquid crystal molecules is fast. A pause due to image transfer/processing delays after acquisition is employed to allow slow relaxation of the liquid crystal molecules back to the ground state in preparation for a subsequent focus search.
Abstract:
A liquid crystal optical device has a layered structure with split liquid crystal layers having alignment surfaces that define in a liquid crystal material pre-tilt angles of opposite signs. Four liquid crystal layers can provide two directions of linear polarization. In the case of a lens, the device can be a gradient index lens, and the alignment surfaces can have a spatially uniform pre-tilt.
Abstract in simplified Chinese:一种液晶光学设备,被配置为对通过该设备的光通孔的光进行可变光束转向或折射菲涅尔透镜的控制。该设备包括至少一层液晶材料,其夹持在具有取向层的基板中。电极布置被配置成在液晶层的多个区域内提供空间上变化的电场分布。液晶光学设备的结构配置为实现光学相位延迟的空间变化,以及在各区域的边界上的过渡,其为跨多个区域的边界的近似的锯齿状波形。电极布置、设备的层状几何形状和驱动电极的方法,增加了整个光学设备的有效光通孔。
Abstract in simplified Chinese:本发明描述液晶光束控制设备及其制造。采用光束展宽设备的有益效果,以用于控制照明和建筑用途,包括改善光束发散控制,改善光束展宽动态范围控制,光束发散预调节,提高投射光束强度的均匀性和减少投射光束的颜色分离。同时给出了具有平面内和垂直基态的两种液晶取向的光束控制设备。