Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a contact structure which facilitates electric connection between conductive layers in individual tunable liquid crystal optical devices.SOLUTION: A tunable liquid crystal optical device defines an optical aperture and has a layered structure. The device includes a film electrode formed on a surface of a first substrate and covered by a second substrate, and a conductive material, a temporary filler, or a cavity. The conductive material occupies a part in the layered structure, is in contact with the film electrode, is located at an end part of the optical device, and provides an electrical connection surface much larger than a thickness of the film electrode. The temporary filler occupies a part in the layered structure, is in contact with the film electrode, is located at an end part of the optical device, and provides the end part with a surface much larger than the thickness of the film electrode. The cavity is within the layered structure, exposes a part of the film electrode, is located at an end part of the optical device, and provides the end part with a surface in which the film electrode is exposed, much larger than the thickness of the film electrode.
Abstract:
A tunable liquid crystal optical device defining an optical aperture and having a layered structure. The device includes a film electrode formed on a surface of a first substrate and covered by a second substrate, and a contact structure filling a volume within the layered structure and contacting the film electrode. The contact structure is located outside of the optical aperture and provides an electrical connection surface much larger than a thickness of the film electrode, such that reliable electrical connections may be made to the electrode, particularly in the context of wafer scale manufacturing of such a device.