Birefringent polymer having bimodal molecular weight

    公开(公告)号:US11628656B2

    公开(公告)日:2023-04-18

    申请号:US17514298

    申请日:2021-10-29

    Abstract: An optically anisotropic polymer thin film includes a crystallizable polymer and an additive configured to interact with the polymer (e.g., via π-π interactions) to facilitate chain alignment and, in some examples, create a higher crystalline content within the polymer thin film. The polymer thin film may be characterized by a bimodal molecular weight distribution where the molecular weight of the additive may be less than approximately 50% of the molecular weight of the crystallizable polymer. Example crystallizable polymers include polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene naphthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, as well as derivatives thereof. Example additives, which may occupy up to approximately 10 wt. % of the polymer thin film, include aromatic ester oligomers, aromatic amide oligomers, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, for example. The optically anisotropic polymer thin film may be characterized by a refractive index greater than approximately 1.7 and an in-plane birefringence greater than approximately 0.2.

    Optical lens assemblies with adaptive elements and related systems and methods

    公开(公告)号:US11614570B1

    公开(公告)日:2023-03-28

    申请号:US16364845

    申请日:2019-03-26

    Abstract: The disclosed optical lens assemblies may include a deformable optical element and at least one adaptive element positioned at a peripheral region of the deformable optical element. The deformable optical element may include a substantially transparent electroactive element positioned at least partially within an optical aperture of the deformable optical element. An electrical driving circuit may be configured to apply a voltage to the electroactive element to deform the electroactive element and thus change at least one optical property of the deformable optical element. The at least one adaptive element may be positioned outside of the optical aperture and may be configured to alter a physical boundary condition of the deformable optical element. Various other methods and systems are also disclosed.

    EYEGLASS DEVICES AND RELATED METHODS

    公开(公告)号:US20230057524A1

    公开(公告)日:2023-02-23

    申请号:US17883942

    申请日:2022-08-09

    Abstract: Eyeglass devices may include a frame shaped and sized to be worn by a user at least partially in front of the user's eyes, a varifocal optical element mounted to the frame, and an eye-tracking element mounted to the frame. The varifocal optical element may include a substantially transparent actuator positioned at least partially within an optical aperture of the varifocal optical element and configured to alter a shape of the varifocal optical element upon actuation. The eye-tracking element may be configured to track at least a gaze direction of the user's eyes, and the varifocal optical element may be configured to change, based on information from the eye-tracking element, in at least one optical property including a focal distance. Various other devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

    Nanovoided holographic structures and corresponding systems and methods

    公开(公告)号:US11526129B1

    公开(公告)日:2022-12-13

    申请号:US16213906

    申请日:2018-12-07

    Abstract: An interference structure having a nanovoided hologram material is described. The nanovoided hologram material may have an index of refraction difference of approximately 0.4. The interference structure may include about 10% to 90% nanovoids by volume. The interference structure may be formed using a mixture of a monomer, an initiator, and solvent. The mixture may be disposed on a substrate and irradiated with two sources of light spaced apart from each other and shining on the same region of the mixture to generate an interference pattern in the mixture, leading to the selective polymerization of regions of the mixture where there is constructive interference of light. Various other devices, methods, and systems are also disclosed.

    Transparent electrostrictive actuators

    公开(公告)号:US11515463B1

    公开(公告)日:2022-11-29

    申请号:US16554659

    申请日:2019-08-29

    Abstract: An optical element includes a primary electrode, a secondary electrode overlapping at least a portion of the primary electrode, and an electrostrictive ceramic layer disposed between and abutting the primary electrode and the secondary electrode, where the electrostrictive ceramic may be characterized by a relative density of at least approximately 99%, an average grain size of at least approximately 300 nm, a transmissivity within the visible spectrum of at least approximately 70%, and bulk haze of less than approximately 10%. Optical properties of the electrostrictive ceramic may be substantially unchanged during the application of a voltage to the electrostrictive ceramic layer and the attendant actuation of the optical element.

Patent Agency Ranking