Patent
1988-05-24
1990-09-25
Miller, Stanley D.
350 9613, 350 9614, 350334, 350347V, G02F 113
Patent
active
049589148
ABSTRACT:
A light deflector apparatus and method is disclosed which provides an optical intensity-to-position mapping as well as optical switching capabilities. An array of voltage gradient modules (24, 26, 28) are provided in a layer of electro-optic material (52), such as liquid crystals, by establishing variable spatial voltage gradients and accompanying electric fields in a direction transverse to input light (58). The voltage gradients are varied in accordance with the optical intensities at corresponding locations in the received light (58), resulting in optical outputs which vary in direction in accordance with the voltage gradient locations. The directional outputs are then focused to produce a positional mapping (64, 66, 68) of the input light intensities. The voltage gradients are preferably established by an interdigitated electrode array (50) and a counter electrode (54) on opposite sides of the liquid crystal (52). Reflective and transmissive light valve embodiments are described in which the voltage gradient modules form voltage dividers with an underlying photoconductive layer (56). A fiber optic switch is also described. Also described is a system in which the refractive indices of an array of small variable refraction modules are varied in accordance with the spatial optical intensities at corresponding locations in an input beam to produce as output, optical intensity-to-position mapping.
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Owechko Yuri
Soffer Bernard H.
Denson-Low W. K.
Duraiswamy V. D.
Gross Anita Pellman
Hughes Aircraft Company
Miller Stanley D.
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