All-optically prepared and controlled nematic liquid crystal...

Details All-optically prepared and controlled nematic liquid crystal... All-optically prepared and controlled nematic liquid crystal...

2007-02-27

2007-02-27

Dye, Rena L. (Department: 1772)

Stock material or miscellaneous articles

Liquid crystal optical display having layer of specified...

Alignment layer of specified composition

C428S001100, C362S627000, C349S135000

Reexamination Certificate

active

11225918

ABSTRACT:
The present invention provides a device that acts as an optical switch to control the intensity of a light beam through the action of a second control beam. This behavior is achieved through photoinduced anisotropy that develops in a monomolecular layer coating the inside surfaces of a liquid crystal cell. One of the surfaces is permanently aligned prior to assembly by illuminating the surface with polarized light in the presence of oxygen. The other surface retains reversible behavior, adapting anisotropy according to the orientation of the polarization of the control beam. Accordingly, an optically controlled liquid crystal light valve is provided that does not require contact-rubbing methods in order to permanently align one of the layers coating an inside surface of the cell.

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