Deflector for an optical beam including refractive means

Details Deflector for an optical beam including refractive means Deflector for an optical beam including refractive means

1989-01-03

1991-05-28

Miller, Stanley D.

350334, 350347V, G02F 1133

Patent

active

050188356

ABSTRACT:
An optical beam phase shifter includes a liquid crystal cell having a common electrode on a first window and a multiplicity of parallel stripe electrodes on a second window. A multiplicity of control signals are applied between the individual stripe electrodes and the common electrode, thereby creating local variations of the refractive index of the liquid crystal molecules therebetween, which variations cause differential phase shifts across the cross section of a light beam incident thereon. An optically-refractive element, having an index of refraction greater than the index of refraction of the liquid crystal cell, is interposed between the beam and the liquid crystal cell. The refractive element, illustratively a prism, increases the angle of incidence of the beam entering the cell, thereby increasing the beam travel distance through the liquid crystal molecules. The disclosed structure allows the use of a thinner layer of liquid crystal molecules, and hence, improved response time of the optical beam phase shifter to changes in the control signals, and reduced fringing effects between stripe electrodes.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3791716 (1974-02-01), Borel et al.
patent: 3915548 (1975-10-01), Opittek et al.
patent: 4639091 (1987-01-01), Huignard et al.
patent: 4813766 (1989-03-01), Keene et al.
patent: 4882235 (1989-11-01), Resler

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Deflector for an optical beam including refractive means does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Deflector for an optical beam including refractive means, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Deflector for an optical beam including refractive means will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-31137