Polarizer devices and methods for making the same

Details Polarizer devices and methods for making the same Polarizer devices and methods for making the same

1997-02-26

2000-06-06

Shafer, Ricky D.

Optical: systems and elements

Polarization without modulation

By relatively adjustable superimposed or in series polarizers

359498, G02B 530

Patent

active

060726296

ABSTRACT:
A light polarizer includes a plurality of discrete layers of birefringent film disposed in superposed relation on a transparent substrate. The planar components of the optic axes of each successive one of the discrete layers are angularly offset relative each preceding one of the discrete layers by a predetermined angle in one or either a positive or negative direction to provide the light polarizer with selectivity for either right-handed circularly polarized (RHCP) or left-handed circularly polarized (LHCP) incident light. In another aspect of the invention, the layers are of quarter-wave thickness having planar components orthogonally offset to provide selectivity for either right or left linearly polarized light. In a still further aspect of the invention, an optically isotropic layer of quarter-wave thickness is disposed between adjacent birefringent quarter-wave plates.

REFERENCES:
patent: 2184999 (1939-12-01), Land et al.
patent: 2403731 (1946-07-01), MacNeille
patent: 2473857 (1949-06-01), Burchell
patent: 2535781 (1950-12-01), Burchell
patent: 2607272 (1952-08-01), Bond
patent: 3497979 (1970-03-01), Buitkus
patent: 4491326 (1985-01-01), Halsey, III
patent: 4525413 (1985-06-01), Rogers et al.
patent: 4548479 (1985-10-01), Yeh
patent: 4657350 (1987-04-01), Mori
patent: 4807981 (1989-02-01), Takizawa et al.
patent: 4874664 (1989-10-01), Hamaguchi et al.
patent: 4902112 (1990-02-01), Lowe
patent: 4991937 (1991-02-01), Urino
patent: 5122907 (1992-06-01), Slocum
patent: 5245471 (1993-09-01), Iwatsuk et al.
patent: 5305143 (1994-04-01), Taga et al.
patent: 5506704 (1996-04-01), Broer et al.
U.S. application No. 08/539,279, Fan et al., filed Aug. 1995.
Young, et al., `Optically Active Fluorite Films,` Nature, 183, (1959) pp. 104-105.
Dreher, `Reflection Properties of Distorted Cholesteric Liquid Crystals,` Solid State Communications, vol. 12, (1973) pp. 519-522.
Dobrowolski and Lowe, `Optical Thin Film Synthesis Program Based on the Use of Fourier Transforms,` Applied Optics, vol. 17, No. 19 (1978) pp. 3039-3050.
Motohiro and Taga, `Thin Film Retardation Plate by Oblique Deposition,` Applied Optics, vol. 28, No. 13 (1989); pp. 2466-2481.
Lee, et al., `Design and Construction of 1064-nm Liquid-Crystal Laser Cavity End Mirrors,` Journal of Applied Physics, vol. 68, (12) (1990) pp. 274-276.
Azzam, `Chiral Thin Solid Films: Method of Deposition and Applications,` Applied Physics Letters, vol. 61, No. 26 (1992) pp. 3118-3120.
Chou and Deng, `Subwavelength Amorphous Silicon Transmission Gratings and Applications in Polarizers and Waveplates,` Applied Physics Letters, vol. 67, (6) (1995) pp. 742-744.
Zhang et al, `Broadband Optical Reflector--An Application of Light Localization in One Dimension,` Applied Physics Letters, vol. 67, (17) (1995) pp. 2431-2432.
Hodgkinson et al, `Scatter from Tilted-Columnar Birefringent Thin Films: Observation and Measurement of Anisotropic Scatter Distributions,` Applied Optics, vol. 34, No. 1 (1996) pp. 163-168.
Hodgkinson et al, `Anisotropic Scatter Patterns and Anomalous Birefringence of Obliquely Deposited Cerium Oxide Films,` Applied Optics, vol. 35 No. 28 (1996) pp. 5563-5568.
J.A. Dobrowolski, Section 8, `Coatings and Filters` in Handbook of Optics, W.G. Driscoll and Vaughan eds, McGraw-Hill Book Co., NY, 1978; pp. 8-1 to 8-123.
J.M. Bennett and H.E. Bennett, Section 10, `Polarization` in Handbook of Optics, W.G. Driscoll and Vaughan eds, McGraw-Hill Book Co., NY, 1978; pp. 10-1 to 10-164.
Hecht and Zajac, Optics, (pp. 311-316) Addison-Wesley Publishing Co., Reading, MA, 1987.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Polarizer devices and methods for making the same does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Polarizer devices and methods for making the same, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Polarizer devices and methods for making the same will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2218706