Liquid crystal cells – elements and systems – Liquid crystal optical element – Liquid crystal diffraction element
Patent
1993-09-03
1997-07-22
Sikes, William L.
Liquid crystal cells, elements and systems
Liquid crystal optical element
Liquid crystal diffraction element
349202, 359573, 359900, G02F 129, G02F 113
Patent
active
056508352
ABSTRACT:
A reconfigurable optical beam splitter and method establishes replicated periods of optical phase shift regions across a liquid crystal cell to form an optical grating in the liquid crystal. A non-linear pattern of phase shift regions is established within each period of the grating to split an input beam into a multi-beam output, or to combine multiple input beams into a single output beam. The desired pattern of phase shift regions is established by applying corresponding voltage differentials across the cell, between an electrode array on one side of the cell and a common counter electrode on the other side. The voltage differential pattern can be dynamically changed to impart a corresponding dynamic reconfiguration of the output beam pattern. The most efficient voltage differential pattern for any particular output is established by initially selecting a tentative voltage differential pattern, determining the optical efficiency of the processing method with the tentative pattern, and then applying a non-linear optimization algorithm to derive a voltage differential pattern that corresponds to a maximum optical efficiency.
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Denson-Low Wanda K.
Duong Tai V.
Duraiswamy Vijayalakshmi
Hughes Electronics
Sikes William L.
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