Optical switches using ferroelectric liquid crystals

Details Optical switches using ferroelectric liquid crystals Optical switches using ferroelectric liquid crystals

1989-02-15

1990-08-14

Sikes, William L.

350 9614, 350 9615, G02R 632

Patent

active

049482297

ABSTRACT:
This invention comprises a new group of fiber optic switching devices that use layers of surface-established ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs) as the switching media. In each of the devices light impinges upon the ferroelectric liquid crystal a an angle of 90 degrees (normal incidence) with the surface plane. Each FLC gives 0 degrees or 90 degree optical rotation, depending upon the polarity of the electric voltage applied. A series of polarizing beam splitters are used to separate unpolarized light into its s and P polarization components. After ferroelectric liquid crystal switching, other polarizing beam splitters are used to direct the s and p light to output optical paths. The switches discussed include voltage controlled 2.times.2, 1.times.4, 1.times.6, 1.times.8, 4.times.4 and dual plane devices that use one or more layers of surface stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystals to direct optical signals.

REFERENCES:
patent: 4269511 (1981-05-01), Erwin
patent: 4278327 (1981-07-01), McMahon et al.
patent: 4478494 (1984-10-01), Soref
patent: 4556727 (1985-12-01), Walba
patent: 4708439 (1987-11-01), Ishii et al.
patent: 4720171 (1988-01-01), Baker

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