WO2004077105A3 - Liquid crystal variable optical attenuator - Google Patents

Liquid crystal variable optical attenuator Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2004077105A3
WO2004077105A3 PCT/US2004/005310 US2004005310W WO2004077105A3 WO 2004077105 A3 WO2004077105 A3 WO 2004077105A3 US 2004005310 W US2004005310 W US 2004005310W WO 2004077105 A3 WO2004077105 A3 WO 2004077105A3
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
liquid crystal
variable optical
optical attenuator
crystal variable
substrate
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2004/005310
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2004077105A2 (en
Inventor
Shanti A Cavanaugh
Lindsay W Austin
Mark E Young
Louis J Molinari
Original Assignee
Spectraswitch Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US10/371,235 external-priority patent/US7352428B2/en
Application filed by Spectraswitch Inc filed Critical Spectraswitch Inc
Priority to EP04713482A priority Critical patent/EP1606669A4/en
Priority to JP2006503805A priority patent/JP2006518880A/en
Publication of WO2004077105A2 publication Critical patent/WO2004077105A2/en
Publication of WO2004077105A3 publication Critical patent/WO2004077105A3/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B82—NANOTECHNOLOGY
    • B82Y—SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MEASUREMENT OR ANALYSIS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF NANOSTRUCTURES
    • B82Y20/00—Nanooptics, e.g. quantum optics or photonic crystals
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
    • G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B5/00—Optical elements other than lenses
    • G02B5/18—Diffraction gratings
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/09—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on magneto-optical elements, e.g. exhibiting Faraday effect
    • G02F1/093—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on magneto-optical elements, e.g. exhibiting Faraday effect used as non-reciprocal devices, e.g. optical isolators, circulators
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
    • G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
    • G02F1/1333—Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
    • G02F1/133382—Heating or cooling of liquid crystal cells other than for activation, e.g. circuits or arrangements for temperature control, stabilisation or uniform distribution over the cell
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
    • G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
    • G02F1/1333—Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
    • G02F1/1335—Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. polarisers or reflectors
    • G02F1/133528—Polarisers
    • G02F1/133531—Polarisers characterised by the arrangement of polariser or analyser axes
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
    • G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
    • G02F1/1333—Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
    • G02F1/1339—Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells
    • G02F1/13394—Gaskets; Spacers; Sealing of cells spacers regularly patterned on the cell subtrate, e.g. walls, pillars
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F2201/00—Constructional arrangements not provided for in groups G02F1/00 - G02F7/00
    • G02F2201/30—Constructional arrangements not provided for in groups G02F1/00 - G02F7/00 grating
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F2202/00—Materials and properties
    • G02F2202/36—Micro- or nanomaterials
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F2203/00—Function characteristic
    • G02F2203/48—Variable attenuator

Abstract

A twisted nematic liquid crystal variable optical attenuator[100] is presented with one substrate that includes a integrated subwavelength nanostructured polarizer[111]. The device may incorporate an integrated isolator whereby a substrate of the liquid crystal sandwich is formed from doped garnet to comprise a faraday rotator etched with a subwavelength optical nanostructured polarizing grating and enabling the substrate to function as an isolator. The liquid crystal variable optical attenuator may include a deposited metal gasket moisture barrier[106] bonding the opposing top and bottom substrates each having a spacer layer[107] to accurately control cell gap thickness. The liquid crystal variable optical attenuator[100] may also include an integrated thermal sensor and heater deposition layer[ 108] sandwiched between or deposited on at least one or both opposing substrates.
PCT/US2004/005310 2003-02-21 2004-02-21 Liquid crystal variable optical attenuator WO2004077105A2 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP04713482A EP1606669A4 (en) 2003-02-21 2004-02-21 Liquid crystal variable optical attenuator
JP2006503805A JP2006518880A (en) 2003-02-21 2004-02-21 Liquid crystal variable optical attenuator

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/371,235 2003-02-21
US10/371,235 US7352428B2 (en) 2003-02-21 2003-02-21 Liquid crystal cell platform
US10/379,384 2003-03-03
US10/379,384 US6897917B2 (en) 2003-02-21 2003-03-03 Liquid crystal variable optical attenuator

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2004077105A2 WO2004077105A2 (en) 2004-09-10
WO2004077105A3 true WO2004077105A3 (en) 2004-12-09

Family

ID=32930193

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2004/005310 WO2004077105A2 (en) 2003-02-21 2004-02-21 Liquid crystal variable optical attenuator

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1606669A4 (en)
JP (1) JP2006518880A (en)
WO (1) WO2004077105A2 (en)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5430561A (en) * 1991-07-17 1995-07-04 Fujitsu Limited Optical space switch employing 2 parallel diffraction gratings and a polarization rotating element
US5914811A (en) * 1996-08-30 1999-06-22 University Of Houston Birefringent grating polarizing beam splitter
US6046851A (en) * 1996-09-06 2000-04-04 Nec Corporation Polarization beam splitter and method for making the same
US6144427A (en) * 1994-12-08 2000-11-07 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Polymer dispersed liquid crystal panel

Family Cites Families (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5136966A (en) * 1974-09-17 1976-03-29 Dainippon Printing Co Ltd DENKIKOGAKUSERU
JPS63137212A (en) * 1986-11-29 1988-06-09 Toppan Printing Co Ltd Liquid crystal display element
JP2805106B2 (en) * 1990-06-29 1998-09-30 日本電信電話株式会社 Active optical isolator
JP2953869B2 (en) * 1992-07-27 1999-09-27 ローム株式会社 LCD display
JPH11125801A (en) * 1997-10-21 1999-05-11 Yazaki Corp Wavelength selection filter
US6081376A (en) * 1998-07-16 2000-06-27 Moxtek Reflective optical polarizer device with controlled light distribution and liquid crystal display incorporating the same
US20020044351A1 (en) * 2000-08-15 2002-04-18 Reflexite Corporation Light polarizer
GB0106050D0 (en) * 2001-03-12 2001-05-02 Suisse Electronique Microtech Polarisers and mass-production method and apparatus for polarisers
JP4232010B2 (en) * 2002-04-11 2009-03-04 日本電気株式会社 Microstructure formation method
US7352428B2 (en) * 2003-02-21 2008-04-01 Xtellus Inc. Liquid crystal cell platform

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5430561A (en) * 1991-07-17 1995-07-04 Fujitsu Limited Optical space switch employing 2 parallel diffraction gratings and a polarization rotating element
US6144427A (en) * 1994-12-08 2000-11-07 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Polymer dispersed liquid crystal panel
US5914811A (en) * 1996-08-30 1999-06-22 University Of Houston Birefringent grating polarizing beam splitter
US6046851A (en) * 1996-09-06 2000-04-04 Nec Corporation Polarization beam splitter and method for making the same

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See also references of EP1606669A4 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2006518880A (en) 2006-08-17
EP1606669A2 (en) 2005-12-21
WO2004077105A2 (en) 2004-09-10
EP1606669A4 (en) 2006-12-06

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