1/27/87 03 4»fc39t091
United States Patent [19] [11] Patent Number: 4,639,091
Huignard et al. [45] Date of Patent: Jan. 27, 1987
[54] STATIC DEFLECTOR DEVICE FOR AN INFRARED BEAM
[75] Inventors: Jean-Pierre Huignard; Marcel
Malard; Guy de Corlieu, all of Paris,
France
[73] Assignee: Thomson-CSF, Paris, France
[21] Appl. No.: 583,645
[22] Filed: Feb. 27, 1984
[30] Foreign Application Priority Data
Feb. 25, 1983 [FR] France 83 03132
[51] Int. Cl.< G02F 1/137; G02B 5/18
[52] U.S. CI 350/347 V; 350/162.24;
350/348
[58] Field of Search 350/348, 332, 162.24,
350/347 V
[56] References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
3,758,195 9/1973 Hedman et al 350/348
3,843,231 10/1974 Borel et al 350/348
3,904,114 9/1975 Haas et al 350/162.24
4,036,553 7/1977 Borel et al 350/332
4,065,334 1/1978 Fray et al. .
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
2134160 12/1972 France .
2254057 7/1975 France .
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Yao et al., "Chirp Grading Lens for Guided Wave Optics" Appl. Phys. Lett: 33(7) Oct. 1, 1978 pp. 635-637.
Primary Examiner—John K. Corbin
Assistant Examiner—David Lewis
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Obion, Fisher, Spivak,
McClelland & Maier
[57] ABSTRACT
The diffraction grating principle is used to deflect an infrared beam in a series of discrete predetermined directions. A periodic control voltage having a staircase waveform with N steps is applied across a liquid crystal layer to create local variations of refractive index therein, thereby setting up an infrared diffraction grating of adjustable pitch.
15 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures
