Abstract A digital light deflector is disclosed which includes an electrically conductive, transparent film deposited on a transparent substrate. The transparent film is made very thin so that it has a resistance to the flow of electric current and acts as a heating element. The transparent film is immersed in a transparent liquid in a transparent container. Light is directed through the container to the film at an angle therewith. The light normally continues in a straight line through the film, the liquid and out from one side of the container. When an electric current is applied to the film, heat is generated which vaporizes the liquid at the surface of the film and causes the light to be reflected by the film-vapor interface and pass out through a different side of the container.
An optical element comprising a transparent conductor, a transparent liquid on a surface of said transparent conductor, means to direct an incident light through said transparent conductor and said transparent liquid, and means to apply an electric current through said transparent conductor to cause a heating and vaporization of liquid on the surface of said conductor, whereby said light is reflected from the interface between said transparent conductor and said vapor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
An optical element comprising a transparent conductor, a transparent liquid on a surface of said transparent conductor, means to direct an incident light through said transparent conductor and said transparent liquid, and means to apply an electric current through said transparent conductor to cause a heating and vaporization of liquid on the surface of said conductor, whereby said light is reflected from the interface between said transparent conductor and said vapor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said conductor is a conductive sheet, and wherein said incident light is directed at an acute angle to said conductive sheet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said incident light is directed at an angle of 45* to said conductive sheet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said conductive sheet is a transparent conductive film on a transparent substrate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 2, and in addition, a transparent container for containing said transparent conductive sheet and said transparent liquid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 2, and in addition, a plurality of additional optical elements each as defined by claim 2 arranged as a binary selection tree.