US4564266A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electro-optical devices using liquid crystals having a twist in a plane perpendicular to substrates
Assignee: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
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Filing: 1983-04-21
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Granted: 1986-01-14
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Expires: 2003-04-21
Abstract
Abstract An electro-optical method and apparatus uses liquid crystals. The method includes the step of filling a space between two parallel transparent plates with a material which comprises molecules having nematic properties, the structure of the molecules initially defining a substantially rectilinear nematic director perpendicular to the plates. A structure is then conferred on the material defining a second nematic director curved at least once in a plane perpendicular to the plate by application of a high frequency electrical field to the material, such that the second nematic director arrives substantially perpendicularly at at least one of the two plates. A twist is imparted to the second nematic director along a component at right angles to said plane perpendicular to the plates to impart a twist in the second nematic director. Light is caused to arrive with an incidence substantially at right angles to one of the plates to pass through the material, a rotation of polarization of the light, at an outlet from the plates, depending on the twist imparted to the second nematic director.
Inventors
- 👤 Georges E. A. Durand
- 👤 Philippe Martinot-Lagarde
- 👤 Ivan Dozov
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 10:43
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/137; G02F1/13768; G02F1/03; G02F1/139; G02F1/1393; G02F1/13787; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S359/00; Y10S359/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 35
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
An electro-optical method using liquid crystals comprising the steps of: filling a space between two parallel transparent plates with a material which comprises molecules having nematic properties, the structure of the molecules initially defining a substantially rectilinear nematic director perpendicular to the plates; conferring on said material a structure defining a second nematic director curved at least once in a plane perpendicular to the plates by application of a high frequency electrical field to the material, such that the second nematic director arrives substantially perpendicularly at at least one of the two plates; imparting a twist to the second nematic director along a component at right angles to said plane perpendicular to the plates to impart a twist in the second nematic director; and causing light arriving with an incidence substantially at right angles to one of the plates to pass through the material, a rotation of polarization of the light, at an outlet from the plates, depending on the twist imparted to the second nematic director.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
An electro-optical method using liquid crystals comprising the steps of: filling a space between two parallel transparent plates with a material which comprises molecules having nematic properties, the structure of the molecules initially defining a substantially rectilinear nematic director perpendicular to the plates; conferring on said material a structure defining a second nematic director curved at least once in a plane perpendicular to the plates by application of a high frequency electrical field to the material, such that the second nematic director arrives substantially perpendicularly at at least one of the two plates; imparting a twist to the second nematic director along a component at right angles to said plane perpendicular to the plates to impart a twist in the second nematic director; and causing light arriving with an incidence substantially at right angles to one of the plates to pass through the material, a rotation of polarization of the light, at an outlet from the plates, depending on the twist imparted to the second nematic director.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1, characterized by said material having a negative dielectric anisotropy and the high frequency electrical field being substantially perpendicular to the plates.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1, characterized by said material having positive dielectric anisotropy and the high frequency electrical field being substantially parallel to the plates.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
156 words
An electro-optical method using liquid crystals comprising the steps of: filling a space between two parallel transparent plates with a material which comprises molecules having nematic properties, the structure of the molecule initially defining a substantially rectilinear nematic director perpendicular to the plates; conferring on said material a structure defining a second nematic director curved at least once in a plane perpendicular to the plates by application of a magnetic field to the material, such that the second nematic director arrives substantially perpendicularly at at least one of the two plates; imparting a twist to the second nematic director along a component at right angles to said plane perpendicular to the plates; and causing light arriving with an incidence substantially at right angles to one of the plates to pass through the material, a rotation of polarization of the light, at an outlet from the plates, depending on the twist imparted to the second nematic director.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
156 words
An electro-optical method using liquid crystals comprising the steps of: filling a space between two parallel transparent plates with a material which comprises molecules having nematic properties, the structure of the molecule initially defining a substantially rectilinear nematic director perpendicular to the plates; conferring on said material a structure defining a second nematic director curved at least once in a plane perpendicular to the plates by application of a magnetic field to the material, such that the second nematic director arrives substantially perpendicularly at at least one of the two plates; imparting a twist to the second nematic director along a component at right angles to said plane perpendicular to the plates; and causing light arriving with an incidence substantially at right angles to one of the plates to pass through the material, a rotation of polarization of the light, at an outlet from the plates, depending on the twist imparted to the second nematic director.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
155 words
An electro-optical method using liquid crystals comprising the steps of: filling a space between two parallel transparent plates with a material which comprises molecules having nematic properties and non-vanishing flexoelectric anisotropy; conferring on said material a structure defining a nematic director curved at least once in a plane perpendicular to the plates such that the nematic director arrives substantially perpendicularly at at least one of the two plates; imparting a twist to the nematic director along a component at right angles to said plane perpendicular to the plates with application to the material of a low frequency electrical field having a component at right angles to said plane perpendicular to the plates; and causing light arriving with an incidence substantially at right angles to one of the plates to pass through the material, a rotation of polarization of the light, at an outlet from the plates, depending on the twist imparted to the nematic director.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
155 words
An electro-optical method using liquid crystals comprising the steps of: filling a space between two parallel transparent plates with a material which comprises molecules having nematic properties and non-vanishing flexoelectric anisotropy; conferring on said material a structure defining a nematic director curved at least once in a plane perpendicular to the plates such that the nematic director arrives substantially perpendicularly at at least one of the two plates; imparting a twist to the nematic director along a component at right angles to said plane perpendicular to the plates with application to the material of a low frequency electrical field having a component at right angles to said plane perpendicular to the plates; and causing light arriving with an incidence substantially at right angles to one of the plates to pass through the material, a rotation of polarization of the light, at an outlet from the plates, depending on the twist imparted to the nematic director.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
154 words
An electro-optical method using liquid crystals comprising the steps of: filling a space between two parallel transparent plates with a material which comprises molecules having nematic properties and non-vanishing flexoelectric anisotropy; conferring on said material a structure defining a nematic director curved at least once in a plane perpendicular to the plates such that the nematic director arrives substantially perpendicularly at at least one of the two plates; imparting a twist to the nematic director along a component at right angles to said plane perpendicular to the plates with application to the material of a continuous electrical field having a component at right angles to said plane perpendicular to the plates; and causing light arriving with an incidence substantially at right angles to one of the plates to pass through the material, a rotation of polarization of the light, at an outlet from the plate, depending on the twist imparted to the nematic director.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
154 words
An electro-optical method using liquid crystals comprising the steps of: filling a space between two parallel transparent plates with a material which comprises molecules having nematic properties and non-vanishing flexoelectric anisotropy; conferring on said material a structure defining a nematic director curved at least once in a plane perpendicular to the plates such that the nematic director arrives substantially perpendicularly at at least one of the two plates; imparting a twist to the nematic director along a component at right angles to said plane perpendicular to the plates with application to the material of a continuous electrical field having a component at right angles to said plane perpendicular to the plates; and causing light arriving with an incidence substantially at right angles to one of the plates to pass through the material, a rotation of polarization of the light, at an outlet from the plate, depending on the twist imparted to the nematic director.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
145 words
An electro-optical method using liquid crystals comprising the steps of: filling a space between two parallel transparent plates with a material which comprises molecules having nematic properties; conferring on said material a structure defining a nematic director curved at least once in a plane perpendicular to the plates such that the nematic director arrives substantially perpendicularly at at least one of the two plates; imparting a twist to the nematic director along a component at right angles to said plane perpendicular to the plates with application to the material of a high frequency electrical field of orientation substantially parallel to the plates; and causing light arriving with an incidence substantially at right angles to one of the plates to pass through the material, a rotation of polarization of the light, at an outlet from the plate, depending on the twist imparted to the nematic director.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
145 words
An electro-optical method using liquid crystals comprising the steps of: filling a space between two parallel transparent plates with a material which comprises molecules having nematic properties; conferring on said material a structure defining a nematic director curved at least once in a plane perpendicular to the plates such that the nematic director arrives substantially perpendicularly at at least one of the two plates; imparting a twist to the nematic director along a component at right angles to said plane perpendicular to the plates with application to the material of a high frequency electrical field of orientation substantially parallel to the plates; and causing light arriving with an incidence substantially at right angles to one of the plates to pass through the material, a rotation of polarization of the light, at an outlet from the plate, depending on the twist imparted to the nematic director.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 7 characterized in that the high frequency electrical field is substantially at right angles to said plane perpendicular to the plates.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 7 characterized by the high frequency electrical field being substantially parallel to said plane perpendicular to the plates.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 8 characterized by the material having positive dielectric anisotropy.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 9 characterized by the material having negative dielectric anisotropy.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
141 words
An electro-optical method using liquid crystals comprising the steps of: filling a space between two parallel transparent plates with a material which comprises molecules having nematic properties; conferring on said material a structure defining a nematic director curved at least once in a plane perpendicular to the plates such that the nematic director arrives substantially perpendicularly at at least one of the two plates; imparting a twist to the nematic director along a component at right angles to said plane perpendicular to the plates with application to the material of a magnetic field substantially parallel to the plates; and causing light arriving with an incidence substantially at right angles to one of the plates to pass through the material, a rotation of polarization of the light, at an outlet from the plates, depending on the twist imparted to the nematic director.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
141 words
An electro-optical method using liquid crystals comprising the steps of: filling a space between two parallel transparent plates with a material which comprises molecules having nematic properties; conferring on said material a structure defining a nematic director curved at least once in a plane perpendicular to the plates such that the nematic director arrives substantially perpendicularly at at least one of the two plates; imparting a twist to the nematic director along a component at right angles to said plane perpendicular to the plates with application to the material of a magnetic field substantially parallel to the plates; and causing light arriving with an incidence substantially at right angles to one of the plates to pass through the material, a rotation of polarization of the light, at an outlet from the plates, depending on the twist imparted to the nematic director.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 12 characterized by the material having positive dielectric anisotropy.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 12 characterized by the material having negative dielectric anisotropy.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
155 words
An electro-optical method using liquid crystals comprising the steps of: filling a space between two parallel transparent plates with a material which comprises molecules having nematic properties; conferring on said material a structure defining a nematic director curved at least once in a plane perpendicular to the plates such that the nematic director arrives substantially perpendicularly at at leat one of the two plates, and applying to the material a magnetic field which is oblique with respect to the plates in order to give preference to a particular area of the structure; imparting a twist to the nematic director along a component at right angles to said plane perpendicular to the plates; and causing light arriving with an incidence substantially at right angles to one of the plates to pass through the material, a rotation of polarization of the light, at an outlet from the plates, depending on the twist imparted to the nematic director.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
155 words
An electro-optical method using liquid crystals comprising the steps of: filling a space between two parallel transparent plates with a material which comprises molecules having nematic properties; conferring on said material a structure defining a nematic director curved at least once in a plane perpendicular to the plates such that the nematic director arrives substantially perpendicularly at at leat one of the two plates, and applying to the material a magnetic field which is oblique with respect to the plates in order to give preference to a particular area of the structure; imparting a twist to the nematic director along a component at right angles to said plane perpendicular to the plates; and causing light arriving with an incidence substantially at right angles to one of the plates to pass through the material, a rotation of polarization of the light, at an outlet from the plates, depending on the twist imparted to the nematic director.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
158 words
An electro-optical method using liquid crystals comprising the steps of: filling a space between two parallel transparent plates with a material which comprises molecules having nematic properties; conferring on said material a structure defining a nematic director curved at least once in a plane perpendicular to the plates such that the nematic director arrives substantially perpendicularly at at least one of the two plates, and applying to the material an electrical field which is oblique with respect to the said plates in order to give preference to a particular area of structure of said material; imparting a twist to the nematic director along a component at right angles to said plane perpendicular to the plates; and causing light arriving with an incidence substantially at right angles to one of the plates to pass through the material, a rotation of polarization of the light, at an outlet from the plates, depending on the twist imparted to the nematic director.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
158 words
An electro-optical method using liquid crystals comprising the steps of: filling a space between two parallel transparent plates with a material which comprises molecules having nematic properties; conferring on said material a structure defining a nematic director curved at least once in a plane perpendicular to the plates such that the nematic director arrives substantially perpendicularly at at least one of the two plates, and applying to the material an electrical field which is oblique with respect to the said plates in order to give preference to a particular area of structure of said material; imparting a twist to the nematic director along a component at right angles to said plane perpendicular to the plates; and causing light arriving with an incidence substantially at right angles to one of the plates to pass through the material, a rotation of polarization of the light, at an outlet from the plates, depending on the twist imparted to the nematic director.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
126 words
An electro-optical device using liquid crystals comprising a cell which is composed of two parallel transparent plates between which is placed a material which comprises molecules having nematic properties, orientation means arranged in order to confer on said material contained between the plates, a structure defining a nematic director curved at least once in a plane perpendicular to the said transparent and parallel plates such that the nematic director arrives perpendicularly at at least one of the two plates and twisting means comprising means able to apply an electrical field parallel to the plates to cause twisting of the nematic director along a component at right angles to said plane perpendicular to the plates defined by the nematic director under the action of the orientation means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
126 words
An electro-optical device using liquid crystals comprising a cell which is composed of two parallel transparent plates between which is placed a material which comprises molecules having nematic properties, orientation means arranged in order to confer on said material contained between the plates, a structure defining a nematic director curved at least once in a plane perpendicular to the said transparent and parallel plates such that the nematic director arrives perpendicularly at at least one of the two plates and twisting means comprising means able to apply an electrical field parallel to the plates to cause twisting of the nematic director along a component at right angles to said plane perpendicular to the plates defined by the nematic director under the action of the orientation means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device according to claim 17 wherein the twisting means comprises means able to apply a continuous electrical field parallel to the plates and said material has non-vanishing flexoelectric anisotropy.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
39 words
A device according to claim 17, characterized by the fact that it comprises means sensitive to the polarization of light which enters the cell and means for examining variations in the polarization of the light passing through the cell.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
125 words
An electro-optical device using liquid crystals comprising a cell which is composed of two parallel transparent plates between which is placed a material which comprises molecules having nematic properties, orientation means arranged in order to confer on said material contained between the plates, a structure defining a nematic director curved at least once in a plane perpendicular to the transparent and parallel plates such that the nematic director arrives perpendicularly at at least one of the two plates and twisting means comprising means able to apply an electric field parallel to the plates to cause twisting of the nematic director along a component at right angles to said plane perpendicular to the plates defined by the nematic director under the action of the orientation means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
125 words
An electro-optical device using liquid crystals comprising a cell which is composed of two parallel transparent plates between which is placed a material which comprises molecules having nematic properties, orientation means arranged in order to confer on said material contained between the plates, a structure defining a nematic director curved at least once in a plane perpendicular to the transparent and parallel plates such that the nematic director arrives perpendicularly at at least one of the two plates and twisting means comprising means able to apply an electric field parallel to the plates to cause twisting of the nematic director along a component at right angles to said plane perpendicular to the plates defined by the nematic director under the action of the orientation means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
39 words
A device according to claim 20, characterized by the fact that it comprises means sensitive to the polarization of light which enters the cell and means for examining variations in the polarization of the light passing through the cell.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
157 words
An electro-optical method using liquid crystals comprising the steps of: filling a space between two parallel transparent plates with a material which comprises molecules having nematic properties and non-vanishing flexoelectric anisotropy; conferring on said material a structure defining a nematic director curved at least once in a plane perpendicular to the said plates such that the nematic director arrives substantially perpendicularly at at least one of the two plates; imparting a twist to the nematic director along a component at right angles to said plane perpendicular to the plates with application to the material of a low frequency electrical field parallel to the plates, and with simultaneous application of a high frequency electrical field; and causing light arriving with an incidence substantially at right angles to one of the plates to pass through the material, a rotation of polarization of the light, at an outlet from the plates, depending on the twist imparted to the nematic director.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
157 words
An electro-optical method using liquid crystals comprising the steps of: filling a space between two parallel transparent plates with a material which comprises molecules having nematic properties and non-vanishing flexoelectric anisotropy; conferring on said material a structure defining a nematic director curved at least once in a plane perpendicular to the said plates such that the nematic director arrives substantially perpendicularly at at least one of the two plates; imparting a twist to the nematic director along a component at right angles to said plane perpendicular to the plates with application to the material of a low frequency electrical field parallel to the plates, and with simultaneous application of a high frequency electrical field; and causing light arriving with an incidence substantially at right angles to one of the plates to pass through the material, a rotation of polarization of the light, at an outlet from the plates, depending on the twist imparted to the nematic director.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
156 words
An electro-optical method using liquid crystals comprising the steps of: filling a space between two parallel transparent plates with a material which comprises molecules having nematic porperties and non-vanishing flexoelectric anisotropy; conferring on said material a structure defining a nematic director curved at least once in a plane perpendicular to the said plates such that the nematic director arrives substantially perpendicularly at at least one of the two plates; imparting a twist to the nematic director along a component at right angles to said plane perpendicular to the plates with application to the material of a continuous electrical field parallel to the plates, and with simultaneous application of a high frequency electrical field; and causing light arriving with an incidence substantially at right angles to one of the plates to pass through the material, a rotation of polarization of the light, at an outlet from the plates, depending on the twist imparted to the nematic director.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
156 words
An electro-optical method using liquid crystals comprising the steps of: filling a space between two parallel transparent plates with a material which comprises molecules having nematic porperties and non-vanishing flexoelectric anisotropy; conferring on said material a structure defining a nematic director curved at least once in a plane perpendicular to the said plates such that the nematic director arrives substantially perpendicularly at at least one of the two plates; imparting a twist to the nematic director along a component at right angles to said plane perpendicular to the plates with application to the material of a continuous electrical field parallel to the plates, and with simultaneous application of a high frequency electrical field; and causing light arriving with an incidence substantially at right angles to one of the plates to pass through the material, a rotation of polarization of the light, at an outlet from the plates, depending on the twist imparted to the nematic director.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-01-13 | 1989-07-15 | 1990-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-01-13 | 1993-07-15 | 1994-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-01-13 | 1997-07-15 | 1998-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |