US4720171A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Liquid crystal optical switching device having reduced crosstalk
Assignee: CRYSTONIC SYSTEMS Inc
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Filing: 1985-11-05
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Granted: 1988-01-19
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Expires: 2005-11-05
Abstract
Abstract A liquid crystal optical switching device having reduced crosstalk includes a liquid crystal beam splitter for splitting incident light into polarized components thereof and a liquid crystal optical switch for directing those components to either a first or a second output port.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony P. Baker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 23:33
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/1326; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/133345
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A liquid crystal optical switching device; said device comprises: a first transparent member having inner and outer opposing optically flat surfaces; a second transparent member having inner and outer opposing optically flat surfaces; means, extending into said first and second members for receiving a plurality of optical fibers; means, disposed between an electrodeless first section of said inner surfaces of said first and second transparent members, for splitting a light beam impinging thereon into components said first section including liquid crystal material therebetween; and means, disposed between a second section of said inner surfaces of said first and second transparent members, for selectively directing said components of a light beam impinging thereon between a first port and a second port, said second section including liquid crystal material therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
A liquid crystal optical switching device; said device comprises: a first transparent member having inner and outer opposing optically flat surfaces; a second transparent member having inner and outer opposing optically flat surfaces; means, extending into said first and second members for receiving a plurality of optical fibers; means, disposed between an electrodeless first section of said inner surfaces of said first and second transparent members, for splitting a light beam impinging thereon into components said first section including liquid crystal material therebetween; and means, disposed between a second section of said inner surfaces of said first and second transparent members, for selectively directing said components of a light beam impinging thereon between a first port and a second port, said second section including liquid crystal material therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
Device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said directing means further includes: means for sustaining an electromagnetic field in said liquid crystal material between said second section of said inner surfaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
Device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said electromagnetic field sustaining means overlies a portion of one of said inner surface of said transparent members.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
Device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said electromagnetic field sustaining means includes: a first electrode, said first electrode overlying said inner surface of said first member; and a second electrode, said second electrode overlying said inner surface of said second member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
Device as claimed in claim 4 further comprising: means, disposed between each electrode and each underlying inner surface, for reducing optical losses within said cell.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
Device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said optical loss reducing means between said electrodes and said inner surfaces includes a transparent material having an index of refraction gradient thereacross, said index of refraction gradient being substantially matched to said electrodes proximate the interface therebetween and substantially matched to said members proximate the interface therebetween.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
8 words
Device as claimed in claim 5 further comprising:
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
means, overlying each said electrode, for reducing optical losses within said device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
means, overlying each said electrode, for reducing optical losses within said device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
Device as claimed in claim 7 wherein each said optical loss reducing means overlying said electrodes includes a transparent material having an index of refraction gradient thereacross, said index of refraction gradient being substantially matched to said electrodes proximate the interface therebetween and substantially matched to said liquid crystal material proximate said liquid crystal material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
Device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said optical loss reducing means between said electrodes and said inner surfaces includes a transparent material having an index of refraction gradient thereacross, said index of refraction gradient being substantially matched to said electrodes proximate the interface therebetween and substantially matched to said members proximate the interface therebetween.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
8 words
Device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
10 words
means for orienting the molecules of said liquid crystal material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
10 words
means for orienting the molecules of said liquid crystal material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
Device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said molecule orienting means comprises: a layer of a surfactant, said surfactant overlying said inner surfaces of said members.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
Device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: a discrete liquid crystal cell, said cell including said electrodeless liquid crystal light beam splitting means and said selective directing means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
66 words
Device as claimed in claim 12 wherein said discrete liquid crystal cell comprises: first and second transparent slides, said slides being spaced apart, each said slide having an inner surface and an outer surface; means, overlying each said inner surface, for reducing optical losses within said cell; and means for retaining a liquid crystal material between said inner surfaces of said first and second transparent slides.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
Device as claimed in claim 13 further comprising: means for orienting the molecules of said liquid crystal material.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
Device as claimed in claim 14 wherein said molecule orienting means comprises: a layer of a surfactant, said surfactant overlying said inner surfaces of said slides.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
56 words
Device as claimed in claim 13 wherein said liquid crystal retaining means includes: a plurality of spacers, said spacers being inert to said liquid crystal material and spaced about the periphery of said cell; and means for retaining said slides to said spacers whereby said slides are laterally and longitudinally fixed with respect to each other.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
Device as claimed in claim 13 further comprising: means for sustaining an electromagnetic field in said liquid crystal material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
Device as claimed in claim 17 wherein said electromagnetic field sustaining means overlies a portion of one of said inner surface of said transparent slides.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
42 words
Device as claimed in claim 17 wherein said electromagnetic field sustaining means includes: a first electrode, said first electrode overlying said inner surface of said first slide; and a second electrode, said second electrode overlying said inner surface of said second slide.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
Device as claimed in claim 19 further comprising: means, disposed between each electrode and each underlying inner surface, for reducing optical losses within said cell.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
55 words
Device as claimed in claim 20 wherein said optical loss reducing means between said electrodes and said inner surfaces includes a transparent material having an index of refraction gradient thereacross, said index of refraction gradient being substantially matched to said electrodes proximate the interface therebetween and substantially matched to said slides proximate the interface therebetween.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
Device as claimed in claim 20 further comprising: means, overlying each said electrode, for reducing optical losses within said cell.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
55 words
Device as claimed in claim 22 wherein each said optical loss reducing means overlying said electrodes includes a transparent material having an index of refraction gradient thereacross, said index of refraction gradient being substantially matched to said electrodes proximate the interface therebetween and substantially matched to said liquid crystal material proximate said liquid crystal material.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
55 words
Device as claimed in claim 23 wherein said optical loss reducing means between said electrodes and said inner surfaces includes a transparent material having an index of refraction gradient thereacross, said index of refraction gradient being substantially matched to said electrodes proximate the interface therebetween and substantially matched to said slides proximate the interface therebetween.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4556288A
Cited
US4478494A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-01-18 | 1991-07-20 | 1992-01-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-01-18 | 1995-07-20 | 1996-01-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-01-18 | 1999-07-20 | 2000-01-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |