US4878742A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Liquid crystal optical modulator
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1987-08-03
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Granted: 1989-11-07
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Expires: 2007-08-03
Abstract
Abstract A liquid crystal optical modulator having a liquid crystal held between two substrates each having a light-transmissive electrode on the surface, in which at least one substrate has minute alignment-treated region having two or more kinds of liquid crystal aligning abilities different from each other formed and arranged on the same substrate.
Inventors
- 👤 Yukitoshi Ohkubo
- 👤 Yasuyuki Watanabe
- 👤 Chiori Mochizuki
- 👤 Takayuki Ishii
- 👤 Masato Yamanobe
- 👤 Kazuya Ishiwata
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 13:46
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02F1/1333; G02F1/1337; G02F1/133753; G02F1/133738; G02F1/133742; G02F1/133757; G02F2203/00; G02F2203/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A liquid crystal optical modulator comprising liquid crystal material held between two substrates, each substrate having a light-transmissive electrode on a surface thereof, at least one of the substrates being provided with at least two kinds of minute alignment-treated regions formed in a regular periodic arrangement with a pitch P and one of the two subtrates has hemeotropic aligning ability and homogeneous aligning ability in periodic alignment and the other substrate has homogeneous aligning ability, wherein the gap between said two substrates is no larger than P and said alignment-treated regions each have different liquid crystal aligning ability than the other regions on the same substrate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A liquid crystal optical modulator comprising liquid crystal material held between two substrates, each substrate having a light-transmissive electrode on a surface thereof, at least one of the substrates being provided with at least two kinds of minute alignment-treated regions formed in a regular periodic arrangement with a pitch P and one of the two subtrates has hemeotropic aligning ability and homogeneous aligning ability in periodic alignment and the other substrate has homogeneous aligning ability, wherein the gap between said two substrates is no larger than P and said alignment-treated regions each have different liquid crystal aligning ability than the other regions on the same substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A liquid crystal optical modulator according to claim 1, wherein a rubbing treatment is given in the alignment direction on the surface of the alignment-treated region arranged on the substrate surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A liquid crystal optical modulator according to claim 1, wherein said liquid crystal is nematic liquid crystal exhibiting positive dielectric anisotropy.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A liquid crystal optical modulator according to claim 1, wherein said liquid crystal is nematic liquid crystal exhibiting negative dielectric anisotropy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A liquid crystal optical modulator according to claim 1, wherein diffraction is caused in the absence of applied voltage, and diffraction is extinguished in the presence of applied voltage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A liquid crystal optical modulator according to claim 1, wherein diffraction is caused in the presence of applied voltage, and diffraction is extinguished in the absence of applied voltage.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A liquid crystal optical modulator according to claim 1, wherein a homogeneous alignment region is formed of a polymeric film subjected to homogeneous alignment treatment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A liquid crystal optical modulator according to claim 7, wherein the polymeric film is formed of polyimide, polyamide, polyester, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride or polyvinyl alcohol.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
A liquid crystal optical modulator according to claim 1, wherein the homegeneous aligning ability of said one substrate and the other substrate is imparted by a rubbing treatment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A liquid crystal optical modulator according to claim 9, wherein the directions of the rubbing treatment imparted to said one substrate and the other substrate are parallel to each other.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
A liquid crystal optical modulator according to claim 9, wherein the directions of the rubbing treatment imparted to said one substrate and the other substrate are crossed with each other at an angle of 90°.
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) | 1992-11-06 | 1993-05-08 | 1993-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-06 | 1997-05-08 | 1997-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-06 | 2001-05-08 | 2001-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |