US5084203A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Light transmissive liquid crystalline composite exhibiting a high Kerr effect
Assignee: Hoechst Celanese Chemical Co
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Filing: 1991-03-13
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Granted: 1992-01-28
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Expires: 2011-03-13
Abstract
Abstract In one embodiment this invention provides an optical medium which consists of a microdispersion of liquid crystal droplets in a synthetic resin matrix. A preferred invention optical medium exhibits a Kerr effect, and can transmit propagating light waves with low scattering loss under waveguiding conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Sansone
- 👤 Mark S. Kwiatek
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 11:49
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K19/00; C09K19/52; C09K19/54; C09K19/542; C09K19/544; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S359/00; Y10S359/90
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A process for producing an optical medium exhibiting a Kerr effect which comprises (1) forming a homogeneous solution of between about 15-35 weight percent of liquid crystal in a polymerizable or curable organic phase; and (2) treating the organic phase with laser radiation at a temperature between about -10° C. and 15° C. to provide a light transmissive solid matrix containing a dispersion of liquid crystal droplets; wherein the droplets are spherical in shape, and have a mean diameter in the range between about 30-70 nm and a coefficient of variance (standard deviation means) of about 0.2-0.4.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
A process for producing an optical medium exhibiting a Kerr effect which comprises (1) forming a homogeneous solution of between about 15-35 weight percent of liquid crystal in a polymerizable or curable organic phase; and (2) treating the organic phase with laser radiation at a temperature between about -10° C. and 15° C. to provide a light transmissive solid matrix containing a dispersion of liquid crystal droplets; wherein the droplets are spherical in shape, and have a mean diameter in the range between about 30-70 nm and a coefficient of variance (standard deviation means) of about 0.2-0.4.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein the optical medium exhibits a Kerr constant of between about 7×10 -12 and 7×10 -10 m/V 2 .
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein the solid matrix is a thermoset polymer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein the solid matrix is an epoxy resin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein the solid matrix is a thermoplastic polymer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein the solid matrix is a polyvinyl polymer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein the liquid crystal is a nematic liquid crystal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein the liquid crystal is a cyanobiphenyl type liquid crystal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process in accordance with claim 1 wherein the step(2) radiation treatment is with an ultraviolet laser for an exposure period between about 0.1-2 minutes.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-01-27 | 1995-07-29 | 1996-01-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-01-27 | 1999-07-29 | 2000-01-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-01-27 | 2003-07-29 | 2004-01-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |