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US5748368A
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Polarization optical element
Assignee: Sony Corp
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Filing: 1995-12-21
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Granted: 1998-05-05
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Expires: 2015-12-21
Abstract
Abstract A polarization optical element causes minimum loss and provides light in the visible and near-infrared regions with practically satisfactory polarization contrast even when the grid period is comparatively long. Metal grids 1 are formed on a substrate 2 with a refractive index n 1 to satisfy conditions 0.2<h/d<0.9, 0.5<b/d<0.9, and 70°<s<110°, where "h" is the thickness of a cross section of the grids; "b" is the width of the cross section, measured along a line passing 0.5 h away from, and in parallel with, the base of the cross section; "d" is the grid period; and "s" is the angle between the base and a leg of the cross section.
Inventors
- 👤 Hitoshi Tamada
- 👤 Shuichi Matsumoto
- 👤 Noriaki Nishi
- 👤 Kimihiro Saito
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:18
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/30; G02B5/3025; G02B5/3058
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
A polarization optical element for polarizing an incident light beam, comprising: a light source producing a light beam with a wavelength between 0.4 and 1.0 μm; and a grid composed of a plurality of elongated metal parts formed on a substrate on which said light beam is incident; wherein: said elongated metal parts each have a cross section, said cross section having a base, sides and top; said grid satisfies the conditions of 0.2<h/d<0.9, 0.5<b/d<0.9, and 70°<s<100°, where "h" is the thickness of said cross section measured from said base to said top; "b" is the width of the cross section, measured along a line passing 0.5 h away from, and in parallel with, said base; "d" is the grid period; and "s" is the angle between said base and a side of the cross section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
A polarization optical element for polarizing an incident light beam, comprising: a light source producing a light beam with a wavelength between 0.4 and 1.0 μm; and a grid composed of a plurality of elongated metal parts formed on a substrate on which said light beam is incident; wherein: said elongated metal parts each have a cross section, said cross section having a base, sides and top; said grid satisfies the conditions of 0.2<h/d<0.9, 0.5<b/d<0.9, and 70°<s<100°, where "h" is the thickness of said cross section measured from said base to said top; "b" is the width of the cross section, measured along a line passing 0.5 h away from, and in parallel with, said base; "d" is the grid period; and "s" is the angle between said base and a side of the cross section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
147 words
A polarization optical element for polarizing an incident light beam, comprising a grid composed of a plurality of elongated metal parts formed on a substrate; wherein: said elongated metal parts each have a cross section, said cross section having a base, sides and top; said grid satisfies the conditions of 0.2<h/d<0.9, 0.5<b/d<0.9, and 70°<s<100°, where "h" is the thickness of said cross section measured from said base to said top; "b" is the width of the cross section, measured along a line passing 0.5 h away from, and in parallel with, said base; "d" is the grid period; and "s" is the angle between said base and a side of the cross section; and said grid period "d" satisfies the condition of λ/(2n 1 )<d<λ/(1.1n 1 ), where n 1 is the refractive index of said substrate; and "λ" is the wavelength of the incident light beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
147 words
A polarization optical element for polarizing an incident light beam, comprising a grid composed of a plurality of elongated metal parts formed on a substrate; wherein: said elongated metal parts each have a cross section, said cross section having a base, sides and top; said grid satisfies the conditions of 0.2<h/d<0.9, 0.5<b/d<0.9, and 70°<s<100°, where "h" is the thickness of said cross section measured from said base to said top; "b" is the width of the cross section, measured along a line passing 0.5 h away from, and in parallel with, said base; "d" is the grid period; and "s" is the angle between said base and a side of the cross section; and said grid period "d" satisfies the condition of λ/(2n 1 )<d<λ/(1.1n 1 ), where n 1 is the refractive index of said substrate; and "λ" is the wavelength of the incident light beam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The polarization optical element according to claim 2, wherein said grids are formed with Au or Al.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The polarization optical element according to claim 2, wherein said wire metal parts further comprise: a layer of Au; and a layer of Al.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
117 words
A polarization optical element, comprising: grid parts comprising a plurality of wire metal parts; first and second light transmittance layers which sandwich said grid parts; and a light transmittance part which is loaded between said respective wire metal parts, wherein the conditions of |n 4 -n 2 |<0.2, |n 3 -n 2 |<0.2 are satisfied, where the refractive indices of said first and second light transmittance layers are n 2 and n 3 , respectively, and a refractive index of said light transmittance part is n 4 ; and said metal grids satisfy the condition of 0.6<b/d<0.9, where "b" is the width of a cross section of said wire metal parts; and "d" is the grid period.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
117 words
A polarization optical element, comprising: grid parts comprising a plurality of wire metal parts; first and second light transmittance layers which sandwich said grid parts; and a light transmittance part which is loaded between said respective wire metal parts, wherein the conditions of |n 4 -n 2 |<0.2, |n 3 -n 2 |<0.2 are satisfied, where the refractive indices of said first and second light transmittance layers are n 2 and n 3 , respectively, and a refractive index of said light transmittance part is n 4 ; and said metal grids satisfy the condition of 0.6<b/d<0.9, where "b" is the width of a cross section of said wire metal parts; and "d" is the grid period.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The polarization optical element according to claim 5, wherein said light transmittance layers are made of glass.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The polarization optical element according to claim 5, wherein said grids are formed with Au or Al.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The polarization optical element according to claim 5, wherein said wire metal parts further comprise: a layer of Au; and a layer of Al.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
72 words
A polarization optical element comprising: a substrate; a metal grid formed on said substrate; a layer of matching oil disposed on both sides of said substrate; and first and second transparent plates which sandwich said substrate and matching oil; wherein said first and second transparent plates each have a wedge shape wherein a first side of each of said plates makes a 1° angle with a second side opposite said first side.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
72 words
A polarization optical element comprising: a substrate; a metal grid formed on said substrate; a layer of matching oil disposed on both sides of said substrate; and first and second transparent plates which sandwich said substrate and matching oil; wherein said first and second transparent plates each have a wedge shape wherein a first side of each of said plates makes a 1° angle with a second side opposite said first side.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
54 words
A polarization optical element comprising: a substrate; a metal grid formed on said substrate; a layer of matching oil disposed on both sides of said substrate; and first and second transparent plates which sandwich said substrate and matching oil; wherein said metal grid further comprises: a layer of Au; and a layer of Al.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
A polarization optical element comprising: a substrate; a metal grid formed on said substrate; a layer of matching oil disposed on both sides of said substrate; and first and second transparent plates which sandwich said substrate and matching oil; wherein said metal grid further comprises: a layer of Au; and a layer of Al.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A polarization optical element as claimed in claim 10, wherein outer sides of said first and second transparent plates are coated with a non-reflective coating.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The polarization optical element according to claim 10, wherein said first and second transparent plates are made of glass.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The polarization optical element according to claim 10, wherein said substrate is made of glass.
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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) | 2001-05-04 | 2001-11-03 | 2002-05-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-05-04 | 2005-11-03 | 2006-05-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-05-04 | 2009-11-03 | 2010-05-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |