Electrically tunable polarization independent liquid crystal micro-lens array comprising top and bottom liquid crystal layers

A polarization-independent liquid crystal micro-lens array optical system, comprising:

• a liquid crystal micro-lens, having;
• an optically transparent, dielectric planar panel, the planar panel having a top surface and a bottom surface;
• an optically transparent upper planar electrode deposited upon the planar panel top surface;
• an optically transparent lower planar electrode deposited upon the planar panel bottom surface;
• a top substrate having a top substrate external surface and a top substrate internal surface, the top substrate positioned adjacent to the planar panel top surface;
• a top pattern electrode deposited on the top substrate internal surface, wherein the top pattern electrode is patterned with an array of micro-holes;
• a top spacer disposed between the planar panel top surface and the top substrate internal surface;
• a top liquid crystal layer disposed between the planar panel top surface and the top substrate internal surface, the top liquid crystal layer having a first polarization;
• a bottom substrate having a bottom substrate external surface and a bottom substrate internal surface, the bottom substrate positioned adjacent to the planar panel bottom surface;
• a bottom pattern electrode deposited on the bottom substrate internal surface, wherein the top pattern electrode is patterned with another array of micro-holes;
• a bottom spacer disposed between the planar panel bottom surface and the bottom substrate internal surface;
• a bottom liquid crystal layer disposed between the planar panel bottom surface and the bottom substrate internal surface, the bottom liquid crystal layer having a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization;
• a top voltage driver electrically connected to the upper planar electrode and the top pattern electrode;
• and
• a bottom voltage driver electrically connected to the lower planar electrode and the bottom pattern electrode, wherein the bottom voltage driver and top voltage driver are simultaneously actuated to permit transit of unpolarized light through the liquid crystal micro-lens.