Optical modulator

A method of operating an optical modulator, the method comprising:

• providing an optical modulator comprising:
• first and second substrates, wherein the first and second substrates are optically transparent,
• at least two electrodes provided at an internal side of both of the first and second substrates,
• a fluid provided in between the substrates, the fluid comprising nanoparticles and/or microparticles, wherein the particles are electrically charged or chargeable, and wherein the particles are adapted to absorb light,
• a connection for applying an electro-magnetic field to the electrodes, wherein the applied electro-magnetic field to the electrodes provides movement of the nano- and microparticles from a first electrode to a second electrode and vice versa,
• wherein the at least two electrodes comprise an electrically conducting material with a resistivity of less than 100 nΩm at 273 K, the at least two electrodes are adapted to provide an electrical force between the electrodes parallel to the substrates when switching to a non-transparent state and the at least two electrodes are adapted to provide an electrical force between the electrodes in an orientation with respect to the substrates when switching to a transparent state, wherein the orientation is selected from parallel to the substrates, perpendicular to the substrates, diagonal with respect to the substrates, and combinations thereof,
• a power provider in electrical connection with the at least two electrodes, wherein the power provider is adapted to provide a waveform power, wherein at least one of amplitude, frequency, and phase is adaptable, and
• wherein the at least two electrodes are in fluidic contact with the fluid;
• applying an electrical field,
• moving nanoparticles and/or microparticles from the first electrode towards the fluid,
• applying a reverse electrical field, moving nanoparticles and/or microparticles spread out towards the first electrode,
• using an alternating current having two phases with an electrical potential between −220 V and +220 V, and an electrical current between −100 μA and +100 μA,
• wherein electron consumption between the two phases is substantially equal, thereby balancing positive and negative current flows, wherein, during a first phase, electrode material is partly dissolved in the fluid, and wherein, during a first phase +180 degrees, dissolved electrode material is redeposited on the first electrode.

An optical modulator comprising:

• first and second substrates, wherein the first and second substrates are optically transparent,
• at least two electrodes provided at an internal side of both of the first and second substrates,
• a fluid provided in between the substrates the fluid comprising nanoparticles and/or microparticles, wherein the particles are electrically charged or chargeable, and wherein the particles are adapted to absorb light,
• a connection for applying an electro-magnetic field to the electrodes, wherein the applied electro-magnetic field to the electrodes provides movement of the nano- and microparticles from a first electrode to a second electrode and vice versa,
• wherein the at least two electrodes comprise an electrically conducting material with a resistivity of less than 100 nΩm at 273 K, the at least two electrodes are adapted to provide an electrical force between the electrodes parallel to the substrates when switching to a non-transparent state and the at least two electrodes are adapted to provide an electrical force between the electrodes in an orientation with respect to the substrates when switching to a transparent state, wherein the orientation is selected from parallel to the substrates perpendicular to the substrates, diagonal with respect to the substrates, and combinations thereof;
• a power provider in electrical connection with the at least two electrodes, wherein the power provider is adapted to provide a waveform power, wherein at least one of amplitude, frequency, and phase is adaptable, and
• wherein the at least two electrodes are in fluidic contact with the fluid, and
• wherein said optical modulator is configured for:
• applying an alternating current, such that when in the non-transparent state the alternating current is applied between the at least two electrodes on the first substrate and on the second substrate creating an alternating voltage on each substrate, thus applying an electrical field and moving particles from an electrode towards the fluid, and when in the transparent state the alternating current is applied between electrodes on the first substrate and electrodes on the second substrate, moving particles spread out towards said electrodes.