US 12,421,453 B2 · Cationic gettering in liquid crystal NCAP and PDLC films

Abstract

An electro-optic modulator is disclosed. The electro-optic modulator includes a modulator material film layer. The modulator material film layer includes a polymer matrix. Liquid crystals and getter molecules are dispersed within the polymer matrix. The liquid crystals are configured to modulate light transmissivity through the electro-optic modulator. The getter molecules capture or coordinate with cationic impurities present within the polymer matrix. By gettering the cationic impurities, switching of the device at modulated low frequencies are improved as well as a reduction on the switching voltage of the device. Three classes of getter molecules have been so far demonstrated to work: inorganic ion traps (dihydrogen ammonium phosphate), organic cation traps (EDTA), and organic ion extractors (nicotinic acid). An amount for the getter molecules may be 0.01 to 1.0 percent by weight of the polymer matrix.

Claims11

Dependent claims

An electro-optic modulator comprising:

a polymer matrix formed by cross-linking a plurality of polymer molecules;
a plurality of liquid crystal molecules dispersed within the polymer matrix;
and
a plurality of getter molecules dispersed within the polymer matrix, wherein the plurality of getter molecules and the polymer matrix are each soluble in a solvent, wherein the plurality of getter molecules are insoluble in the plurality of liquid crystal molecules, wherein each of the plurality of getter molecules include a cation and an anion configured to getter one or more cationic impurities disposed within the polymer matrix, wherein the plurality of getter molecules comprises one of a nicotinic acid, a nicotinate, or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Cationic gettering in liquid crystal NCAP and PDLC films

Life of this patent

Cationic gettering in liquid crystal NCAP and PDLC films

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11