Electrically reconfigurable optical devices

A method for forming a reconfigurable optical device for diffracting an incident light wave (B) comprising at least the steps of

• forming a first transparent driving electrode structure (ES1) consisting of several electrode zones arranged in a manner that said electrode zones are capable of receiving voltages for generating electric field or fields;
• forming a layer of dielectric and transparent viscoelastic material (G) on the top or opposing said first electrode structure (ES1) and capable of being deformed in local thickness in response to said electric field/s,
• so that when the incident light wave (B) passes through said viscoelastic material (G), the light wave (B) experiences diffraction according to the local variations in the thickness of the layer of said viscoelastic material (G),
• characterized in that the individual electrode zones in said first electrode structure (ES1) are arranged to comply with one of the following alternatives:
• said electrode zones of said first electrode structure (ES1) are grouped into groups composed of two or more adjacent electrode zones, and within each of said groups, individual electrode zones are supplied each with a substantially different voltage, or
• said electrode zones of said first electrode structure (ES1) are substantially annular, elliptical, rectangular or polygonal closed-loop electrodes arranged within each other according to their diameter, and said closed-loop electrode zones are supplied all with a substantially same voltage, or some or each of said electrode zones are supplied with individually different voltages.