Transparent laser-addressed liquid crystal light modulator cell

Abstract

A laser-addressable liquid crystal cell includes first and second transparent substrate layers forming the outer surfaces for the cell. First and second electrode layers are each formed from a transparent electrically conductive material, with the first and second electrode layers adjacent the first and second substrate layers, respectively. A smectic liquid crystal layer is disposed between the electrode layers. A three layer structure is disposed between the liquid crystal layer and the second electrode layer for absorbing infrared radiation while permitting visible radiation to pass therethrough. This structure includes a layer of radiation absorbing material, a layer selectively reflective to infrared radiation and transparent to visible radiation, and a spacer layer of dielectric material disposed therebetween.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.