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US 4,792,212 AGranted
Liquid crystal switching device
AssigneeITT Defense Communications, a division of ITT Corporation
InventorAnthony P. Baker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A liquid crystal switching device includes first and second polarization reorienting cells disposed such that a polarized component of an incident light beam is incident normal to the cell.
Claims14
A liquid crystal switching device;
- said device comprises:
- means for splitting an incident light beam into first and second polarized components;
- means, disposed normal to the path of said polarized components, for controllably reorienting the polarization of said polarized components;
- means, disposed in said path of said polarized components, for recombining said polarized components whereby said polarized components can be selectively directed to one of two different output ports;
- means for redirecting said polarized components toward said polarized component recombining means;
- and
- a comparatively narrower segment and a comparatively wider segment, said redirecting means being disposed along said comparatively narrower segment.
4 more elements
Device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said redirecting means is defined by at least one ambient/transparent member interface.
A liquid crystal switching device;
- said device comprises:
- means for splitting an incident light beam into first and second polarized components;
- means, disposed normal to the path of said polarized components, for controllably reorienting the polarization of said polarized components;
- means, disposed in said path of said polarized components, for recombining said polarized components whereby said polarized components can be selectively directed to one of two different output ports wherein
- said incident light beam splitter means includes:
- a first transparent member having a first planar surface and first and second end surfaces, said end surfaces being disposed, with respect to said first planar surface, at substantially equal included angles therewith;
- and
- a second transparent member having a first planar surface and first and second end surfaces, said end surfaces being disposed, with respect to said first planar surface of said second transparent member at substantially equal included angles therewith, said first planar surface of said second transparent member opposing said first planar surface of said first transparent member and being spaced apart therefrom by a first layer of liquid crystal material.
5 more elements
A liquid crystal switching device;
- said device comprises:
- means for splitting an incident light beam into first and second polarized components;
- means, disposed normal to the path of said polarized components, for controllably reorienting the polarization of said polarized components;
- means, disposed in said path of said polarized components, for recombining said polarized components whereby said polarized components can be selectively directed to one of two different output ports;
- means, associated with said incident light beam splitting means, for bidirectionally conveying a light signal thereto;
- and
- means associated with said polarized component recombining means for bidirectionally conveying a light signal associated therewith.
4 more elements
A liquid crystal switching matrix;
- said matrix comprises:
- a plurality of liquid crystal switching devices, each said device having a means for splitting an incident light beam into first and second polarized components, means, disposed normal to the path of said polarized components, for controllably reorienting the polarization of said polarized components, and, means for recombining said polarized components whereby said polarized components can selectively be directed from one of said devices to one of two devices proximate thereto wherein each said incident light beam splitter of each device includes:
- a first transparent member having a first planar surface and first and second end surfaces, said end surfaces being disposed with respect to said first planar surface at substantially equal included angles therewith;
- and
- a second transparent member having a first planar surface and first and second end surfaces, said end surfaces being disposed, with respect to said first planar surface of said second transparent member at substantially equal included angles therewith, said first planar surface of said second transparent member opposing said first planar surface of said first transparent member and being spaced apart thereform by a first layer of liquid crystal material.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.