Self-powered optically addressed spatial light modulator

A self-powered light activated spatial light modulator occupying a given planar area, comprising:

• photovoltaic/photodiode light sensitive means covering the planar area of said modulator, said light sensitive means having first and second spaced surfaces across which a voltage/current is generated when said photovoltaic light sensitive means is subjected to writing light means,
• liquid crystal means having first and second surfaces, said first surface of said liquid crystal means being in electrical contact with said first surface of said light sensitive means,
• resistance path means effectively shunting at least one of said light sensitive means or said liquid crystal means,
• whereby writing light means may operate to activate selected portions of said light sensitive means, thus causing a voltage/current to be generated in said selected portions of said light sensitive means, and thereby causing said liquid crystal means to be activated in portions thereof corresponding to said selected portions of said light sensitive means.

A light activated spatial light modulator requiring no externally applied electrical power and occupying a multi-PEL matrix area, comprising;

• two light transparent layers of electrically conducting material covering said multi-PEL matrix area,
• a liquid crystal layer and a voltage/current generating light sensitive layer sandwiched between said two conducting layers and covering said multi-PEL matrix area,
• electrical conductor means providing a short circuit interconnecting said two conducting layers, and
• resistance path means effectively shunting said liquid crystal layer and/or said light sensitive layer,
• such that selective light activation of PEL areas within said light sensitive layer causes a localized voltage/current to be generated in said selectively activated PEL areas, and thus causes the corresponding PEL areas of said liquid crystal layer to be charged by said generated voltage/current.

A light activated light modulator requiring no externally applied electrical power and occupying a single-PEL area, comprising:

• two light transparent layers of electrically conducting material covering said area,
• a liquid crystal layer and a voltage/current generating light sensitive layer sandwiched between said two conducting layers and covering said area,
• a light transparent and electrically conductive layer interposed between said liquid crystal layer and said voltage/current generating light sensitive layer,
• electrical conductor means providing a short circuit interconnecting said two conducting layers, and
• resistance path means effectively shunting one or both of said light sensitive layer and said liquid crystal layer,
• such that activation of any portion within the area of said light sensitive layer causes a localized voltage/current to be generated thereat, and thus causes the entire area of said liquid crystal layer to be charged by said generated voltage/current by operation of said light transparent and electrically conductive layer.

A light activated light modulator requiring no externally applied electrical power, comprising:

• two light transparent layers of electrically conducting material,
• liquid crystal means and voltage/current generating light sensitive means sandwiched between said two conducting layers,
• said voltage/current generating means comprising one or more P-I-N layers, the number of said P-I-N layers being selected to match the voltage/current generating characteristics of said voltage/current generating means to the like requirements of said liquid crystal means,
• electrical conductor means providing a short circuit interconnecting said two conducting layers, and
• resistance path means effectively shunting said liquid crystal means and/or said light sensitive means.