Field generating nanoparticles doped in light valves
AssigneeThe Unites States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
InventorsGary Cook, Dean R. Evans
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method for automatically activating an optical light valve. The method includes providing a photorefractive cell having a birefringent medium which is doped with nanoparticles and transmitting light through the photorefractive cell to create an electric field in the photorefractive cell such that the alignment state of the birefringent medium and nanoparticles is changed to thereby reduce the intensity of the light being transmitted therethrough, wherein the intensity of light is reduces without an external power source.
Claims19
A method for automatically activating an optical light valve, the method comprising:
- providing a photorefractive cell having a birefringent medium which is doped with nanoparticles;
- transmitting light through the photorefractive cell to create an electric field in the photorefractive cell such that the alignment state of the birefringent medium and nanoparticles is changed to thereby reduce the intensity of the light being transmitted therethrough,
- wherein the intensity of light is reduced by dispersing the light without an external power source.
A method for automatically activating an optical light valve, the method comprising:
- providing a photorefractive cell having a birefringent medium which is doped with nanoparticles;
- positioning the photorefractive cell between first and second crossed polarizers;
- transmitting light through the photorefractive cell to create an electric field in the photorefractive cell such that the alignment state of the birefringent medium and nanoparticles is changed thereby negating the polarization rotation property and causing the light to be blocked by the second polarizer,
- wherein the intensity of light is reduced without an external power source.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.