Abstract: A liquid crystalline polymer lens structure includes a refractive index distribution film, a lens and a flexible substrate. The flexible substrate is laminated on the surface of the lens, and the refractive index distribution film is encapsulated inside the flexible substrate. The refractive index distribution film has a non-uniform refractive index distribution, and can design to make the liquid crystalline polymer lens structure have multi-segment or gradual variation of optical power, so as to improve the presbyopia's reading ability.

Abstract: A liquid crystal optical lens including a first and a second device substrate and a liquid crystal layer is provided. A first electrode layer and a plurality of first stacked layers are sequent stacked on the first device substrate. Each first stacked layer has a first opening exposing the first electrode layer and includes a first conductive layer and a first insulating layer located between the first conductive layer and the first electrode layer. A second electrode layer and a plurality of second stacked layers are sequent stacked on the second device substrate. Each second stacked layer has a second opening exposing the second electrode layer and including a second conductive layer and a second insulating layer located between the second conductive layer and the second electrode layer. A method for fabricating the liquid crystal optical lens and a lens apparatus using the liquid crystal optical lens are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal lenticular lens including a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer, two first electrodes, two second electrodes, and a common electrode. The second substrate and the first substrate are disposed opposite to each other. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and the liquid crystal layer has an ordinary refractive index and an extraordinary refractive index. The first electrodes and the second electrodes are disposed between the first substrate and the liquid crystal layer, and the second electrodes are disposed between the first electrodes. The common electrode is disposed between the second substrate and the liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: Provided is a geometric transformation lens which can transform a target image geometrically as desired, achieving downsizing and reducing energy consumption. Even if another target to be observed more in detail is inside the field of view, the geometric transformation lenses (20a, 20b, 20c and 20d) can magnify optically the desired region within the target projection image by supplying the magnification instruction voltage (V2,mn) to the corresponding magnifying/demagnifying electrodes (EL2,mn) simply without moving the lens itself using heavy mechanical parts motorized. This can achieve downsizing because a space for setting the existing mechanical part to control the direction of the lens and its motion can be disregarded. This also can achieve reducing energy consumption because no space is needed to move the lenses with the heavy mechanical parts.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lens grating comprising: a plurality of lens units arranged in a column, any two adjacent lens units having a transparent spacer therebetween, the transparent spacers in the column comprising odd-number spacers and even-number spacers, wherein the odd-number spacers only allow light emitted from first images to transmit through to a first viewing area, and the even-number spacers only allow light emitted from second images to transmit through to a second viewing area The lens units are adapted to refract the light emitted from the first images and the light emitted from the second images respectively to the first viewing area and the second viewing area. A display device is also disclosed, the display device comprising the above lens grating and a display module.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens is provided and includes a first electrode, a second electrode disposed opposite to the first electrode, and a liquid crystal layer, including liquid crystal molecules having refractive anisotropy, disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the liquid crystal molecules being changed in alignment depending on voltage applied by the first electrode and the second electrode, thereby to form such a phase difference distribution that phase difference with respect to an incident beam of a fundamental wavelength varies from 0 to 2?? along the predetermined direction, ? being an integer of 2 or more, and to yield such a lens effect that focal lengths for a plurality of incident beams of different wavelengths including the fundamental wavelength are equal to one another.

Abstract: This invention relates to an optical element for the purpose of identification and/or prevention of forgery or copying, including at least one layer with anisotropic optical properties, wherein the anisotropic optical properties are patterned, characterized in that the pattern represents biometric information. In addition, this invention relates to a method for the preparation of an optical element for the purpose of identification and/or prevention of forgery or copying.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lenticular lens includes a first transparent substrate, a second transparent substrate, a first transparent electrode, a second transparent electrode, a liquid crystal layer, a first alignment layer, a second alignment layer and a first electric field uniformizing layer. The first transparent electrode includes a plurality of first electrode bars disposed along a first direction and in parallel, and the first direction is non-parallel and non-perpendicular to the edges of the first transparent substrate. The first electric field uniformizing layer is disposed between the first alignment layer and the first transparent electrode or between the second alignment layer and the second transparent electrode.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens and a 3D display device are provided. The liquid crystal lens comprises a lower substrate, an upper substrate disposed opposite to the lower substrate and a common substrate disposed between the upper substrate and the lower substrate. A plurality of first lenses are disposed between the lower substrate and the common substrate, each of the first lenses only converging light component of the incident natural light in a first polarization direction. A plurality of second lenses are disposed between the upper substrate and the common substrate, each of the second lenses only converging the light component of the incident natural light in a second polarization direction different from the first polarization direction. The 3D display device of the invention can reduce loss of light energy and enhance display luminance of the 3D display device as a whole.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer, a plurality of first main electrodes, and a plurality of second main electrodes. The second substrate is disposed opposite to the first substrate. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first main electrodes are disposed on a surface of the first substrate adjacent to the liquid crystal layer. Any two adjacent first main electrodes define a first gap therebetween. The second main electrodes are disposed on a surface of the second substrate adjacent to the liquid crystal layer. Any two adjacent second main electrodes define a second gap therebetween. A vertical projection of each first main electrode on the surface of the second substrate overlaps at least two adjacent second main electrodes to form overlapping portions of the at least two second main electrodes, respectively.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid crystal lens module, comprising a liquid crystal lens; a first polarizing sheet located at a lower surface of the liquid crystal lens; and a second polarizing sheet located at an upper surface of the liquid crystal lens, wherein the polarizing axis of the first polarizing sheet is parallel with that of the second polarizing sheet. Because of different orientations and horizontal twisting and the like of the liquid crystal molecules within the liquid crystal lens, polarizing direction of some of the polarized light transmitting through the first polarizing sheet, after being converged by the liquid crystal lens, may be changed, while the second polarizing sheet may filter out the polarized light whose polarizing direction has been changed, thus the crosstalk of the liquid crystal lens during a 3D display, caused by the polarized light whose polarizing direction has been changed, is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal lens for a 3D display, which includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer, a first electrode layer, and a first alignment layer. The second substrate is disposed corresponding to the first substrate. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first electrode layer is disposed on a side of the first substrate facing the second substrate. The first alignment layer is disposed on the first electrode layer. The first alignment layer has a plurality of first regions, and alignment directions of the first regions gradually change from one end to an opposite end and are symmetrical. A manufacturing method thereof is also disclosed.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens panel includes a first substrate including a lens area, a non-lens area disposed adjacent to the lens area, and a cutting area disposed adjacent to the non-lens area and including a liquid crystal driving part, a second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, where the liquid crystal driving part applies a liquid crystal driving voltage to the liquid crystal layer through the non-lens area, and liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer are driven substantially in a vertical direction by the liquid crystal driving voltage.

Abstract: There is provided in one embodiment an imaging apparatus having a lens assembly. The lens assembly can comprises a lens element having a first light transmissive substrate and a second light transmissive substrate, the first light transmissive substrate including a first electrode, the second light transmissive substrate including a second electrode. The lens element can further comprise liquid crystal material intermediate the first light transmissive substrate and the second light transmissive substrate.

Abstract: A 2D and 3D switchable display device includes a display panel, and a liquid crystal lens disposed on the display panel. The liquid crystal lens includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a first electrode, a second electrode, an insulating layer, a liquid crystal layer, and a third electrode. The first electrode, disposed on one side of the first substrate facing the second substrate, has a slit. The second electrode is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and substantially corresponding to the slit of the first substrate.

Abstract: A display apparatus that includes a light amount adjustment section includes a lens provided corresponding to a light receiving region of a photo-sensor element. The light amount adjustment section varies the focus position of the lens with respect to the light receiving region of the photo-sensor element to adjust the amount of light to be introduced to the light receiving region.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a liquid crystal lens, a manufacturing method thereof, a manufacturing apparatus and a 3D display device. The manufacturing method of a liquid crystal lens, comprising: obtaining an actual effective refractive index profile of a liquid crystal layer by simulating, and the liquid crystal layer having an initial pretilt angle; determining a difference region in which a difference exists between a predefined standard pretilt angle and the initial pretilt angle of liquid crystal in the liquid crystal layer and a non-difference region, according to standard and actual effective refractive index profiles; simulating an orientation of the liquid crystal in the difference region of the liquid crystal lens, and determining the standard pretilt angle of the liquid crystal in the difference region; and irradiating the liquid crystal in the liquid crystal lens for alignment.

Abstract: A liquid-crystal-lens type light-modulating apparatus and a liquid crystal display having the same are disclosed.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, there are provided a lens panel, a method for manufacturing the same and a 3D display device. The lens panel comprises: a first transparent substrate; a second transparent substrate, disposed opposite to the first transparent substrate; positive electrodes and negative electrodes, which are in a strip shape, and disposed on a side of the first transparent substrate opposed to the second transparent substrate parallel to each other and alternately; a second transparent liquid and a first transparent liquid filled between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate in this order from the second transparent substrate to the first transparent substrate, the first transparent liquid and the second transparent liquid being immiscible, and reflectance of the first transparent liquid being larger than reflectance of the second transparent liquid.

Abstract: Provided are a liquid crystal lens which controls an optical path, and a display including the liquid crystal lens. The liquid crystal lens includes a first and a second electrode which face each other, a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and has flat top and bottom surfaces, and a dielectric layer interposed between the second electrode and the liquid crystal layer, where the dielectric layer includes a first and a second dielectric sub-layer, the first dielectric sub-layer made of a material having a different dielectric constant from that of the second dielectric sub-layer, the first dielectric sub-layer includes one or more unit patterns, a surface of each of the unit patterns includes a plurality of flat sections, and a height of each of the unit patterns in a first flat section is different from the height thereof in a second flat section.

Abstract: A stereoscopic image display device includes a first liquid crystal lens to convert a light component of a first direction in a non-polarized light source into a first output light of the first direction, and to output the first output light; a second liquid crystal lens to convert a light component of a second direction in the non-polarized light source into a second output light of the first direction; and a display panel below the first liquid crystal lens and second liquid crystal lens.

Abstract: Provided is a glass substrate for a liquid crystal lens, comprising, as a glass composition in terms of mol %, 45 to 75% of SiO2, 5 to 15% of Al2O3, 0 to 15% of B2O3, 0 to 15% of MgO, and 0 to 15% of CaO, and having a thickness of 400 ?m or less.

Abstract: A camera module includes a lens module having a lens holder having a top surface, a bottom surface, a side surface and a through hole through the top surface and the bottom surface, a liquid crystal lens, wires, and a driving unit, a PCB, and solder balls. The liquid crystal lens is received in the through hole. The wires are arranged on the top surface and the side surface. One end of each wire is electrically connected to the liquid crystal lens, and the other end includes a solder terminal on the side surface. The driving unit drives the liquid crystal lens. The PCB includes a rigid print circuit board supporting the lens holder and a flexible print circuit board having a free end bent toward the side surface. The solder balls interconnect the solder terminals and the free end.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens is disclosed, comprising a plurality of lens units, wherein each lens unit comprises a first substrate, a second substrate opposite to the first substrate, a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, an insulating layer disposed on the first substrate, and a first electrode and a first floating electrode disposed at opposite sides of the insulating layer, wherein the first electrode comprises a first portion neighboring a first side of the lens unit and a second portion neighboring a second side of the lens unit, and the first floating electrode comprises a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion of the first floating electrode is partially overlapped with the first portion of the first electrode, and the second portion of the first floating electrode is partially overlapped with the second portion of the first electrode

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens includes a first liquid crystal cell, a second liquid crystal cell, and an intermediate layer sandwiched therebetween. The first liquid crystal cell includes a pair of a first transparent substrate and a second transparent substrate, a first liquid crystal layer, and a first electrode. The second liquid crystal cell includes a pair of a third transparent substrate and a fourth transparent substrate, a second liquid crystal layer aligned in a direction perpendicular to the first liquid crystal layer, and a second electrode. The intermediate layer includes a high dielectric constant layer and a third electrode including one or a plurality of opening portions.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens structure and an electrical controlling liquid crystal glasses structure are disclosed. The liquid crystal lens structure includes first electrode layer, compositing layer, second electrode layer and third electrode layer. The compositing layer includes first alignment layer, first liquid crystal layer, including thin-film layer, second liquid crystal layer and second alignment layer. The first alignment layer is disposed on the first electrode layer. The first liquid crystal layer is disposed on the first alignment layer. The compositing thin-film layer includes liquid crystal and polymer material and the compositing thin-film layer is disposed on the first liquid crystal layer. The second liquid crystal layer is disposed on the compositing thin-film layer. The second alignment layer is disposed on the second liquid crystal layer. The second electrode layer is disposed on the second alignment layer. The third electrode layers are disposed on the second electrode layer.

Abstract: A camera module and method for focusing a tunable lens configured to continuously vary its optical power in response to a drive signal. A drive circuit generates the drive signal so that the tunable lens performs a continuous scan of its optical power. An image sensor is configured to acquire light images passing through the tunable lens, and to convert the light images to image signals during the continuous scan. A processor is configured to generate focus scores of the acquired light images using the image signals during the continuous scan. The processor is configured to determine from the focus scores a peak focus score achieved or achievable, and to instruct the drive circuit to adjust the drive signal so that the tunable lens settles at a value of the optical power that corresponds to the peak focus score.

Abstract: The present invention relates to stereoscopic image display device which can compensate mismatch of bonding between a switchable panel and a liquid crystal panel. The stereoscopic image display device includes a liquid crystal panel for forwarding a 2D image, a switchable panel formed on the liquid crystal panel to have n (where n is 2 or greater than 2) first electrodes in correspondence to one switchable region for forwarding the 2D image in a 3D image upon application of a voltage thereto, and a voltage generating unit having n voltage sources for applying voltages to the n first electrodes, independently.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens includes: a first substrate; a second substrate disposed facing the first substrate and separated from the first substrate by a predetermined distance; a first electrode on an inner surface of the first substrate; a second electrode on an inner surface of the second substrate, the second electrode including a first opening that has a first width; a third electrode on the second electrode, the third electrode including a second opening that has a second width; and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and third electrodes.

Abstract: An image display device includes a display panel, a first substrate over the display panel, a plurality of first electrodes on the first substrate, a plurality of second electrodes alternately arranged with the plurality of first electrodes, a second substrate facing the first substrate, a replica layer on the second substrate and having a concave pattern of half-cylinder shape, the concave pattern facing the second electrode, and a liquid crystal layer in the concave pattern.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens optical body that is available to a rapid response, the liquid crystal lens optical body having a first liquid crystal lens in which a liquid crystal layer is held between first electrodes, the first liquid crystal lens changing optical power by controlling orientation condition of liquid crystal molecules based on an input signal to the electrodes, and a second liquid crystal lens in which a liquid crystal layer is held between second electrodes, the second liquid crystal lens changing optical power by controlling orientation condition of liquid crystal molecules based on the input signal to the electrodes, the first and second liquid crystal lenses provided on an optical axis. In each liquid crystal lens, a response characteristic when the optical power undergoes a transition from a large condition thereof to a small condition thereof is different from a response characteristic when the optical power undergoes a transition from a small condition thereof to a large condition thereof.

Abstract: A display device includes a first polarizer for transmitting first light that is parallel to a first axis and pertains to a two-dimensional image. The display device further includes a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The liquid crystal layer includes a chiral dopant and a liquid crystal material and is configured to form a lens associated with a predetermined phase distribution. The lens is configured for refracting the first light to transmit second light. The display device further includes a second polarizer for polarizing the second light to transmit third light that is parallel to a second axis. The second axis is oriented at an angle with respect to the first axis in a plan view of the display device. The angle has a predetermined angle size greater than zero degree.

Abstract: An adaptive liquid crystal lens system comprising a first substrate assembly, a second substrate assembly having a continuous phase profile, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and second substrate assemblies. The first substrate assembly includes a first transparent substrate, an alignment layer, and a first conductive layer. The first conductive layer is disposed on the bottom surface of the first transparent substrate and adjacent to the top surface of the alignment layer. The second substrate assembly includes a second transparent substrate, a lens having a grooved surface, and a second conductive layer. The second conductive layer is a continuous layer adjacent to the lens. The liquid crystal layer is received in the grooves of the lens, and is adjacent to the bottom surface of the alignment layer. The alignment layer causes the liquid crystal material in the liquid crystal layer to be in a homeotropic state.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an auto-stereoscopic display and a liquid crystal lens (LC lens) unit. The LC lens unit orderly consists of a concave lens, a birefringence LC convex lens, and a conductive layer from an emitting surface to an incident surface. The birefringence LC convex lens, embedded in the concave lens, has both a ordinary refractive index and a extraordinary refractive index. The conductive layer has a plurality of control electrodes which generate an electric field to adjust an alignment of LC molecules of the birefringence LC convex lens for adjusting the equivalent refractive index of the birefringence LC convex lens to make the equivalent refractive index between the refractive index of the concave lens and the extraordinary refractive index of the birefringence LC convex lens. The aim is to compensate a viewer for a refraction angle of light that the human eye requires when the viewer observes an auto-stereoscopic display with different distances.

Abstract: A display apparatus and a liquid crystal lens are provided. The display apparatus includes a display panel and a liquid crystal lens. The liquid crystal lens includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer, a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, a third electrode layer, and an insulating layer. The liquid crystal layer is between the first and second substrates. The first electrode layer is between the first substrate and the liquid crystal layer. The second electrode layer is between the second substrate and the liquid crystal layer. The third electrode layer is between the second electrode layer and the second substrate. The liquid crystal layer is driven by the first, second, and third electrode layers and has a refractive index that is first decreased and then increased to define a lens unit. The insulating layer is between the second and third electrode layers.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens including a first substrate, a first electrode layer, a liquid crystal layer and a second electrode layer is provided. The second electrode layer includes a plurality of first electrode patterns and a plurality of second electrode patterns. The second electrode patterns are opposite to the first electrode patterns, respectively, and the second electrode patterns and the first electrode patterns are alternately arranged. A square measure of first or second electrode patterns decreases from an edge of the liquid crystal lens to a center of the liquid crystal lens, so that a resistance of the first or second electrode patterns increases from the edge to the center of the liquid crystal lens.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens panel includes a first substrate including a first base substrate and a first electrode layer disposed on the first base substrate; a second substrate including a second base substrate facing the first base substrate and a second electrode layer disposed on a surface of the second base substrate, the second substrate facing the first base substrate; and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The liquid crystal layer has a refractive index of about 0.2 to about 0.29 and a dielectric constant of about 5.5 F/m to about 10 F/m.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a liquid crystal lens, a controlling method thereof and a 3-Dimensional (3D) display using the same. The liquid crystal lens includes a pair of electrode structures which are arranged apart from each other; and a liquid crystal layer which is arranged between the pair of electrode structures and includes a plurality of liquid crystal molecules aligned in an initial aligning direction in which the liquid crystal layer has a non-lens effect. The pair of electrode structures are arranged to generate a first electric field which is used to change aligning directions of the liquid crystal molecules to make the liquid crystal layer have a lens effect. The pair of electrode structures are further arranged to generate a second electric field which is used to make the liquid crystal molecules revert to the initial aligning direction.

Abstract: A tunable liquid crystal optical device defining an optical aperture and having a layered structure. The device includes a film electrode formed on a surface of a first substrate and covered by a second substrate, and a contact structure filling a volume within the layered structure and contacting the film electrode. The contact structure is located outside of the optical aperture and provides an electrical connection surface much larger than a thickness of the film electrode, such that reliable electrical connections may be made to the electrode, particularly in the context of wafer scale manufacturing of such a device.

Abstract: A variable optical device for controlling the propagation of light has a liquid crystal layer (1), electrodes (4) arranged to generate an electric field acting on the liquid crystal layer, and an electric field modulation layer (3,71) arranged between the electrodes and adjacent the liquid crystal layer for spatially modulating said electric field in a manner to control the propagation of light passing through said optical device. The electric field modulation layer has either an optical index of refraction that is essentially spatially uniform, or a polar liquid or gel, or a very high low frequency dielectric constant material having a dielectric constant greater than 20, and preferably greater than 1000.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image display device includes a liquid crystal lens device and an image display unit. The liquid crystal lens device includes a liquid crystal optical element unit. The liquid crystal optical element unit includes a first substrate unit, a second substrate unit and a liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal layer is provided between the first and second substrate units. The liquid crystal layer has an alignment twisted by an angle not less than 5 degrees and not more than 45 degrees along a normal axis of a major surface of the first substrate unit. The image display unit includes a display unit. The second substrate unit is disposed between the first substrate unit and the display unit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a liquid-crystal lens including: a plurality of first electrodes; a second electrode placed to be opposed to the first electrodes; and a liquid-crystal layer provided between the first electrodes and the second electrode. The first electrodes each receiving a relatively low voltage applied thereto are provided more adjacently to each other than the first electrodes each receiving a relatively high voltage applied thereto.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, manufacture, circuit, composition of matter, and/or user interface adapted for and/or resulting from, and/or a method and/or machine-readable medium comprising machine-implementable instructions for, activities that can comprise and/or relate to, switch a diffractive first electro-active lens from a first power state corresponding to a first optical power to a second power state corresponding to a second optical power that differs from said first optical power.

Abstract: A zoom lens array, including a liquid crystal layer, a first strip electrode, and a second strip electrode, is provided. The liquid crystal layer has a plurality of zoom regions. The first strip electrode is disposed on an upper side of the liquid crystal layer and located at the boundary between the zoom regions. The second strip electrode is disposed on a lower side of the liquid crystal layer and located at the boundary between the zoom regions. The first strip electrode and the second strip electrode are alternatively arranged. Moreover, a switchable two and three dimensional display with the above zoom lens array is also provided.

Abstract: A varifocal lens including a first liquid crystal layer; a first electrode portion disposed below the first liquid crystal layer and having a flat shape; a first non-uniform electric field generator which generates a non-uniform electric field in the first liquid crystal layer together with the first electrode portion, and the first non-uniform electric field generator including a second electrode portion having a flat shape.

Abstract: A display apparatus and a liquid crystal lens are provided. The display apparatus includes a display panel and a liquid crystal lens. The liquid crystal lens includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a liquid crystal layer, a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, a third electrode layer, and an insulating layer. The liquid crystal layer is between the first and second substrates. The first electrode layer is between the first substrate and the liquid crystal layer. The second electrode layer is between the second substrate and the liquid crystal layer. The third electrode layer is between the second electrode layer and the second substrate. The liquid crystal layer is driven by the first, second, and third electrode layers and has a refractive index that is first decreased and then increased to define a lens unit. The insulating layer is between the second and third electrode layers.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens electrically driven and stereoscopy display device using the same are disclosed, by which a thickness of a liquid crystal layer provided to the liquid crystal lens electrically driven is reduced in a manner of applying fresnel lens within a pitch anisotropically.

Abstract: Disclosed are an electrically-driven liquid crystal lens which includes a light shade to be switched on/off according to whether or not voltage is applied, reducing a cell gap of a liquid crystal layer, and a stereoscopic display device using the same, the electrically-driven liquid crystal lens includes first and second substrates opposite each other and each including plural lens regions and a light shade provided at a boundary of each lens region, first electrodes formed in a given direction on the first substrate in each lens region, a second electrode formed on the second substrate and having an aperture corresponding to the light shade, first and second light shade switching electrodes formed at the light shade and extending parallel to the first electrodes, a liquid crystal layer between both the substrates, and a polarizer plate formed above the second substrate and having a first transmission axis.

Abstract: Provided are a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal lens which, even with the use of a thin sheet glass as a glass sheet for dividing a liquid crystal layer, can reduce the likelihood of breakage of the thin sheet glass in the production process and the liquid crystal lens. A mother liquid crystal lens having a plurality of liquid crystal lens units arrayed in a longitudinal direction thereof is cut for each of the liquid crystal lens units to separate out the liquid crystal lens units and thus manufacture respective liquid crystal lenses 10. Longitudinally extending side surfaces 13c, 13d, 14c, and 14d of glass ribbons which provide thin sheet glasses 13 and 14 have an outwardly bulging curved shape in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a liquid crystal lens with a variable focal length. The gradient profile of the liquid crystals molecules that causes the gradient profile of the refractive index is achieved by inducing non-uniformly distributed anchoring energy and an external electric or magnetic field applied to the liquid crystal layer. Unlike existing electrically controlled liquid crystal lens, the external electric or magnetic field has a uniform spatial distribution within the liquid crystal layer. The focal length of the liquid crystal lens is controlled via the non-uniformly distributed anchoring energy and by varying the uniformly distributed electric or magnetic field.