Abstract: A display device includes: an optical cell including: a first electrode; a second electrode; an ion conduction layer facing the first electrode and the second electrode and containing a mobile ion; and a first nanostructure provided between the first electrode and the ion conduction layer and being electrically connected to the first electrode. The first nanostructure has a first plasmon resonance wavelength in a visible light region and contains a first metal element. A first metal compound layer which contains the first metal element contained in the first nanostructure and has a refractive index different from a refractive index of the ion conduction layer is formed on at least a part of a surface of the first nanostructure by applying a voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: An optical deflector includes a substrate, an electrode layer on the substrate, an insulating layer at a predetermined peripheral region on the electrode layer, exposing the central region of the electrode layer. First electrode sandwiched wall is on the insulating layer. Second electrode sandwiched wall is on the insulating layer corresponding to the first electrode sandwiched wall. A pair of insulating walls is between the first electrode sandwiched wall and the second electrode sandwiched wall in enclosing to form an inner space. An outer wall encloses the pair of insulating layers, the first and the second electrode sandwiched walls at outside. A cap layer covers on the outer wall. A first liquid is filled into the inner space in contact with the electrode layer. A second liquid is filled into the inner spacer without solving to each other and forms a liquid interface.

Abstract: An illumination device is provided and has a light guide plate, a light source and a light modulator, wherein the light modulator has a pair of transparent substrates a pair of electrodes and a light modulator layer. The light modulator layer includes a first region being changed between a transparent state and a scatterable state depending on intensity of an electric field, and a second region being more transparent than the first region in a scatterable state at an electric field having a certain intensity, the electric field being applied when the first region is changed between the transparent state and the scatterable state, and an occupancy rate of the first region in the light modulator layer is increased with increase in distance from the light source.

Abstract: Lithography aperture lenses, illumination systems, and methods are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a lens includes a substantially transparent material and an electro-optical material disposed proximate the substantially transparent material, wherein the lens is a lens for an illuminator of a lithography system.

Abstract: An electro optic device includes an optical element in which a refractive index distribution, changes according to the intensity of an electric field generated therein such that an incident laser beam is scanned. First and second electrodes are provided on two opposite surfaces of the optical element. A distance between electrodes of the first and second electrodes of the optical element decreases continuously or in a stepwise manner from an emission end surface toward an incident end surface.

Abstract: A display device includes the following elements. A display has a display area and includes an electro-optic layer and a light-reflecting layer reflecting light emitted from the electro-optic layer to the viewing side of the display device, the light-reflecting layer being arranged in the display area. A plate-shaped exterior has a frame area including a portion located outside the periphery of the display. An antireflective plate continuously covers both of the display area and the frame area. The antireflective plate prevents external light, which enters the viewing side of the display device and is reflected by the light-reflecting layer or the frame area, from emerging on the viewing side.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling propagation of incident electromagnetic radiation is described, comprising a composite material having electromagnetically reactive cells of small dimension relative to a wavelength of the incident electromagnetic radiation. At least one of a capacitive and inductive property of at least one of the electromagnetically reactive cells is temporally controllable to allow temporal control of an associated effective refractive index encountered by the incident electromagnetic radiation while propagating through the composite material.

Abstract: One exemplary metamaterial is formed from a plurality of individual unit cells, at least a portion of which have a different permeability than others. The plurality of individual unit cells are arranged to provide a metamaterial having a gradient index along at least one axis. Such metamaterials can be used to form lenses, for example.

Abstract: A photorefractive device (100) and method of manufacture are disclosed. The device (100) comprises a layered structure in which one or more polymer layers (110) are interposed between a photorefractive material (106) and at least one transparent electrode layer (104). The layered structure is further interposed between a plurality of substrates (102). When a bias is applied to the device (100), the device (100) exhibits an increase in signal efficiency of approximately three to four times that of similar, but non-buffered, devices. Concurrently, the device (100) of the present disclosure utilizes approximately half the biased voltage, advantageously resulting in a longer device lifetime.

Abstract: A method of illuminating at least two illumination points by means of at least one spatial light modulator, said at least one spatial light modulator comprising a plurality of light modulators, whereby a predefined amount of energy transmitted to said points is at least partly controlled by varying the number of said light modulators illuminating said point.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for forming a flexible electro-optic film. The method comprises steps of providing a first substrate having a conductive layer formed thereon and then forming a first locating structure over the conductive layer, wherein the locating structure includes target regions and periphery regions. The surface tension of the target regions is difference from that of the periphery regions. Thereafter, an electro-optic medium placing process for forming an electro-optic droplet on each of the target regions is performed. A solidifying process for forming a capsule wall covering the electro-optic droplet on each of the target regions is performed. The first substrate is laminated with a second substrate.

Abstract: Various types of edge seals for protecting electro-optic displays against environmental contaminants are described. In one type of seal, the electro-optic layer is sandwiched between a backplane and a protective sheet and a sealing material extends between the backplane and the protective sheet. In other seals, the protective sheet is secured to the backplane or to a second protective sheet adjacent the backplane. The electro-optic layer can also be sealed between two layers of adhesive or between one layer of adhesive and the backplane. Other seals make use of flexible tapes extending around the periphery of the display.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for optical switching using nanoscale optics are disclosed herein. A nano-optics apparatus for use as an optical switch includes a metallic film having a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of cylindrical channels containing a dielectric material, the metallic film acting as an outer electrode; and an array of non-linear optical components penetrating the metallic film through the plurality of cylindrical channels, the array acting as an array of inner electrodes.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a device including a first material associated with a controllable refractive index, a second material associated with a first refractive index, and a third material disposed between the first material and the second material, the third material being substantially transparent to a plurality of visible light wavelengths and being associated with a second refractive index greater than the first refractive index. Devices according to some embodiments may be employed as a display in a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a personal digital assistant, a minicomputer, a projection television, a front projector, etc.

Abstract: An optical element (120; 220; 320; 420) includes a fluid material (104; 204; 304; 404) which is held between a first surface (106; 206; 306; 406) and a second surface (108; 208; 308; 408) and has a refractive index which is variable in response to variation of an applied field. The first surface and said second surface have respective first and second cross-sectional profiles, which vary in height when measured parallel to the optical axis of the optical element, across the respective first and second surfaces.

Abstract: A filter switching device includes: an optical filter unit that is disposed on an optical path of an object light that passes through an image pickup lens of a camera, and can be switched to any one of a plurality of spectral transmission characteristics; a spectral transmission characteristic switching unit that switches a spectral transmission characteristic of the optical filter unit to one of the plurality of spectral transmission characteristics; a filter spectral transmission characteristic information storage unit that stores filter spectral transmission characteristic information, which is information relating to each of the plurality of spectral transmission characteristics; and a filter spectral transmission characteristic information output unit that outputs filter spectral transmission characteristic information corresponding to the spectral transmission characteristic of the optical filter unit to the camera when the spectral transmission characteristic of the optical filter unit is switched.

Abstract: Mediums that are arranged opposite to an elemental-image display unit, that form two lens arrays having different principal planes together with substrates, and that switches a polarization direction of incident light corresponding to applied voltage, thereby making lens effect of either one of the lens arrays effective are included. By controlling the polarization direction synchronizing with a display timing of images to be displayed on the elemental-image display unit, the lens array to be effective is switched at each display timing, and images having different near or far direction are alternately displayed on the elemental-image display unit.

Abstract: Beam manipulation member for use in an optical tweezers system, the beam manipulation member comprising at least one optical element, being controllably deformable in order to act on a laser beam in response to signals coming from the optical tweezers system. The beam manipulation member may be used to change the focal distance of the optical tweezers system and also to deflect the laser beam.

Abstract: In a display unit which makes coherent light perform scanning on a screen to display an image, it is necessary to rotate a polygon mirror at ultrahigh speed for display of a high resolution image such as HDTV, and therefore, a high-performance polygon mirror must be employed, and further, noise and power consumption during rotation of the polygon mirror cause problems. Mirrors for multiple reflection (6a) and (6b) are inserted in a coherent light scanning optical system, whereby plural scanning lines can be obtained while one plane of the polygon mirror (5) scans one line of coherent light, leading to reduction in the rpm of the polygon mirror.

Abstract: An electro-optic deflector 51 has an electro-optic material body 519 through which an optical beam 46 is passed. The deflector has no more than three longitudinal electrodes, of which no more than two electrodes 511, 512 have arcuate transverse cross-sections. The electrodes are arranged to create an electric field substantially transverse to a direction of the optical beam to deflect the optical beam passing between the electrodes. The electro-optic deflector has particular application in a Q-switched laser for generating sub-nanosecond optical pulses.

Abstract: A highlighting method and an interaction system (100) include a switchable mirror (110) facing a first side of an item (120) having a second side facing a viewer (130); and a processor (220) configured to perform switching the mirror from a transparent or non-transparent state to a reflective state so that said first side of said item (120) becomes visible to the viewer (130) through reflection from the switchable mirror (110). A light source (170) is configured to provide incident light to the switchable mirror (110) for reflection from the switchable mirror (110) in the reflective state for illuminating the first side of the item (120).

Abstract: An electro-optic device includes first and second pixels that form first and second images, respectively. The first and second pixels are arranged alternately in a first direction. A light blocking element overlaps the pixels in plan view. The pixels are divided into pixel groups, each corresponding to every two pixels, which are one of the first pixels and one of the second pixels adjacent to each other in the first direction. The light blocking element has openings, each corresponding to one of the pixel groups and located in a region that overlaps the two pixels of the pixel group in plan view. Each first pixel has a light blocking region that partially intercepts light emitted from the first pixel. Each second pixel has a light blocking region that partially intercepts light emitted from the second pixel. The light blocking regions are positioned symmetrically to each other in plan view.

Abstract: An illumination system has a plurality of light emitters (R, G, B) and a light-collimator (1) for collimating light emitted by the light emitters. The light-collimator is arranged around a longitudinal axis (25) of the illumination system. A light-exit window (5) of the light-collimator at a side facing away from the light-emitters is provided with a translucent cover plate (11) provided with a switchable optical element (15) based on electro wetting. The light-exit window of the light-collimator or the translucent cover plate is provided with a light-dispersing structure (7) for broadening an angular distribution of the light emitted by the illumination system. The optical element (15) being switchable in a mode of operation reducing the effect of the light-dispersing structure (7). Preferably, the effect of the light-dispersing structure is substantially counteracted when the switchable optical element operates in the mode of operation reducing the effect of the light-dispersing structure.

Abstract: An electrooptic device having a simple structure that can efficiently increase deflection of a beam is provided. The device includes: an electrooptic crystal (11) having an electrooptic effect; an electrode pair of a positive electrode (12) and a negative electrode (13) for generating an electric field inside the electrooptic crystal; and a power source for applying a voltage between the electrode pair so as to generate a space charge inside the electrooptic crystal. With this arrangement, by using a simple structure, a change in a deflection angle is temporally rapid, and a large deflection angle that can not be obtained by a conventional electrooptic crystal prism can be acquired at a low applied voltage.

Abstract: A reflective electronic display includes a front light assembly with a diffuser for enlarging the viewing cone of the display. The front light may include a substrate, a plurality of optical turning features, and a diffuser formed therebetween. The haze of the diffuser may be spatially non-uniform and switchable between two or more levels.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards an electronic device including at least one electro active polymer element. The at least one electro active polymer element includes an electrode. The at least one electro active polymer element is configured to change volume when a voltage is applied to the electrode, where the change in volume results in a change in a luminous transmittance of the electro active polymer element.

Abstract: An electro-optical element includes an optical element that scans a laser beam made incident thereon when a refractive index distribution changes according to a size of an electric field generated in the inside of the electro-optical element and a first electrode and a second electrode arranged on two surfaces of the optical element opposed, to each other. At least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is a transparent electrode.

Abstract: The invention provides an electrophoretic medium comprising at least two types of particles having substantially the same electrophoretic mobility but differing colors. The invention also provides article of manufacture comprising a layer of a solid electro-optic medium, a first adhesive layer on one surface of the electro-optic medium, a release sheet covering the first adhesive layer, and a second adhesive layer on an opposed second surface of the electro-optic medium.

Abstract: A beam-steering element made of a more optically-active material, potassium tantalate niobate, with an improved diffraction efficiency, having a plurality of electrode layers and one electro-optic crystal layer interposed between every two adjacent electrode layers. Each electro-optic crystal layer and the electrode layer adjacent thereto have an aspect ratio of about 1:1. The electrode layers and the electro-optic crystal layers are interposed between two substrates. Preferably, the substrates are transparent to an incoming beam to be modulated by the electro-optic crystal layer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an oscillator based on etching a monocrystal silicon substrate, the method including a mask forming step for forming, on the monocrystal silicon substrate, an etching mask having a pattern with a repetition shape comprised of a plurality of mutually coupled oscillators each including a torsion spring between a supporting base plate and a movable member, an etching step for etching the monocrystal silicon substrate while using the etching mask as a mask, to form on the monocrystal silicon substrate a repetition shape comprised of a plurality of corresponding mutually coupled oscillators, and a dicing step for determining a width of the movable member and the supporting base plate of each of the oscillators in the repetition shape, which width is effective to determine a resonance frequency of the individual oscillators required when these are used as oscillators, and for cutting by dicing the movable member and the supporting base plate between adjoining oscillators, at the determined

Abstract: An optical element (1) is provided for generating interfacial waves by means of electro wetting. The optical element (1) comprises a fluid chamber (3) with at least one side wall and an optical axis (10). Furthermore the fluid chamber (3) includes a first fluid (A) and a second fluid (B) which are separated by an interface (4), the fluids (A,B) being immiscible. A first electro wetting electrode (2) and a second electro wetting electrode (9) are provided, the first electro wetting electrode (2) is separated from the first fluid (A) and the second fluid (B) by a fluid contact layer (8). The second electro wetting electrode (9) is arranged to act on the first fluid (A). The selected standing or running waves can be formed by providing selected voltages to the first and the second electro wetting electrodes (2,9) respectively.

Abstract: The present invention provides a display element including a layered body. The layered body includes a layered portion comprising a plurality of transparent thin films with different refractive indexes, and a plurality of electrodes which are adapted to apply an electric field to each of the plurality of transparent thin films. Each of the plurality of transparent thin films comprises a material whose thickness changes according to the electric field.

Abstract: An electrical connector to be electrically disposed between a first circuit board and a second circuit board to electrically couple the first circuit board with the second circuit board is disclosed. The electrical connector may have an electro-optic modulator to modulate optical signals based on electrical signals exchanged between the first and second circuit boards through the electrical connector. Systems incorporating such electrical connectors, and methods of using the electrical connectors and systems, such as for debug, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A display apparatus using monitoring light source is disclosed. a display apparatus includes a display light source of emitting a display beam, a monitoring light source of emitting a monitoring beam, an optical modulator of modulating the display beam and the monitoring beam to output a diffracted display beam and a diffracted monitoring beam, a scanner of scanning the diffracted display beam onto a display screen, an optical detector of receiving the diffracted monitoring beam and producing a detection signal corresponding to a quantity of light of the diffracted monitoring beam, and a controller of producing a control signal for controlling the optical signal according to an image signal, deciding a compensation value on receiving the detection signal, and producing a control signal to where that the compensation value is applied when modulating the display beam. Variation in displacement of each micro-mirror can be compensated by using a monitoring light source.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are provided for an electrooptical modulator. One method embodiment includes receiving an optical input signal to an electrooptical modulator. A first voltage input is applied to a first drive electrode associated with a first optical path in the electrooptical modulator. A second voltage input is applied to a second drive electrode associated with a second optical path in the electrooptical modulator at times alternative to applying the first voltage input to the first drive electrode.

Abstract: An output beam from a laser is directed into an acousto-optic cell. The acousto-optic cell is driven by RF voltages at four different frequencies. A portion of the laser output beam is diffracted by the acousto-optic cell at four different angles to the laser output beam. This provides four secondary beams. The magnitude of the RF voltages applied to the acousto-optic cell and the power in the laser output beam may be cooperatively varied to provide a predetermined power in each of the secondary beams. The four secondary beams are directed into four beam separating optical fibers connected to four transport optical fibers for transporting the secondary beams to a location remote from the laser. Power in the beams is monitored at the output ends of the four optical fibers for controlling the magnitude of the RF voltages. All four beams are focused into the beam-separating fibers by a single lens.

Abstract: An electro-optical modulator device and method are provided. The device comprises a light modulator unit having a first Cathode for exposing to input light; and an electric field source configured to create an electric field affecting a change in the refractive index of the first Cathode, thereby effecting a change in the propagation of light reflected from or transmitted through the first Cathode, said light from the first Cathode enabling to affect the operation of an external light sensitive electronic device.

Abstract: A display having a plurality of reflective display elements. In one embodiment, the display elements comprise at least one electrode having a plurality of active areas. In one embodiment, at least two of the sizes of the active areas are different with respect to each other, e.g., they are non-uniform in size. The interferometric modulators have a plurality of states, wherein selected ones of the interferometric modulators are configured to be actuated depending differing electrostatic forces in the interferometric modulators. The electrostatic forces in the interferometric modulators are different at least in part due to variations in the sizes of the active areas of the electrodes.

Abstract: A complex amplitude type spatial optical modulation element, with which the amount of generation of 0th-order diffraction light is low. An optical element is arranged by aligning a plurality of three dimensional cells C1(x, y) two dimensionally on an XY plane. Each individual cell is made of a light transmitting material and has a specific amplitude and a specific phase defined therein. The individual cell has a specific optical characteristic such that when predetermined incident light is provided from the upper surface of the cell, reflection emitted light, with which amplitude and phase of the incident light have been changed in accordance with the specific amplitude and the specific phase defined in the cell, is obtained from the upper surface of the cell.

Abstract: A complex amplitude type spatial optical modulation element, with which the amount of generation of 0th-order diffraction light is low. An optical element is arranged by aligning a plurality of three-dimensional cells C1(x, y) two-dimensionally on an XY plane. Each individual cell is made of a light transmitting material and has a specific amplitude and a specific phase defined therein. The individual cell has a specific optical characteristic such that when predetermined incident light is provided from the upper surface of the cell, reflection emitted light, with which amplitude and phase of the incident light have been changed in accordance with the specific amplitude and the specific phase defined in the cell, is obtained from the upper surface of the cell.

Abstract: A complex amplitude type spatial optical modulation element, with which the amount of generation of 0 th-order diffraction light is low, is provided. An optical element is arranged by aligning a plurality of three-dimensional cells C1(x, y) two-dimensionally on an XY plane. Each individual cell is made of a light transmitting material and has a specific amplitude and a specific phase defined therein. The individual cell has a specific optical characteristic such that when predetermined incident light is provided from the upper surface of the cell, reflection emitted light, with which amplitude and phase of the incident light have been changed in accordance with the specific amplitude and the specific phase defined in the cell, is obtained from the upper surface of the cell.

Abstract: A complex amplitude type spatial optical modulation element, with which the amount of generation of 0th order diffraction light is low. An optical element is arranged by aligning a plurality of three dimensional cells C1(x, y) two dimensionally on an XY plane. Each individual cell is made of a light transmitting material and has a specific amplitude and a specific phase defined therein. The individual cell has a specific optical characteristic such that when predetermined incident light is provided from the upper surface or a lower surface of the cell, transmission emitted light, with which amplitude and phase of the incident light have been changed in accordance with the specific amplitude and the specific phase defined in the cell, is obtained from the lower surface or the upper surface of the cell.

Abstract: A complex amplitude type spatial optical modulation element, with which the amount of generation of 0th-order diffraction light is low. An optical element is arranged by aligning a plurality of three dimensional cells C1(x, y) two dimensionally on an XY plane. Each individual cell is made of a light transmitting material and has a specific amplitude and a specific phase defined therein. The individual cell has a specific optical characteristic such that when predetermined incident light is provided from the upper surface of the cell, reflection emitted light, with which amplitude and phase of the incident light have been changed in accordance with the specific amplitude and the specific phase defined in the cell, is obtained from the upper surface of the cell.

Abstract: A reversible coloring and deccoloring solid-state device includes a solid-state electrolyte film and a coloring and decoloring film which colors or decolors the coloring and decoloring film reversibly by applying an electric field. A barrier thin film is inserted between the solid-state electrolyte film and the coloring and decoloring film. The barrier thin film comprises at least one layer which is formed by a material having a band gap energy, functions as a barrier for the carrier movement, and has a thickness of 7 nm to 7±2 nm which does not prevent ion conduction. The coloring and decoloring speed is 0.1 seconds to 0.3 seconds by a voltage driving.

Abstract: A micro mirror device is described. The device has a tiltable mirror plate with a reflective surface configured to reflect incident light to form a reflected light beam. A controller is configured to cause the mirror plate to tilt from an un-tilted position to an “off” position, a first “on” position, or a second “on” position. An opaque aperture structure is configured to block substantially all of a reflected light beam from reaching a display surface when the mirror plate is tilted to the “off” position, allow a first portion of a reflected light beam to pass through when the mirror plate is tilted to the first “on” position and allow a second portion of a reflected light beam to pass through when the mirror plate is tilted to the second “on” position. The tilting positions determine a brightness of display pixels.

Abstract: An optical deflector made of an electro-optic material has one or more pairs of electrodes on opposite surfaces. Each pair of electrodes defines an interaction region in which an electric field applied from the electrodes produces a linear refractive-index gradient in the direction of the electric field. An incident light beam is refracted in this direction within the interaction region. The interaction region is shaped so that the light beam is also refracted in an orthogonal direction when it enters or leaves the interaction region. The light beam is thereby deflected three-dimensionally.

Abstract: An apparatus and related methods for controlling propagation of incident radiation are described. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a composite material operable to exhibit at least one of a negative effective permittivity and a negative effective permeability for incident radiation at an operating frequency. The composite material comprises electromagnetically reactive cells of small dimension relative to a wavelength of the incident radiation. Each of the electromagnetically reactive cells comprises first and second electromagnetically reactive segments microelectromechanically movable relative to each other according to an applied control signal such that at least one of a capacitive and inductive property of the electromagnetically reactive cells is temporally controllable according to the applied control signal.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator includes a mirror plate comprising a reflective upper surface, a lower surface, and a substrate portion comprising a cavity having an opening on the lower surface, a substrate comprising an upper surface, a hinge support post in connection with the substrate, and a hinge component supported by the hinge support post and in connection with the mirror plate, and one or more landing tips configured to contact the lower surface of the mirror plate to limit rotation of the mirror plate. The hinge component includes a protrusion that is anchored in a hole in the top surface of the hinge support post and the hinge component is configured to extend into the cavity to facilitate rotation of the mirror plate.

Abstract: A scan-type optical apparatus includes a light source device that emits a laser beam, an electro-optic element that conducts scan of the laser beam emitted from the light source device by varying refractive index distribution in accordance with the level of voltage to be applied, and a light blocking member disposed on an optical path of the laser beam emitted from the electro-optic element when no voltage is applied to the electro-optic element.

Abstract: Provided is a transmissive active grating device that transmits light or diffracts light according to an applied voltage. The transmissive active grating device includes: an electro optical material layer which transmits light; a first electrode formed on a bottom surface of the electro optical material layer; and an array of a plurality of second electrodes arranged on a top surface of the electro optical material layer in parallel with each other.