Abstract: A three-dimensional photonic crystal includes a first region including a first layer, a second layer, a third layer, a fourth layer and a second region including the first layer, the second layer, the third layer, the fourth layer, and additional layers including discrete structures spaced from each other. The horizontal interval and the vertical interval of the rod-shaped structures in the first region are the same as those of the rod-shaped structures in the second region, respectively.

Abstract: An iono-refractive structure that includes one or more ion insertion layers having a real portion and an imaginary portion of the dielectric constant is provided. While both the real portion and the imaginary portion of the dielectric constant change, the change in the imaginary portion is less than the change in the real portion at the wavelength of interest or at the operational wavelength. The iono-refractive structure may be suitable for the fabrication of or integration with tunable optical filters, wavelength-selective optical elements, active modulated interferometers, optical phase shifters, optical phased array beam steering, optical phased array beam tracking, tunable optical filters, sensors, variable lenses, tunable diffraction gratings, and other optical components.

Abstract: A system and method utilize an optical element that receives an electrical field, which changes an index of refraction in at least one direction within the optical element. The change in index of refraction imparts a change to a beam of radiation passing through the optical element. A material used to form the optical element exhibits characteristics, such that wavelengths of the beam of radiation above about 155 nanometers are transmitted through the optical element with little or not absorption or attenuation.

Abstract: The optical element includes photonic crystals respectively having different optical characteristics. These photonic crystals are formed in a plurality of regions on a single substrate. The optical element has a structure in which two or more kinds of media are nearly periodically deposited on one-dimensionally periodical grooves. Further, the grooves are different in direction according to locations on the deposited surface. A variety of optical elements each having different dependencies on polarization according to locations can be obtained. That is, portions or zones different in optical characteristics can be integrated on a single substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to optical devices. More specifically, the disclosed devices include a film defining a periodic array of surface elements so as to give rise to surface plasmon polaritons. The film also includes at least a single aperture having a diameter less than the wavelength of light. In one embodiment, the surface elements can be an array of anisotropic apertures and the films can act as a polarizer. The disclosed devices can also include a material having a variable refractive index substantially adjacent to the metal film. For example, the refractive index of the adjacent material can vary according to some characteristic of the light incident to the device, for instance, the intensity or the angle of incidence of the light. In this embodiment, resonant coupling of incident light with the SPP, and hence transmittivity of the device, can depend upon the nature of incident light.

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. Each electromagnetically reactive cell comprises a metallic element and a substrate. An electron population within the substrate near the metallic element 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 said composite material.

Abstract: A PDLC modulator is fabricated using at least one a selection of specially-formulated UV curable organic hard coatings as a protective layer on the exposed side of polyester (Mylar) film. The hard coatings of various related types show good adhesion on a polyester film substrate, superior hardness and toughness, and have a slippery top surface, which minimizes unnecessary wear. The coating as applied on the modulator surface significantly reduces scratch damage on modulators caused by unexpected particles on the panels under test. In addition, the slip surface will reduce stickiness to particles and therefore also reduce the possibility of panel damage.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for enhancing functionality for photonic devices each including at least one operable surface. This method includes stacking the photonic devices such that each of the operable surfaces are aligned to form a composite surface, applying a film adapted to receive a replication to the composite surface and replicating a pattern of nanostructures in the applied film. Substantially, each of the operable surfaces is replicated with a sufficient portion of the replicated pattern of nanostructures to enhance operation of the devices by performing a given function associated with the nanostructures.

Abstract: An electro-optic (EO) device having a high-resistivity semiconducting crystal and a method of operating such a device. The local shielding of the externally applied field lowers the EO effect, which can be partially or completely inhibited particularly in the low-frequency regime, i.e., less than about 105 Hz. By holding a high-resistivity semiconducting crystal at a suitable temperature, EO response and efficiency are improved, in particular for light signals that are non-modulated or modulated at low frequencies. Preferably, the temperature at which the semiconducting crystal is held during functioning is between 50 and 150° C. Enhancement of the EO effect has been demonstrated also for EO devices operating at relatively large optical powers, i.e., larger than about 0.1 mW.

Abstract: A plurality of film formation layers where film formation patterns are formed, respectively, interlayer films which are formed between the plurality of film formation layers, respectively, a plurality of sub-interlayer-film wiring patterns, which are formed in film formation layers beneath the planarized interlayer films of the interlayer films, a plurality of contact holes formed in the planarized interlayer films in order to connect the plurality of sub-interlayer-film wiring patterns and the film formation patterns of layers above the planarized interlayer films, and one or more dummy patterns which are formed on a plurality of positions under the plurality of contact holes and which are formed in one or more film formation layers under the plurality of sub-interlayer-film wiring patterns, respectively so as to control the positions of the surfaces of the plurality of sub-interlayer-film wiring patterns.

Abstract: An apparatus, including a substrate, where at least a portion of the substrate has a convex surface, and a photonic crystal disposed over the convex surface. The photonic crystal is substantially conformal to at least a portion of the convex surface.

Abstract: A method for preparing electro-optical polymer-liquid crystal photonic crystals, comprising: disposing between at least two optically transparent electrode plates, a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal material that comprises, before exposure: (a) a polymerizable monomer comprising at least one acrylate; (b) a liquid crystal; (c) a chain-extending monomer; (d) a coinitiator; (e) a photoinitiator; and (f) a long chain aliphatic acid; and exposing this polymer-dispersed liquid crystal material to light in an interference pattern.

Abstract: A plurality of film formation layers on which respective film formation patterns are formed; interlayer films formed among the plurality of film formation layers; test element patterns formed in test element formation regions with the same material as that of each film formation pattern of at least one film formation layer among the plurality of film formation layers; openings formed in the test element formation regions of an interlayer film of a planarized uppermost layer, thereby exposing a pair of pads connected to the test element patterns; and dummy patterns formed below the corresponding one of the pair of pads with the same material as that of each of the film formation patterns of predetermined film formation layers among the plurality of film formation layers, thereby defining the vertical locations of the pads and the contact holes, etc. in the test element formation regions.

Abstract: An optical apparatus and method are provided for controlling the polarization of light. An incoming beam is directed at a photonic crystal. The photonic crystal is designed to act as a transmission quarter-waveplate or half-waveplate; as a reflection waveplate; or as a polarizer. In addition, the photonic crystal may be designed to accomplish phase matching in nonlinear optical mixing processes, as well as obtaining other selected effects upon incoming beams having known polarizations.

Abstract: A light regulating device and photonic crystal display device utilizing bandgap controls including a photonic crystal including a material that is capable of varying its refractive index in accordance with an electric field, the photonic crystal having a photonic bandgap in a specific frequency range; and an upper transparent electrode and a lower transparent electrode arranged on an upper side and a lower side of the photonic crystal, respectively, to which a voltage is applied, wherein a size of the photonic bandgap of the photonic crystal is controlled by the voltage applied between the upper transparent electrode and the lower transparent electrode. With the present invention, a reflection-type or penetration-type display is available which has a simple pixel structure, a high light efficiency, and a high color contrast ratio, the display using high reflection factors depending on color ranges of a photonic crystal.

Abstract: A grating coupled surface plasmon resonance optical modulator is disclosed. A electro-optic polymer dielectric is deposited on the metallic surface of a diffraction grating to provide a metal/dielectric interface. A surface plasmon will propagate at the metal/dielectric interface in a resonant condition, e.g., when the metal surface is illuminated by transverse magnetic (TM) polarized light of the appropriate wavelength, angle of incidence and phase velocity. In the present invention, phase velocity is controlled by the diffraction grating. A transparent electrode deposited on the electro-optic layer allows an electrical potential to be applied across the electro-optic polymer. The applied electrical potential (voltage) changes the index of refraction of the electro-optic polymer, thereby disrupting the resonant condition to produce an optically detectable change in reflectance of incident light from the metal layer.

Abstract: In a photonic crystal 1, the refractive index of the medium 2, the period of the lattice, and the like are fixed; however, the size of the air holes 3 gradually varies in the direction of the z axis. Almost all of the light 4 with a vibration number in the vicinity of 0.61 advances directly at the time of incidence on the crystal; however, the direction of advance varies as the size of the holes decreases. On the other hand, as the vibration number increases, the optical path of the light is greatly bent as shown in 5 and 6. Accordingly, a large variation in the angle of refraction can be caused to occur in light with an extremely small wavelength range, so that light splitting with a good resolution can be accomplished.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electro-optical device for displaying sharp color images at low cost. The electro-optical device can include a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, an electro-optical layer which is disposed between the first and second substrates and which includes electrophoretic particles and a dispersion medium, and a colored layer which is located at a position corresponding to the electro-optical layer and which includes at least one color element, wherein at least a part of the dispersion medium has substantially the same color as that of the color element.

Abstract: To provide a process of successively forming from an EL layer, a cathode, a barrier layer and a cover layer in the same multi-chamber. By using a same film deposition method to form the EL layer and the cover layer, as shown in FIG. 1A, the EL layer, the cathode, the barrier layer, and the cover layer can be formed in the same multi-chamber in succession. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1B, a sealed structure of an EL element can be formed.

Abstract: Perovskite materials having magnetoresistive effect under the influence of an electric field can be employed in the construction of nonvolatile solid state electro-optic modulator. These materials display nonvolatile changes in electrical resistance and reactant when subjected to an electric field. As with other known perovskite materials, this is accompanied by nonvolatile changes in electro-optic properties related to dispersion and absorption of electromagnetic radiation. The nonvolatility of these materials is exploited in the construction of nonvolatile display and nonvolatile solid state electro-optic modulators such as waveguide switch or phase or amplitude modulators.

Abstract: An iono-refractive structure that includes one or more ion insertion layers having a real portion and an imaginary portion of the dielectric constant is provided. While both the real portion and the imaginary portion of the dielectric constant change, the change in the imaginary portion is less than the change in the real portion at the wavelength of interest or at the operational wavelength. The iono-refractive structure may be suitable for the fabrication of or integration with tunable optical filters, wavelength-selective optical elements, active modulated interferometers, optical phase shifters, optical phased array beam steering, optical phased array beam tracking, tunable optical filters, sensors, variable lenses, tunable diffraction gratings, and other optical components.

Abstract: The present invention intends to control DC drift phenomenon in a light control element having ridge structure, and to provide a light control element with high drive stability in a large area. The present invention has character that, in a light control element being equipped with a base plate that has an electrooptic effect, an optical guide and an electrode for modulation that are formed on said base plate, which has ridge structure, an anti-DC drift layer is installed on the surface of the above mentioned base plate where the optical guide is formed, and annealing treatment is performed after ridge processing.

Abstract: A new damage resistant and tolerant optical element is disclosed. Prior art solid or liquid host matrices are replaced by a soft crosslinked polymer or similar host material. The viscoelastic properties of the matrix host material are controlled during formation so that there are regions of different softness, of stiffness, within the matrix, to form a stiffness gradient. Preferably, the matrix will be softest at a preselected focal plane where maximum electromagnetic radiation or energy output may be expected. The host matrix is doped with an appropriate dopant having a concentration distribution, preferably such that the concentration of dopant is highest in the region where the host matrix material is most soft. Two important disclosed example embodiments are an optical limiter and a solid state dye laser.

Abstract: A nonlinear optical chromophore having the formula D-?-A, wherein ? is a ? bridge including a thiophene ring having oxygen atoms bonded directly to the 3 and 4 positions of the thiophene ring, D is a donor, and A is an acceptor.

Abstract: Between each transparent pixel electrode driven by TFT as a drive device and a common electrode, a polymer layer located in contact with the transparent pixel electrode and electrically active to change in color by electrochemical oxidization or reduction and a polymeric solid electrolytic layer located in contact with the polymer layer and containing a coloring agent are interposed. since electrochemical oxidization or reduction brings about a color change, the contrast and the black concentration can be enhanced, and bronzing after long-time use does not occur.

Abstract: In an optical element, a propagation direction of incident light beam is largely changed and the direction-changed light beam is derived in a desirable direction without increasing a dimension and manufacturing cost thereof. The optical element includes photonic crystal having a refractive index which changes periodically depending on a location of the photonic crystal, wherein an angle defined between a first end face and a second end face thereof is determined in such a manner that a light beam incident upon the first end face at a predetermined incidence angle and having a predetermined wavelength is emitted from the second end face in a desirable direction.

Abstract: An element for steering electromagnetic beams. The element includes a phase change material in combination with dielectric and other layers in a multilayer optical stack. The phase change material that is reversibly transformable between two or more structural states, where different structural states differ with respect to refractive index and/or extinction coefficient. The structural state of the phase change material establishes a phase angle state for the element that dictates the direction of propagation of an output beam produced from an incident electromagnetic beam. Depending on the structural state, the element adopts one of two principal phase angle states and a binary beam steering capability is achieved in which an incident electromagnetic beam can be redirected in either of two directions. In a preferred embodiment, the output beam is a reflected beam and the element includes a phase change material sandwiched between two dielectric materials and supported by a metal layer.

Abstract: An optical switching device including a substrate and at least an organic film as a light control part formed on the substrate. Optical switching is performed by applying signal light and control light to the organic film, the wavelengths of the signal light and the control light being set in a region in the vicinity of resonance on the longer wavelength side in the absorption spectrum of the organic film; and by changing a real part or real and imaginary parts of the refractive index of the light control part by using the control light, to thereby cause a phase difference in the signal light.

Abstract: The invention relates to optical switching. Rapid, low-power optical switching is achieved by selectively substantially depleting majority carriers in a plurality of planes of semiconducting material to alter their transmissive response to incoming radiation.

Abstract: Controlling, guiding, manipulating, and circuiting light and performing surface-enhanced spectroscopy in a medium comprising plasmonic nanomaterials via the excitation of plasmon modes in the materials. The plasmonic nanomaterials are based on metal films with or without arrays of nanoholes and/or on metal nanowires and/or spheroids. Also devices and methods employing such plasmonic nanomaterials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical modulator array that uses stepped-well continuously tunable quantum well infrared modulators in order to accomplish electronic beam modulating. The present invention involves a coherent optical beam modulating device to steer an optical beam comprising: an optical modulator array, where said optical modulator array includes a stepped quantum well doped with electrons, wherein the modulator array affects operates as at least one of a phase modulator and a light intensity modulator base upon a voltage bias applied across the modulator array. The continuous tunable quantum well modulator includes asymmetry of the unit cell that allows transitions from the ground state to the second excited state that are normally forbidden in symmetrical quantum well infrared photodetectors.

Abstract: A uniform coating is provided using surface features. Multiple ridges or other shapes are fabricated near an area of interest to allow for uniform coating in between the ridges. Areas at either ends of the ridges are left open to allow for excess pooling of photoresist liquid and to aid in obtaining uniform coating. The photoresist liquid or other coating fluid is applied to the sample and spun dry. A soft-bake process is performed to evaporate remaining solvents. An element, such as a diffractive, refractive, or reflective grating structure, is then formed in the area of interest using the uniform photoresist coating.

Abstract: Electrolyte solutions for electrochromic devices such as rear view mirrors and displays with low leakage currents are prepared using inexpensive, low conductivity conductors. Preferred electrolytes include bifunctional redox dyes and molten salt solvents with enhanced stability toward ultraviolet radiation. The solvents include lithium or quaternary ammonium cations, and perfluorinated sulfonylimide anions selected from trifluoromethylsulfonate (CF3SO3?), bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ((CF3SO2)2N?), bis(perfluoroethylsulfonyl)imide ((CF3CF2SO2)2N?) and tris(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)methide ((CF3SO2)3C?). Electroluminescent, electrochromic and photoelectrochromic devices with nanostructured electrodes include ionic liquids with bifunctional redox dyes.

Abstract: A photonic crystal 2 with plasticity is arranged by making microspheres of silica or barium titanate or air bubbles be contained in a gel substance. When an external force is applied to this photonic crystal, photonic crystal 2 deforms and the photonic band gap is readily changed thereby. When the photonic band gap changes, the passage of light of a specific wavelength is restricted. Light of a desired wavelength is thus output from photonic crystal 2. With this invention, this wavelength can be varied readily by means of an external force.

Abstract: A method of inducing a periodic variation of nonlinearity in a sample of ferroelectric material, comprises applying an electrically insulting mask to surface of the sample, applying an electric field across the sample to produce domain inversion in the sample, and removing the electric field when non-inverted regions of the sample remain only in the vicinity of the surface of the sample beneath parts of the surface covered by the mask. This method can be used to engineer accurate domain periods of submicron dimensions or larger which are confined to a surface region of the ferroelectric material, so that the poled material can be used to fabricate planar waveguide devices for nonlinear optical applications. In particular, the submicron periods can be exploited in the fabrication of one and two-dimensional photonic band gap devices.

Abstract: Provided is an electro-optic reflective modulator comprising a reflective active material, preferably comprising a reflective organic free radical compound, that reflects a wavelength in a highly reflective state and is reversibly switched to a transparent and low reflectivity state at the wavelength by the application of an electric current. Preferably, the electro-reflective optical modulator is solid state with no moving parts such that the active material does not move when reversibly switched between the high and low reflective states. Also provided are methods of modulating an optical signal utilizing such electro-optic reflective modulators.

Abstract: Optical apparatuses are provided that use near-field light, where high spatial resolution and high sensitivity are made compatible. Highly intense near-field light is generated in a narrow area using localized plasmons that are produced in a metal pattern 106 in a shape that bears anisotropy and is made to irradiate a measured subject. The direction of polarization 104 of incident light 103 is modulated and signal light is subjected to synchronous detection, so that background light is removed and high sensitivity is achieved.

Abstract: An electric field activated bi-stable molecular system configured within an electric field generated by a pair of electrodes is provided for use, e.g., as electronic ink or other visual displays. The molecular system has at least one rotor portion connected to at least one stator portion, wherein the rotor portion rotates with respect to the stator portion between at least two different states upon application of the electric field, thereby inducing a band gap change in the molecular system, wherein in a first state, there is extended conjugation throughout the major portion of the molecular system, resulting in a relatively smaller band gap, and wherein in a second state, the extended conjugation is destroyed, resulting in a relatively larger band gap. A primary advantage of the molecular system is improved contrast. Because the colorant of the present invention is molecular and thus effectively monoplanar, there should be no backside reflection or scattering from the colorant.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electro-optical device for displaying sharp color images at low cost. The electro-optical device can include a first substrate, a second substrate facing the first substrate, an electro-optical layer which is disposed between the first and second substrates and which includes electrophoretic particles and a dispersion medium, and a colored layer which is located at a position corresponding to the electro-optical layer and which includes at least one color element, wherein at least a part of the dispersion medium has substantially the same color as that of the color element.

Abstract: An optical heterostructure is provided comprising a matrix and first and second bandgap regions defined in the matrix. The second bandgap region is characterized by a periodic arrangement of inclusions in the matrix. The inclusions have an index of refraction substantially different than the index of refraction of the matrix. The first and second bandgap regions alternate in succession along a primary dimension of optical propagation of the heterostructure device to define a succession including at least one bandgap region of the first type interposed between a pair of bandgap regions of the second type. The first bandgap region defines a first optical bandgap of the optical heterostructure. The second bandgap region defines a second optical bandgap of the optical heterostructure.

Abstract: A layer arrangement including at least one transparent substrate having an electrically conductive layer, an electro-optically active layer, and a further substrate having an electrically conductive layer, characterized in that at least one of the two electrically conductive substrates is additionally coated with an organic conductive polymer system, can be employed for the construction of liquid-crystal displays.

Abstract: An optical element has of a set a plurality of three-dimensional cells. A specific amplitude and a specific phase are defined in each individual cell. Each cell has a concave part formed by hollowing a part having an area corresponding to the specific amplitude by a depth corresponding to the specific phase. The individual cell has a specific optical property so that, when incident light is provided to the cell, emission light is obtained by changing an amplitude and a phase of the incident light in accordance with the specific amplitude and specific phase defined in the cell.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a multilayer single lens structure with zooming and focusing functions, particularly a lens structure that makes use of the special properties of crystalline grains and applying a voltage to achieve the zooming and focusing functions. The present invention comprises an object lens layer; an adjustable object lens layer, capable of adjusting its index of refraction; an imaging lens layer; and a voltage regulating device; wherein the order of arranging the object lens layer and the adjustable object lens layer is interchangeable, and these layers are connected to the imaging lens layer, and the voltage regulating device is electrically connected to the adjustable object lens layer for supplying different voltages to achieve the zooming and focusing functions.

Abstract: An optical element according to the invention uses a thin film-like two-dimensional photonic crystal having a structure of periodic repetition in two directions perpendicular to each other. When the two periodic directions are Y-axis and Z-axis directions, opposite surfaces of the photonic crystal structure perpendicular to the Z-axis direction and parallel to the Y-axis direction are used as a light input surface and a light output surface respectively. The direction of movement of light rays incident onto the light input surface is decided so that it is parallel to the YZ plane and inclined at a predetermined inclination angle to the Z-axis direction.

Abstract: An optical device is capable of changing signal light to a plurality of paths. The device includes a film, a heating source attached to the film, and a heat radiator plate attached to the other portion of the film. The refractive index of the film varies according to heat excitation, and the film comprises crystal grains of an oxide and amorphous portions present between the crystal grains.

Abstract: A piezoelectric device is disclosed, which includes a first element of porous crystalline material, a second element being attached to, or integrally formed with, the first element, and at least one electrode being in electrical contact with the first element, such that subjecting the first element to an electric potential via the at least one electrode results in a strain induced by the first element on the second element. Also disclosed is a piezooptic device which includes a first element of porous crystalline material, a second element being attached to, or integrally formed with, the first element, and a light source, such that subjecting the first element to light originating from the light source results in a strain induced by the first element on the second element.

Abstract: An electric display device of the type wherein a dispersion liquid comprising at least a dispersion medium and electrophoretic particles is disposed in a space defined by a substrate, a partition wall disposed on the substrate, and a sealing film disposed on an upper end portion of the partition wall is produced through a process including a step of disposing a sealing film precursor, comprising a polymerizable compound, supported by a supporting member on both an exposed surface of the dispersion liquid and at least a part of the upper end portion of the partition wall in a state that the dispersion liquid is filled between adjacent partition walls, and a step of polymerizing the polymerizable compound to form the sealing film.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical component comprising a dispersion of layered minute particulate materials in a binder, the layered materials having a layer thickness, a concentration of particulate in the binder, and a basal plane spacing sufficient to provide a component having a light transmissivity of at least 50%.

Abstract: An element for reflecting, transmitting, focusing, defocusing or wavefront correction of electromagnetic radiation in the terahertz frequency range. The elements include a grid of conductive strips including active regions comprising a chalcogenide phase change material. The chalcogenide material can be in an amorphous, crystalline or partially crystalline state. The dispersive characteristics of the grid (e.g. impedance, admittance, capacitance, inductance) influence one or more of the reflection, transmission, state of focusing or wavefront characteristics of incident electromagnetic radiation through the action of a stored phase taper formed by establishing a crystallinity gradient over a series of active chalcogenide regions or domains in one or more directions of the element.

Abstract: An optical device having a photonic crystal structure is provided. The photonic crystal structure includes a plurality of rods/holes, a plurality of light input ports, a plurality of light output ports, a light path; and a defect of rod/hole located in the light path. The photonic crystal structure of the optical device can be optimized to adjust the powers of the lights of the output ports, and thus the output powers having identical intensities can also be achieved. When a plurality of lights is launched via the input ports, the powers and the phases of the lights of the output ports can also be optimized.