Abstract: A liquid crystal infrared light chopper includes a polarizer that receives and polarizes incoming infrared light, a layer of ferroelectric liquid crystal material switchable between at least two states, a pair of IR transparent, conductive substrates positioned on either side of the liquid crystal layer and an analyzer that blocks IR light of one polarization state and passes IR light of an opposite polarization state. The liquid crystal layer acts on polarized IR light by changing its polarization if the liquid crystal is in a first state and by not changing its polarization if the liquid crystal is in a second state. Voltages applied to the conductive substrates drive the liquid crystal layer to one of the two states. The analyzer blocks IR light when the liquid crystal layer is in one of the states and passes IR light when the liquid crystal layer is in the second state.

Abstract: A system for producing spatially modulated monochrome or color light having gray scale includes an active matrix liquid crystal spatial light modulator having light modulating means including (i) a layer of ferroelectric liquid crystal material which is designed to switch between ON and OFF states and (ii) active matrix means including VLSI circuitry for dividing the layer of liquid crystal material into an array of individual liquid crystal pixels and for causing each of the pixels of liquid crystal material to modulate light individually by switching between the ON and OFF states in a way that depends upon the data which the VLSI circuitry is written. The system also includes illumination means having a light source for directing light from the source into the pixel-divided layer of ferroelectric liquid crystal material in a specific way.

Abstract: This invention provides LC compositions useful as birefringent materials in electrooptic devices which exhibit zero or low negatively sloped birefringence dispersioon (e.g., exhibiting positive birefringence dispersion significantly lower than that of currently available LC compositions) or more preferably positively sloped birefringence dispersion in which birefringence of the material increases with wavelength. The invention provides compounds useful as components of LC compositions which exhibit negative birefringence where n0 is higher than ne. The compounds of this invention are dimers of LC-like compounds in which the monomers are linked to each other through a high birefringence moiety (dimerization linker). The LC monomers consist of an LC core and one or two tail groups. Preferred monomers for this invention have low birefringence in comparison to the birefringence of the monomer linking moiety.

Abstract: A display system includes a spatial light modulator having an array of individually controlled pixels switchable between a first and a second state for producing modulated light having gray scale during a given period of time. The system generates a reference signal that varies in a predetermined way during the given period of time. The system also generates analog pixel image signals associated with each of the pixels for the given period of time. The analog pixel image signal representing a desired gray scale level for each associated pixel during the given period of time. Each of the pixels includes an arrangement for receiving the reference signal and an arrangement for receiving the analog pixel image signal associated with that pixel.

Abstract: A method of operating a liquid crystal cell includes DC-balancing by displaying an inverse image with electric fields of increased magnitude relative to the image producing electric fields. While the inverse image is displayed the image is prevented from being visible by either turning off the light source or re-directing or blocking the light from reaching the viewing area. The image producing electric fields and the inverse image producing electric fields are such that the cumulative time integral of the electric fields that are present in one direction across the liquid crystal material is substantially equal to the cumulative time integral of the electric fields that are present in the opposite direction during the given period of time during the operation of liquid crystal cell. The time duration of the inverse image portion is shorter than the time duration of the image portion by an amount proportional to the increased magnitude of the additional electric fields.

Abstract: A reflection mode, ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulating system, includes a light reflecting type spatial light modulator. The spatial light modulator has a light reflecting surface cooperating with a layer of ferroelectric liquid crystal light modulating medium switchable between first and second states so as to act on light in different first and second ways, respectively. A switching arrangement switches the liquid crystal light modulating medium between the first and second states and an illumination arrangement produces a source of light. An optics arrangement is optically coupled the spatial light modulator and the illumination arrangement such that light is directed from the source of light into the spatial light modulator for reflection back out of the modulator and such that reflected light is directed from the spatial light modulator into a predetermined viewing area.

Abstract: A liquid crystal composition comprising a host material and a low birefringence liquid crystal composition of the formula: R1—Ar—R2 wherein R1 and R2, independently of one another, are selected from the group consisting of internally branched alkyl groups having from 4 to 20 carbon atoms, terminally branched alkyl groups having from 3 to 20 carbon atoms, internally branched alkenyl groups having from 3 to 20 carbon atoms and terminally branched alkenyl groups having from 4 to 20 carbon atoms, wherein one or more —CH2— groups in R1 and R2 may be independently replaced with O, said R1 or R2, independently of one another, can be partially or fully halogenated, and wherein one or both of said R1 and R2 can be absent; Ar is a ring core moiety of the general formula: wherein Cyc is a cyclohexyl ring or a cyclohexenyl ring; RX is a phenyl ring which may be optionally substituted with one or more fluorines; RY is a cyclohexyl or cyclohexenyl ring; wherein x and y are 1

Abstract: A system for producing modulated light is disclosed. The system comprises a spatial light modulator including a light modulating medium switchable between different states so as to act on light in ways which form overall patterns of modulated light. The system also includes an arrangement for switching the modulating medium between the different states in a controlled way and an illumination arrangement for producing a source of light. The system further includes an optics arrangement for directing light from the source of light into the spatial light modulator and for directing light from the spatial light modulator through a predetermined source imaging area. The optics arrangement cooperates with the illumination arrangement and the spatial light modulator so as to produce a real image of the source of light within the source imaging area such that an individual is able to view a virtual image of the overall patterns of modulated light from the source imaging area.

Abstract: A system and method for producing spatially modulated monochrome or color light having gray scale during a given period of time includes a spatial light modulator having a light modulating arrangement switchable between different states so as to act on light in different ways. A switching arrangement switches the modulating arrangement between different states in a controlled way during the period. The system also includes an illumination arrangement for selectively and alternately directing light of constant intensity and varying intensity into the modulating arrangement during predetermined subperiods of the period. In a color version of the system, the illumination arrangement directs light of different colors into the modulating arrangement during predetermined subperiods of the period, thereby providing a system for producing modulated colored light having color gray scale during a given period.

Abstract: A reflection mode, ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulating system, includes a light reflecting type spatial light modulator. The spatial light modulator has a light reflecting surface cooperating with a layer of ferroelectric liquid crystal light modulating medium switchable between first and second states so as to act on light in different first and second ways, respectively. A switching arrangement switches the liquid crystal light modulating medium between the first and second states and an illumination arrangement produces a source of light. An optics arrangement is optically coupled the spatial light modulator and the illumination arrangement such that light is directed from the source of light into the spatial light modulator for reflection back out of the modulator and such that reflected light is directed from the spatial light modulator into a predetermined viewing area.

Abstract: An optical correlator includes a compound electro-optical component having a first and a second reflective spatial light modulator for forming electro-optical patterns of light. Each spatial light modulator has a reflective backplane with the reflective backplanes of the spatial light modulators being substantially coplanar. The spatial light modulators having their individual respective backplanes formed as two separate portions of a single integrated circuit die. The optical correlator may also include an imager for imaging the output of the optical correlator that is substantially coplanar with the spatial light modulators. The compound electro-optical component may include at least a part of the imager that is formed as a separate portion of the single integrated circuit die that contains the backplanes of the two spatial light modulators.

Abstract: A system for producing modulated light is disclosed. The system comprises a spatial light modulator including a light modulating medium switchable between different states so as to act on light in ways which form overall patterns of modulated light. The system also includes an arrangement for switching the modulating medium between the different states in a controlled way and an illumination arrangement for producing a source of light. The system further includes an optics arrangement for directing light from the source of light into the spatial light modulator and for directing light from the spatial light modulator through a predetermined source imaging area. The optics arrangement cooperates with the illumination arrangement and the spatial light modulator so as to produce a real image of the source of light within the source imaging area such that an individual is able to view a virtual image of the overall patterns of modulated light from the source imaging area.

Abstract: A reflection mode, ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulating system, includes a light reflecting type spatial light modulator. The spatial light modulator has a light reflecting surface cooperating with a layer of ferroelectric liquid crystal light modulating medium switchable between first and second states so as to act on light in different first and second ways, respectively. A switching arrangement switches the liquid crystal light modulating medium between the first and second states and an illumination arrangement produces a source of light. An optics arrangement is optically coupled the spatial light modulator and the illumination arrangement such that light is directed from the source of light into the spatial light modulator for reflection back out of the modulator and such that reflected light is directed from the spatial light modulator into a predetermined viewing area.

Abstract: This invention provides LC compositions useful as birefringent materials in electrooptic devices which exhibit zero or low negatively sloped birefringence dispersion (e.g., exhibiting positive birefringence dispersion significantly lower than that of currently available LC compositions) or more preferably positively sloped birefringence dispersion in which birefringence of the material increases with wavelength. The invention provides compounds useful as components of LC compositions which exhibit negative birefringence where n.sub.o is higher than n.sub.e. The compounds of this invention are dimers of LC-like compounds in which the monomers are linked to each other through a high birefringence moiety (dimerization linker). The LC monomers consist of an LC core and one or two tail groups. Preferred monomers for this invention have low birefringence in comparison to the birefrigence of the monomer linking moiety.

Abstract: A display system for acting on light entering the system includes a reflective ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulator and a polarizer arrangement. The polarizer arrangement includes a polarizer for polarizing the light entering the system and directing the polarized light into the spatial light modulator along an optical path having an optical path axis. The reflective spatial light modulator acts on the polarized light to produce an optical output that is directed from the spatial light modulator back into the polarizing arrangement along substantially the same optical path axis that the polarized light is directed into the spatial light modulator. The polarizing arrangement also includes an analyzer configured to receive and analyze the optical output of the spatial light modulator and to direct the analyzed optical output out of the system.

Abstract: A reflection mode, ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulating system, includes a light reflecting type spatial light modulator. The spatial light modulator has a light reflecting surface cooperating with a layer of ferroelectric liquid crystal light modulating medium switchable between first and second states so as to act on light in different first and second ways, respectively. A switching arrangement switches the liquid crystal light modulating medium between the first and second states and an illumination arrangement produces a source of light. An optics arrangement is optically coupled the spatial light modulator and the illumination arrangement such that light is directed from the source of light into the spatial light modulator for reflection back out of the modulator and such that reflected light is directed from the spatial light modulator into a predetermined viewing area.

Abstract: A system for producing modulated light is disclosed. The system comprises a spatial light modulator including a light modulating medium switchable between different states so as to act on light in ways which form overall patterns of modulated light. The system also includes an arrangement for switching the modulating medium between the different states in a controlled way and an illumination arrangement for producing a source of light. The system further includes an optics arrangement for directing light from the source of light into the spatial light modulator and for directing light from the spatial light modulator through a predetermined source imaging area. The optics arrangement cooperates with the illumination arrangement and the spatial light modulator so as to produce a real image of the source of light within the source imaging area such that an individual is able to view a virtual image of the overall patterns of modulated light from the source imaging area.

Abstract: A display system includes a reflective mode spatial light modulator for producing a pattern of polarized light, a light source for illuminating the spatial light modulator, and an optics arrangement. The optics arrangement includes a beam splitter element having a transparent substrate with a front face and a back face. The front face supports a beam splitter coating acting as a beam splitter. The back face supports a polarizer layer. The polarizer layer and the transparent substrate are configured to be refractive index matched to prevent the reflection of light at the interface between the transparent substrate and the polarizer layer. The beam splitter element is positioned in the optical path between the light source and the spatial light modulator in order to polarize and direct light from the light source to the spatial light modulator.

Abstract: A reflection mode, ferroelectric liquid crystal spatial light modulating system, includes a light reflecting type spatial light modulator. The spatial light modulator has a light reflecting surface cooperating with a layer of ferroelectric liquid crystal light modulating medium switchable between first and second states so as to act on light in different first and second ways, respectively. A switching arrangement switches the liquid crystal light modulating medium between the first and second states and an illumination arrangement produces a source of light.

Abstract: A virtual image display system includes a reflective mode spatial light modulator, a light source for illuminating the spatial light modulator, and an optics arrangement for directing a predetermined portion of the light from the light source into the spatial light modulator and for directing certain portions of the light reflected from the spatial light modulator to a desired viewing area. The optics arrangement includes an overall polarizing beam splitter. The polarizing beam splitter has three layers of materials. The first layer is a layer of polarizing beam splitting material configured to reflect light of a first polarization and transmit light of a second polarization. The second layer is another layer of polarizing beam splitting material. The third layer is a layer of material positioned between the first and second layers of polarizing beam splitting materials. The first, second, and third layers of materials act together to form the overall polarizing beam splitter.