Abstract: A MicroOptoElectroMechanical (MOEM) IR detector utilizes a novel combination of integrated MEMS and photonics to achieve high responsivity with low noise. Increasing incident radiant energy bends a bimaterial arm that moves a coupling waveguide into the evanescent field of a principal optical waveguide. This, in turn, modulates the light in the principal waveguide. This device has high detection sensitivity to incident radiation due to the combination of the length of the lever arm and the sensitivity of the evanescent field. The device exhibits low noise because photons are being modulated instead of electrons.

Abstract: A multiplex addressing system for use with a multi-element array of liquid crystal electro-optic devices wherein all elements of a selected row are turned on by applying a predetermined activating voltage to all the elements of the row, then erasing the selected and non-selected elements in the row by a lesser and a greater amount to effect predetermined on and off responses, to take advantage of the highly non-linear erase response of the electro-optic devices.

Abstract: Two independently adjustable fields are employed to control the optical condition of a dielectrically anisotropic liquid crystal. One of the fields E.sub.x may be perpendicular to the initial direction of the liquid crystal molecules and the other E.sub.y parallel thereto. In an array, the E.sub.x field may be employed to select the location in a liquid crystal display that it is desired to excite and the E.sub.y field to control the intensity of the excitation. In one mode of operation, use is made of a newly discovered nonlinear effect for amplifying in a later time period an optical disturbance introduced into the liquid crystal during an earlier time period.

Abstract: The inner surfaces of a pair of substrates of a liquid crystal display are treated with a solution of a surfactant to provide a uniform stable alignment of the liquid crystal material confined between the inner surfaces. The inner surfaces are first wetted by the soluton of the surfactant, a silane derivative, and the solution is then heated, while the inner surfaces are in contact with the solution, to a temperature between about 75.degree.C and a temperature just below the boiling point of the solution.

Abstract: A non-destructive method of testing an electrical circuit includes observing birefringent changes in a layer of liquid crystals during the operation of the circuit. The method comprises applying the layer of liquid crystals over the circuit with the liquid crystal molecules oriented in the same direction. A beam of light is directed through the layer of liquid crystals with an optical system adapted to make the birefringent changes visible. The circuit is energized with either an ac or a dc voltage, and the birefringent changes produced by the electric fields, and/or the currents, and/or the temperature distributions in the layer of liquid crystals are observed so that a comparison can be made between the observed birefringent changes and birefringent changes produced by a normally operating circuit.