Abstract: An optical element comprising a planar substrate with a first large surface functioning as a light-entrance surface, and a second large surface functioning as a light-exit surface. The optical element further comprises a liquid or skeleton matrix arranged between the first and second large surface, and electrophoretically or magnetophoretically movable particles that interact with light of one or several wavelengths or wavelength ranges.

Abstract: An optical element including: a substrate with first and second large surfaces and a second; a plurality of opaque surfaces near or on the first large surface; in a first alternative, a plurality of surfaces near or on the second large surface which are switchable between an opaque state and a transparent state, or, in a second alternative, a plurality of chambers in the substrate which are filled with a fluid, wherein the fluid contains up to 30 volume percent of electrophoretically movable particles which absorb light and can be localized in two different states in the chambers by a variable electromagnetic field so that, in a first state the optical element limits the propagation directions of light which impinges on the light entry surface and in a second state, the optical element does not limit the propagation directions of light impinging on the light entry surface.

Abstract: An optical element including: a substrate with first and second large surfaces and a second; a plurality of opaque surfaces near or on the first large surface; in a first alternative, a plurality of surfaces near or on the second large surface which are switchable between an opaque state and a transparent state, or, in a second alternative, a plurality of chambers in the substrate which are filled with a fluid, wherein the fluid contains up to 30 volume percent of electrophoretically movable particles which absorb light and can be localized in two different states in the chambers by a variable electromagnetic field so that, in a first state the optical element limits the propagation directions of light which impinges on the light entry surface and in a second state, the optical element does not limit the propagation directions of light impinging on the light entry surface.

Abstract: An optical element which can be utilized in various versions and implementations of switchable light filters having, in addition, polarization filters and/or other means for varying the polarization characteristics of light, for example, liquid crystal layers. A combination of switchable light filter and imaging display device makes possible a private viewing effect that can be switched on and off. The optical element comprises a first layer or a first layer and a plurality of further layers, each layer including a material with a plurality of light-absorbing transition dipole moments. At least in a first state, each transition dipole moment is oriented, with a tolerance of 10° at the maximum, parallel to a selectable preferential direction or fluctuates around it so that light which is incident in the optical element is transmitted or at least partially absorbed depending on its incident direction.

Abstract: An optical element including a plate-shaped substrate with a light-entrance surface and a light-exit surface, a multiplicity of imaging elements formed on the light-exit surface and a multiplicity of diaphragms formed on the light-entrance surface. Each diaphragm includes a transparent geometric region in an opaque region. The optical element can be switched between two operating modes B1 and B2 such that some of the imaging elements change their focal length between values f1 and f2 and/or, some of the diaphragms change their aperture width and/or their position. Exactly one diaphragm is associated with each imaging element in mode B1 so that light passing through the diaphragm is imaged or collimated by the associated imaging element. Consequently, light arriving in the optical element through the diaphragms and then through the light-entrance surface has, after passing through the associated imaging elements in the two operating modes B1 and B2, different propagation angles.

Abstract: An optical element which can be utilized in various versions and implementations of switchable light filters having, in addition, polarization filters and/or other means for varying the polarization characteristics of light, for example, liquid crystal layers. A combination of switchable light filter and imaging display device makes possible a private viewing effect that can be switched on and off. The optical element comprises a first layer or a first layer and a plurality of further layers, each layer including a material with a plurality of light-absorbing transition dipole moments. At least in a first state, each transition dipole moment is oriented, with a tolerance of 10° at the maximum, parallel to a selectable preferential direction or fluctuates around it so that light which is incident in the optical element is transmitted or at least partially absorbed depending on its incident direction.

Abstract: An optical element including a plate-shaped substrate with a light-entrance surface and a light-exit surface, a multiplicity of imaging elements formed on the light-exit surface and a multiplicity of diaphragms formed on the light-entrance surface. Each diaphragm includes a transparent geometric region in an opaque region. The optical element can be switched between two operating modes B1 and B2 such that some of the imaging elements change their focal length between values f1 and f2 and/or, some of the diaphragms change their aperture width and/or their position. Exactly one diaphragm is associated with each imaging element in mode B1 so that light passing through the diaphragm is imaged or collimated by the associated imaging element. Consequently, light arriving in the optical element through the diaphragms and then through the light-entrance surface has, after passing through the associated imaging elements in the two operating modes B1 and B2, different propagation angles.

Abstract: A method for presenting image content in two operating modes, B1 for a viewing mode with a restricted viewing angle, and B2 for a viewing mode with an unrestricted viewing angle, comprising: providing a first image generator radiating image content into a restricted viewing angle; providing a second image generator radiating image content into an unrestricted viewing angle, wherein the second generator is in front of the first, and is partially transparent to light from the first, and deflects, on at least 50% of its surface, at least 90% of the light passed by it, by maximally 10°; switching on the first generator to start mode B1, wherein the second generator is switched to a transparent state and scatters only a negligible portion of light from the first generator, to retain the restricted viewing angle; and switching on the second generator to start mode B2.

Abstract: An optical element comprising a planar substrate with a first large surface functioning as a light-entrance surface, and a second large surface functioning as a light-exit surface. The optical element further comprises a liquid or skeleton matrix arranged between the first and second large surface, and electrophoretically or magnetophoretically movable particles that interact with light of one or several wavelengths or wavelength ranges.

Abstract: A method for presenting image content in two operating modes, B1 for a viewing mode with a restricted viewing angle, and B2 for a viewing mode with an unrestricted viewing angle, comprising: providing a first image generator radiating image content into a restricted viewing angle; providing a second image generator radiating image content into an unrestricted viewing angle, wherein the second generator is in front of the first, and is partially transparent to light from the first, and deflects, on at least 50% of its surface, at least 90% of the light passed by it, by maximally 10°; switching on the first generator to start mode B1, wherein the second generator is switched to a transparent state and scatters only a negligible portion of light from the first generator, to retain the restricted viewing angle; and switching on the second generator to start mode B2.

Abstract: An illumination unit for lithographic exposure and a device for lithographic exposure are disclosed. In an embodiment the illumination unit includes a beam source, an electronically drivable beam deflection element for generating a temporally varying two-dimensional beam deflection, a collimation lens, a beam homogenizing element, a Fourier lens and a field lens.

Abstract: An illumination unit for lithographic exposure and a device for lithographic exposure are disclosed. In an embodiment the illumination unit includes a beam source, an electronically drivable beam deflection element for generating a temporally varying two-dimensional beam deflection, a collimation lens, a beam homogenizing element, a Fourier lens and a field lens.