Abstract: The disclosed invention is a novel polarized light source. The polarized light source of this invention includes an organic electroluminescent (OEL) device or an organic photoluminescent (PL) device and a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) polarizing device. The polarized light source of the present invention is an efficient, high purity, and bright source of polarized light. Further, the present invention enables a polarized light source to be custom designed with a polarization bandwidth and position across a wide range of wavelengths. Further still, the light source of this invention is made from low cost materials and is easily manufactured. Yet further still, this invention enables the production of ultra-thin and lightweight polarized light sources.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for optical communication in which the common noises can be significantly suppressed. The system includes two transmitters working at two different wavelengths. One transmitter is configured to encode information into an optical carrier signal, and another transmitter configured to transmit a reference signal, and a receiver device with two photo-detectors and differential detection to regenerate the information from the received optical signals.

Abstract: The present invention includes a polarization independent optical interconnect device for selectively interconnecting a plurality of optical signals between a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs. The present invention may provide advantages typically associated with conventional polarization based switches, including terabit per second data rates and high speed switching, to facilitate use in fiber optic networks. Moreover, the switch of this invention is polarization independent, and therefore, may route either polarized or unpolarized light. Since both the input and output light may be unpolarized, the switch of this invention may have a high light efficiency (i.e. no losses associated with an input polarizer) and minimal insertion losses as compared to typical polarization based switches.

Abstract: A novel backlight is provided for a liquid crystal display (LCD). The backlight of this invention includes an organic electroluminescent (EOL) device and a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) polarizing device. This invention is also an LCD. The backlight of the present invention provides for highly efficiency and bright LCDs. This invention further provides for the production of ultra-thin and lightweight LCDs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an image display system for displaying an image in a user's line of sight including an image combiner that is electrically actuatable. The image display system generally includes an image projection device, and an electrically actuatable image combiner. The image combiner may be superposed with a transparent substrate such as a visor or a windshield.

Abstract: The present invention includes a polarization independent optical interconnect device for selectively interconnecting a plurality of optical signals between a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs. The present invention may provide advantages typically associated with conventional polarization based switches, including terabit per second data rates and high speed switching, to facilitate use in fiber optic networks. Moreover, the switch of this invention is polarization independent, and therefore, may route either polarized or unpolarized light. Since both the input and output light may be unpolarized, the switch of this invention may have a high light efficiency (i.e. no losses associated with an input polarizer) and minimal insertion losses as compared to typical polarization based switches.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for free-space optical communication in which information is encoded on at least two discrete optical carrier signals. The system includes a transmitter configured to encode information into at least two optical carrier signals and a receiver configured to receive and decode the information from the at least two optical carrier signals.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a novel polarized light source. The polarized light source of this invention includes an organic electroluminescent (OEL) device or an organic photoluminescent (PL) device and a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) polarizing device. The polarized light source of the present invention is an efficient, high purity, and bright source of polarized light. Further, the present invention enables a polarized light source to be custom designed with a polarization bandwidth and position across a wide range of wavelengths. Further still, the light source of this invention is made from low cost materials and is easily manufactured. Yet further still, this invention enables the production of ultra-thin and lightweight polarized light sources.

Abstract: A polarizing plate 4 is disposed to polarize light parallel to the X axis of liquid crystal display 3, which may be optionally rotated to a position where the intensity of a light that transmits the liquid crystal display 3 takes an extreme value (maximum or minimum) and an output Ix using a photodetector 6 is measured. The polarizing plate 4 is then disposed to polarize light parallel to the Y axis to thereby measure an output Iy using the photodetector 6. The polarizing plate 4 is then disposed to polarize the light in the direction inclined by 45 degrees between the X and Y axes to thereby measure an output I45 using the photodetector 6. A quarter wavelength plate 5 optionally may be disposed between the polarizing plate 4 and the liquid display 3 such that its axial direction is inclined by 45 degrees from the polarizing direction of the polarizing plate 4 while disposing the polarizing plate 4 so as to polarize light at 45 degrees from both the X and Y axes.

Abstract: A method of determining a parameter of a liquid crystal cell is provided in which parameters, such as the thickness of the liquid crystal layer and the angle of the twist of liquid crystal molecule orientation in the liquid crystal cell, are accurately determined in a short time with a simple apparatus. Light from a light source 1 is transmitted through a polarizing plate 2 and incident to a liquid crystal cell 3. The light is transmitted by a polarizing plate 4 and the intensity of the transmitted light is measured by a photodetector 6.