Abstract: Disclosed herein is a liquid crystal lens with a variable focal length. The gradient profile of the liquid crystals molecules that causes the gradient profile of the refractive index is achieved by inducing non-uniformly distributed anchoring energy and an external electric or magnetic field applied to the liquid crystal layer. Unlike existing electrically controlled liquid crystal lens, the external electric or magnetic field has a uniform spatial distribution within the liquid crystal layer. The focal length of the liquid crystal lens is controlled via the non-uniformly distributed anchoring energy and by varying the uniformly distributed electric or magnetic field.

Abstract: A device that enlarges text and images to enable a low vision person to see the text and images includes a hollow structure including a top housing and a bottom housing that are connected to one another. A camera aperture is formed in the bottom housing and a transparent light guide lens is disposed in closing relation to the camera aperture so that all light entering the camera aperture must first pass through the light guide lens. A cavity formed in the light guide lens is bounded by walls that are positioned at a critical angle. Light-emitting diodes are positioned at critical locations about the periphery of the light guide lens to illuminate the object being viewed.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer and a liquid crystal layer. The second substrate is disposed opposite to the first substrate. The first electrode layer is disposed on the second substrate and has a blank region which is configured with no electrode. The second electrode layer is disposed on a surface of the first substrate which faces to the second substrate. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and has a plurality of monomers and liquid crystal molecules. The monomers and the liquid crystal molecules form a macromolecule polymer network structure along the projection direction of the blank region, so that the liquid crystal lens has two focal lengths. A manufacturing method of the liquid crystal lens is also disclosed.

Abstract: A two-dimensional/three-dimensional switchable display apparatus includes: a display panel; a first substrate disposed on the display panel; a first electrode layer disposed on the first substrate and including a plurality of first electrodes; a second substrate disposed on the first substrate; a second electrode layer disposed on the second substrate and including a plurality of second electrodes; and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and second substrates. A plurality of lens units are formed in association with a first position of the liquid crystal layer when a lens forming voltage profile is applied to the first electrodes and a common voltage is applied to the second electrodes. When the common voltage is applied to the first electrodes and the lens forming voltage is applied to the second electrodes, the plurality of lens units are formed in association with a second position spaced apart from the first position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the provision of an optical pickup apparatus in which a liquid crystal optical element constructed by combining an aberration correcting liquid crystal panel and an n?/4 liquid crystal panel in an integral fashion is mounted in a tilted position.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens cell set includes a plurality of liquid crystal lenses overlapping to each other. Each of the liquid crystal lenses is supported between a pair of flat layers. One of the layers supports a planar electrode made of ITO. The other electrode, also formed of ITO, is supported in the center of the opposing substrate and projects toward the center of the liquid crystal layer. A power supply creates a potential difference between the electrodes and imposes a non-uniform electric field on the liquid crystal modules which aligns them in which a way as to act as a lens. By varying voltage between the electrodes the focal length of the lens may be controlled. A central electrode may be in the form of a beam or of a pointed tip. An electrode having a central hole may be associated with the central electrode or the planar electrode.

Abstract: A new 2D/3D switchable display apparatus matches a polarization direction of light output from a 2D image display panel with a rubbing direction of a lower alignment layer of a liquid crystal lens, and tilts a rubbing direction of an upper alignment layer of the liquid crystal lens and a direction of a polarization axis of a polarizer at a predetermined angle, thereby reducing a loss of light passing through the liquid crystal lens, making it possible to improve luminance of images, improve the quality of 3D images in the horizontal direction, prevent or reduce color separation and moire phenomena, and reduce the manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A stereoscopic display device includes a display panel performing image display, and a lens array element including a first electrode, a second electrode opposed to the first electrode, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the lens array element being configured in such a manner that a lens effect on display image light from the display panel is controlled depending on a voltage applied to the first electrode and a voltage applied to the second electrode. One of the first electrode and the second electrode is structured to allow an electric field to be applied to the liquid crystal layer for each of a plurality of predetermined sub-regions, individually.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens includes a first light-pervious plate, a second light-pervious plate, a first electrode layer arranged on the first light-pervious plate, a second electrode layer arranged on the second light-pervious plate, and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first light-pervious plate and the second light-pervious plate, where the first electrode layer comprises a plurality of concentric electrodes, and a gap between two adjacent outer concentric electrodes is different from a gap between two adjacent inner concentric electrodes.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens including a plurality of electrodes and a substrate is provided. A plurality of parallel electric fields is formed by controlling the potentials of the electrodes, so as to speed up the mechanism for toppling the liquid crystal molecules. In other words, the liquid crystal lens has a high respond time. In addition, a plurality of active devices is disposed at the sides of the electrodes in the liquid crystal lens, in which the active devices are electrically connected to the electrodes. When the active devices are driven, a current is formed on the electrodes, so as to raise the temperature of the liquid crystal lens. Accordingly, the liquid crystal lens can be operated in a low temperature environment.

Abstract: A controllable optical device comprises a first substrate, a first conductive layer, a liquid crystal layer, a semiconductor conductive layer, a second conductive layer, and a second substrate. The first conductive layer is formed on the first substrate, the liquid crystal layer is formed on the first conductive layer, the semiconductor conductive layer is formed on the liquid crystal layer, the second conductive layer is formed on the semiconductor layer, and the second substrate is formed on the second conductive layer.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal display device enabling three-dimensional display using a liquid crystal lens, both mechanical strength and a liquid crystal lens effect are satisfied. The liquid crystal lens is bonded onto an upper polarizing plate of a liquid crystal display panel with a bonding material. The liquid crystal lens includes an upper substrate, a lower substrate and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched therebetween. The upper substrate of liquid crystal lens has a thickness larger than a total of the thickness of the lower substrate of the liquid crystal lens and the thickness of the liquid crystal display panel. Thereby, it is possible to realize a liquid crystal display device satisfying both the mechanical strength and liquid crystal lens effect.

Abstract: A numerical aperture (NA) controlling unit and a variable optical probe including the same are provided. The NA controlling unit includes: an aperture adjustment unit which controls an aperture through which light is transmitted; and a focus control unit that is disposed in a predetermined position with respect to the aperture adjustment unit, that focuses light transmitted through the aperture, and that has an adjustable focal length. The variable optical probe includes: a light transmission unit; a collimator that collimates light transmitted through the light transmission unit into parallel light; an NA controlling unit that focuses light on a sample to be inspected; and a scanner that varies a path of light transmitted through the light transmission unit such that a predetermined region of the sample is scanned by light that passes through the NA controlling unit.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a liquid crystal lens and a liquid crystal display (LCD) device thereof, said liquid crystal lens comprises a lower layer basal plate provided with an electrode and an upper layer basal plate provided with a counter electrode, wherein the lower layer basal plate and the upper layer basal plate are mutually and oppositely arranged, and said electrode and the counter electrode are mutually insulated to form an electric field; and a liquid crystal layer arranged between said lower layer basal plate and the upper layer basal plate, wherein the liquid crystals of said liquid crystal layer are parallel positive nematic LCs; the electrode of said lower layer basal plate or the counter electrode of said upper layer basal plate is provided with convex curved structures which increase the distance between the electrode and the counter electrode.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a liquid crystal lens and a 3D display device thereof, said liquid crystal lens comprises a lower layer basal plate provided with an electrode and an upper layer basal plate provided with a counter electrode, the lower layer basal plate and the upper layer basal plate are mutually and oppositely arranged, and said electrode and the counter electrode are mutually insulated to form an electric field; and a liquid crystal layer arranged between said lower layer basal plate and the upper layer basal plate; the liquid crystals are vertical negative nematic LCs; the electrode of said lower layer basal plate or the counter electrode of said upper layer basal plate is provided with concave curved structures which make the distance between the electrode and the counter electrode smaller.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for testing operation of a single or multiple tunable active optical device(s) operated by one or more driving electrodes are described Test methods and apparatus are provided for device testing without necessarily requiring direct physical contact with the driving electrodes Testing subjects devices to incident light along an optical path and to an external electric field applied to the device producing a dipolar charge distribution within the electrodes, causing the device to operate The effect of device operation on incident light is optically sensed The sensed effect is analyzed to identify device defects Test methods and apparatus are provided for testing multiple unsingulated devices during fabrication employing a strip contact structure having contact strips connected to multiple devices and extending to wafer edges, such that singulating devices leaves portions of the strip contact structure exposed on device dice edges providing electrical contacts in use.

Abstract: An electrically-driven liquid crystal lens wherein electric connection between finely split electrodes and signal lines used to apply signals to the split electrodes can be accomplished using a minimal number of masks and signals can be applied to the finely split electrodes without line resistance, and a stereoscopic display device using the same are disclosed.

Abstract: A lens film and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. The lens film manufacturing method includes the steps of: forming an alignment film on a glass substrate; rubbing the alignment film along a rubbing direction; dispersing a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) material between the alignment film of the glass substrate and a lens mold; rolling the lens mold along a rolling direction to make the LCP material to form a lens film. A plurality of liquid crystal molecules of the lens film is affected by the alignment film to align along the rubbing direction. The lens film and a base panel having a polarization direction are operated in a LCD apparatus. The angle between the rubbing direction and the polarization direction is less than 15°.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an axially symmetric liquid crystal lens is disclosed, which comprises steps: (A) providing a first substrate; (B) forming a first conductive layer on the first substrate; (C) forming a first resist layer on the first conductive layer; (D) forming a first pattern with sub-micrometer period in the first resist layer by laser scanning; (E) developing the first resist layer to obtain a first patterned layer with sub-micrometer period; (F) providing a second substrate; and (G) forming a liquid crystal layer between the first patterned layer and the second substrate, wherein the first substrate, the first conductive layer, the first patterned layer, the liquid crystal layer, and the second substrate are sequentially arranged to form a layered structure. Also, an axially symmetric liquid crystal lens and liquid crystal alignment substrate for liquid crystal lens provided by the same are disclosed.

Abstract: A camera module includes a lens module, a circuit board and solder balls. The lens module includes a lens holder, a liquid crystal lens, and wires. The lens holder includes an outer surface, a first end portion, and a second end portion at opposite sides of the lens holder. The lens holder defines wire grooves in the first and second end portions and the outer surface. The liquid crystal lens is received in the first end portion. The wires are formed on the first end portion The outer surface and the second end portion in the wire grooves are electrically connected to the liquid crystal lens. Each wire includes a solder terminal. The circuit board includes solder pads each corresponding to the solder terminal The solder balls each interconnect the solder pad and the corresponding solder terminal and are formed by low-temperature solder paste composed of tin and bismuth.

Abstract: Provided are a liquid crystal lens which controls an optical path, and a display including the liquid crystal lens. The liquid crystal lens includes a first and a second electrode which face each other, a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and has flat top and bottom surfaces, and a dielectric layer interposed between the second electrode and the liquid crystal layer, where the dielectric layer includes a first and a second dielectric sub-layer, the first dielectric sub-layer made of a material having a different dielectric constant from that of the second dielectric sub-layer, the first dielectric sub-layer includes one or more unit patterns, a surface of each of the unit patterns includes a plurality of flat sections, and a height of each of the unit patterns in a first flat section is different from the height thereof in a second flat section.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a liquid crystal lens and a manufacturing method thereof. At least one first electrode is disposed on a first substrate, a first alignment layer is disposed on the first electrode, a liquid crystal layer is disposed on the first alignment layer, a second alignment layer is disposed on the liquid crystal layer, an electric field uniformization layer is disposed on the second alignment layer, at least one second electrode and at least one third electrode are disposed on the electric field uniformization layer, and the second electrode is arranged around the third electrode. A second substrate is disposed on the second electrode and the third electrode. The third electrode which matches up with the second electrode produces an electric field gradient and the liquid crystal layer is affected uniformly by the electric field uniformization layer so as to achieve rapid focus purpose by the liquid crystal.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens which controls an optical path and a display which includes the liquid crystal lens. The liquid crystal lens includes a first electrode and a second electrode facing each other, a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and having flat top and bottom surfaces, and a dielectric layer interposed between the second electrode and the liquid crystal layer. The dielectric layer includes a section in which capacitance between top and bottom surfaces of the dielectric layer changes along a horizontal direction.

Abstract: A lens panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer. The first substrate includes a first base substrate, a first electrode disposed on the first base substrate, and a first alignment layer disposed on the first electrode. The first alignment layer includes a unit lens area. The unit lens area includes a first alignment area having a first azimuthal angle and a second alignment area having a second azimuthal angle.

Abstract: A switchable autostereoscopic display device comprises a display panel having an array of display pixel elements for producing a display, the display pixel elements being arranged in rows and columns. An imaging arrangement directs the output from different pixel elements to different spatial positions to enable a stereoscopic image to be viewed. The imaging arrangement is electrically switchable between at two 3D modes, wherein the effective position of the imaging arrangement is shifted laterally between the modes with respect to the display pixel elements by an amount which is a non-integer multiple of the pitch between the pixel elements. These two modes enable the resolution per mode to be increased, by adding views at inter-pixel locations, or enables the number of views to be increased.

Abstract: A liquid crystal (LC) lens structure and a method of driving same are disclosed. The LC lens structure includes an upper substrate, a lower substrate, a liquid crystal and polymer composite film, and an LC layer. The upper substrate is provided with a first conducive layer and a first alignment layer; and the lower substrate is provided with a second conductive layer and a second alignment layer. The liquid crystal and polymer composite film is arranged at one side of the first alignment layer to form a first lens, and the LC layer is arranged between the liquid crystal and polymer composite film and the second alignment layer to form a second lens. By building the liquid crystal and polymer composite film in the LC lens structure, it is able to realize an LC lens with low operating voltage and large focusing range.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens, a manufacturing method thereof, an operation method thereof and a photoelectric device are provided. The lens comprises: a first electrode layer; a first transparent substrate; a second transparent substrate, provided to a lower surface of the first electrode layer and opposite to the first transparent substrate; a second electrode layer, provided to an upper surface of the first transparent substrate and comprising a first sub-electrode-layer and a second sub-electrode-layer which are separated from each other; and a liquid crystal layer provided between the second transparent substrate and the second electrode layer.

Abstract: A lens panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate and a liquid crystal layer. The first substrate includes a first base substrate, a first electrode formed on the first base substrate, and a first alignment layer formed on the first electrode. The first alignment layer includes a plurality of unit alignment areas forming a lens unit and is aligned to have a first azimuth angle and a plurality of first polarized angles. The first polarized angles vary in the unit alignment area. The second substrate includes a second base substrate, a second electrode formed on the second base substrate, and a second alignment layer aligned to have a second azimuth angle and a second polarized angle. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate.

Abstract: A lens module includes a lens panel and a lens driving part. The lens panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate and a liquid crystal layer. The first substrate includes first electrodes and second electrodes alternately disposed thereon that partially overlap each other and are electrically insulated from each other. The second substrate is opposite to the first substrate. The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The lens driving part provides a substantially equal voltage to both ends of each of the first and second electrodes.

Abstract: An alignment layer may align molecules of a liquid crystalline material to a surface of a substrate having a diffractive optical power region using a nonlinear alignment. The alignment layer may align the molecules of the liquid crystalline material in one of a tangential alignment, a piecewise tangential alignment, a perpendicular alignment, a piecewise perpendicular alignment, a continuous intra-zone alignment, or a piecewise continuous intra-zone alignment. The nonlinear alignment may result in optimal or near optimal alignment of the liquid crystalline material thereby resulting in improved optics and fewer vision compromises.

Abstract: An image display device includes: a display panel having a plurality of pixels disposed in a matrix; and a liquid crystal lens disposed on the side of a display surface of the display panel, wherein the pixels of the display panel are divided into a plurality of pixel groups each including two or more pixels, the liquid crystal lens forms, by application of an electric field, a lens array having a plurality of lens portions each corresponding to each of the pixel groups, the lens portion is configured to have a first area having a constant refractive index and a second area having a distribution of refractive index, the second area is disposed at a side portion of the lens portion, and the first area is disposed closer to the center than the second area.

Abstract: Disclosed are a liquid crystal lens electrically driven having a pivot function and a stereoscopic display device using the same, the liquid crystal lens electrically driven includes a first substrate provided with plural first lens regions, each of which is provided with plural first electrodes disposed in parallel in a first direction and separated from each other, a second substrate being opposite to the first substrate, and provided with plural second lens regions, crossing the plural first lens regions, each of which is provided with plural second electrodes disposed in parallel in a second direction crossing the first direction and separated from each other, a liquid crystal layer filling a space between the first and second substrates, first and second voltages source applying different voltage values to the plural first and second electrode, and third and fourth voltage sources applying the same voltage to the plural first and second electrodes.

Abstract: An electrically-driven liquid crystal lens, and a stereoscopic display device using the same, including first and second substrates arranged opposite each other and including an active region having a plurality of lens regions and a pad region defined at an outer rim of the active region, a plurality of first electrodes formed on the first substrate to correspond to the respective lens regions and spaced apart from one another, a second electrode formed on the entire surface of the second substrate, a voltage source to apply different voltages to the plurality of first electrodes, respectively, and to apply a ground voltage to the second electrode, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens includes a first light-pervious plate, a second light-pervious plate, a first electrode layer arranged on the first light-pervious plate, a second electrode layer arranged on the second light-pervious plate, and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between the first light-pervious plate and the second light-pervious plate, where the first electrode layer comprises a plurality of concentric electrodes, and a gap between two adjacent outer concentric electrodes is different from a gap between two adjacent inner concentric electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electro-optic unit. A lens unit disposed at an upper portion of a display panel has a plurality of lens part. An electro-optic unit is disposed between a display panel and a lens unit, and includes an electro-optic material layer formed as a graded refractive index lens in an electric field. A display device shows a two-dimensional and a three-dimensional image according to a mode of the electro-optic unit. A driving part may form the graded refractive index lens to have the same pitch as the pitch of the lens part. The graded refractive index lens may be formed as a convex lens or a Fresnel lens. The electro-optic unit is displayed to form the Fresnel lens. A driving method enhancing mode conversion velocity of the electro-optic unit is displayed.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens cell set includes a plurality of liquid crystal lenses overlapping to each other. Each of the liquid crystal lenses is supported between a pair of flat layers. One of the layers supports a planar electrode made of ITO. The other electrode, also formed of ITO, is supported in the center of the opposing substrate and projects toward the center of the liquid crystal layer. A power supply creates a potential difference between the electrodes and imposes a non-uniform electric field on the liquid crystal modules which aligns them in which a way as to act as a lens. By varying voltage between the electrodes the focal length of the lens may be controlled. A central electrode may be in the form of a beam or of a pointed tip. An electrode having a central hole may be associated with the central electrode or the planar electrode.

Abstract: A method of driving liquid crystal lens includes identifying a driving mode and driving unit lenses of the liquid crystal lens. The driving mode includes a two-dimensional (“2D”) mode and a three-dimensional (“3D”) mode. Driving timings of the unit lenses are different from each other in the 3D mode.

Abstract: A super-twist nematic (STN) liquid crystal (LC) light shutter with improved contrast performance, lower power requirements and enhanced off-axis performance. Compensator components may be disposed in front of and, in some cases, behind the liquid crystal cell. In some embodiments, a STN LC cell with a twist angle of 270 degrees may be used. In other embodiments, a STN LC cell with a twist angle ranging between just greater than 270 degrees and 285 degrees may be used. Also disclosed is a system incorporating the various disclosed STN LC shutters.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a camera module including: a lens barrel mounted with a camera lens; a housing including an exposing hole and guide portions formed on the top thereof, the exposing hole being opposite to the camera lens; a printed circuit board fixed to the housing; and an LC lens module including an LC lens and guided to the guide portions of the housing to thereby be coupled to the housing so that the LC lens is positioned on the same axis as the center of the lens.

Abstract: An optically powered optical modulator comprises an optical modulation component, such as an electro-optical modulator, acousto-optic modulator or magneto-optic modulator, in combination with one or two lens assemblies positioned at one or both apertures of the optical modulation component, so that the optical modulator formed by the combination of the lens assembly or assemblies and the optical modulation component has optical focus power.

Abstract: A double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus having two liquid lens structures is provided. A driving voltage of each liquid crystal lens structure is controlled by an active device disposed thereon. When an incident light is passing through the liquid crystal lens structures, the optical path difference of the incident light is compensated by the liquid crystal lens structures, so that the double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus performs the focusing function well without using a polarizer. Applying a suitable driving voltage on each of the active devices, the double-layer liquid crystal lens apparatus has a function of modulating focal length focusing/diverging the light, like a convex lens or a concave lens.

Abstract: A unit including lenses and a liquid crystal optical element located inside a lens barrel frame, an optical image-electric signal converting element located on a converting element holder, a driving mechanism relatively driving the holder to a board on a base of the barrel frame in directions perpendicular to an optical axis of the lenses, and a holder fixed to the barrel frame and holding the optical element by first and second facing portions of two retention members. The first facing portion includes a first surface and a second surface crossing the first surface, these surfaces contact with a first side and a second side crossing the first side of at least one transparent electrode plate of the optical element to position the optical element perpendicular to the optical axis. The second facing portion presses and positions the optical element on the first facing portion in an optical axis direction.

Abstract: A liquid crystal lens cell comprises a pair of flat layers with the liquid crystal lens supported between the layers. One of the layers supports a planar electrode made of ITO. The other electrode, also formed of ITO, is supported in the center of the opposing substrate and projects downwardly toward the center of the liquid crystal layer. A power supply creates a potential difference between the two electrodes and accordingly imposes a non-uniform electric field on the liquid crystal modules which aligns them in which a way as to act as a lens. By varying the voltage between the two electrodes the focal length of the lens may be controlled. A central electrode may be in the form of a beam or of a pointed tip. In other embodiments of the invention an electrode having a central hole may be associated with the central electrode or the planar electrode.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) display system is provided for displaying a 3D image. The 3D image includes at least a first image and a second image, with a parallax between the first image and the second image. The 3D display system includes a display device, and a liquid crystal lens array. Further, the display device is configured to display at least two combined images of the 3D image in a single display period, and each of the two combined images includes a part of the first image and a part of the second image. The liquid crystal lens array has a plurality of lens units configured to separate the part of the first image and the part of the second image in each of the two combined images into predetermined viewing directions, respectively, such that a complete first image and a complete second image are displayed without losing resolution.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a camera module including: a lens barrel having a lens mounted thereon; a housing having the lens barrel received therein; a printed circuit board connected to a lower portion of the lens barrel and fixed to the housing; and an LC lens module including an LC lens having the center positioned on the same axis as the center of the lens and coupled to the housing. The LC lens is positioned so as to correspond to the center axis of the lens, such that auto-focusing may be efficiently and stably implemented, and electrical connection parts coupling the LC lens to the LC lens module are exposed to the outside of the housing, such that a connection state may be checked with the naked eyes and additional repair may be easily and simply performed.

Abstract: A liquid crystal (LC) lens structure and a method of driving same are disclosed. The LC lens structure includes an upper substrate, a lower substrate, a liquid crystal and polymer composite film, and an LC layer. The upper substrate is provided with a first conducive layer and a first alignment layer; and the lower substrate is provided with a second conductive layer and a second alignment layer. The liquid crystal and polymer composite film is arranged at one side of the first alignment layer to form a first lens, and the LC layer is arranged between the liquid crystal and polymer composite film and the second alignment layer to form a second lens. By building the liquid crystal and polymer composite film in the LC lens structure, it is able to realize an LC lens with low operating voltage and large focusing range.

Abstract: Lighting systems, in particular used for SSTV, disco lights, lighting consoles and claviluxes. In order to reduce noise and to increase robustness, the system comprises a light beam source (6) arranged for generating a beam of light, a projection gate (8) arranged for controlling the beam of light, wherein the light beam source (6) is comprised of at least one light emitting diode, and the projection gate (8) comprises at least one liquid crystal (LC) optical element.

Abstract: The focal distance can be greatly changed by performing an electrical control in an optical element. The optical element comprises a first substrate having a first electrode, a second substrate, a second electrode arranged outside the second substrate, and a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate and constituted by liquid crystal molecules oriented. A first voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode, thereby controlling the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, whereby the optical element operates. A third electrode is provided on an insulating layer and outside the second electrode. A second voltage independent of the first voltage is applied to the third electrode, thereby changing the optical properties.

Abstract: A tunable optical imaging system uses a fixed lens and a tunable liquid crystal lens that is operated only outside of an operational range of high aberration. A voltage range applied to change the optical power of the liquid crystal lens is limited to a continuous tunable range of low aberration. The relative positioning between the lens and a corresponding photodetector, and the relative lens powers of a fixed lens and the tunable lens, may be selected to compensate for any optical power offsets resulting from the limitation of the voltage range of the tunable lens. The lens may be operated in either positive tunability or negative tunability mode.

Abstract: An electromagnetic source has an electrode structure coupled to a substrate. The electrode structure has interspaced electrodes, at least one of which is spiral-shaped. At least one electrical contact interconnects the electrodes of the electrode structure. The electrode structure is responsive to an applied electrical current to generate a spatially non-uniform magnetic field. This field can act on a LC layer such that optical properties of the layer are controllable.