Electro-optic Patents (Class 359/315)
  • Patent number: 11933940
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for manufacturing high-index, low-absorption materials for use in visible light optical metasurfaces. Methods of manufacturing or forming hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H), silicon-rich nitride (SRN), and hydrogenated silicon-rich nitride (SRN:H) are described herein that exhibit high indices of refraction and low extinction coefficients for visible wavelengths of optical radiation. Optical metasurfaces, including optical metalenses and waveguide couplers, are described herein that utilize the a-Si:H, SRN, and/or SRN:H materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Imagia, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Kress, Heydar Honarvar Nazari, Arindom Datta, Erik Shipton, Abdoulaye Ndao
  • Patent number: 11892746
    Abstract: A Super System on Chip (SSoC) is disclosed. The Super System on Chip (SSoC)'s input/outputs are coupled with a Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI), wherein the Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) can generally include a phase transition material or a phase change material. The Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) is coupled with a first optical waveguide in two-dimensions (2-D) or three-dimensions (3-D). The first optical waveguide is coupled with (i) a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) or (ii) a second optical waveguide that can include a nonlinear optical material in two-dimensions (2-D) or three-dimensions (3-D). Furthermore, the semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) may be replaced by an optical resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Inventor: Mohammad A. Mazed
  • Patent number: 11846865
    Abstract: A metasurface may include a substrate layer and a two-dimensional array of metallic optical pillars arranged in parallel rows extending vertically relative to the substrate layer. Gaps between adjacent pillars form optical resonators and a tunable dielectric material is positioned in the optical resonators between the pillars. A reflective layer positioned between the substrate layer and the two-dimensional array of pillars may include a two-dimensional array of elongated rectangular reflector patches arranged in parallel rows with an electrical isolation gap between adjacent rows of reflector patches. The plurality of reflector patches may be arranged lengthwise within each row with an off-resonance gap between adjacent reflector patches. The reflector patches in adjacent rows may be offset with respect to one another, such that the off-resonance gaps between adjacent reflector patches in one row are not aligned with the off-resonance gaps between adjacent reflector patches in an adjacent row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Lumotive, Inc.
    Inventor: Gleb M. Akselrod
  • Patent number: 11709387
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a display device includes a first display panel, and a polarizer opposed to the first display panel and having a transmission axis for transmitting linearly polarized light. The first display panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate opposed to the first substrate, and a first liquid crystal layer held between the first substrate and the second substrate and including streak-like polymers and liquid crystal molecules. An extension direction of the polymers is substantially orthogonal to the transmission axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Japan Display Inc.
    Inventor: Kentaro Okuyama
  • Patent number: 11579366
    Abstract: A photonic antenna array includes: a plurality of tapered fiber ends; and a support plate. Each tapered fiber end of the plurality of tapered fiber ends corresponds to a respective fiber of a plurality of fibers. A portion of each of the plurality of fibers is run through the support plate. A fiber core diameter at a tapered end point of a respective tapered fiber end of the plurality of tapered fiber ends has a first diameter. A fiber core diameter at a non-tapered portion of the respective fiber corresponding to the respective tapered fiber end has a second diameter. The first diameter is smaller than the second diameter. The respective tapered fiber end is configured to provide a mode field diameter larger than a diameter of the non-tapered portion of the respective fiber corresponding to the respective tapered fiber end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: OPTICAL ENGINES, INC.
    Inventors: Donald Lee Sipes, Jr., Jason D. Tafoya, Daniel Scott Schulz
  • Patent number: 11579448
    Abstract: A method and device for refraction adjustment in an augmented reality apparatus, and an augmented reality apparatus. The method for refraction adjustment includes: receiving light rays reflected from eyes of a user wearing an augmented reality apparatus; determining a pupil distance of the user according to the reflected light rays; and generating a refraction correction signal according to the pupil distance of the user and a desired diopter(s) for correcting diopters of the user's eyes by means of a refraction adjustment element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Dianmeng Li
  • Patent number: 11562221
    Abstract: An optical synapse comprises a memristive device for non-volatile storage of a synaptic weight dependent on resistance of the device, and an optical modulator for volatile modulation of optical transmission in a waveguide. The memristive device and optical modulator are connected in control circuitry which is operable, in a write mode, to supply a programming signal to the memristive device to program the synaptic weight and, in a read mode, to supply an electrical signal, dependent on the synaptic weight, to the optical modulator whereby the optical transmission is controlled in a volatile manner in dependence on programmed synaptic weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Stefan Abel, Bert Jan Offrein, Antonio La Porta, Pascal Stark
  • Patent number: 11550033
    Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide receivers for light detection and ranging (LiDAR). In an example, a receiver includes a beam converging device and an EO beam deflecting unit. The beam converging device is configured to receive a laser beam from an object being scanned by the LiDAR and form an input laser beam. The EO beam deflecting unit is configured to generate a non-uniform medium having at least one of a refractive index gradient or a diffraction grating, receive the input laser beam such that the input laser beam impinges upon the non-uniform medium, and form an output laser beam towards a photosensor. An angle between the input and the output laser beams is nonzero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: BEIJING VOYAGER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chao Wang, Lingkai Kong, Yonghong Guo, Wenbin Zhu
  • Patent number: 11526064
    Abstract: An embodiment provides a liquid lens including a first plate comprising a cavity formed therein to accommodate a first liquid, which is non-conductive, and a second liquid, which is conductive, therein, the first plate being conductive, an electrode disposed on the first plate, a second plate disposed on the electrode, the second plate being non-conductive, a third plate disposed under the first plate, and an insulation layer disposed between the first plate and the electrode and between the second liquid and the first plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ba Ro Lee, Jae Wook Jung
  • Patent number: 11487184
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a tunable optical device comprises a tunable optical metasurface on a substrate with an integrated driver circuit. In some embodiments, the tunable optical device includes a photon shield layer to prevent optical radiation from disrupting operation of the driver circuit. In some embodiments, the tunable optical device includes a diagnostic circuit to detect and disable defective optical structures of the metasurface. In some embodiments, the tunable optical device includes an integrated heater circuit that maintains a liquid crystal of the metasurface above a minimum operating temperature. In some embodiments, the tunable optical device includes an integrated lidar sequencing controller, a steering pattern subcircuit, and a photodetector circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Lumotive, LLC
    Inventors: Gleb M. Akselrod, Mark C. Weidman, Erik Edward Josberger, Tyler Williamson, Yizhak Sabba
  • Patent number: 11366313
    Abstract: A head-mounted display device including a body, a display element, and two lens groups is provided. The display element is disposed on the body and is adapted to provide an image beam. The two lens groups are disposed on a transmission path of the image beam. Each the lens group includes a plurality of lenses, wherein one of the lenses has an astigmatism surface on at least one side of the display element. The astigmatism surface is non-rotationally symmetrical, and the image beam has astigmatic aberration after passing through the astigmatism surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: HTC Corporation
    Inventors: Meng-Che Tsai, Kuei-Chun Liu
  • Patent number: 11036122
    Abstract: A phase modulation data generating unit according to the present disclosure includes: a first calculating section; and a storage section. The first calculating section calculates basic phase modulation pattern data on the basis of a partial illumination image pattern that makes it possible to generate an intended illumination image pattern having a desired luminance distribution. The basic phase modulation pattern data makes it possible for a light phase modulation device to reconstruct the partial illumination image pattern. The storage section stores the basic phase modulation pattern data calculated by the first calculating section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenichi Fukui, Yoshihisa Sato
  • Patent number: 10915000
    Abstract: In a variable focal length lens control method, a plurality of candidate planes are defined at different focal lengths of a variable focal length lens, an image of a measurable object is detected by an image detector at each of the candidate planes, contrast in each of the detected images is calculated, any of the candidate planes is selected based on the contrast, and a focal length of the selected candidate plane is defined for a lens controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroshi Sakai
  • Patent number: 10901293
    Abstract: A two-dimensional optical phased array, including a first phased array and a second phased array disposed on the first phased array. The first phased array includes an optical coupler, a beam splitter, a plurality of phase shifters, and a plurality of light-emitting units. The second phased array includes a strip transparent electrode array, a phase shifting medium, and a transparent electrode disposed on the phase shifting medium. The strip transparent electrode array is disposed on the light-emitting units. The phase shifting medium is disposed on the strip transparent electrode array. The light-emitting units is configured to produce a laser beam which is incident to the second phased array via the strip transparent electrode array and emitted via the transparent electrode on the phase shifting medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignees: HUAZHONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Weihua Guo, Su Tan, Qiaoyin Lu
  • Patent number: 10880004
    Abstract: A wavelength tunable filter, an optical receiver and a method using the wavelength tunable filter are disclosed. According to an aspect of the present invention, an optical receiver module having a wavelength tunable filter is provided. The transmission wavelength or reflective wavelength of the wavelength tunable filter is tunable The optical receiver module includes the wavelength tunable filter, a heat generation unit, and a separation unit. The wavelength tunable filter transmits light of a preset wavelength and tunes the preset wavelength. The heat generation unit is in contact with at least a portion of the wavelength tuning filter. The separation unit has a preset thermal conductivity. The separation unit is in contact with at least another portion of the wavelength tunable filter to support the wavelength tunable filter and separate physically or thermally the wavelength tunable filter from other components of the optical receiver module except for the heat generation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Inventor: Jeong-Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 10724729
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting assembly is provided that comprises a single heat sink defining a plurality of cavities. The heat sink is within, and movable relative to, a housing. The vehicle lighting assembly further comprises a plurality of optic polyhedrons configured within the cavities and a plurality of LED light sources within the cavities is configured to direct an incident light pattern through the optic polyhedrons to generate a plurality of vehicular light patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Preston Williams, Arun Kumar
  • Patent number: 10663350
    Abstract: A phononic filter includes a metamaterial body including a membrane including a crystalline or amorphous dielectric material, an elemental superconductor or an alloyed superconductor; and a plurality of spaced features. The spaced features includes holes, spacings, or apertures in the metamaterial body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administration of NASA
    Inventors: Edward J. Wollack, David T. Chuss, Kevin L. Denis, Samuel H. Moseley, Karwan Rostem
  • Patent number: 10539313
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting assembly is provided that comprises a single heat sink defining a plurality of cavities. The heat sink is within, and movable relative to, a housing. The vehicle lighting assembly further comprises a plurality of optic polyhedrons configured within the cavities and a plurality of LED light sources within the cavities is configured to direct an incident light pattern through the optic polyhedrons to generate a plurality of vehicular light patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Preston Williams, Arun Kumar
  • Patent number: 10460935
    Abstract: An electronic device includes first and second electrodes that are spaced apart from each other and a 2D material layer. The 2D material layer connects the first and second electrodes. The 2D material layer includes a plurality of 2D nanomaterials. At least some of the 2D nanomaterials overlap one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minhyun Lee, Hyeonjin Shin, Jaeho Lee, Haeryong Kim
  • Patent number: 10295884
    Abstract: A display device is disclosed. The display panel may comprise a display panel including a pixel area and a light refraction element disposed on the display panel. The light refraction element may have a first face facing the display panel and a second face disposed at an opposite side of the first face. The light refraction element may comprise a light refraction pattern disposed at the first face and having a first slanting face and a second slanting face, and the light refraction pattern can refract light emerging from the display panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: SEOUL NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY CENTER FOR INDUSTRY COLLABORATION
    Inventor: Hyunsik Yoon
  • Patent number: 10290721
    Abstract: The invention provides a method of fabricating an electromechanical structure presenting a first substrate including a layer of monocrystalline material covered in a sacrificial layer that presents a free surface, the structure presenting a mechanical reinforcing pillar in the sacrificial layer, the method including etching a well region in the sacrificial layer to define a mechanical pillar; depositing a first functionalization layer of the first material to at least partially fill the well region and cover the free surface of the sacrificial layer around the well region; depositing a second material different from the first material for terminating the filling of the well region to thereby cover the first functionalization layer around the well region, planarizing the filler layer, the pillar being formed by the superposition of the first material and second material in the well region; and releasing the electromechanical structure by removing at least partially the sacrificial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Commissariat a L'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Vincent Larrey, Francois Perruchot, Bernard Diem, Laurent Clavelier, Philippe Robert
  • Patent number: 10216060
    Abstract: A liquid crystal lens, a manufacturing method thereof, and a display device are provided. The liquid crystal lens includes a first substrate and a second substrate. A first electrode is disposed on the first substrate. A retardation layer is disposed on a side of the first substrate facing the second substrate. The retardation layer includes a plurality of steps having different heights. A second electrode is disposed on the second substrate. The second electrode includes a plurality of sub-electrodes, the plurality of sub-electrodes being one-to-one corresponding to the plurality of steps. The width of the sub-electrode is smaller than the width of the step corresponding to the sub-electrode. A gap is provided between two adjacent sub-electrodes. One edge of the gap is aligned with a step point of two adjacent steps. A liquid crystal is filled in a space between the retardation layer and the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zhongxiao Li
  • Patent number: 10193611
    Abstract: A system and method for focusing an orthogonal function multiplexed beam receives an orthogonal function multiplexed signal from a data processing source. The orthogonal function multiplexed signal includes a plurality of data streams each having a unique orthogonal function applied thereto and multiplexed together within the orthogonal function multiplexed signal. The orthogonal function multiplexed signal passes through a pair of focusing lenses to focus the orthogonal function multiplexed signal on a predetermined focused point. A distance between the pair of focusing lenses is controlled to cause the orthogonal function multiplexed signal to focus at the predetermined focus point. The orthogonal function multiplexed signals are transmitted from a transmitter toward the focus point at a receiver aperture of a receiver as a transmission beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: NXGEN IP PARTNERS, LLC
    Inventors: Solyman Ashrafi, Roger D. Linquist, Nima Ashrafi
  • Patent number: 10158076
    Abstract: The display device includes a first base portion; a semiconductor layer disposed on the first base portion and including a source region, a drain region and a channel region; a first insulating layer disposed on the semiconductor layer; a gate line disposed on the first insulating layer extending in a first direction and overlapping the channel region; a second insulating layer disposed on the gate line; a first connection plug formed in the first and second insulating layer filling a first connection hole exposing the source region; a second connection plug formed in the first and second insulating layer filling a second connection hole exposing the drain region; a first and second conductive pattern disposed on the second insulating layer; a pixel electrode disposed on the second insulating layer and electrically connected to the first conductive pattern; and a data line disposed on the second insulating layer to extend in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO,. LTD.
    Inventors: Bon Yong Koo, Young Wan Seo
  • Patent number: 10101629
    Abstract: An optical modulation device or an optical device including the same includes: a first plate and a second plate facing the first plate; and a liquid crystal layer between the first plate and the second plate and including a plurality of liquid crystal molecules, wherein the first plate includes a plurality of first electrodes and a first aligner, the second plate includes at least one second electrode and a second aligner, and an alignment direction of the first aligner is substantially parallel to an alignment direction of the second aligner and wherein portions of the first plate, the second plate, and the liquid crystal layer between the first and second plates are individual units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soo Hee Oh, Yoon Kyung Park, Kyung Ho Jung, Seung Jun Jeong, Moon Jung Baek, Hyun Seung Seo
  • Patent number: 9922825
    Abstract: An electronic device includes first and second electrodes that are spaced apart from each other and a 2D material layer. The 2D material layer connects the first and second electrodes. The 2D material layer includes a plurality of 2D nanomaterials. At least some of the 2D nanomaterials overlap one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Minhyun Lee, Hyeonjin Shin, Jaeho Lee, Haeryong Kim
  • Patent number: 9846341
    Abstract: A display device includes a transparent substrate; a plurality of electro-conductive polarizers disposed on the transparent substrate; an insulating layer disposed on the plurality of electro-conductive polarizers; and a plurality of gate lines disposed on the insulating layer, wherein each of the plurality of electro-conductive polarizers is coupled to each of the plurality of gate lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheol Kyu Kim, Dae Young Lee
  • Patent number: 9823538
    Abstract: A display device comprises a plurality of pixels, each pixel having a portion (10) of a solid-state, phase-change material such as germanium-antimonium-telluride (GST) or vanadium dioxide, wherein the phase-change material can be reversibly brought into an amorphous state or a crystaline state and has a refractive index that is reversibly, electrically controllable. A plurality of electrodes (14, 16) are provided, at least two of which contact said portion of material (10). A controller (19) is provided that is adapted to apply at least one voltage to said material (10), via said electrodes (14, 16), to change said refractive index. An array of such portions of material can be arranged to make a pixellated display, for example a stereoscopic display of the volumetric type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: OXFORD UNIVERSITY INNOVATION LIMITED
    Inventors: Harish Bhaskaran, Peiman Hosseini
  • Patent number: 9780284
    Abstract: A micromechanical sensor device and a corresponding production method include a substrate that has a front and a rear and a plurality of pillars that are formed on the front of the substrate. On each pillar, a respective sensor element is formed, which has a greater lateral extent than the associated pillar. A cavity is provided laterally to the pillars beneath the sensor elements. The sensor elements are laterally spaced apart from each other by respective separating troughs and make electrical contact with a respective associated rear contact via the respective associated pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Bischopink, Christoph Schelling
  • Patent number: 9413448
    Abstract: A system for focusing a multiplexed beam includes OAM signal processing circuitry for generating a multiplexed OAM multiplexed signal. A plurality of antennas comprises an antenna array. An antenna array control circuit controls transmission of the multiplexed OAM signal from each of the plurality of antennas in the antenna array. The antenna array control circuit generates control signals to cause the antenna array to transmit the OAM multiplexed signal from each of the plurality of antennas of the antenna array toward a focus point as a transmission beam and controls a timing of the transmissions of the OAM multiplexed signal from each of the plurality of antennas of the antenna array to cause the transmitted OAM multiplexed signals to arrive at the focus point at substantially a same time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: NXGEN PARTNERS IP, LLC
    Inventors: Solyman Ashrafi, Roger Linquist, Nima Ashrafi
  • Patent number: 9091900
    Abstract: An electro-optic modulator includes a substrate and a Y-shaped waveguide. The substrate has a top surface. The Y-shaped waveguide is formed in the top surface and includes a non-modulated branch and a modulated branch. The substrate defines two grooves in the top surface, separating the non-modulated branch and the modulated branch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hsin-Shun Huang
  • Publication number: 20150138627
    Abstract: A projection or back-projection method, according to which a glazing including two main external surfaces, used as projection or back-projection screen, and a projector are available. The method includes projecting, by virtue of the projector, images viewable by spectators onto one of the sides of the glazing. The glazing includes a transparent layered element exhibiting diffuse reflection properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Marie-Virginie Ehrensperger, Patrick Gayout, Emmanuel Mimoun, Etienne Sandre-Chardonnal
  • Patent number: 9036239
    Abstract: Electrooptical cell, including, on a substrate (1), a layer of ferroelectric massive material (4), with an electrode (2) forming an earth plane, provided between the substrate (1) and the ferroelectric layer (4), another electrode (5), narrow, mounted opposite the first above the ferroelectric layer and grooves (6) made in the ferroelectric layer, on either side of the upper electrode (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventor: Marc Alexandre Bouvrot
  • Patent number: 8997572
    Abstract: A probe for use with an imaging system, including a scanning device configured to receive a first light beam from a light source, a beam-divider configured to split the first light beam into a plurality of second light beams, and a focusing device configured to focus each of the second light beams on respective locations in an object of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Washington University
    Inventors: Lihong Wang, Liang Song, Konstantin Maslov, Bin Rao
  • Publication number: 20150070676
    Abstract: A first electro-optic crystal substrate and a second electro-optic crystal substrate are provided as an electro-optic crystal substrate. The first electro-optic crystal substrate comprises a first periodic polarization reversal structure in which first polarization pairs, in each of which the directions of polarization in response to electric fields are opposite to each other, are arranged in a first period along a first arrangement direction which is orthogonal or inclined with respect to the direction of propagation, and light passes through the first periodic polarization reversal structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Masahide OKAZAKI, Toshiaki Suhara
  • Patent number: 8963911
    Abstract: A first constant potential wiring that supplies a first constant potential to a scanning line drive circuit and a second constant potential wiring that supplies the first constant potential to a clock buffer circuit are electrically separated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Teiichiro Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20150036209
    Abstract: A light deflection element is capable of deflecting incident light so as to follow a position of an observer and suppressing reduction in intensity of light that reaches eyes of the observer regardless of their position. The light deflection element includes: a first optical element configured to deflect incident light; a second optical element configured to change a deflection direction of emitted light by changing a refractive index thereof according to a voltage applied thereto; a third optical element; and a control section configured to control the voltage applied to the second optical element. At least one of interfaces between the first and second optical elements and the second and third optical elements is an aspheric surface. The aspheric surface has an optical power that compensates enlargement of the emitted light which is caused by refractive index distribution caused when a voltage is applied to the second optical element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Kouki ICHIHASHI, Masahiro KASANO, Yasuhiro Tanaka, Katsuhiko HAYASHI
  • Patent number: 8947764
    Abstract: An optical device includes a microdisk optical resonator element. The microdisk resonator element is formed on a substrate and has upper and lower portions respectively distal and proximal the substrate. An arcuate semiconductor contact region partially surrounds the microdisk resonator element. A first modulator electrode is centrally formed on the upper portion of the microdisk resonator element, and a second modulator electrode is formed on the arcuate contact region. A laminar semiconductor region smaller in thickness than the microdisk resonator element separates the arcuate contact region from the microdisk resonator element and is formed on the substrate so as to electrically connect the arcuate contact region to the lower portion of the microdisk resonator element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher DeRose, William A. Zortman
  • Patent number: 8900897
    Abstract: Devices are described including a component comprising an alloy of AlN and AlSb. The component has an index of refraction substantially the same as that of a semiconductor in the optoelectronic device, and has high transparency at wavelengths of light used in the optoelectronic device. The component is in contact with the semiconductor in the optoelectronic device. The alloy comprises between 0% and 100% AlN by weight and between 0% and 100% AlSb by weight. The semiconductor can be a III-V semiconductor such as GaAs or AlGaInP. The component can be used as a transparent insulator. The alloy can also be doped to form either a p-type conductor or an n-type conductor, and the component can be used as a transparent conductor. Methods of making and devices utilizing the alloy are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Intermolecular, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip Kraus, Thai Cheng Chua, Yoga Saripalli
  • Publication number: 20140333992
    Abstract: A controllable polymer actuator (1) comprising a dielectric elastomeric film (2); a first (3) and a second (4) deformable electrode arranged on opposite sides of the dielectric elastomeric film such that application of a voltage between the electrodes causes an active portion (7) of the controllable polymer actuator to change topography. The controllable polymer actuator (1) further comprises a deformation controlling layer (5, 6) connected to the dielectric elastomeric film. The deformation controlling layer at least locally has a higher stiffness than the dielectric elastomeric film, and exhibits a spatially varying stiffness across the active portion (7). This may enable surface topographies that could not at all be achieved using previously known controllable polymer actuators and/or may enable a certain surface topography to be achieved with a simpler electrode pattern and/or fewer individually controllable electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Wiebe Wagemans, Dirk Brokken, Floris Maria Hermansz Crompvoets
  • Patent number: 8879141
    Abstract: Methods and devices for calibrating and controlling the actuation of an analog interferometric modulator configured to have a plurality of actuation states. Devices and methods for calibrating an analog interferometric modulator to respond in linear relation to an applied voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Chong U. Lee, John H. Hong, Marc M. Mignard, Alok Govil
  • Patent number: 8873126
    Abstract: An electrooptic device includes first and second substrates that are disposed opposing each other with an electrooptic material layer therebetween, a sealing material that bonds the first and second substrates, a pixel area, and an ion trap portion between the pixel area and the sealing material. The ion trap portion includes first and second electrodes that are formed in a comb-tooth shape and are disposed so that branch electrodes of the first electrode and branch electrodes of the second electrode are engaged with each other. A direction of the branch electrodes intersects with an orientation direction of the electrooptic material at an interface between the electrooptic material layer and the first substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Tomikawa, Hiroyuki Hara, Tomoki Yokota
  • Patent number: 8867121
    Abstract: Electrically reconfigurable metamaterial with spatially varied refractive index is proposed for applications such as optical devices and lenses. The apparatus and method comprises a metamaterial in which the refractive indices are modified in space and time by applying one or more electric fields. The metamaterials are electrically controllable and reconfigurable, and consist of metal (gold, silver, etc.) particles of different shapes, such as rods, with dimension much smaller than the wavelength of light, dispersed in a dielectric medium. The metamaterial is controlled by applying a non-uniform electric field that causes two effects: (1) It aligns the metallic anisometric particles with respect to the direction of the applied electric field and (2) It redistributes particles in space, making their local concentration position dependent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Kent State University
    Inventors: Oleg D. Lavrentovich, Andrii B. Golovin
  • Patent number: 8859310
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating optoelectronic devices, such as photovoltaic cells and light-emitting devices. In one embodiment, such a method includes providing a substrate, applying a monolayer of semiconductor particles to the substrate, and encasing the monolayer with one or more coatings so as to form an encased-particle layer. At some point during the method, the substrate is removed so as to expose the reverse side of the encased-particle layer and further processing is performed on the reverse side. When a device made using such a method has been completed and installed into an electrical circuit the semiconductor particles actively participate in the photoelectric effect or generation of light, depending on the type of device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Versatilis LLC
    Inventor: Ajaykumar R. Jain
  • Publication number: 20140285741
    Abstract: According to an embodiment, a liquid crystal lens device includes an optical element and a voltage controller. The optical element includes: a refractive index modulation layer of which a refractive index distribution changes according to a voltage applied thereto; and electrodes to apply a voltage to the refractive index modulation layer. In a first voltage state, the voltage controller controls voltages applied to the electrodes such that a first refractive index distribution is arranged periodically in the optical element. In a second voltage state, the voltage controller controls voltages applied to the electrodes such that a second refractive index distribution is achieved. In an intermediate voltage state, the voltage controller controls a voltage applied to a first-type electrode, to which a first voltage that is the maximum value among the voltages applied to the electrodes in the first voltage state is applied, to a second voltage lower than the first voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventors: Masako KASHIWAGI, Shinichi Uehara, Ayako Takagi
  • Patent number: 8837036
    Abstract: A subwavelength terahertz switch using an artificially designed conductor metamaterial is discussed in this invention. Slow-light EM Wave propagating at THZ speed imitates the strongly localized surface plasmon modes and henceforth is called Spoof Surface Plasmon Polariton (SSPP) in this invention. The SSPP mode of slow-light EM propagation can be easily tailored by changing the refractive index of the dielectric materials inside the metallic gap structure engineered as a periodic array of grooves. Thus, the incorporation of electro-optical material which has birefringence such as a nematic liquid crystal (N-LC) or multiple refractive indices into the metallic gap leads to a highly compact and efficient terahertz switch being controlled by a low voltage signal. The THZ dynamic switches can be used to construct linear switches, Y junction switches and Mach Zehnder interferometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventor: Pinaki Mazumder
  • Publication number: 20140253997
    Abstract: Provided are an islands-in-sea type photorefractive polymer composite, and a photorefractive device and an optical device including the same. The islands-in-sea type photorefractive polymer composite includes at least a photoconductive polymer matrix, a nonlinear optical chromophore, and a plasticizer, as a sea component, and includes at least a photocharge generator as an island component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chil-sung CHOI, Kyoung-seok PYUN
  • Patent number: 8830561
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an electrophoretic display comprising: (a) microcups comprising partition walls and top-openings; (b) an organic-based electrophoretic fluid filled in the microcups, wherein said fluid comprises charged pigment particles dispersed in a solvent; and (c) a top-sealing layer formed from a sealing composition to enclose the electrophoretic fluid within the microcups. The sealing composition comprises: (i) a water soluble polymer, (ii) a water-based suspension, a water-based dispersion, a water-based emulsion, or a water-based latex, each comprising a polymer; and (iii) water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: E Ink California, LLC
    Inventors: HongMei Zang, Hui Chen
  • Patent number: 8824036
    Abstract: A thermally stabilized, high speed, micrometer-scale silicon electro-optic modulator is provided. Methods for maintaining desired temperatures in electro-optic modulators are also provided. The methods can be used to maintain high quality modulation in the presence of thermal variations from the surroundings. Direct current injection into the thermally stabilized electro-optic modulator is used to maintain the modulation performance of the modulator. The direct injected current changes the local temperature of the thermally stabilized electro-optic modulator to maintain its operation over a wide temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Cornell University
    Inventors: Sasikanth Manipatruni, Rajeev Dokania, Alyssa B. Apsel, Michal Lipson
  • Patent number: 8784675
    Abstract: The ferroelectric substrate 11 of ferroelectric crystals, while being supported by the support plate 14 which is thicker than the ferroelectric substrate 11, is integrated with the support plate 14 by letting the junction 13 mediate between one major surface S1A of the ferroelectric substrate 11 and one major surface S1B of the support plate 14, and therefore, it is possible through the flat surface polishing to perform thinning of the ferroelectric substrate 11, namely, the ferroelectric crystals, and as a result, it is possible to obtain the thin periodically poled structure. By the voltage application method, the domain inverted region is formed in the ferroelectric substrate 11 which is made thin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Dainippon Screen Mfg. Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahide Okazaki, Toshiaki Suhara