Patent ID: 9244297
Filing Date: 2016-01-26
CPC Classification: C08J,G02F

Claim Text:
1. A variable optical device for controlling the propagation of light passing through the device using a dynamically-configured effective electrode geometry, said optical device comprising: a liquid crystal layer having an aperture through which said light passes, said liquid crystal layer comprising a low angle pre-tilt alignment layer on a substrate containing liquid crystal material, wherein optical properties of the liquid crystal material are able to control said light propagation using a spatial variation of liquid crystal molecule orientation; an electrode system arranged to generate an electric field acting on said liquid crystal layer, the electrode system comprising at least one electrode having a gap or hole and including a weakly conductive material near the gap or hole for providing an electric field profile over the aperture; an electrical signal generator for generating a drive signal at a plurality of different frequencies and applying the drive signal to the electrode system, wherein said generator is configured to provide a first drive signal at which said spatial profile is substantially uniform, with said liquid crystal being able to be reoriented from a ground state defined by the alignment layer into a state substantially without disclinations, and a second drive signal having a frequency different from a frequency of the first drive signal at which said spatial profile is not spatially uniform to achieve a desired control over light propagation.