Patent ID: 8033054
Filing Date: 2011-10-11
Classification: C09K,G02F

Abstract:
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: At least one liquid crystal cell comprising substrates and a liquid crystal layer between the substrates through which said light passes, optical properties of the liquid crystal layer controlling said light propagation, said cell comprising alignment layers on said substrates and in contact with liquid crystal material of said liquid crystal layer; an electrode system arranged to generate an electric field acting on said liquid crystal layer, said electrode system comprising at least two electrodes arranged on above and below said liquid crystal layer, at least one of said electrodes being a hole-patterned or ring electrode defining an aperture located on a side of one of said substrates opposite a side having one of said alignment layers; an electrical signal generator having at least one selectable frequency component for generating a drive signal at applied to the electrode system; wherein said electrode system comprises a frequency dependent material extending across said aperture of said optical device said frequency dependent material having with a charge mobility therein that varies with a frequency of the drive signal; and a controller providing a control input to said electrical signal generator that determines said at least one selectable frequency component, said controller configured to control said frequency component of said drive signal as an independent variable while maintaining a constant voltage, of said drive signal to create a dynamically configured effective electrode geometry providing a desired spatial profile of said electric field for varying an optical property of said optical device.