Patent ID: 7751109
Filing Date: 2010-07-06
Classification: G02F

Abstract:
1. An electro-optic shutter comprising: an electro-optic element operating as a half wave plate when a voltage V a first polarizer disposed adjacent to one transverse surface of the electro-optic element and having a first transmission axis; a second polarizer disposed adjacent to the other transverse surface of the electro-optic element and having a second transmission axis different than the first transmission axis; and a first pair of grid electrodes comprising a first plurality of thin-film transparent electrodes deposited in a first pattern onto the first polarizer, each electrode disposed on one of the transverse surfaces of the electro-optic element and having an electric field which is substantially uniform over the transverse extent of the electro-optic element; the electro-optic element having a first state in which light is transmitted therethrough substantially unchanged such that light exiting the first polarizer will be blocked by the second polarizer, and a second state in which substantially all of the light passing therethrough experiences a rotation of polarization of ninety degrees so as to substantially coincide with the transmission axis of the second polarizer so as to allow passage of light therethrough, wherein the electro-optic element is a polymeric Pockels cell film formed on the first polarizer by spin casting, and a second pair of grid electrodes comprising a second plurality of thin-film transparent electrodes deposited on the second polarizer in a corresponding second pattern, and the second polarizer and the Pockels cell film are thermally bonded together.