Patent ID: 6798556
Filing Date: 2004-09-28
Classification: E06B,G02F

Abstract:
A reversible electrodeposition device for controlling the propagation of electromagnetic radiation, comprising:an optical modulation electrode which is substantially transparent to the radiation; a counter electrode comprised of a plurality of electrically isolated segments; and an electrolyte containing ions of an electrodepositable metal, in electrical contact with said optical modulation electrode and said counter electrode, such that a positive electrical potential applied to one of said segments relative to said optical modulation electrode tends to cause the electrodepositable metal to be electrodeposited from said electrolyte onto a localized area of said optical modulation electrode, and such that a negative electrical potential applied to one of said segments relative to said optical modulation electrode tends to cause the electrodepositable metal to be dissolved into said electrolyte from a localized area of said optical modulation electrode, wherein the amount of electrodeposited metal subsisting on said optical modulation electrode affects the propagation of electromagnetic radiation by the device.