Patent ID: 8471999
Filing Date: 2013-06-25
Classification: G02F

Abstract:
1. A liquid crystal optical device having a variable focal length, comprising: at least one liquid crystal layer residing between a first substrate and a second substrate; at least one alignment layer configured to align liquid crystals of the at least one liquid crystal layer, the at least one alignment layer having anchoring energy that is spatially non-uniform, wherein the anchoring energy increases radially outwards from the center of the liquid crystal optical device to the edges of the liquid crystal optical device or decreases radially outwards from the center of the liquid crystal optical device to the edges of the liquid crystal optical device; and wherein the liquid crystals of the at least one liquid crystal layer are configured to provide a positive or negative lens effect to light passing through the at least one liquid crystal layer in the presence of an applied uniform electric or magnetic field; and wherein focal length corresponding to the positive or negative lens effect is controllable based on magnitude of the applied uniform electric or magnetic field.