Patent ID: 6774871
Filing Date: 2004-08-10
Classification: G02F,G03H

Abstract:
A dynamic optical transform, comprising:a body of material that has an index of refraction whose value varies in response to an electric potential placed across a portion of the material, the body of material having a first surface and a second surface tat is non-orthogonal to the first surface; a first, substantially transparent electrode disposed adjacent the first surface and a second electrode disposed adjacent the second surface, at least one of the first and second electrodes being addressable so as to apply a selected spatial pattern of electric potential to the body of material; and a processor for receiving arbitrary optical thickness profile information and, in response thereto, producing and applying to said at least one of the first and second electrodes a spatial pattern of electric potential so as to cause the body of material to produce a retardance profile corresponding essentially to the arbitrary optical thickness profile.