Patent ID: 7936500
Filing Date: 2011-05-03
Classification: B82Y,G02B,G02F

Abstract:
1. An optical device that switches between reflection and absorption of wavelength bands in a tunable range comprising a tunable optical filter comprising a thermochromic filter that selectively transmits or absorbs light in one or more wavelength bands within an optical bandwidth; and a band reflector that reflects light selectively transmitted by the tunable optical filter within the one or more wavelength bands; a control unit that sends control signals to the tunable optical filter to select between transmission or absorption of the one or more wavelength bands, wherein the control unit further comprises wherein the temperature regulating unit receives temperature data from the temperature sensor and sends control signals to the heating device and the cooling device to adjust the temperature of the thermochromic filter and thereby select between transmission or absorption of the one or more wavelength bands.