Normal Incidence Optical Switches Using Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals.
Abstract
This invention comprises a new group of fiber optic switching devices that use layers of surface-established ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs) as the switching media. In each of the devices light impinges upon the ferroelectric liquid crystal at an angle of 90 deg (normal incidence) with the surface plane. Each FLC gives 0 or 90 deg optical rotation, depending upon the polarity of the electric voltage applied. A series of polarizing beam splitters are used to separate unpolarized light into its s and p polarization components. After ferroelectric liquid crystal switching, other polarizing beam splitters are used to direct the s and p light to output optical paths. The switches discussed below are voltage controlled 2 x 2, 1 x 4, 1 x 6, 1 x 8, 4 x 4, or N x N devices that use one or more layers of surface stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystals. Patent applications. (JHD)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 18, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADD013799
Entities
People
- Richard Soref
Organizations
- United States Department of the Air Force