Abstract

Inhomogeneous concentrated polymer network with approximately 90.degree. twisted nematic liquid crystal (TN-LC) is used for fabricating lens and prisms. For forming a positive lens, the approximately 90.degree. TN-LC polymer network concentration can gradually decrease from the center to the side edges. For forming a negative lens, the approximately 90.degree. TN-LC polymer network concentration can gradually increase from the center to the side edges. The lens can be created by ultra violet (UV) light exposure to patterned photo masks. The lens can be tuned by applying voltage above the threshold voltage to the polymer network. The inhomogeneous 90.degree. TN-LC polymer network can also be used in Fresnel lens and prisms. Applications of the invention can be used for micro lens, array, optical communication, micro-optics, adaptive optics and beam steering.

Document Type

Patent

Patent Number

US 7,408,601

Application Serial Number

11/298,118

Issue Date

8-5-2008

Current Assignee

Agency: IPX Foundation

Assignee at Issuance

UCFRF

College

College of Optics and Photonics

Department

CREOL

Allowance Date

6-5-2008

Filing Date

12-9-2005

Assignee at Filing

UCFRF

Filing Type

Nonprovisional Application Record

Donated

no

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