Accession Number:

ADD002631

Title:

Optical Coupler.

Descriptive Note:

Patent,

Corporate Author:

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY WASHINGTON D C

Personal Author(s):

• Stotts,Larry B.

Report Date:

1975-09-30

Pagination or Media Count:

9.0

Abstract:

The circular dichroism exhibited by cholesteric liquid materials is employed to couple light having selected determinable wavelength and circular polarization out of an optical path. Thin films of selected cholesteric liquid crystal materials are interposed in an optical path so that the circular dichroism of the liquid crystal materials causes scattering of light energy having a particular combination of wavelength and circular polarization which is characteristic of the properties of each such material. Light energy which is not within the affected wavelength and circular polarization combinations is transmitted along the optical path without significant attenuation. The scattered light is coupled out of the optical path where it may be suitably detected for signal information content.

Descriptors:

• *Optical waveguides
• *Waveguide couplers
• *Liquid crystals
• *Patents
• Dichroism
• Thin films
• Light scattering
• Electric fields
• Alignment
• Fiber optics
• Signal processing
• Data transmission systems

Subject Categories:

• Fiber Optics and Integrated Optics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE