Accession Number:

ADD014100

Title:

Optical Switches Using Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals.

Descriptive Note:

Patent Application, Filed 15 Feb 89,

Corporate Author:

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE WASHINGTON DC

Personal Author(s):

• Soref, Richard A.

Report Date:

1989-02-15

Pagination or Media Count:

40.0

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 a an angle of 90 degrees normal incidence with the surface plane. Each FLC gives 0 degrees or 90 degree optical rotation, depending upon he 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 include voltage controlled 2 x 2, 1 x 4, 1 x 6, 1 x 8, 4 x 4 and dual plane devices that use one or more layers of surface stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystals to direct optical signals. Patent application. jhd

Descriptors:

• *FERROELECTRIC CRYSTALS
• *LIQUID CRYSTALS
• *OPTICAL SWITCHING
• *PATENT APPLICATIONS
• *SWITCHES
• BEAM SPLITTING
• FERROELECTRICITY
• FIBER OPTICS
• LIGHT
• OPTICS
• OUTPUT
• PATHS
• POLARIZATION
• SIGNALS
• VOLTAGE

Subject Categories:

• Electrooptical and Optoelectronic Devices
• Fiber Optics and Integrated Optics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE