Title:
OPTICAL SWITCHING BY CONTROLLABLE FRUSTRATION OF TOTAL INTERNAL REFLECTION
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO2001037627
Kind Code:
A3
Abstract:
An optical switch for controllably switching an interface (12) between a reflective state in which incident light (14A) undergoes total internal reflection and a non-reflective state in which total internal reflection is prevented. In one such switch an elastomeric dielectric (10) has a stiffened surface portion (18). An applied voltage moves the stiffened surface portion into optical contact with the interface, producing the non-reflective state. In the absence of a voltage the separator moves the stiffened surface portion away from optical contact with the interface, producing the reflective state. In another such switch a cell (40) contains a fluid (42). One side of the cell forms the light incident interface (54). A membrane (44) is suspended in the fluid. Application of appropriate voltages can move the membrane either into optical contact with the interface, producing the non-reflective state, or away from optical contact with the interface, producing the reflective state.
Inventors:
WHITEHEAD LORNE A
COOPE ROBIN JOHN NOEL
KOTLICKI ANDRZEJ
COOPE ROBIN JOHN NOEL
KOTLICKI ANDRZEJ
Application Number:
PCT/CA2000/001379
Publication Date:
November 08, 2001
Filing Date:
November 20, 2000
Export Citation:
Assignee:
UNIV BRITISH COLUMBIA (CA)
International Classes:
B29C59/16; B29D11/00; G02B26/08; C08J5/00; G02B26/02; G02F1/01; G02F1/19; G09F9/37; B29C35/08; (IPC1-7): G02B26/02; G02F1/19; G09F9/37
Domestic Patent References:
| WO1999012069A1 | 1999-03-11 | |||
| WO1999028890A1 | 1999-06-10 | |||
| WO1999015595A1 | 1999-04-01 |
Foreign References:
| GB2265024A | 1993-09-15 | |||
| US4714326A | 1987-12-22 | |||
| US4617608A | 1986-10-14 | |||
| US4113360A | 1978-09-12 | |||
| US4723834A | 1988-02-09 | |||
| US4420897A | 1983-12-20 | |||
| US3698793A | 1972-10-17 | |||
| US5319491A | 1994-06-07 | |||
| US5504618A | 1996-04-02 |
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