Science Applications International Corporation

Stephen A Siwecki

Richard L Sutherland

Vince P Tondiglia

Donna M Brandelik

Robert T Pogue

Christina K Shepherd

John Sappington

Described herein are the materials, mechanisms and procedures for optimizing various performance parameters of HPDLC optical devices in order to meet differing performance requirements. These optimization tailoring techniques include control and independent optimization of switchable HPDLC optical devices to meet the demanding requirements of anticipated applications for, inter alia, the telecommunications and display industries. These techniques include optimization of diffraction efficiency, i.e., index modulation, polarization dependence control, haze, cosmetic quality, control of response and relaxation time, voltage driving for on and off switching, and material uniformity. This control and independent optimization tailors properties of switchable HPDLC optical devices according to the specific requirements of the application of the switchable HPDLC optical device. The invention disclosed herein retains the desirable attributes of the multi-functional acrylate system for forming HPDLC optical devices, but adds new materials to the acrylate system and/or new process control to the recording to optimize performance parameters as may be needed for specific applications. This results in high optical quality switchable holograms with good diffraction efficiency and low, stable switching voltage.

Optimizing performance parameters for switchable polymer dispersed liquid crystal optical elements

Method for controlling an index modulation of a switchable polymer dispersed liquid crystal optical component

Controlling haze in holographically polymerized polymer dispersed liquid crystal optical elements

The present invention offers increased efficiency and quality in the duplication of a master hologram utilizing an improved method of contact printing. This improved method of contact printing employs a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) recording medium as the duplication blank and/or the master hologram material. The optical qualities of the PDLC material described herein provide an improved method of duplication using single beam contact printing regardless of the material comprising the master hologram. Thus, master holograms originally recorded using highly complex optical geometries (e.g., computer generated holograms) are capable of duplication without the need for multiple beam power/intensity balancing and long recording times. The improved hologram contact printing method described herein works with virtually any type of master hologram, including both reflection and transmission holograms.

System and method for replicating volume holograms

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Dayton, OH, United States of America

Stephen A Siwecki