Nissan Motor Company Limited

Yoshimi Ohta

Masaki Hirota

Masao Yoshida

Fuminori Satou

Maki Shimada

Shunta Nabetani

A liquid crystal optical element includes an optical function layer and two transparent substrates. The optical function layer is sandwiched between two transparent substrates. The optical function layer contains liquid crystal molecules and a photoisomerization material. The liquid crystal optical element switches between a light-transmitting state and a light-scattering state according to an orientation state of the liquid crystal molecules. The optical function layer holds the liquid crystal molecules and the photoisomerization material within a mesh structure formed of a resin-particle aggregate. Therefore, light can be strongly scattered when the liquid crystal optical element is in a screen state, and a high-contrast image is obtained when visible light is projected onto the liquid crystal optical element.

Liquid crystal optical element

An infrared ray sensing element, includes: 1) a semiconductor substrate; 2) an infrared ray receiver disposed above the semiconductor substrate in such a manner as to be isolated from the semiconductor substrate, the infrared ray receiver being configured to receive an infrared ray; and 3) a beam configured to support the infrared ray receiver to the semiconductor substrate and include a thermopile configured to sense a temperature increase of the infrared ray receiver, wherein one of the following has a cross sectional shape that includes at least one protruding part: i) the beam, and ii) the thermopile.

Infrared ray sensing element and method of producing the same

An infrared detection element is configured to prevent decreases in detection precision when a beam bends. The infrared detection element basically has a substrate structure, a light receiver configured and arranged to receive infrared rays and at least one beam having one end fixed to the substrate and another end fixed to the light receiver to support the light receiver above the substrate. At least one protuberance is provided on at least one of the substrate, the light receiver and the beam with the at least one protuberance being configured and arranged to limit direct contact between any two of the beam, the light receiver and the substrate structure during bending of the beam, except at the at least one protuberance.

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Yokohama, Japan

Yoshimi Ohta