The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 24, 1998
Filed:
Jul. 30, 1993
Narihiro Yoshida, Hamamatsu, JP;
Naohisa Mukohzaka, Hamamatsu, JP;
Haruyoshi Toyoda, Hamamatsu, JP;
Terushige Hori, Osaka, JP;
Yuji Kobayashi, Hamamatsu, JP;
Tsutomu Hara, Hamamatsu, JP;
Hamamatsu Photonics K.K., Shizuoka-ken, JP;
Abstract
In a spatial light modulator of the present invention, a photoconductive layer formed of photoconductive material receives write light having a spatial distribution in its intensity and changes resistivity of the photoconductive material dependently on the spatial distribution in the intensity of the received write light. A liquid crystal layer formed of liquid crystal molecules of nematic phase receives read light and presents birefringence with respect to the received read light. An electric voltage is applied through the photoconductive layer and the liquid crystal layer to thereby produce an electric field in the liquid crystal layer. The photoconductive layer changes the electric field produced in the liquid crystal layer in accordance with the resistivity of the photoconductive material so as to electrically control the birefringence of the liquid crystal molecules. The liquid crystal layer modulates the received read light in accordance with the birefringence which is electrically controlled in accordance with the spatial distribution in the intensity of the write light received by the photoconductive layer.