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:
Aug. 07, 2001
Filed:
Oct. 16, 1998
Keith L Lewis, Malvern, GB;
Ian R Mason, Malvern, GB;
Ian C Sage, Malvern, GB;
Richard S Blacker, Malvern, GB;
Abstract
A tunable filter in particular for use in the visible or near infrared wavelength region, comprising a nano dispersed composite material contained within a resonant cavity structure comprising dielectric mirrors (,), where the material is polarizable by means of an applied electric field. In particular, the polarizable material may be a nano phase polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material where the diameter of liquid crystal droplets (,) within the material (,) is less than 0.1 &mgr;m, and for use in the visible wavelength region is typically between 10 nm and 50 nm. The filter also comprises structure for applying a variable electric field across the faces of the material. The transmission-wavelength characteristic of the filter is such that maxima and minima are shifted in wavelength by varying the electric field.