Importance

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Abstract

A light valve is formed of a plurality of spherical dipolar particles suspended in a matrix material. Each spherical dipolar particle has a unified body formed in three discrete symmetrical sections. A central section is configured to permit light transmission when in a first orientation with respect to a path of light travel, and generally not permit light transmission when in a second, transverse orientation with respect to the path of light travel. A pair of intermediate sections bound the central section and are formed of a transparent material having an electrical permittivity that varies through a range of values as a function of the frequency of an applied electric field. A pair of outer sections bounds the intermediate sections and are formed of a material having a relatively stable electrical permittivity within the range of values of the intermediate sections. An applied electric field at one frequency extreme will cause the spherical dipolar particle to align in the first orientation to permit light transmission, and an applied electric field in the other frequency extreme will cause the particle to anti-align in the second, transverse orientation to shutter or reflect light. The matrix material is preferably formed of a plasticized elastomer that has a plurality of expanded cavities, with each cavity containing an outer lubricating layer to allow free rotational motion of a dipolar particle in the cavity. The use of a light valve of the present invention and method of manufacturing the spherical dipolar particle construction are also disclosed.

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First Claim