Importance

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Abstract

An arrangement (apparatus and method) for selectively modulating incident unpolarized light passing through a birefringent material, such as ferroelectric crystal. The apparatus includes a plate having one or more birefringent layers. The birefringent layer has an optic axis selectably set in a first orientation and a second orientation. A switching means controls the optical axis state of voltages to the areas of the birefringent layer. Light having passed through the birefringent layer at locations having the first orientation have a different phase from, and same polarization as, light having passed through locations with the second orientation, independent of a polarization state of the incident light. As a result, the birefringent material has a uniform state at locations where the correspon BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Government Contract Clause This invention was made with Government support un contract F29601-89-C-0075 awarded by the Department of the Air Force. The Government may have certain rights in this invention.

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First Claim