Optical switching by controllable frustration of total internal reflection
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United States of America Patent
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Jun 3, 2003
Grant Date -
Aug 8, 2002
app pub date -
Feb 8, 2002
filing date -
Sep 4, 1997
priority date (Note) -
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Abstract
An optical switch for controllably switching an interface between a reflective state in which incident light undergoes total internal reflection and a non-reflective state in which total internal reflection is prevented. In one such switch a cell contains a fluid. One side of the cell forms the light incident interface. A membrane is suspended in the fluid. One pair of electrodes is applied to opposite sides of the membrane. Another electrode pair is applied to the cell's interface side and to the cell's opposite side. A variable voltage potential is applied between selected ones of the electrodes. Application of the voltage potential between selected ones of the membrane and cell electrodes moves the membrane into optical contact with the interface, producing the non-reflective state. Application of the voltage potential between other selected ones of the membrane and cell electrodes moves the membrane away from optical contact with the interface, producing the reflective state.
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