Importance

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Abstract

An electro-optical patternable mask is provided which is controllable by way of a processor for presenting a variety of patterns to electromagnetic radiation. In one embodiment of the mask, the electro-optical mask includes an electrochromic layer that works in conjunction with deposited electrode layers (at least one with an x-y pixel array) to present a pattern of non-transmission (colored) and transmission (bleached clear) pixel cells. The sandwiched electrochromic material is supported in one embodiment with a UV grade support substrate with the electrochromic cells of the mask being individually (e.g., individual cells or small groups of individual cells in an array) controlled by a processor and interface to achieve a sequence of different or the same patterns to achieve desired ablation volume upon transmitting ultraviolet energy through the mask such as in conjunction with an opthalmic laser surgery process. In an alternate embodiment a substrate-dispersed liquid crystal material is used in the mask as the means for controlling the transmission of electromagnetic energy such as ultraviolet light of a pulsed laser. An electro-optical device featuring a stacked, preferably monolithic multiple substrate dispersed liquid crystal layer member is also described to ensure blockage of ultraviolet light that hits a pixel cell. The multi-series or multi-stacked substrate dispersed liquid crystal material cell has its field states controlled with electric field generating device which mainains an intermediate substrate-dispersed layer with an electric field across it while the outer substrate dispersed liquid crystal layers can be switched from a no field-blockage mode to an electric-field on full transmission through cell mode. The multi-stack or series electro-optical device is useful as a mask pixel cell as well as in a variety of other field involving wavelength across the visible and ultraviolet spectrum, for example. The various mask embodiments provide a reusable controllable mask well suited for ablation processes such as corneal resurfacing using an opthamological laser surgery (e.g., LASIK) system. The electro-optical mask of the present invention provides for rapid large beam application with a smooth and high precision ablation.

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First Claim