Optical apparatus using liquid crystals for shaping the spatial intensity of optical beams having designated wavelengths

Patent · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987

OSTI ID:866308

Jacobs, Stephen D ^[1]; Cerqua, Kathleen A ^[2]

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1. Pittsford, NY
2. Rochester, NY

The spatial intensity profile of an optical beam of designated wavelengths, such as a laser beam, is shaped (the beam is apodized) by means of cholesteric liquid crystals of opposite chirality disposed successively along the path of the beam. The crystals have curved surfaces, which may be defined by a lens which defines the thickness of the liquid crystal fluid gap in a liquid crystal cell, so as to vary the selective reflection of the designated wavelength across the aperture of the beam. In this way, a soft aperture is provided. By using tandem cell pairs having liquid crystals of opposite chirality, but of different pitch, and with lenses of different curvature, beams of different wavelengths which are projected colinearly along the path may be individually tailored in spatial intensity profile.

• Research Organization: Rochester Univ., NY (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: FC08-85DP40200
• Assignee: University of Rochester (Rochester, NY)
• Patent Number(s): US 4679911
• OSTI ID: 866308
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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