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

Patent · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 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: Univ. of Rochester, NY (United States)
• 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

Related Subjects

optical
apparatus
liquid
crystals
shaping
spatial
intensity
beams
designated
wavelengths
profile
beam
laser
shaped
apodized
means
cholesteric
opposite
chirality
disposed
successively
path
curved
surfaces
defined
lens
defines
thickness
crystal
fluid
gap
cell
vary
selective
reflection
wavelength
aperture
soft
provided
tandem
pairs
pitch
lenses
curvature
projected
colinearly
individually
tailored
liquid crystals
curved surface
spatial intensity
optical beam
optical apparatus
laser beam
liquid crystal
intensity profile
selective reflection
optical beams
curved surfaces
cholesteric liquid
designated wavelengths
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