US 12,072,596 B2
Wide field-of-view polarization switches with liquid crystal optical elements with pretilt
Chulwoo Oh, Sammamish, WA (US); Ravi Kumar Komanduri, Austin, TX (US); and Gary Sharp, Boulder, CO (US)
Assigned to Magic Leap, Inc., Plantation, FL (US)
Filed by Magic Leap, Inc., Plantation, FL (US)
Filed on Nov. 16, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/988,598.
Application 17/988,598 is a continuation of application No. 17/252,024, granted, now 11,531,244, previously published as PCT/US2019/037079, filed on Jun. 13, 2019.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/685,857, filed on Jun. 15, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2023/0084882 A1, Mar. 16, 2023
Int. Cl. G02F 1/1337 (2006.01); G02B 27/01 (2006.01); G02B 30/34 (2020.01); G02F 1/01 (2006.01); G02F 1/13 (2006.01); G02F 1/1343 (2006.01); G02F 1/137 (2006.01)
CPC G02F 1/137 (2013.01) [G02B 27/0172 (2013.01); G02B 30/34 (2020.01); G02F 1/0136 (2013.01); G02F 1/1326 (2013.01); G02B 2027/0134 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A switchable optical assembly comprising:
a switchable waveplate configured to be electrically activated and deactivated to selectively alter the polarization state of light incident thereon, said switchable waveplate comprising:
first and second curved surfaces;
a liquid crystal layer disposed between said first and second curved surfaces such that said liquid crystal layer is curved, wherein the liquid crystal layer comprises a plurality of liquid crystal molecules that increase in tilt with respect to said first and second curved surfaces with outward radial distance from a central axis, through said first and second curved surfaces and said liquid crystal layer, in a plurality of radial directions; and
a plurality of electrodes to apply an electrical signal across said curved liquid crystal layer,
wherein the plurality of liquid crystal molecules that increase in tilt with respect to said first and second surfaces with outward radial distance from said central axis include at least 60% of the molecules extending over a range of at least 1 cm2 across said liquid crystal layer.