A spatial light modulation unit includes a first electrode, a second electrode and a super-aligned carbon nanotube-paraffin composite structure. The first electrode is spaced apart and insulated from the first electrode. The super-aligned carbon nanotube-paraffin composite structure is electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode. The super-aligned carbon nanotube-paraffin composite structure includes a super-aligned carbon nanotube structure and a paraffin layer overlapped with each other.

A security device that elicits at least one dynamic response upon acceleration, or upon change of orientation with respect to gravity, wherein the dynamic response continues after cessation of the acceleration or the change of orientation. In addition, the dynamic response can be optical, such that it is visually observable by an unaided human eye. Alternatively, the response can be machine readable. In some cases, the dynamic response has duration of from about 0.01 s to about 100 s, or from about Is to about 10 s.

Devices including transition metal dichalcognides and methods of forming and operating such devices are disclosed. In one disclosed method, a layer of a transition metal dichalcogenide is provided, and a phase transformation of at least a region of the layer of the transition metal dichalcogenide is induced.

A device for self-tracking a light source, including a focusing optical device configured to focus incoming light to a focal spot, an adaptive device configured to reflect the light of the focal spot and arranged to provide for a phase change at an area of the focal spot of the incoming light to generate a reflected light, and a light guide located between the focusing optical device and the adaptive device, the light guide configured to capture the reflected light of the adaptive device.

Apparatuses for manipulating a color displayed by an article of wear comprising iron oxide colloidal nanocrystals arranged within chains are described, The apparatus includes (a) a magnetic field source, wherein a strength of a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field source is tunable to control the color displayed by the article of wear, and (b) an energy source, wherein energy generated by the energy source is applied to at least some of the chains of nanocrystals to soften materials within the article of wear immediately surrounding the chains of nanocrystals to which the energy is applied.

Provided herein is a phase change material for use in a display device. Also provided is a display device comprising a phase change material; the use of a phase change material as an optical absorber in a display device; a method of fabricating a pixel; and a method of fabricating a display device. The phase change material is as described in more detail herein.

An electro-optic modulator for high voltage applications exhibits reduced corona and arcing by utilizing dielectric-coated electrodes in conjunction with a non-centrosymmetric crystal. The inclusion of an insulative coating (i.e., a dielectric material) on at least a portion of the electrodes reduces the possibility of arcing or corona, without requiring the application of any type of coating material directly on the crystal itself. Thus, the birefringent response of the crystal is not impacted by this coated electrode configuration of the present invention. In one configuration, the exposed surfaces of the electrodes are coated with an insulative material, while maintaining a direct contact between the electrodes and the surface of the crystal.

Provided is an optical modulator including a substrate, and a plurality of unit structures periodically on the substrate, one of the plurality of unit structures including a heater layer on a first surface of the substrate, an antenna on a first surface of the heater layer, the antenna including a phase change material, a passivation layer on the substrate, the heater layer, and the antenna, and a reflector on a second surface of the substrate opposite to the first surface of the substrate.

Display apparatus includes reflective layer with reflective material with stacks of additional layers thereon. Each stack has an optically switchable layer. Switching elements are on a side of the reflective layer opposite to the stacks or form part of the reflective layer. Each switching element applies heating to a switchable portion of the optically switchable layer to change appearance of the switchable portion when viewed from the viewing side of the display apparatus. The optically switchable layer includes phase change material switchable between stable states each having a different refractive index. The phase change material switches by applying heat between the stable states. Switching the optically switchable layer causes the apparatus to provide one or both of the following effects for incident radiation within a predetermined frequency range: (i) a change in reflectivity of a factor of at least 50; or (ii) a change in phase within 5% of n/2 radians, where n is an integer.

Display apparatus includes reflective layer with reflective material with stacks of additional layers thereon. Each stack has an optically switchable layer. Switching elements are on a side of the reflective layer opposite to the stacks or form part of the reflective layer. Each switching element applies heating to a switchable portion of the optically switchable layer to change appearance of the switchable portion when viewed from the viewing side of the display apparatus. The optically switchable layer includes phase change material switchable between stable states each having a different refractive index. The phase change material switches by applying heat between the stable states. Switching the optically switchable layer causes the apparatus to provide one or both of the following effects for incident radiation within a predetermined frequency range: (i) a change in reflectivity of a factor of at least 50; or (ii) a change in phase within 5% of n/2 radians, where n is an integer.