Devices including nematic liquid crystal-forming molecules are disclosed. The molecules include one or more dipoles and exist in a ferroelectric nematic state. Exemplary devices can further include an electrode for applying an electric field in, for example, and in-plane direction.

Conformal vision with enhanced image processing of the outputted image is incorporated into novel applications. The conformal vision provides enhanced contrast by the combined inclusion of tunable filters and processing of the images that are generated by the detector. Furthermore, novel uses and applications of the conformal vision enable users to make determinations related to their health and wellness utilizing information provided by the conformal vision.

A fiber optics polarization controller comprises: an optical fiber and multiple polarization stages. A first stage comprises: a motor having a hollow shaft spanning from a proximal end to a distal end along a rotational axis; and a fiber paddle affixed to and adapted to rotate with the hollow shaft. The fiber paddle has a ring-shaped body with two openings arranged opposite to each other around the ring-shaped body. A first opening of the fiber paddle is connected to the distal end of the hallow shaft substantially collinear with the rotational axis of the motor. The optical fiber is arranged spanning through the hollow shaft, entering the fiber paddle through the first opening, following around the ring-shaped body to form a fiber loop, and exiting the ring-shaped body through the second opening. A second stage is arranged in series with the first stage.

A switchable optical assembly comprises a switchable waveplate configured to be electrically activated and deactivated to selectively alter the polarization state of light incident thereon. The switchable waveplate comprises first and second surfaces and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and second surfaces. The first liquid crystal layer comprises a plurality of liquid crystal molecules. Said first and second surfaces may be curved. Said plurality of liquid crystal molecules may vary in tilt with respect to said first and second surfaces with outward radial distance from an axis through said first and second surfaces and said liquid crystal layer in a plurality of radial directions. The switchable waveplate additionally comprises a first plurality of electrodes to apply an electrical signal across said first liquid crystal layer.

An optical isolator has optical fibers arranged on a single side. The optical isolator includes an input optical fiber, an output optical fiber, an input splitting/combining device, an output splitting/combining device, an input optical rotation device, an output optical rotation device, a lens, a Faraday rotator, and a reflector. The input optical fiber and the output optical fiber are on a same side of each of the lens, the Faraday rotator, and the reflector. The optical isolator with input and output optical fibers arranged on a single side only needs to use one lens. The input and output splitting/combining devices are fixed on an end surfaces of input/output optical fibers, respectively.

According to one embodiment, a display device including a display panel which displays images, a polarization axis rotation element located between the display panel and an observer, and a polarizer located between the display panel and the polarization axis rotation element, wherein the polarization axis rotation element includes a first area and a second area different from the first area, and an orientation of a first polarization axis of a first polarization component transmitted through the first area is different from an orientation of a second polarization axis of a second polarization component transmitted through the second area.

An optical modulator includes an optical waveguide through which signal light passes, a split unit that splits the signal light that passes through the optical waveguide, and a pair of phase shifters each of which shifts a phase of signal light that is split by the split unit. Each of the phase shifters includes an in-shifter waveguide through which the signal light passes, and a heater electrode that heats the in-shifter waveguide in accordance with a driving voltage. The in-shifter waveguide includes an inbound waveguide for inputting the signal light coming from the split unit, an outbound waveguide for outputting the signal light, a folded waveguide that connects the inbound waveguide and the outbound waveguide. The heater electrode is arranged in the vicinity of the inbound waveguide and the outbound waveguide.

An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a privacy module. The privacy module includes a first polarizing element, a second polarizing element, and a light modulation element. The first polarizing element includes a first light absorbing material. The first polarizing element has a surface, and the surface has a normal direction. The second polarizing element includes a second light absorbing material. The second polarizing element at least partially overlaps the first polarizing element. The light modulation element is disposed between the first polarizing element and the second polarizing element. The first light absorbing material has a first long axis, and the second light absorbing material has a second long axis. The first long axis and second long axis are parallel to the normal direction.

Exemplary arrangements relate to methods for recording and reproducing holograms. A method of recording a hologram in a thresholded opto-magnetic medium (7) includes producing a collimated recording beam (1) with a pulsed laser. The intensity of the recording beam is selectively modulated by passage through a modulator (2). The recording beam is spatially shaped by passage through a shaping element (15). The shaped modulated recording beam is made convergent by passage through an aspheric lens (4). The convergent beam is deflected bidirectionally with a MEMS mirror (6) that is in operative connection with the modulator, such that multiple disposed locations on a surface of the medium are exposed to a constriction of the convergent shaped recording beam, causing a change in the medium in the locations. Reconstructing the hologram is carried out by illuminating the medium with a collimated laser beam and focusing with a lens, light from the illuminated medium onto a detection matrix. Additional methods of recording and reproducing holograms utilize alternative steps.

An optical assembly includes a first polarization-sensitive reflector, a second polarization-sensitive reflector, and a Faraday rotator. The first polarization-sensitive reflector is positioned to transmit light having a first polarization, and reflect light having a second polarization that is orthogonal to the first polarization. The second polarization-sensitive reflector is positioned to reflect light having a third polarization that is different from the first polarization and the second polarization, and transmit light having a fourth polarization that is orthogonal to the third polarization. The Faraday rotator is disposed between the first polarization-sensitive reflector and the second polarization-sensitive reflector so that the Faraday rotator converts: (i) the light having the first polarization into the light having the third polarization, (ii) the light having the third polarization into the light having the second polarization, and (iii) the light having the second polarization into the light having the fourth polarization.