A dynamic lens for projecting different output beam shapes includes a first light source of laser diodes generating a first light beam toward a target. A projector generates a second light beam with a different wavelength than the first light beam. A beam combiner combines the first light beam together with the second light beam and directs the combined beams to a focusing plane that includes a lensing array to focus the first light beam into the output beam shape on the target. The lensing array includes a plurality of photoactive cells including at least one photoreactive group which changes molecular shape in response to light energy from the second light beam, thereby changing the orientation of adjacent liquid crystal molecules, which in turn alters the index of refraction of the photoactive cell. A method of operating the dynamic lens to generate the output beam shape is also disclosed.

Devices for the regulation of light transmission and in particular switchable windows, including window elements containing a switchable optical cell having a homeotropically aligned liquid crystal layer with a pretilt angle in the range of 77° to 88°.

A liquid crystal cell, a manufacturing method thereof and a use thereof are provided in the present disclosure. The liquid crystal cell is in a normally transparent mode, and has excellent transmittance-variable characteristics in a transparent mode and a scattering mode and excellent haze characteristics in the scattering mode. Such liquid crystal cell may be applied to various light modulation devices, such as a smart window, a window protective film, a flexible display element, a light shielding plate for transparent displays, an active retarder for 3D image displays or a viewing angle control film.

A digitally controlled lens system is disclosed. In some embodiments, the lens system includes a controller and an electro-optic lens electrically connected to the controller. The electro-optic lens includes a first substantially transparent substrate; a first electrode layer disposed on the first substantially transparent substrate, the first electrode layer including a plurality of electrodes; a second substantially transparent substrate; a second electrode layer disposed on the second substantially transparent substrate; and a liquid crystal layer located between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. The controller is configured to generate a refractive index pattern of liquid crystal layer by controlling voltage applied on the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer.

A layered optical element includes a substrate layer, an electrode layer disposed on the substrate layer, a liquid crystal (LC) layer comprising LC molecules, and a nanopatterned alignment layer in physical contact with the LC layer and disposed on a surface of either the substrate layer or the electrode layer. The nanopatterned alignment layer includes an arrangement of nanostructures, e.g., a grouping of nanolines. For a subset of the grouping of nanolines, the nanolines are configured to orient the LC molecules along a varying local orientation direction of each of nanoline in the subset. The varying local orientation direction of each nanoline in the subset can vary along a length of each nanoline.

The present disclosure provides a display panel and a manufacturing method for the display panel. The display panel includes a substrate, a switch assembly disposed on the substrate, and a light-sensing assembly disposed on a side of the switch assembly. The switch assembly comprises an indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) layer.

A digitally controlled lens system is disclosed. In some embodiments, the lens system includes a controller and an electro-optic lens electrically connected to the controller. The electro-optic lens includes a first substantially transparent substrate; a first electrode layer disposed on the first substantially transparent substrate, the first electrode layer including a plurality of electrodes; a second substantially transparent substrate; a second electrode layer disposed on the second substantially transparent substrate; and a liquid crystal layer located between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. The controller is configured to generate a refractive index pattern of liquid crystal layer by controlling voltage applied on the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer.

Provided are a liquid crystal grating and a stereoscopic display device. The liquid crystal grating includes at least one liquid crystal cell. A liquid crystal cell includes a first substrate, first electrodes, a first alignment layer, a liquid crystal layer and a second substrate which are disposed sequentially. In a first state, the liquid crystal cell includes multiple first grating units which are arranged along a first direction, and a first grating unit includes multiple first electrodes which are disposed at intervals from each other along the first direction. Along the first direction, a first electric field is formed between two closest first electrodes which are located in two adjacent first grating units, respectively, and in the liquid crystal cell, an alignment direction of the first alignment layer is the same as an electric field direction of the first electric field.

A liquid crystal device includes a light source, a first transparent substrate, a first transparent electrode, a switchable or tunable micropatterned alignment layer arranged in an array of pixels, a liquid crystal layer, a fixed alignment layer, a second transparent electrode, and a second transparent substrate. The switchable micropatterned alignment layer is disposed between the liquid crystal layer and one of the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate. The fixed alignment layer is disposed between the liquid crystal layer and one of the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate. Light from the light source is not visible outside the liquid crystal device when the switchable or tunable micropatterned alignment layer is in an off-state.

The present disclosure provides a display panel and a method for preparing same, and a display device. The preparation method includes steps of: providing a base plate, wherein the base plate includes a display area and a binding area, and a magnetic composite structure is disposed in the base plate; disposing a magnetic probe at a position on a side of the base plate that corresponds to the binding area; and adding droplets to an upper surface of the base plate, and controlling the magnetic probe to be turned on, so as to form an alignment film having a uniform thickness on the upper surface of the base plate.