Bob L Epling

US Patent:

6867888, Mar 15, 2005

Filed:

Dec 22, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/742397

Inventors:

Richard L. Sutherland - Dayton OH, US
Bill Hagan - Encinitas CA, US
William Kelly - Bridgeport CT, US
Bob Epling - Waynesville OH, US

Assignee:

Science Applications International Corporation - San Diego CA

International Classification:

G02B005/32

US Classification:

359 15, 359 3, 430 1, 430 2, 349201

Abstract:

Transmission and reflection type holograms may be formed utilizing a novel polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material and its unique switching characteristics to form optical elements. Applications for these switchable holograms include communications switches and switchable transmission, and reflection red, green, and blue lenses. The PDLC material of the present invention offers all of the features of holographic photopolymers with the added advantage that the hologram can be switched on and off with the application of an electric field. The material is a mixture of a polymerizable monomer and liquid crystal, along with other ingredients, including a photoinitiator dye. Upon irradiation, the liquid crystal separates as a distinct phase of nanometer-size droplets aligned in periodic channels forming the hologram. The material is called a holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC).

US Patent:

7068405, Jun 27, 2006

Filed:

Dec 3, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/002116

Inventors:

Richard L. Sutherland - Dayton OH, US
Bill Hagan - Encinitas CA, US
William Kelly - Coronado CA, US
Bob Epling - Waynesville OH, US

Assignee:

Science Applications International Corporation - San Diego CA

International Classification:

G03H 1/00

US Classification:

359 34, 359 15, 430 2, 349201, 349183, 385 37

Abstract:

Transmission and reflection type holograms may be formed utilizing a novel polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material and its unique switching characteristics to form optical elements. Applications for these switchable holograms include communications switches and switchable transmission, and reflection red, green, and blue lenses. The PDLC material of the present invention offers all of the features of holographic photopolymers with the added advantage that the hologram can be switched on and off with the application of an electric field. The material is a mixture of a polymerizable monomer and liquid crystal, along with other ingredients, including a photoinitiator dye. Upon irradiation, the liquid crystal separates as a distinct phase of nanometer-size droplets aligned in periodic channels forming the hologram. The material is called a holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC).

US Patent:

7081215, Jul 25, 2006

Filed:

Aug 12, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/916430

Inventors:

Lalgudi V. Natarajan - Beavercreek OH, US
Richard L. Sutherland - Dayton OH, US
Vince P. Tondiglia - Dayton OH, US
Timothy J. Bunning - Beavercreek OH, US
Bob Epling - Waynesville OH, US
Donna M. Brandelik - New Carlisle OH, US

Assignee:

Science Applications International Corporation - San Diego CA

International Classification:

F21V 9/00
G02B 5/32
G02B 6/26
G02B 6/34
G02F 1/361

US Classification:

252582, 349112, 359 15, 359569, 359576, 385 15, 385 37, 385 16, 385 27, 430 2

Abstract:

A new photopolymerizable material allows single-step, fast recording of volume holograms with properties that can be electrically controlled. Polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLCs) in accordance with the invention preferably comprise a homogeneous mixture of a nematic liquid crystal and a multifunctional pentaacrylate monomer in combination with photoinitiator, coinitiator and cross-linking agent. Optionally, a surfactant such as octancic acid may also be added. The PDLC material is exposed to coherent light to produce an interference pattern inside the material. Photopolymerization of the new PDLC material produces a hologram of clearly separated liquid crystal domains and cured polymer domains. Volume transmission gratings made with the new PDLC material can be electrically switched between nearly 100% diffraction efficiency and nearly 0% diffraction efficiency. By increasing the frequency of the switching voltage, switching voltages in the range of 50 Vrms can be achieved.

US Patent:

7198737, Apr 3, 2007

Filed:

Jan 27, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/340681

Inventors:

Lalgudi V. Natarajan - Beavercreek OH, US
Richard L. Sutherland - Dayton OH, US
Vince P. Tondiglia - Dayton OH, US
Timothy J. Bunning - Beavercreek OH, US
Bob Epling - Waynesville OH, US
Donna M. Brandelik - New Carlisle OH, US

Assignee:

Science Applications International Corporation - San Diego CA

International Classification:

F21V 9/00
G02F 1/133
G02B 5/18
G02B 6/34

US Classification:

252582, 430 20, 349201, 349202, 359320, 359321, 359566, 359569, 385 36, 385 37

Abstract:

A new photopolymerizable material allows single-step, fast recording of volume holograms with properties that can be electrically controlled. A method for preparing a switchable grating can comprise the steps of placing a mixture between a first and second slide, wherein the mixture has a photopolymerizable monomer, a second phase material, a photoinitiator dye, and a chain extender or cross-linker. The mixture is exposed to a laser and optical intensity pattern is applied to induce photopolymerization. A method for recording slanted reflection gratings can comprise the steps of placing a sample between a first and second glass prism, the sample comprising a polymerizable monomer, a liquid crystal, a chain-extending monomer, a coinitiator, and a photoinitiator. An incident light is split into two beams, wherein the beams enter the sample from opposite sides. The first and second prism are rotated to adjust the slant of the grating.

US Patent:

7256915, Aug 14, 2007

Filed:

Nov 8, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/268661

Inventors:

Richard L. Sutherland - Dayton OH, US
Bill Hagan - Encinitas CA, US
William Kelly - Bridgeport CT, US
Bob Epling - Waynesville OH, US

Assignee:

Science Applications International Corporation - San Diego CA

International Classification:

G03H 1/00

US Classification:

359 34, 359 3, 430 1, 430 2, 349202

Abstract:

Transmission and reflection type holograms may be formed utilizing a novel polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material and its unique switching characteristics to form optical elements. Applications for these switchable holograms include communications switches and switchable transmission, and reflection red, green, and blue lenses. The PDLC material of the present invention offers all of the features of holographic photopolymers with the added advantage that the hologram can be switched on and off with the application of an electric field. The material is a mixture of a polymerizable monomer and liquid crystal, along with other ingredients, including a photoinitiator dye. Upon irradiation, the liquid crystal separates as a distinct phase of nanometer-size droplets aligned in periodic channels forming the hologram. The material is called a holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC).

US Patent:

7265882, Sep 4, 2007

Filed:

Nov 8, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/268660

Inventors:

Richard L. Sutherland - Dayton OH, US
William K. Hagan - Encinitas CA, US
William J. Kelly - Coronado CA, US
Bob Epling - Waynesville OH, US

Assignee:

Science Applications International Corporation - San Diego CA

International Classification:

G02B 5/32

US Classification:

359 15, 359 3, 349201, 349202

Abstract:

Transmission and reflection type holograms may be formed utilizing a novel polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material and its unique switching characteristics to form optical elements. Applications for these switchable holograms include communications switches and switchable transmission, and reflection red, green, and blue lenses. The PDLC material offers all of the features of holographic photopolymers with the added advantage that the hologram can be switched on and off with the application of an electric field. The material is a mixture of a polymerizable monomer and liquid crystal, along with other ingredients, including a photoinitiator dye. Upon irradiation, the liquid crystal separates as a distinct phase of nanometer-size droplets aligned in periodic channels forming the hologram. The material is called a holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC).

US Patent:

7265903, Sep 4, 2007

Filed:

Nov 8, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/268642

Inventors:

Richard L. Sutherland - Dayton OH, US
Bill Hagan - Encinitas CA, US
William J. Kelly - Coronado CA, US
Bob Epling - Waynesville OH, US

Assignee:

Science Applications International Corporation - San Diego CA

International Classification:

G02B 27/28

US Classification:

359495, 359492, 359 15, 349 86, 349183, 349202

Abstract:

Transmission and reflection type holograms may be formed utilizing a novel polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material and its unique switching characteristics to form optical elements. Applications for these switchable holograms include communications switches and switchable transmission, and reflection red, green, and blue lenses. The PDLC material offers all of the features of holographic photopolymers with the added advantage that the hologram can be switched on and off with the application of an electric field. The material is a mixture of a polymerizable monomer and liquid crystal, along with other ingredients, including a photoinitiator dye. Upon irradiation, the liquid crystal separates as a distinct phase of nanometer-size droplets aligned in periodic channels forming the hologram. The material is called a holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC).

US Patent:

7312906, Dec 25, 2007

Filed:

Nov 8, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/268582

Inventors:

Richard L. Sutherland - Dayton OH, US
William K. Hagan - Encinitas CA, US
William J. Kelly - Coronado CA, US
Bob Epling - Waynesville OH, US

Assignee:

Science Applications International Corporation - San Diego CA

International Classification:

G02B 5/32

US Classification:

359 15, 359 3, 349 86, 349202

Abstract:

Transmission and reflection type holograms may be formed utilizing a novel polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material and its unique switching characteristics to form optical elements. Applications for these switchable holograms include communications switches and switchable transmission, and reflection red, green, and blue lenses. The PDLC material offers all of the features of holographic photopolymers with the added advantage that the hologram can be switched on and off with the application of an electric field. The material is a mixture of a polymerizable monomer and liquid crystal, along with other ingredients, including a photoinitiator dye. Upon irradiation, the liquid crystal separates as a distinct phase of nanometer-size droplets aligned in periodic channels forming the hologram. The material is called a holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC).