| 摘要 |
<p>A bistable switchable waveguideÄ200, 300Ü having first and second states. The waveguideÄ200, 300Ü guides light along a predetermined path in the first state while providing no guiding of the light in the second state. The waveguideÄ200, 300Ü includes a guide layerÄ110Ü constructed from a layer of a material having a first index of refraction when the molecules of the material are aligned in a first direction and a second index of refraction when the molecules are aligned in a direction orthogonal to the first direction. The guide layerÄ110Ü is sandwiched between first and second surfaces that are in contact with the guide layerÄ110Ü. The first surface causes the molecules of the guide layerÄ110Ü adjacent to the first surface to be aligned in the first direction. The second surface has first and second regionsÄ207, 209Ü in which the second surface causes the molecules of the guide layerÄ110Ü adjacent to the second surface to be aligned in the first direction. The second surface also includes a third regionÄ212Ü in which the second surface causes the molecules of the guide layerÄ110Ü adjacent to the second surface to be aligned in a second direction. The waveguideÄ200, 300Ü has first and second electrodesÄ201, 204Ü for causing the molecules of the guide layerÄ110Ü to be aligned in a second direction that is the second direction in a region bounded by the third region and the first surface. The waveguideÄ200, 300Ü also includes third and forth electrodesÄ202, 203Ü for causing the molecules of the guide layerÄ110Ü to be aligned in a direction parallel to the first direction in a region bounded by the third region and the first surface. The guide layerÄ110Ü is preferably constructed from a liquid crystal material. <IMAGE></p> |
