Time-sharing drive liquid crystal optical switch array and optical printer using this optical switch array

摘要

The invention relates to a liquid crystal optical switch array in which optical switch elements are opened and closed by the time-sharing drive and to an optical printer using this optical switch array. The optical switch element comprises a ferroelectric liquid crystal having a relaxative memory effect, signal electrodes and scanning electrodes which sandwich the liquid crystal layer, and a resistor element which is formed between the scanning electrode and the liquid crystal. A line selection signal is sequentially supplied to the scanning electrodes, these scanning electrodes become substantially the open state when the selection signal is not supplied. When the scanning electrodes are open, the resistor element has a predetermined resistance value. When the selection signal is supplied to the scanning electrodes, the resistor element has a lower resistance value.