Abstract

Presented is a ferroelectric liquid-crystal–amorphous silicon (α-Si:H) optical novelty-filter sensor. It uses the bistable switching property of the ferroelectric liquid crystal to store an inverted image, which is used to optically filter a subsequent image by means of an intrinsic pleochroic-dye-based polarizing scheme. The resulting novelty signal, encoded as transmitted intensity, is then detected by the use of an integrated interdigitated detector that monitors the photocurrent generated in the α–Si:H. Each aspect of the device functionality is covered, and the optimum device configuration and operation is discussed. System demonstrations through the use of the device are reported, and alternative applications discussed.

© 1997 Optical Society of America

Spatial light modulator based on a deformed-helix ferroelectric liquid crystal and a thin a-Si:H amorphous photoconductor

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