Electrical control of light by fluid logic devices.

A variety of novel fluid logic-light control devices are described. The devices operate by using electrically controlled fluid logic circuits to fill and empty transparent chambers with fluids having different optical properties. The experimental data obtained with photoformed fluid logic circuits operated in a twophase (water-air) mode, show that: great design flexibility is possible. These fluid logic-light control devices have a good light transmission efficiency, a high optical contrast ratio over wide angles, good reliability and uniformity, and a reasonable switching speed; they can be cheaply fabricated in a wide range of sizes, have a true switching threshold, and be operated in a random access mode. The separation of electrical and optical functions permits attractive geometries. The fluid logic-light control devices are particularly suited for displays, for controlling high-power laser beams in measuring, tracking, and machining applications, and for varying the focus of large optical systems.