JP2783473B2 - Liquid crystal light valve and information processing apparatus having liquid crystal light valve - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid crystal light valve, and more particularly, to an optical address type liquid crystal light valve which can be used for an image sensor, a projection type display, image processing, and the like, and information provided with the liquid crystal light valve. It relates to a processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional liquid crystal light valves include the following.

(1) Reference 1 (RDSterling, RDTe Kolste, JM Hagerty (JM)
Haggerty), tea. C. Boller, TC Borah. P. Bleha (WPBleha): SID Digest (1990) p.327)
Using a photoconductor layer (amorphous silicon hydride), a light shielding layer (cadmium telluride (CdTe)), and a dielectric mirror, an element is formed using a vertical alignment mode for a liquid crystal layer,
The element is applied to a projection display.

(2) Reference 2 (G. Modde
l). M. Johnson, KM. Lee (W. Li), Earl. A. Rice (RARic
e), el. A. LAPagano-St
auffer), M. A. MA Handschy: Applied Physics Letter (Appl. Phys. Lett.)
Volume (Vol.) 55, Number (No.) 6 (1989)
p.537), a device is fabricated using a photoconductor layer (pin amorphous silicon hydride) and a ferroelectric liquid crystal.

(3) Reference 3 (ST Wu (ST)
Wu), you. U.Eflon, tea. Wye. TYHsu: Optical Letter (Opt. Lett.)
Volume (Vol.) 13, Number (No. 1) (1988)
In p.13), a single-crystal silicon metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) structure is used for the photoconductor layer, and an element is created using nematic liquid crystal for the liquid crystal layer. Has been applied to

[0006] (4) Reference 4 (Fukushima and Kurokawa: Proceedings of the 37th Lecture Meeting on Applied Physics (1990) p.745) discloses a photoconductor layer (amorphous hydrogenated silicon) and a dielectric mirror. A device is made using the liquid crystal and ferroelectric liquid crystal, and the device is applied to parallel optical calculation.

FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing the structure of a conventional general light-addressed liquid crystal light valve.

As shown in FIG.
Are formed on silicon substrates (Sn) on glass substrates 201a and 201b.
Transparent electrodes 202a and 202b made of a transparent conductive film of O ₂ ) are formed, and then amorphous silicon hydride (a-Si: H) is formed as a photoconductor layer 203 on the transparent electrode 202b.
The a-Si: H film forming the photoconductor layer 203 is formed using a silane gas and a hydrogen gas as raw materials by a plasma CVD (chemical vapor deposition) method.

Next, a multilayer film made of silicon and silicon oxide is formed as a dielectric mirror 204 on the photoconductor layer 203 by a sputtering method.

Next, the transparent electrode 202a and the dielectric mirror 20
4 After forming polyimide films by spin coating as alignment films 205a and 205b, respectively,
The surface of 205b is subjected to a molecular orientation treatment by rubbing.

The glass substrates 201a and 201b on which the respective layers and films are formed as described above are bonded together via a spacer 206, and a mixed nematic liquid crystal to which a chiral material is added is injected and sealed between the substrates as a liquid crystal layer 207. Thus, the liquid crystal light valve 200 is configured.

The display mode used for the liquid crystal light valve 200 is a twisted nematic (TN).
Mode, a hybrid field effect (HFE) mode, a guest host (GH) mode, a phase transition mode, and the like.

A voltage is applied between the transparent electrodes 202a and 202b of the liquid crystal light valve 200 having such a configuration by an AC power supply 208.

When the address light 209 is incident from the glass substrate 201b side, the impedance of the photoconductor layer 203 is reduced in the area where light is applied (bright state), and the voltage applied by the AC power supply 208 is applied to the liquid crystal layer 207. Join. On the other hand, in a region where light is not applied (dark state), the impedance of the photoconductor layer 203 does not change, and no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer 207.

Due to the difference between the bright state and the dark state, information corresponding to the address light 209 is formed on the liquid crystal layer 207, and the liquid crystal layer 207 is applied to a projection display, parallel light calculation, and the like.

Further, as a device combining an optical waveguide and a liquid crystal, reference 5 (M. Ozaki, Y. Sadohara, T. Hatai)
i). K. Yoshino: Japanese Journal Applied Physics (Jap. J. Appl.
Phys.) Volume (Vol.) 29, Number (No.) 5
As described in (1990) L843), there has been proposed an element for switching light propagating in an optical waveguide by liquid crystal.

[0017]

In such a conventional light-addressed liquid crystal light valve, light is used to read information formed in a liquid crystal layer corresponding to address light, but a reading optical system for that purpose is used. Is required.

When considering the application of this liquid crystal light valve to various devices, a device (for example, a projection display) that uses a read signal as an electric signal (for example, a projection display) is used as compared with a device that uses a read signal as an optical signal (for example, a projection display). In the case of application to an image sensor, a mechanism for converting an optical signal into an electric signal is required, and there is a problem that the device is complicated and large.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an optically addressed liquid crystal light valve capable of reading out information formed in a liquid crystal layer corresponding to address light as an optical signal and directly reading out the information as an electric signal. The present invention provides an information processing apparatus provided with the information processing apparatus.

[0020]

A liquid crystal light valve according to the present invention comprises a liquid crystal layer provided between two translucent substrates each having a transparent electrode, a liquid crystal layer and two liquid crystal layers. A photoconductor layer provided between one of the substrates and having an impedance changed by light containing incident information; an optical waveguide provided on one side of the two substrates; A light source to be introduced, light receiving means for receiving light from the light source propagating through the optical waveguide and converting the light into an electric signal, and illuminating readout light from the side opposite to the light containing information in the liquid crystal layer.
The reflected light of the readout light into an optical signal corresponding to the information.
Reading means .

An information processing apparatus having a liquid crystal light valve according to the present invention comprises two light- transmitting electrodes each having a transparent electrode.
A liquid crystal layer provided between gender substrate, a liquid crystal layer and a photoconductive layer whose impedance is changed by light containing information that is incident is provided between one of the two substrates, the two substrates An optical waveguide provided on one side, a light source for introducing light into the optical waveguide, light receiving means for receiving light from the light source propagating through the optical waveguide and converting the light into an electric signal, and a liquid crystal for reading out light. On the opposite side of the light containing information in the layer
Optical signal corresponding to the information by irradiating the reading light and reflecting the readout light
And a mechanism connected to the liquid crystal light valve for converting light containing information into an electric signal.

[0022]

When a voltage is applied between the electrodes provided on the two substrates of the liquid crystal light valve in the absence of address light (dark state), the impedance of the photoconductor layer is larger than the impedance of the liquid crystal layer. The voltage is hardly applied to the liquid crystal in the liquid crystal layer, and the alignment state of the liquid crystal does not change. In this state, when viewed from the polarization direction of light propagating through the optical waveguide, the refractive index of the liquid crystal is set smaller than the refractive index of the optical waveguide, so that the light from the light source can propagate through the optical waveguide, An optical signal can be received by the light receiving means. Next, when a voltage is sequentially applied between the electrodes provided on the two substrates while the address light is incident on the liquid crystal light valve (bright state), the impedance of the photoconductor layer becomes low in the bright state, Since a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal in the layer, the alignment state of the liquid crystal changes. In the dark state, the impedance of the photoconductor layer does not change, so that the alignment state of the liquid crystal does not change. At this time, in the part where the orientation of the liquid crystal near the optical waveguide changes, the refractive index of the liquid crystal becomes larger than the refractive index of the optical waveguide when viewed from the polarization direction of the light propagating in the optical waveguide. While propagating through the optical waveguide,
The liquid crystal leaks in the direction of the liquid crystal at the portion where the alignment has changed, and the intensity of the optical signal received by the light receiving means changes. Therefore,
By synchronizing the scanning of the electrode with the electric signal output from the light receiving means, information corresponding to the address light can be obtained electrically. As described above, information formed in the liquid crystal layer corresponding to the address light can be read as an optical signal and directly as an electric signal.

When no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal, the refractive index of the liquid crystal is set to be larger than the refractive index of the optical waveguide when viewed from the polarization direction of the light propagating in the optical waveguide. When viewed from the polarization direction of light propagating in the wave path,
The operation can be performed by setting the refractive index of the liquid crystal to be smaller than the refractive index of the optical waveguide. Further, when viewed from the polarization direction of the light propagating through the optical waveguide, the refractive index of the liquid crystal increases or decreases as the applied voltage increases, so that gradation data can be extracted as an electric signal.

When a voltage is simultaneously applied to all the scanning electrodes while the address light is incident on the liquid crystal light valve, the alignment state of the liquid crystal changes according to the bright state and the dark state. Each electrode is a transparent electrode, and the two substrates are transparent.
At this time, read light is added to the liquid crystal layer because it is optical.
When light is irradiated from the opposite side to the light, the reflected light is modulated according to the light / dark state due to the electro-optic effect of the liquid crystal.
Information can be extracted as a two-dimensional optical signal corresponding to the information formed on the crystal layer .

[0025]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the structure of the first embodiment of the liquid crystal light valve according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal light valve 10 of this embodiment comprises glass substrates 11 and 12, an antireflection film 13, a transparent electrode 14, a counter electrode 15, an optical waveguide 16, a photoconductor layer 17, A layer 18, alignment films 19 and 20, a spacer 21 and a liquid crystal layer 22 are provided.

This liquid crystal light valve 10 is manufactured as follows.

First, a transparent conductive film of silicon dioxide (SnO ₂ ) is deposited on a glass substrate 11 which is a light-transmitting substrate by a sputtering method, and is patterned into a stripe shape by a photolithography process. Transparent electrode for scanning
Form 14.

Next, an amorphous silicon hydride (a-Si: H) film is formed on the transparent electrode 14 as the photoconductor layer 17. The a-Si: H film forming the photoconductor layer 17 is made of silane (S
An iH ₄ ) gas and a hydrogen (H ₂ ) gas are used as raw materials and formed by a plasma CVD (chemical vapor deposition) method. This a-S
The thickness of the i: H film is about 6 μm.

Next, a carbon-dispersed acrylic resin is spin-coated on the photoconductor layer 17 as a light-shielding layer 18 for blocking light incident on the photoconductor layer 17 from the side of the liquid crystal layer described later. .

On the side of the glass substrate 11 where the writing light 23 is incident, an antireflection film 13 for preventing surface reflection of glass is formed.

As the above-mentioned light-transmitting substrate, a fiber plate can be used instead of a glass substrate.

On the glass substrate 12 facing the glass substrate 11, a transparent conductive film made of tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) is deposited by a sputtering method.
The counter electrode 15 is formed.

Next, by selectively polymerizing a polymer thin film on the opposing electrode 15, an optical waveguide is formed in a stripe shape.
Form 16.

Next, after polyimide films are formed as the alignment films 19 and 20 by spin coating on the light-shielding layer 18 and the optical waveguide 16, respectively, the surfaces of the alignment films 19 and 20 are subjected to a molecular alignment treatment by rubbing.

The glass substrates 11 and 12 on which the respective layers and films are formed as described above are bonded together via a spacer 21, and a nematic liquid crystal having a positive relative dielectric constant is vacuum-injected between the substrates as a liquid crystal layer 22. The liquid crystal light valve 10 is configured by sealing.

The orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules, when viewed from the polarization direction of light propagating through the optical waveguide 16, is such that the refractive index of the liquid crystal becomes larger than the refractive index of the optical waveguide when a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal. Is set so that it becomes smaller when no voltage is applied.

The twist angle of the liquid crystal is 0 ° to 60 °, preferably 45 °. The tilt angle is preferably in the range of 0.05 ° to 30 °.

The material of the liquid crystal contained in the liquid crystal layer 22 includes:
For example, Merck ZLI-4389 (n _e (the refractive index of the liquid crystal molecular axis direction) = 1.66, n _o (refractive index) = 1.50 in the direction perpendicular to the liquid crystal molecular axis) was used. The thickness of the liquid crystal layer 22 is about 4
μm. A small amount of cholesteric liquid crystal was added to this liquid crystal as needed.

Since the liquid crystal molecules are aligned on the optical waveguide 16 by the rubbing treatment, the configuration may be such that the alignment film 20 is not provided if necessary.

In FIG. 2, a photodetector 29 and a light source 30, which will be described later, are omitted for simplification.

Next, as shown in FIG.
The configuration of the counter substrate 25 including the optical waveguide 16 and the alignment film 20 will be described.

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the structure of a counter substrate 25 included in a liquid crystal light valve according to the present invention. FIG.
3 is a sectional view of FIG. 1, FIG. 3A is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3B is a sectional view taken along line BB of FIG. In these figures, the alignment film 20 is omitted.

As shown in these figures, the opposing substrate 25 comprises a glass substrate 12, an opposing electrode 15, an optical waveguide 16 comprising a lower cladding layer 26, a core layer 27 and a cladding layer 28, a photodetector 29, and a light source 30. And

The counter substrate 25 is manufactured as follows.

First, a transparent conductive film made of ITO is formed on the entire surface of the glass substrate 12 to form a counter electrode 15.

Next, an epoxy resin is formed as the lower cladding layer 26 of the optical waveguide 16 by spin coating. On the lower cladding layer 26, a bisphenol-Z-polycarbonate (PCZ) film containing a photopolymerizable monomer (acrylate, for example, methyl acrylate) is spin-coated. Here, by irradiating ultraviolet rays through a striped photomask and selectively polymerizing, a PCZ layer as a core layer 27 and PCZ and PCZ as cladding layers 28 are formed.
A mixture with a polyacrylate having a lower refractive index than Z is formed so as to form a stripe shape with each other. In this embodiment, the refractive index n of the core layer 27 is 1.59, and the refractive index n of the cladding layer 28 is 1.56.

The lower cladding layer thus formed
A light source 30 and a photodetector 29 are connected to both ends of the optical waveguide 16 composed of the core layer 27 and the cladding layer 28, respectively.

The light source 30 includes, for example, a laser and a light emitting diode (LED), and is connected to the optical waveguide 16 so that a polarized wave (TE mode or TM mode) can be introduced into the optical waveguide 16. I have.

The photodetector 29 is, for example, an a-Si: H diode and an a-SiGe:
It is composed of an H diode or the like, and is connected to the optical waveguide 16 so that light from the optical waveguide 16 can be received.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 1 for explaining another structure of the counter substrate 25.

In the embodiment shown in FIG.
Was formed on the entire surface of the glass substrate 12, as shown in FIG. 4, the counter electrode 15 was formed in a stripe shape on the glass substrate 12, and the lower clad layer 26, the core layer 27, and the clad layer The optical waveguide consisting of 28 may be formed in a stripe shape. In this case, the counter electrode and the scanning electrode are arranged so as to be orthogonal to each other.

The opposite substrate is not limited to a transparent substrate, but may be single crystal silicon (Si) or single crystal gallium arsenide (GaAs).
A substrate can be used, and in the case of using these, a light source and a photodetector can be formed on the substrate.

The glass substrates 11 and 12 are one embodiment of the two substrates of the liquid crystal light valve according to the present invention. Optical waveguide 16
Is an embodiment of the optical waveguide of the liquid crystal light valve according to the present invention. The photoconductor layer 17 is an embodiment of the photoconductor layer of the liquid crystal light valve according to the present invention. The photodetector 29 is an embodiment of the light receiving means of the liquid crystal light valve according to the present invention. The light source 30 is an embodiment of the light source of the liquid crystal light valve according to the present invention.

Next, the operation of the liquid crystal light valve 10 having the above configuration will be described.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of liquid crystal molecules for explaining the refractive index of the liquid crystal molecules.

[0058] As shown in the figure, the refractive index of the liquid crystal molecules 31, the anisotropy and the refractive index n _e of the liquid crystal molecular axis direction X, the refractive index n _o of the direction Y perpendicular to the liquid crystal molecular axis direction X And n
the relationship of _e> n _o holds. Here, the refractive index n _w of the core layer of the optical waveguide, the refractive index n _e and n _o of the liquid crystal molecules,
The relationship between these is set to be a _{n e> n w> n o} .

By setting as described above, light intensity of the propagating light in the optical waveguide changes depending on the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules. That is, when the n _w> n _o, the light propagating through the optical waveguide for leaking to the liquid crystal layer, it is possible to propagate unattenuated. On the other hand, when the n _e> n _w, light propagating through the optical waveguide for leaking the liquid crystal layer, decays.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the alignment state of liquid crystal molecules when TM mode light propagates through the optical waveguide 16. FIG. 6A is a schematic view showing a cross section of a main part of the liquid crystal light valve 10, and FIG.
Is a schematic diagram when viewed from above (in the direction of arrow C).

In these figures, the glass substrate 12 and the optical waveguide 16 are schematically shown, and the counter electrode 15 and the like are omitted.

[0062] The refractive index of these as shown in FIG., The liquid crystal molecules 31a in a state in which the voltage to light 36 is not applied in the TM mode from the light source 30 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, substantially n _o
Becomes On the other hand, the refractive index of the liquid crystal molecules 31b in a state where the voltage is applied, it can be regarded as substantially n _e.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the operating state of the liquid crystal light valve 10 when no drive voltage is applied. 7A shows a case where address light is not incident on the liquid crystal light valve 10 (dark state), and FIG. 7B shows a case where address light is incident on the liquid crystal light valve 10 (bright state). The operating state of the light valve 10 is shown.

In these figures, the same components as those of the liquid crystal light valve 10 shown in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. However, for the points that do not affect the description here, for example, the antireflection film 13 in FIG. 2 and the like are omitted and the shape of the transparent electrode 14 is simplified.

As shown in these figures, in the state where the driving voltage by the AC power supply 35 is not applied between the transparent electrode 14 and the counter electrode 15 of the liquid crystal light valve 10, the optical waveguide
16 shows TM mode light 36 from the light source 30 shown in FIGS.
When the light is propagating, the liquid crystal layer is exposed to the TM mode light 36 regardless of the presence or absence of the address light 37, that is, regardless of the brightness state.
The refractive index of 22, to become substantially n _o, the propagating light is not attenuated, propagating through the optical waveguide 16.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an operation state of the liquid crystal light valve 10 when a drive voltage is applied. 8A shows a case where address light is not incident on the liquid crystal light valve 10 (dark state), and FIG. 8B shows a case where address light is incident on the liquid crystal light valve 10 (bright state). The operating state of the light valve 10 is shown.

In these figures, the same components as those of the liquid crystal light valve 10 shown in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. However, for the points that do not affect the description here, for example, the antireflection film 13 in FIG. 2 and the like are omitted and the shape of the transparent electrode 14 is simplified.

As shown in these figures, when a driving voltage is applied between the transparent electrode 14 and the counter electrode 15 of the liquid crystal light valve 10 by the AC power supply 35, the optical waveguide 16
When the TM mode light 36 propagates through the
When light is not incident on the liquid crystal light valve 10 (dark state), almost no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer 22 because the impedance of the photoconductor layer 17 is high, and no change occurs in the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules 32a. In this case, the TM mode light 36 to the optical waveguide 16 is propagated, the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 22 to light 36 in TM mode, to become substantially n _o, the propagating light is not attenuated, the optical waveguide 16 Is propagated.

On the other hand, the address light 37 is
When light is incident on the liquid crystal layer (bright state), a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer 22 because the impedance of the photoconductor layer 17 is low, and the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules 32b changes. In this case, when the TM mode light 36 from the light source 30 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 propagates through the optical waveguide 16, the TM mode light 36
The refractive index of 22 is substantially due to the n _e, the propagating light is attenuated in a region where a voltage is applied (a region where the transparent electrode 14 is extended), light propagating through the optical waveguide 16 is weakened.

As a result, when the light intensity is detected at the end of the optical waveguide 16 by the photodetector 29 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, an electric signal corresponding to the alignment state of the liquid crystal is obtained. Further, when viewed from the polarization direction of the light propagating through the optical waveguide 16, the refractive index of the liquid crystal increases as the applied voltage increases, so that the gradation data can be extracted as an electric signal.

On the contrary, when the voltage is not applied to the liquid crystal, the refractive index of the liquid crystal is set to be larger than the refractive index of the optical waveguide 16 when viewed from the polarization direction of the light propagating through the optical waveguide 16. Also, when a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal,
Can be used such that the refractive index of the liquid crystal is smaller than the refractive index of the optical waveguide 16 when viewed from the polarization direction of light propagating through the optical waveguide. In this case, it is preferable to use a nematic liquid crystal in which the relative dielectric constant of the liquid crystal is negative and set the tilt angle to 60 ° to 90 °.

In the above-mentioned alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules, the optical waveguide
16 when the light 36 in the TE mode is propagated, the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 22 with or without the application of the driving voltage for the n _o, the light propagates through the optical waveguide 16. In this case, the orientation state is changed.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an alignment state of liquid crystal molecules when light in the TE mode propagates through the optical waveguide 16. FIG. 9A is a schematic view showing a main part of the liquid crystal light valve 10, and FIG. 9B is a schematic view when the liquid crystal light valve 10 of FIG. 9A is viewed from above (in the direction of arrow D). FIG.

In these figures, the glass substrate 12 and the optical waveguide 16 are schematically shown, and the counter electrode 15 and the like are omitted.

[0075] The refractive index of these as shown in FIG., The liquid crystal molecules 33a in a state in which the voltage to light 38 is not applied in the TE mode from the light source 30 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, substantially n _e
Becomes On the other hand, the refractive index of the liquid crystal molecules 33b in a state where the voltage is applied, it can be regarded as substantially n _o.

As described above, it is necessary to set the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules according to the light propagation mode in the optical waveguide 16.

Therefore, according to the liquid crystal light valve of the above-described embodiment, the information formed in the liquid crystal layer corresponding to the address light can be read as an optical signal and also directly as an electric signal.

Next, an information processing apparatus including a mechanism for converting optical information into an electric signal will be described.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an information processing apparatus including a mechanism for converting optical information into an electric signal.

As shown in the figure, the information processing apparatus of this embodiment comprises a scanning electrode 41, a counter electrode 42, an optical waveguide 43, and a light source 44.
And a liquid crystal light valve 40 including a photodetector 45
And a mechanism for converting optical information, including a readout circuit 46, a signal processing circuit 47, a drive circuit 48, and a control circuit 49, into an electric signal.

The liquid crystal light valve 40 corresponds to the liquid crystal light valve 10 shown in FIG.
The optical waveguide 43 corresponds to the transparent electrode 14, the counter electrode 15, and the optical waveguide 16, respectively. Further, the light source 44 and the photo detector 45 correspond to the light source 30 and the photo detector 29 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, respectively.

The control circuit 49 includes a light source 44 and a read circuit 46.
And the drive circuit 48. Drive circuit
48 is connected to the scanning electrode 41 and the counter electrode 42, respectively. The readout circuit 46 is connected to the photodetector 45 and the signal processing circuit 47, respectively.

The mechanism for converting optical information into an electric signal, including the readout circuit 46, the signal processing circuit 47, the drive circuit 48, and the control circuit 49, is an information processing apparatus having a liquid crystal light valve according to the present invention. 1 is an embodiment of a mechanism for converting light including electric power into an electric signal.

The operation of the information processing device will be described.

The polarized light from the light source 44 is always introduced into the optical waveguide 43, and the light propagated through the optical waveguide 43 is converted into an electric signal by using the photodetector 45.
Here, when the light 51 containing information is incident on the liquid crystal light valve 40, a voltage is applied between the counter electrode 42 and the scanning electrode 41 via the drive circuit 48.

Driving by applying the voltage is performed as follows.

When a voltage is applied to only one line of the scanning electrode 41, the alignment state of the liquid crystal molecules corresponding to the position of the scanning electrode 41 changes according to the light state of light, and the light intensity propagating through each of the optical waveguides 43 is changed. Is modulated. When the output of the photodetector 45 is read by the readout circuit 46 in synchronization with this,
An electric signal of optical information corresponding to the scanning electrode 41 is obtained. When such scanning electrodes 41 are sequentially driven over the entire screen, an electric signal corresponding to two-dimensional optical information can be obtained.

The conversion of optical information into an optical signal is performed as follows.

The light from the light source 44 is shut off, and a voltage is applied between the counter electrode 42 and the scanning electrode 41 via the drive circuit 48. In this state, when the light 51 containing information enters, the impedance of the photoconductor layer changes according to the light state of the light, so that the alignment state of the liquid crystal changes. Here the reading light 52
And an optical signal corresponding to the optical information can be obtained by monitoring the reflected light modulated by the liquid crystal layer.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, since the electric signal can be taken out together with the optical signal from the liquid crystal light valve 40, a compact information processing apparatus capable of reading out high-performance information can be realized. .

FIG. 11 is a system configuration diagram of an image scanner using the liquid crystal light valve 10 shown in FIG. 2 as an image reading element.

As shown in the figure, the image scanner of this embodiment includes a light source 62, a lens 63, a liquid crystal light valve 64,
A control system 65, an image memory 66, an interface circuit 67, and a computer 68 are provided.

The liquid crystal light valve 64 corresponds to the liquid crystal light valve 10 shown in FIG.

The light from the light source 62 is applied to the original 61 so that the original 61
The reflected light from the lens is made incident on the liquid crystal light valve 64 via the lens 63 to form an image on the liquid crystal light valve 64.

At this time, the scanning electrode (electrode corresponding to the transparent electrode 14 in FIG. 2) of the liquid crystal light valve 64 is controlled by the control system 65.
Are sequentially driven, an electrical signal corresponding to the image is obtained,
Image information data corresponding to this electric signal is stored in the image memory 66.
Is stored in

The image information data stored in the image memory 66 can be read from the computer 68 via the interface circuit 67 as needed.

As described above, since an image can be read by the liquid crystal light valve 64, a large-sized and high-resolution image reading device can be formed by enlarging the panel size and miniaturizing the optical waveguide.

Next, a second embodiment of the liquid crystal light valve according to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing the structure of a liquid crystal light valve according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the liquid crystal light valve 80 of this embodiment has glass substrates 81 and 82, an antireflection film 83 and
94, transparent electrode 84, counter electrode 85, optical waveguide 86, photoconductor layer
87, light shielding layer 88, alignment films 89 and 90, spacer 91, liquid crystal layer 92
And a dielectric mirror 93.

The liquid crystal light valve 80 is manufactured as follows.

First, a transparent conductive film formed by laminating ITO and SnO ₂ is deposited on a glass substrate 81 which is a light-transmitting substrate by a sputtering method, and is patterned into a stripe by reactive ion etching. Thus, the scanning transparent electrode 84 is formed.

Next, an amorphous silicon hydride (a-Si: H) film is formed on the transparent electrode 84 as the photoconductor layer 87. The a-Si: H film forming the photoconductor layer 87 is made of silane (S
iH ₄ ) gas and argon (Ar) gas,
It is formed by a plasma CVD method. This a-Si: H
The thickness of the film is about 7 μm.

Next, a carbon-dispersed acrylic resin is spin-coated on the photoconductor layer 87 as a light-shielding layer 88 for blocking light incident on the photoconductor layer 87 from the side of the liquid crystal layer described later. . Thereafter, a multilayer film made of titanium oxide and silicon oxide is deposited on the light shielding layer 88 by electron beam (EB) as a dielectric mirror 93 for reflecting light incident on the photoconductor layer 87 from the liquid crystal layer side. It is formed by a method.

On the side of the glass substrate 81 where the writing light 95 is incident, an anti-reflection film 83 for preventing surface reflection of glass is formed.

It is to be noted that a fiber plate can be used as the light-transmitting substrate in addition to the glass substrate.

On a glass substrate 82 facing the glass substrate 81, a transparent conductive film made of ITO is deposited by sputtering to form a counter electrode 85.

Next, on the opposing electrode 85, a polymer thin film is selectively photopolymerized to form an optical waveguide in a stripe shape.
Form 86.

An anti-reflection film 94 for preventing surface reflection of glass is provided on the side of the glass substrate 82 where the reading light 96 is incident.
To form

Next, after a polyimide film is formed as the alignment films 89 and 90 by spin coating on the dielectric mirror 93 and the optical waveguide 86, respectively, the surfaces of the alignment films 89 and 90 are subjected to a molecular alignment process by rubbing.

The glass substrates 81 and 82 on which the respective layers and films are formed as described above are bonded together via a spacer 91, and a nematic liquid crystal having a positive relative dielectric constant is vacuum-injected as a liquid crystal layer 92 between the substrates. The liquid crystal light valve 80 is configured by sealing.

The orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules in contact with the optical waveguide 86 is such that, when viewed from the polarization direction of the light propagating through the optical waveguide 86, the refractive index of the liquid crystal is higher than the refractive index of the optical waveguide when a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal. Is set so as to increase when no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal.

The liquid crystal display mode uses a hybrid electric field effect (HFE) mode, and the twist angle of the liquid crystal is 30 ° to 60 °.
Set to. The tilt angle is preferably set to 0.05 ° to 10 °. The thickness of the liquid crystal layer 92 is about 5 μm.

Since the liquid crystal molecules are aligned on the optical waveguide 86 by the rubbing treatment, the configuration may be such that the alignment film 90 is not provided as necessary.

The glass substrate 82, the counter electrode 85, the optical waveguide 86, the alignment film 90, and the anti-reflection film 94 of the liquid crystal light valve 80 of the second embodiment correspond to the counter substrate 97 of FIG. 1 and FIG. And a light detector (not shown) corresponding to the light source 30. The operation of the liquid crystal light valve 80 is the same as the operation described with reference to FIGS.

The glass substrates 81 and 82 are one embodiment of the two substrates of the liquid crystal light valve according to the present invention. Optical waveguide 86
Is an embodiment of the optical waveguide of the liquid crystal light valve according to the present invention. The photoconductor layer 87 is an embodiment of the photoconductor layer of the liquid crystal light valve according to the present invention. The photodetector 29 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 is an embodiment of the light receiving means of the liquid crystal light valve according to the present invention. The light source 30 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 is an embodiment of the light source of the liquid crystal light valve according to the present invention.

Therefore, according to the liquid crystal light valve of the above-described embodiment, the information formed in the liquid crystal layer corresponding to the address light can be read out as an optical signal and directly as an electric signal.

Next, a projection type display device using the liquid crystal light valve 80 as a light modulation element will be described.

FIG. 13 shows the liquid crystal light valve 80 shown in FIG.
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a projection display device using a light modulation element.

As shown in the figure, the projection type display device of this embodiment comprises lamps 101 and 106, lenses 102, 104 and 10
7 and 109, transmissive liquid crystal panel 103, liquid crystal light valve
105, a polarizing beam splitter 108, a screen 110, and drive circuits 111 and 112.

The liquid crystal light valve 105 corresponds to the liquid crystal light valve 80 shown in FIG.

The driving circuits 111 and 112 are connected to the transmission type liquid crystal panel 103 and the liquid crystal light valve 105, respectively.

The light from the lamp 101 is incident on the transmission type liquid crystal panel 103 through the lens 102, and the transmission type liquid crystal panel 10
The image displayed in 3 is formed on the liquid crystal light valve 105 via the lens 104.

When light from the lamp 106 enters the liquid crystal light valve 105 on which an image is formed via the lens 107 and the polarizing beam splitter 108, this incident light is reflected by a dielectric mirror (see FIG. 1) included in the liquid crystal light valve 105. The reflected light reflected by the 12 dielectric mirrors 93) and transmitted through the portion where the alignment state of the liquid crystal layer is changed can be transmitted through the polarizing beam splitter 108 because the polarization direction changes by the electro-optic effect. it can. This reflected light is a lens
LCD light valve enlarged by 109
The image formed on 105 is projected on screen 110.

Next, a description will be given of an embodiment of a copying machine and a printer composite apparatus using the liquid crystal light valve 80 of the second embodiment shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a system configuration diagram of a copier / printer multifunction device using the liquid crystal light valve 80 of FIG.

As shown in the figure, the copying and printing apparatus of this embodiment comprises a light source 122, a lens 123, a liquid crystal light valve 124, a laser light emitting device 125, a polygon mirror 126, a mirror 127, galvanomirrors 128 and 131,
Polarizing plate 129, photosensitive drum 130, control system 132, image memory 133, image processing circuit 134, interface circuit 135
And a printer control system 136.

The liquid crystal light valve 124 corresponds to the liquid crystal light valve 80 shown in FIG. 12, and is connected to the control system 132.

Laser emitting device 125, polygon mirror
126, the galvanomirror 131 and the photosensitive drum 130 are connected to a printer control system 136.

Control system 132, image memory 133, image processing circuit 134, interface circuit 135, and printer control system 1
36 is an embodiment of a mechanism for converting light containing information of an information processing device provided with a liquid crystal light valve according to the present invention into an electric signal.

In this apparatus, reading of an image is performed as follows.

The light from the light source 122 is applied to the original 121, and the reflected light from the original 121 is focused on the liquid crystal light valve 124 via the lens 123 to form an image.

At this time, when the scanning electrodes (electrodes corresponding to the transparent electrodes 84 in FIG. 12) of the liquid crystal light valve 124 are sequentially driven by the control system 132, an electric signal corresponding to an image is obtained, and the electric signal corresponding to the electric signal is obtained. The image information data is stored in the image memory 133, and the image information data can be handled as a digital signal.

The copying of the original 121 is performed using a laser scanning system. That is, the counter electrode (the electrode corresponding to the counter electrode 85 in FIG. 12) of the liquid crystal light valve 124 and the scanning electrode (FIG. 12).
The liquid crystal light valve 124 is driven by applying a voltage between the liquid crystal light valve 124 and an image corresponding to the image. At this time, the alignment state of the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal light valve 124 has changed according to the image.

The polarized laser light from the laser light emitting device 125 is scanned over the entire surface of the liquid crystal light valve 124 via the polygon mirror 126 and the galvano mirror 128 controlled by the printer control system 136.

The laser light incident on the liquid crystal light valve 124 is reflected by a dielectric mirror (a dielectric mirror corresponding to the dielectric mirror 93 in FIG. 12), and transmits through a portion of the liquid crystal layer where the orientation state of the liquid crystal layer is changed. The polarization direction of the reflected light is modulated by the electro-optic effect of the liquid crystal.
129 can be transmitted.

The reflected light transmitted through the polarizing plate 129 is written on the photosensitive drum 130. The image is copied by passing the image data recorded on the photosensitive drum 130 through a printing process.

The digital image processing and printing of the image of the original 121 are performed using the image processing circuit 134 and the laser scanning system. That is, the image data stored in the image memory 133 as described above is read, processed by the image processing circuit 134, and transferred to the printer control system 136 via the interface circuit 135.

Here, the laser scanning system is driven according to the image data. That is, the laser light emitting device 125 scans the polygon mirror 126, the mirror 127, and the galvano mirror 131 while turning on / off the laser light according to the image data, and writes the image data on the photosensitive drum. The image data recorded on the photosensitive drum 130 is printed through a printing process.

The mirror 127 of the laser scanning system is configured to be inserted on the optical path when printing and removed from the optical path when copying, so that the optical path is switched according to the purpose.

Therefore, a multifunctional information processing apparatus can be manufactured by using the liquid crystal light valve according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing the structure of a liquid crystal light valve according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the figure, the liquid crystal light valve 140 of this embodiment comprises glass substrates 141 and 142, an antireflection film.
143 and 154, transparent electrode 144, counter electrode 145, optical waveguide
146, photoconductor layer 147, light shielding layer 148, alignment films 149 and 150
, Spacer 151, liquid crystal layer 152 and dielectric mirror 153
It has.

This liquid crystal light valve 140 is manufactured as follows.

First, a transparent conductive film formed by laminating ITO and SnO ₂ is deposited on a glass substrate 141, which is a light-transmitting substrate, by sputtering, and is patterned into stripes by reactive ion etching. As a result, a transparent electrode 144 for scanning is formed.

Next, the photoconductor layer 14 is formed on the transparent electrode 144.
As No. 7, an amorphous hydrogenated silicon carbide (a-SiC: H) film is formed. The a-SiC: H film forming the photoconductor layer 147 is formed by a plasma CVD method using a silane (SiH ₄ ) gas, an ethylene (C ₂ H ₄ ) gas, and a hydrogen (H ₂ ) gas. The thickness of the a-SiC: H film is about 6 μm.
It is.

Next, a carbon-dispersed acrylic resin is spin-coated on the photoconductor layer 147 as a light-shielding layer 148 for blocking light incident on the photoconductor layer 147 from the side of the liquid crystal layer described later. . Thereafter, a multilayer film made of tantalum oxide and silicon oxide is formed on the light-shielding layer 148 as a dielectric mirror 153 for reflecting light incident on the photoconductor layer 147 from the liquid crystal layer side by an electron beam evaporation method. I do.

On the side of the glass substrate 141 on which the writing light 155 is incident, an antireflection film 14 for preventing surface reflection of glass is provided.
Form 3.

As the above-mentioned light-transmitting substrate, a fiber plate can be used instead of a glass substrate.

The glass substrate 142 facing the glass substrate 141
An opposing electrode 145 is formed thereon by depositing a transparent conductive film made of ITO by sputtering.

Next, the optical waveguides 146 are formed in a stripe pattern in the same pattern on the counter electrode 145 by selective photopolymerization using a polymer thin film.

An antireflection film 154 for preventing surface reflection of glass is formed on the glass substrate 142 on the side where the readout light 156 is incident.

Next, the dielectric mirror 153 and the optical waveguide 14
After forming polyimide films as spin-coating films 149 and 150 by spin coating,
The surface of 150 is subjected to a molecular orientation treatment by rubbing.

The alignment films 149 and 150 can be formed by oblique evaporation of an inorganic film such as silicon oxide.

The glass substrates 141 and 142 on which the layers and films are formed as described above are bonded together via a spacer 151, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal is vacuum-injected as a liquid crystal layer 152 between the substrates and sealed. By LCD light valve 14
0 is configured.

The orientation direction of the liquid crystal molecules in contact with the optical waveguide 146 is such that, when viewed from the polarization direction of the light propagating through the optical waveguide 146, when the voltage applied to the liquid crystal is such that the refractive index of the liquid crystal is higher than the refractive index of the optical waveguide. Is set so that it becomes larger when no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal.

The liquid crystal display mode is SSFLC (surface stabilized ferroelectric liquid).
Crystal) mode, and a liquid crystal material such as B
DH Co. SCE12 (n _e (the refractive index of the liquid crystal molecular axis direction)
= 1.65, n _o (refractive index in the direction orthogonal to the liquid crystal molecular axis) =
Use 1.49). The thickness of the liquid crystal layer 152 is about 2 μm.

Since the liquid crystal molecules are aligned on the optical waveguide 146 by the rubbing process, the configuration may be such that the alignment film 150 is not provided as necessary.

The liquid crystal light valve 140 of the third embodiment
A counter substrate 157 composed of a glass substrate 142, a counter electrode 145, an optical waveguide 146, an alignment film 150, and an antireflection film 154 is provided with a photo detector and a light source (not shown) corresponding to the photo detector 29 and the light source 30 in FIGS. The operation of the liquid crystal light valve 140 is the same as the operation described with reference to FIGS.

The glass substrates 141 and 142 are one embodiment of the two substrates of the liquid crystal light valve according to the present invention. The optical waveguide 146 is an embodiment of the optical waveguide of the liquid crystal light valve according to the present invention. The photoconductor layer 147 is an embodiment of the photoconductor layer of the liquid crystal light valve according to the present invention. 1 and 3
The photodetector 29 is an embodiment of the light receiving means of the liquid crystal light valve according to the present invention. The light source 30 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 is an embodiment of the light source of the liquid crystal light valve according to the present invention.

Therefore, according to the liquid crystal light valve of the above-described embodiment, information formed in the liquid crystal layer corresponding to the address light can be read as an optical signal and directly as an electric signal.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram showing the orientation state of the liquid crystal molecules of the ferroelectric liquid crystal when the light of the TE mode propagates through the optical waveguide 146. FIG. 16A shows a liquid crystal light valve 14.
FIG. 16B is a schematic view showing a main part of FIG. 16A, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram when the liquid crystal light valve 140 is viewed from above (in the direction of arrow E). In these figures, the glass substrate 142 and the optical waveguide 146 are schematically shown, and the counter electrode 145 and the like are omitted.

As shown in these figures, liquid crystal molecules in a state where no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer with respect to TE mode light 170 from a light source (not shown) corresponding to the light source 30 in FIGS. 171a is oriented in the direction of F shown in the figure. In this state, since the refractive index of the liquid crystal is smaller than the refractive index of the optical waveguide, the TE-mode light 170 propagates through the optical waveguide 146 without being attenuated.

On the other hand, the liquid crystal molecules 171b in a state where a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal layer are oriented in the direction G shown in the figure. At this time, since the refractive index of the liquid crystal becomes larger than the refractive index of the optical waveguide, the TE mode light 170 from the light source leaks into the liquid crystal layer and is attenuated. Thus, ferroelectric liquid crystals can also be used in the liquid crystal light valve according to the present invention.

FIG. 17 shows the liquid crystal light valve 14 shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram of an image photographing apparatus using 0 as an image sensor and a viewfinder.

As shown in the figure, the image photographing apparatus of this embodiment has lamps 181 and 188, lenses 182, 185 and 186.
, A mirror 183, a polarizing beam splitter 184, a half mirror 187, a liquid crystal light valve 189, a control system 190, and an image signal recording system 191.

The liquid crystal light valve 189 corresponds to the liquid crystal light valve 140 shown in FIG. 15 and is connected to the control system 190.

The control system 190 and the image signal recording system 191 are an embodiment of a mechanism for converting light containing information of an information processing apparatus having a liquid crystal light valve according to the present invention into an electric signal.

When used as a viewfinder,
The scanning electrode of the liquid crystal light valve 189 (the scanning electrode 14 in FIG. 15)
A voltage is applied between 4) and the counter electrode (counter electrode 145 in FIG. 15). Here, the image of the object 192 is
When an image is formed on the liquid crystal light valve 189 via the liquid crystal 6, the impedance of the photoconductor layer (photoconductor layer 147 in FIG. 15) of the liquid crystal light valve 189 changes depending on the brightness of the image, and the alignment state of the liquid crystal changes. Thus, an image is formed on the liquid crystal layer.

When light from a lamp 181 enters the liquid crystal light valve 189 via a lens 182, a mirror 183, and a polarization beam splitter 184, the incident light is applied to a dielectric mirror of the liquid crystal light valve 189 (the dielectric mirror of FIG. 15). 153
).

Of these, the reflected light transmitted through the portion where the alignment state of the liquid crystal layer is changed passes through the polarization beam splitter 184 because the polarization direction changes due to the electro-optic effect. The transmitted light forms an image at the position of the eye 193 by the lens 185, and the photographed image can be viewed.

When used as an image sensor, the object 19
The image 2 is formed on the liquid crystal light valve 189 via the lens 186. At this time, when the scanning electrodes (the scanning electrodes 144 in FIG. 15) of the liquid crystal light valve 189 are sequentially driven by the control system 190, an electric signal corresponding to an image is obtained. This signal is recorded by the image signal recording system 191.

Light from a light source (not shown) (a light source corresponding to the light source 30 in FIG. 1) to be introduced into the optical waveguide to obtain an electric signal may use a near-infrared region. This makes the light source invisible when the liquid crystal light valve 189 is viewed from the reading side with the eyes 193.

When the functions of the image pickup device and the viewfinder are apparently operated at the same time, both functions may be operated in a time-sequential manner within a frequency (about 30 Hz) or higher at which flicker does not occur. . When a ferroelectric liquid crystal is used, the response speed of the liquid crystal is high, so that such an operation can be sufficiently performed.

To reproduce the image signal recorded in the image signal recording system 191, the lamp 188 is turned on and the half mirror 187 is turned on.
Irradiates the liquid crystal light valve 189 through the.

When light is applied to the entire surface of the liquid crystal light valve 189 on the writing light side, the same driving as that of a normal XY matrix type liquid crystal panel can be performed. When the and are sequentially driven according to the image signal, the image can be reproduced.

If the material of the photoconductor layer of the liquid crystal light valve 189 is changed to a material having photosensitivity to ultraviolet or infrared light, a wavelength conversion type image photographing apparatus can be constructed.

As described above, in the liquid crystal light valve of this embodiment, the function conventionally supported by the individual elements can be performed by a single element, and the image reading function and the image displaying function are combined. Can be realized with compactness and high functionality.

The first and second shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 12 and FIG.
The photoconductor layer of the liquid crystal light valve according to the third embodiment is made of amorphous hydrogenated silicon carbide (a-Si _1-x C _x : H) or amorphous hydrogen in addition to a-Si: H. Silicon oxynitride (a-Si _1-x N _x : H), amorphous hydrogenated silicon oxide (a-Si _1-x O _x : H), amorphous hydrogenated silicon germanium (a-Si _1-x Ge _x : H), cadmium sulfide (CdS), Bi ₁₂ SiO _{20 and the} like can also be used. Further, the photoconductor layer may have a Schottky structure, a diode structure, a back-to-back diode structure, or the like.

As the light-shielding layer, in addition to the carbon-dispersed acrylic resin, a pigment-dispersed organic thin film, a thin film obtained by electroless plating a metal such as Ag on aluminum oxide (Al ₂ O ₃ ), a cermet thin film, and CdTe are used. be able to.

As the optical waveguide, a-SiO _X N _Y : H or (SiO ₂ ) _X −
A waveguide using an inorganic material such as (Ta ₂ O ₅ ) _Y hybrid can also be used.

When a nematic liquid crystal is used as the liquid crystal operation mode, a guest host mode or the like can be used in addition to the hybrid field effect mode shown in the above-described embodiment. When a smectic liquid crystal is used, a guest host mode or the like can be used.

[0183]

As described above, according to the present invention, a liquid crystal light valve according to the present invention, two magnetic each having a transparent electrode
A liquid crystal layer provided between the optical substrates, a photoconductor layer provided between the liquid crystal layer and one of the two substrates, the impedance of which changes due to light containing incident information;
An optical waveguide provided on one side of the two substrates, a light source for introducing light into the optical waveguide, a light receiving means for receiving light from the light source propagating through the optical waveguide and converting the light into an electric signal, and reading out Opposite the light that contains information in the liquid crystal layer
Irradiates the reflected light of readout light from the
Means for reading as a signal. Therefore, information formed on the liquid crystal layer can be read out as a two-dimensional optical signal and directly as an electric signal.

An information processing apparatus provided with a liquid crystal light valve according to the present invention has two light transmitting portions each having a transparent electrode.
A liquid crystal layer provided between gender substrate, a liquid crystal layer and a photoconductive layer whose impedance is changed by light containing information that is incident is provided between one of the two substrates, the two substrates An optical waveguide provided on one side, a light source for introducing light into the optical waveguide, light receiving means for receiving light from the light source propagating through the optical waveguide and converting the light into an electric signal, and a liquid crystal for reading out light. On the opposite side of the light containing information in the layer
Optical signal corresponding to the information by irradiating the reading light and reflecting the readout light
And a mechanism connected to the liquid crystal light valve for converting light containing information into an electric signal. Therefore, the information formed on the liquid crystal layer from the liquid crystal light valve is not affected.
Accordingly, since an electric signal can be extracted together with a two-dimensional optical signal, high-performance information processing can be performed by a compact device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a configuration of a counter substrate included in a liquid crystal light valve according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a first embodiment of a liquid crystal light valve according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4B illustrates another configuration of the opposing substrate.
It is a B sectional view.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram of liquid crystal molecules for explaining the refractive index of the liquid crystal molecules.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an alignment state of liquid crystal molecules when TM mode light propagates through an optical waveguide.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an operation state of the liquid crystal light valve in a state where no drive voltage is applied.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an operation state of a liquid crystal light valve in a state where a driving voltage is applied.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an alignment state of liquid crystal molecules when light in a TE mode propagates through an optical waveguide.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of an information processing apparatus including a mechanism for converting optical information into an electric signal.

11 is a system configuration diagram of an image scanner using the liquid crystal light valve 10 shown in FIG. 1 as an image reading element.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a liquid crystal light valve according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

13 is a system configuration diagram of a projection display device using the liquid crystal light valve shown in FIG. 12 as a light modulation element.

14 is a system configuration diagram of a copier / printer multifunction peripheral using the liquid crystal light valve of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a third embodiment of the liquid crystal light valve according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating an alignment state of liquid crystal molecules of a ferroelectric liquid crystal when light in a TE mode propagates through an optical waveguide.

17 is a system configuration diagram of an image photographing apparatus using the liquid crystal light valve shown in FIG. 15 as an image sensor and a viewfinder.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a conventional general light-addressed liquid crystal light valve.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 80, 140 Liquid crystal light valve 11, 12, 81, 82, 141, 142 Glass substrate 13, 83, 94, 143, 154 Antireflection film 14, 84, 144 Transparent electrode 15, 85, 145 Counter electrode 16, 86 , 146 Optical waveguides 17, 87, 147 Photoconductor layer 18, 88, 148 Light shielding layer 19, 20, 89, 90, 149, 150 Alignment film 21, 91, 151 Spacer 22, 92, 152 Liquid crystal layer 26 Lower cladding layer 27 core layer 28 clad layer 29 photodetector 30 light source 46 readout circuit 47 signal processing circuit 48 drive circuit 49 control circuit 93, 153 dielectric mirror 132, 190 control system 133 image memory 134 image processing circuit 135 interface circuit 136 printer control system 191 image Signal recording system

Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) G02F 1/135 G02F 1/13 505 G09F 9/30 G02F 1/29-7/00 G02F 1/00-1/125

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. Two light transmissions each having a transparent electrode
A liquid crystal layer provided between conductive substrates;
A photoconductor layer provided between one of the two substrates, the impedance of which changes according to light containing incident information; an optical waveguide provided on one side of the two substrates; A light source for introducing light into the liquid crystal layer; light receiving means for receiving light from the light source propagating through the optical waveguide and converting the light into an electric signal;
The readout light by irradiating the light containing the information from the opposite side.
For reading out the reflected light of the light as an optical signal corresponding to the information.
Liquid crystal light valve, characterized in that a stage. 2. The photoconductor according to claim 2, wherein at least one of a light-shielding layer for blocking light incident on the photoconductor layer from the liquid crystal layer side and a light reflecting layer for reflecting the light is formed of the photoconductor. The liquid crystal light valve according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal light valve is provided on the layer. 3. The liquid crystal light valve according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal layer is formed of a nematic liquid crystal. 4. The liquid crystal light valve according to claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal layer is formed of a smectic liquid crystal. 5. Two light transmissions each having a transparent electrode.
A liquid crystal layer provided between conductive substrates;
A photoconductor layer provided between one of the two substrates, the impedance of which changes according to light containing incident information; an optical waveguide provided on one side of the two substrates; A light source for introducing light into the liquid crystal layer; light receiving means for receiving light from the light source propagating through the optical waveguide and converting the light into an electric signal;
The readout light by irradiating the light containing the information from the opposite side.
For reading out the reflected light of the light as an optical signal corresponding to the information.
An information comprising a liquid crystal light valve, comprising: a liquid crystal light valve including a step; and a mechanism connected to the liquid crystal light valve for converting light containing the information into an electrical signal. Processing equipment.