JP2007328233A - Optical element - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an optical element with which an irradiation pattern is stably and excellently varied. <P>SOLUTION: The optical element 10 is equipped with: a transparent electrode 18 which transmits light of a predetermined wavelength; a transparent electrode 14 which is constructed in such a way that it can independently switch among voltage applied states of a plurality of regions and which transmits the light of the predetermined wavelength; and a light controlling layer 20 sealed in between the transparent electrode 14 and the transparent electrode 18. The light controlling layer 20 comprises: a fluid layer 22 which has an oil 24 with colored water 26 insoluble in the oil 24 existing therein; and a self-organizing film 16 in which the position of the colored water 26 is varied corresponding to the voltage applied states. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an optical element capable of changing a light irradiation pattern.

As an optical element having a variable light irradiation pattern, for example, an arrayed mirror is tilted (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Moreover, what uses a liquid crystal is known as what does not have a mechanical movable part (for example, refer patent document 2).
JP 2001-242396 A JP-A-7-110463 Ishizuka, two others, "Electrical Control of a Contact on a SAM-coated Electrode", PROCEEDING OF THE 22ND SENSOR SYMPISOUM, 2005, p191-194

  However, the former configuration requires, for example, a device for ensuring the durability of the mechanical movable portion, and the latter configuration improves, for example, selectivity for transmission and non-transmission of oblique incident light. In any case, there is room for improvement.

  In view of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to obtain an optical element that can stably and favorably change an irradiation pattern.

  In order to achieve the above object, an optical element according to the first aspect of the present invention is configured to be capable of independently switching a voltage application state in a plurality of regions and a first electrode capable of transmitting light of a specific wavelength. The first fluid is a second electrode capable of transmitting light of the specific wavelength (range), and the first fluid sealed between the first electrode and the second electrode. And a light control layer configured to be present in the presence of a second fluid in a liquid phase having different light transmittances of the specific wavelength, and the position of the second fluid changes according to a voltage application state.

  In the optical element according to claim 1, if the voltage application state (for example, presence / absence of voltage application or magnitude of applied voltage) of the specific region of the second electrode is different from the voltage application state of other regions, The relative position of the second fluid is different from that of the other region in the specific region of the electrode or the periphery thereof (for example, the second fluid moves or changes its posture). Since the second fluid has a light transmittance of a specific wavelength different from that of the first fluid, the irradiation pattern of the light of the specific wavelength is changed by changing a region where the voltage application state in the second electrode is changed. (Light control). And since this optical element has no mechanical moving parts, it is possible to perform stable light control over a long period of time, and since it does not use alignment like liquid crystal, there are few restrictions on the light incident direction and the irradiation pattern. Can be changed satisfactorily.

  Thus, in the optical element according to the first aspect, the irradiation pattern can be changed stably and satisfactorily.

  The optical element according to a second aspect of the present invention is the optical element according to the first aspect, wherein the first fluid of the light control layer is in a liquid phase and the first electrode and the second together with the second fluid. Between the electrodes.

  In the optical element according to claim 2, the second fluid constituting the light control layer in the liquid phase is in a liquid phase depending on a state in which a voltage is applied, that is, a voltage application state to a specific region of the second electrode. The relative position in the region of the second electrode is changed in the first fluid. Since both of the two fluids constituting the light control layer are in a liquid phase, restrictions on the installation direction of the optical element are reduced. Note that it is desirable that the first fluid and the second fluid have similar specific gravity.

  The optical element according to a third aspect of the present invention is the optical element according to the first or second aspect, wherein the light control layer is lyophilic with respect to the second fluid on the surface in accordance with a voltage application state. And a membrane that switches between lyophobic properties.

  In the optical element according to claim 3, when the voltage application state (for example, presence or absence of voltage application or applied voltage) of the specific region in the second electrode is made different from the voltage application state of other regions, the surface of the film is The fluid of 2 is switched from lyophilic to lyophobic or from lyophobic to lyophilic. For example, the second fluid located in a portion where the surface of the membrane is lyophobic moves to a portion where the surface of the membrane is lyophilic or a portion which is not lyophobic. Thereby, the light irradiation pattern of a specific wavelength can be satisfactorily changed with a simple structure utilizing the lyophilic change of the film according to the voltage application state.

  An optical element according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the optical element according to the third aspect, wherein the second fluid is water, and the film has surface hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity with or without voltage application. It is a self-assembled film that switches.

  5. The optical element according to claim 4, wherein the surface of the self-assembled film of the light control layer containing water as the second fluid is changed from hydrophilic to hydrophobic or hydrophobic in a specific region where a voltage is applied to the second electrode. Switches from hydrophilic to hydrophilic. Thereby, the light control layer can be easily configured at low cost.

  An optical element according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the optical element according to the first or second aspect, wherein the light control layer is configured to change the charged state of the second fluid and the charged state of the second fluid. Charge maintaining means for maintaining.

  In the optical element according to the fifth aspect, for example, the positively charged second fluid is attracted to a region where a negative voltage is applied to the second electrode. As a result, the light irradiation pattern can be changed with a simple structure using the driving force of the applied voltage.

  An optical element according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the optical element according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein either one of the first fluid and the second fluid transmits visible light. The other of the first fluid and the second fluid is colored so as to absorb visible light having a specific wavelength.

  In the optical element according to claim 6, visible light is transmitted through a portion where the second fluid is not located in the light control layer (between the first electrode and the second electrode), while the second light in the light control layer. In a portion where the fluid is located, transmission of visible light having a specific wavelength, that is, irradiation is blocked. This optical element can be used as an illumination device, a display device, an exposure device, or the like.

  As described above, the optical element according to the present invention has an excellent effect that the irradiation pattern can be stably and favorably changed.

  An optical element 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the optical element 10 in a cross-sectional view. As shown in FIG. 2, the optical element 10 includes a transparent substrate 12 that transmits light in a specific wavelength range (in this embodiment, visible light, hereinafter simply referred to as visible light). On the transparent substrate 12, a transparent electrode 14 is disposed as a second electrode made of, for example, ITO (indium tin oxide). The transparent electrode 14 is configured as an assembly of a plurality of electrode groups, and is arranged (arrayed) two-dimensionally at a predetermined interval on the surface of the transparent substrate 12 (see FIG. 3). The plurality of transparent electrodes 14 are insulated from each other and can be independently applied with a voltage. In the following description, when a plurality of transparent electrodes 14 are distinguished, they are referred to as a transparent electrode 14A, a transparent electrode 14B, a transparent electrode 14C, and a transparent electrode 14D, as shown in FIG.

  A self-assembled film (SAM film) 16 is formed on the plurality of transparent electrodes 14. The self-assembled film 16 is configured to transmit visible light, exhibit a water repellency (lipophilic property) in a state where no voltage is applied, and exhibit a hydrophilic property in a portion to which a voltage is applied. As the self-assembled film 16, for example, an organosilicon compound can be used.

  Furthermore, the optical element 10 includes a transparent electrode 18 as a first electrode facing the self-assembled film 16 (a plurality of transparent electrodes 14) at a predetermined interval. The transparent electrode 18 is made of, for example, ITO (Indium Tin Oxide), and is supported on the transparent substrate 12 by a support structure (not shown), and the spacing between the transparent electrode 18 and the self-assembled film 16 is ensured with insulation from each transparent electrode 14. Is retained.

  Between the self-assembled film 16 and the transparent electrode 18, a fluid layer 22 that forms the light control layer 20 with the self-assembled film 16 is sealed. The fluid layer 22 is configured by allowing water 26 to exist as water droplets in a transparent oil 24 that transmits visible light. The water 26 is colored so as to absorb light having a specific wavelength in visible light, and is hereinafter referred to as colored water 26. Thereby, the optical element 10 is configured such that visible light is not transmitted through the portion where the colored water 26 exists.

  Further, the optical element 10 includes an element drive circuit 28 for applying a voltage between each transparent electrode 14 and the transparent electrode 18. The element drive circuit 28 is configured to selectively apply the voltage of the power supply 30 to some or all of the plurality of transparent electrodes 14 with the transparent electrode 18 as a common voltage (for example, 0 V). Part or all of the element driving circuit 28 is provided on the transparent substrate 12.

  The optical element 10 described above controls the parallel light that is visible light incident from the transparent electrode 18 and irradiates it from the transparent substrate 12. The parallel light incident on the transparent electrode 18 can be obtained, for example, by converting diffused light irradiated by the point light source 32 with the lens 34. Moreover, you may make it obtain parallel light with the power supply which arrayed many LED. It can be understood that the optical element 10 constitutes a light control device with such parallel light irradiation means (a point light source 32 and a lens 34, or an arrayed LED or the like).

  Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

  In the optical element 10 configured as described above, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 1A, each of the transparent electrodes 14A to 14D in the self-assembled film 16 is not applied to any of the transparent electrodes 14A to 14D. The portions corresponding to the above are hydrophobic, and the colored water 26 is located in the region between the transparent electrodes 14. In this state, the parallel light Rt that is visible light incident from the transparent electrode 18 passes through the transparent electrode 18, the oil 24 (oil layer), the transparent electrode 14, and the transparent substrate 12, and is irradiated from the transparent substrate 12. .

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1B, when a voltage is applied to one transparent electrode 14C, the surface (fluid layer 22 side) of the region in contact with the transparent electrode 14C in the self-assembled film 16 becomes hydrophobic. Change to hydrophilic. Then, the colored water 26 moves to a portion of the surface of the self-assembled film 16 that has been changed to hydrophilicity by the surface tension, and covers the hydrophilic portion. For this reason, in the region occupied by the transparent electrode 14 </ b> C in the optical element 10, the parallel light Rs that is visible light is absorbed by the colored water 26 and is not transmitted.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the optical element 10 does not transmit the parallel light that is incident visible light in the region in contact with the transparent electrode 14 to which the voltage is applied in the self-assembled film 16, and the irradiated surface. A region A where light is not irradiated to a part of 36 is generated. Therefore, in the optical element 10, the irradiation pattern of visible light irradiated from the transparent substrate 12 is changed according to the position and number of the transparent electrodes 14 to which the voltage is applied, the timing of voltage application, a part or all of these, and the like. Can do.

  Such an optical element 10 can be applied to, for example, an illumination device, an illumination device, a display device, an exposure device, and the like. For example, in a configuration applied to a headlamp of an automobile, switching between a high beam and a low beam can be performed using a single light source.

  Here, in the optical element 10, since the irradiation pattern is variable without relying on a mechanical movable part, there is no problem such as destruction due to fatigue of the constituent material and fluctuation of characteristics over time, and stable performance over a long period of time. (Characteristic) can be obtained. That is, the optical element 10 can constitute a light control device with good durability.

  Further, in the optical element 10, the irradiation pattern is variable without using the orientation (arrangement) of whether or not the liquid crystal molecules are aligned perpendicular to the incident surface, such as control of light transmission and non-transmission by the liquid crystal. The problem that the selectivity of transmission and non-transmission for obliquely incident light is low as in the above-described control of the irradiation pattern by the liquid crystal hardly occurs. That is, the optical element 10 has almost no direction dependency of incident light, and there are few restrictions on the incident direction. Furthermore, in the control of transmission and non-transmission by liquid crystal, a polarizing filter may be used. When a polarizing filter is used, there is a problem that the intensity of transmitted light is reduced to half or less. Since there is no need to rely on a polarizing filter, the intensity reduction of transmitted light is extremely small (almost no).

  Furthermore, since the optical element 10 does not require a special alignment treatment unlike liquid crystal, it can be manufactured at a low cost by a simple process. In addition, the optical element 10 does not require a special alignment treatment unlike liquid crystal, so that a large area element can be produced.

  Thus, in the optical element 10 according to the first embodiment, the irradiation pattern can be changed stably and satisfactorily. Further, in the optical element 10, since the colored water 26 is present in the mutually insoluble oil 24, in other words, fluids having different transmittances form liquid phases, so that they are stable in various postures with respect to the direction of gravity. Can be used.

  Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that portions that are basically the same as those in the first embodiment or the previous configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment or the previous configuration, and description thereof is omitted. May be omitted.

(Second Embodiment)
FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams corresponding to FIGS. 1A and 1B, respectively, illustrating the operating state of the optical element 40 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. It is shown. As shown in these drawings, the optical element 40 includes a colored oil (oil layer) in which the fluid layer 22 is colored so as to be able to absorb light of a specific wavelength among visible light instead of the transparent oil 24 and the colored water 26. The optical element 10 according to the first embodiment is different from the optical element 10 according to the first embodiment in that a transparent water (water droplet) 44 capable of transmitting visible light is present in 42. Other configurations of the optical element 40 are the same as the corresponding configurations of the optical element 10 including portions not shown.

  In the optical element 40 having the above configuration, as schematically shown in FIG. 4A, each of the transparent electrodes 14A to 14D in the self-assembled film 16 is not applied to any of the transparent electrodes 14A to 14D. The portion corresponding to is hydrophobic, and the transparent water 44 is located in the region between the transparent electrodes 14. In this state, the parallel light Rs that is visible light incident from the transparent electrode 18 is absorbed by the colored oil 42 and does not pass through the optical element 10 (not irradiated).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, when a voltage is applied to one transparent electrode 14C, the surface (fluid layer 22 side) of the region in contact with the transparent electrode 14C in the self-assembled film 16 becomes hydrophobic. Change to hydrophilic. Then, the transparent water 44 moves to the portion of the surface of the self-assembled film 16 that has been changed to hydrophilicity by the surface tension, and covers the hydrophilic portion. For this reason, in the region occupied by the transparent electrode 14 </ b> C in the optical element 10, the parallel light Rt that is visible light is transmitted and irradiated from the transparent substrate 12. In this case, only the portion corresponding to the region A on the irradiation surface 36 shown in FIG. 3 is irradiated with visible light.

  As described above, in the optical element 40, the same effect can be obtained by the same operation as the optical element 10 only by the transmission and non-transmission of light being opposite to those of the optical element 10.

(Third embodiment)
FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams corresponding to FIGS. 1A and 1B showing the operation state of the optical element 50 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. It is shown. As shown in these drawings, the optical element 50 has a fluid layer 22 in which transparent light (water layer) 52 that can transmit visible light is used instead of transparent oil 24 and colored water 26. The optical element 10 according to the first embodiment is different from the optical element 10 according to the first embodiment in that a colored oil (oil droplet) 54 colored to absorb light of a specific wavelength is present. The other configuration of the optical element 50 is the same as the corresponding configuration of the optical element 10 including a portion not shown.

  In the optical element 50 having the above-described configuration, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 5A, each of the transparent electrodes 14 </ b> A to 14 </ b> D in the self-assembled film 16 is not applied to any of the transparent electrodes 14 </ b> A to 14 </ b> D. The portion corresponding to is hydrophobic, that is, lipophilic, and the colored oil 54 is located on the surface of the portion of the self-assembled film 16 that is in contact with the transparent electrode 14. In this state, the parallel light Rs that is visible light incident from the transparent electrode 18 is absorbed by the colored oil 54 and does not pass through the optical element 10 (not irradiated).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, when a voltage is applied to one transparent electrode 14C, the surface (fluid layer 22 side) of the region in contact with the transparent electrode 14C in the self-assembled film 16 becomes hydrophobic. Change to hydrophilic. Then, the transparent water 52 moves to the hydrophilic portion of the surface of the self-assembled film 16 due to its surface tension, excludes the colored oil 54 from the hydrophilic portion, and covers the hydrophilic portion. For this reason, in the region occupied by the transparent electrode 14 </ b> C in the optical element 10, the parallel light Rt that is visible light is transmitted and irradiated from the transparent substrate 12. In this case, only the portion corresponding to the region A on the irradiation surface 36 shown in FIG. 3 is irradiated with visible light.

  As described above, in the optical element 50, the same effect can be obtained by the same operation as the optical element 10 only by the transmission and non-transmission of light being opposite to those of the optical element 10.

(Fourth embodiment)
FIGS. 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams corresponding to FIGS. 1A and 1B, respectively, showing the operating state of the optical element 60 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. It is shown. As shown in these figures, the optical element 60 has a fluid layer 22 in place of transparent oil 24 and colored water 26,
In the colored water (water layer) 62 colored so as to be able to absorb light of a specific wavelength among visible light, a transparent oil (oil droplet) 64 capable of transmitting visible light is present, This is different from the optical element 10 according to the first embodiment. The other configuration of the optical element 60 is the same as the corresponding configuration of the optical element 10 including a portion not shown.

  In the optical element 60 configured as described above, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 6A, each of the transparent electrodes 14A to 14D in the self-assembled film 16 is not applied to any of the transparent electrodes 14A to 14D. The portion corresponding to is hydrophobic, and the transparent oil 64 is located on the surface of the portion in contact with the transparent electrode 14 in the self-assembled film 16. In this state, the parallel light Rt, which is visible light incident from the transparent electrode 18, passes through the transparent electrode 18, the transparent oil 64, the self-assembled film 16, the transparent electrode 14, and the transparent substrate 12, and from the transparent substrate 12. Irradiated.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, when a voltage is applied to one transparent electrode 14C, the surface (fluid layer 22 side) of the region in contact with the transparent electrode 14C in the self-assembled film 16 becomes hydrophobic. Change to hydrophilic. Then, the colored water 62 moves to the hydrophilic portion of the surface of the self-assembled film 16 due to the surface tension, excludes the transparent oil 64 from the hydrophilic portion, and covers the hydrophilic portion. For this reason, in the region occupied by the transparent electrode 14 </ b> C in the optical element 60, the parallel light Rs that is visible light is absorbed by the colored water 62 and does not pass therethrough. In this case, only the portion corresponding to the region A on the irradiation surface 36 shown in FIG.

  As described above, in the optical element 60, the same effect can be obtained by the same operation as the optical element 10 only in that the two fluids constituting the fluid layer 22 are different from those of the optical element 10.

(Fifth embodiment)
FIG. 7A shows a schematic configuration of an optical element 70 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention in a schematic diagram corresponding to FIG. As shown in this figure, the optical element 70 does not include the self-assembled film 16 but includes a light control layer 72 that performs light control (switching between light transmission and non-transmission) on a principle different from that of the light control layer 20. In this respect, it differs from the optical element 10. This will be specifically described below.

  The light control layer 72 includes a fluid layer 74 instead of the fluid layer 22, and the fluid layer 74 is formed in the transparent water (water layer) 76 as the first fluid that transmits visible light with respect to the water 76. The oil droplet 78 as the 2nd fluid which exhibits insolubility is made to exist. The oil droplets 78 are colored so as to absorb light of a specific wavelength in visible light and are positively charged, and are hereinafter referred to as colored oil droplets 78. Thereby, the optical element 10 is configured such that visible light is not transmitted through the portion where the colored oil droplets 78 are present. The light control layer 72 includes an insulating film 80 as a charge maintaining means for maintaining the charged state of the colored oil droplets 78. The insulating film 80 is configured to transmit visible light. In this embodiment, the insulating film 80 covers the surfaces of all the transparent electrodes 14.

  Further, the optical element 70 includes an element drive circuit 82 for applying a positive or negative voltage to each transparent electrode 14. The element drive circuit 82 can selectively apply the voltage of the plus-side power supply 84 to some or all of the plurality of transparent electrodes 14 with the transparent electrode 18 as a common voltage (for example, 0 V), and the minus-side power supply 86. A voltage can be selectively applied to some or all of the plurality of transparent electrodes 14. Part or all of the element driving circuit 28 is provided on the transparent substrate 12.

  Other configurations of the optical element 70 are the same as the corresponding configurations of the optical element 10 including a portion not shown.

  In the optical element 70 configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 7B, colored oil droplets 78 are attracted to the transparent electrodes 14A and 14C to which a negative voltage is applied in the plurality of transparent electrodes 14, while a positive voltage is applied. The colored oil droplets 78 are not attracted (excluded) to the applied transparent electrodes 14B and 14D. Thereby, in the optical element 70, visible light can be transmitted only through the region where the transparent electrode 14 to which a positive voltage is applied is present. The area between the transparent electrodes 14 also functions as an escape space for the colored oil droplets 78. When the all transparent electrode 14 is applied with a positive voltage, visible light is transmitted through the area where the all transparent electrode 14 exists. The

  Accordingly, in the optical element 70, the transparent substrate 14 can be changed depending on the position and number of the transparent electrode 14 that applies a positive voltage and the transparent electrode 14 that applies a negative voltage, the timing of voltage application, a part or all of these combinations, and the like. The irradiation pattern of visible light irradiated from 12 can be changed.

  Such an optical element 70 can be applied to, for example, an illumination device, an illumination device, a display device, an exposure device, and the like. For example, in a configuration applied to a headlamp of an automobile, switching between a high beam and a low beam can be performed using a single light source.

  Here, in the optical element 70, since the irradiation pattern is variable without relying on a mechanical movable part, there is no problem such as destruction due to fatigue of the constituent material and fluctuation of characteristics over time, and stable performance over a long period of time. (Characteristic) can be obtained. That is, the optical element 70 can constitute a light control device with good durability.

  Further, in the optical element 70, the irradiation pattern can be changed without using the orientation (arrangement) of whether or not the liquid crystal molecules are aligned perpendicular to the incident surface, such as control of transmission and non-transmission of light by the liquid crystal. As in the case of controlling the irradiation pattern by the liquid crystal as described above, the problem of low selectivity of transmission and non-transmission for obliquely incident light hardly occurs. In other words, the optical element 70 has little dependency on the direction of incident light, and there are few restrictions on the direction of incidence. Further, in the control of transmission and non-transmission by the liquid crystal, a polarizing filter may be used. When the polarizing filter is used, there is a problem that the intensity of transmitted light is reduced to half or less. Since there is no need to rely on a polarizing filter, the intensity reduction of transmitted light is extremely small (almost no).

  Furthermore, since the optical element 70 does not require a special alignment treatment unlike liquid crystal, it can be manufactured at a low cost by a simple process. In addition, since the optical element 70 does not require special alignment processing unlike liquid crystal, a large-area element can be produced.

  Thus, in the optical element 70 according to the fifth embodiment, the irradiation pattern can be changed stably and satisfactorily. Further, in the optical element 70, the colored oil droplets 78 are present in the mutually insoluble water 76. In other words, the fluids having different transmittances form liquid phases, and thus in various postures with respect to the direction of gravity. It can be used stably.

(Sixth embodiment)
FIG. 8 shows a schematic configuration of an optical element 90 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention in a schematic diagram corresponding to FIG. As shown in this figure, the optical element 90 has an optical element 90 according to the fifth embodiment in that the fluid layer 74 includes colored oil droplets 92 that are negatively charged instead of the colored oil droplets 78 that are positively charged. Different from the element 70. Other configurations of the optical element 90 are the same as the corresponding configurations of the optical element 10 including portions not shown.

  In the optical element 90 configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 8, the colored oil droplets 92 are attracted to the transparent electrodes 14B and 14D to which the positive voltage is applied in the plurality of transparent electrodes 14, while a negative voltage is applied. The colored oil droplets 92 are not attracted (excluded) to the transparent electrodes 14A and 14C. As a result, the optical element 90 can transmit visible light only in the region where the transparent electrode 14 to which a negative voltage is applied is present.

  As described above, in the optical element 90, the same effect can be obtained by the same operation as the optical element 70 only by the polarity of the applied voltage used for controlling the transmission and non-transmission of light being opposite to that of the optical element 70. it can.

(Seventh embodiment)
FIG. 9 shows a schematic configuration of an optical element 100 according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention in a schematic diagram corresponding to FIG. As shown in this figure, in the optical element 90, the fluid layer 74 can absorb light of a specific wavelength out of visible light in the transparent oil (oil layer) 102 instead of the transparent water 76 and the oil droplets 78. The optical element 70 is different from the optical element 70 according to the fifth embodiment in that the colored water droplets 104 that are colored and positively charged are present. The other configuration of the optical element 100 is the same as the corresponding configuration of the optical element 70 including a portion not shown.

  In the optical element 100 configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 9, the colored water droplets 104 are attracted to the transparent electrodes 14A and 14C to which a negative voltage is applied in the plurality of transparent electrodes 14, while the transparent voltage to which a positive voltage is applied. The colored water droplets 104 are not attracted (excluded) to the electrodes 14B and 14D. Thereby, in the optical element 100, visible light can be transmitted only through the existence region of the transparent electrode 14 to which a positive voltage is applied.

  As described above, in the optical element 100, the same effect can be obtained by the same operation as that of the optical element 70 except that the two fluids constituting the fluid layer 74 are different from those of the optical element 10.

(Eighth embodiment)
FIG. 10 shows a schematic configuration of an optical element 110 according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention in a schematic diagram corresponding to FIG. As shown in this figure, the optical element 110 includes an optical element 100 according to the seventh embodiment in that the fluid layer 74 has colored water droplets 112 that are negatively charged instead of the colored water droplets 104 that are positively charged. Is different. The other configuration of the optical element 110 is the same as the corresponding configuration of the optical element 100 including a portion not shown.

  In the optical element 110 configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 10, the colored water droplets 112 are attracted to the transparent electrodes 14B and 14D to which a positive voltage is applied in the plurality of transparent electrodes 14, while the transparent voltage to which a negative voltage is applied. The colored water droplets 112 are not attracted (excluded) to the electrodes 14A and 14C. As a result, the optical element 110 can transmit visible light only in the region where the transparent electrode 14 to which a negative voltage is applied is present.

  As described above, in the optical element 110, the same effect is obtained by the same operation as that of the optical element 100, that is, the optical element 70, except that the polarity of the applied voltage used for controlling the transmission and non-transmission of light is opposite to that of the optical element 100. Can be obtained.

(Ninth embodiment)
FIG. 11 shows a schematic configuration of an optical element 120 according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention in a schematic diagram corresponding to FIG. As shown in this figure, the optical element 120 includes colored water (water layer) in which the fluid layer 74 is colored so as to be able to absorb light of a specific wavelength among visible light instead of the transparent water 76 and the oil droplets 78. 122 is different from the optical element 70 according to the fifth embodiment in that a transparent oil droplet 124 that is positively charged and capable of transmitting visible light is present. The other configuration of the optical element 120 is the same as the corresponding configuration of the optical element 70 including a portion not shown.

  In the optical element 120 configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 11, the transparent oil droplets 124 are attracted to the transparent electrodes 14A and 14C to which a negative voltage is applied in the plurality of transparent electrodes 14, while a positive voltage is applied. The oil droplets 124 are not attracted (excluded) to the transparent electrodes 14B and 14D. Thereby, in the optical element 120, visible light can be transmitted only through the existence region of the transparent electrode 14 to which a negative voltage is applied.

  As described above, in the optical element 120, the same effect can be obtained by the same operation as that of the optical element 70 only by the colored fluid being opposite to that of the optical element 70. In the optical element 120, the fluid layer 74 may be configured with colored oil and positively charged transparent water droplets instead of the colored water 122 and the transparent oil droplets 124.

(Tenth embodiment)
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram corresponding to FIG. 7B of a schematic configuration of the optical element 130 according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the optical element 130 includes a colored oil (oil layer) 132 in which the fluid layer 74 is colored so as to be able to absorb light of a specific wavelength among visible light instead of the transparent water 76 and the oil droplets 78. The optical element 70 is different from the optical element 70 according to the fifth embodiment in that a transparent water droplet 134 that is negatively charged and can transmit visible light is present. The other configuration of the optical element 120 is the same as the corresponding configuration of the optical element 70 including a portion not shown.

  In the optical element 130 configured as described above, as shown in FIG. 11, the transparent water droplets 134 are attracted to the transparent electrodes 14B and 14D to which the positive voltage is applied in the plurality of transparent electrodes 14, while the negative voltage is applied. The water droplets 134 are not attracted (excluded) to the transparent electrodes 14A and 14C. Thereby, in the optical element 130, visible light can be transmitted only through the existence region of the transparent electrode 14 to which a positive voltage is applied.

  As described above, in the optical element 130, the same effect can be obtained by the same operation as that of the optical element 100, that is, the optical element 70, only by the colored fluid being opposite to that of the optical element 100. In the optical element 130, the fluid layer 74 may be configured with colored water and negatively charged transparent water droplets instead of the colored oil 132 and the transparent water droplets 134.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the example in which the two fluids constituting the fluid layer 22 and the fluid layer 74 are oil and water has been shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the other fluid with respect to one fluid. A combination of various fluids that are insoluble (insoluble with each other) and at least one fluid is in a liquid phase can be employed. Further, in a configuration in which the light transmission direction is a vertical direction (a configuration in which the optical element 10 or the like is disposed along a horizontal plane) or the like, a gas can be used as the first fluid.

  Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which the optical element 10 or the like controls transmission and non-transmission of visible light has been shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the optical element 10 includes ultraviolet light and infrared light. It can be set as the structure which controls transmission (light control) of various lights, such as light and a laser.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows typically the optical element which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (A) is sectional drawing which shows a light transmissive state, (B) is sectional drawing which shows the partial interruption | blocking state of light. . It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the optical element which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the light control example by the optical element which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically the optical element which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (A) is sectional drawing which shows the interruption | blocking state of light, (B) is sectional drawing which shows the partial transmission state of light. is there. It is a figure which shows typically the optical element which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (A) is sectional drawing which shows the interruption | blocking state of light, (B) is sectional drawing which shows the partial transmission state of light. is there. It is a figure which shows typically the optical element which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (A) is sectional drawing which shows a light transmissive state, (B) is sectional drawing which shows the partial interruption | blocking state of light. . It is a figure which shows the optical element which concerns on the 5th Embodiment of this invention, Comprising: (A) is sectional drawing which shows the whole structure, (B) is sectional drawing which shows a light control state. It is sectional drawing which shows the optical element which concerns on the 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the optical element which concerns on the 7th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the optical element which concerns on the 8th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the optical element which concerns on the 9th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the optical element which concerns on the 10th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 Optical element 14 Transparent electrode (second electrode)
16 Self-assembled membrane
18 Transparent electrode (first electrode)
20 Light control layer 24 Oil (first fluid)
26 Colored water (second fluid)
40, 50, 60, 70, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130 Optical element 42 Colored oil (first fluid)
44 Water (second fluid)
52 Water (first fluid)
54 Colored oil (second fluid)
62 Colored water (first fluid)
64 oil (second fluid)
72 Light control layer 76 Water (first fluid)
78 Colored oil droplets (second fluid)
80 Insulating film (charging maintenance means)
92 Colored oil droplets (second fluid)
104 Colored water droplets (second fluid)
112 Colored water droplets (second fluid)
122 Colored water (first fluid)
124 oil droplet (second fluid)
132 Colored oil (first fluid)
134 Water droplet (second fluid)

Claims (6)

A first electrode capable of transmitting light of a specific wavelength;
A second electrode configured to be able to independently switch voltage application states of a plurality of regions, and capable of transmitting light of the specific wavelength;
In the first fluid sealed between the first electrode and the second electrode, there exists a second fluid in a liquid phase that is different from the first fluid in the transmission of light of the specific wavelength. A light control layer configured to change the position of the second fluid according to a voltage application state;
An optical element comprising:   The optical element according to claim 1, wherein the first fluid in the light control layer is in a liquid phase and is sealed between the first electrode and the second electrode together with the second fluid.   The optical element according to claim 1, wherein the light control layer includes a film that switches between lyophilic and lyophobic properties with respect to the second fluid on the surface according to a voltage application state. The second fluid is water;
The optical element according to claim 3, wherein the film is a self-assembled film in which hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of a surface are switched depending on whether voltage is applied.   The optical element according to claim 1, wherein the light control layer includes the charged second fluid and a charge maintaining unit that maintains a charged state of the second fluid. Either one of the first fluid and the second fluid is transparent to transmit visible light,
The optical element according to claim 1, wherein the other of the first fluid and the second fluid is colored so as to absorb visible light having a specific wavelength.

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