Electrically-Activated, Liquid-Crystal Filled, Holographic Diffractive Structure for Wavelength Control

这里描述的概念是用于在波长级别控制光的先进全息衍射结构(HDS)。一堆电可控的液晶填充的衍射栅将提供一个轻巧、清晰的面板，当与孔接触时，它将能够非常有效地将太阳光聚集到光导或光纤设备中心的稳定区域。通过施加电场，可以有选择地只使用适合于特定太阳角度的光栅，而不能使用其他合适的光栅(创建一种“智能光栅”)。因此，一系列这样的聚光器将显示主动的太阳跟踪，而不会出现与移动机械部件相关的缺点。这种设备的一个非常有前途的应用的例子被描述在--全息收集和传输阳光到多层建筑的“核心”区域。用太阳光代替电灯将节省大量能源，特别是在高峰负荷条件下，同时为建筑物的居住者提供高质量的照明。预计到2000年，这里描述的控制装置可以在美国建筑部门提供巨大的节能效果。

The concept described herein is an advanced holographic diffractive structure (HDS) for the control of light at the wavelength level. A stack of electrically controllable, liquid- crystal filled diffraction gratings would present a lightweight, clear panel, that, when placed in contact with an aperture shall be able to concentrate sunlight very efficiently into a stable area in the center of a light guide or fiber optic device. It shall be possible to selectively bring into play only the grating appropriate for a particular sun angle and none other, by applying an electric field (creating a "smart grating"). A series of such concentrators will thus display active solar tracking without the disadvantages associated with moving mechanical parts. An example of a highly promising application of such a device is described within--holographic collection and transport of sunlight to a multi-story building's "core" area. Substituting sunlight for electric light will conserve a significant quantity of energy, particularly during peak load conditions, while at the same time delivering high quality illumination to the building's occupants. It is anticipated that the control device described herein, could provide formidable energy savings in the U.S. building sector by the year 2000.