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

本文所描述的概念是一种先进的全息衍射结构（HDS），用于在波长水平上控制光。一堆可控制的、液晶填充的衍射光栅将呈现出一个轻量的、清晰的面板，当它与光圈接触时，将能够非常有效地将太阳光集中到光导或光纤装置中心的一个稳定区域。通过施加电场（创建“智能光栅”），可以选择性地只使光栅适合特定的太阳角度而不适合其他角度。因此，一系列这样的聚光器将显示主动太阳能跟踪，而没有与移动机械部件相关的缺点。本文描述了这种设备的一个非常有前途的应用实例——全息收集和传输阳光到多层建筑的“核心”区域。用阳光代替电灯将节省大量的能源，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，本文所描述的控制装置可以为美国建筑部门提供巨大的能源节约。

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.