Light filter/modulator and array of filters/modulators

Abstract

A light filter or an array of filters can be either one or two dimensional. The filter or filters use multiple beam interference by varying an optical path length between semi-reflective surfaces. The optical path length between the semi-reflective surfaces is varied by changing a thickness of a polymer film in response to an electric field formed between two semi-transparent electrodes. The filter can be configured in either a transmissive or reflective mode.

1 . A polysiloxane polymer comprising:
 a reactive group capable of bonding to an electrode surface; and   one or more polar groups, wherein the polymer is responsive to an electric field.   
     
     
         2 . The polymer of  claim 1 , wherein the reactive group is selected from the group consisting of silicon hydroxy (Si—OH), silicon hydride (Si—H), silicon alkoxy, and silicon chloride groups. 
     
     
         3 . The polymer of  claim 1 , wherein the polar group is selected from the group consisting of anions, cations, zwitterions, and non-ionic polar functional groups. 
     
     
         4 . The polymer of  claim 1 , wherein the polar group is selected from the group consisting of sulfonate, sulfate, phosphonate, phosphate, polyphosphate, carboxylate, carboxylic acid, ammonium, polypropylene oxide, and polyphenylene oxide. 
     
     
         5 . The polymer of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer includes linear polymers having a molecular weight of less than about 50,000 amu. 
     
     
         6 . The polymer of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer may be characterized by a polydispersity of less than about 1.5. 
     
     
         7 . The polymer of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is a soft solid having a modulus of less than about 40,000 pascals and a tangent delta of less than about 0.15. 
     
     
         8 . The polymer of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer includes linear polysiloxane. 
     
     
         9 . The polymer of  claim 8 , wherein the polymer is grafted to a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyacrylate, polyether, polystyrene, polysulphone, polyurea, polyamide, polyimide, polyamide-imide, polyester, polycarbonate, and epoxy resins. 
     
     
         10 . The polymer of  claim 8 , wherein the polymer is chemically or physically bonded to nano particles. 
     
     
         11 . The polymer of  claim 10 , wherein the nano particles are selected from the group consisting of nanoclay, activated calcium carbonate, silica, POSS, surface modified silica, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The polymer of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer further comprises a chain having a terminus, and wherein said one or more polar groups are located at or near the terminus of the polymer chain. 
     
     
         13 . The polymer of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer further comprises a chain, and wherein said reactive group is located at or near the terminus of the polymer chain. 
     
     
         14 . The polymer of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer further comprises a chain having a first terminus and a second terminus, wherein said one or more polar groups are located at or near a first terminus, and wherein said reactive group is located at or near a second terminus. 
     
     
         15 . The polymer of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer further comprises a chain having a midpoint and one or more termini, wherein said reactive group is located at or near the midpoint of the polymer chain, and wherein said one or more polar groups are located at or near each termini. 
     
     
         16 . The polymer of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer further comprises linear polydimethyl siloxane. 
     
     
         17 . The polymer of  claim 16 , wherein said linear polydimethyl siloxane has two methyl groups bonded to each silicon atom. 
     
     
         18 . The polymer of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of said methyl groups is replaced by another substituent on a low percentage of silicon atoms. 
     
     
         19 . The polymer of  claim 18 , wherein said substituent is selected from the group consisting of phenyl groups, fluoroalkyl groups, alkyl groups containing two or more carbon atoms and cyano groups. 
     
     
         20 . The polymer of  claim 1 , wherein said polysiloxane is bonded at multiple sites to phenyl silanes selected from the group consisting of triphenyl silane and triphenyl vinyl silane.