Electro-optical glazing structures having reflection and transparent modes of operation

Abstract

Electro-optical glazing structures having total-reflection and semi-transparent and totally-transparent modes of operation which are electrically-switchable for use in dynamically controlling electromagnetic radiation flow in diverse applications.

1 - 100 . (canceled)  
     
     
         101 . An electro-optical glazing structure having a reflection mode and a transmission mode of operation for selectively reflecting and transmitting electromagnetic radiation, respectively, the electromagnetic radiation having a first and a second linear polarization; the electro-optical glazing structure comprising: 
 an electro-optical glazing panel having a first and a second optical state of operation, the electro-optical panel comprising 
 a sheet having a large plurality of paired layers parallel to one surface of the sheet, each of the paired layers comprising a first and a second material in each of the paired layers, the first and the second material being selected so that the difference in the index of refraction for electromagnetic radiation having the first linear polarization of the first and the second material is greater than the difference in the index of refraction for electromagnetic radiation having the second linear polarization of the first and the second material, each of the paired layers having a total thickness varying non-linearly across the sheet, and  
   a scattering layer for controllably scattering light disposed between the layers of at least one paired layer, the scattering layer comprising a polymerized polymer region comprising a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer; and    an optical state switching means for switching the electro-optical glazing panel to the first optical state of operation for inducing the electro-optical glazing structure into the reflection mode of operation and for switching the electro-optical glazing panel to the second optical state of operation for inducing the electro-optical glazing structure into the transmission mode of operation.