Active distant binocular filter with complementary nematic liquid crystal structures for observation of millisecond stereoscopic images

Abstract

Abstract. The fast active distant binocular filter (DBF) with two complementary nematic liquid crystal (NLC) π-structures for observing the frame-sequential stereoscopic images is described. The DBF is characterized by steep front and rear edges of the pulse optical response defined by the fast (about 50 to 200\u2009\u2009μs) rise time of the π-structures. Their relatively long decay time (about 2 ms) during relaxation processes does not affect the transition times of the DBF optical response. The corresponding long phase shifts in two π-structures are mutually compensated with use of the developed algorithms of electronic control. The DBF optical characteristics are studied theoretically and experimentally for selection of white light fluxes with duration in several milliseconds typical for the common stereoscopic system. The minimum duration of the selected view images can be a fraction of a millisecond. When compared stereo glasses with conventional NLC shutters, the described active DBF allows to provide the increased optical efficiency and absence of mechanical stress on the face (head) of the observer to improve the comfort of stereo image observation.