Optical device and optical method

Abstract

An optical device includes: a first metamaterial lens element, a second metamaterial lens element, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) layer, an infrared sensor layer, a circuit layer, and a substrate. The OLED layer is adjacent to the first metamaterial lens element. The infrared sensor layer is adjacent to the second metamaterial lens element. The circuit layer can support the OLED layer and the infrared sensor layer. The substrate can support the circuit layer. The OLED layer can be used to generate visible light, wherein the visible light is transmitted through the first metamaterial lens element. The infrared sensor layer can be used to receive infrared light through the second metamaterial lens element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an optical device, and more particularly to an optical device and optical method thereof. Prior Technology

[0002] In the field of optics, traditional optical materials often involve a trade-off between refractive index and dispersion. However, optical materials with low refractive indices can limit the performance of related optical devices and may also increase the overall size of the device. In view of this, it is necessary to propose a completely new solution to overcome the difficulties faced by previous technologies. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an optical device comprising: a first metamaterial lens element; a second metamaterial lens element; an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) layer adjacent to the first metamaterial lens element; an infrared sensor layer adjacent to the second metamaterial lens element; a circuit layer carrying the OLED layer and the infrared sensor layer; and a substrate carrying the circuit layer; wherein the OLED layer is used to generate visible light, and the visible light is transmitted through the first metamaterial lens element; wherein the infrared sensor layer is used to receive infrared light through the second metamaterial lens element.

[0004] In some embodiments, the first metamaterial lens element and the second metamaterial lens element have different periodic structures.

[0005] In some embodiments, the first metamaterial lens element is used to provide a first refractive index to the visible light.

[0006] In some embodiments, the first refractive index is greater than 1.

[0007] In some embodiments, the second metamaterial lens element is used to provide a second refractive index to the infrared light.

[0008] In some embodiments, the second refractive index is less than 1.

[0009] In some embodiments, the optical device is a head-mounted display (HMD).

[0010] In some embodiments, the optical device further includes: an infrared light source that emits incident light toward an eyeball, wherein the infrared light is equivalent to a reflected light from the eyeball.

[0011] In some embodiments, if the incident light has a left circular polarization characteristic, then the reflected light will have a right circular polarization characteristic.

[0012] In some embodiments, if the incident light has a right circular polarization characteristic, then the reflected light will have a left circular polarization characteristic.

[0013] In some embodiments, the optical device supports eye tracking.

[0014] In some embodiments, the second metamaterial lens element can only be used to receive either infrared light with a left circular polarization characteristic or infrared light with a right circular polarization characteristic.

[0015] In another preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an optical method comprising the following steps: providing a first metamaterial lens element, a second metamaterial lens element, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) layer, and an infrared sensor layer, wherein the OLED layer is adjacent to the first metamaterial lens element, and the infrared sensor layer is adjacent to the second metamaterial lens element; generating visible light through the OLED layer, wherein the visible light is transmitted through the first metamaterial lens element; and receiving infrared light through the second metamaterial lens element via the infrared sensor layer.

[0016] In some embodiments, the optical method further includes: providing a first refractive index to the visible light via the first metamaterial lens element.

[0017] In some embodiments, the optical method further includes providing a second refractive index to the infrared light via the second metamaterial lens element.

[0018] In some embodiments, the optical method further includes: emitting an incident light toward an eyeball via an infrared light source, wherein the infrared light is equivalent to a reflected light from the eyeball.

[0019] In some embodiments, the optical method further includes receiving either infrared light having a left circular polarization characteristic or infrared light having a right circular polarization characteristic via the second metamaterial lens element. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0020] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an optical device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an optical device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 shows a flowchart of an optical method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Implementation

[0021] To make the objectives, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of the present invention are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings for detailed explanation.

[0022] Certain terms are used in this specification and the claims to refer to specific components. Those skilled in the art will understand that hardware manufacturers may use different names to refer to the same component. This specification and the claims do not distinguish components by differences in name, but by differences in function. The terms "comprising" and "including" used throughout this specification and the claims are open-ended and should be interpreted as "including but not limited to". The term "generally" means that within an acceptable margin of error, those skilled in the art can solve the technical problem and achieve the basic technical effect within a certain margin of error. Furthermore, the term "coupled" in this specification includes any direct and indirect electrical connection means. Therefore, if a first device is described as coupled to a second device, it means that the first device can be directly electrically connected to the second device, or indirectly electrically connected to the second device via other devices or connection means.

[0023] The following disclosure provides many different embodiments or examples to implement the different features of this application. The following disclosure describes specific examples of the various components and their arrangements for simplification. Of course, these specific examples are not intended to be limiting. For example, if this disclosure describes a first feature formed on or above a second feature, it indicates that it may include embodiments where the first and second features are in direct contact, or embodiments where an additional feature is formed between the first and second features, so that the first and second features may not be in direct contact. Furthermore, the same reference numerals and / or markings may be repeated in different examples of the following disclosure. These repetitions are for simplification and clarity and are not intended to limit the specific relationships between the different embodiments or / and structures discussed.

[0024] Furthermore, spatially related terms, such as "below," "below," "lower," "above," "higher," and similar terms, are used to facilitate the description of the relationship between one element or feature and another element(s) in the diagram. In addition to the orientation shown in the diagram, these spatially related terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation. The device may be rotated to different orientations (90 degrees or other orientations), and the spatially related terms used here can be interpreted in the same way.

[0025] Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an optical device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The optical device 100 can be applied to a mobile device, such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a notebook computer. As shown in Figure 1, the optical device 100 includes: a first metamaterial lens element 110, a second metamaterial lens element 120, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) layer 130, an infrared (IR) sensor layer 140, a circuit layer 150, and a substrate 160. It should be understood that, although not shown in Figure 1, the optical device 100 may further include other components, such as a processor, a battery element, and / or a housing.

[0026] The shape and type of the first metamaterial lens element 110 and the second metamaterial lens element 120 are not particularly limited in this invention. The first metamaterial lens element 110 has a first periodic structure, while the second metamaterial lens element 120 has a second periodic structure. For example, the first periodic structure of the first metamaterial lens element 110 may include a plurality of first dielectric units and a plurality of second dielectric units (not shown), wherein the aforementioned first dielectric units and the aforementioned second dielectric units may be arranged alternately. In addition, the second periodic structure of the second metamaterial lens element 120 may include a plurality of third dielectric units and a plurality of fourth dielectric units, wherein the aforementioned third dielectric units and the aforementioned fourth dielectric units may also be arranged alternately.

[0027] The first metamaterial lens element 110 and the second metamaterial lens element 120 can together form a spatial superstrate of the optical device 100. It should be noted that the first periodic structure of the first metamaterial lens element 110 may differ from the second periodic structure of the second metamaterial lens element 120. In some embodiments, the thickness of the first periodic structure of the first metamaterial lens element 110 may be between 50 nm and 150 nm, and the distance between any adjacent first dielectric units may be between 100 nm and 350 nm. In some embodiments, the thickness of the second periodic structure of the second metamaterial lens element 120 may be between 100 nm and 400 nm, and the distance between any adjacent third dielectric units may be between 500 nm and 1000 nm. For example, the second periodic structure of the second metamaterial lens element 120 can be considered as a circularly polarized resonator structure, which can be used to transmit infrared light of a specific circularly polarized mode. Furthermore, this circularly polarized resonator structure can also be classified as an asymmetric structure, thus distinguishing it from the first periodic structure of the first metamaterial lens element 110.

[0028] For example, the organic light-emitting diode (OLED) layer 130 may include a plurality of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) units (not shown). The OLED layer 130 is adjacent to the first metamaterial lens element 110. In some embodiments, the first metamaterial lens element 110 is disposed on the OLED layer 130 and may be used to cover the OLED layer 130. In other embodiments, the OLED layer 130 may also be directly attached to the first metamaterial lens element 110. It should be noted that the terms "adjacent" or "adjacent" in this specification may refer to a distance between two corresponding elements that is less than a predetermined distance (e.g., 10 mm or less), and may also include a situation where two corresponding elements are in direct contact with each other (i.e., the aforementioned distance is shortened to 0).

[0029] For example, the infrared sensor layer 140 may include a plurality of organic photodiode (OPD) units (not shown). The infrared sensor layer 140 is adjacent to the second metamaterial lens element 120. In some embodiments, the second metamaterial lens element 120 is disposed on the infrared sensor layer 140 and may be used to cover the infrared sensor layer 140. In other embodiments, the infrared sensor layer 140 may also be directly attached to the second metamaterial lens element 120.

[0030] The circuit layer 150 can include various circuits, and is not particularly limited thereto in this invention. The circuit layer 150 can be used to support the organic light-emitting diode layer 130 and the infrared sensor layer 140. The substrate 160 can be used to support the circuit layer 150. In some embodiments, the circuit layer 150 includes a first controller and a second controller (not shown), wherein the first controller can be used to drive the organic light-emitting diode layer 130, and the second controller can be used to control an infrared light detection process of the infrared sensor layer 140.

[0031] In general, the operating principle of the optical device 100 can be described as follows. An organic light-emitting diode layer 130 can be used to generate visible light (ST), which can be transmitted through a first metamaterial lens element 110. The first metamaterial lens element 110 can provide a first refractive index N1 to the visible light ST, thereby enabling fine-tuning of the direction and phase of the visible light ST. An infrared sensor layer 140 can be used to receive infrared light (SF) through a second metamaterial lens element 120. The second metamaterial lens element 120 can provide a second refractive index N2 to the infrared light SF, thereby enabling fine-tuning of the direction and phase of the infrared light SF. For example, the infrared light SF can originate from any external object or any external device. According to actual measurements, because both the first metamaterial lens element 110 and the second metamaterial lens element 120 possess the characteristics of thinness and lightness, the overall size of the optical device 100 using the first metamaterial lens element 110 and the second metamaterial lens element 120 can be significantly reduced. In addition, since the organic light-emitting diode layer 130 can be well integrated with the infrared sensor layer 140, the design flexibility of the optical device 100 can be further improved.

[0032] In some embodiments, the element dimensions and parameters of the optical device 100 may be as described below. The operating frequency of the visible light ST may be between 400 THz and 790 THz. The operating frequency of the infrared light SF may be between 300 GHz and 430 THz. For the visible light ST, the first refractive index N1 of the first metamaterial lens element 110 may be greater than 1. For the infrared light SF, the second refractive index N2 of the second metamaterial lens element 120 may be less than 1. The above element dimensions and parameter ranges are determined based on multiple experimental results, which helps to minimize the overall size of the optical device 100 and optimize the equivalent refractive index of the optical device 100. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the first refractive index N1 of the first metamaterial lens element 110 may also be less than or equal to 1, and the second refractive index N2 of the second metamaterial lens element 120 may be greater than or equal to 1.

[0033] The following embodiments will illustrate different configurations and detailed structural features of the optical device 100. It must be understood that these figures and descriptions are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

[0034] Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an optical device 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is similar to Figure 1. In the embodiment of Figure 2, the optical device 200 is a head-mounted display (HMD), and the optical device 200 further includes an infrared light source 270, wherein the infrared light source 270 can be fixed to an outer frame (not shown) of the head-mounted display. The infrared light source 270 can emit an incident light SF toward one of the user's eyeballs E. In response, the aforementioned infrared light SF can be equivalent to a reflected light SR from the user's eyeball E. For example, if the incident light SF has a left-hand circular polarization (LHCP), then the reflected light SR can have a right-hand circular polarization (RHCP); conversely, if the incident light SF has a right circular polarization, then the reflected light SR can have a left circular polarization. The circuit layer 150, or a processor coupled thereto, can acquire and analyze information related to the reflected light SR from the infrared sensor layer 140, thereby estimating the movement or rotation of the user's eyeball E. Therefore, the optical device 200 can support eye tracking. Furthermore, the second metamaterial lens element 120 can be used to select reflected light SR (i.e., infrared light SF) with different polarization directions. In some embodiments, the second metamaterial lens element 120 can only receive infrared light SF with left circular polarization characteristics, while infrared light SF with right circular polarization characteristics is filtered out by the second metamaterial lens element 120. However, the invention is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the second metamaterial lens element 120 can only receive infrared light SF with right circular polarization characteristics, while infrared light SF with left circular polarization characteristics is filtered out by the second metamaterial lens element 120. Based on actual measurement results, this polarization selection design can eliminate various light noises, which helps to improve the detection accuracy of the infrared sensor layer 140 and the circuit layer 150. The remaining features of the optical device 200 in Figure 2 are similar to those of the optical device 100 in Figure 1, so both embodiments can achieve similar operational effects.

[0035] Figure 3 shows a flowchart of an optical method according to an embodiment of the present invention. First, in step S310, a first metamaterial lens element, a second metamaterial lens element, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) layer, and an infrared sensor layer are provided, wherein the OLED layer is adjacent to the first metamaterial lens element, and the infrared sensor layer is adjacent to the second metamaterial lens element. In step S320, visible light is generated by the OLED layer, wherein the visible light is transmitted through the first metamaterial lens element. Finally, in step S330, infrared light is received by the second metamaterial lens element through the infrared sensor layer. It must be understood that the above steps do not need to be performed sequentially, and each feature of the embodiments in Figures 1 and 2 can be applied to the optical method in Figure 3.

[0036] This invention proposes a novel optical device and optical method. Compared with conventional designs, this invention has advantages such as minimizing overall size, increasing equivalent refractive index, improving integration, and enhancing spatial diversity, making it well-suited for application in a wide variety of devices.

[0037] It is worth noting that the component dimensions and parameters described above are not limiting conditions of this invention. Designers can adjust these settings according to different needs. The optical device and optical method of this invention are not limited to the states illustrated in Figures 1-3. This invention may include only any one or more features of any one or more embodiments of Figures 1-3. In other words, not all illustrated features need to be implemented simultaneously in the optical device and optical method of this invention.

[0038] The method, or a specific form or part thereof, of this invention may exist in the form of program code. The program code may be contained in physical media, such as floppy disks, optical discs, hard disks, or any other machine-readable (e.g., computer-readable) storage media, or may be a computer program product, not limited to an external form. When the program code is loaded and executed by a machine, such as a computer, that machine becomes a device for participating in this invention. The program code may also be transmitted via some transmission medium, such as wires or cables, optical fibers, or any transmission method. When the program code is received, loaded, and executed by a machine, such as a computer, that machine becomes a device for participating in this invention. When implemented in a general-purpose processing unit, the program code, combined with the processing unit, provides a unique device that operates similarly to an application-specific logic circuit.

[0039] The ordinal numbers in this specification and the claims, such as "first," "second," "third," etc., are not sequential in any particular order; they are only used to distinguish between two different components with the same name.

[0040] While the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Anyone skilled in the art can make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be determined by the appended claims.

[0041] 100, 200: Optical devices 110: First Metamaterial Lens Element 120: Second metamaterial lens element 130: Organic light-emitting diode layer 140: Infrared sensor layer 150: Circuit Layer 160:Substrate 270: Infrared light source E: Eyeball N1: First refractive index N2: Second refractive index S310, S320, S330: Steps SF: Infrared light SI: Incident light SR: Reflected light ST: Visible light

Claims

1. An optical device, comprising: A first metamaterial lens element; A second metamaterial lens element; An organic light-emitting diode layer is located adjacent to the first metamaterial lens element; An infrared sensor layer is located adjacent to the second metamaterial lens element; a circuit layer carries the organic light-emitting diode layer and the infrared sensor layer; and a substrate carries the circuit layer; wherein the organic light-emitting diode layer is used to generate visible light, and the visible light is transmitted through the first metamaterial lens element; wherein the infrared sensor layer is used to receive infrared light through the second metamaterial lens element; wherein the first metamaterial lens element is used to provide a first refractive index to the visible light; wherein the first refractive index is greater than 1; wherein the second metamaterial lens element is used to provide a second refractive index to the infrared light; wherein the second refractive index is less than 1.

2. The optical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first metamaterial lens element and the second metamaterial lens element have different periodic structures.

3. The optical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the optical device is a head-mounted display (HMD).

4. The optical device as described in claim 1, further comprising: An infrared light source emits an incident light toward an eyeball, wherein the infrared light is equivalent to a reflected light from the eyeball.

5. The optical device as claimed in claim 4, wherein if the incident light has a left circular polarization characteristic, the reflected light will have a right circular polarization characteristic.

6. The optical device as claimed in claim 4, wherein if the incident light has a right circular polarization characteristic, the reflected light will have a left circular polarization characteristic.

7. The optical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the optical device supports eye tracking functionality.

8. The optical device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second metamaterial lens element can only be used to receive either infrared light having a left circular polarization characteristic or infrared light having a right circular polarization characteristic.

9. An optical method comprising the following steps: providing a first metamaterial lens element, a second metamaterial lens element, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) layer, and an infrared sensor layer, wherein the OLED layer is adjacent to the first metamaterial lens element, and the infrared sensor layer is adjacent to the second metamaterial lens element; generating visible light through the OLED layer, wherein the visible light is transmitted through the first metamaterial lens element; and receiving infrared light through the second metamaterial lens element via the infrared sensor layer; wherein the first metamaterial lens element is configured to provide a first refractive index to the visible light; wherein the first refractive index is greater than 1; wherein the second metamaterial lens element is configured to provide a second refractive index to the infrared light; wherein the second refractive index is less than 1.

10. The optical method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first metamaterial lens element and the second metamaterial lens element have different periodic structures.

11. The optical method as described in claim 9, further comprising: The first metamaterial lens element provides a first refractive index to the visible light.

12. The optical method as described in claim 9, further comprising: The second metamaterial lens element provides a second refractive index to the infrared light.

13. The optical method as described in claim 9 further includes: An incident light is emitted toward an eyeball using an infrared light source, wherein the infrared light is equivalent to a reflected light from the eyeball.

14. The optical method as described in claim 13, wherein if the incident light has a left circular polarization characteristic, the reflected light will have a right circular polarization characteristic.

15. The optical method as described in claim 13, wherein if the incident light has a right circular polarization characteristic, the reflected light will have a left circular polarization characteristic.

16. The optical method as described in claim 9, further comprising: The second metamaterial lens element can receive either infrared light with a left circular polarization characteristic or infrared light with a right circular polarization characteristic.

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