A two-electrode layer blue phase liquid crystal lens
By setting a staggered electrode structure and coupling a high dielectric layer in a dual-electrode blue phase liquid crystal lens, the electric field distribution is optimized, the problem of refractive index discontinuity caused by electrode gap is solved, and higher imaging resolution and focusing range are achieved.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- GUANGDONG UNIV OF TECH
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-22
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-21
AI Technical Summary
Existing dual-electrode blue phase liquid crystal lenses suffer from discontinuous refractive index distribution due to the gaps between adjacent electrodes, resulting in light spot diffusion and reduced imaging resolution.
By staggering the first and second driving electrodes in the vertical direction, the electrode gap is eliminated, and a vertical electric field is formed through high dielectric layer coupling, thereby optimizing the electric field distribution and achieving a smooth refractive index gradient.
It significantly suppresses refractive index bulges, improves image quality, expands the focusing range, and enhances image resolution and sharpness.
Smart Images
Figure CN224536315U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of liquid crystal lenses, and more specifically, to a double-electrode layer blue phase liquid crystal lens. Background Technology
[0002] Blue phase liquid crystal lenses with two electrode layers have become an important research direction in the field of optoelectronics in recent years, attracting much attention due to their unique optical properties. Blue phase liquid crystals exist in a metastable state between an isotropic phase and a cholesteric phase. Their self-assembled three-dimensional cubic structure exhibits periodic arrangement at the nanoscale, displaying significant birefringence and millisecond-level fast response capabilities. Compared to traditional nematic liquid crystals, blue phase liquid crystals achieve optical isotropy without an alignment layer, possess a wider viewing angle, higher transmittance, and achieve polarization independence without double-layer stacking. Based on the Kerr effect, the refractive index of blue phase liquid crystals can be dynamically controlled under an applied electric field, thereby achieving continuously adjustable lens focusing functionality.
[0003] Most common dual-electrode blue phase liquid crystal lenses employ a multi-electrode structure, typically including an upper glass substrate, an upper electrode layer, a blue phase liquid crystal layer, a high-dielectric layer, a lower electrode layer, and a lower glass substrate. However, due to the physical gaps between adjacent electrodes, this structure causes a bulge in the refractive index distribution at the electrode gaps, resulting in discontinuities in optical phase modulation. Consequently, light cannot converge ideally after passing through the lens, leading to focal diffusion or image spot distortion, thus affecting the overall imaging resolution. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of existing technologies where refractive index protrusion leads to light spot diffusion or distortion, reducing imaging resolution. This invention provides a dual-electrode layer blue phase liquid crystal lens that significantly suppresses refractive index protrusion, optimizes the electric field distribution in the blue phase liquid crystal layer, and makes the refractive index distribution closer to the ideal curve.
[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows: A dual-electrode layer blue phase liquid crystal lens is provided, comprising an upper glass substrate, a ground electrode layer, a blue phase liquid crystal layer, a high dielectric layer, a first driving electrode layer, a second driving electrode layer, and a lower glass substrate arranged in sequence. The first driving electrode layer includes multiple sets of horizontally arranged first driving electrodes, and the second driving electrode layer includes multiple sets of horizontally arranged second driving electrodes. The gap between adjacent first driving electrodes is equal to the width of the second driving electrode, and the first driving electrode and the second driving electrode are offset in the vertical direction.
[0006] This invention relates to a dual-electrode blue phase liquid crystal lens. When no voltage is applied to the first and second driving electrode layers, the blue phase liquid crystal layer maintains optical isotropy. Once a voltage is applied, a vertical electric field is formed within the layer, inducing electric field-induced birefringence based on an extended Kerr effect model. The entire structure consists of an upper glass substrate and a lower glass substrate encapsulating an internal ground electrode layer, a blue phase liquid crystal layer, a high-dielectric layer, and the first and second driving electrode layers, ensuring stable layer positions and a reliable structure. When a driving voltage is applied, the gap width between the first and second driving electrodes is equal to the width of the second driving electrode, and the two electrode layers are staggered in the vertical direction, forming complementary coverage, thereby eliminating the electric field blind zone caused by the gap between single-layer electrodes. Simultaneously, the driving voltage is coupled to the blue phase liquid crystal layer through the high-dielectric layer, forming a vertical electric field with the cooperation of the ground electrode, causing a smooth refractive index gradient in the liquid crystal layer, achieving effective focusing. By adjusting the driving voltage, the refractive index distribution can be dynamically controlled to achieve continuous zooming.
[0007] Furthermore, the first driving electrode layer is etched in the high-dielectric layer, and the second driving electrode layer is etched in the lower glass substrate. This discrete manufacturing process reduces process complexity while maintaining continuous coverage of the electric field on the misaligned electrode structure, achieving superior optical performance in a simpler way.
[0008] Furthermore, the first driving electrode layer is disposed at the bottom end of the high-dielectric layer, and the second driving electrode layer is disposed at the top end of the lower glass substrate, with the bottom end of the high-dielectric layer bonded to the top end of the lower glass substrate. This bonding method eliminates the vertical gap between the electrode layers, ensuring continuous electric field transmission and effectively suppressing refractive index bulge.
[0009] Furthermore, both the first and second driving electrode layers are etched within the high-dielectric layer. This structure enhances the electric field coupling efficiency of the dual-layer electrodes, improves the effect of driving voltage transfer to the blue phase liquid crystal layer, ensures vertical alignment accuracy, and optimizes electric field continuity.
[0010] Furthermore, the first driving electrode layer is stacked on top of the second driving electrode layer, and the first driving electrode layer and the second driving electrode layer are in close contact in the vertical direction. This stacking method further eliminates vertical gaps between layers, enhances electric field coupling, and suppresses electric field distortion.
[0011] Furthermore, the thickness of the upper glass substrate and the lower glass substrate is 100 mm. μm ~150 μm This thickness range ensures mechanical strength and packaging stability while maximizing light transmittance, avoiding optical path distortion or structural fragility, and providing reliable support for electric field actuation.
[0012] Furthermore, the thickness of the blue phase liquid crystal layer is 10. μm ~20 μm This thickness design strikes a balance between avoiding insufficient deflection capability and excessively high driving voltage, while also ensuring low power consumption and excellent optical performance.
[0013] Furthermore, the thickness of both the first driving electrode layer and the second driving electrode layer is 1. μm ~2 μm Ultra-thin electrodes maintain good conductivity while reducing light absorption and scattering, thus improving overall light transmittance.
[0014] Furthermore, the first driving electrode layer and the second driving electrode layer have the same thickness. This equal thickness design avoids asymmetrical electric field distribution, prevents driving voltage division deviation, and ensures precise electric field control.
[0015] Furthermore, the dielectric constant of the high-dielectric layer is 1500~2000, and the thickness is 25. μm ~35 μm By controlling the dielectric constant and thickness, the voltage distribution ratio can be precisely adjusted so that the driving voltage is mainly distributed to the high dielectric layer, thereby smoothing the electric field gradient in the blue phase liquid crystal layer and fundamentally suppressing the refractive index protrusion.
[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects: 1. Significantly suppresses refractive index bulges. The electric field distribution is optimized through a complementary design of double-layer electrodes, effectively avoiding local refractive index anomalies caused by traditional multi-electrode gaps, making it closer to the ideal distribution. 2. Improved image quality: The optimized refractive index distribution makes light converge more concentrated, reduces optical aberrations, and thus improves image resolution and clarity. 3. Expanding the focusing range allows for a larger effective refractive index difference under the same voltage, resulting in a significantly wider focal length adjustment range than traditional multi-electrode structures and enhancing its applicability in variable focus systems. Attached Figure Description
[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a double-electrode blue phase liquid crystal lens. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the dual-electrode blue phase liquid crystal lens in Example 2; Figure 3 This is a voltage distribution diagram on the first driving electrode and the second driving electrode.
[0018] In the attached figures: 100, upper glass substrate; 200, ground electrode layer; 300, blue phase liquid crystal layer; 400, high dielectric layer; 500, first driving electrode layer; 600, second driving electrode layer; 700, lower glass substrate. Detailed Implementation
[0019] The present invention will be further described below with reference to specific embodiments. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only, representing schematic diagrams rather than actual physical objects, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this patent. To better illustrate the embodiments of the present invention, some components in the drawings may be omitted, enlarged, or reduced, and do not represent the actual dimensions of the product. It is understandable to those skilled in the art that some well-known structures and their descriptions may be omitted in the drawings.
[0020] In the accompanying drawings of this utility model, the same or similar reference numerals correspond to the same or similar components. In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that if terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, they are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, the terms used to describe positional relationships in the drawings are only for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as limiting this patent. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms can be understood according to the specific circumstances.
[0021] Example 1 This embodiment is a first embodiment of a dual-electrode layer blue phase liquid crystal lens, including an upper glass substrate 100, a ground electrode layer 200, a blue phase liquid crystal layer 300, a high dielectric layer 400, a first driving electrode layer 500, a second driving electrode layer 600, and a lower glass substrate 700 arranged sequentially. The first driving electrode layer 500 includes multiple sets of horizontally arranged first driving electrodes, and the second driving electrode layer 600 includes multiple sets of horizontally arranged second driving electrodes. The gap between adjacent first driving electrodes is equal to the width of the second driving electrode, and the first driving electrodes and the second driving electrodes are staggered in the vertical direction.
[0022] The blue phase liquid crystal lens of this invention exhibits optical isotropy in the blue phase liquid crystal layer 300 when no voltage is applied to the first driving electrode layer 500 and the second driving electrode layer 600; when a voltage is applied to the first driving electrode layer 500 and the second driving electrode layer 600, a vertical electric field is generated in the blue phase liquid crystal layer 300, and the electric field-induced birefringence of the blue phase liquid crystal layer 300 can be obtained according to the extended Kerr effect model. The upper glass substrate 100 and the lower glass substrate 700 support and encapsulate the internal ground electrode layer 200, blue phase liquid crystal layer 300, high dielectric layer 400, first driving electrode layer 500, and second driving electrode layer 600, ensuring that each functional layer maintains a fixed relative position and stability. When a driving voltage is applied to the first driving electrode layer 500 and the second driving electrode layer 600, since the gap between the first driving electrodes is equal to the width of the second driving electrode, and the first and second driving electrodes are offset in the vertical direction, the two electrode layers form a complementary coverage, eliminating the electric field blind zone caused by the gap between a single electrode layer. At the same time, the driving voltage is transmitted to the blue phase liquid crystal layer 300 through the high dielectric layer 400, forming a vertical electric field with the cooperation of the ground electrode layer 200, causing the blue phase liquid crystal layer 300 to produce a smooth refractive index gradient distribution, thus achieving light focusing. By adjusting the driving voltage value, the refractive index distribution of the blue phase liquid crystal layer 300 can be dynamically changed to complete continuous focusing.
[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the first driving electrode layer 500 is etched in the high-dielectric layer 400, and the second driving electrode layer 600 is etched in the lower glass substrate 700. By using a separate manufacturing process, the first driving electrode layer 500 is etched inside the high-dielectric layer 400, and the second driving electrode layer 600 is independently etched on the surface of the lower glass substrate 700. While maintaining the continuity of electric field coverage in the staggered electrode structure, the complexity of the manufacturing process is reduced, achieving the same optical performance with a simpler process.
[0024] In this embodiment, the first driving electrode layer 500 is disposed at the bottom end of the high-dielectric layer 400, and the second driving electrode layer 600 is disposed at the top end of the lower glass substrate 700. The bottom end of the high-dielectric layer 400 is bonded to the top end of the lower glass substrate 700. By directly bonding the bottom end of the high-dielectric layer 400 to the top end of the lower glass substrate 700, the first driving electrode layer 500 and the second driving electrode layer 600 are tightly bonded in the vertical direction, eliminating vertical gaps between electrode layers, ensuring the continuity of electric field transmission, and suppressing refractive index protrusion.
[0025] like Figure 3As shown, the driving voltage applied to the first driving electrode layer 500 and the second driving electrode layer 600 gradually decreases from the lens edge to the lens center within the effective optical region of the lens. By designing the driving voltage to decrease gradually from the lens edge to the lens center, a refractive index decreasing distribution consistent with an ideal lens is formed in the blue phase liquid crystal layer 300, directly eliminating local electric field distortion caused by voltage abrupt changes and ensuring precise light convergence.
[0026] In this embodiment, the thickness of the upper glass substrate 100 and the lower glass substrate 700 is 100μm~150μm. By limiting the thickness range of the glass substrate, while ensuring the overall mechanical strength and packaging stability of the device, the high light transmittance is maintained to the maximum extent, avoiding optical path distortion caused by excessively thick substrates or structural fragility caused by excessively thin substrates, and providing a rigid support platform for electric field driving.
[0027] In this embodiment, the thickness of the blue phase liquid crystal layer 300 is 10. μm ~20 μm The thickness of the blue phase liquid crystal layer was controlled to be 10 mm. μm ~20 μm Within the range, it avoids the problem of insufficient light deflection ability due to insufficient layer thickness, making it difficult to form an effective focal length, narrowing the focusing range, or requiring a high driving voltage due to excessive layer thickness, thus achieving a balance between low power consumption and high optical performance.
[0028] In this embodiment, the thickness of both the first driving electrode layer 500 and the second driving electrode layer 600 is 1. μm ~2 μm Both the first driving electrode layer 500 and the second driving electrode layer 600 maintain a 1 μm ~2 μm Its ultra-thin yet fully conductive thickness range significantly reduces the absorption and scattering effects of the electrode material on incident light while maintaining current transmission capability, thereby improving the overall light transmittance of the lens.
[0029] In this embodiment, the first driving electrode layer 500 and the second driving electrode layer 600 have the same thickness. Maintaining equal thickness between the first driving electrode layer 500 and the second driving electrode layer 600 eliminates the asymmetry in the vertical electric field distribution caused by thickness differences, prevents voltage division deviations during driving voltage transmission, and ensures the accuracy of the electrode electric field.
[0030] In this embodiment, the refractive index distribution of a double-electrode blue phase liquid crystal lens under an electric field is simulated using the finite element method. The simulation parameters are shown in Table 1.
[0031] Table 1 Simulation parameters of the dual-electrode layer blue phase liquid crystal lens
[0032] The width of the ground electrode layer 200 is 5.1 mm. The electrode material in the first driving electrode layer 500 and the second driving electrode layer 600 is indium tin oxide (ITO). The liquid crystal material is polymer-stabilized blue phase liquid crystal. The upper glass substrate 100 and the lower glass substrate 700 are made of quartz glass, with a transmittance greater than 99.5% under natural light.
[0033] Example 2 This embodiment is a second embodiment of a dual-electrode layer blue phase liquid crystal lens. This embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, except that, as Figure 3 As shown, in this embodiment, both the first driving electrode layer 500 and the second driving electrode layer 600 are etched within the high-dielectric layer 400. By etching both the first driving electrode layer 500 and the second driving electrode layer 600 inside the high-dielectric layer 400, the electric field coupling efficiency between the two electrodes is enhanced, allowing the driving voltage to be transferred to the blue phase liquid crystal layer 300 more efficiently, ensuring the vertical alignment accuracy of the misaligned electrode structure, and further optimizing the continuity of the electric field distribution.
[0034] In this embodiment, the first driving electrode layer 500 is stacked on top of the second driving electrode layer 600, and the first driving electrode layer 500 and the second driving electrode layer 600 are in close contact in the vertical direction. By directly stacking the first driving electrode layer 500 on top of the second driving electrode layer 600, the first driving electrode layer 500 and the second driving electrode layer 600 are in close contact in the vertical direction, eliminating the vertical gap between the electrode layers, ensuring the continuity of electric field transmission, suppressing refractive index protrusion, enhancing the electric field coupling efficiency between electrodes, and further eliminating electric field distortion.
[0035] Example 3 This embodiment is the third embodiment of a dual-electrode layer blue phase liquid crystal lens. This embodiment is similar to Embodiment 1, except that the dielectric constant of the high-dielectric layer 400 is 1500~2000, and its thickness is 25 mm. μm ~35 μm By limiting the dielectric constant and thickness of the high-dielectric layer 400, the voltage distribution ratio between it and the blue phase liquid crystal layer 300 is precisely controlled, forcing most of the driving voltage to be distributed to the high-dielectric layer 400. This smooths the electric field gradient of the blue phase liquid crystal layer 300, eliminating refractive index protrusions from a physical structural perspective. In this embodiment, the preferred thickness of the high-dielectric layer 400 is 31 μm. μm The dielectric constant is preferably 2000.
[0036] In the specific implementation of the above embodiments, the technical features can be combined in any non-contradictory way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the above technical features are described. However, as long as the combination of these technical features is not contradictory, it should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.
[0037] Obviously, the above embodiments of this utility model are merely examples for clearly illustrating this utility model, and are not intended to limit the implementation of this utility model. Those skilled in the art can make other variations or modifications based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively describe all embodiments here. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of the claims of this utility model.
Claims
1. A dual-electrode layer blue phase liquid crystal lens, characterized in that, The assembly includes an upper glass substrate (100), a ground electrode layer (200), a blue phase liquid crystal layer (300), a high dielectric layer (400), a first driving electrode layer (500), a second driving electrode layer (600), and a lower glass substrate (700) arranged in sequence. The first driving electrode layer (500) includes multiple sets of horizontally arranged first driving electrodes, and the second driving electrode layer (600) includes multiple sets of horizontally arranged second driving electrodes. The gap between adjacent first driving electrodes is equal to the width of the second driving electrode, and the first driving electrode and the second driving electrode are staggered in the vertical direction.
2. The dual-electrode blue phase liquid crystal lens according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first driving electrode layer (500) is etched in the high dielectric layer (400), and the second driving electrode layer (600) is etched in the lower glass substrate (700).
3. The dual-electrode blue phase liquid crystal lens according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first driving electrode layer (500) is disposed at the bottom end of the high dielectric layer (400), and the second driving electrode layer (600) is disposed at the top end of the lower glass substrate (700). The bottom end of the high dielectric layer (400) is attached to the top end of the lower glass substrate (700).
4. The dual-electrode blue phase liquid crystal lens according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first driving electrode layer (500) and the second driving electrode layer (600) are both etched in the high dielectric layer (400).
5. The dual-electrode blue phase liquid crystal lens according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first driving electrode layer (500) is stacked on top of the second driving electrode layer (600), and the first driving electrode layer (500) and the second driving electrode layer (600) are in close contact in the vertical direction.
6. The dual-electrode blue phase liquid crystal lens according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the upper glass substrate (100) and the lower glass substrate (700) is 100. μm ~150 μm .
7. The dual-electrode blue phase liquid crystal lens according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the blue phase liquid crystal layer (300) is 10. μm ~20 μm .
8. The dual-electrode blue phase liquid crystal lens according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of both the first driving electrode layer (500) and the second driving electrode layer (600) is 1. μm ~2 μm .
9. The dual-electrode blue phase liquid crystal lens according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first driving electrode layer (500) and the second driving electrode layer (600) have the same thickness.
10. The dual-electrode blue phase liquid crystal lens according to claim 1, characterized in that, The high dielectric layer (400) has a dielectric constant of 1500~2000 and a thickness of 25. μm ~35 μm .