Optical switch

Abstract

To provide an optical switch capable of switching between ON and OFF at high speed.SOLUTION: On first and second wire grid polarizers 11 and 12, a plurality of metal wires 11b and 12b are provided which extend in a first direction and are arrayed at prescribed intervals in a second direction. On third and fourth wire grid polarizers 13 and 14, a plurality of metal wires 13b and 14b are provided which extend in the second direction and are arrayed at prescribed intervals in the first direction. Slide driving parts 16 and 17 cause the second wire grid polarizer 12 to slide in the second direction based on the control by a slide controller 15, and cause the fourth wire grid polarizer 14 to slide in the first direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical switch. [Background technology]

[0002] Optical switches that switch on and off using light are used in various technical fields. are. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6256966 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a demand for optical switches that can be switched on and off at high speed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a transparent substrate, the method comprising: forming a first transparent substrate on the first transparent substrate; and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and along the surface of the first transparent substrate, the second direction being a predetermined distance apart. A first wire grid polarizer having a plurality of first metal wires arranged at intervals. a second transparent substrate disposed opposite the first wire grid polarizer; and a second transparent substrate extending in the first direction along the surface of the second transparent substrate. are arranged at predetermined intervals in the second direction along the surface of the second transparent substrate, and are perpendicular to each other. a second wire grid polarizer provided with a plurality of second metal wires; Light incident on the wire grid polarizer is transmitted through the first and second wire grid polarizers, a third transparent polarizer disposed so that the light exiting the second wire grid polarizer is incident thereon; a second transparent substrate extending in the second direction along the surface of the third transparent substrate; and arranged at predetermined intervals in the first direction along the surface of the third transparent substrate, the first direction being perpendicular to the first direction. a third wire grid polarizer having a plurality of third metal wires, a fourth transparent substrate disposed opposite the wire grid polarizer; extending in the second direction along the surface of the transparent substrate, perpendicular to the second direction, A plurality of fourth transparent substrates are arranged at predetermined intervals in the first direction along the surface of the fourth transparent substrate. a fourth wire grid polarizer provided with metal wires, and a The lid polarizer is slid in the second direction to shift the third or fourth wire grid polarizer. a slide drive unit that slides the photons in the first direction; and a plurality of second metal wires. Each second metal wire in the plurality of first metal wires is connected to two adjacent first metal wires in the plurality of first metal wires. The first metal wires are positioned at the center of the intervals between the first metal wires, and each of the plurality of fourth metal wires is positioned at the center of the intervals between the first metal wires. The fourth metal wire is connected to two adjacent third metal wires in the plurality of third metal wires. By positioning the first wire grid polarizer at the center of the gap between the wire grid polarizers, the incident light an off state in which light in a predetermined wavelength band is not emitted from the fourth wire grid polarizer; and each of the first metal wires and each of the second metal wires in the plurality of first metal wires. and each of the third metal wires and each of the third metal wires are opposed to each other. By facing the fourth metal wire, the incident light to the first wire grid polarizer and causing light of the predetermined wavelength band to exit from the fourth wire grid polarizer. The slide drive unit moves the first or second wire so as to switch between the first and second wire states. The grid polarizer and the third or fourth wire grid polarizer are controlled to slide. and a slide control section for controlling the light output. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The optical switch of the present invention can be switched on and off at high speed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an optical switch according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing first and second wire grid polarizers in the optical switch of the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing third and fourth wire grid polarizers in the optical switch of the embodiment. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the functions of the first and second wire grid polarizers. [Figure 5A] 10 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between metal wires and the state of light emitted from the second wire grid polarizer when the first and second wire grid polarizers are in State 1. FIG. [Figure 5B] 10 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the metal wires and the state of light emitted from the second wire grid polarizer when the first and second wire grid polarizers are in State 2. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between wavelength and the proportion of horizontally polarized light when the first and second wire grid polarizers are in states 1 and 2. FIG. [Figure 7A] 10 is a diagram showing the positional relationship of the metal wires and the state of light emitted from the fourth wire grid polarizer when the first and second wire grid polarizers and the third and fourth wire grid polarizers are in state 1. FIG. [Figure 7B]10 is a diagram showing the positional relationship of the metal wires and the state of light emitted from the fourth wire grid polarizer when the first and second wire grid polarizers and the third and fourth wire grid polarizers are in state 2. FIG. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are characteristic diagrams showing the relationship between wavelength and the proportion of transmitted light, illustrating the ON and OFF states of visible light by an optical switch according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an advanced configuration of the optical switch according to an embodiment. [Figure 10A] FIG. 9 shows the positional relationship of the metal wires and the state of light emitted from the fourth wire grid polarizer when the first and second wire grid polarizers and the third and fourth wire grid polarizers are in state 1 and the third and fourth wire grid polarizers are rotated 90 degrees relative to the first and second wire grid polarizers. [Figure 10B] FIG. 9 shows the positional relationship of the metal wires and the state of light emitted from the fourth wire grid polarizer when the first and second wire grid polarizers and the third and fourth wire grid polarizers are in state 1 and the third and fourth wire grid polarizers are rotated 0 degrees relative to the first and second wire grid polarizers. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the rotation angles of the third and fourth wire grid polarizers and the proportion of transmitted light that is output as light from the fourth wire grid polarizer. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a polarizer according to an embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an optical filter according to an embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the first and second wire grid polarizers being continuously changed between state 1 and state 2. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between wavelength and proportion of transmitted light when the first and second wire grid polarizers and the third and fourth wire grid polarizers are continuously changed between state 1 and state 2. [Figure 16]1 is a diagram showing a house in which a window according to an embodiment is installed; [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a window configuration according to an embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a head-mounted display according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The optical switch, polarizer, optical filter, window, and head-mounted display of each embodiment will be described below. Rays will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. <Optical switch> 1 to 11 disclose an optical switch that can be switched on and off at high speed. FIG. 1 shows an optical switch 101 according to an embodiment. The optical switch 101 has first to fourth wires. The first wire grid polarizer 11 and the second wire grid polarizer 12 are provided. The first pair of polarizers 12 are arranged close to each other but not in contact with each other. The third wire grid polarizer 13 and the fourth wire grid polarizer The second pair of polarizers 14 are arranged close to each other but not in contact with each other. The wire grid polarizer is constructed as follows.

[0009] The first wire grid polarizer 11 and the second wire grid polarizer 12 each have: A plurality of metal wires 1 made of aluminum or the like are disposed on transparent substrates 11a and 12a such as glass substrates. The transparent substrate 11 is formed by vapor deposition or the like, with a predetermined gap between the transparent substrate 11 and the transparent substrate 12b. If the transparent substrate 12a is the first transparent substrate, the transparent substrate 12a is the second transparent substrate, and the metal wire 11 If b is the first metal wire, then metal wire 12b is the second metal wire. The metal wires 11b of the wire grid polarizer 11 and the metal wires of the second wire grid polarizer 12 are The first wire grid polarizer 11 and the second wire grid polarizer 12b are arranged close to each other. The lid polarizer 12 is disposed so that the surfaces on which the metal wires 11b and 12b are provided face each other. It is being done.

[0010] As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 2, the metal wires 11b and 12b are respectively connected to the transparent substrate 11a and the The transparent substrates 11a and 12a extend in the Y direction (first direction) along the surfaces of the transparent substrates 11a and 12a. The electrodes are arranged at predetermined intervals in the X direction (second direction) along the surface. The Y direction is the vertical direction perpendicular to the X direction.

[0011] The third wire grid polarizer 13 and the fourth wire grid polarizer 14 each have: A plurality of metal wires 1 made of aluminum or the like are formed on transparent substrates 13a and 14a such as glass substrates. The transparent substrate 13 is formed by vapor deposition or the like, with a predetermined gap between the transparent substrate 13 and the transparent substrate 14b. If the transparent substrate 14a is the third transparent substrate, the transparent substrate 14a is the fourth transparent substrate, and the metal wire 13 If b is the third metal wire, then metal wire 14b is the fourth metal wire. The metal wires 13b of the wire grid polarizer 13 and the metal wires of the fourth wire grid polarizer 14 are The third wire grid polarizer 13 and the fourth wire grid polarizer 14b are arranged close to each other. The lid polarizer 14 is disposed so that the surfaces on which the metal wires 13b and 14b are provided face each other. It is being done.

[0012] As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 3, the metal wires 13b and 14b are connected to the transparent substrate 13a and The transparent substrates 13a and 14a extend in the X direction along their surfaces, and the transparent substrates 13a and 14a extend in the Y direction along their surfaces. That is, the first wire grid polarizer 11 and the second wire grid polarizer 12 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the direction of the polarizer. The second wire grid polarizer 12, the third wire grid polarizer 13, and the fourth wire grid polarizer The lid polarizer 14 and the polarizer 15 are rotated by 90 degrees relative to each other.

[0013] The first wire grid polarizer 11 and the second wire grid polarizer 12 are The pair of wire grid polarizers, the third wire grid polarizer 13 and the fourth wire grid The positional relationship between the first pair of wire grid polarizers and the second pair of wire grid polarizers may be reversed. If the positional relationship is reversed, the X direction becomes the first direction and the Y direction becomes the second direction. do.

[0014] The optical switch 101 further includes a slide control section 15 and a control section 16 controlled by the slide control section 15. The slide drive unit 16 is provided with a second wire groove. The slide driving unit 17 drives the lid polarizer 12 to slide in the X direction. The wire grid polarizer 14 is driven to slide in the Y direction. and 17 are slide mechanisms using an electric field or a magnetic field, respectively, to move the second wire gripper. The fourth wire grid polarizer 12 and the fourth wire grid polarizer 14 are then slid.

[0015] The slide control unit 15 controls the slide driving unit 16 and the slide instruction unit 17 in response to the input slide instruction signal. and 17.

[0016] In the optical switch 101, the slide driver 16 moves the first wire grid polarizer 11 in the X direction. The slide drive unit 17 drives the third wire grid polarizer 13 to slide in the Y direction. The actuator may be configured to be driven to slide in the direction.

[0017] FIG. 4 shows a first wire grid polarizer 11 and a second wire grid polarizer 12. This shows how it acts on incident visual light Lin. Wavelength 380nm~76 Visible light is defined as light with a wavelength of 380nm to 760nm. Here is an example.

[0018] The distance between two adjacent metal wires 11b is about 380 nm. The spacing between the wires 12b is also about 380 nm. The distance d between the metal wire 11b and the metal wire 12b is is sufficiently smaller than the distance of 190 nm between the metal wires 11b and 12b in the X direction. The metal wire 11b and the metal wire 12b are connected to each other. There is a predetermined gap between them so that they do not come into contact with each other even when they are facing each other.

[0019] The incident light Lin includes horizontally polarized light HPL indicated by the solid line and vertically polarized light VPL indicated by the dashed line. Each metal wire 12b is positioned at the center of two adjacent metal wires 11b. A first wire grid polarizer 11 and a second wire grid polarizer 12 are arranged The vertically polarized VPL is mostly formed by the first wire grid polarizer 11 and the second wire grid polarizer Therefore, the first wire grid polarizer 11 and the second wire grid polarizer 12 are blocked. After the polarizer 12, output light L12, which is mostly horizontally polarized light HPL, is emitted.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 5A, the second wire grid polarizer 12 is moved by the slide drive unit 16. When not slid, each metal wire 12b is connected to two adjacent metal wires 11b. The state shown in FIG. 5A is called State 1. When the lid polarizer 11 and the second wire grid polarizer 12 are in state 1, as illustrated in FIG. As described above, the incident light Lin including the horizontally polarized light HPL and the vertically polarized light VPL is incident on the first wire grid. When the light is incident on the polarizer 11 and the second wire grid polarizer 12, it is mostly horizontally polarized HPL. In state 1, the amount of light is 1 / 2 or less.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 5B, the second wire grid polarizer 12 is moved by the slide drive unit 16. By sliding, each metal wire 12b is positioned at the same position in the X direction as each metal wire 11b. In this state, each metal wire 11b and each metal wire 12b are opposed to each other. The state is referred to as state 2. The first wire grid polarizer 11 and the second wire grid polarizer 1 When the polarizer 2 is in state 2, the incident light Lin containing horizontally polarized light HPL and vertically polarized light VPL is polarized along the first wide When the light is incident on the first wire grid polarizer 11 and the second wire grid polarizer 12, the vertically polarized light VP L is not blocked by the first wire grid polarizer 11 and the second wire grid polarizer 12. stomach.

[0022] Therefore, in state 2, the second wire grid polarizer 12 emits horizontally polarized light HPL and vertically polarized light HPL. However, the amount of light L12′ including the polarized light VPL is It will be reduced by the amount blocked by 2b, for example to 89%.

[0023] FIG. 6 shows the relationship between wavelength and the proportion of horizontally polarized HPL in states 1 and 2. In state 1, the distance in the X direction between the metal wire 11b and the metal wire 12b is 190 nm. Therefore, at wavelengths less than 380 nm, horizontally polarized HPL and vertically polarized VPL are almost the first wire The light passes through the grid polarizer 11 and the second wire grid polarizer 12. If the wavelength is above 1000 Å, the vertically polarized light VPL cannot pass through the gap between the metal wires 11b and 12b. As the length increases, the proportion of horizontally polarized HPL increases rapidly.

[0024] In state 2, at wavelengths less than 760 nm, the horizontally polarized HPL and vertically polarized VPL are almost the same as the first polarized HPL. The light passes through the first wire grid polarizer 11 and the second wire grid polarizer 12. If the distance is 0 nm or more, the vertically polarized light VPL cannot pass through the gap between the metal wires 11b and 12b. First, the proportion of horizontally polarized HPL increases sharply as the wavelength increases.

[0025] In FIG. 7A, the fourth wire grid polarizer 14 is slid by the slide drive unit 17. In the unguided state, each metal wire 14b is aligned in the Y direction with respect to two adjacent metal wires 13b. The first wire grid polarizer 11 and the second wire grid polarizer 12 are positioned at the center of the polarizer. The third wire grid polarizer 12 is in state 1. The third wire grid polarizer 13 and the fourth wire grid In the rod polarizer 14, each metal wire 13b is arranged between two adjacent metal wires 14b in the Y direction. This is state 1, which is located in the center.

[0026] The third wire grid polarizer 13 and the fourth wire grid polarizer 14 are The first wire grid polarizer 11 and the second wire grid polarizer 12 are rotated by 90 degrees. Therefore, the first wire grid polarizer 11 and the second wire grid polarizer 1 The horizontally polarized light HPL of the output light L12 from the third wire grid polarizer 13 is polarized by the The fourth wire grid polarizer 14 produces vertically polarized light VPL.

[0027] Therefore, in FIG. 7A, the third wire grid polarizer 13 and the fourth wire grid The light Lout emitted from the polarizer 14 decreases rapidly at wavelengths of 380 nm or more. That is, the first wire grid polarizer 11, the second wire grid polarizer 12, and the third wire grid polarizer FIG. 1 shows both the wire grid polarizer 13 and the fourth wire grid polarizer 14 in state 1. 7A is in an off state where it transmits almost no visible light.

[0028] In FIG. 7B, the fourth wire grid polarizer 14 is slid by the slide drive unit 17. The metal wires 14b are aligned in the same Y-direction as the metal wires 13b. In this case, the metal wires 13b and 14b are arranged to face each other. The first wire grid polarizer 11 and the second wire grid polarizer 12 are in state 2. The fourth wire grid polarizer 13 and the fourth wire grid polarizer 14 also have metal wires 13b and 13c. This is state 2, in which the roller 14b and the roller 14c are located at the same position in the Y direction.

[0029] The output light L12′ including horizontally polarized light HPL and vertically polarized light VPL is polarized by the third wire grid polarizer 1 When the light is incident on the third and fourth wire grid polarizers 14, it becomes horizontally polarized light HPL and vertically polarized light VPL. is not blocked by the third wire grid polarizer 13 and the fourth wire grid polarizer 14. Therefore, the fourth wire grid polarizer 14 generates a horizontally polarized light HPL and a vertically polarized light VPL. The emitted light Lout is emitted. However, the amount of light is limited by the amount blocked by the metal wires 13b and 14b. It will decrease further.

[0030] The first wire grid polarizer 11 and the second wire grid polarizer 12 have a light intensity of, for example, 89%, and the third wire grid polarizer 13 and the fourth wire grid polarizer 14 Therefore, for example, it becomes 89%, so the light of the emitted light Lout in the entire optical switch 101 The amount is about 80% of the incident light Lin.

[0031] Therefore, in FIG. 7B, at wavelengths less than 760 nm, horizontally polarized HPL and vertically polarized VPL The first wire grating transmits approximately 80% of the light, and the light intensity drops sharply above 760 nm. Lid polarizer 11, second wire grid polarizer 12, and third wire grid polarizer FIG. 7B shows that both the fourth wire grid polarizer 13 and the fourth wire grid polarizer 14 are in state 2, and the fourth wire grid polarizer 14 is in state 3. It is in the on state, which allows light to pass through.

[0032] The optical switch 101 is connected to the second wire grid polarizer 12 and the fourth wire grid polarizer 13. The slide drive units 16 and 17 are used to move the slider 14 to the initial state where the slider 14 is not slid. The wire grid polarizer 12 and the fourth wire grid polarizer 14 are slid. You can choose.

[0033] As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the optical switch 101 can receive light from wavelengths of 380 nm to 760 nm. The off state transmits almost no visible light, and the on state transmits almost all visible light. The second wire grid polarization can be switched by the slide drive units 16 and 17. The photon 12 and the fourth wire grid polarizer 14 can be switched between the off state and the on state simply by sliding them. Since the optical switch 101 switches between the ON and OFF states at high speed, This can be done.

[0034] The initial states of the first wire grid polarizer 11 and the second wire grid polarizer 12 are Alternatively, the metal wires 11b and the metal wires 12b may be positioned at the same position in the X direction. The initial states of the third wire grid polarizer 13 and the fourth wire grid polarizer 14 are The metal wires 13b and the metal wires 14b may be positioned at the same position in the Y direction.

[0035] The optical switch 101 shown in FIG. 1 can be further developed to form the optical switch 102 shown in FIG. The optical switch 102 is the same as the optical switch 101 shown in FIG. The rotation control unit 18 controls the rotation of the rotary shaft 14. This rotates the third wire grid polarizer 13 and the fourth wire grid polarizer 14. The rotation control unit 18 controls the rotation drive unit 19 in response to the input rotation instruction signal. Control.

[0036] The first to fourth wire grid polarizers 11 to 14 are turned on as described above, and the rotation control The rotation driver 19 controls the third wire grid polarizer 13 and the fourth wire grid polarizer 14. The grid polarizer 14 is rotated to any angle between 0 and 90 degrees.

[0037] FIG. 10A shows the same state as FIG. 7A. The wire grid polarizer 12, the third wire grid polarizer 13, and the fourth wire grid The polarizers 14 are both in state 1. The third wire grid polarizer 13 and the fourth wire grid polarizer The wire grid polarizer 14 is a combination of the first wire grid polarizer 11 and the second wire grid polarizer 12. The state is the same as in Figure 1, rotated 90 degrees with respect to the photon 12. 2 is the off state, which transmits almost no visible light.

[0038] FIG. 10B shows the state of FIG. 10A, in which the third wire grid polarizer 13 and the fourth wire grid polarizer 14 are The grid polarizer 14 is shown rotated to 0 degrees by the rotation driver 19. The state rotated by 90 degrees is the state where the third wire grid polarizer 13 and the The fourth wire grid polarizer 14 is rotated by 90 degrees to form a polarizer similar to that of the third wire grid polarizer 13. and fourth wire grid polarizer 14 are connected to first wire grid polarizer 11 and second wire grid polarizer 12. The polarizer is oriented in the same direction as the Grid polarizer 12.

[0039] In this state, the first wire grid polarizer 11 and the second wire grid polarizer 12 The emitted light L12, which is mostly horizontally polarized HPL, is reflected by the metal wires 13b and 14b. The third wire grid polarizer 13 and the fourth wire grid polarizer 14 are polarized except for the blocked portion. The third wire grid polarizer 13 and the fourth wire grid polarizer 14 transmit light. These emit exit light Lout, which is mostly horizontally polarized HPL.

[0040] FIG. 11 shows the configuration of the third wire grid polarizer 13 and the fourth wire grid polarizer 14. The figure shows the relationship between the rotation angle and the proportion of transmitted light that is emitted as the emitted light Lout. When the rotation angle of the wire grid polarizer 13 and the fourth wire grid polarizer 14 is 0 degrees, The maximum percentage of over-light is about 40%. The first wire grid polarizer 11 to the fourth wire grid polarizer 14 of the incident light Lin The overall transmittance is about 80%, so with horizontally polarized HPL alone, the percentage of transmitted light is about 40%. It becomes degrees.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 11, the third wire grid polarizer 13 and the fourth wire grid polarizer As the rotation angle of the element 14 approaches 90 degrees from 0 degrees, the proportion of transmitted light decreases from about 40% to 0%. Gradually decrease to.

[0042] The optical switch 102 shown in FIG. 9 has an OFF state in which almost no visible light is transmitted, and a V state in which visible light is transmitted. In addition to the effect of being able to quickly switch between an on state, which allows almost all light to pass through, and an off state, This provides the effect of being able to adjust the amount of transmitted light when the light is in the ON state. <Polarizer> FIG. 12 discloses a polarizer that can rapidly switch between horizontal and vertical polarization. 2 shows a polarizer 200 according to one embodiment. In the polarizer 200 shown in FIG. The same parts as those in optical switch 101 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof may be omitted.

[0043] In FIG. 12, the selection control unit 21 controls whether the emitted light Lout is horizontally polarized HPL or vertically polarized A selection instruction signal is input to select whether to use VPL or not. When a selection instruction signal for selecting horizontally polarized light HPL is input, the slide control unit 15 selects the output light Lo Instruct ut to be horizontally polarized HPL.

[0044] When an instruction is given to change the emitted light Lout to horizontally polarized light HPL, the slide control unit 15 The first wire grid polarizer 11 and the second wire grid polarizer 12 are in state 1, and the third The first wire grid polarizer 13 and the fourth wire grid polarizer 14 are set to the state 2. The second wire grid polarizer 12 and the fourth wire grid polarizer 14 are driven. The wire grid control unit 15 keeps the second wire grid polarizer 12 in the initial state and controls the fourth wire grid polarizer 13 to Slide the Grid polarizer 14 to state 2. In this way, the polarizer 2 00 is a horizontally polarized light output state (first polarization output state) that outputs horizontally polarized HPL (first polarization). become.

[0045] When an instruction is given to make the emitted light Lout vertically polarized light VPL, the slide control unit 15 The first wire grid polarizer 11 and the second wire grid polarizer 12 are in the state 2, and the third The first wire grid polarizer 13 and the fourth wire grid polarizer 14 are set to the state 1. The second wire grid polarizer 12 and the fourth wire grid polarizer 14 are driven. The wire grid control unit 15 slides the second wire grid polarizer 12 to the state 2, and The wire grid polarizer 14 of the polarizer 2 is left in its initial state. 00 is a vertically polarized light output state (second polarization output state) that outputs vertically polarized light VPL (second polarization). become.

[0046] According to the polarizer 200 shown in FIG. 12, the output light Lout is either horizontally polarized HPL or vertically polarized V The polarizer 200 can be switched between the slide drive unit 16 and PL. and 17 are used to connect the second wire grid polarizer 12 and the fourth wire grid polarizer 14. Simply sliding the polarizer 20 switches between a horizontally polarized light output state and a vertically polarized light output state. 0 can quickly switch between a horizontally polarized light output state and a vertically polarized light output state.

[0047] Depending on how the polarizer 200 is configured, the vertically polarized light VPL may be the first polarized light, and the vertically polarized light VPL may be the second polarized light. The light exit state is the first polarization exit state, the horizontally polarized HPL is the second polarization, and the horizontally polarized exit state is A second polarization exit state may be achieved. <Optical filters> FIG. 13 shows an optical filter that can change the transmission wavelength band. 13 shows an optical filter 300 according to an embodiment. In the optical filter 300 shown in FIG. The same parts as those of the optical switch 101 shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their explanation may be omitted. .

[0048] In Fig. 13, a transmission wavelength instruction signal is input to a slide control unit 15. The indicator signal is an indicator signal that directly indicates the wavelength to be transmitted by the optical filter 300. It is not necessary to widen the transmitted wavelength band to the 760 nm side by a certain band, or to set the wavelength to 38 It may also be an instruction signal that narrows the band by a predetermined amount to the 0 nm side.

[0049] A first wire grid polarizer 11, a second wire grid polarizer 12, and a third wire grid polarizer When both the wire grid polarizer 13 and the fourth wire grid polarizer 14 are in state 1, The optical filter 300 is in the off state. Suppose a transmission wavelength instruction signal is input that instructs the wavelength to be widened by a predetermined band to the 760 nm side. do.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 14, the slide control section 15 moves the first wire grid polarizer 11 and The second wire grid polarizer 12 is then moved closer to state 2. 2 is slid in the X direction by a predetermined distance. 5, the third wire grid polarizer 13 and the fourth wire grid polarizer 14 are in state 2. The fourth wire grid polarizer 14 is slid in the Y direction by a predetermined distance to bring it closer. The second wire grid polarizer 12 and the fourth wire grid polarizer 14 are slid. The distance over which the light is passed is determined according to the band over which the transmitted wavelengths are to be widened.

[0051] As explained in FIG. 8, optical switch 101 detects visible light with wavelengths of 380 nm to 760 nm. The off state allows almost no transmission, and the on state allows almost all visible light to be transmitted. In contrast, the optical filter 300 includes a second wire grid polarizer 12 and a fourth wire grid polarizer 13. By varying the distance by which the Grid polarizer 14 is slid, the polarization direction can be adjusted as shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the optical filter 300 widens the wavelength band that transmits visible light toward the 760 nm side, It is possible to narrow the wavelength to 380 nm.

[0052] If the wavelength band for transmitting visible light is narrowed to the 380 nm wavelength side, the optical filter 300 The wavelength band that transmits visible light is 760 nm. When the optical filter 300 is extended to the side, the optical filter 300 emits a white output light Lout.

[0053] According to the optical filter 300 shown in FIG. 13, the light emitted from the optical filter 300 By changing the transmission wavelength band of Lout, the color tone can be changed continuously. <Window> 16 and 17 disclose windows that can change their light transmission state. As shown in FIG. 6, a house 410 is fitted with a window 400 according to an embodiment. 16, the sunlight SL is located near the water surface 420 of the sea, lake, river, etc. When sunlight SL is reflected by the water surface 420, it is reflected light RS L is mostly horizontally polarized HPL. Even when snow exists instead of the water surface 420, sunlight When SL is reflected by snow, the reflected light RSL becomes mostly horizontally polarized HPL.

[0054] 17 shows a window 400 according to one embodiment. In the window 400 shown in FIG. The optical switch 101, the polarizer 200 shown in FIG. 12, or the optical filter 300 shown in FIG. The same parts as those in the previous embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their explanations may be omitted.

[0055] In FIG. 17, window glass 401 is the same as that in optical switch 101 or polarizer 200. The first wire grid polarizer 11 to the fourth wire grid polarizer 14 are similar to the above. The first wire grid polarizer 11 to the fourth wire grid polarizer 14 are The slide control unit 15 and the slide driving units 16 and 17 are the same as those of the optical switch 101 shown in FIG. It constitutes an optical switch similar to that described above.

[0056] Therefore, the window glass 401 of the window 400 blocks most of the visible light with wavelengths of 380 nm to 760 nm. The device can be switched between an off state, which blocks most of the light, and an on state, which transmits most of the visible light. That is, the window 400 allows the outside of the window glass 401 to be seen from the inside of the house 410 and the inside of the house 410. The state in which the outside of the window glass 401 cannot be seen from inside the window glass 401, and the state in which the outside of the window glass 401 can be seen from inside the window glass 401. You can switch between

[0057] As shown by the dashed lines in Figure 17, the output light Lout can be either horizontally polarized HPR or vertically polarized VPL. A selection instruction signal is input to select whether to polarize the emitted light Lout or not, and the slide control unit 15 polarizes the emitted light Lout as horizontally polarized light. A selection control unit 21 may be provided to instruct the HPL or vertically polarized VPL. When the section 21 is provided, the first wire grid polarizer 11 to the fourth wire grid polarizer 14 The slide control unit 15, the slide driving units 16 and 17, and the selection control unit 21 are configured as shown in FIG. 2. A polarizer similar to polarizer 200 shown in FIG.

[0058] A window 400 is projected from the window glass 401 into the interior of the house 410 by a selection instruction signal. If the emitted light Lout is horizontally polarized HPL, it is emitted from inside the house 410 through the window glass 401. , the sparkling water surface 420 can be seen due to the reflection of the horizontally polarized HPL. The light Lou is emitted from the window glass 401 into the house 410 in response to a selection instruction signal. If t is set to vertically polarized VPL, the horizontally polarized HPL reflected by the water surface 420 can be seen almost completely. This means you can see underwater 420 degrees below the surface.

[0059] Furthermore, the slide control section 15 is provided with a transmission wavelength instruction similar to that of the optical filter 300 shown in FIG. A signal is input and polarized through the second wire grid polarizer 12 and the fourth wire grid polarizer 14. The distance by which the first wire grid polarization is slid may be changed. Photon 11 to fourth wire grid polarizer 14, slide control unit 15, and slide drive unit The optical filters 16 and 17 are similar to the optical filter 300 shown in FIG.

[0060] Then, the color of the light Lout emitted from the window glass 401 into the house 410 is Since the color of the light entering the house 410 can be changed continuously, it is possible to change the color of the light entering the house 410 from a bluish color to a It is possible to choose between a white and a black background.

[0061] In this way, the window 400 shown in FIG. 17 can change the state of light transmission. Cut. <Head-mounted display> Figure 18 shows a head-mounted display that allows the user to switch the image they see. FIG. 18 shows a head-mounted display 500 according to an embodiment. The UndDisplay 500 is a head-mounted display for augmented reality (AR). In the head mounted display 500 shown in FIG. 18, the optical switch 10 shown in FIG. 1 or 12 are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. This sometimes happens.

[0062] The head-mounted display 500 has left and right vertical polarizing filters through which external light is incident. 51L and 51R (first polarizing filters), left and right image display units 52L and 52R, left and right Horizontal polarizing filters 53L and 53R (second polarizing filters), left and right half mirrors 54L and The head mounted display 500 also includes a left eye EL and a right eye EL of the user. The left and right wire grid structures 55L and 55R are arranged in front of the right eye ER, and the slide control The slide control unit 15, slide drive units 16 and 17, and selection control unit 21 are provided.

[0063] The wire grid structures 55L and 55R are arranged in the optical switch 101 or the polarizer 200. The first wire grid polarizer 11 to the fourth wire grid polarizer 14 are similar to those in the Has.

[0064] Wire grid structure 55L or 55R, slide control section 15, and slide drive section 16 and 17 constitute an optical switch similar to the optical switch 101 shown in FIG. The lid structure 55L or 55R, the slide control unit 15, the slide drive unit 16, and The polarizers 17 and 21 constitute a polarizer similar to the polarizer 200 shown in FIG. .

[0065] The optical switch in the head mounted display 500 is a wire grid structure 55 Let us assume that the on state, which transmits almost all visible light, is selected by L and 55R. At this time, the vertical polarizing filters 51L and 51R reflect the vertically polarized light VPL of the light incident from outside. The vertically polarized light VPL is output through half mirrors 54L and 54R and wire grid structures 55L and 55R. The light passes through 55R and enters the left eye EL and the right eye ER.

[0066] The image display units 52L and 52R display virtual images for AR. The virtual image displayed on the image display unit 52R is viewed by the left eye EL and the right eye ER. The image light emitted from 52R and 52L is incident on horizontal polarizing filters 53R and 53L, and is then polarized The filters 53L and 53R emit the horizontally polarized HPL light among the incident image light. The image light PL is reflected by the half mirrors 54L and 54R and is projected onto the wire grid structure 5 The light passes through 5L and 55R and enters the left eye EL and the right eye ER.

[0067] Therefore, when the optical switch is in the on state, the user of the head mounted display 500 The user can see a composite image in which a virtual image is superimposed on a real scene.

[0068] The polarizer in the head mounted display 500 is a wire grid structure 55L and If the light emitted from the 55R and 55R is set to horizontally polarized HPL, the user can see only the virtual image. In addition, the polarizer polarizes the light emitted from the wire grid structures 55L and 55R vertically. When set to optical VPL, the user can see only the real view.

[0069] In this way, with the head mounted display 500 shown in FIG. 18, the user can There are three types of images: a composite image in which a virtual image is superimposed on a real scene, a virtual image only, and a real scene only. You can view the selected video by switching the optical switch. , it is also possible to block the user's view.

[0070] In FIG. 18, the vertical polarizing filters 51L and 51R are disposed at the positions of the vertical polarizing filters 51L and 51R. and 51R, horizontal polarizing filters 53L and 53R are arranged, and the horizontal polarizing filters 53L and Vertical polarizing filters 51L and 51R are installed in place of the horizontal polarizing filters 53L and 53R. In this case, the horizontal polarizing filters 53L and 53R are the first polarizing filters. The vertical polarizing filters 51L and 51R are the first polarizing filters. , the polarizer sets the light emitted from the wire grid structures 55L and 55R to horizontally polarized light HPL. The polarizer is a wire grid configuration, so the user can see only the real view. If the light emitted from the bodies 55L and 55R is set to vertically polarized VPL, the user can see only the virtual image. You can see. <Sunglasses> Applying the structure of the window 400 shown in FIG. 17, the sunglasses lens is attached to the same glass as the window glass 401. The sunglasses lens may be made of the first wire grid polarizer 11 to the fourth wire grid polarizer 12. By configuring it with a grid polarizer 14, it is possible to see the state where you cannot see forward. It is also possible to configure sunglasses that allow you to select the state in which you want to wear them. Depending on the lens, you can choose to view horizontally polarized HPL or vertically polarized VPL. You can also change the color of the scenery you see through the glass.

[0071] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and any modifications may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Various changes are possible within a wide range. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 11 First wire grid polarizer 11a, 12a, 13a, 14a Transparent substrate 11b, 12b, 13b, 14b Metal wire 12 Second wire grid polarizer 13 Third wire grid polarizer 14 Fourth Wire Grid Polarizer 15 Slide control section 16,17 Slide drive unit 18 Rotation control section 19 Rotation drive unit 21 Selection control section 51L, 51R Vertical polarizing filters 52L, 52R Video display section 53L, 53R Horizontal polarizing filters 54L, 54R half mirror 55L, 55R Wire grid structure 101,102 Optical switch 200 Polariscope 300 Optical Filters 400 windows 500 Head-Mounted Display EL,ER eyes

Claims

1. a first transparent substrate extending in a first direction along a surface of the first transparent substrate; A predetermined interval is provided in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and along the surface of the first transparent substrate. a first wire grid polarizer having a plurality of arranged first metal wires and selectively transmitting light polarized in the second direction; a second transparent substrate disposed opposite the first wire grid polarizer; The second transparent substrate extends in the first direction along the surface of the second transparent substrate, and extends perpendicular to the first direction. and arranged at predetermined intervals in the second direction along the surface of the second transparent substrate. a second wire grid polarizer having a plurality of second metal wires and selectively transmitting light polarized in the second direction; The light incident on the first wire grid polarizer is polarized into the first and second wire grid polarized lights. and the light emitted from the second wire grid polarizer is incident on the first wire grid polarizer. and a third transparent substrate on which the second transparent film is formed, the second transparent film extending in the second direction along the surface of the third transparent substrate. and a predetermined angle in the first direction perpendicular to the second direction and along the surface of the third transparent substrate. a third wire grid polarization device that selectively transmits light polarized in the first direction, the third wire grid polarization device having a plurality of third metal wires arranged at intervals; With my child, a fourth transparent substrate disposed opposite the third wire grid polarizer; the second direction along the surface of the fourth transparent substrate, and the second direction perpendicular to the second direction. and arranged at predetermined intervals in the first direction along the surface of the fourth transparent substrate. a fourth wire grid polarizer having a plurality of fourth metal wires and selectively transmitting light polarized in the first direction; sliding the first or second wire grid polarizer in the second direction; a slide drive unit that slides the third or fourth wire grid polarizer in the first direction; and, Each of the second metal wires in the plurality of second metal wires is connected to the first metal wires in the plurality of first metal wires. The plurality of first metal wires are positioned at the center of the gap between two adjacent first metal wires in the ear, and Each fourth metal wire in the fourth metal wires is connected to a third metal wire in the plurality of third metal wires. By positioning the third metal wire at the center of the gap between two adjacent third metal wires, The light of a predetermined wavelength range in the light incident on the wire grid polarizer is polarized by the fourth wire grid polarizer. an off state in which photons are not emitted from the first metal wires and an on state in which photons are not emitted from the first metal wires; The wires are arranged to face each other, and the third metal wires are arranged to face each other. By arranging each of the third metal wires and each of the fourth metal wires to face each other, The light in the predetermined wavelength range of the light incident on the wire grid polarizer is polarized by the fourth wire grid polarizer. The slide drive unit is used to switch between an on state and an off state in which light is emitted from the head polarizer. the first or second wire grid polarizer and the third or fourth wire grid a slide control unit that controls the polarizer to slide; An optical switch comprising:

2. a rotation driver that rotates the third and fourth wire grid polarizers; The rotation driver controls the third and fourth wire grid polarizers to rotate. a rotation control unit that controls the rotation of the The optical switch of claim 1 further comprising:

Images