Organic solid crystal structures

Abstract

An optical element includes a layer having a structured surface formed from an organic solid crystal material. The structured surface includes a configuration of features that are arranged in a one-dimensional (1D) or two-dimensional (2D) periodic or non-periodic pattern such that the structured surface is configured to modify a property selected from the group consisting of transmission, reflection, and scattering of light interacting with the optical element.

Description

[0001] ORGANIC SOLID CRYSTAL STRUCTURES

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This application claims benefit of and priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 63 / 571657 filed March 29, 2024.

[0004] FIELD

[0005] This disclosure relates to an optical element and an optical device.

[0006] SUMMARY

[0007] According to an aspect, there is provided an optical element comprising: a layer having a structured surface, wherein the layer comprises an organic solid crystal material; the structured surface comprises a configuration of features, said features being arranged in a one-dimensional, ID, or two-dimensional, 2D, periodic or non-periodic pattern; and the structured surface is configured to modify a property selected from the group consisting of transmission, reflection, and scattering of light interacting with the optical element.

[0008] In one embodiment, the features are raised features selected from the group consisting of ridges, posts, pillars, and bumps.

[0009] In one embodiment, the ID periodic configuration of the features comprises a repeating pattern along a single direction.

[0010] In one embodiment, the 2D periodic configuration of the features comprises a repeating pattern along two orthogonal directions.

[0011] In one embodiment, the non-periodic configuration of the features is selected to produce a random, aperiodic, or quasiperiodic arrangement of the features.

[0012] In one embodiment, the features of the structured surface are dimensioned to interact with at least one of ultraviolet, visible, or infrared radiation. In one embodiment, the features comprise a lateral dimension of 10 nm to 100 pm. In one embodiment, the features comprises an inter-feature spacing of 10 nm to 100 pm.

[0013] In one embodiment, the optical element further comprises a substrate, wherein the features are at least partially embedded within the substrate. In one embodiment, the layer comprises a single layer of the organic solid crystal material.

[0014] In one embodiment, the layer comprises a multilayer of sublayers and at least one of the sublayers comprises the organic solid crystal material. In one embodiment, the structured surface is configured to control at least one optical property selected from the group consisting of diffraction, polarization, light scattering, focus, and light intensity distribution.

[0015] In one embodiment,

[0016] According to another aspect, there is provided an optical device comprising the optical element set out above, wherein the optical device is selected from the group consisting of a lens, a diffraction grating, an optical filter, a holographic device, a light guide, and a beamshaping element.

[0017] According to another aspect, there is provided an optical element comprising: a layer comprising a configuration of features arranged in a one-dimensional, ID, or two dimensional, 2D, periodic or non-periodic pattern, wherein the layer comprises an organic solid crystal material, and the layer is configured to modify a property selected from the group consisting of transmission, reflection, and scattering of light interacting with the optical element.

[0018] In one embodiment, the features comprise a lateral dimension of 10 nm to 100 pm. In one embodiment, the features comprises an inter-feature spacing of 10 nm to 100 pm.

[0019] In one embodiment, the optical element further comprises a substrate, wherein the features are at least partially embedded within the substrate.

[0020] In one embodiment, the layer comprises a single layer of the organic solid crystal material. In one embodiment, the layer comprises a multilayer of sublayers and at least one of the sublayers comprises the organic solid crystal material.

[0021] According to a further aspect, there is provided an optical element comprising: a layer comprising a structured surface including a configuration of features arranged in a onedimensional, ID, or two dimensional, 2D, periodic or non-periodic pattern, wherein the features comprise an organic solid crystal material, and the features are configured to modify a property selected from the group consisting of transmission, reflection, and scattering of light interacting with the optical element.

[0022] It will be appreciated that any features described herein as being suitable for incorporation into one or more aspects or embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to be generalizable across any and all aspects and embodiments of the present disclosure. Other aspects of the present disclosure can be understood by those skilled in the art in light of the description, the claims, and the drawings of the present disclosure. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the claims.

[0023] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The accompanying drawings illustrate a number of exemplary embodiments and are a part of the specification. Together with the following description, these drawings demonstrate and explain various principles of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an optical element including a structured organic solid crystal layer according to some embodiments.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of exemplary ID OSC structures according to certain embodiments.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of exemplary 2D OSC structures according to certain embodiments.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of exemplary ID OSC structures having a controlled crystallographic orientation according to certain embodiments.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of exemplary 2D OSC structures having a controlled crystallographic orientation according to certain embodiments.

[0030] FIG. 6 is an illustration of single layer and stacked ID OSC structures according to some embodiments.

[0031] FIG. 7 shows ID embedded OSC structures according to some embodiments.

[0032] FIG. 8 shows 2D embedded OSC structures according to certain embodiments.

[0033] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of exemplary 3D embedded and stacked OSC structures according to certain embodiments.

[0034] FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a multi-layer optical element including a structured organic solid crystal layer according to some embodiments.

[0035] FIG. 11 is an illustration of exemplary augmented-reality glasses that may be used in connection with embodiments of this disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 12 is an illustration of an exemplary virtual-reality headset that may be used in connection with embodiments of this disclosure.

[0037] Throughout the drawings, identical reference characters and descriptions indicate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements. While the exemplary embodiments described herein are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, the exemplary embodiments described herein are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed.

[0038] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0039] Polymer and other organic materials may be incorporated into a variety of different optic and electro-optic systems and devices, including passive and active optics and electroactive devices. Lightweight and conformable, one or more polymer / organic solid layers may be incorporated into wearable devices such as smart glasses and are attractive candidates for emerging technologies including virtual reality / augmented reality devices where a comfortable, adjustable form factor is desired.

[0040] Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) eyewear devices or headsets, for instance, may enable users to experience events, such as interactions with people in a computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional world or viewing data superimposed on a real-world view. By way of example, superimposing information onto a field of view may be achieved through an optical head-mounted display (OHMD) or by using embedded wireless glasses with a transparent heads-up display (HUD) or augmented reality (AR) overlay. VR / AR eyewear devices and headsets may be used for a variety of purposes. Governments may use such devices for military training, medical professionals may use such devices to simulate surgery, and engineers may use such devices as design visualization aids.

[0041] Notwithstanding recent developments, it would be advantageous to provide high refractive index, highly birefringent organic solid crystal (OSC) materials, including structures having a defined crystallographic orientation. In accordance with various methods of manufacture, melt- and vapor-based crystal growth processes in conjunction with selective patterning techniques, such as thermal evaporation and lithography / etching may be used to produce sized and shaped organic solid crystals.

[0042] The disclosed organic solid crystal (OSC) materials may include various classes of organic semiconductors and may be incorporated into a variety of optical systems and devices. In accordance with various embodiments, organic semiconductors may include small molecules, macromolecules, liquid crystals, organometallic compounds, oligomers, and polymers. Organic semiconductors may include p-type, n-type, or ambipolar polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as anthracene, phenanthrene, diphenylacetylene, stilbene, azobenzene, benzylideneaniline, terphenyl, biphenyl, thiophene, carbon 60, pyrene, corannulene, fluorene, etc. Example compounds may include cyclic, linear and / or branched structures, which may be saturated or unsaturated, and may additionally include heteroatoms and saturated or unsaturated heterocycles, such as furan, pyrrole, thiophene, pyridine, pyrimidine, piperidine, and the like. Heteroatoms may include fluorine, chlorine, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, phosphorus, as well as various metals.

[0043] Methods of manufacturing organic solid crystals may include crystal growth from a melt or solution, chemical or physical vapor deposition, and solvent coating onto a substrate, optionally using a spatial or surface alignment layer. A deposition surface of the substrate may be treated globally or locally to impact, for example, nucleation density, crystalline orientation, adhesion, surface roughness, etc. The foregoing methods may be applied in conjunction with one or more optional post-deposition steps, such as annealing, polishing, etching, dicing, etc., which may be carried out to improve one or more OSC attributes, including crystallinity, thickness, curvature, and the like.

[0044] High refractive index and highly birefringent organic semiconductor materials may be manufactured as a free-standing layer or ingot or as a thin film deposited onto a substrate. An epitaxial or non-epitaxial growth process, for example, may be used to form an organic solid crystal (OSC) layer over a suitable substrate. A seed layer for encouraging crystal nucleation and an anti-nucleation layer configured to locally inhibit nucleation may individually or collectively promote the formation of a limited number of crystal nuclei within specified locations, which may in turn encourage the formation of larger organic solid crystals. In some embodiments, a nucleation-promoting layer or seed layer may be configured as a thin film.

[0045] As used herein, the terms "epitaxy," "epitaxial" and / or "epitaxial growth and / or deposition" refer to the nucleation and growth of an organic solid crystal on a deposition surface where the organic solid crystal layer being grown assumes the same crystalline habit as the material of the deposition surface. For example, in an epitaxial deposition process, chemical reactants may be controlled, and the system parameters may be set so that depositing atoms or molecules alight on the deposition surface and remain sufficiently mobile via surface diffusion to orient themselves according to the crystalline orientation of the atoms or molecules of the deposition surface. An epitaxial process may be homogeneous or heterogeneous.

[0046] During an example method, to promote nucleation and crystal growth, a selected temperature and temperature gradient may be applied to a crystallization front of the nascent thin film. For instance, the temperature and temperature gradient proximate to the crystallization front may be determined based on the selected feedstock, including its melting temperature, thermal stability, and rheological attributes.

[0047] Example nucleation-promoting or seed layer materials may include one or more metallic or inorganic elements or compounds, such as Pt, Ag, Au, Al, Pb, indium tin oxide, SiC , and the like. Further example nucleation-promoting or seed layer materials may include organic compounds, such as a polyimide, polyamide, polyurethane, polyurea, polythiolurethane, polyethylene, polysulfonate, polyolefin, as well as mixtures and combinations thereof. In some examples, a nucleation-promoting material may be configured as a textured or aligned layer, such as a rubbed polyimide or photoalignment layer, which may be configured to induce directionality or a preferred orientation to an over-formed organic solid crystal thin film.

[0048] An anti-nucleation layer may include a dielectric material. In further embodiments, an anti-nucleation layer may include an amorphous material. In example processes, crystal nucleation may occur independent of a substrate.

[0049] Due to their relatively low melting temperature, organic solid crystals may be molded to form a desired structure. Molding processes may enable complex architectures and may be more economical than the cutting, grinding, and polishing of bulk crystals. In addition, as disclosed further herein, a chemical additive may be integrated with a molding process to improve the surface roughness of a molded organic solid crystal in situ. The chemical additive may include a liquid non-volatile medium, such as an oil. In some embodiments, a single crystal or polycrystalline basic shape such as a sheet or cube may be partially or fully melted into a desired form and then controllably cooled to form a single crystal having a new shape. Suitable feedstock for molding solid organic semiconductor materials may include neat organic compositions, melts, solutions, or suspensions of one or more suitable organic molecules.

[0050] An example method of forming an OSC thin film may include contacting an organic precursor with a liquid non-volatile medium material, forming a layer including the organic precursor within a mold, and processing the organic precursor to form an organic crystalline phase. The organic crystalline phase may define a surface of an organic thin film having a surface roughness (Ra) of less than approximately 10 micrometers over an area of at least approximately 1 cm2. As used herein, the term "thin film" may refer to a layer of material ranging from a few nanometers to several micrometers in thickness.

[0051] The non-volatile medium material may be disposed between the mold surface and the organic precursor and may be configured to decrease the surface roughness of the molded organic solid crystal thin film and promote its release from the mold. Example nonvolatile medium materials include liquids such as silicone oil, a fluorinated polymer, a polyolefin and / or polyethylene glycol. Further example non-volatile medium materials may include crystalline materials having a melting temperature that is less than the melting temperature of the organic precursor material. Still further example non-volatile medium materials may include crystalline materials having a melting temperature that is at least approximately 10°C different than a melting temperature of the organic precursor material. In some embodiments the mold surface may be pre-treated in order to improve wetting and / or adhesion of the non-volatile medium material.

[0052] The act of contacting the organic precursor with the non-volatile medium material may include forming a homogeneous mixture of the organic precursor and the non-volatile medium material. In further embodiments, the act of contacting the organic precursor with the non-volatile medium material may include forming a layer of the non-volatile medium material over a surface of a substrate or mold and forming a layer of the organic precursor over the layer of the non-volatile medium material.

[0053] For the sake of convenience, the terms "substrate" and "mold" may be used interchangeably herein unless the context indicates otherwise. In some embodiments, a nonvolatile medium material may be disposed between the mold surface and the organic precursor and may be adapted to decrease the surface roughness of the molded organic solid crystal and promote its release from the mold while locally promoting or inhibiting nucleation of a crystalline phase.

[0054] The substrate or mold may include a surface that may be configured to provide a desired shape to the molded organic solid crystal thin film. For example, the substrate or mold surface may be planar, concave, or convex, and may include a three-dimensional architecture, such as surface relief gratings, or a curvature configured to form microlenses, microprisms, or prismatic lenses. That is, according to some embodiments, a substrate or mold geometry may be transferred and incorporated into a surface of an over-formed organic solid crystal thin film. The deposition surface of a substrate or mold may include a functional layer that is adapted to be transferred to the organic solid crystal after formation of the organic solid crystal and its separation from the substrate or mold. Functional layers may include an interference coating, an AR coating, a reflectivity enhancing coating, a bandpass coating, a band-block coating, blanket or patterned electrodes, etc. By way of example, an electrode may include any suitably electrically conductive material such as a metal, a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) (e.g., indium tin oxide or indium gallium zinc oxide), or a metal mesh or nanowire matrix (e.g., including metal nanowires or carbon nanotubes).

[0055] The substrate or mold may include any suitable material, e.g., silicon, silicon dioxide, fused silica, quartz, glass, nickel, silicones, siloxanes, perfluoropolyethers, polytetrafluoroethylenes, perfluoroalkoxy alkanes, polyimide, polyethylene naphthalate, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyphenylene sulfide, and the like.

[0056] In some embodiments, a surface treatment or a release layer disposed over the substrate or mold may be used to control nucleation and growth of the organic solid crystal (OSC) and later promote separation and harvesting of a bulk crystal or thin film. For instance, a coating having a solubility parameter mismatch with the deposition chemistry may be applied to the substrate (e.g., locally) to suppress interaction between the substrate and the crystallizing layer during the deposition process. Examples of such coatings may include oleophobic coatings or hydrophobic coatings. A thin layer, e.g., monolayer or bilayer, of an oleophobic material or a hydrophobic material may be used to condition the substrate or mold prior to an epitaxial process. The coating material may be selected based on the substrate and / or the crystalline material. Further example coating materials include siloxanes, fluorosiloxanes, phenyl siloxanes, fluorinated coatings, polyvinyl alcohol, and other OH bearing coatings, acrylics, polyurethanes, polyesters, polyimides, and the like.

[0057] A buffer layer may be formed over the deposition surface of a substrate or mold. A buffer layer may include a small molecule that is similar to or even equivalent to the small molecule making up the organic solid crystal, e.g., an anthracene single crystal. A buffer layer may be used to tune one or more properties of the growth surface of the substrate or mold, including surface energy, wettability, crystalline or molecular orientation, etc.

[0058] A further example method of manufacturing an organic solid crystal thin film may include providing a substrate, forming a layer of a nucleation-promoting material over at least a portion of a surface of the substrate, and depositing a layer of molten feedstock over the surface of the substrate and in contact with the layer of the nucleation-promoting material, while maintaining a temperature gradient across the layer of the molten feedstock.

[0059] Further example deposition methods for forming organic solid crystals include vapor phase growth, solid state growth, melt-based growth, solution growth, etc., optionally in conjunction with a suitable substrate. A substrate may be organic or inorganic. According to some embodiments, solid-, liquid-, orgas-phase deposition processes may include epitaxial processes.

[0060] In accordance with various embodiments, the optical and electrooptical properties of an organic solid crystal may be tuned using doping and related techniques. Doping may influence the polarizability of an organic solid crystal thin film, for example. The introduction of dopants, i.e., impurities, into an organic solid crystal, may influence, for example, the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) bands and hence the band gap of the OSC material, its induced dipole moment, and / or its molecular / crystal polarizability.

[0061] Doping may be performed in situ, i.e., during epitaxial growth, or following epitaxial growth, for example, using ion implantation or plasma doping. In exemplary embodiments, doping may be used to modify the electronic structure of an organic solid crystal without damaging molecular packing or the crystal structure itself. In this vein, a post-implantation annealing step may be used to heal crystal defects introduced during ion implantation. Annealing may include rapid thermal annealing or pulsed annealing, for example.

[0062] Doping changes the electron and hole carrier concentrations of a host material at thermal equilibrium. A doped organic solid crystal may be p-type or n-type. As used herein, "p-type" refers to the addition of impurities to an organic solid crystal that create a deficiency of valence electrons, whereas "n-type" refers to the addition of impurities that contribute free electrons to an organic solid crystal. Without wishing to be bound by theory, doping may influence "n-stacking" and "7t-7t interactions" within an organic solid crystal.

[0063] Example dopants include Lewis acids (electron acceptors) and Lewis bases (electron donors). Particular examples include charge-neutral and ionic species, e.g., Brpnsted acids and Brpnsted bases, which in addition to the aforementioned processes may be incorporated into an organic solid crystal by solution growth or co-deposition from the vapor phase. In particular embodiments, a dopant may include an organic molecule, an organic ion, an inorganic molecule, or an inorganic ion. A doping profile may be homogeneous or localized to a particular region (e.g., depth) of an organic solid crystal thin film.

[0064] Following deposition, an OSC thin film may be diced and polished to achieve a desired form factor and surface quality. Dicing may include diamond turning, for example, although other cutting methods may be used. Polishing may include chemical mechanical polishing. In some embodiments, a chemical or mechanical surface treatment may be used to create structures on a surface of an OSC thin film. Example surface treatment methods include diamond turning, localized sublimation, and photolithography / etch processes. In some embodiments, a cover plate or substrate with reciprocal structures may be used to fabricate surface structures of an OSC thin film, e.g., during zone annealing.

[0065] Structurally, the disclosed organic materials may include glassy, polycrystalline, or single crystal morphologies. A crystalline phase may constitute at least approximately 80% of an organic solid crystal thin film or ingot, e.g., at least approximately 80%, at least approximately 85%, at least approximately 90%, or at least approximately 95%, including ranges between any of the foregoing values. Organic solid crystals, for instance, may include closely packed structures (e.g., organic molecules) that exhibit desirable optical properties such as a high and tunable refractive index, and high birefringence. Such materials may provide functionalities, including phase modulation, beam steering, wave-front shaping and correction, optical communication, optical computation, holography, etc. Due to their optical and mechanical properties, organic solid crystals may enable high-performance devices, and may be incorporated into passive or active optics, including AR / VR headsets, and may replace comparative material systems such as polymers, inorganic materials, and liquid crystals. In certain aspects, organic solid crystals may have optical properties that rival those of inorganic crystals while exhibiting the processability and electrical response of liquid crystals.

[0066] The organic crystalline phase may be characterized by a refractive index along at least one principal axis of at least approximately 1.5 at 589 nm, and may be optically isotropic or anisotropic. By way of example, the refractive index of the organic crystalline phase at 589 nm and along at least one principal axis (e.g., both in-plane principal axes of an organic solid crystal thin film) may be at least approximately 1.5, at least approximately 1.6, at least approximately 1.7, at least approximately 1.8, at least approximately 1.9, at least approximately 2.0, at least approximately 2.1, at least approximately 2.2, at least approximately 2.3, at least approximately 2.4, at least approximately 2.5, or at least approximately 2.6, including ranges between any of the foregoing values. An organic solid crystal thin film may include an organic crystalline phase and may be characterized by a surface roughness (e.g., over an area of at least 1 cm2and independent of surface features such as gratings, etc.) of less than approximately 10 micrometers. The organic solid crystal thin film may be single crystal and may be characterized by three mutually orthogonal refractive indices. Further advantages of the presently-disclosed methods may include improved processability and lower cost relative to alternative methods.

[0067] In some embodiments, the organic crystalline phase may be isotropic (ni = n? = ns) or anisotropic (m £ n2 * ns or n^ n? = ns or ni = n2 * ns or ni = ns * ns) and thus may be characterized by a birefringence (An) of at least approximately 0.2, e.g., at least approximately 0.2, at least approximately 0.3, at least approximately 0.4, or at least approximately 0.5, including ranges between any of the foregoing values. In some embodiments, a birefringent organic crystalline phase may be characterized by a birefringence of less than approximately 0.2, e.g., less than approximately 0.2, less than approximately 0.1, less than approximately 0.05, less than approximately 0.02, less than approximately 0.01, less than approximately 0.005, less than approximately 0.002, or less than approximately 0.001, including ranges between any of the foregoing values. In particular embodiments, an OSC thin film may be characterized by an in-plane refractive index of at least approximately 1.8 across the visible spectrum, and an in-plane birefringence of at least approximately 0.2.

[0068] In some embodiments, the organic crystalline phase may define a surface of a thin film having a surface roughness (Ra) of less than approximately 10 micrometers over an area of at least approximately 1 cm2. In some embodiments, at least one surface of the organic thin film may have a surface roughness (Ra) of less than approximately 10000 nm, less than approximately 5000 nm, less than approximately 2000 nm, less than approximately 1000 nm, less than approximately 500 nm, less than approximately 200 nm, less than approximately 100 nm, less than approximately 50 nm, less than approximately 20 nm, less than approximately 10 nm, less than approximately 5 nm, less than approximately 2 nm, or less than approximately 1 nm, including ranges between any of the foregoing values. Surface roughness may be measured by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), or using a suitable optical metrology platform, such as a 3D optical profilometer.

[0069] An organic thin film may be configured in a variety of shapes and / or form factors. An organic solid crystal may include a surface that is planar, convex, or concave. In some embodiments, the surface may include a 2D or 3D architecture, such as a periodic or nonperiodic surface grating. In further embodiments, an OSC thin film may be configured as a microlens or a prismatic lens. For instance, polarization optics may include a microlens that selectively focuses one polarization of light over another.

[0070] In some embodiments, a structured surface may be formed in situ, i.e., during crystal growth of the organic solid crystal. In further embodiments, a structured surface may be formed after crystal growth, e.g., using additive or subtractive processing, such as photolithography and etching or local thermal evaporation. A thin film or bulk crystal of an organic semiconductor may be free-standing or disposed over a substrate. A substrate, if used, may be rigid or deformable. The nucleation and growth kinetics and choice of chemistry may be selected to produce a solid organic crystal thin film having areal (lateral) dimensions of at least approximately 1 cm.

[0071] According to some embodiments, the disclosed organic solid crystals may have an actively tunable refractive index and birefringence. The disclosed organic solid crystals may be tuned to provide polarization selectivity. Applicants have shown that through the application of an electric current and / or voltage, the refractive index of various organic compositions can be tuned to a commercially-relevant degree in a highly controlled fashion.

[0072] As will be appreciated, one or more characteristics of organic solid crystals may be specifically tailored for a particular application. For many optical applications, for instance, it may be advantageous to control crystallite size, surface roughness, mechanical strength and toughness, and the orientation of crystallites and / or molecules within an organic solid crystal thin film.

[0073] Example processes may be integrated with a real-time feedback loop that is configured to assess one or more attributes of the organic solid crystal thin film and accordingly adjust one or more process variables, including melt temperature, substrate temperature, draw rate, etc. Resultant organic solid crystal structures may be incorporated into optical elements such as AR / VR headsets and other devices, e.g., waveguides, prisms, Fresnel lenses, and the like.

[0074] According to some embodiments, one or more organic solid crystal material layers may be used to form a variety of device architectures, including transistors, diodes, capacitors, etc. Example transistor architectures may include MOSFET, JFET, ESFET, HEMT, BJT, etc. In certain embodiments, a transistor architecture may include an OFET, which may have a geometry selected from TGTC, BGTC, TGBC, and BGBC. Example diodes may include p- n junction, Schottky, avalanche, and PIN geometries. Example capacitors may include a parallel plate geometry. In a multilayer architecture, the composition, structure, and properties of each organic solid crystal layer may be independently selected.

[0075] The active modulation of refractive index may improve the performance of photonic systems and devices, including passive and active optical waveguides, resonators, lasers, optical modulators, etc. Further example active optics include projectors and projection optics, ophthalmic high index lenses, eye-tracking, gradient-index optics, Pancharatnam-Berry phase (PBP) lenses, microlenses, pupil steering elements, optical computing, fiber optics, rewritable optical data storage, all-optical logic gates, multiwavelength optical data processing, optical transistors, etc.

[0076] According to further embodiments, organic solid crystals (e.g., OSC thin films) may be incorporated into passive optics, such as waveguides, reflective polarizers, refractive / diffractive lenses, and the like. Related optical elements for passive optics may include waveguides, polarization selective gratings, Fresnel lenses, microlenses, geometric lenses, PBP lenses, and multilayer thin films.

[0077] According to various embodiments, an organic solid crystal may be integrated into an optical component or device, such as an OFET, OPV, OLED, etc., and may be incorporated into an optical element such as a waveguide, Fresnel lens (e.g., a cylindrical Fresnel lens or a spherical Fresnel lens), grating, photonic integrated circuit, birefringent compensation layer, reflective polarizer, index matching layer (LED / OLED), and the like. In certain embodiments, grating architectures may be tunable along one, two, orthree principal axes. Optical elements may include a single layer or a multilayer OSC architecture.

[0078] Organic materials exhibiting optical anisotropy may be incorporated into a variety of systems and devices, including lenses, birefringent gratings, reflective polarizers, optical compensators and optical retarders for systems using polarized light such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs). Fresnel lenses may be used in wearable optics to focus light. Birefringent gratings may be used as optical combiners in augmented reality displays, for instance, and as input and output couplers for waveguides and fiber optic systems. Reflective polarizers may be used in many display-related applications, particularly in pancake optical systems and for brightness enhancement within display systems that use polarized light. For orthogonally polarized light, pancake lenses may use reflective polarizers with extremely high contrast ratios for transmitted light, reflected light, or both transmitted and reflected light.

[0079] Features from any of the embodiments described herein may be used in combination with one another in accordance with the general principles described herein. These and other embodiments, features, and advantages will be more fully understood upon reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims.

[0080] The following will provide, with reference to FIGS. 1-12, detailed descriptions of structured organic solid crystals and their methods of manufacture. The discussion associated with FIGS. 1-10 includes a description of example ID and 2D OSC structures. The discussion associated with FIGS. 11 and 12 relates to exemplary virtual reality and augmented reality devices that may include one or more organic solid crystals as disclosed herein.

[0081] Referring to FIG. 1, shown is a generalized schematic illustration of an optical element 100 including a structured OSC layer 130 overlying a substrate 110. An optional intervening thin film 120 may be configured to provide a suitable deposition surface for the OSC layer 130 and / or promote adhesion between the OSC material and the substrate 110. The intervening thin film 120 may be index-matched with the substrate and / or configured to not contribute to unwanted refraction. Particularly in the example of a refractive index mismatch between the intervening layer 120 and the substrate 110, a thickness of the intervening thin film 120 may be less than approximately 50 nm, e.g., 5, 10, 20, or 50 nm, including ranges between any of the foregoing values.

[0082] Depicted in FIG. 2 are example ID periodic and non-periodic OSC structures 130A, 130B, respectively, and in FIG. 3 example 2D periodic and non-periodic OSC structures 130C, 130D, respectively, which may be configured with any suitable shape and dimensions. For instance, the OSC structures may be configured as raised features, such as ridges, posts, pillars, bumps, etc. where a lateral dimension (d) of the OSC features may range from 10 nm to 100 pm, and an inter-feature spacing (A) of adjacent features may be 10 nm to 100 pm. Amongst plural features, one or both of a lateral dimension (e.g., line width) (d) and an interfeature spacing (e.g., pitch) (A) may be constant or variable. The features may be arranged at any suitable slant angle (0), where 0° < 0 < 90°. A ID or 2D periodic structure (i.e., grating) may be used as a waveguide in-coupling or out-coupling element, for example. A ID or 2D non-periodic structure may be incorporated into a lens as a light-manipulating layer.

[0083] Referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, shown are ID and 2D periodic structures where the OSC features have a controlled crystallographic orientation, where refractive indices (nx, ny, nz) may be aligned with major dimensions (length, width, height) of the features or, as illustrated, rotated with respect to the major dimensions.

[0084] An example stacked structure is shown in FIG. 6. With respect to FIG. 6A, which depicts single layer OSC structures, the stacked structures shown in FIG. 6B may include alternating layers of an OSC material and a second component or alternating layers of different OSC materials, including OSC materials configured with different crystallographic orientations.

[0085] Turning to FIG. 7, shown are example ID composite structures. FIG. 7A shows an example periodic architecture and FIG. 7B shows an example non-periodic architecture where OSC features 130A, 130B are embedded in a substrate 700. Referring to FIG. 8, shown are example 2D composite structures. FIG. 8A shows an example periodic architecture 801 and FIG. 8B shows an example non-periodic architecture 802 where OSC features 130C, 130D are embedded in a substrate 800.

[0086] In the composite structures of FIGS. 7 and 8, substrates 700, 800 may include a dielectric material or an optical polymer, for example, or an OSC material, which may be equivalent to or different from the OSC material constituting features 130A, 130B, 130C, 130D. Example optical polymers include polyacrylates, silicones, fluorinated polymers, polyolefins, polyurethanes, etc. In particular embodiments, the substrate may be optically isotropic or anisotropic and the OSC material may be optically isotropic or anisotropic.

[0087] In certain examples, the composite structures of FIGS. 7 and 8 may be formed by patterning the substrate and selectively removing exposed regions of the substrate to create trenches or vias and backfilling the trenches or vias with the OSC material.

[0088] Referring to FIG. 9, composite structures may be stacked to form a multi-layer, such as a bilayer including a first composite layer 801 and a second composite layer 802 overlying the first composite layer 801.

[0089] A further example multilayer OSC-based structure is shown in FIG. 10. The example multilayer structure of FIG. 10 includes a structured OSC layer 130 sandwiched between a symmetric stack of overlying and underlying layers, such as one or more alignment layers, buffer layers, and / or other functional or passive layers, 1010, 1020.

[0090] Example Embodiments

[0091] Example 1: An optical element includes a layer having a structured surface, where the layer includes an organic solid crystal material, the structured surface includes a configuration of features that are arranged in a one-dimensional (ID) or two-dimensional (2D) periodic or non-periodic pattern, and the structured surface is configured to modify a property selected from transmission, reflection, and scattering of light interacting with the optical element.

[0092] Example 2: The optical element of Example 1, where the features are raised features selected from ridges, posts, pillars, and bumps.

[0093] Example 3: The optical element of any of Examples 1 and 2, where the ID periodic configuration of the features includes a repeating pattern along a single direction.

[0094] Example 4: The optical element of any of Examples 1 and 2, where the 2D periodic configuration of the features includes a repeating pattern along two orthogonal directions.

[0095] Example 5: The optical element of any of Examples 1 and 2, where the non-periodic configuration of the features is selected to produce a random, aperiodic, or quasiperiodic arrangement of the features.

[0096] Example 6: The optical element of any of Examples 1-5, where the features of the structured surface are dimensioned to interact with at least one of ultraviolet, visible, or infrared radiation.

[0097] Example 7: The optical element of any of Examples 1-6, where the features include a lateral dimension of 10 nm to 100 pm.

[0098] Example 8: The optical element of any of Examples 1-7, where the features include an inter-feature spacing of 10 nm to 100 pm.

[0099] Example 9: The optical element of any of Examples 1-8, further including a substrate, where the features are at least partially embedded within the substrate.

[0100] Example 10: The optical element of any of Examples 1-9, where the layer includes a single layer of the organic solid crystal material.

[0101] Example 11: The optical element of any of Examples 1-9, where the layer includes a multilayer of sublayers and at least one of the sublayers includes the organic solid crystal material.

[0102] Example 12: The optical element of any of Examples 1-11, where the structured surface is configured to control at least one optical property selected from diffraction, polarization, light scattering, focus, and light intensity distribution.

[0103] Example 13: An optical device including the optical element of any of Examples 1- 12, where the optical device is selected from a lens, a diffraction grating, an optical filter, a holographic device, a light guide, and a beam-shaping element.

[0104] Example 14: An optical element includes a layer including a configuration of features arranged in a one-dimensional (ID) or two dimensional (2D) periodic or non-periodic pattern, where the layer includes an organic solid crystal material, and the layer is configured to modify a property selected from transmission, reflection, and scattering of light interacting with the optical element.

[0105] Example 15: The optical element of Example 14, where the features include a lateral dimension of 10 nm to 100 pm.

[0106] Example 16: The optical element of any of Examples 14 and 15, where the features include an inter-feature spacing of 10 nm to 100 pm.

[0107] Example 17: The optical element of any of Examples 14-16, further including a substrate, where the features are at least partially embedded within the substrate.

[0108] Example 18: The optical element of any of Examples 14-17, where the layer includes a single layer of the organic solid crystal material.

[0109] Example 19: The optical element of any of Examples 14-17, where the layer includes a multilayer of sublayers and at least one of the sublayers includes the organic solid crystal material.

[0110] Example 20: An optical element includes a layer having a structured surface including a configuration of features arranged in a one-dimensional (ID) or two dimensional (2D) periodic or non-periodic pattern, where the features include an organic solid crystal material, and the features are configured to modify a property selected from transmission, reflection, and scattering of light interacting with the optical element.

[0111] Embodiments of the present disclosure may include or be implemented in conjunction with various types of artificial-reality systems. Artificial reality is a form of reality that has been adjusted in some manner before presentation to a user, which may include, for example, a virtual reality, an augmented reality, a mixed reality, a hybrid reality, or some combination and / or derivative thereof. Artificial-reality content may include completely computergenerated content or computer-generated content combined with captured (e.g., real-world) content. The artificial-reality content may include video, audio, haptic feedback, or some combination thereof, any of which may be presented in a single channel or in multiple channels (such as stereo video that produces a three-dimensional (3D) effect to the viewer). Additionally, in some embodiments, artificial reality may also be associated with applications, products, accessories, services, or some combination thereof, that are used to, for example, create content in an artificial reality and / or are otherwise used in (e.g., to perform activities in) an artificial reality.

[0112] Artificial-reality systems may be implemented in a variety of different form factors and configurations. Some artificial-reality systems may be designed to work without near-eye displays (NEDs). Other artificial-reality systems may include an NED that also provides visibility into the real world (e.g., augmented-reality system 1100 in FIG. 11) or that visually immerses a user in an artificial reality (e.g., virtual-reality system 1200 in FIG. 12). While some artificialreality devices may be self-contained systems, other artificial-reality devices may communicate and / or coordinate with external devices to provide an artificial-reality experience to a user. Examples of such external devices include handheld controllers, mobile devices, desktop computers, devices worn by a user, devices worn by one or more other users, and / or any other suitable external system.

[0113] Turning to FIG. 11, augmented-reality system 1100 may include an eyewear device 1102 with a frame 1110 configured to hold a left display device 1115(A) and a right display device 1115(B) in front of a user's eyes. Display devices 1115(A) and 1115(B) may act together or independently to present an image or series of images to a user. While augmented-reality system 1100 includes two displays, embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented in augmented-reality systems with a single NED or more than two NEDs.

[0114] In some embodiments, augmented-reality system 1100 may include one or more sensors, such as sensor 1140. Sensor 1140 may generate measurement signals in response to motion of augmented-reality system 1100 and may be located on substantially any portion of frame 1110. Sensor 1140 may represent a position sensor, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), a depth camera assembly, a structured light emitter and / or detector, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, augmented-reality system 1100 may or may not include sensor 1140 or may include more than one sensor. In embodiments in which sensor 1140 includes an IMU, the IMU may generate calibration data based on measurement signals from sensor 1140. Examples of sensor 1140 may include, without limitation, accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, other suitable types of sensors that detect motion, sensors used for error correction of the IMU, or some combination thereof.

[0115] Augmented-reality system 1100 may also include a microphone array with a plurality of acoustic transducers 1120(A)-1120(J), referred to collectively as acoustic transducers 1120. Acoustic transducers 1120 may be transducers that detect air pressure variations induced by sound waves. Each acoustic transducer 1120 may be configured to detect sound and convert the detected sound into an electronic format (e.g., an analog or digital format). The microphone array in FIG. 11 may include, for example, ten acoustic transducers: 1120(A) and 1120(B), which may be designed to be placed inside a corresponding ear of the user, acoustic transducers 1120(C), 1120(D), 1120(E), 1120(F), 1120(G), and 1120(H), which may be positioned at various locations on frame 1110, and / or acoustic transducers 1120(1) and 1120(J), which may be positioned on a corresponding neckband 1105.

[0116] In some embodiments, one or more of acoustic transducers 1120(A)-(F) may be used as output transducers (e.g., speakers). For example, acoustic transducers 1120(A) and / or 1120(B) may be earbuds or any other suitable type of headphone or speaker.

[0117] The configuration of acoustic transducers 1120 of the microphone array may vary. While augmented-reality system 1100 is shown in FIG. 11 as having ten acoustic transducers 1120, the number of acoustic transducers 1120 may be greater or less than ten. In some embodiments, using higher numbers of acoustic transducers 1120 may increase the amount of audio information collected and / or the sensitivity and accuracy of the audio information. In contrast, using a lower number of acoustic transducers 1120 may decrease the computing power required by an associated controller 1150 to process the collected audio information. In addition, the position of each acoustic transducer 1120 of the microphone array may vary. For example, the position of an acoustic transducer 1120 may include a defined position on the user, a defined coordinate on frame 1110, an orientation associated with each acoustic transducer 1120, or some combination thereof.

[0118] Acoustic transducers 1120(A) and 1120(B) may be positioned on different parts of the user's ear, such as behind the pinna, behind the tragus, and / or within the auricle or fossa. Or, there may be additional acoustic transducers 1120 on or surrounding the ear in addition to acoustic transducers 1120 inside the ear canal. Having an acoustic transducer 1120 positioned next to an ear canal of a user may enable the microphone array to collect information on how sounds arrive at the ear canal. By positioning at least two of acoustic transducers 1120 on either side of a user's head (e.g., as binaural microphones), augmented-reality device 1100 may simulate binaural hearing and capture a 3D stereo sound field around about a user's head. In some embodiments, acoustic transducers 1120(A) and 1120(B) may be connected to augmented-reality system 1100 via a wired connection 1130, and in other embodiments acoustic transducers 1120(A) and 1120(B) may be connected to augmented-reality system 1100 via a wireless connection (e.g., a Bluetooth connection). In still other embodiments, acoustic transducers 1120(A) and 1120(B) may not be used at all in conjunction with augmented-reality system 1100.

[0119] Acoustic transducers 1120 on frame 1110 may be positioned along the length of the temples, across the bridge, above or below display devices 1115(A) and 1115(B), or some combination thereof. Acoustic transducers 1120 may be oriented such that the microphone array is able to detect sounds in a wide range of directions surrounding the user wearing the augmented-reality system 1100. In some embodiments, an optimization process may be performed during manufacturing of augmented-reality system 1100 to determine relative positioning of each acoustic transducer 1120 in the microphone array.

[0120] In some examples, augmented-reality system 1100 may include or be connected to an external device (e.g., a paired device), such as neckband 1105. Neckband 1105 generally represents any type or form of paired device. Thus, the following discussion of neckband 1105 may also apply to various other paired devices, such as charging cases, smart watches, smart phones, wrist bands, other wearable devices, hand-held controllers, tablet computers, laptop computers, other external compute devices, etc.

[0121] As shown, neckband 1105 may be coupled to eyewear device 1102 via one or more connectors. The connectors may be wired or wireless and may include electrical and / or nonelectrical (e.g., structural) components. In some cases, eyewear device 1102 and neckband 1105 may operate independently without any wired or wireless connection between them. While FIG. 11 illustrates the components of eyewear device 1102 and neckband 1105 in example locations on eyewear device 1102 and neckband 1105, the components may be located elsewhere and / or distributed differently on eyewear device 1102 and / or neckband 1105. In some embodiments, the components of eyewear device 1102 and neckband 1105 may be located on one or more additional peripheral devices paired with eyewear device 1102, neckband 1105, or some combination thereof.

[0122] Pairing external devices, such as neckband 1105, with augmented-reality eyewear devices may enable the eyewear devices to achieve the form factor of a pair of glasses while still providing sufficient battery and computation power for expanded capabilities. Some or all of the battery power, computational resources, and / or additional features of augmented- reality system 1100 may be provided by a paired device or shared between a paired device and an eyewear device, thus reducing the weight, heat profile, and form factorof the eyewear device overall while still retaining desired functionality. For example, neckband 1105 may allow components that would otherwise be included on an eyewear device to be included in neckband 1105 since users may tolerate a heavier weight load on their shoulders than they would tolerate on their heads. Neckband 1105 may also have a larger surface area over which to diffuse and disperse heat to the ambient environment. Thus, neckband 1105 may allow for greater battery and computation capacity than might otherwise have been possible on a stand-alone eyewear device. Since weight carried in neckband 1105 may be less invasive to a user than weight carried in eyewear device 1102, a user may tolerate wearing a lighter eyewear device and carrying or wearing the paired device for greater lengths of time than a user would tolerate wearing a heavy standalone eyewear device, thereby enabling users to more fully incorporate artificial-reality environments into their day-to-day activities.

[0123] Neckband 1105 may be communicatively coupled with eyewear device 1102 and / or to other devices. These other devices may provide certain functions (e.g., tracking, localizing, depth mapping, processing, storage, etc.) to augmented-reality system 1100. In the embodiment of FIG. 11, neckband 1105 may include two acoustic transducers (e.g., 1120(1) and 1120(J)) that are part of the microphone array (or potentially form their own microphone subarray). Neckband 1105 may also include a controller 1125 and a power source 1135.

[0124] Acoustic transducers 1120(1) and 1120(1) of neckband 1105 may be configured to detect sound and convert the detected sound into an electronic format (analog or digital). In the embodiment of FIG. 11, acoustic transducers 1120(1) and 1120(J) may be positioned on neckband 1105, thereby increasing the distance between the neckband acoustic transducers 1120(1) and 1120(J) and other acoustic transducers 1120 positioned on eyewear device 1102. In some cases, increasing the distance between acoustic transducers 1120 of the microphone array may improve the accuracy of beamforming performed via the microphone array. For example, if a sound is detected by acoustic transducers 1120(C) and 1120(D) and the distance between acoustic transducers 1120(C) and 1120(D) is greaterthan, e.g., the distance between acoustic transducers 1120(D) and 1120(E), the determined source location of the detected sound may be more accurate than if the sound had been detected by acoustic transducers 1120(D) and 1120(E).

[0125] Controller 1125 of neckband 1105 may process information generated by the sensors on neckband 1105 and / or augmented-reality system 1100. For example, controller 1125 may process information from the microphone array that describes sounds detected by the microphone array. For each detected sound, controller 1125 may perform a direction-of- arrival (DOA) estimation to estimate a direction from which the detected sound arrived at the microphone array. As the microphone array detects sounds, controller 1125 may populate an audio data set with the information. In embodiments in which augmented-reality system 1100 includes an inertial measurement unit, controller 1125 may compute all inertial and spatial calculations from the IMU located on eyewear device 1102. A connector may convey information between augmented-reality system 1100 and neckband 1105 and between augmented-reality system 1100 and controller 1125. The information may be in the form of optical data, electrical data, wireless data, or any other transmittable data form. Moving the processing of information generated by augmented-reality system 1100 to neckband 1105 may reduce weight and heat in eyewear device 1102, making it more comfortable to the user.

[0126] Power source 1135 in neckband 1105 may provide power to eyewear device 1102 and / or to neckband 1105. Power source 1135 may include, without limitation, lithium ion batteries, lithium-polymer batteries, primary lithium batteries, alkaline batteries, or any other form of power storage. In some cases, power source 1135 may be a wired power source. Including power source 1135 on neckband 1105 instead of on eyewear device 1102 may help better distribute the weight and heat generated by power source 1135.

[0127] As noted, some artificial-reality systems may, instead of blending an artificial reality with actual reality, substantially replace one or more of a user's sensory perceptions of the real world with a virtual experience. One example of this type of system is a head-worn display system, such as virtual-reality system 1200 in FIG. 12, that mostly or completely covers a user's field of view. Virtual-reality system 1200 may include a front rigid body 1202 and a band 1204 shaped to fit around a user's head. Virtual-reality system 1200 may also include output audio transducers 1206(A) and 1206(B). Furthermore, while not shown in FIG. 12, front rigid body 1202 may include one or more electronic elements, including one or more electronic displays, one or more inertial measurement units (IMUs), one or more tracking emitters or detectors, and / or any other suitable device or system for creating an artificial reality experience.

[0128] Artificial-reality systems may include a variety of types of visual feedback mechanisms. For example, display devices in augmented-reality system 1100 and / or virtual-reality system 1200 may include one or more liquid crystal displays (LCDs), light emitting diode (LED) displays, organic LED (OLED) displays, digital light project (DLP) micro-displays, liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) micro-displays, and / or any other suitable type of display screen. Artificial-reality systems may include a single display screen for both eyes or may provide a display screen for each eye, which may allow for additional flexibility for varifocal adjustments or for correcting a user's refractive error. Some artificial-reality systems may also include optical subsystems having one or more lenses (e.g., conventional concave or convex lenses, Fresnel lenses, adjustable liquid lenses, etc.) through which a user may view a display screen. These optical subsystems may serve a variety of purposes, including to collimate (e.g., make an object appear at a greater distance than its physical distance), to magnify (e.g., make an object appear larger than its actual size), and / or to relay (to, e.g., the viewer's eyes) light. These optical subsystems may be used in a non-pupil-forming architecture (such as a single lens configuration that directly collimates light but results in so-called pincushion distortion) and / or a pupil-forming architecture (such as a multi-lens configuration that produces so- called barrel distortion to nullify pincushion distortion).

[0129] In addition to or instead of using display screens, some artificial-reality systems may include one or more projection systems. For example, display devices in augmented-reality system 1100 and / or virtual-reality system 1200 may include micro-LED projectors that project light (using, e.g., a waveguide) into display devices, such as clear combiner lenses that allow ambient light to pass through. The display devices may refract the projected light toward a user's pupil and may enable a user to simultaneously view both artificial-reality content and the real world. The display devices may accomplish this using any of a variety of different optical components, including waveguide components (e.g., holographic, planar, diffractive, polarized, and / or reflective waveguide elements), light-manipulation surfaces and elements (such as diffractive, reflective, and refractive elements and gratings), coupling elements, etc. Artificial-reality systems may also be configured with any other suitable type or form of image projection system, such as retinal projectors used in virtual retina displays.

[0130] Artificial-reality systems may also include various types of computer vision components and subsystems. For example, augmented-reality system 1100 and / or virtual- reality system 1200 may include one or more optical sensors, such as two-dimensional (2D) or 3D cameras, structured light transmitters and detectors, time-of-flight depth sensors, single-beam or sweeping laser rangefinders, 3D LiDAR sensors, and / or any other suitable type or form of optical sensor. An artificial-reality system may process data from one or more of these sensors to identify a location of a user, to map the real world, to provide a user with context about real-world surroundings, and / or to perform a variety of other functions.

[0131] Artificial-reality systems may also include one or more input and / or output audio transducers. In the examples shown in FIG. 12, output audio transducers 1206(A) and 1206(B) may include voice coil speakers, ribbon speakers, electrostatic speakers, piezoelectric speakers, bone conduction transducers, cartilage conduction transducers, tragus-vibration transducers, and / or any other suitable type or form of audio transducer. Similarly, input audio transducers may include condenser microphones, dynamic microphones, ribbon microphones, and / or any other type or form of input transducer. In some embodiments, a single transducer may be used for both audio input and audio output.

[0132] While not shown in FIG. 11, artificial-reality systems may include tactile (i.e., haptic) feedback systems, which may be incorporated into headwear, gloves, body suits, handheld controllers, environmental devices (e.g., chairs, floormats, etc.), and / or any other type of device or system. Haptic feedback systems may provide various types of cutaneous feedback, including vibration, force, traction, texture, and / or temperature. Haptic feedback systems may also provide various types of kinesthetic feedback, such as motion and compliance. Haptic feedback may be implemented using motors, piezoelectric actuators, fluidic systems, and / or a variety of other types of feedback mechanisms. Haptic feedback systems may be implemented independent of other artificial-reality devices, within other artificial-reality devices, and / or in conjunction with other artificial-reality devices.

[0133] By providing haptic sensations, audible content, and / or visual content, artificial-reality systems may create an entire virtual experience or enhance a user's real-world experience in a variety of contexts and environments. For instance, artificial-reality systems may assist or extend a user's perception, memory, or cognition within a particular environment. Some systems may enhance a user's interactions with other people in the real world or may enable more immersive interactions with other people in a virtual world. Artificial-reality systems may also be used for educational purposes (e.g., for teaching or training in schools, hospitals, government organizations, military organizations, business enterprises, etc.), entertainment purposes (e.g., for playing video games, listening to music, watching video content, etc.), and / or for accessibility purposes (e.g., as hearing aids, visual aids, etc.). The embodiments disclosed herein may enable or enhance a user's artificial-reality experience in one or more of these contexts and environments and / or in other contexts and environments. The process parameters and sequence of the steps described and / or illustrated herein are given by way of example only and can be varied as desired. For example, while the steps illustrated and / or described herein may be shown or discussed in a particular order, these steps do not necessarily need to be performed in the order illustrated or discussed. The various exemplary methods described and / or illustrated herein may also omit one or more of the steps described or illustrated herein or include additional steps in addition to those disclosed.

[0134] The preceding description has been provided to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize various aspects of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein. This exemplary description is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to any precise form disclosed. The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive.

[0135] Unless otherwise noted, the terms "connected to" and "coupled to" (and their derivatives), as used in the specification and claims, are to be construed as permitting both direct and indirect (i.e., via other elements or components) connection. In addition, the terms "a" or "an," as used in the specification and claims, are to be construed as meaning "at least one of." Finally, for ease of use, the terms "including" and "having" (and their derivatives), as used in the specification and claims, are interchangeable with and have the same meaning as the word "comprising."

[0136] It will be understood that when an element such as a layer or a region is referred to as being formed on, deposited on, or disposed "on" or "over" another element, it may be located directly on at least a portion of the other element, or one or more intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on" or "directly over" another element, it may be located on at least a portion of the other element, with no intervening elements present.

[0137] As used herein, the term "approximately" in reference to a particular numeric value or range of values may, in certain embodiments, mean and include the stated value as well as all values within 10% of the stated value. Thus, byway of example, reference to the numeric value "50" as "approximately 50" may, in certain embodiments, include values equal to 50±5, i.e., values within the range 45 to 55.

[0138] As used herein, the term "substantially" in reference to a given parameter, property, or condition may mean and include to a degree that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that the given parameter, property, or condition is met with a small degree of variance, such as within acceptable manufacturing tolerances. By way of example, depending on the particular parameter, property, or condition that is substantially met, the parameter, property, or condition may be at least approximately 90% met, at least approximately 95% met, or even at least approximately 99% met.

[0139] While various features, elements or steps of particular embodiments may be disclosed using the transitional phrase "comprising," it is to be understood that alternative embodiments, including those that may be described using the transitional phrases "consisting of" or "consisting essentially of," are implied. Thus, for example, implied alternative embodiments to a non-volatile medium material that comprises or includes paraffin oil include embodiments where a non-volatile medium material consists essentially of paraffin oil and embodiments where a non-volatile medium material consists of paraffin oil.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An optical element comprising: a layer having a structured surface, wherein the layer comprises an organic solid crystal material; the structured surface comprises a configuration of features, said features being arranged in a one-dimensional, ID, or two-dimensional, 2D, periodic or non-periodic pattern; and the structured surface is configured to modify a property selected from the group consisting of transmission, reflection, and scattering of light interacting with the optical element.

2. The optical element of claim 1, wherein the features are raised features selected from the group consisting of ridges, posts, pillars, and bumps.

3. The optical element of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein: the ID periodic configuration of the features comprises a repeating pattern along a single direction, and / or the 2D periodic configuration of the features comprises a repeating pattern along two orthogonal directions.

4. The optical element of any preceding claim, wherein the non-periodic configuration of the features is selected to produce a random, aperiodic, or quasiperiodic arrangement of the features.

5. The optical element of any preceding claim, wherein the features of the structured surface are dimensioned to interact with at least one of ultraviolet, visible, or infrared radiation.

6. The optical element of any preceding claim, wherein: the features comprise a lateral dimension of 10 nm to 100 pm, and / or wherein the features comprises an inter-feature spacing of 10 nm to 100 pm.

7. The optical element of any preceding claim, further comprising a substrate, wherein the features are at least partially embedded within the substrate.

8. The optical element of any preceding claim, wherein: the layer comprises a single layer of the organic solid crystal material, or the layer comprises a multilayer of sublayers and at least one of the sublayers comprises the organic solid crystal material.

9. The optical element of any preceding claim, wherein the structured surface is configured to control at least one optical property selected from the group consisting of diffraction, polarization, light scattering, focus, and light intensity distribution.

10. An optical device comprising the optical element of any preceding claim, wherein the optical device is selected from the group consisting of a lens, a diffraction grating, an optical filter, a holographic device, a light guide, and a beam-shaping element.

11. An optical element comprising: a layer comprising a configuration of features arranged in a one-dimensional, ID, or two dimensional, 2D, periodic or non-periodic pattern, wherein the layer comprises an organic solid crystal material, and the layer is configured to modify a property selected from the group consisting of transmission, reflection, and scattering of light interacting with the optical element.

12. The optical element of claim 11, wherein: the features comprise a lateral dimension of 10 nm to 100 pm, and / or the features comprises an inter-feature spacing of 10 nm to 100 pm.

13. The optical element of claim 11 or claim 12, further comprising a substrate, wherein the features are at least partially embedded within the substrate.

14. The optical element of any of claims 11 to 13, wherein: the layer comprises a single layer of the organic solid crystal material, or the layer comprises a multilayer of sublayers and at least one of the sublayers comprises the organic solid crystal material.

15. An optical element comprising: a layer comprising a structured surface including a configuration of features arranged in a one-dimensional, ID, or two dimensional, 2D, periodic or non-periodic pattern, wherein the features comprise an organic solid crystal material, and the features are configured to modify a property selected from the group consisting of transmission, reflection, and scattering of light interacting with the optical element.

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