2D Material Optical Element with Movable Reflective Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustable optical devices, particularly those with miniaturized controllable pixels, face limitations in terms of adjustable light scattering, interference, and reflectance behavior, as well as issues related to operational frequency, mass, mechanical strength, power consumption, durability, thermal stability, and dynamic range.
Innovation Solution
The development of an optical element with a cover comprising a 2-dimensional material, which includes a support and a means to move the cover's surface between different contour profiles, optimizing transmittance and reflectance ratios, and incorporating amorphous and metal-containing layers for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional materials are used in optical devices, then manufacturing is easier, but mechanical strength and durability are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material structures combining 2-dimensional materials with conventional optical materials to achieve both enhanced mechanical strength and manufacturability. The 2D material layer provides superior strength properties while the underlying structure maintains compatibility with existing manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes thin film structures of 2-dimensional materials deposited on substrates to provide enhanced mechanical properties without significantly increasing device complexity. These thin films can be integrated into existing optical device architectures using standard deposition techniques.
2Volume of moving object
If miniaturized controllable pixels are used, then device size is reduced, but operational frequency and dynamic range are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical moving parts with 2-dimensional material-based optical modulation mechanisms that can operate at higher frequencies. The 2D materials enable electrical or optical control of optical properties without mechanical movement, thereby increasing operational frequency while maintaining miniaturization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the ability of 2-dimensional materials to change their optical parameters (such as refractive index, absorption coefficient) in response to external stimuli, enabling high-speed modulation within miniaturized pixels without mechanical movement limitations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable optical elements are used, then light scattering and interference control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies 2-dimensional materials with spatially varying properties or patterns to achieve local control of light scattering and interference. By creating regions with different optical characteristics within the 2D material layer, the device achieves adjustable optical behavior without requiring complex multi-component structures.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This optical element achieves improved adjustable light scattering, interference, and reflectance behaviors, with increased operational frequency, reduced mass, enhanced mechanical strength, lower power consumption, improved durability, thermal stability, and dynamic range, while maintaining reduced manufacturing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a value of transmittance divided by reflectance of not more than 0.5, preferably not more than 0.25, more preferably not more than 0.1, most preferably not more than 0.01, for light incident on the second surface
Implementation Method 2
improved adjustable light scattering, interference, and reflectance behaviors
Data Source
AI summary
An optical element having a cover comprising a 2-dimensional material. The optical element includes a cover having a first surface and a second surface, a support, and a means, where the cover is orientated with the first surface directed towards the support, a part of the first surface is attached to the support, a spatial arrangement of the second surface relative to the support defines a cover contour profile, the means is adapted and arranged to move the second surface from a first cover contour profile to a further cover contour profile, the cover comprises a 2-dimensional portion which is one or more 2-dimensional materials, the cover has a value of transmittance divided by reflectance of not more than 0.5, for light incident on the second surface, the reflectance and transmittance being measured at a wavelength λ, and λ is in the range from 10 nm to 20 μm.