Antireflection Optical Device with Hexagonal Lattice Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current antireflection optical devices using periodic concave-convex shapes on surfaces do not achieve optimal antireflection characteristics, especially for improving visibility in display apparatuses like liquid crystal displays, as they rely on specific wavelengths and pitch sizes that limit their effectiveness across the visible light spectrum.
Innovation Solution
The development of an antireflection optical device with structures arranged in hexagonal, quasi-hexagonal, tetragonal, or quasi-tetragonal lattice patterns on the surface, featuring elliptical cone or truncated elliptical cone shapes with specific pitch and filling rate configurations, optimized for fine pitches equal to or smaller than visible light wavelengths, to enhance antireflection characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If periodic concave-convex shapes are formed on the surface with a specific pitch, then antireflection effect is obtained for light with a single wavelength, but the straight-traveling component of transmitted light is greatly reduced due to diffraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pitch parameter of the concave-convex shapes to be smaller than the wavelength of visible light (pitch < 400 nm). This parameter change eliminates diffraction effects while maintaining the antireflection effect, as the sub-wavelength structures create a gradual refractive index transition without causing light to diffract into other directions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the pitch of concave-convex shapes is smaller than the wavelength of light, then light is not diffracted, but the filling rate of the structures is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional circular cross-section structures to three-dimensional elliptical cone or truncated elliptical cone shapes. By elongating the structures in the depth direction (third dimension), the filling rate is significantly increased while maintaining the sub-wavelength pitch, thereby enhancing the antireflection effect without causing diffraction.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional moth-eye structures are used with pitch of about 300 nm and depth of about 400 nm, then reflectance of 1% or less is achieved, but better antireflection characteristic is needed for improving visibility of display apparatuses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes multiple parameters simultaneously: pitch (300-400 nm), depth (500-1000 nm), and aspect ratio (1.5-3.0). The increased depth and optimized aspect ratio create a more gradual refractive index transition, achieving reflectance below 0.5% across the visible spectrum, which is suitable for high-performance display applications requiring excellent visibility.
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
The proposed solution significantly improves antireflection and transmission characteristics by achieving high filling rates and reduced reflectance across the visible light spectrum, enhancing the visibility of display apparatuses and maintaining productivity in manufacturing processes.
Implementation Method 1
when periodic concave-convex shapes are formed on the surface of an optical device, light is diffracted at the time of passing through the concave-convex shapes and the straight-traveling component of the transmitted light is greatly reduced
Implementation Method 2
when the pitch of the concave-convex shapes is smaller than the wavelength of light passing therethrough, the light is not diffracted
Implementation Method 3
an optical device using a light-transmitting substrate such as glass or plastic which is subjected to surface treatment for suppressing the surface reflection of light
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device is provided including plural structures formed of a convex portion or a concave portion are arranged on the surface of a base member with a fine pitch equal to or less than the wavelength of visible light. The structures are arranged on the surface of the base member to form plural lines of tracks and form a hexagonal lattice pattern or a quasi-hexagonal lattice pattern. Each structure has an elliptical cone shape or a truncated elliptical cone shape of which the long-axis direction is parallel to the track extending direction.