Apodized Walls for Pixelated Optical Components
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional ophthalmic lenses with pixelated structures suffer from reduced transparency due to light diffraction caused by the walls separating cells, leading to a loss of contrast in the image observed through the lens.
Innovation Solution
The production of optical components with apodized walls, where the edges of the walls are smoothed to reduce diffraction, minimizing the scattering of light and enhancing transparency by suppressing high spatial frequencies and eliminating diffraction at large angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If walls are introduced to separate cells in a pixelated optical component, then structural definition and cell separation are improved, but light diffraction increases causing loss of transparency and image contrast
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the wall thickness along its height - the walls are thinner at the edges and thicker in the middle. This non-uniform thickness distribution creates different optical properties at different locations of the wall, reducing diffraction at the edges while maintaining structural integrity and cell separation in the center.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameter of the wall thickness to optimize optical performance. By modifying the thickness parameter along the wall height rather than maintaining a constant thickness, the design achieves reduced light diffraction while preserving the necessary structural function of cell separation.
2Ease of manufacture
If uniform wall thickness is used for cell separation, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but diffraction at large angles increases reducing image quality
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniform thickness throughout, the wall structure implements local quality variations with different thicknesses at different positions. The edges have reduced thickness to minimize diffraction, while the central region maintains sufficient thickness for structural support and cell definition.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall thickness profile follows a curved distribution rather than a linear or uniform pattern. The gradual transition from thinner edges to thicker center creates a smooth thickness variation that reduces abrupt optical discontinuities and minimizes diffraction effects while maintaining manufacturability.
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 apodization of walls in the optical components significantly reduces the loss of contrast and improves image quality, maintaining transparency and cosmetic integrity essential for ophthalmic lenses.
Implementation Method 1
The walls separating the cells from the optical component interact with the light, diffracting it. Diffraction is defined as the phenomenon of light scattering observed when a light wave is materially limited
Implementation Method 2
The production of a network of cells having walls with apodized profile makes it possible to reduce the spread of the diffusion task and therefore makes it possible to increase the transparency of the object comprising such a network
Data Source
Figure 1~4e
AI summary
The invention concerns a transparent optical component (10) comprising at least one transparent set of cells (15) juxtaposed parallel to a surface of the component, each cell being separated by walls (18) with apodized profile parallel to the surface of the component, and each cell being hermetically sealed and containing at least one substance with optical property. The cells (15) can in particular have a Gaussian profile of walls. The invention also concerns a method for making such an optical component as well as its use for making an optical element. The optical element can in particular be a spectacle lens.