Balanced TIR Modulator Beam Steering Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional total internal reflection (TIR) modulators suffer from beam steering effects due to long-range electric fields, leading to placement errors and reduced image quality, as the average electric potential differences between diffracting and non-diffracting regions cause deflection of output radiation.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a balanced TIR modulator design where a first electric potential is imposed on a pixel region by a first electrical conductor extending over a non-pixel region, and a second electric potential is imposed on the same pixel region by a second electrical conductor extending over a different non-pixel region, with the second potential being different from the first, to minimize electric field penetration and reduce beam steering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional TIR modulator uses interdigitated electrodes with unbalanced electric potentials to control diffraction, then the modulator can achieve basic light modulation functionality, but beam steering effects occur due to long-range electric fields causing placement errors and reduced image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies equipotentiality by introducing a reference electrode that establishes a common reference potential across the modulator surface. This reference electrode is positioned to create equipotential regions that cancel out the long-range electric fields responsible for beam steering, while preserving the local potential differences needed for diffraction control in each pixel region.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference electrode acts as an intermediary element between the signal electrodes and the substrate. It mediates the electric field distribution by providing a stable reference potential that prevents direct coupling between adjacent pixel regions, thereby eliminating the harmful beam steering effects while maintaining the necessary field distribution for image formation.
2Device complexity
If signal electrodes extend over non-pixel regions to provide electrical connections, then interconnect requirements are simplified, but electric fields penetrate into adjacent pixel regions causing unwanted interactions and beam steering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrical connection path by introducing the reference electrode as an intermediate connection element. Instead of signal electrodes directly spanning across non-pixel regions and interfering with adjacent pixels, the connection is segmented into segments controlled by the reference electrode, which isolates the electric fields and prevents unwanted interactions between adjacent pixel regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference electrode serves as an intermediary that facilitates electrical connections across non-pixel regions without allowing direct electric field penetration into adjacent pixel regions. It acts as a shield or buffer that enables interconnect functionality while blocking the harmful electric field effects.
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 approach effectively reduces beam steering effects, enhancing the accuracy of image pixel placement and improving the overall visual quality by maintaining balanced electric potentials across pixel regions, thereby minimizing interactions with radiation and aberrations.
Implementation Method 1
Electro-optic materials are those whose optical properties change in accordance with the strength of an electric field established within them.
Implementation Method 2
The application of the voltage alters the refractive index of the electro-optic material, thereby changing a birefringent state of the pixel region 11.
Implementation Method 3
The arrangement of electrodes 15 and 16 in each of the electrode groups S1, S2, S3, S4 . . . Sn causes each of the electrode groups to behave in a manner similar to a diffraction grating.
Implementation Method 4
Surfaces 20 and 22 are arranged to cause input radiation 25 to refract and undergo total internal reflection at surface 18.
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging method includes emitting radiation from an illumination source towards a total internal reflection (TIR) modulator. At least one of the pixel regions is controlled to form at least one image pixel on a surface. A first electric potential is imposed on a first pixel region, the first electric potential being associated with a first signal provided by a first electrical conductor to the second set of electrodes associated with the first pixel region, the first electrical conductor extending over a first non-pixel region. A second electric potential is imposed on the first pixel region, the second electric potential being associated with a second signal provided by a second electrical conductor to first set of electrodes associated with the first pixel region, the second electrical conductor extending over a second non-pixel region, wherein the second non-pixel region is different from the first non-pixel region, and the second electric potential is different from the first electric potential. The second electric potential is imposed on the first non-pixel region.