Compact Diffuser Using Periodic Surface and Diffractive Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diffusers using diffraction technology are too large for practical use and fail to achieve a uniform distribution of light intensity due to limitations in the maximum period of periodic surface structures.
Innovation Solution
A diffuser design combining periodic surface structures and a diffraction structure with a period between the maximum and double the maximum period of the surface structures, optimized to provide a uniform light intensity distribution within a predetermined angle and zero intensity beyond that angle, allowing for a compact and effective diffuser.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the maximum period of periodic surface structures is increased to achieve uniform light intensity distribution, then the diffuser size becomes too large for practical use
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser surface is segmented into multiple periodic surface structures with different periods. By dividing the surface into regions with varying periods (first period, second period, third period), the patent achieves uniform light distribution without requiring a single large maximum period, thus reducing overall diffuser size while maintaining illumination uniformity.
2Illumination intensity
If the maximum period of periodic surface structures is increased to achieve uniform light intensity distribution, then the diffuser becomes less practical for real-world applications
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the diffuser surface are assigned different local properties in terms of periodic structure periods. The patent specifies that the maximum period is set to between 1/10 to 10 times the wavelength of incident light, creating locally optimized regions that collectively achieve uniform light distribution while maintaining compact overall dimensions for practical use.
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 solution enables the creation of a compact diffuser that achieves a uniform light intensity distribution, overcoming the limitations of previous designs by using a combination of periodic surface structures and diffraction structures to control light diffusion effectively.
Implementation Method 1
A diffuser using diffraction that is small enough for practical use and that provides a uniform distribution of intensity of diffused light
Implementation Method 2
a diffraction structure having a period that is equal to or greater than Λmax and equal to or less than 2Λmax where Λmax represents the maximum period of the periodic surface structures
Data Source
AI summary
A diffusion element is configured by combining: a structure for diffusion constituted by combining periodic surface structures having multiple periods to achieve a light intensity distribution in which the light intensity is uniform at angles less than or equal to a predetermined diffusion angle θ and the light intensity is as close as possible to zero intensity at angles greater than the diffusion angle θ; and a diffractive structure having a period of 1 or more and 2 or less times of Λmax, where Λmax is the maximum period of the structure for diffusion.