Complex Spatial Light Modulator for 3D Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D image display technologies using binocular parallax methods can cause eye fatigue and limit the natural 3D effect due to the inability to control both the phase and amplitude of light, leading to image quality deterioration from zero-order diffraction light, twin images, or speckles.
Innovation Solution
A complex spatial light modulator that includes a spatial light modulator, a first prism array, and a hologram optical device to independently modulate the phase and amplitude of light, with a second prism array enhancing light efficiency and preventing image quality deterioration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a device that controls only one of brightness or phase is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the image quality deteriorates due to zero-order diffraction light, twin images, or speckles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light modulation function into two separate components: a spatial light modulator for phase control and a hologram optical device for amplitude control. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in one aspect of modulation, achieving high image quality without requiring a single complex device to handle both functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a beam combiner as an intermediary device that merges the phase-modulated light from the spatial light modulator with the amplitude-modulated light from the hologram optical device. This intermediary component enables the combination of two simpler modulation systems to achieve the效果 of a single complex modulator.
2Device complexity
If binocular parallax method is used for 3D display, then the device complexity is reduced, but the viewer experiences eye fatigue and the natural 3D effect is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/binocular parallax approach with a holographic optical system that uses wavefront modulation. Instead of relying on mechanical separation of left and right eye views, the system uses optical fields to create a true 3D holographic image that naturally accommodates both eyes, eliminating eye fatigue while maintaining simplicity.
3Device complexity
If a single spatial light modulator is used for both phase and amplitude modulation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the light efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the modulation functions into separate dedicated devices: phase modulation handled by the spatial light modulator and amplitude modulation handled by the hologram optical device. This segmentation allows each device to operate at optimal efficiency for its specific function, preventing the light efficiency losses that would occur in a single device attempting to perform both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the outputs of two efficiently operating separate modulation systems through the beam combiner. By combining the phase-modulated and amplitude-modulated light paths, the system achieves both high light efficiency and full complex modulation capability without the losses inherent in single-device approaches.
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 provides high light efficiency and improved 3D image quality by modulating both phase and amplitude, reducing eye fatigue and enhancing the natural 3D effect in holographic displays.
Implementation Method 1
a spatial light modulator configured to modulate a phase of light
Implementation Method 2
a first prism array which is disposed after the spatial light modulator along a path of the light, and including prism units each having a first prism surface and a second prism surface
Implementation Method 3
a hologram optical device configured to diffract the light that has passed through the first prism array independently from a polarization of the light
Implementation Method 4
a second prism array disposed after the hologram optical device along the path of the light
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a complex spatial light modulator and a three-dimensional (3D) image display apparatus. The complex spatial light modulator includes a spatial light modulator configured to modulate a phase of light, a first prism array which is disposed after the spatial light modulator along a path of the light, and including prism units each having a first prism surface and a second prism surface, and a hologram optical device configured to diffract the light that has passed through the first prism array independently from a polarization of the light, where the first prism array and the hologram optical device are configured to modulate the phase and an amplitude of the light.