Transmissive Diffractive Lens Layers for Multi-Phase AR Optics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diffractive optical lenses are limited in terms of phase quantizations and anti-reflective properties, and are not readily compatible with wafer-to-wafer bonding techniques due to their single-material construction and fixed refractive index environments.
Innovation Solution
The development of transmissive diffractive optical elements with multiple phase shift layers, including substrates and immersion material layers, which allow for a plurality of phase quantizations and anti-reflective properties through the use of different materials and layer configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a diffractive optical lens is made of a single material with fixed refractive index, then the lens structure is simple and manufacturing is easier, but the phase quantizations are limited and anti-reflective properties are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is divided into multiple phase shift layers, each layer contributing to different phase quantizations. This segmentation allows the lens to achieve multiple phase states (binary, quaternary, octary, etc.) while maintaining a systematic structure that is manageable in fabrication
Solution Approach 2:
The lens uses composite material structure with multiple phase shift layers made of different materials or configurations. Each layer can have different refractive indices or thicknesses, enabling versatile phase control and anti-reflective properties while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standard semiconductor fabrication processes
2Adaptability or versatility
If diffractive microstructures have various heights and widths to customize function, then the optical performance is improved, but the external surface becomes non-planar
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of varying microstructure heights in the vertical dimension only, the invention uses multiple horizontal layers with different phase shift properties. This dimensional transformation allows customization of optical functions through layer composition and thickness while maintaining a planar external surface at the top layer
3Adaptability or versatility
If the lens is immersed in material with different refractive index, then design freedom and coating compatibility are improved, but the number of phase quantizations and anti-reflective properties are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The immersion lens is segmented into multiple phase shift layers, each capable of introducing different phase shifts. This segmentation enables the lens to achieve multiple phase quantizations (binary, quaternary, octary, etc.) while maintaining the benefits of immersion in a matching medium for reduced reflections and improved coating compatibility
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 lenses with enhanced anti-reflective and diffractive properties, supporting wafer-to-wafer bonding and allowing for a wider range of phase quantizations, thereby improving optical performance and compatibility with various applications.
Implementation Method 1
Diffractive optical lenses, sometimes referred to as diffractive optical elements, are commonly used to modulate light by diffraction
Implementation Method 2
the lenses may be formed so that reflections at one or more interfaces between material layers will destructively interfere, thereby reducing or eliminating reflections
Implementation Method 3
The dimensions, such as the height and width, of the diffractive microstructures may be customized according to the application. A size (i.e., aspect ratio) of the diffractive microstructures is dependent on a difference between the refractive index change of the material of the microstructures and the refractive index of the environment
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments provide optical lenses that include phase shift layers that transmit incident light with four or more distinct phase quantizations. In one embodiment, a lens includes a substrate, a first immersion material layer on the substrate, and a plurality of anti-reflective phase shift layers on the first immersion material layer. The phase shift layers define a first anti-reflective phase shift region that transmits received light without a phase shift, a second anti-reflective phase shift region configured to transmit the received light with a first phase shift, a third anti-reflective phase shift region configured to transmit the received light with a second phase shift, and a fourth anti-reflective phase shift region configured to transmit the received light with a third phase shift. The first, second, and third phase shifts are different from one another.