Diffractive Optical Element with Lower Transmittance Base Section
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Solution Overview
Problem
Diffractive optical elements with nanoscale inorganic particles scatter visible light more on the short wavelength side, leading to degraded image quality and blurred images due to high light scattering, which existing technologies fail to adequately address.
Innovation Solution
A diffractive optical element design featuring a substrate with a first resin layer and a second resin layer, where the interface between them forms a diffraction grating, and at least one of the resin layers has a lower transmittance portion with reduced internal transmittance relative to the grating section, minimizing light scattering by reducing transmittance only on the surface and its vicinity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If nanoscale inorganic particles are dispersed in resin materials for diffractive optical elements, then diffraction efficiency is improved, but light scattering increases significantly on the short wavelength side
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a base section with different optical properties (lower transmittance) compared to the grating section. The base section contains nanoscale inorganic particles dispersed in the resin, while the grating section has a different particle concentration or distribution. This local differentiation allows the base section to compensate for chromatic aberration through its specific refractive index dispersion characteristics, while the grating section maintains high diffraction efficiency with controlled light scattering.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining resin materials with dispersed nanoscale inorganic particles in different configurations for the base section and grating section. The base section employs a resin-inorganic particle composite with specific transmittance characteristics to counter chromatic aberration, while the grating section uses a similar composite material optimized for diffraction. This composite approach enables simultaneous achievement of high diffraction efficiency and chromatic aberration correction.
2Reliability
If resin materials with nanoscale inorganic particles are used to achieve high diffraction efficiency, then chromatic aberration correction is improved, but image quality degrades due to light scattering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by differentiating the optical characteristics between the base section and grating section. The base section is designed with lower transmittance (2% to 6% lower) to provide strong chromatic aberration correction through its refractive index dispersion, while the grating section maintains higher transmittance to minimize light scattering and preserve image quality. This localized optimization allows each section to perform its specific function without compromising overall image quality.
3Reliability
If the entire resin layer is made with high diffraction efficiency material, then diffraction performance is maximized, but light scattering affects the entire layer including base sections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the resin layer into two distinct functional sections: the base section and the grating section. The base section uses resin material with nanoscale inorganic particles optimized for chromatic aberration correction with appropriate transmittance characteristics, while the grating section uses material optimized for maximum diffraction efficiency. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific function, preventing light scattering in the base section from degrading overall image quality while maintaining high diffraction efficiency in the grating section.
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 design effectively reduces light scattering in the short wavelength range while maintaining high diffraction efficiency over the entire visible light spectrum, preventing image quality degradation and achieving improved optical performance.
Implementation Method 1
the interface of the first resin layer and the second resin layer forms a diffraction grating
Implementation Method 2
a first resin layer arranged on the substrate; and a second resin layer arranged on the first resin layer, wherein the interface of the first resin layer and the second resin layer forms a diffraction grating
Implementation Method 3
such resin materials tend to scatter light to a large extent by the dispersed nanoscale inorganic particles they contain
Implementation Method 4
the base section of at least either the first resin layer or the second resin layer has a lower transmittance portion showing an internal transmittance per 50 μm of thickness relative to the wavelength of 400 nm
Data Source
AI summary
A diffractive optical element comprises a substrate, a first resin layer arranged on the substrate and a second resin layer arranged on the first resin layer. Each of the first resin layer and the second resin layer includes a grating section, or a layer portion, for forming a diffraction grating and a base section, or another layer portion, held in contact with the grating section. Either the first resin layer or the second resin layer has a lower transmittance portion in the base section thereof that shows an internal transmittance relative to a wavelength of 400 nm which is lower than that of the grating section of the resin layer by not less than 2% and not more than 6%.