Diffractive Pixel Mask for Holographic Display Artefacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing holographic display devices suffer from artefacts caused by light reflections from features surrounding the active pixel area, which are not effectively masked, leading to noise in the replay field.
Innovation Solution
A display device with a pixel mask structure featuring a diffractive pattern that surrounds the active pixel area, diffracting light of certain wavelengths while transmitting others without diffraction, thereby reducing unwanted reflections and artefacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a mask is formed on the spatial light modulator surface to block light from non-active areas, then artefacts are reduced, but light intensity reaching the replay field decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mask is segmented into multiple regions with different optical properties: a central transparent region allowing light through and surrounding diffractive regions that scatter light. This segmentation enables selective light management where the center preserves illumination while the periphery reduces artefacts through diffraction.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the mask have different optical characteristics. The central area is transparent to maintain high light intensity for the replay field, while the surrounding areas have diffractive patterns that scatter light to reduce artefacts. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between maintaining intensity and reducing harmful reflections.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a diffractive pattern is used to mask non-active areas, then light is diffracted and artefacts are reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diffractive mask pattern serves multiple functions simultaneously: it masks non-active areas to reduce artefacts, diffracts light to scatter reflections, and maintains a central transparent region to preserve illumination. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The mask structure combines masking functionality with diffraction functionality in a single integrated component. By merging the opaque mask regions with the diffractive pattern in one structure, the patent reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies manufacturing compared to using separate mask and diffraction elements.
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 diffractive pattern effectively reduces the intensity and diffuses light reflections from non-active areas, preventing the formation of visible artefacts and contributing only to background noise in the display area.
Implementation Method 1
The diffractive pattern is configured to diffract light having the first characteristic
Implementation Method 2
transmit light having a second characteristic (without diffraction)
Data Source
AI summary
A display device, a photomask for a display device and a method for fabricating a display device comprising the photomask is described. The display device comprises a plurality of pixels arranged to spatially modulate light having a first characteristic. The display device further comprises a pixel mask structure. The pixel mask structure comprises a diffractive pattern that is configured to diffract light having the first characteristic and to transmit light having a second characteristic (without diffraction). The diffractive pattern of the pixel mask structure substantially surrounds the plurality of pixels.