Dual Absorptive Wire Grid Polarizer for Ghosting Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image projection systems suffer from ghosting due to light reflected from the liquid crystal display (LCD) and X-Cube, which is not adequately addressed by conventional wire grid polarizers.
Innovation Solution
A selectively-absorptive wire grid polarizer with an array of parallel, elongated rods over a transparent substrate, where each rod consists of a reflective wire sandwiched between absorptive ribs, is designed to absorb reflected light from the LCD and X-Cube, comprising layers of absorptive and reflective materials deposited and etched to form the rods, allowing substantial transmission of one polarization and absorption of the opposite polarization from both directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a conventional wire grid polarizer with single-sided absorptive ribs is used, then one polarization is transmitted while the opposite polarization is reflected, but light reflected from the LCD and X-Cube causes ghosting that degrades image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The polarizer structure is segmented into multiple functional regions: a first absorptive region with absorptive ribs extending from the substrate, a second absorptive region with absorptive ribs extending from the opposite substrate surface, and a reflective region with reflective wires positioned between the two absorptive regions. This segmentation allows different portions of the polarizer to handle light from different directions, eliminating ghosting while maintaining structural organization.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the polarizer are assigned different optical properties tailored to their specific functions: the first absorptive region absorbs light from the LCD, the second absorptive region absorbs light from the X-Cube, and the reflective region reflects unwanted polarized light. This local differentiation of optical properties enables the polarizer to address multiple sources of reflected light simultaneously.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If absorptive ribs are positioned between the LCD and reflective wires, then reflected light from the LCD is absorbed, but reflected light from the X-Cube is not adequately addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The polarizer is divided into distinct functional zones: a first absorptive region for handling light from the LCD, a second absorptive region for handling light from the X-Cube, and a reflective region. This segmentation enables the second absorptive region to specifically address X-Cube reflected light without interfering with the function of the first absorptive region.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution extends the absorptive functionality to both sides of the substrate by adding a second absorptive region on the opposite surface from the first absorptive region. This bidirectional approach addresses reflected light from both the LCD and X-Cube simultaneously, moving beyond the conventional single-sided absorptive design.
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 effectively minimizes ghosting in image projection systems by substantially absorbing reflected light from the LCD and X-Cube, improving image quality by reducing unwanted reflections.
Implementation Method 1
The opposite polarization or s-polarized light can be absorbed by the analyzer wire grid polarizer 55 because the absorptive ribs 12 are disposed between the LCD 42 and the reflective wires 13
Implementation Method 2
The incoming wire grid polarizer 56 can substantially transmit one polarization (e.g. p-polarized light) and substantially reflect an opposite polarization of light 57 (e.g. s-polarized light)
Implementation Method 3
Light 44 from the light source 41 can be polarized at the incoming wire grid polarizer 56
Data Source
AI summary
A selectively-absorptive wire grid polarizer comprising an array of parallel, elongated rods disposed over a surface of a transparent substrate with gaps between adjacent rods, each of the rods including a reflective wire sandwiched between two absorptive ribs. A method of making this wire grid polarizer. A use of this wire grid polarizer in an image projection system.