Electro-optical Switching Element Light Scattering Color Purity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electro-optical switching elements face challenges in achieving simple device configurations with better color purity, higher out-coupling efficiency, and reduced color shift and brightness contrast under incident light.
Innovation Solution
An electro-optical switching element comprising a light source and a light converting layer with a light converting material that converts light to longer wavelengths and a coloring agent that absorbs visible light, along with light scattering particles, to enhance color purity and out-coupling efficiency while minimizing color shift and improving brightness contrast.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light converting layer with coloring agent is used to improve color purity, then color purity is improved, but out-coupling efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light scattering layer as an intermediary component between the light source and the light converting layer. This scattering layer mediates the light path, allowing light to undergo multiple internal reflections and interactions with the light converting material, thereby improving both color purity through enhanced conversion and out-coupling efficiency by redirecting light that would otherwise be trapped by total internal reflection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a microlens array structure that operates in the optical dimension to focus and redirect light rays. By adding this dimensional control element, the system can manipulate light propagation angles and paths, enabling light to escape at optimized angles while maintaining color purity through the light converting layer.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple layers are added to improve color purity and out-coupling efficiency, then color purity and out-coupling efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional layers (light scattering layer, light converting layer, microlens array) into an integrated electro-optical switching element structure. By merging these components into a single cohesive device architecture, the patent achieves improved color purity and out-coupling efficiency while managing device complexity through unified structural design rather than separate discrete components.
Solution Approach 2:
The light scattering layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it scatters light to improve out-coupling efficiency, enhances the interaction path length for better color conversion, and works synergistically with the microlens array for light extraction. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, thereby managing device complexity.
3Loss of energy
If light scattering particles are added to improve out-coupling efficiency, then out-coupling efficiency is improved, but color shift under incident light increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies light scattering particles locally in specific regions or with specific size distributions optimized for different functions. By controlling the local properties of the scattering particles (size, concentration, distribution), the patent can optimize out-coupling efficiency in certain areas while minimizing color shift effects in others, particularly by using smaller particle sizes that scatter less wavelength-dependent.
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 improves color purity and out-coupling efficiency while reducing color shift and enhancing brightness contrast, addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
a light converting material (130) that converts light wavelength of the light from the light source (110) into longer light wavelength
Implementation Method 2
a coloring agent (140) that absorbs a visible light
Implementation Method 3
the electro optical switching element (100) comprises a plural of light scattering particles (150)
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an electro-optical switching element comprising at least one light source, and a light converting layer, and to a use of the electro-optical switching element in an optical device. The invention further relates to an optical device comprising the electro-optical switching element.