Guest-Host Liquid Crystal Aperture Panel Without Polarizer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid crystal panels used for range imaging have low light transmissivity and contrast issues, making it difficult to form bright and detailed images, while those without polarizers suffer from low contrast in aperture patterns.
Innovation Solution
A liquid crystal panel comprising two guest-host liquid crystal cells with orthogonal orientation directions, allowing for high contrast aperture patterns for range imaging and high light transmissivity for non-range imaging, without the need for a polarizer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a polarizer is used in the liquid crystal panel, then contrast of aperture patterns is improved, but light transmissivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the polarizer from the liquid crystal panel structure. By extracting this component, the invention eliminates the fundamental cause of low light transmissivity while maintaining aperture pattern contrast through the guest-host liquid crystal mechanism alone, where dye molecules provide contrast without requiring polarized light
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operating parameters of the liquid crystal system by using guest-host liquid crystals with high dichroic ratio dye molecules. This parameter change allows the system to achieve high contrast aperture patterns through the inherent optical anisotropy of the liquid crystal molecules and dye alignment, without relying on polarizers
2Illumination intensity
If light transmissivity is improved by removing the polarizer, then brightness is improved, but contrast of aperture patterns deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the color/optical absorption properties of guest-host liquid crystals. The dye molecules in the liquid crystal layer exhibit different absorption characteristics for light polarized parallel versus perpendicular to the liquid crystal director, enabling high-contrast aperture patterns through color/optical density modulation rather than through polarizer-based intensity modulation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a composite material system consisting of liquid crystal molecules combined with dichroic dye molecules. This composite structure creates guest-host liquid crystals where the dye molecules align with the liquid crystal director, providing both the optical contrast needed for aperture patterns and high overall light transmissivity when the liquid crystal is in the transparent state
3Use of energy by moving object
If guest-host liquid crystals are used without polarizer, then light transmissivity is improved, but contrast and image detail deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes key parameters of the guest-host liquid crystal system including selecting dye molecules with high dichroic ratios (greater than 3), controlling liquid crystal cell thickness (5-20 micrometers), and optimizing dye concentration. These parameter changes ensure sufficient contrast for aperture patterns while maintaining high light transmissivity, capturing detailed images without the polarizer
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different orientations of guest-host liquid crystals in different regions of the panel. By controlling the orientation of liquid crystal molecules and aligned dye molecules in specific patterns (such as radial or circular patterns for coded aperture), the system creates high-contrast aperture structures that enable both bright imaging and detailed capture through the interplay of light absorption and transmission in different spatial regions
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 enhances image brightness and detail by maintaining high contrast for range imaging while improving light transmissivity for general imaging, reducing power consumption and simplifying wiring design.
Implementation Method 1
the first liquid crystal cell is configured to include first guest-host liquid crystals capable of taking an orientation direction to be a first direction vertical to a direction of the optical axis of the first liquid crystal cell or to be the direction of the optical axis, and configured to change in the orientation direction of the first guest-host liquid crystals at each region when being controlled by an electric field at the region
Implementation Method 2
configured to change in the orientation direction of the first guest-host liquid crystals at each region when being controlled by an electric field at the region in the incident light control region of the first liquid crystal cell
Implementation Method 3
The solution enhances image brightness and detail by maintaining high contrast for range imaging while improving light transmissivity for general imaging
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid crystal panel for forming an aperture for an incident light includes guest-host liquid crystals, and includes first and second cells arranged such that one cell surface of them are in contact with each other. The liquid crystals of the first cell can be oriented in a first direction vertical to a direction of an optical axis of the panel or the direction of the optical axis. The liquid crystals of the second cell can be oriented in a second direction vertical to both the direction of the optical axis and the first direction or the direction of the optical axis. In the panel, the orientation direction of the liquid crystals at each region is controlled by an electric field, to form an aperture with high contrast for range imaging and an aperture with high light transmissivity for general imaging.