Light Deflector With Resistor Electrodes for Holographic Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light deflectors in holographic display systems face challenges in reducing E-field distortion and increasing deflection angles due to limited drive circuit channels, which affects noise reduction and diffraction efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A light deflector design incorporating a resistor layer between electrode elements allows for voltage drop and reduced E-field distortion by using fewer drive circuit channels, with effective and dummy electrodes receiving voltages through a drive circuit and resistor, respectively, to manage voltage distribution efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If voltage is applied through multiple drive circuit channels to reduce E-field distortion, then E-field distortion is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveE-field distortion reductionVSAvoiddrive circuit channels
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode structure is segmented into effective electrodes and dummy electrodes. Effective electrodes receive voltage directly from drive circuit channels, while dummy electrodes are positioned between them to create voltage drops through their resistance, generating additional E-field components that reduce overall E-field distortion without requiring additional drive circuit channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Dummy electrodes act as intermediary elements between effective electrodes. These dummy electrodes have specific resistance values that create controlled voltage drops, serving as mediators that generate compensating E-field components to reduce distortion without requiring direct control from the drive circuit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If more drive circuit channels are used to control voltage distribution, then deflection angle control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeflection angle controlVSAvoiddrive circuit channels
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrode array is segmented into effective electrodes controlled by drive circuit channels and dummy electrodes that automatically generate voltage drops through their resistance. This segmentation allows precise deflection angle control through the effective electrodes while the dummy electrodes provide automatic compensation without requiring additional control channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Dummy electrodes provide self-service by automatically generating the required voltage drops through their inherent resistance when current flows between effective electrodes. This self-service mechanism provides precise voltage distribution and deflection control without requiring additional active control elements or drive circuit channels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If voltage drop resistors are added between electrode elements, then E-field distortion is reduced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveE-field distortion reductionVSAvoidmanufacturing process
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The dummy electrodes are merged with the existing electrode structure and fabricated using the same thin-film deposition processes. The resistance of dummy electrodes is controlled by their geometric dimensions (width, length, spacing) rather than requiring separate resistor materials or additional fabrication steps, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while achieving E-field distortion reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of adding separate voltage drop resistors with specific resistance values, the invention changes the parameters of the electrode structure itself - specifically the dimensions and spacing of dummy electrodes - to achieve the desired resistance and voltage drop characteristics. This parameter change approach uses existing fabrication processes and materials, simplifying manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 design effectively reduces E-field distortion and increases deflection angles while minimizing noise, enabling improved light deflection and diffraction efficiency in holographic display systems.

Implementation Method 1

A light deflector design incorporating a resistor layer between electrode elements allows for voltage drop and reduced E-field distortion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVoltage drop: Ohm's Law

Implementation Method 2

a liquid crystal layer between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLiquid crystal optical modulation: Liquid Crystals

Data Source

PatentEP3699684B1Light deflector and light output device including the same
Publication Date: 2023.02.22 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3699684B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3699684B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3699684B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided are a light deflector and a light output device including the light deflector, the light deflector including a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer that are spaced apart from each other and facing each other, and a deflection layer configured to deflect incident light thereon based on a voltage applied to the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, wherein the first electrode layer includes a plurality of electrode elements that are spaced apart from each other, and a resistor that is in contact with at least part of the plurality of electrode elements and in which a voltage drop is generated..