Liquid Crystal Alignment Device Using Interfering Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in efficiently manufacturing liquid crystal optical elements with increased area, particularly in aligning the liquid crystal layers to achieve optimal optical properties.
Innovation Solution
An alignment processing device is developed, comprising a light source, polarizing beam splitter, retardation films, and a moving mechanism, which forms interfering light patterns to expose and align the liquid crystal molecules on a processing substrate, allowing for increased area coverage and precise alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of moving object
If conventional alignment processing is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the area of liquid crystal optical elements is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment processing device divides the processing area into multiple regions and processes them sequentially. The stage moves to different positions to expose different areas of the liquid crystal layer, allowing large-area processing while maintaining a compact device structure. This segmentation of the processing space enables area expansion without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces temporal dimension by sequentially processing different areas at different time points through stage movement. Instead of requiring all alignment processing to occur simultaneously across the entire area, the system processes regions in sequence, effectively expanding the usable area beyond the instantaneous exposure field by utilizing the time dimension.
2Area of moving object
If the area of liquid crystal optical elements is increased, then optical performance is improved, but alignment precision becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment processing device incorporates feedback mechanisms through the controller that monitors and adjusts processing parameters during stage movement and exposure. This ensures that alignment precision is maintained across different areas by dynamically compensating for variations, allowing large-area processing without sacrificing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual or simple mechanical alignment methods with an automated optical alignment system that uses light sources, polarizing beam splitters, and controllers to precisely control the alignment process. This substitution of mechanical systems with optical and electronic control enables maintained precision over larger areas through automated positioning and exposure control.
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 enables the manufacturing of liquid crystal optical elements with expanded areas while maintaining precise alignment, thereby enhancing the optical performance and efficiency of the manufacturing process.
Implementation Method 1
a polarizing beam splitter that separates light from the light source into two linearly polarized light beams polarized in different directions
Implementation Method 2
Interfering light is formed in the exposure area by the first circularly polarized light and the second circularly polarized light
Implementation Method 3
a first retardation film that converts the first linearly polarized light into first circularly polarized light, and a second retardation film that converts the second linearly polarized light into second circularly polarized light rotating in an opposite direction
Implementation Method 4
A first area of the thin film is exposed by interfering light of first circularly polarized light and second circularly polarized light which rotate in opposite directions
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an alignment processing device includes a light source, a polarizing beam splitter, a first optical system, a second optical system, a first retardation film, a second retardation film, a moving mechanism configured to move a processing substrate in which a thin film is formed, and a controller. Interfering light is formed in an exposure area by first circularly polarized light and second circularly polarized light. The controller performs control so as to repeat a process of exposing part of an area of the thin film by the interfering light and a process of moving the processing substrate.