Liquid Crystal Optical Modulation for 3D Phase Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical modulation devices using liquid crystals struggle to continuously modulate the phase of light for applications like autostereoscopic and stereoscopic 3D image display devices, as they require precise alignment of liquid crystal molecules to alter the optical axis, which is challenging to achieve across a substrate.
Innovation Solution
An optical device with an optical modulation device comprising a liquid crystal layer between two plates, where the liquid crystal molecules are controlled through in-plane rotation by applying specific driving signals to electrodes, allowing for continuous phase modulation by tilting parallel or perpendicular to the plates' surfaces, enabling the device to function as a lens or prism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If liquid crystal molecules are aligned to continuously change optical axis direction for phase modulation, then the device can function as a lens or prism for 3D display, but the alignment precision across the substrate becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is divided into multiple pixel regions, with each pixel further segmented into sub-pixels. Each sub-pixel contains liquid crystal molecules oriented in specific directions (e.g., horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to create discrete phase modulation zones. This segmentation allows continuous phase modulation across the entire substrate by combining multiple discrete oriented regions, avoiding the need for perfect continuous alignment while achieving the desired optical effects for lens or prism functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the substrate are assigned different liquid crystal orientations tailored to local requirements. For example, adjacent pixels or sub-pixels have molecules oriented in different directions (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) to create spatially varying phase profiles. This local quality variation enables continuous phase modulation across the substrate without requiring uniform high-precision alignment everywhere, as each local region is optimized for its specific function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If liquid crystal molecules are rotated in-plane to modulate optical phase, then the device can control light polarization and phase flexibly, but the complexity of controlling rotation directions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid crystal molecules are configured with periodic orientation patterns across the substrate, where adjacent pixels or sub-pixels follow repeating sequences of orientations (e.g., horizontal, vertical, diagonal, anti-diagonal). This periodic structure simplifies control because the same driving signals can be applied repeatedly to different regions, reducing the complexity of control signals while maintaining flexible phase modulation capability across the entire device.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention controls phase modulation by changing the orientation angle parameter of liquid crystal molecules in discrete steps (e.g., 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°) rather than requiring continuous control. By using a limited set of predefined orientation angles with corresponding driving signals, the device achieves flexible phase control while keeping the control system relatively simple, as each orientation state corresponds to a specific, manageable voltage or signal level.
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 allows for effective modulation of optical phase and control of liquid crystal molecule rotation, enabling the device to function as a lens in 3D image display devices, providing a flexible and efficient method for altering light polarization and phase, thus enhancing the display capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
Liquid crystals may be used to easily adjust the optical axis of an optical modulation device, such as the half-wave plate, according to a position thereof. In an optical modulation device implemented as a phase retarder using liquid crystals, the long axes of the liquid crystal molecules, which are arranged by applying an electric field to a liquid crystal layer, may rotate to change the phase modulation as a function of position.
Implementation Method 2
When polarized light passes through an optical modulation device such as a phase retarder, its polarization state is changed. For example, when circularly polarized light is incident on a half-wave plate, the circularly polarized light is emitted with its rotation direction reversed.
Implementation Method 3
a direction of incident light can be altered by light diffraction through phase modulation thereof
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device includes a display panel displaying an image and an optical modulation device that includes a first plate and second plate disposed to face each other and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first plate and the second plate and including a plurality of liquid crystal molecules, wherein the first plate includes a plurality of lower electrodes extending in a first direction and arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction and the second plate include and an upper electrode. When the display panel displays a first image during a first subframe, the optical modulation device applies a first driving signal to the plurality of lower electrodes, and when the display panel displays a second image during a second subframe following the first subframe, the optical modulation device applies a second driving signal different from the first driving signal to the plurality of lower electrodes.