Liquid Crystal Phase Modulator Structure for Faster Response
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Solution Overview
Problem
Phase modulating devices using liquid crystal materials suffer from slow response speeds due to the need for a thick liquid crystal layer, which is 10 times or more than that of liquid crystal displays, to achieve satisfactory phase change.
Innovation Solution
A phase modulating device with a liquid crystal layer of specific height (30 μm to 50 μm) and orientation control using convex structures or amorphization, allowing for high-speed phase modulation by maximizing the change in dielectric constant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the liquid crystal layer thickness is increased to achieve satisfactory phase change, then the phase modulation depth is improved, but the response speed slows down to several seconds
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the liquid crystal layer by reducing its thickness to 30-50 μm (compared to conventional 10 times or more thickness) and controlling the tilt angle of liquid crystal molecules to 45° or more. This parameter optimization enables achieving satisfactory phase modulation depth with a much thinner layer, thereby resolving the contradiction between phase modulation depth and response speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces convex structures at specific locations within the liquid crystal layer to create local orientation control. These convex structures serve as anchoring points that induce specific tilt angles in adjacent liquid crystal molecules, enabling effective phase modulation in a thin layer without requiring uniform thick-layer properties throughout.
2Speed
If the liquid crystal layer thickness is reduced to improve response speed, then the response speed increases, but the phase change becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes two critical parameters simultaneously: liquid crystal layer thickness (30-50 μm) and molecular tilt angle (45° or more). By controlling the tilt angle parameter, the invention maximizes the dielectric constant change effect in a thin layer, achieving both fast response and sufficient phase change magnitude.
Solution Approach 2:
The convex structures are pre-formed within the liquid crystal layer to establish predetermined orientation patterns. These pre-formed structures serve as templates that guide liquid crystal molecule alignment, enabling the thin layer to achieve effective phase modulation without requiring conventional thick-layer dimensions.
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
Enables high-speed phase modulation control, exceeding conventional response speeds by orienting liquid crystal molecules using small partitions and specific structures within the liquid crystal layer.
Implementation Method 1
a method using a characteristic specific to a liquid crystal material in which a dielectric constant is changed by an applied voltage
Implementation Method 2
a liquid crystal layer including a plurality of liquid crystal molecules and arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A phase modulating device includes a first electrode; a second electrode; and a liquid crystal layer including a plurality of liquid crystal molecules and arranged between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein a height of the liquid crystal layer from the first electrode toward the second electrode is 30 μm or more and 50 μm or less, and in a planar view of a first plane including the first electrode, the liquid crystal layer and the second electrode, the first plane intersecting with an in-plane direction of the first electrode, at least two liquid crystal molecules arranged adjacent to each other in a direction parallel to the in-plane direction of the first electrode and oriented differently from each other are included.