Meta Projector Edge Emitter Nanostructures Compact AR
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing small laser projectors face challenges in achieving desired performance and design precision due to the volume occupied by optical components, which limits their integration into compact electronic devices for applications like augmented reality, virtual reality, and depth sensing.
Innovation Solution
A meta projector design incorporating a substrate, edge emitting device, meta-structure layer with sub-wavelength nanostructures, and a path changing member to emit structured light efficiently, forming an integrated module with a housing that maintains a compact size while achieving desired performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional optical components are used in laser projectors, then desired performance and design precision can be achieved, but the volume occupied by optical components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical optical components with a meta-structure layer comprising sub-wavelength nanostructures. These nanostructures manipulate light through optical interference and diffraction effects rather than traditional refraction or reflection, enabling compact integration while maintaining optical performance. The meta-structure layer is fabricated using semiconductor manufacturing processes, substituting precision mechanical optical assembly with scalable nanoscale patterning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters of light manipulation by using sub-wavelength structures where the feature size is smaller than the wavelength of light. This parameter change enables new optical behaviors including negative refraction, enhanced diffraction, and precise beam shaping, achieving desired optical performance in a compact footprint without traditional bulky optical components.
2Reliability
If multiple optical components are used to achieve desired performance, then light output quality improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical functions into a single meta-structure layer. The nanostructures simultaneously perform beam direction control, pattern formation, and wavelength filtering that traditionally required separate optical components. This integration is achieved by designing specific arrangements of sub-wavelength pillars or holes in the meta-structure layer, where each geometric configuration provides distinct optical functions in unison.
Solution Approach 2:
The meta-structure layer serves multiple optical functions: it acts as a diffraction grating for beam direction, a pattern generator for structured light output, and a wavelength-selective filter. The same nanostructure array performs all these functions simultaneously, providing multi-functionality that reduces the number of separate components needed in the laser projector system.
3Illumination intensity
If traditional projector design is used, then optical performance can be maintained, but the size of the projector increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional optical component arrangement to three-dimensional nanostructure design in the meta-structure layer. By controlling the height, width, spacing, and material composition of sub-wavelength pillars or holes, the patent achieves complex light manipulation in the vertical dimension that was not possible with planar optical components, enabling compact projector design with maintained optical performance.
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 meta projector achieves ultra-small size and efficient light output with a particular pattern, enabling its integration into electronic devices for augmented reality, virtual reality, and accurate three-dimensional shape recognition, addressing the limitations of traditional projectors.
Implementation Method 1
The meta-structure layer may include a plurality of nanostructures having a sub-wavelength dimension, the sub-wavelength dimension being smaller than a wavelength of the light emitted from the edge emitting device
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of nanostructures may include a material having a refractive index higher than a refractive index of a separate material adjacent to the plurality of nanostructures
Implementation Method 3
The path changing member may be configured to change a path of the light emitted from the edge emitting device to direct the path toward the meta-structure layer
Data Source
AI summary
A meta projector is provided, including an edge emitting device configured to emit light through a side surface thereof, a meta-structure layer spaced apart from the upper surface of the edge emitting device that includes a plurality of nanostructures having a sub-wavelength dimension smaller than a wavelength of the light emitted from the edge emitting device, and a path changing member configured to change a path of the light emitted from the edge emitting device so as to direct the path toward the meta-structure layer. The meta projector may thus be configured to emit a light pattern of structured light, based on directing the light emitted from the edge emitting device through the meta-structure layer.