Dual-Metasurface Display Optics for Multi-Angle Light Steering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices face challenges in adjusting light sources for different viewing angles, leading to unnecessary light loss and interference at unexpected angles due to limited or excessively wide light-emitting angles.

Innovation Solution

A display device with two metasurfaces is designed to concentrate and split light, using a first metasurface to focus light in a specific direction and a second metasurface to split it into multiple angles, allowing for multi-viewing angle display with reduced light loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a wide light-emitting angle is used to display at different viewing angles, then viewing angle coverage is improved, but light loss and light interference increase at unexpected viewing angles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewing angle coverageVSAvoidlight loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The light exit path is segmented into multiple directional channels using two metasurfaces. The first metasurface segments light into different directional ranges, and the second metasurface further segments it into specific viewing angles, allowing light to be distributed to intended viewing angles while blocking unintended directions, thus reducing light loss and interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the metasurfaces are designed with locally optimized microstructure parameters to control light directionality. The microstructure parameters (such as height, width, pitch, or shape) vary across the metasurface to achieve different light steering functions at different locations, enabling precise control of light distribution to specific viewing angles while minimizing light loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Volume of moving object

If light sources are miniaturized for smaller display elements, then element size is reduced, but the ability to design and adjust light sources for different viewing angles deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelement sizeVSAvoidlight source adjustability

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The metasurfaces act as intermediary optical components between the miniaturized light source and the display elements. These intermediaries manipulate light propagation without requiring changes to the light source itself, enabling viewing angle control and light concentration functions that would be difficult to achieve with miniaturized light sources alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical adjustment of light sources with optical manipulation using metasurfaces. Instead of physically adjusting or redesigning light sources for different viewing angles, the system uses optically active metasurfaces to control light direction and distribution, enabling flexible viewing angle adjustment without mechanical changes to the light source.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If a single metasurface is used to control light direction, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to concentrate and split light for multi-viewing angle display deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of metasurfacesVSAvoidmulti-viewing angle capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The light control function is segmented into two stages performed by two separate metasurfaces. The first metasurface performs initial light concentration and directional segmentation, while the second metasurface performs further directional splitting and viewing angle control. This staged approach enables multi-viewing angle display capability that would be difficult to achieve with a single metasurface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 device achieves efficient light output towards predetermined viewing angles, minimizing light loss and interference at unwanted angles, enhancing luminous efficiency and enabling applications requiring varied viewing angles.

Implementation Method 1

a first metasurface formed between the light emitting surface and the light transmitting layer and configured to concentrate the light emitted from the light source along a first direction of the light emitting surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical focusing: Focusing

Implementation Method 2

a second metasurface formed on the light exit surface and configured to split the light received by the light exit surface in the first direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical diffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentUS12607866B2Display device

Publication Date: 2026.04.21 AU OPTRONICS CORP

AI summary

A display device includes: a light source having a light emitting surface configured to emit light, a light transmitting layer covering the light source and having a light exit surface configured to receive the light emitted from the light emitting surface, a first metasurface formed between the light emitting surface and the light transmitting layer and configured to concentrate the light emitted by the light source in a first direction along the light emitting surface, and a second metasurface formed on the light exit surface and configured to split the light received by the light exit surface in the first direction.