Nano-Antenna Electrode Spatial Light Modulator for High-Resolution Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid crystal spatial light modulators face challenges in reducing pixel size due to the required thickness for optical path changes, leading to interference from electric fields between adjacent pixels, which hinders the development of high-resolution holographic display apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
A spatial light modulator incorporating a refractive index changing layer with a nano-antenna pattern structure in the electrodes, allowing for efficient light resonance and phase modulation with a significantly reduced thickness, enabling smaller pixel pitches and higher resolution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a liquid crystal spatial light modulator uses a conventional liquid crystal cell structure, then sufficient optical path length is achieved for phase modulation, but pixel size must be large to prevent electric field interference between adjacent pixels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the electrode structure by introducing nano-antenna patterns with specific dimensions (length L and width W) that resonate at the operating wavelength. This resonance effect concentrates the electric field within the nano-antenna structure, enabling effective phase modulation with much smaller pixel dimensions while preventing electric field leakage to adjacent pixels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional planar electrodes to three-dimensional nano-antenna structures with vertical protrusions. This dimensional change creates strong localized electric fields in the vertical direction, achieving sufficient optical path length for phase modulation without requiring large lateral pixel dimensions, thus resolving the contradiction between phase modulation effectiveness and pixel size.
2Measurement precision
If the pixel pitch is reduced to increase resolution, then high-resolution display is achieved, but electric field interference between adjacent pixels increases
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the electrode geometry to nano-antenna patterns with sub-wavelength dimensions, the electric field becomes highly localized around each antenna structure. This parameter change in electrode design allows pixels to be placed closer together without causing electric field interference, enabling high-resolution displays with reduced pixel pitch.
Solution Approach 2:
The nano-antenna structure acts as an intermediary that confines and directs the electric field precisely where needed (within the pixel region). This intermediary structure prevents electric field lines from extending into adjacent pixel regions, allowing for reduced pixel pitch without interference.
3Area of moving object
If the cell thickness is reduced to enable smaller pixel size, then pixel integration density increases, but sufficient optical path length for phase modulation is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrode from a simple planar structure to a resonant nano-antenna structure with specific length and width parameters. This parameter change creates a resonance effect that concentrates electromagnetic energy, providing sufficient phase modulation capability even when the cell thickness is reduced to enable higher pixel integration density.
Solution Approach 2:
The nano-antenna electrodes are designed to resonate at the operating wavelength, creating oscillating electromagnetic fields that enhance the interaction with light. This resonance effect compensates for the reduced optical path length, maintaining phase modulation capability despite thinner cell structure required for high pixel density.
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 nano-antenna pattern structure enables effective light phase and intensity modulation with a thickness as small as 20-500 nanometers, allowing for high-resolution display apparatuses without the need for color filters and enabling the creation of high-resolution, large-area displays.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the pixel electrode and the common electrode includes a nano-antenna pattern structure configured to resonate light
Implementation Method 2
a refractive index changing layer that includes a refractive index distribution that changes according to an electric field
Data Source
AI summary
A spatial light modulator including an electrode having a nano-antenna structure, and a display apparatus including the spatial light modulator are provided. The spatial light modulator includes a refractive index changing layer, and a pixel electrode and a common electrode which are configured to apply an electric field to the refractive index changing layer, and at least one of the pixel electrode and the common electrode include a nano-antenna pattern structure configured to resonate light.