High Refractive Index Optical Layer Diffracting Structures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for manufacturing optical elements are limited by the refractive index of the glue layer, restricting the diffraction angle and optical performance.

Innovation Solution

Forming diffracting optical structures on an optical layer made from a high refractive index material, using a carrier with a bonding layer and mold layer to create microstructures, and then applying an optical layer with a high refractive index to enhance diffraction angles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a glue layer is used to form diffracting optical structures, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the diffraction angle is limited by the refractive index of the glue layer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing process simplicityVSAvoiddiffraction angle
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the refractive index parameter from using glue layer material (limited refractive index) to using a mold layer material with higher refractive index. This parameter change enables achieving larger diffraction angles while maintaining the imprinting manufacturing method.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a mold layer as an intermediary component between the substrate and the final optical element. The mold layer with high refractive index serves as the medium for forming diffracting structures, overcoming the limitation of glue layer's low refractive index.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If a high refractive index material is used for the optical layer, then the diffraction angle is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediffraction angleVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by forming the diffracting optical structures on the mold layer before removing the mold layer. This allows the high refractive index structures to be created first, then transferred to the final optical element, simplifying the overall process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the mold layer as a template or copy that is later removed. The diffracting structures are formed on this temporary mold layer and then transferred to the final optical element, avoiding the need to directly work with high refractive index materials in the final assembly step.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

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 method enables the production of optical elements with higher diffraction angles, improving optical performance.

Implementation Method 1

a mold layer is formed on the bonding layer. The mold layer has a first surface and a second surface, which are opposite to each other. The first surface is adjacent to the bonding layer. The second surface is set with microstructures

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

various diffracting optical structures are formed on an optical layer, which is made from a high refractive index material, such that the optical element with a higher diffraction angle is obtained

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentEP4336229B1Method for manufacturing optical element
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 HIMAX TECH LTD
  • EP4336229B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4336229B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4336229B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

An optical element and a method for manufacturing the optical element are described. The optical element includes a light penetrating substrate, an optical layer, and an adhesive layer. The optical layer is located on a surface of the light penetrating substrate. The optical layer has a first surface and a second surface, which are opposite to each other. The first surface is set with various diffracting optical structures. A refractive index of the optical layer is ranging from 1 to 4. The adhesive layer is sandwiched between the surface of the light penetrating substrate and the second surface of the optical layer.