Optical System Wavelength-Specific Liquid Crystal Phase Modulation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical systems face challenges in achieving both high light durability and high response speed when using high-energy light, as liquid crystal devices with high birefringence have low durability, while those with non-tolan type materials have reduced response speed.
Innovation Solution
The optical system employs two or more spatial optical phase modulators with liquid crystal layers optimized for specific wavelengths, using tolan type materials for higher birefringence and non-tolan type materials for higher durability, and incorporating polymerization inhibitors where necessary, to balance light durability and response speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a tolan type liquid crystal material with high birefringence is used, then the response speed of the liquid crystal device is improved, but the light durability against high-energy light decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical system into multiple spatial optical phase modulators, each handling a specific wavelength band. This segmentation allows each liquid crystal device to use optimized liquid crystal materials tailored to its wavelength range, resolving the contradiction between response speed and light durability by matching material properties to specific operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different liquid crystal materials with locally optimized properties are assigned to different wavelength bands. Specifically, tolan type materials with high birefringence are used for wavelength bands where response speed is critical, while non-tolan type materials with high light durability are used for bands where durability is paramount. This local optimization resolves the universal contradiction across the entire optical system.
2Reliability
If a non-tolan type liquid crystal material is used, then the light durability is improved, but the response speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into multiple wavelength-specific phase modulators, allowing non-tolan type materials to be deployed only in wavelength bands where their superior light durability is most beneficial, rather than forcing their use across all bands where they would degrade overall system performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Non-tolan type liquid crystal materials are strategically assigned to specific wavelength bands where their high light durability provides the greatest benefit, while accepting reduced response speed in those specific bands. This local application optimizes the overall system by placing each material type where it performs best.
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
This approach enables the optical system to achieve high light durability and response speed by tailoring the liquid crystal materials and thicknesses for each wavelength, ensuring effective phase modulation and image projection.
Implementation Method 1
it may be considered to make the liquid crystal device from a liquid crystal material having a high birefringence
Data Source
AI summary
An optical system in one aspect of the present disclosure includes a first light source, a second light source, a first spatial optical phase modulator, a second spatial optical phase modulator, and a projector. The first spatial optical phase modulator outputs first phase-modulated light based on an input light having a first wavelength from the first light source. The second spatial optical phase modulator outputs second phase-modulated light based on input light having a second wavelength from the second light source. The projector projects the first phase-modulated light and the second phase-modulated light on a target. The first spatial optical phase modulator is a liquid crystal device including a first liquid crystal layer. The second spatial optical phase modulator is a liquid crystal device including a second liquid crystal layer. The first liquid crystal layer includes a liquid crystal material different from that of the second liquid crystal layer.