Phase Modulator Pixel Structure Suppressing High-Order Diffraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light phase modulation elements suffer from reduced diffraction efficiency due to the generation of high-order diffraction light from their pixel structure, which affects the quality of reproduction images and efficiency in applications like holography and optical switching.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a light phase modulation element with a pixel structure that suppresses high-order diffraction light by arranging pixels at irregular intervals and varying pixel pitches, and the use of a capturing optical system to manage high-order diffraction light fluxes, enhancing diffraction efficiency and reducing stray light effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a regular pixel structure is used in the light phase modulation element, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is easier, but high-order diffraction light is generated which reduces diffraction efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by arranging pixels at irregular intervals rather than uniform spacing. Specifically, the pixel pitch varies in the vertical direction (different pitches in different row regions) while maintaining regular horizontal spacing. This asymmetric and irregular arrangement disrupts the periodicity that causes high-order diffraction, thereby improving diffraction efficiency while remaining manufacturable through standard lithography processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by dividing the pixel array into multiple vertical regions, each with different pixel pitches. The pixel structure is optimized locally for each region rather than using a uniform structure throughout. This allows different parts of the device to have tailored characteristics that collectively suppress high-order diffraction while maintaining ease of manufacture through region-specific design parameters.
2Quantity of substance
If high-order diffraction light is generated from the pixel structure, then the light is distributed across multiple diffraction orders, but this reduces the intensity and quality of the desired reproduction image
Solution Approach 1:
By using asymmetric pixel arrangement with varying pitches in different vertical regions, the patent prevents the formation of regular diffraction patterns. This asymmetry ensures that light energy is concentrated in the desired diffraction order rather than being distributed across multiple high-order diffraction maxima, thereby improving image quality while maintaining adequate light quantity.
3Loss of energy
If a capturing optical system is added to manage high-order diffraction light, then diffraction efficiency is improved by redirecting light fluxes, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and separates the high-order diffraction light management function into a distinct capturing optical system. This modular approach allows the pixel structure to focus on phase modulation while the capturing optical system specifically handles the redirection of high-order diffraction light fluxes. This separation improves diffraction efficiency while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through functional decomposition.
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 improves diffraction efficiency and reduces stray light effects, leading to enhanced image quality and performance in applications such as projectors and optical systems.
Implementation Method 1
a light phase modulation element which has a plurality of pixels with a pixel structure suppressing occurrence of high-order diffraction light and which modulates a phase of light
Implementation Method 2
high-order diffraction light is generated originating from a structure of a pixel
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present disclosure is to provide a phase modulator, a lighting system, and a projector that allow for improving diffraction efficiency in a light phase modulation element. The phase modulator according to the present disclosure includes a light phase modulation element that has a plurality of pixels arranged with the pixel pitches p being different from each other to have a pixel structure suppressing occurrence of high-order diffraction light and that modulates a phase of light with respect to each of the pixels. Moreover, the phase modulator according to the present disclosure includes a capturing optical system that captures a plurality of fluxes of high-order diffraction light generated in each of the pixels.