Phase Retarder Quality Assessment Using Polarized Pixel Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for measuring the performance of phase retarders are time-consuming and unable to efficiently assess large-area or full-color performance, particularly in image display devices, leading to defects and reduced production yield.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a polarization element, a polarization image acquisition module with multiple polarized pixels, and a processor that evaluates the phase retarder's quality based on brightness uniformity across polarized pixels, allowing for single-exposure, large-area, and full-color performance measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a polarimeter is used to measure the performance of a phase retarder by rotating a polarizer and collecting sample data over time, then the polarization state can be estimated, but the measurement process becomes time-consuming and cannot efficiently measure large-area retarders
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor is divided into multiple pixel groups, where each group contains pixels with different polarization transmission angles (e.g., 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°). This segmentation allows simultaneous measurement of multiple polarization components across the entire phase retarder in a single exposure, eliminating the need for time-consuming sequential polarizer rotation while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from temporal measurement (rotating polarizer over time) to spatial measurement (arranging pixels with different transmission angles in space). By encoding polarization information across the spatial dimension of the image sensor, the system captures complete polarization data for the entire phase retarder in one shot, dramatically reducing measurement time while preserving accuracy
2Measurement precision
If conventional polarimeter methods are used to measure phase retarder performance, then polarization data can be obtained, but large-area phase retarders cannot be measured efficiently and defects cannot be quickly identified
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor is divided into multiple pixel groups, where each group contains pixels with different polarization transmission angles (e.g., 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°). This segmentation allows simultaneous measurement of multiple polarization components across the entire phase retarder in a single exposure, eliminating the need for time-consuming sequential polarizer rotation while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from temporal measurement (rotating polarizer over time) to spatial measurement (arranging pixels with different transmission angles in space). By encoding polarization information across the spatial dimension of the image sensor, the system captures complete polarization data for the entire phase retarder in one shot, dramatically reducing measurement time while preserving accuracy
3Reliability
If multiple measurements are taken at different time intervals to ensure accurate phase retarder characterization, then comprehensive data can be collected, but the manufacturing process efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The image sensor is divided into multiple pixel groups, where each group contains pixels with different polarization transmission angles (e.g., 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°). This segmentation allows simultaneous measurement of multiple polarization components across the entire phase retarder in a single exposure, eliminating the need for time-consuming sequential polarizer rotation while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from temporal measurement (rotating polarizer over time) to spatial measurement (arranging pixels with different transmission angles in space). By encoding polarization information across the spatial dimension of the image sensor, the system captures complete polarization data for the entire phase retarder in one shot, dramatically reducing measurement time while preserving accuracy
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
Enables rapid and accurate assessment of phase retarder performance over large areas and various colors, improving manufacturing efficiency by identifying fair or poor quality samples and adjusting manufacturing conditions accordingly.
Implementation Method 1
a polarization element configured to output an incident light as a linear polarization and to make the linear polarization incident onto a phase retarder to be tested
Implementation Method 2
a phase retarder is an optical element that relatively retards an axis orthogonal to a polarization reference axis of an incident light
Implementation Method 3
The polarized pixels modulate the emitting light based on a plurality of transmission angles and detects the modulated emitting light
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein an apparatus and method for estimating a phase retarder and method of manufacturing the phase retarder using the same. The apparatus includes: a polarization element configured to output an incident light as a linear polarization and to make the linear polarization incident onto a phase retarder to be tested; a polarization image acquisition module equipped with a plurality of polarized pixels receiving an emitting light that is output from the phase retarder, on which the linear polarization is incident, and configured to obtain a polarization image based on the emitting light that is modulated in the polarized pixels; and a processor configured to evaluate quality of the phase retarder based on uniformity of a brightness value between polarized pixels of the polarization image. The polarized pixels modulate the emitting light based on a plurality of transmission angles and detects the modulated emitting light.