Liquid Crystal Phase Shifter Structure to Prevent Material Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid crystal phase shifters face issues with liquid crystal material flow and leakage during assembly, affecting phase shifting performance due to the fluidity of the liquid crystal material.
Innovation Solution
A phase shifter design with a tunable dielectric layer between two substrates, incorporating overlapping capacitors separated by isolation components that abut against the substrates, limiting liquid crystal material flow and enhancing phase shifting accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If periodic patch capacitors are introduced on an assembled upper glass substrate to adjust voltage difference and drive liquid crystal molecules to rotate, then phase shifting capability is achieved, but liquid crystal material flow and leakage occur during assembly, affecting phase shifting performance
Solution Approach 1:
The phase shift region is divided into multiple overlapping regions, each containing overlapping capacitors formed by overlapping first and second electrodes. This segmentation allows for localized control of liquid crystal material and reduces the risk of flow and leakage across the entire device, thereby improving phase shifting reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A tunable dielectric layer is introduced between the first and second substrates to replace direct contact with liquid crystal material. This intermediary layer prevents liquid crystal material flow and leakage while still enabling the necessary electrical and optical functions for phase shifting.
2Manufacturing precision
If overlapping capacitors are formed by overlapping first and second electrodes in the phase shift region, then phase shifting accuracy is improved, but liquid crystal material may leak between the overlapping regions
Solution Approach 1:
The tunable dielectric layer serves as an intermediary between the overlapping electrodes, preventing liquid crystal material from leaking into the overlapping regions while maintaining the capacitive coupling necessary for accurate phase shifting control.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second substrates are assembled before introducing the liquid crystal material, with the tunable dielectric layer already in place. This preliminary assembly prevents liquid crystal material leakage during the filling process and ensures precise positioning of the overlapping capacitors for accurate phase shifting.
3Reliability
If a tunable dielectric layer is introduced between substrates to prevent liquid crystal material leakage, then reliability is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The tunable dielectric layer performs multiple functions simultaneously: it prevents liquid crystal material leakage, maintains the structural integrity of the device, enables the formation of overlapping capacitors, and provides the necessary dielectric properties for phase shifting. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The functions of liquid crystal containment, electrical insulation, and phase shifting control are merged into a single tunable dielectric layer. This integration simplifies the overall device structure compared to using separate components for each function, while still achieving improved reliability and phase shifting consistency.
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 design effectively prevents liquid crystal material leakage and maintains phase shifting consistency, improving the reliability and performance of the phase shifter.
Implementation Method 1
a tunable dielectric layer between the first substrate and the second substrate
Implementation Method 2
drive liquid crystal molecules to rotate, so as to obtain different characteristics of the liquid crystal material
Implementation Method 3
orthographic projections of the first electrode and the second electrode on the first dielectric substrate at least partly overlap with each other in the plurality of overlapping regions, to form a plurality of overlapping capacitors
Data Source
AI summary
A phase shifter, a manufacturing method thereof and an electronic device are provided. The phase shifter includes opposite first and second substrates, and a tunable dielectric layer and first isolation components therebetween. The first substrate includes a first dielectric substrate and a first electrode on a side of the first dielectric substrate close to the tunable dielectric layer; the second substrate includes a second dielectric substrate and a second electrode on a side of the second dielectric substrate close to the tunable dielectric layer; the phase shifter includes a phase shift region and a peripheral region; the phase shift region includes overlapping regions; the first electrode and the second electrode are both in the phase shift region, and orthographic projections of the first electrode and the second electrode on the first dielectric substrate at least partly overlap with each other in the overlapping regions, to form overlapping capacitors.