Pillar-Array Optical Element for Efficient Deflection and Polarization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical cells attenuate light intensity by 50% or more due to light being split into two directions by diffraction gratings, lacking efficient transmission and desired deflection, condensing, and polarized states.
Innovation Solution
An optical element with pillar-shaped bodies on a transparent substrate, arranged in a matrix shape, adjusts phase, deflection, and polarized wave characteristics using dielectric constants and metasurface structures to enhance light transmission and control deflection, condensing, and polarized states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a diffraction grating is used to deflect light in the optical cell, then the desired deflection direction can be achieved, but the light intensity is attenuated by 50% or more due to light being split into two directions
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element divides the light control function into multiple pillar-shaped bodies arranged in a matrix, where each pillar independently controls the phase and direction of light. This segmentation allows precise control of light deflection without the energy loss associated with traditional diffraction gratings that split light into multiple directions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Each pillar-shaped body in the matrix has specific local optical properties determined by its dielectric constant, sectional shape, and length. By varying these parameters locally across different pillars, the system achieves desired deflection characteristics while maintaining high light transmission efficiency, avoiding the uniform energy distribution problem of diffraction gratings.
2Shape
If traditional optical cells with diffraction gratings are used, then light deflection can be achieved, but transmission efficiency is reduced due to light splitting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional diffraction grating mechanism with a metasurface structure consisting of pillar-shaped bodies. This substitution uses phase modulation through dielectric materials rather than mechanical diffraction, enabling precise light control with minimal energy loss and improved transmission efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical element controls light transmission and deflection by changing parameters of the pillar-shaped bodies, including their dielectric constants, sectional shapes, and lengths. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves desired deflection characteristics while maintaining high transmission efficiency, avoiding the energy loss inherent in diffraction grating systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If pillar-shaped bodies with different dielectric constants are used, then phase adjustment and polarized wave characteristics can be controlled, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves versatile polarized wave characteristics by varying the local properties of individual pillar-shaped bodies in the matrix. Each pillar can have different dielectric constants, shapes, and lengths tailored to specific optical functions, enabling precise control of polarization while maintaining a manufacturable periodic structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical element utilizes composite material structures with different dielectric constants arranged in pillar-shaped bodies. By combining materials with specific optical properties in a controlled manner, the system achieves desired polarized wave characteristics while maintaining compatibility with standard semiconductor manufacturing processes.
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
Enhances light detection efficiency by providing desired deflection, condensing, and polarized states, improving transmission efficiency compared to diffraction gratings.
Implementation Method 1
each pillar-shaped body is formed to perform phase adjustment on output light which is output by transmission of input light on the basis of the dielectric constant, a sectional shape in a direction along the flat surface, and a length in a normal direction with respect to the flat surface
Implementation Method 2
A plurality of pillar-shaped bodies 3T having different amounts of phase adjustment are arranged in a matrix shape, and an optical element 3 is formed by the pillar-shaped bodies 3T
Implementation Method 3
to output the output light in a desired polarized state
Data Source
AI summary
An optical element includes a plurality of pillar-shaped bodies that are formed of a material with a predetermined dielectric constant on a flat surface of a transparent substrate through which light is transmitted and that are arranged in a matrix shape. Each pillar-shaped body is formed to perform phase adjustment on output light which is output by transmission of input light, on the basis of the dielectric constant, a sectional shape in a direction parallel to the flat surface, and a length in a normal direction with respect to the flat surface, to adjust deflection characteristics with respect to the normal direction, lens characteristics of condensing light with respect to the normal direction, and polarized wave characteristics with respect to the normal direction, and to output the output light having a desired polarized light characteristics.