Optical System With Polarized Light Reflective Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
In optical systems using reflective imaging elements, increasing the tilting angle of an object relative to the imaging element leads to enhanced upright image formation, but also increases reflected light intensity at interfaces between different refractive media, deteriorating the contrast ratio and causing the aerial image to appear as if floating in space, which affects imaging efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The optical system incorporates a reflective imaging element with a transparent substrate on at least one principal face, where the incident light is linearly polarized, and the proportion of p-polarized light satisfies specific reflectance conditions to minimize non-contributory reflected light, enhancing imaging efficiency by controlling reflectance at interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the tilting angle of the object relative to the reflective imaging element is increased, then the upright image formation is enhanced and greater airiness is produced, but the intensity of reflected light not contributing to image formation increases, deteriorating the contrast ratio of the aerial image
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the polarization state of incident light (specifically the proportion of p-polarized light) and optimizing the incident angle θ to satisfy specific mathematical relationships involving reflectance ratios. This transforms the optical parameters to minimize non-contributory reflected light while maintaining enhanced upright image formation at increased tilting angles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite optical system combining the reflective imaging element with a display panel, where light from the display panel serves as the object. This composite approach allows control over the incident light characteristics and enables the system to achieve both enhanced image upright formation and reduced harmful reflections through coordinated design of the display panel and reflective imaging element.
2Shape
If the tilting angle of the object relative to the reflective imaging element is increased, then a more upright image is formed as an aerial image in the air, but the contrast ratio of the aerial image deteriorates due to increased reflected light intensity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes optical parameters by controlling the polarization state of incident light and optimizing the incident angle θ to satisfy specific mathematical relationships. This allows the system to maintain high contrast ratio while achieving more upright aerial image formation through parameter optimization rather than simply increasing the tilting angle.
3Productivity
If the proportion of p-polarized light in incident light is increased, then non-contributory reflected light is reduced and imaging efficiency is improved, but the reflectance characteristics must be precisely controlled to maintain optimal performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by establishing specific mathematical relationships for the proportion of p-polarized light and incident angle θ that optimize imaging efficiency. By defining these parameters through equations involving reflectance ratios, the system achieves high productivity while the precision requirements are managed through theoretical optimization rather than extreme manufacturing tolerances.
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 configuration reduces non-contributory reflected light and improves imaging efficiency, resulting in a higher contrast ratio and better visual recognition of the aerial image, effectively addressing the issue of enhanced reality image formation while maintaining image clarity.
Implementation Method 1
first light incident on the transparent substrate is linearly polarized light; and, given a proportion Rp of p-polarized light and a proportion Rs of s-polarized light in the first light incident on the transparent substrate
Implementation Method 2
rp(θ) is a reflectance for p-polarized light, and rs(θ) is a reflectance for s-polarized light, of the first light when the first light is incident on the transparent substrate at an incident angle θ
Data Source
AI summary
An optical system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a reflective imaging element having a first principal face which is struck by light emitted from a display panel, a second principal face parallel to the first principal face, and two mutually-orthogonal specular elements being perpendicular to the first principal face, and causes an image displayed on a display surface of the display panel to form an image at a position of planar symmetry with respect to the reflective imaging element as a plane of symmetry. A transparent substrate which is disposed on at least either the first principal face side or the second principal face side of the reflective imaging element is further included, and first light striking the transparent substrate is linearly polarized light, with a large proportion of p-polarized light.