Spatial Light Modulator Amplitude Phase Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current display technologies, such as LCDs and OLEDs, only modulate amplitude, resulting in two-dimensional images without depth of view, leading to eye fatigue and discomfort in 3D displays due to the lack of true depth perception and motion parallax, and require complex and costly optical systems to combine amplitude and phase modulation.
Innovation Solution
A spatial light modulator (SLM) that simultaneously performs amplitude and phase modulation using a single device or panel, achieved by controlling light propagation and using embossed microstructures or alignment cells aligned in different directions within a pixel or array of pixels, allowing for both modulations to occur simultaneously through liquid crystals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single spatial light modulator is used to perform both amplitude and phase modulation, then device complexity is reduced and compactness is improved, but achieving simultaneous modulation of both parameters in a single device is technologically difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides each pixel into multiple sub-regions, with each sub-region containing liquid crystal molecules oriented in different directions. This segmentation allows different parts of the same pixel to perform different modulation functions (amplitude or phase), enabling a single device to achieve both types of modulation simultaneously without requiring separate modulators for each function.
2Device complexity
If amplitude modulation only is used in display devices, then the device structure remains simple, but the display lacks depth of view and causes eye fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by orienting liquid crystal molecules in different directions in different sub-regions of each pixel. This creates spatially varying optical properties within each pixel, enabling the display to provide true 3D holographic images with depth of view and motion parallax, thereby eliminating eye fatigue associated with false 3D effects while maintaining a relatively simple device structure.
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 high-resolution, high-efficiency, and compact 3D holographic displays with improved light efficiency and image quality, addressing the limitations of existing technologies by integrating both amplitude and phase modulation within a single SLM device.
Implementation Method 1
controlling light propagation and using embossed microstructures or alignment cells aligned in different directions within a pixel or array of pixels, allowing for both modulations to occur simultaneously through liquid crystals
Implementation Method 2
A spatial light modulator (SLM) that simultaneously performs amplitude and phase modulation using a single device or panel, achieved by controlling light propagation
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for displaying an input image in improved perceived resolution are described. In one aspect, a circuit is designed to include a set of memory cells, a horizontal decoder and a vertical decoder. An input image is received at an interface to the memory, the input is expanded into two separate frames in the memory, where the size of each of the two frames is identical to that of the input image. Image data in at least one of the two frames are modulated in amplitude and/or in phase. The first and second frames are then read out or displayed alternatively at twice the refresh rate originally set for the input image to achieve the perceived resolution.