Sub-wavelength Aperture Display Device Plasmon Resonance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current display devices face challenges in combining high resolution and contrast with low power consumption, and they often require complex fabrication processes and color filters for wavelength selection.
Innovation Solution
A display device utilizing sub-wavelength aperture arrays on a metal substrate with varying dielectric constants to achieve switchable light transmission, leveraging surface plasmon effects for wavelength selection without color filters, and enabling both reflective and transmissive modes with simplified fabrication compatible with CMOS technology.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If color filters are used for wavelength selection, then color display capability is improved, but device complexity and fabrication difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of aperture size to sub-wavelength dimensions, which fundamentally alters the light interaction mechanism. This enables wavelength selection through plasmon resonance effects rather than traditional color filtering, thereby achieving color display without complex color filter structures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical color filter system with an electromagnetic resonance-based aperture array system. The sub-wavelength apertures utilize surface plasmon resonance to achieve wavelength-dependent transmission, substituting complex mechanical color filtering mechanisms with a more compact electromagnetic field-based approach
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional display technologies are used, then color display is achieved, but power consumption increases due to backlighting requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of aperture transmission characteristics by varying the effective dielectric constant of materials surrounding the apertures. This enables switchable transmission states and reflective mode operation, allowing the display to adapt its light handling strategy to reduce power consumption based on viewing conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the dielectric parameter of surrounding materials to control transmission characteristics, enabling the display to switch between transmissive and reflective modes. This parameter control allows optimization of power consumption by selecting appropriate operating modes for different environmental conditions
3Manufacturing precision
If aperture size is reduced to increase resolution, then resolution is improved, but light transmission efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of aperture dimensions to sub-wavelength scales, which paradoxically improves light transmission through plasmon resonance enhancement. This parameter change enables simultaneous achievement of high resolution and adequate light transmission by operating in a different physical regime
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits electromagnetic resonance (plasmon oscillation) at the aperture structures to enhance light transmission. The resonant oscillation of free electrons in the metal substrate at sub-wavelength aperture boundaries creates enhanced transmission channels that overcome the expected transmission loss from small aperture sizes
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 solution allows for high-resolution displays with reduced power consumption, simplified fabrication, and improved color mixing efficiency, achieving billions of colors with compact pixel layouts and efficient color depth without the need for backlighting.
Implementation Method 1
Recently, the possibility of using quantum effects within display devices has been considered. US 2003/0020672 discloses the use of surface plasmon effects in a display device.
Implementation Method 2
The substrate is preferably metal, and this gives rise to the antenna effect which induces the plasmon resonance.
Implementation Method 3
The means for varying preferably comprises a phase change material portion, for example a layer of phase change material provided over the substrate.
Data Source
AI summary
A display device comprises a substrate which carries an array of pixels. Each pixel comprises an array of apertures in the substrate, each aperture of the array having a maximum opening dimension less than the wavelength of the light to be transmitted through the aperture. The effective dielectric constant of the aperture and/or the dielectric constant of the substrate is varied, thereby to vary the light transmission characteristics of the pixel between transmission of at least one frequency in the visible spectrum and transmission of substantially no frequency in the visible spectrum.