Switchable Optical Element for Wide-Band Diffraction Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid crystal diffraction lenses face challenges in achieving high diffraction efficiency over a wide wavelength band, leading to distorted views and blurred areas when focusing on far distances due to their combination of low refractive index and low dispersion liquid crystal material with high refractive index and high dispersion substrates.
Innovation Solution
The development of an electro-active lens with switchable optical states, utilizing materials with specific refractive indices and Abbe's numbers that change between electro-inactive and electro-active states, allowing for a combination of high refractive index and low dispersion materials with low refractive index and high dispersion materials to maximize diffraction efficiency across a wide wavelength band.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a liquid crystal material with low refractive index and low dispersion is combined with a substrate with high refractive index and high dispersion, then the lens can achieve variable power for presbyopia correction, but the diffraction efficiency becomes low over wide wavelength band
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters (refractive index and dispersion characteristics) of the materials used in the lens. Specifically, it employs a liquid crystal material with high refractive index and high dispersion combined with a substrate having matched high refractive index and high dispersion properties, which resolves the wavelength-dependent diffraction efficiency problem while maintaining variable power capability for presbyopia correction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure consisting of a liquid crystal material layer combined with a substrate layer, where each layer is carefully selected with specific refractive index and dispersion characteristics. This composite material approach allows the system to achieve both variable optical power and high diffraction efficiency across a wide wavelength band by optimizing the interaction between the two materials
2Reliability
If the refractive index and dispersion characteristics of lens materials are optimized for high diffraction efficiency, then visibility improves, but the ability to provide variable power for different viewing distances may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the voltage-dependent optical parameter changes of liquid crystal materials. By applying different voltages, the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer changes, enabling variable optical power while the substrate's matched high dispersion characteristics ensure high diffraction efficiency is maintained across the visible spectrum throughout the power range
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic system where the liquid crystal material's optical properties can be changed in real-time by applying voltage. This dynamic capability allows the lens to switch between different power states (for near and far vision) while maintaining high diffraction efficiency through the carefully selected substrate material with matched dispersion characteristics
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 significantly improves diffraction efficiency for both short and long wavelengths, reducing flare and enhancing visibility by ensuring high refractive index and low dispersion materials are used in conjunction with low refractive index and high dispersion materials, thereby addressing the limitations of previous designs.
Implementation Method 1
each of optical properties of the first and second materials changes between the first state and the second state
Implementation Method 2
liquid crystal diffraction lens
Implementation Method 3
liquid crystal diffraction lens
Implementation Method 4
refractive indices of the first and second materials and Abbe's numbers of the first and second materials satisfy a predetermined relationship
Data Source
AI summary
An optical element switchable to a first state and a second state includes a first material and a second material, each of optical properties of the first and second materials changes between the first state and the second state, and refractive indices of the first and second materials and Abbe's numbers of the first and second materials satisfy a predetermined relationship.