Polarized UV Light Splitting Element with Titanium Composite Oxide

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing polarized ultraviolet light splitting elements, such as those using aluminum or titanium oxide, have limitations in light splitting efficiency and durability across a wide ultraviolet wavelength range.

Innovation Solution

A polarized ultraviolet light splitting element featuring a substrate with stripe-shaped convex portions made of titanium metal composite oxide, which provides enhanced light splitting efficiency and durability by optimizing the pitch, width, and height of the convex portions, along with a dielectric material in the concave portions, to achieve high polarization extinction ratios and transmission rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If aluminum or titanium oxide is used as the polarized ultraviolet light splitting element, then the device can be manufactured with existing materials, but the light splitting efficiency and durability are limited across a wide ultraviolet wavelength range

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidwide ultraviolet wavelength range coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite structure consisting of a substrate layer, a first convex portion made of titanium oxide, and a second convex portion made of aluminum. This composite material approach combines the advantages of both materials: titanium oxide provides durability and stability, while aluminum enhances light splitting efficiency. The composite structure enables the polarizing element to maintain high performance across a wide ultraviolet wavelength range (200-400 nm) while ensuring long-term durability, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If the convex portions are made with optimized pitch, width, and height, then the light splitting efficiency is enhanced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight splitting efficiencyVSAvoidconvex portion dimensions
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies optimized parameter ranges for the convex portions to achieve high light splitting efficiency while maintaining manufacturability. The pitch between adjacent convex portions is set to 50-200 nm, the width of each convex portion is 10-150 nm, and the height is 20-300 nm. These parameter ranges are carefully selected to maximize the polarization extinction ratio and transmission rate. By defining specific parameter windows rather than requiring exact values, the invention balances high productivity with achievable manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If a multilayer structure with substrate layer and convex portions is used, then the polarization extinction ratio is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepolarization extinction ratioVSAvoidmultilayer structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the polarizing element into distinct functional segments: a substrate layer providing mechanical support, a first convex portion made of titanium oxide for initial polarization, and a second convex portion made of aluminum for enhanced polarization. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally, achieving a high polarization extinction ratio. The segmented structure is simpler than a fully homogeneous complex material would be, as each segment can be manufactured and optimized independently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2891908B1Polarized ultraviolet light splitting element
Publication Date: 2022.10.26 LG CHEM LTD
  • EP2891908B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2891908B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2891908B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present application relates to a polarized ultraviolet light splitting element and to the use thereof. The present application may provide a polarized ultraviolet light splitting element which exhibits excellent splitting efficiency within a wide range of the ultraviolet light region and which has excellent durability. The element can be used, for example, in a photoalignment process of a liquid crystal alignment film.