Voltage-Controlled Optical Devices Using Solid Electrolyte
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrochromic devices require an ion storage layer, increasing thickness and complicating fabrication, while phase change materials face limitations in uniform reversible switching due to nucleation-dominated crystallization.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state device comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a solid electrolyte with a voltage source that splits water into oxygen and protons, driving them through the electrolyte to change optical properties, potentially within nanosecond timescales, without the need for an ion storage layer, using materials like rare earth oxides and conductive plasmonic nanostructures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electrochromic devices use an ion storage layer to enable optical property modulation, then optical switching capability is achieved, but device thickness increases and fabrication complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the ion storage layer from the conventional electrochromic device structure. Instead of using a separate ion storage layer, the invention uses a solid electrolyte layer that can store and transport ions directly, eliminating the need for additional layers while maintaining optical switching functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of the electrolyte and ion storage into a single solid electrolyte layer. This layer serves both as the medium for ion transport and as the ion reservoir, merging two previously separate components into one integrated structure that reduces overall device thickness.
2Reliability
If conventional electrochromic devices use an ion storage layer to achieve optical modulation, then switching function is enabled, but fabrication process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the ion storage layer, the patent reduces the number of fabrication steps required. The solid electrolyte layer can be deposited using standard thin-film techniques, simplifying the overall fabrication process while maintaining the essential optical modulation function.
3Reliability
If phase change materials are used to control optical properties electrically, then high localization and non-volatile switching are achieved, but uniform reversible switching is limited by nucleation-dominated crystallization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from phase change materials to electrochromic materials that undergo reversible coloration reactions. This parameter change eliminates the nucleation-dominated crystallization issue while maintaining localized and non-volatile switching capabilities through electrochemical reactions.
4Length of stationary object
If solid electrolyte is used without ion storage layer, then device thickness is reduced and fabrication is simplified, but ion supply capability must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The solid electrolyte layer serves itself by acting as both the ion transport medium and the ion reservoir. The material's intrinsic properties allow it to store and supply ions without requiring an external ion storage layer, maintaining ion supply capability while reducing device thickness.
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 efficient, reversible, and localized modulation of optical properties, allowing for high-resolution displays and optical modulators with low power consumption, operating from room temperature to 300°C, and facilitating versatile applications such as dynamic holography and active plasmonic devices.
Implementation Method 1
the voltage source applies a voltage across the first and second electrodes. This voltage splits water into oxygen and protons at an interface between the first electrode and the solid electrolyte
Implementation Method 2
The electric field drives the protons toward the second electrode
Data Source
AI summary
Achieving precise, localized reversible control of optical material properties is challenging. Fortunately, electrochemical reactions and proton pumping in a solid-state system provide reversible electrical control of the solid-state system's optical properties. Applying a voltage to a thin solid electrolyte layer, such as GdOx, splits water into O2 and H+ (with charge conservation ensured by electron transfer at the electrodes) at the interface between the solid electrolyte and an electrode. The voltage drives the protons into the solid electrolyte, changing the solid electrolyte's refractive index. Reversing the polarity of the applied voltage drives the protons out of the solid electrolyte, reversing the refractive index change. This reversible electrical control can be used to implement interference color modulation, transmission modulation, and switchable plasmonics. Because the solid electrolyte can be less than 10 nanometers thick, this electrochemical control enables highly localized control of optical properties active plasmonic devices and reconfigurable metamaterials.