Waveguide Polarization Structure for Uniform Holographic Display Light

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing holographic display technologies face challenges in achieving uniform light emission intensity and coherence in backlight units due to manufacturing difficulties in adjusting light extraction efficiency, which affects the quality of 3D image display.

Innovation Solution

A waveguide structure with multiple layers and gratings, including polarization separation and conversion elements, is designed to achieve uniform light extraction efficiency by varying transmission/reflection ratios across different areas, ensuring consistent light intensity output.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If light extraction efficiency is adjusted by varying output grating properties across different areas, then uniform light emission intensity is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of emitted lightVSAvoiddifficulty in precisely adjusting light extraction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by varying the light extraction efficiency of the output grating across different areas of the waveguide. Specifically, the output grating is designed with different grating depths, periods, or orientations in different regions to compensate for the non-uniform light distribution, ensuring that the final emitted light has uniform intensity across the entire display area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the physical parameters of the output grating (such as grating depth, period, duty cycle, or orientation angle) across different areas of the waveguide. These parameter variations are carefully controlled to adjust the local light extraction efficiency, transforming the non-uniform light distribution into a uniform output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If high coherence light is used in holographic display backlight unit, then 3D image quality is improved, but light uniformity becomes difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoherence of lightVSAvoiduniformity of emitted light
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by applying local quality through spatially varying the output grating characteristics. The input grating maintains high coherence light from the laser source, while the output grating is locally optimized in different areas to extract light uniformly, thus preserving coherence while achieving uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses segmentation by dividing the output grating into multiple zones with different parameters. Each zone is independently optimized to extract light at the appropriate intensity level, allowing the system to maintain overall coherence while achieving local uniformity across the entire emission area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

The waveguide structure ensures uniform light emission intensity, enhancing the quality of 3D image display by maintaining coherence and reducing manufacturing complexities.

Implementation Method 1

a first waveguide layer 110 and a second waveguide layer 120... for waveguiding light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a first input grating 210, a second input grating 220, and a third input grating 230... provided on the waveguide layers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 3

an output grating 500... provided on the second waveguide layer 120

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 4

a first polarization separation element 310... having different transmission/reflection ratios for each area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolarization: Polarisation

Implementation Method 5

a first polarization conversion element 410... provided on the first waveguide layer 110

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBirefringence: Birefringence

Data Source

PatentEP3985419B1Waveguide structure, back light unit including the same, and display apparatus including the waveguide structure
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3985419B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3985419B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3985419B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a waveguide structure (15) including an output grating (500), a polarization conversion element (410) provided parallel to the output grating (500), and a polarization separation element (310) provided between the output grating (500) and the polarization conversion element (410), wherein the polarization separation element (310) is configured to transmit, to the output grating (500), light (L1) having a first polarization direction among light incident on the polarization separation element (310), and reflect, to the polarization conversion element (410), light (L2) having a second polarization direction different from the light having the first polarization direction among the light incident on the polarization separation element (310). (Fig. 13)