Waveguide Sheet Light Confinement via Streaked Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional waveguide sheets face limitations in capturing and guiding light efficiently over a wide wavelength range and angle, leading to incomplete light propagation and reduced energy transfer to photoelectric conversion elements.
Innovation Solution
A waveguide sheet with a diffraction grating layer and alternating layers of meandering and parallel transparent layers, where the meandering layers have concave and convex streaks, effectively changes the light direction and confines it within the sheet, allowing efficient capture and guidance of incident light to a photoelectric conversion element.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional waveguide sheet with a single light-transmissive layer and diffraction grating is used, then light can be captured in a wide wavelength range, but light confinement efficiency is insufficient leading to incomplete light propagation
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide sheet is segmented into multiple light-transmissive layers (first light-transmissive layer with diffraction grating, second light-transmissive layer, and third light-transmissive layer) instead of using a single layer. This segmentation allows each layer to perform specific functions: the first layer captures light across a wide wavelength range, while the second and third layers work together to confine and guide the light efficiently, resolving the contradiction between broad adaptability and reliable light confinement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where the second light-transmissive layer is positioned between the first light-transmissive layer (with diffraction grating) and the third light-transmissive layer. This nested arrangement creates multiple interfaces for total internal reflection, enhancing light confinement while maintaining the wide wavelength capture capability of the diffraction grating in the first layer.
2Reliability
If a waveguide sheet with multiple light-transmissive layers is used to improve light confinement, then light propagation is enhanced, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each light-transmissive layer is assigned a specific local function: the first layer contains the diffraction grating for light capture, while the second and third layers are optimized for light confinement through total internal reflection. This local quality differentiation allows the system to achieve reliable light propagation without requiring all layers to be equally complex, thus managing overall structural complexity while improving light propagation.
3Area of stationary object
If the waveguide sheet captures light at wide incident angles, then light capture area is maximized, but light guidance efficiency to the photoelectric conversion element decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses the angle-dependent guidance efficiency by introducing a third dimension through multiple stacked layers. The second light-transmissive layer positioned between the first and third layers creates additional reflection interfaces that can handle a broader range of incident angles. This multi-layer dimensional approach allows the system to maintain both wide light capture area and efficient light guidance to the photoelectric conversion element.
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 sheet efficiently captures and directs incident light over a wide wavelength range and angle, enhancing light confinement and energy transfer to the photoelectric conversion element, thereby improving the conversion efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a diffraction grating layer that changes a traveling direction of incident light
Implementation Method 2
Each of the first light-transmissive pairs includes a first light-transmissive layer having a shape with first concave streaks and first convex streaks being repeatedly arranged
Data Source
AI summary
A waveguide sheet captures incident light and waveguides the incident light in a direction intersecting with an incident direction. The waveguide sheet includes a diffraction grating layer that changes a traveling direction of the incident light and a plurality of first light-transmissive pairs. Each of the first light-transmissive pairs includes a first light-transmissive layer having a shape with first concave streaks and first convex streaks being repeatedly arranged in a first direction that is a direction intersecting with the incident direction, and a second light-transmissive layer laminated on the first light-transmissive layer. In the plurality of first light-transmissive pairs, the first light-transmissive layer is located closer to a side of the diffraction grating layer and each of the first concave streaks of another first light-transmissive layer is located between adjacent first convex streaks among the first convex streaks of the first light-transmissive layer as seen in the incident direction.