Wire Grid Polarizer Light Blocking Boundary Regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) suffer from low light efficiency due to absorption-type polarizing plates that waste a significant portion of the light source, leading to deteriorated polarization characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A large area wire grid polarizer is implemented using fine metal lines with widths of 60 nm or less and intervals of 120 nm or less, disposed in small regions on substrates, with a light blocking portion at boundary areas to prevent light transmission and maintain polarization quality without increasing manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If absorption type polarizing plates are used to control polarization of incident light, then polarization characteristics are achieved, but light efficiency is lowered due to absorption of light that does not have the desired polarization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces absorption-type polarizing plates with a wire grid polarizer consisting of fine metal lines. Instead of absorbing unwanted polarized light, the metal lines reflect or redirect it, thereby maintaining light efficiency while achieving the desired polarization control. This substitution eliminates the energy loss associated with absorption while preserving the polarization function.
2Ease of manufacture
If a large area wire grid polarizer is manufactured using multiple small area molds through nano-imprint method, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but polarization characteristic deterioration may occur at boundary portions between small regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing light blocking portions specifically at the boundary regions between small area wire grid polarizer regions. These light blocking portions have different properties (light-blocking function) compared to the main polarizer regions, thereby preventing polarization characteristic deterioration at boundaries while maintaining the cost benefits of using multiple small molds.
Solution Approach 2:
The light blocking portions act as intermediary elements between adjacent wire grid polarizer regions. They mediate the interaction between light and the boundary regions, preventing unwanted light transmission that would otherwise cause polarization deterioration, while allowing the majority of the structure to maintain its polarizing function.
3Manufacturing precision
If fine metal lines with small widths and intervals are used to form wire grid polarizer, then polarization precision is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex lithography processes with the nano-imprint method for forming fine metal lines. This substitution allows achieving precise line widths and intervals (60 nm or less) through a simpler stamping-like process, thereby maintaining high polarization precision while reducing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the parameters of the wire grid structure (line width, interval, orientation) to achieve effective polarization with feasible manufacturing dimensions. By carefully selecting parameters such as 60 nm line width and appropriate intervals, the patent achieves high polarization precision while keeping the structure manufacturable through nano-imprint technology.
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 solution enhances light efficiency and maintains polarization characteristics by forming a large area wire grid polarizer without increasing manufacturing costs, reducing light transmission at boundary areas and preventing polarization deterioration.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of fine metal lines is disposed on the first substrate and includes a plurality of small regions... In the plurality of small regions, the plurality of fine metal lines may be disposed to have predetermined widths at predetermined intervals in a predetermined direction
Implementation Method 2
A light blocking portion is disposed on the second substrate, in which the light blocking portion is disposed, in a region between the plurality of small regions of the plurality of fine metal lines
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid crystal display includes a first substrate. A plurality of fine metal lines is disposed on the first substrate. The plurality of fine metal lines including a plurality of small regions. A second substrate is aligned with the first substrate. A light blocking portion is disposed on the second substrate. The light blocking portion is disposed in a region between the small regions of the plurality of small regions of the plurality of fine metal lines.