Wire Grid Polarizer Mo Ti Layer Nano-Imprint Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The reliability of wire grid polarizers in liquid crystal display apparatuses is compromised due to uneven surfaces during the nano-imprint manufacturing process, leading to decreased light efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A polarizer design featuring a substrate with a first metal layer having a wire grid pattern and a second metal layer made of molybdenum (Mo) or titanium (Ti), with a thickness of 10-20 nanometers, is used to improve the reliability and optimize the contrast ratio, transmittance, and reflectance by forming a uniform metal layer through a nano-imprint method.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a typical polarizing plate is used to control molecular arrangement, then polarization control is achieved, but light efficiency decreases due to light absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional absorption-based polarizing plate with a wire grid polarizer that uses metallic structures to control light polarization through geometric configuration. The wire grid pattern on the substrate creates polarization control through structural design rather than material absorption, thereby maintaining polarization control functionality while improving light efficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If a wire grid polarizer is manufactured using nano-imprint method, then manufacturing precision is improved, but surface unevenness occurs leading to reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a preliminary metal layer (first metal layer) on the substrate before forming the wire grid pattern through nano-imprint. This preliminary layer serves as a foundation that ensures surface uniformity and structural integrity during the subsequent pattern formation process, preventing surface unevenness while maintaining the precision of the wire grid pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining the substrate, first metal layer, and second metal layer (with wire grid pattern). This composite material approach integrates the benefits of each layer: the substrate provides mechanical support, the first metal layer ensures surface uniformity, and the second metal layer creates the functional wire grid pattern, thereby achieving both manufacturing precision and reliability.
3Reliability
If metal layer thickness is increased to improve reliability, then structural strength is improved, but light transmittance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different metal layers with specific thicknesses at different locations and functions. The first metal layer has a thickness optimized for surface uniformity and structural support, while the second metal layer with wire grid pattern has a thickness optimized for polarization control with minimal light absorption. This local quality differentiation allows each layer to perform its function optimally without compromising overall light transmittance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the thickness parameters of the metal layers to achieve the desired balance between structural strength and light transmittance. By carefully selecting and adjusting the thickness values of the first and second metal layers, the patent ensures sufficient structural integrity for reliability while maintaining adequate light transmission for display performance.
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 the reliability of the polarizer and optimizes the contrast ratio, transmittance, and reflectance, thereby improving the light efficiency of liquid crystal display apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
A typical polarizing plate passes polarized light which is parallel with a transmission axis, and absorbs polarized light which is perpendicular to the transmission axis
Data Source
AI summary
A polarizer includes a substrate, and a first metal layer and a second metal layer disposed on the substrate. The first metal layer includes a plurality of protrusions of a wire grid pattern. Each protrusion has a first width and adjacent protrusions are spaced apart by a second width. The second metal layer is disposed on each of the protrusions of the first metal layer, and includes molybdenum (Mo) and/or titanium (Ti).