JPS59135436A - Optical device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable an observer to recognize images by consisting an optical device of heating elements which heat a core layer so as to generate a change in the refractive index thereof and a light source for conducting light to the optical element, then heating the core layer to the extent of avoiding boiling the core layer. CONSTITUTION:A heating resistor 4b is electrically heated, and the heat thereof is transmitted via a clad layer 2 to a core layer 1 to form a heated region 6. The core layer 1 is heated to the extent of avoiding boiling the core layer. If a material of which the refractive index changes negative with a change in temp. is selected as the layer 1, a thermal gradient index region is formed in the heating region 6 in the layer 1. As a result, the course of the light, which arrives at the region 6, of light 7, is disturbed and therefore the total reflection condition is broken. At least a part of the light arriving at the region 6 passes the layer 3 without propagating in the core layer any longer and emerges to the outside of the optical element as exit light 8. If very small spot-like heating resistors are disposed in the shape of a dot matrix, an observer is able to recognize characters and images from the shape that the point sets in the heating region form.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention The present invention relates to a novel optical element, etc., particularly an optical element used for light modulation or display, and an optical device i1u using the same.
and how they operate. -Currently, cathode ray tubes (so-called CRTs) are widely used as terminal displays in various office equipment and measuring instruments, or as displays in monitors for televisions and video cameras. However, there are still some who say that CRTs do not reach the level of hard copies made using silver halide or electrophotography in terms of image quality, resolution, and display capacity.

In addition, attempts have been made to commercialize so-called liquid crystal panels that display dot matrix images as an alternative to CRTs, but these liquid crystal panels also have problems with driveability, display performance,
We have not been able to obtain anything that is completely satisfactory in terms of reliability, productivity, and durability. Furthermore, optical shutters that utilize liquid crystal light valves are attracting attention as optical path modulating elements.

However, it is said that the above-mentioned apparatus requires a complicated and expensive optical system, which is a drawback.Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art and to eliminate the need for a complicated and expensive optical system. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical element that can realize a simple light modulation device or a display device without using the same, an optical device using the same, and a method for operating these.

An object of the present invention is to provide an optical element having excellent reliability, productivity, durability, etc., an optical device using the same, and a method for operating the same.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an optical element capable of producing high-resolution, high-quality images, an optical device using the same, and a method for operating the same.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

The first to the first figures are basic configuration diagrams showing the basic principle of the optical element according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partially schematic cross-sectional view of an optical element according to the present invention;
FIG. 2(a) is a partially schematic cross-sectional view of an optical element having a cross section as shown in FIG. 1, taken along the N- line. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 (in al, / means cladding@co, consisting of a member having a refractive index relatively higher than the refractive index of 3, which forms a leading waveguide, and is similar to the core of an optical fiber. It is called a core layer because it functions as a core layer.Generally, glass or plastic with good transparency is used as the core material of an optical fiber, but the core @/ constituting the optical element according to the present invention is limited to these solid materials. However, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object of the present invention, it may be preferable for K to be composed of a liquid or a fluid as described later.Also, the thickness of the core fli4/ The thickness is preferably within the range of /μm to /fl, and X, A, and 3 are cladding layers corresponding to the cladding of the optical fiber, which cover the core @/ from above and below.

The claddings 2 and 3 have a refractive index that is relatively lower than the refractive index of the core @/ in order to propagate light within the core layer/ by utilizing total reflection of light at the interface with the core #/. A transparent member selected from among solid, liquid, and gas having a high refractive index, such as glass with a low refractive index or plastic with a low refractive index, is used. S, (However, the cladding layer may be opaque.

λ Next, the core layer/ is partially heated (However, if the core layer/ is a liquid, the core I#l is heated to an extent that boiling does not occur in the core layer.
Heat I/. ) for both claddings lf
It is arranged in at least one of M, 2°3.

In the case of this embodiment, it is disposed in contact with the outside of the cladding.

Further, this heat generating element may be arranged close to the outside of the cladding layer. Further, the heat generating elements are arranged on the entire outer surface of the clad guard, or in sections such as dots, islands, dotted lines, or dotted rows.

In the case of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 2(a), one end of the heating element is connected to the earth side, and the other end is connected to the respective 1! Heat-generating resistors a, b, . . . connected to the poles are attached to the cladding @a in a segmented manner in a dotted line manner. S(,5-a, 5
b...) are switches, one end of each of which is connected to a common electric voltage, and the other end of each of which is connected to the heating resistor va,
! Ib... are connected to respective unillustrated electrodes. B is a heating region formed in the core l1il. For example, when the switch Sb is turned on, the heating resistor llb is heated by electricity, and this heat is transferred to the cladding lfJ.
, 2 shows a region of relatively high temperature and a changed refractive index formed within the core fil / by the transmission of the core Ifa/K through the core Ifa/K. 7 is light in the visible range that enters the core layer / and propagates inside the core +M /; 7 is the emitted light that exits from the core 1 tank / via the cladding @3; / is the observer.

Next, the basic light modulation principle of the optical element according to the present invention and the operating principle of display YX will be explained according to FIG. 7 and FIG. is uniform, when light 7 is incident on the unheated core +47, which has a relatively high refractive index and is covered with a cladding with a relatively low refractive index, the core I@/
And Clad II! 1. Since the light 7 is totally reflected at the interface between C and C, the light 7 is totally reflected many times at these interfaces, propagates inside the core layer, and travels to the other end of the optical fiber (light guide). (also called a wave tube) and a thin film optical waveguide called JQ-build. At this time, if there is a fall in the light 7 to the observer who is separated by the cladding layer 3, a small amount of light will reach the viewer as the emitted light g, but in reality, the light 7 hardly ever reaches the viewer. .

Now, the heating resistors lIa, llb are arranged in dotted lines...
... through the heating resistor b 7! ! To heat up the 7IO, turn on the switch tb as shown in Figure 7.This i+
By heating for 1 m, the cladding near the heating resistor lIb; the part of λ and the core r! The portion 4/ is heated by thermal conduction to form a heated region B in the core li'η/. If the core layer/ is selected to have a refractive index change with temperature change of In this case, the core is heated to a boiling point.

) A thermal gradient index region is formed in the heating region B within the core. As a result, the path of the light of the light 7 that has reached this heating area B is disturbed, and therefore the condition of total reflection is broken, but at least a part of this light that has reached the heating area B is no longer in the core I? 4/, passes through the cladding layer 3 and exits the optical element as emitted light g. At this time, M player/2 visually observes the emitted light beam as if it were emitted from the heating resistor +b. Incidentally, if an optical sensor is placed in place of 1M+1 person/co, the optical sensor will detect this emitted light g.

In this case, if the heating resistors 11ta, lIb, . . . are minute dots, the heating resistors 4ta, 4b, .
The heated region 6 formed by heating with electricity also becomes minute. Due to this minute heating area B, the light 7 ii! ! 'ft is disturbed and a part of the light 7 emerges from the optical element as the emitted light g, so for the observer/2, the heating resistors g a, 41b, etc. are emitting point light. Visualize like. This means that the heating resistors 4a and 4b
...If the object has an arbitrary shape with a certain size, the viewer recognizes the object as having displayed such a shape.

In addition, if the minute heating resistors in the form of dots are arranged in a dotted row, some of these heating resistors are heated with electricity, so that the heating resistors heated with electricity are heated. The shape of the set of dots in the heated area formed by heating the body allows the viewer to recognize various characters and images.

In this example, we took as an example a case where the refractive index liquefaction with respect to temperature change of the core layer/ is much larger than that of the cladding layer (for example, generally when the core +4 is a liquid and the cladding layer is a solid), The heating region formed by heating the cladding layer was not affected because the effect was small.

Furthermore, the larger the refractive index change with respect to temperature change, the larger the refractive index change with a small temperature change.
A core with this power is formed and the path of light is greatly disturbed by the minute heating area in the area, so in order to obtain the above display effect, it is even more advantageous to use a core with this power up to -45. do not have. Note that if the temperature change in the heating region formed in the core layer is 7 to T, and the refractive index change at that time is △N, then the ratio of the refractive index change to the temperature change, that is, 1△N/△T1
0 The order of magnitude is generally liquid, solid, and gas.

Therefore, a translucent liquid is suitable as the material for the core.

Further, as the basic composition of the translucent liquid as the material of the core layer, water or various organic solvents may be used alone or in combination. Specific examples of various organic solvents used for this include methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, and se.

-butyl alcohol, tθrt-)yl alcohol.

Alkyl alcohols such as isophthyl alcohol, pentyl alcohol, hexyl alcohol, hephthyl alcohol, octyl alcohol, nonyl alcohol, and denyl alcohol; for example, hexane.

Octane, cyclopentane. benzene, toluene.

Hydrocarbon solvents such as Kijirol; for example, carbon tetrachloride,
Halogenated hydrocarbon solvents such as trichlorethylene, tetrachloroethylene, tetrachloroethane, dichlorobenzene; Ether solvents such as ethyl erthyl, butyl ether, ethylene glycol diethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoether ether, etc.;
acetone.

Ketoxy solvents such as methyl ethyl ketone, methyl propyl ketone, methyl amyl ketone, and nclohexanone; ethyl formate, methyl acetate, propyl acetate. Chemical solvents such as phenylacetate and ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate; for example, diacetone alcohol, etc. (alcohol solvents; for example, amides such as dimethylformamide and dimethylacetamide; Amines;
For example, polyalkylene glycol-A such as polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol; ethylene glycol, propylene glycol A, hexylene glycol, fullkylene glycol; for example, glycerin, etc. (polyhydric alcohol; petroleum hydrocarbon Examples include solvents.

It is also an essential condition that the refractive index of the translucent liquid constituting the core layer is higher than the refractive index of the cladding, and the refractive index of the cladding layer is usually less than 1S. Therefore, the above liquids (among them, specific liquids that satisfy the refractive index conditions (7 examples are listed below).

The above is just an example, and it goes without saying that the liquid is not limited to the liquid that composes the lump layer related to unexploded (lj).

FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross section of another embodiment of the optical element shown in FIG. 1, in which a light diffuser 1-9 is provided adjacent to the upper part of the cladding layer 3.

In FIG. 7 and FIG. 2(a), the observer/2 sees that at least part of the light 7 whose path is disturbed by the heating region B, that is, passes through the cladding layer 3, as described above. However, since this emitted light g has some directionality depending on the shape of the heating area B, the viewing angle at which this emitted light beam can be seen is limited. Therefore, if the light diffusing surface 9 is provided on the cladding layer 3 as shown in FIG. The viewing angle that can be viewed is very wide, which is desirable for the viewer.

Note that the core t! along the line A'~ of the optical element shown in FIG. The cross-sectional shape of 4/ and clad @Y, 3 is shown in Figure 2 (
Although the core +47 is shown as a flat plate as shown in a), there is also a core with a circular cross section as shown in Figure 2 (b). % of the cladding-Z (referred to as optical waveguide). As shown in the above, the general cross-sectional shapes of the core @/ and the cladding 1 and 3 that cover it are circular as shown in Fig. 2, or flat plates 4 and 1, but in the present invention. However, σ) is not limited to these.

FIG. 9 is a partially schematic vertical cross-sectional view of an embodiment (11) showing the basic structure of an optical element according to the present invention in which an infrared absorbing layer is used as a heating element at a temperature of 1° C. per month.

In Figure 9, / is solid, ? &(It doesn't matter which one~・However, for example, the above liquid force, 1puru core layer, 3 covers this core 1-/(・ru clad 1, 7゛゛1 this core 11η/) Light in the visible range that enters and enters the core 114/, g is the emitted light of light 7 emitted to the evening V portion through the cladding 3, and is a 7.2% 1tlK observer.

In addition, the refractive index of the core layer material is the IDI of the cladding layer material 3, which is made of the material described in section j in Figure 1.
Relatively higher than #F i'-. /θ is an infrared absorbing layer as a heat generating element, which is applied 411+1 times outside the cladding. Is Otsu Core I? 1/ is heated and formed in the core/V'', infrared rays are irradiated to the red tatto part of the core (also tatto/θ), and the infrared absorbing layer 10 in this irradiated part generates heat. This heat is transferred to a portion of the core layer through the core layer and the core II/car is heated to an extent that local boiling does not occur, forming a relatively high-temperature region.

Next, with reference to the WG+ figure, the operating principle, which is the eight light modulation principles and display principle of the optical element according to the present invention, will be explained.

The infrared rays /l are not irradiated to the infrared absorbing layer 10,
Therefore, when the core I@/ is not heated and its refractive index is uniform, the light 7 incident on the core @/ is radiated across the entire IC at the interface between the core 1i1/ and the cladding lfi, 2 or 3. Engineering core l! Propagate within 1/. At this time, the light 71 passes through the cladding 1 end 3 and reaches the observer/yu.
When observer/2 looks at this optical element, he cannot see any light.

Now, when the infrared tQ absorption layer /θ is irradiated with infrared rays // as shown in the figure, the infrared ray absorption layer 1470 of the irradiated area generates heat. This heat is transferred to the core layer/ via the cladding i end, causing the core layer f/liγ to rise. Here, if a material whose refractive index changes with respect to temperature changes is selected as the material of the +i mico layer, the heating jiff region 6 becomes a thermal gradient index region.

As a result, the path of the light that has reached this heating region B out of the light 7 is disturbed, and the total reflection condition between the core, 17, and the cladding layer 3 is broken, and at least a portion of this light passes through the core. 15(i
/ 2Z <, passes through the cladding layer 3 and is emitted to the outside of the optical element as emitted light g to the observer /
Reach 2. At this time, the observer perceives the emitted light g as if it were emitted from the infrared absorbing layer /θ of the heat generating area. If an optical sensor is placed in place of the observer 2, the emitted light beam will be incident on the light-receiving surface of the optical sensor (not shown) and the light can be detected.

Note that the heating region A formed in the core 11S1 of the optical element having the configuration shown in FIGS. Therefore, all the light 7 that has reached this part is totally reflected again at the interface between the core and the cladding, and propagates inside the core. In addition, Fig. 1 to 1
7. In the embodiment of the optical element having the configuration shown in the figure, the heating element is not limited to being installed outside the cladding layer (as long as it meets the above object of the present invention, the heating element may be installed outside the cladding layer). may be provided inside the cladding or inscribed on the core layer side, or may be a combination thereof.The same applies to the mirror described below.

Furthermore, instead of the cladding of the optical element having the configuration shown in FIGS. 7 to 4, a mirror having a light-reflecting metallurgy formed on the substrate may be used. However, in this case, the mirror surface should not be placed in contact with or close to the core layer.
That is clear.

FIG. 3 is a partially fragmented schematic structural perspective view of an embodiment of a display device applying the optical path modulation principle of the optical waveguide shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 is a board, on which a large number of ring-shaped heating resistors as heating elements/4ta are attached.
, /+b, /1la-/rik (hereinafter referred to as 1 heating resistor/4t) are provided.

The longitudinal direction is perpendicular to these heating resistors /4, and the vertical and horizontal cross sections are as shown in Figure 1 and 9JIJλF4 (1)
) A large number of optical waveguides 15h having a structure having a core shown in ) and a cladding layer, /,! rb, /ka-/! ;n
(hereinafter referred to as optical waveguide 15) are arranged in a closely spaced guiding waveguide panel or heating resistor/Hirokami.1/,2
Reference numeral 1 denotes a laser beam having a wavelength in the hr visual range, which is repeatedly scanned in the direction of the arrow in the figure and sequentially enters one of the cores W4 of the leading wave tube/S. /b are these laser beams 7.
2 shows a display element made of the above-mentioned elements except for 2. Also,/! 'a.

/! i'& is the heated region formed by heating the core of the optical isowave tube is'a (however, if the core is a liquid,
The core layer is heated to the extent that it does not boil. ) However, the heating regions formed in the core layers of the 18 wave tubes other than the 7 core layers of the leading wave tube 15a are not shown in the figure. When not, the core +9i of the leading waveguide 15 is not heated, so the heating region described above in FIG. 1 occurs in the core 1 of the optical waveguide /S.
It's ugly. Therefore, the laser beam /2' incident on the core @ of the selected leading waveguide in the optical waveguide /S is not totally reflected by the core layer and cladding layer described above in Fig. It propagates and ejects from the other end.

Next, only the heating resistors /41a and /4 are energized)
It is heated, and at this time the laser beam 72N has 4 waves of light! /,t
When it is incident on a, the heating resistor /ke. , /lkQ through heating, these heating resistors /10. A heating region (optical waveguide/&a
/&'8, /5'a) is formed. On the other hand, optical waveguide t/! ;Laser beam incident on a 7.
2'iz both heating areas /l'a, /j'a! Therefore, as described in the explanation of FIG. 7, the course of the light is disturbed.1 Some of the light passes through the cladding of the leading wave tube 15a as shown by the arrow in the figure and exits the display element/6. It is emitted as display light to the area.

Next, an appropriate number of heating resistors /4b are heated by electricity, and the laser beams /2 are made to enter the optical waveguides /4b to indicate the optical waveguide /4b. This process is repeated one after another through the optical waveguides 15o.../3nK, and the display element/6 is displayed co-dimensionally as one screen. Note that the core 1 of the optical waveguide 15
A weakly formed heating region, for example a heating region formed in the core layer of the leading wave tube 15a / , 5i”a , / ,
Another leading wave g formed together with S-'a, for example a heated region formed in the optical waveguide 15b, is heated by the laser beam /, 2. When it enters the optical waveguide /Sb, it is cooled and disappears, whether by natural cooling or forced cooling, and returns to its original state. Therefore, the next optical waveguide /, 5-
There is no problem when displaying b. In other words, the following optical waveguide ￥f
If you want to display the corresponding points above on the heating resistor /da c and /da at the edge of the front thread of /4b, press the heating resistor /ll c again.
, /IIk may be used for heating, and if there is no need for display, /lIO and /Fk may not be heated by electricity.

FIG. 6 is a schematic structural perspective view of one embodiment of a display device in which the display element shown in FIG. 5 is provided with a light source of a light emitting diode element array.

In Fig. 3, like the borrowing element in Fig. 5, /3 is a substrate, /da is a heating resistor, /3 is an optical waveguide, and these trap light emitting diodes /7h, / 7b.

The flat plate microlens array /g is arranged so that the light beam emitted from the light emitting diode array /7 consisting of /7c.../7n efficiently enters each of the corresponding leading wave tubes /3 ( However, this flat microlens array is not always required.) In addition, each light emitting diode /7a.

/7b, /7c,,,1 and 0 are respectively 8 waves of light M/5
h.

It is assumed that /&b, /old c...correspond to lsn, respectively.

The display operation in the case of FIG. 6 is exactly the same as that in FIG. A heating area is formed in the area, and in parallel with this, the light emitting diode element array/70 light emitting diodes corresponding to any of the corresponding leading waveguides/S to be displayed emit light and the light enters the corresponding optical waveguide. urge Because of this, the heating area of a given optical waveguide is displayed as '! The display principle is the same as that explained in FIG. Is/ and FIG. S. Light emitting diode element array/Rinal light emitting diode/Rial/7b.

/C.../7n are emitted and scanned one after another, so that the display element /6 is displayed in the a dimension as the lrA plane.

However, in the configuration shown in Fig. 6, a similar display can also be obtained by heating the heating resistor with electricity and making any plurality of light emitting diodes emit light in synchronization with the heating signal. It is possible.

FIG. 7 is a partially exploded schematic perspective view of another display device using the optical path modulation principle of the optical element shown in FIG. 1.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 1.2.2 is a light-transmissive cladding layer made of a plate-shaped member with a relatively low refractive index, and is provided with a large number of grooves in a striped pattern. 2. Otsu is a cladding layer composed of a thin plate-like member with a relatively low refractive index, for example,
Clad In is superimposed on the grooved side of 2.2 by thermal melting or the like and is integrated with the clad @ core a. As a result, the groove of the cladding layer n becomes an elongated hollow hole hollowed out by the cladding 11'4.2A. The large number of parallel, elongated cavities are filled with the liquid having a relatively high refractive index and serving as the core. These allow a large number of parallel optical waveguide holes 5a, 2! ;b, 2!
;a...2! ;n<hereinafter referred to as optical waveguide hole S) is formed. These cladding@,22,. 2A, the optical waveguide hole, and 2 left are collectively referred to as a leading waveguide panel. 73
' is a substrate, on which a large number of heating resistors 3a are arranged in stripes,
:13b, 23o.=23kC or less, referred to as heating resistor 23) are provided. The optical waveguide hole 2S is provided on the heating resistor 23 so as to be perpendicular thereto. Another more effective means of creating such a leading waveguide panel is to place the heat generating resistor 23 on the substrate 73'.
There is also a method of forming the cladding layer 2B by coating it with a low refractive index dielectric such as SIO, and then bonding the substrate/3' and the cladding layer n in which grooves are formed. The core is a light diffusion layer provided on the cladding@2U, for example,
The top surface of the cladding 2, 2 is made into a finely uneven shape. The cross-section along the longitudinal direction of this optical waveguide hole 5 is exactly the same as the cross-section l shown in FIG. The display element 2/ is constituted by these above-mentioned components.

A light emitting diode /qa is connected to the incident surface side of this optical waveguide hole S via a flat plate microlens array 20.

A light emitting diode element array /9 consisting of /9b, /90.../qn is arranged.

The display operation shown in FIG. 7 is exactly the same as the operation described in FIGS. S and 6. That is, the heating resistor 2
The heating resistor selected from 3 is heated with electricity, and the portion of the core layer on the left side of the optical waveguide hole 2 that intersects with the heating resistor that is being heated with electricity is heated. The heating region described in Figure JB1 is formed in this core layer. At this time, the light emitting diodes of the selected light emitting diode element row/9 emit light, causing light to enter the core +1 of the selected optical waveguide hole. This is K
Therefore, the path of the light that has been propagated through the core of the selected optical waveguide hole and that has been totally reflected by the boundary between the core axis and the cladding layer is disturbed by the heating region as described in Fig. 1. and at least part of that light is clad l! After passing through 1 22, this light is scattered by the light diffusion layer 27 and exits from the display element 2/ as display light. In this way, the heating resistor 23 is selected at an appropriate KM and heated, and at the same time, the light emitting diode element array/? Light emitting diode /9a,
/qb, /9c.../? By selecting one of n and emitting light to display a dot display, and repeating this operation one after another, it is possible to display two-dimensionally on the display element 2/ as one screen. Note that the Kashu region formed in the core of the selected optical waveguide will be cooled and disappear just before the next optical waveform (・), so there is no problem in the next display. In the configurations shown in Figures 5 to 7, in practice, the heating resistor can be manufactured with a density of g wood/WI11 to 76 pieces/width, and the density of the optical waveguide is g pieces/W -20 pieces/sushi. However, the density of the optical waveguide holes can be manufactured from g pieces/hole to 16 pieces/gourd.

The $g diagram is a block diagram of a display device as an application example of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, an example in which each component of each display element whose structure is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, for example, is matrix-driven will be described in more detail. Three are action selection circuits, action drive circuits 34'A and 3'lB.

341. C... 31/lZ and a light emitting diode 3 daK electrically coupled by a signal line, behavior drive circuit, 71
1B is a light emitting diode 3hirobK, the behavior driving circuit 311o is connected to a light emitting diode 34ta, and the behavior driving circuit 3'lZ is connected to a light emitting diode 311z. Dynamic axis selection circuit 3/ and dynamic axis drive circuit 33A,
,? , 7B...33Z and heating resistor 3A
The same applies to the mutual relationship with a, 31°b...3AZ. The image control circuit 30 is the action selection circuit 3
2 and the dynamic axis selection circuit 3/ by a signal line. 3! rh, 3. ! ;b, 3! rc-self-3
! ;z is the light emitting diode 3 da a, 3 g b, 3 da O...
. . 311z, for example, optical waveguides having the thread structure shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. 30 is an image control circuit, and by outputting an image control signal, an action selection circuit 32 selects the optical waveguide 3.3 as an action.
ra, 3. l-b, 3! ? O・-・・-3! ;Z
The moving axis selection circuit also instructs the moving axis selection circuit 3/ to select the heating resistor as the moving axis. Aa, 36 b...31. Instructs which heating resistor of Z should be selected.

Here, the light emitting diodes 3+a, , 311tb,
341C...34tz corresponds to the light emitting diode shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and the optical waveguide 3! ;a, 3
! ;b.

3 Left C...-J5Z corresponds to the optical waveguide or optical waveguide hole shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and the heating resistor 36a
, 3Ab...31. z corresponds to the heating resistor shown in figures a+b and FIG.

Next, referring to FIG. 8, an explanation will be given of the operation of driving the display devices of FIGS. 6 and 7, for example. When the action drive circuit 3'lA is selected by a command signal from the image control circuit 30, the nail shaft drive circuit 34tA is in an In-conducting state for a certain period of time, during which time the light emitting diode 3qa emits light. Light emitted from the light emitting diode 311a is guided to the optical waveguide 35a. Next, when the behavior drive circuit 3'1B-b' is selected, the light emitting diode 31b emits light, and the light is transmitted through the optical waveguide. lbk led. Thus, each optical waveguide 35a.

33'0.3kG...3Sz The light is scanned line-sequentially. On the other hand, when the video signal, which is one of the seven image control signals from the image control circuit 3θ, is manually input to the moving axis selection circuit 3/, upon receiving the command, the moving axis selection circuit 3/ generates heat as a predetermined moving axis. Select a resistor.

For example, the moving axis selection circuit 3/ is the heating resistor 3 [a+3/]
If you select z, the dynamic axis drive times vr33 A, 332
was emitted from the moving axis selection circuit 3/. ? J'A row.

33 In response to the Z column selection signal, the heating resistor 31. a. Heat the corner at 31°2. As a result, the heating resistor 36
h, 3 Otsu 2 intersecting optical waveguide Il￥53Are&
, 3! ;b, 3! rc...? The core layer portion of 5z is heated to an extent that boiling does not occur, creating a PA area. Note that this heating region includes heating resistors 36a, 3
AZ-＼'s Osho (Electrification was carried out by No. 311 and N.
It cools down and disappears, returning to its original state. Thus,
If the selection of the action, for example, the selection of the optical waveguide 35a and the moving axis, is made at the same time, in this example, the heating resistor 39*3/zz that is selected and heated by electricity is selected. Intersection point with leading wavepath 3j & (selected point) <3! ;h.

Light is emitted from both 3Otsu a) and (, 3!ret, 3Otsu 2), respectively. In this way, the optical waveguide 3 behaves according to the signal command of the 1 image control circuit 3Q! ;a, 3! ;b, J
jc......? 52 and a heating resistor as a moving shaft, 31. a, :/bb..., 31. Two-dimensional display can be performed by appropriately selecting z- and operating as described above.

Note 1. ) The material for the heating resistor that can be written is 69.
] Examples include gold 1be compounds represented by hafnicum oxide and tantalum nitride, and transparent tetracarbons such as indium tin oxide (abbreviated as I.1.d.).

FIG. 9 is a partially fractured 6jt schematic perspective view of the embodiment of 41C of display 4 to which the optical path penalty principle of the optical element described above in the diagram jB/ is applied.

In FIG. 9, lII is a flat guiding waveguide as an optical waveguide panel, and the cladding 't4 lI3,4'! is composed of a flat plate-shaped member with a relatively low h11 refractive index. r
The 7th section intervening between Toko Clad 1 4t3 and 113
It is composed of a core [44'] which has a relatively high refractive index and is made of the liquid &da mentioned in the explanation of the figures, and its cross section is exactly the same as in Fig. 7 and Fig. 21v4 (a) except for the heating element. The illumination light flux '12 emitted from the linear light source C1 is converged through a cylindrical lens 4t/ and is incident on one end of the core Itq + 4.Hiro 7 is a heat generating element, and its details tK The configuration is shown in Figure 70. llga, 4gbIdaga...dag1 is the column conductor, 1Iqa, daqb...419 is the row conductor, and these are good. These column conductors lIga*'f'zab, 4
g c------・xi g 1 (hereinafter, column conductor 4t
g) and row conductors q q a.

qqb...49k (hereinafter abbreviated as row conductor 1lt9) and a heating resistor element as a heating resistor is interposed between each intersection. Figure 10 shows the above heating element 4.
Partially fragmented perspective view of t7 C%da9? L*4'9b*4tq
a, 1Iqd are the above row conductors, llga, rigb.

llga and llgcl are the column conductors. These row conducting wires llq and column conducting wires 4tg are preferably arranged at approximately +l (j angles), and a heating resistive element is interposed at their intersection.

For example, row conductor +qa and column conductor q g a t 'l
There are heating resistive elements at the intersections with g b -4 g gc and da gd, respectively! ;Oa,'rO,b,! rho,k
Od is intervening respectively. Hereinafter, when referring to the entire heat generating resistor element, it will be referred to as the heat generating resistor element SO. Although not shown, there is non-magnetically conductive pus, such as sio!, between the row conductor t and the column conductor g without the heating resistive element SO. There are 1 types of membranes.

Next, the operation of the display device according to the present invention will be explained with reference to Fig. 7 and Fig. 70. Illumination from 4 linear light sources []
The likelihood flux enters the planar optical waveguide 4 from one end of the core layer <2+ via the cylindrical lens +/. When the core layer is not heated by the heating element l17, this illumination luminous flux '12 is the same as the principle described in FIG. ? q Propagates within 4t to the core layer! Inject from the other end. Now, if an appropriate row conductor is selected from among the row conductors 1lt9 and an appropriate column conductor from among the column conductors 4tg, the heating resistor element at the intersection of the selected row conductor and column conductor is aIt is heated electrically. For example, the row conductor 419a is selected, the column conductors gb, da, fd are selected, and these row conductors 419a and column conductors <<gb,
Assume that a voltage is applied between lI-86. At this time, the heating resistive elements go'o and so located at the intersections of the row conductor 1It9a and the column conductor 113t) and the 4ggd, respectively,
d is typically heated.

This heat is transmitted to the core group + +t via the cladding l1ii1113 on the heating resistive elements Sθb and sod. As a result of this 1, the core l141Lttl is heated in two places by the heating resistance elements Sθb and 50d in terms of rIIS, and a heating region 6R as shown in the turf diagram is formed. Due to this heating region (not shown), at least a part of the light that reaches the heating IWi region of the illumination light flux 12 that has propagated within the core is disturbed and passes through the cladding In4t5 as explained in FIG. The light passes through the display element 4t6 and is emitted as display light to the outside of the display element 4t6.

In this way, a-dimensional display is possible by appropriately selecting the row conductor q9 and the column conductor lI.

Note that the circuit configuration and operation for driving the above-mentioned display device are as described in the third section.
Light emitting diode 3g a341b shown in the figure
, 31Ia--311z, leading wavepath 3k a t3
Left b, 330...J', tZ and heating resistor 36a.

36b...Remove 3 and 2, and change the behavior drive circuit?
4'A.

34tB t' 3daC...34g ZK Connect each of the row conducting wires t9 shown in FIG. 9, and drive shaft drive circuit 33A.

, 33B...33ZVC By connecting each of the column conductors g shown in the ninth factor, it is possible to drive the display shown in FIG. 9 with the same operation as explained in FIG. can.

Also, a heating resistor is provided in place of the row conductor 9 and column conductor l1g in FIG. 70, and a member with thermal conductivity C and @continued is provided in place of the heating resistor element so. An IA element may also be configured. In this case, the area where the heating resistors of the nail shaft and moving shaft intersect is particularly heated.
A high-temperature heated area is formed in the core layer above this heated portion in the size shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, the core layer heated by one of the heat-generating resistors other than the intersection part does not pose a problem in display since a heated region high enough to emit a large amount of emitted light is not formed.

FIG. 77 shows the optical path modulation of the optical element described above in FIG. : This is a schematic perspective view of an example of an applied display device. In FIG. 77, Sg is a flat optical waveguide as a display element whose cross section is similar to that of the optical element shown in FIG. A thermally conductive cladding layer 5 (left) consisting of a thermally conductive cladding layer 5, a core 1 (left) consisting of the above-mentioned liquid sheet with a relatively high refractive index, and a translucent cladding consisting of a flat plate-shaped member with a relatively low refractive index. ((To) S7 was formed around this time.

However, infrared absorption from the flat optical waveguide 3g -5tI
The remaining 1% is called the optical waveguide panel. Left / is a linear light source for illumination, and 5.2 is a cylindrical lens, which converges the illumination light beam 53 from the linear light source S/ and guides it to the core 56 on the left side of the flat guiding waveguide. The loco is an infrared beam emitted from a radiation generating means (not shown) (for example, a radiation generating means composed of a laser oscillator, etc., which will be described later).

This infrared beam is scanned in 24 directions so that the infrared absorption of the flat optical waveguide 5g is shown as a locus of 1 to 4 S'l-hi. It is assumed that the infrared beam 6.2 is modulated by a video information signal.

3q is a heating region, where infrared absorption 1t4.59 of the part irradiated with the infrared beam 62 generates heat, and this heat is transferred to the core 14.59 through the cladding layer SS. It is a relatively high-temperature region formed by transmitting it to a part of tA and heating a part of the core sound 56 (However, if the core @ / is a liquid, the core layer / is heated to the extent that it does not boil. ). Of the illumination light flux 53 propagating within the core 3A, the light that reaches the heating region 59 is disturbed, and at least a portion of the light passes through the cladding 1-57 to the flat guiding waveguide S.
This is the emitted light as display light emitted to the outside of g.

Next, the lino construction of the display shown in FIG. 1 will be explained. The illumination light beam S3 is transmitted from the linear light source S/ through the cylindrical lens 5.2 to the core In3 of the flat optical waveguide 5g.
1. It converges and enters the beam. The infrared beam is not irradiated to the infrared absorption r=ms4t, and the core is 1m k6
When no heating region 59 is formed within the core +fi5, the illumination light beam S3 incident on the core layer S3 is totally reflected at the interface due to the difference in refractive index between the core layer S2 and the cladding layer 55 or 5. Is it a flat plate of light that is repeatedly totally reflected? It propagates inside the core bucket S of the waveguide 3g and the core +1451. reaches the f]h end and is ejected. In this state.

The modulated infrared beam 62 irradiates the lower surface of the infrared 1yl collection layer 34 while tracing a trajectory. Suppose now that the infrared beam 6 traces a trajectory and radiates infrared absorption + 131 I from C to I'll. In the infrared absorption direction, 5 G is heated by this, and this heat is transferred to the clad (
433 to the core i; 9i 54, a part of the core I is heated, and a heated region S9 whose refractive index has changed at a relatively high temperature as described in 1X is placed in the core tub 56.
is formed. As described above, when -t( of the illumination light flux S3 propagating within the core layer S6) reaches the heating region S9, the path of this light flux is disturbed by the heating region 59 as described in FIG. Ru.

At least a portion of the light beam whose course is disturbed passes through the cladding layer 57 as described in Figure 1, and is emitted to the outside of the flat optical waveguide Sg as emitted light O0 as display light. Note that when the 6 infrared beams are no longer irradiated to the infrared absorption 111sit part corresponding to the part where the heating region 5q formed in the core rmstz is formed and the heat supply is cut off, this heating region 39 cools naturally. In this case, regardless of forced cooling, the light is cooled and disappears, so that the emitted light 60 as display light no longer emerges from the cladding layer s7.

In this way, a large number of heating regions are formed in the core according to the modulation of the infrared beam /, 2 /, and the planar optical waveguide V8 is used as one side of the two-dimensional This makes it possible to display the information.

In addition, in the display shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 1/Fig.
If the core layer in Figure 9 or the left core layer in Figures 1/2 is a transparent glass plate, for example, Clara in Figure 9)
1mF3.4tk or clad 1 in Fig. 1? S
On the left, Shio 7 may be air. In this case, the heating element shown in FIG. 7 or FIG. 1 is disposed near the core layer I and the core layer.

In addition, in order to increase the optical waveguide efficiency, instead of the flat optical waveguide W5S left g, a tubular optical waveguide as shown in Fig. You may use tubes arranged horizontally in close proximity, or
Of course, a leading branch hole as shown in NK may also be used.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a scanning mechanism for scanning an infrared beam on a display or the like as shown in Figure 1.

In FIG. 72, a laser oscillator 63 as a norther light source
The infrared beam 67 outputted from
For example, while being reflected by the infrared absorbing layer 5 of the flat optical waveguide Sg shown in 1/IN
4 + infrared ray f of the corresponding display element 6g and 'Ii of the absorption layer 49
Scan I at high speed. Note that the galvanometer mirror 6 contributes to scanning of light in the direction of arrow a, and the thin film waveguide deflector 6 contributes to further scanning in the direction of the arrow. Further, one of the galvanometer mirror 6B and the thin film waveguide deflector Otsuq is a horizontal scanner, and the other is a non-direct scanner.

This ((i;) also includes a co-dimensional scanning Pl! structure that combines a galvanometer mirror and a polygon.

Fig. 73 shows a display wave as an application example related to [direct,
In particular, it is a block diagram of an overall display device that utilizes a modulated infrared beam.

Reference numeral 70 denotes a video generation circuit that generates a video signal; 7/ controls the video signal and sends this signal to a video amplification circuit 73 and a horizontal, non-direct UJN path 72 . 7S is a laser light source, 7t is an infrared beam from the laser light source according to the signal from the video amplification circuit 73. The light modulated by the AIM light modulator and light guide device γ is directed to the horizontal scanner 78 or the light guide 7.

Further, the horizontal scanner 7g and the direct flight scanner 77 operate in response to drive signals synchronized with each image from the horizontal and vertical drive circuits 7U, respectively. The infrared beam from this scanner is incident on the infrared/ray absorbing layer of the display element 79.

In addition, the display element 7q (p-core 1 bucket is configured so that light from the illumination light source go is incident on it. The specific configuration of the scanning mechanism 76 is partially shown as an example in the first figure, and the display The specific configuration of the device g/ is shown in FIG. 77 as an example.

The video signal output from the video generation circuit 70 is sent to the control circuit 7
/ is amplified by the video amplification circuit 73. The optical modulator 47q is driven by the input of the amplified video signal and modulates the infrared beam emitted from the laser light source 5. on the other hand,
A horizontal synchronization signal and a vertical synchronization signal are output from the control circuit 7/, and drive the bibi horizontal scanner 7g and the vertical scanner 77 via the horizontal and vertical drive circuits 7a. In this way, a thermal two-dimensional image consisting of a heated region is formed within 1% of the core of the display element 7q. The subsequent construction and operation of the display g/ is as described above in FIG. 1, and will be omitted here for simplicity. Note that when receiving TV radio waves, a receiver may be used instead of the video generation circuit 70.

FIG. 11 is a partially schematic vertical cross-sectional view of the optical element for illustrating another principle of operation of the optical element according to the present invention.

In Fig. 14', / is the core layer, Y', 3 is the cladding layer that is transparent, 70' is the infrared absorbing layer that is transparent to visible light, and 7 is inside the core layer. These components are almost the same as those explained in the figure, except for the refractive index and whether or not they are translucent. In the case of this embodiment, a material whose refractive index changes negatively with respect to temperature changes is selected as the member for the cladding layer 1@-.
Assume that a material whose refractive index changes positively with respect to temperature change is selected as the member No. 7. /2 is the observer on the cladding layer 3 side, 7
2' is the observer on the cladding H2' side, // is the infrared ', and the observer.

6' is a heating region formed in the cladding l+42' and the core II/.In the heating region of the core member/, the refractive index is lower in the central part where the temperature is high, and in the heating region of the cladding@co', the central part has a high temperature. Where the temperature is high, the refractive index is high. The core It4 / through the cladding 1f13
G' is the emitted light emitted from the core 1n/ through the cladding layer a' and the infrared absorption IN/0'.

When infrared ray // is not irradiated to infrared absorption @/α,
The light 7 propagates inside the core j while being totally reflected by the interface between the core and the cladding.

Therefore, clad r-! Or, almost no light exits through 3 °C, so the observer / , 2 , / , 2'
can barely see light.

Now, assume that infrared light /j is irradiated to infrared absorption Q10'. The infrared absorbing layer/0' in the irradiated area generates heat, and this heat is transmitted to the cladding layer/0' and the core layer/, creating a relatively high temperature region in the heated area of the core layer/and cladding eco'. A heated region B' with a changed refractive index is formed. When the inner core 1 of the inner heating region 6' of the light 7 is heated, the path of the light that reaches the region is disturbed, the total reflection condition is broken, and some of the light passes through the cladding layer 3. The light is emitted to the outside of the optical element as emitted light g. Observer/2 is able to visually see this emitted light g. Also, the remaining luminous flux is
= 11t (to) /, but this refraction progresses so that it enters the surface of the cladding layer Z at a shallower angle, that is, at an angle where the incident angle becomes larger. do. However, at the boundary surface where the core @/ and the cladding 11!2' are in contact, and in a portion corresponding to the center of the heating region O', the refractive index of the core jl'47 is lower than that of other regions (and the cladding jη ) has a higher refractive index than the other regions, the difference in refractive index between these core layer/ parts and the cladding@Z part becomes very small, and therefore the critical angle of this part becomes very large.

As a result, the core l? of the heating area 6' is refracted while the heating area l' of the core @/ is being refracted. Since the above-mentioned critical angle at this interface is large, a part of the light 7 that has reached the interface between 4/ and the cladding layer A' is not totally reflected at this interface and is transmitted to the cladding layer A' and the infrared rays. The light passes through the absorption layer 70' and is emitted to the outside of the optical element as emitted light. This emitted light g'
can be seen by observer 7.2'. The remaining light (there may be none) is totally reflected and reaches the core!
Propagate within #/. In this way, the core layer/and the crack attack @
By appropriately selecting materials for Z, it is possible to provide a geometric element that can be observed from both sides of the optical element.

Further, even if a transparent heating resistor as shown in FIG. 7 is used instead of the infrared absorbing element @70' as the heating element, the emitted light can be seen from both sides of the optical element as described above.

It goes without saying that these optical elements can be applied to optical elements and optical devices such as the display and display device shown in FIGS. S to 73.

Further, heating resistors and infrared absorption as heating elements of the display shown in FIGS. 3 to 7 and 9 to 1/FIG.
Provide a protective layer inside/inside the cladding 1 of the leading waveguide panel,
The g-emitting element can also be included in the optical waveguide panel by providing it at the boundary between the core 1 and the cladding IA of the optical waveguide panel. In this case, even if a heat generating element is provided at the boundary between core 1 and cladding 1, when the heat generating element does not generate heat and heat the core layer, the light propagating within core 1 will If the conditions for total reflection with the M-emitting element are satisfied, the luminous intensity, jl, l and the same dynamic tY as shown in Figs. It becomes possible to display the device.

As explained in detail above, the main effects of the present invention are as follows: (1) It is possible to arrange seven minute core heating regions in high density as display pixel units, resulting in high resolution. The l11iI image can be displayed.

(2) Since the structure of the front element is relatively simple, its productivity is excellent, and the element is highly durable and reliable.

(3) Can be adapted to a wide range of drive systems.

(4) Since the display is performed by heating the core layer to a temperature below the boiling point instead of forming vapor bubbles, less power is required for the optical element, and the power supply unit, that is, the optical quality device, The display device can be downsized.

(5) In devices that perform light modulation or display using vapor bubbles, there is a risk of damage to the optical device due to cavitation when the vapor bubbles disappear, but in the present invention, the core layer is simply heated to an extent that does not boil, so the device has extremely high durability.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the operating principle of an optical element as a light modulation element or display element according to the present invention, m
219 (a) and (bl are schematic cross-sectional views of the optical element shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the optical element shown in FIG. Side view Figure 7 is a schematic sectional view for explaining another operating principle of the optical element as a light modulation element or display element according to the present invention, and Figures S to 7 are application examples of the present invention. 3 is a block diagram of a display device as an application example of the present invention, '!, (', 9 is a schematic diagram of a display device as an application example of the present invention. 44 complete perspective view, Figure 70 is a representation of the diagram: Partial sleep schematic diagram of the partial sleep structure of the pyrogen used in Shu, Figure Z) is,
A simplified perspective view of a display device as an application example of the present invention, No./
, 2 is a schematic perspective view of the two-dimensional movement mechanism used in the display element shown in 1/1, and FIG. 73 is a block H'Q of the display device as an application of the present invention. 14th
'i,! J is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the operating principle of the optical element as a light modulation element or display element according to the present invention. /, ++, 51. ;Nia 71@),,3.2;1. ．． 21. , (1,3,1ljt,M
,! ;7. :2'2'; Kura:, / l' +4g, 4t7; Heat generating element 11a, llb, ・-, /11.23.342LeJ
'Abe''' 3 Otsu 2; Heating resistor S; Switch Otsu, /A;'a, /Da Otsu, S9. Otsu'; Heating area 7; (
oT viewing area) Light g, t, o, g'; Emitted light 9.27; Light diffusing layer 10, IO',! ! ;II;Infrared absorbing layer//;Infrared rays /2. /U'; Observer 15; Optical waveguide 'R/7a,
/7b ・/7n ; Luminescent Taioh +'/9a, /9
b.../rin; Light emitting diode 2 left; Optical waveguide hole 3
θ; Image control circuit 3/; Moving axis selection circuit g3.2; Row axis selection circuit 33, 33B/33Z; Moving axis drive circuit 311
, 3'lB, 3'IC-311Z; Nail shaft drive circuit 3
11a, 341b, 311cm/311z; Light emitting diode 3kh, 3. kb, 3! ;O-,? ! rZ; optical waveguide I10. ! ;/ ;Linear light source Geta;Row conducting wire 4t
g; Column conductor TaO; Heating resistance element 62; Infrared beam ~
Image generation circuit 7/; Control circuit 7U; Horizontal and vertical drive circuit 73; Image amplification circuit 71; Optical modulator 7S; Laser light source 77.7; Horizontal and vertical scanner 7q; Applicant Canon Co., Ltd. Figure 5 Figure 7, qy12] 7 Figure 14 Continued from page 1 0 Inventor Kei Noma Canon Co., Ltd., 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo 0 Inventor Nobutoshi Mizusawa, Canon Co., Ltd., 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inventor Mitsunobu Nakazawa, Canon Co., Ltd., 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inventor Kunio Ozawa, Tokyo Inside Canon Co., Ltd., 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku

Claims (1)

[Claims] A core layer consisting of a side with a relatively high refractive index and the core 4
≠≠An optical waveguide/path basically composed of a cladding layer consisting of four relatively low refractive index parts covering a needle, and of the core layer and the cladding layer, at least the core layer has a change in refractive index. and a light source for guiding light to the optical waveguide. In particular, when the core layer is a liquid, the core layer is heated to an extent that it does not boil. An optical device characterized in that it is heated by a heat generating element.