JPS59135439A - Optical element - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable image display with high resolution by providing heating elements for heating a part of a core layer and generating vapor bubble in the liquid in the core layer. CONSTITUTION:A light transmittable clad layer 22 constituted of a flat plate- shaped member having a relatively low refractive index is provided with many grooves in a stripe shape and is united to one body with a thin flat-plate shaped clad layer 26 having a relatively low refractive index by thermal fusion. The grooves of the clad 22 are slender cavity holes formed by the clad layer 26. A liquid which is to serve as a core layer and has a relatively high refractive index is filled in the slender cavity holes. Many waveguide holes 25a, 25b... are formed in such a way. Many heating resistors 23a, 23b...23k are provided in a stripe shape on a base plate 13' and optical waveguides 25 are provided on these resistors 23 so as to intersect orthogonally therewith.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an optical element used for display, an optical device using the same, and a method of operating the same.

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, some dissatisfaction remains with this CRT, as it does not reach the level of hard copies made using silver halide or electrophotography in terms of image quality, resolution, and display capacity.

In addition, as an alternative to CRTK, attempts have been made to commercialize so-called liquid crystal panels that display liquid crystals in a dot matrix.
We have not been able to obtain anything that is completely satisfactory in terms of reliability, productivity, and durability. In addition, optical shutters using liquid crystal light valves are attracting attention as optical path modulators.

However, the above-mentioned apparatus has a drawback in that it requires a complicated and expensive optical system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical element that overcomes the above-mentioned difficulties in the prior art and can realize a simple light modulation device or display device without using a complicated and expensive optical system, an optical device using the same, and an optical device using the same. The purpose is to provide a method of operation.

Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide an optical element that has excellent driveability, reliability, productivity, durability, etc. by eliminating the need for a complicated and expensive optical system, an optical device using the same, and a method for operating the same. Our goal is to provide the following.

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.

1 to 9 are basic configuration diagrams showing the basic principle of the optical element according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a partially schematic vertical sectional view of an optical film according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 (,) shows an optical element having a cross section as shown in FIG. This is a partially schematic cross-sectional view when cut. In Figures 1 and 3 (,), / is a cladding layer!, which is made of a liquid having a relatively high refractive index than 3. This layer forms an optical waveguide, and is called the core layer because it functions similarly to the core of an optical fiber.

Further, the thickness of the core layer is preferably within the range of /μm to /m. ! , 3 are cladding layers corresponding to the cladding of the optical fiber, which cover the core layer from above and below. still,
This cladding layer, 2.3, is the light '
In order to propagate light within the core layer using total internal reflection, a transparent member having a refractive index relatively lower than that of the core layer, such as low refractive index glass or low refractive index plastic, is used. used. (However, the cladding layer 2 may be opaque.) Next, a heating element for heating the core layer/to such an extent as to partially generate steam bubbles is disposed on at least one of the cladding layers 2 and 3. In the case of this embodiment, the cladding layer It is arranged in contact with the outside of layer 2.

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

In the case of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2(a), the heat generating element is connected to the earth side at one end and to the respective electrodes (not shown), for example. Heat generating resistors a, 4b, . j(, f
fa, Jb...) are switches, one end of each is applied with common KN source pressure, and the other end is connected to the heating resistor 4a, pb... The electrodes (not shown) are connected to each other. B is a vapor bubble (hereinafter referred to as a bubble) formed in the core layer. For example, when switch jb is turned on, heating resistor <zb is heated by electricity, and this heat is transferred through the cladding layer 2. The figure shows bubbles formed when the core layer boils as a result of being transmitted to the core layer.

7 is light in the visible range that enters the core layer and propagates within the core layer; g is the emitted light that is emitted from the core layer via the cladding layer 3; and / is the observer.

Next, the operating principle, which is the basic light modulation principle and display principle of the optical element according to the present invention, will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1(a) and 2(,). When the core layer/ is not heated and its refractive index is uniform, light 7 is transmitted to the unheated core layer/ having a relatively high refractive index covered by a cladding layer 2.3 having a relatively low refractive index. When the light 7 is incident, the light 7 is totally reflected at the interface between the core layer/ and the cladding layer β or 3, so the light 7 is totally reflected at these interfaces and passes through the core layer/
It is known from the principle of optical fibers (also called optical waveguides) and thin film optical waveguides that the optical fiber propagates within the optical fiber and proceeds to the other end. At this time, if there is a leakage of the light 7 to the observer 7.2 who is separated by the cladding layer 3, a small amount of light will reach the observer 7.2 as an emitted light, but in reality, the light 7 does not reach the observer 7.2. .

Now, in order to heat the heating resistor μzb among the heating resistors Ga, Gb, etc. arranged in the shape of a dotted line, switch sb is turned on.
Turn on as shown in Figure 1. Due to this electrical heating, the cladding layer and the core layer in the vicinity of the heating resistors 4t and 4b are heated by thermal conduction and boil, causing bubbles 6 in the core layer.
is formed/The light 7 is refracted at the surface of this bubble 6,
It is reflected and scattered.

As a result, the path of the light that has reached this bubble B out of the light 7 is disturbed, and the condition of total reflection is therefore broken, so that at least a part of this light that has reached the bubble B is no longer reflected in the core layer/
The light passes through the cladding layer 3 and exits the optical element as an emitted light without propagating inside the optical element. At this time, the observer/2 perceives the emitted light as if it were emitted from the heating resistor/lb. In addition, if an optical sensor is placed in place of the observer/:2, the optical sensor will detect this emitted light. In this case, if the heating resistors &a, 41b... are minute dots, , this heating resistor is 4ta% b...
The bubble B formed by heating with electricity also becomes minute. The course of the light 7 is disturbed by this minute bubble 6, and a part of the light 7 emerges from the optical element as an emitted light, so that the observer/2 can see the heating resistors a, 4b, etc.
...but it appears as if there is a point of light emitting light. On the contrary, if the heating resistor '%a%9b... has an arbitrary shape with a certain size, the observer/ -2 is recognized.

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 bubble points formed by the body allows the viewer to recognize various characters and images.

Note that instead of one bubble B as shown in FIG. 1(a), a plurality of bubbles may be formed as shown in box 7(b) as K bubble 6' and emitted as '' in the emitted light. in this case,
Since the path of the light 7 is more widely disturbed by the plurality of bubbles 6', the aperture of the emitted light g' becomes wider.

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. Examples of various organic solvents used for this include methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, n-phthyl alcohol, see-butyl alcohol, and tert.
Alkyl alcohols such as 7'-tyl alcohol, isophtyl alcohol, pentyl alcohol, hexyl alcohol, heptyl alcohol, octyl alcohol, nonyl alcohol, tesyl alcohol; for example, hexane,
Hydrocarbon solvents such as octane, cyclopentane, benzene, toluene, and quidylol; For example, halogenated hydrocarbon solvents such as carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, tetrachloroethane, and dichlorobenzene; For example, ethyl ether, butyl ether, and ethylene glycol. Ether solvents such as diethyl ether and ethylene glycol monoethyl ether; ketone solvents such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl propyl ketone, methyl amyl ketone, cyclohexane, and non; ethyl formate, methyl acetate, propyl acetate, phenylacetate) , ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate and other ester solvents; for example, alcoholic solvents such as diacetone alcohol; for example, amides such as dimethylformamide and dimethylacetamide; amines such as triethanolamine and jetanolamine; for example, polyethylene Polyalkylene glycols such as glycol and polypropylene glycol; ethylene glycol, fluoropylene glycol, butylene glycol, hexylene glycol, and alkylene glycols; for example, polyhydric alcohols such as glycerin; petroleum hydrocarbon solvents, etc. In addition, it is an essential condition that the refractive index of the translucent liquid constituting the core layer is higher than that of the cladding layer 3.3, and the refractive index of the cladding layer 3.3 is usually less than 15. Therefore, seven specific examples of liquids that satisfy the refractive index conditions from among the above-mentioned liquids are listed below.

l/A;31. i Ethyl-β-lyroloα-acrylate (2) The above is just an example, and it goes without saying that the liquid constituting the core layer according to the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned liquid.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross section of another embodiment of the optical element shown in the first figure, in which a light diffusing layer 2 is provided adjacent to the upper part of the cladding layer 3.

In FIGS. 1 and 3 (,), as mentioned above, the observer sees the light whose path is disturbed by the bubble B, at least a part of the light 7, that is, the light that has passed through the cladding layer 3. However, since this emitted light has some directionality depending on the shape of the bubble, the viewing angle at which this emitted light can be seen is limited. Therefore, if the light diffusion layer 2 is provided on the cladding layer 3 as shown in Fig. 3, the light passing through the cladding layer 3 will be scattered by this light diffusion layer, and this scattered light will be visible. The viewing angle that can be viewed is very wide, which is favorable for the observer.

Note that in the above embodiments, the heat generating element is not limited to being installed outside the cladding layer 3, but as long as the above object of the present invention is met, the heating element may be installed inside the cladding layer. Alternatively, it may be provided inscribed.

Furthermore, the cross-sectional shape of the core layer/and cladding layer 3.3 along the line A'-A'' of the optical element shown in FIG.
), but as shown in Figure 2(b), there is also a core layer with a circular cross-section; in this case, the cladding layer 3 is integrated and has a tubular shape. The cladding layer β'' (called an optical waveguide) is shown in Figure 1. Although there are circular shapes, flat plate shapes, etc., the present invention is not limited to these shapes.

FIG. 9 is a partially schematic vertical sectional view of another embodiment showing the basic configuration of an optical element according to the present invention using an infrared absorbing layer as a heat generating element.

In FIG. 9, / is a core layer made of the above-mentioned liquid! ,3
is the cladding layer covering this core layer/; 7 is the light in the visible range that enters this mower layer/ and propagates inside the core N/; The emitted light, 7.2, is the observer.

Note that the refractive index of the liquid in the core layer is relatively higher than the refractive index of the members of the cladding layers 2 and 3. /θ is an infrared absorbing layer as a heat generating element, and is a cladding layer! It is installed all over the outside. B is a bubble formed inside the core layer when the liquid in the core layer boils, and the infrared absorbing layer θ is irradiated with infrared rays, and the irradiated part of the infrared absorbing layer θ generates heat. This heat is transmitted to a portion of the core layer via the cladding layer 2, and the core layer is locally heated and boiled, forming bubbles.

Next, with reference to FIG. 1, the operating principle, which is the basic light modulation principle and display principle of the optical element according to the present invention, will be explained.

When the infrared rays // are not irradiated to the infrared absorbing layer /θ, and therefore the core layer / is not heated and its refractive index is uniform, the light 7 incident on the core layer / It propagates within the core layer while being totally reflected at the interface with the cladding layer 2 or 3. At this time, the light 7 almost passes through the cladding layer 3 and reaches the observer 7.2, so that when the observer/2 looks at this optical element, he cannot see the light.

Now, when the infrared absorbing layer /θ is irradiated with infrared rays // as shown in the figure, the infrared absorbing layer /θ at the irradiated area generates heat. This heat is transmitted to the core layer via the cladding layer 2, and the core layer is heated to such an extent that boiling occurs, thereby forming the bulb 6. A part of the light 7 is scattered, refracted, and reflected by the surface of this bubble B. As a result, the path of the light that reached this bubble B out of the light 7 is disturbed, and the core layer/
The total reflection condition with the cladding layer 3 is broken, and at least a portion of this light passes through the cladding layer 3 without propagating within the core layer and is emitted to the outside of the optical element as an emission beam for observation. 7.2.

At this time, the observer/2VC perceives the emitted light as if it were emitted from the infrared absorbing layer "7θ" in the heat-generating area.In addition, if an optical sensor is placed in place of the observer, the The emitted light enters the light-receiving surface of the illustrated optical sensor, and the light can be detected.
If the cladding layer λ or the cladding layer and the heating element of the optical element having the configuration shown in the figure are transparent, pulp 6 or 6 is used.
Although not shown in the figure, a part of the light that reaches this part of the light 7 according to the form ' is the cladding layer 2 or the cladding layer! There is also an exit light that passes through the heat generating element.

Therefore, in this case, the emitted light can be observed from both sides of the optical element.

Note that the bubbles formed in the core layer of the optical element having the configurations shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 will disappear if the heat supply is cut off and the bubbles are cooled (whether by natural cooling or forced cooling). Therefore, all the light 7 that reaches this part returns to the core layer/
It is totally reflected at the interface between the core layer and the cladding layer and propagates within the core layer.

In addition, in the embodiments of the optical elements having the configurations shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, the heating element is the cladding layer! It is not limited to the case where it is installed outside of the building, but as long as it meets the above object of the present invention! In 7, the heating element may be provided inside the cladding layer or inscribed on the core layer side, or a combination thereof may be provided. The same applies to the mirror described later.

Further, a mirror having a substrate coated with a light-reflecting metal film may be used as the cladding layer 20 of the optical element having the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 to 9. However, in this case, it is clear that the mirror surface may be placed in contact with or close to the core layer.

FIG. 5 is a partially fragmented schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a display device to which the optical path modulation principle of the optical waveguide shown in FIGS. 1 and 2(b) is applied.

In Figure 5,! 3 is a substrate, on which a large number of heating resistors /Za, /&b, /4'c as heating elements are arranged in stripes.
.../Fk (hereinafter referred to as heating resistor /Fk) is provided. A large number of optical waveguides each having a core layer and a cladding layer whose longitudinal direction is perpendicular to these heating resistors and whose vertical and horizontal cross sections are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2(b). /j a, 15b, /jc...
.../j-n (hereinafter referred to as optical waveguide 7.5')
An optical waveguide panel is provided with a heat generating resistor on top of the optical waveguide panel. /, 2'' is a laser beam having a wavelength in the visible region 1, which is repeatedly scanned in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure and sequentially enters one of the core layers of the optical waveguide /S.!6
indicates a display element constructed of the above-mentioned components except for these laser beams / and 2. Also, /J'a,
/j'a is a bubble formed by heating the core layer of optical waveguide /ja to such an extent that boiling occurs.

However, bubbles formed in other optical waveguides are not shown.

Now, when the heating resistor/da is not heated by electricity, the core layer of the optical waveguide/j is not heated, so the first
The bubbles described above in the figure are not generated in the core layer of optical waveguide /j. Therefore, the laser beam /3'' incident on the core layer of the selected optical 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 1 heating resistor/g C1/Fk is heated with electricity,
At this time, when the laser beam 7.2' enters the optical waveguide at i, it intersects with the heating resistors /41c, /4' by heating the heating resistors /4'c, /&. Bubbles (/3'a, /j'a in optical waveguide/jm) are formed in the core layer of optical waveguide/S. On the other hand, the paths of the laser beams /, 2'' entering the optical waveguide /jaK are disturbed by both bubbles 15'a, /j'a as described in the explanation of Fig. 1, and some of the light is As indicated by the middle arrow, the light passes through the cladding layer of the optical waveguide 7.5a and is emitted to the outside of the display element/B as display light.

Next, the heating resistor/4t is heated with electricity at a suitable number of times, and the laser beam is made to enter the optical waveguide/jb from the laser beam 72 to the optical waveguide/jb.
Display about jb. This is done one after another by the optical waveguide 15.
c・・・・・・・・・／ 5 Repeat display element/
Display B two-dimensionally on one screen. Note that the bubble formed in the core layer of the optical waveguide/j, for example, the bubble formed in the core layer of the optical waveguide/j
Bubbles formed in the core layer of Sa /J”a, /J’a
Other optical waveguides formed together, such as optical waveguide/jb, are cooled naturally or forcedly when entering the laser beam/2f optical waveguide/, 5b for the next display. Regardless of the condition, it is cooled and disappears and returns to its original state, so there is no problem when the next optical waveguide /jb is displayed. In other words, when displaying the next optical waveguide /jb, if you want to display the corresponding point on 1 heating resistor /4tc, /'lk, then again write the heating resistor /4te, /'I
kt-Electrical heating is enough, and if there is no need to display it,
/gC1/gk will not be heated by electricity.

FIG. 6 is a schematic structural perspective view of an 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. 6, the components are similar to those in Fig. 5, /3 is a substrate /4t is a heating resistor, /j is an optical waveguide, and light-emitting diodes /7a, /7b, /7c are on the incident surface side.・・・・・・
・A flat plate microlens array /7 is arranged so that the light beam emitted from the light emitting diode array /7 consisting of /7n efficiently enters each of the corresponding optical waveguides /S. A microlens array is not necessarily required, but each light emitting diode/
7a, /7b, /7c.../7n are the respective optical waveguides /! ; a, /! ; b, /! ;c
It is assumed that each item corresponds to /jn.

The display operation in the case of FIG. 6 is exactly the same as in the case of FIGS. 5 and 5', and an appropriate number of heating resistors/4t are heated by electricity and intersect with them. A bubble is formed in the core layer portion of the optical waveguide 15, and the corresponding optical waveguide/S to be displayed is
The light emitting diodes of the light emitting diode element row/7 corresponding to any one of the light emitting diode elements emit light and cause the light to enter the corresponding optical waveguide. Thereby, the display is performed by the bubble of the predetermined optical waveguide on the same principle as the display principle explained in FIGS. 1 and 5. Light emitting diode element row/7 light emitting diodes/7a, /7b, /7c.../7n
By scanning the light emission one after another, the display element/B becomes 7 screens! Displayed dimensionally.

However, in the configuration shown in Fig. 6, if the reverse pressure heating resistors are sequentially energized and heated, and any plurality of light emitting diodes are made to emit light in synchronization with the heating signal, a similar display can be obtained. It is possible.

FIG. 7 is a partially fragmented schematic perspective view of an embodiment of another display device using the optical element shown in FIG.

In Figure 7, 1. ? Reference numeral 2 denotes a light-transmissive cladding layer made of a plate-like member with a relatively low refractive index, and is provided with a large number of grooves in a striped pattern. ! B is a cladding layer composed of a thin plate-like member with a relatively low refractive index, for example,
It is overlapped with the grooved side of the cladding layer 22 by heat fusion or the like and is integrated with the cladding layer 2.2. As a result, the groove of the cladding layer 2.2 becomes an elongated hollow hole hollowed out by the cladding layer βB. The large number of parallel, elongated cavities are filled with the liquid having a relatively high Vζ refractive index and serving as the core layer. With these K,
Many parallel optical waveguide holes, 25a, 2jb%, 2jc.
......, 23n (hereinafter referred to as optical waveguide hole: 2S) is formed.

These cladding layers, 2. ．． 2. ．． 2 Otsu and optical waveguide hole, 2
5 are collectively called an optical waveguide panel. 73' is the board,
On top of this, a large number of heating resistors are arranged in stripes, 23a123b%7
23c..., 23k (hereinafter referred to as heating resistor 23) are provided. The optical waveguide holes 2j are provided perpendicularly on the heating resistor 23.

Create such an optical waveguide panel. Yet another effective means is to provide a heating resistor 2 disposed on the substrate 73'.
There is also a method of forming a cladding layer 22 by coating a low refractive index dielectric such as S toz on 3, and then bonding the substrate 73' and the cladding layer 22 in which grooves are formed. .

, 27 is a cladding layer, 2.2 is a light diffusing layer provided on the cladding layer, for example, a cladding layer! -The top surface has a finely uneven surface. The cross section along the longitudinal direction of this optical waveguide hole 5 is exactly the same as the cross section shown in FIG. The display element 2/ is constituted by these above-mentioned components. A light emitting diode element array /9 consisting of light emitting diodes /9a, /9b, /9c.../9n is arranged on the incident surface side of this optical waveguide hole 23 via a flat plate microlens array 2θ. The display operation shown in FIG. 7 is exactly the same as that described in FIGS. 5 and 6. That is, a selected heat generating resistor among the heat generating resistors 23 is energized and heated, and this core layer boils in the core layer of the optical waveguide hole 2S that intersects with the energized and heated heat generating resistor. The bubbles described in FIG. 1 are then formed in this core layer. At this time, the light emitting diodes of the selected light emitting diode element row/2 emit light, causing light to enter the core layer of the selected optical waveguide hole. As a result, the path of the light that has been propagated through the bubble in the core layer of the selected optical waveguide while being totally reflected by the boundary between the core layer and the cladding layer is disturbed, as described in Fig. 1. At least a part of the light passes through the cladding layer 2.2, is scattered by the light diffusion layer core, and exits from the display element 2/ as display light. In this way, the heating resistor , 23 is appropriately selected and heated with electricity, and at the same timing, the light emitting diode of the light emitting diode element array /9 is heated.
By selecting either b, /9 c.../n and displaying it as a point, and repeating this operation one after another, the display element 2/ is displayed β-dimensionally as one screen. be able to. Note that the bubble formed in the core layer of the selected optical waveguide hole is cooled and disappears immediately before the next optical scan, so there is no problem in the next display.

In addition, in the configurations shown in FIGS. /1〈θ books/m is “
In addition, the density of the optical waveguide hole can be manufactured to 2/fi~/otsumoto/parrot.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the entire display device as an application example of the present invention.

Next, an example in which each component of the display element whose configuration is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 is moved will be described in more detail. 3.2 is the bamboo wheel selection circuit, the bamboo wheel drive circuit 311 people, 3'lB, 3'IC...
...3'lZ is connected to the signal line with stains, and the bamboo wheel drive circuit 34tA is connected to the light emitting diode (3'lZ).
gua, 3'lb, 3gC...3'lz)
The bamboo wheel drive circuit 3gB is connected to the light emitting diode 3'4'a, and the bamboo wheel drive circuit 3gB is connected to the light emitting diode 341b.
The bamboo wheel drive circuit 34tZ is coupled to the light emitting diode 3'lZ, respectively. Dynamic axis selection circuit 3/ and dynamic axis drive circuit, 33h, 33'
B...33Z and heating resistor 36m, 31s
The same applies to the mutual relationship with b...36z. The image control circuit 3θ is electrically connected to the bamboo wheel selection circuit 3 and the moving axis selection circuit 3/ by a signal line. ,3
SEL, 33;b, 33c...Jjz is the light emitting diode 3'Ia, J4tb, 3111
．． Provided corresponding to each of c, -・-3'l and z,
For example, the optical waveguide has the basic configuration shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. Jθ is an image control circuit, and by outputting an image control signal, the bamboo wheel selection circuit 32 selects an optical waveguide as a bamboo wheel, 3! ;a13jb%3. Sc・・・・・・3
The moving axis selection circuit instructs the moving axis selection circuit 3/ to select which optical waveguide of jz should be selected. 2, which heating resistor should be selected.

Here, the light emitting diode J'l a, 3'l
b, 3'l c...j4tz correspond to the light emitting diodes shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and the optical waveguide 3
! a, 3j b, -33; c, =...3J
z corresponds to the optical waveguide or optical waveguide hole shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, and the heating resistor JAa, 31>b...
36z corresponds to the heating resistor shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

Next, referring to FIG. 5, an explanation will be given of the operation of driving the display devices shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, for example. When the bamboo wheel drive circuit 3daA is selected by a command signal from the image control circuit 3θ, the bamboo wheel drive circuit i:A is in a conductive state for a certain period of time9, during which time the light emitting diode 3a emits light. Light emitted from the light emitting diode JZa is guided to the optical waveguide 35a.

Next, if bamboo wheel drive circuit J4tB is selected, similarly,
The light emitting diodes 3jb emit light, and the light is guided through the optical waveguide 3jbK. Thus, each optical waveguide 3j
a, 3Sb, 33c...Jjz VC is line-sequentially scanned by light. On the other hand, the video signal, which is one of the image control signals from the image control circuit 3θ, is sent to the moving axis selection circuit.
When 3/Vc is input, the moving axis selection circuit 3/ receives the command and selects a heating resistor as a predetermined moving axis. For example, if the moving axis selection circuit 3/ selects the heat generating resistors J6a and J67, the moving axis drive circuits JJA and 3JZ receive the JJA row and 33Z row selection signals issued from the moving axis selection circuit 3/ and select the heat generating resistors J6a and J67. Electrify and heat bodies 3a and 3a and 3a and 2. As a result, the optical waveguides J3 a, J5 b, 33 c...3 intersecting with the heating resistors 36a, 3
．． The core layer portion of 3z is heated to such an extent that boiling occurs and bubbles are generated. Note that this bubble is caused by the heating resistor 36
a. What if the power is cut off by the off signal to Jgz?
It moves one block, disappears, and returns to its original state. In this way, if the selection of the bamboo ring, for example, the selection of the optical waveguide 33h and the moving axis are made in synchronization, in this example, the selected heating resistors 36a, 3 and 2, which are heated by electricity, and the selected lead wave path 3
Intersection point with Ja (selected point) (,3!Sa, 361L)
Light is emitted from both of (33a, 31=z), respectively. In this way, the optical waveguide 3. ! ra, 3! b,,15c
......, 3 S z and the heating resistors 36a, 3 B, 3 Z as moving axes are appropriately selected and operated as described above to produce a two-dimensional display. It can be carried out.

The materials for the heating resistor mentioned above include metal compounds such as hafnium boride and mental nitride, and indium tin oxide (abbreviated as I, '1').
, O), etc. can be mentioned.

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded schematic perspective view of another embodiment of a display to which the principle of optical path modulation of the optical element shown in FIG. 1 is applied.

In FIG. 7, G is a flat optical waveguide as an optical waveguide panel, which includes a cladding layer 3.4tj made of a flat member with a relatively low refractive index and these cladding layers 4.
13,'1. j! It is composed of a core layer with a relatively high refractive index made of the liquid etc. mentioned in the explanation of Fig. 1 interposed therebetween, and its cross section is similar to that of Figs. 1 and 3 (,) excluding the heating element. It's exactly the same.

This is incident on one end of the core layer 9da. Gua is a heat generating element, the detailed structure of which is shown in Figure 1θ. Gudo 6% 9 b1 Guza C... Guto t is column conductor, Gua a
, ``?b... Data are single row conductors, which are made of a metal film with good conductivity. ... Guzat (hereinafter abbreviated as column conductor 9g) and row conductor Gua IL, +!fu b...
. . 417k (hereinafter abbreviated as row conductor), a heat generating resistive element as a heat generating resistor is interposed between each intersection.

Figure 1θ is a partially exploded perspective view of the heat generating element 97;
9a%'19b, 4'9c, 'ltd are the above-mentioned row conductors, 4&a, RI, '+gc, 4' and d are the above-mentioned column conductors. These row conductor wires and column conductor wires intersect at almost right angles, and a heating resistor element is interposed at the intersection L7.
ing. For example, the row conductor 7a and the column conductor a1g
b% da to 0%41-,! Heat generating resistive elements 3oa, jOb, and 30c13;Od are interposed at the intersections with rd, respectively. Below, when referring to the entire heating resistor element,
It is called a heating resistor element S0. Note that a return (4- is made of a non-conductive piece (not shown), such as smo2) is provided between the row conducting wire 11-1 and the column conducting wire 1-1 without the heat-generating resistive element Sθ.

Next, the operation of the display device according to the first invention will be explained with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 1θ. The illumination light beam 3 from the linear light source θ enters from one end of the core layer ++ of the flat optical waveguide qB via a cylindrical lens. When the core layer tag is not heated by the heating element DA7, this illumination light beam '12 propagates within the core layer tag and emerges from the other end of the core layer tag, similar to the principle described in FIG. Now, if an appropriate row conductor is selected from among the row conductors, and an appropriate column conductor is selected from among the column conductors, the heating resistor element at the intersection of the selected row conductor and column conductor is heated by electricity. For example, if the row conductor t is selected and the 5th column conductor l
Igb%9d is selected and these row conductors 1119m
Suppose that a voltage is applied between the column conductors 9 and 6.

At this time, the heating resistive elements are located at the respective intersections of the row conductor 9a and the column conductor 9a and the column conductor 9a. Ob, 30a
is heated by electricity. This heat is transferred to this heating resistance element.
It is transmitted to the core layer part through the cladding layer part 3 on b%5θd. As a result, the core layer is partially exposed to the heating resistive element 30b, 3; The area is heated and boils, forming bubbles as shown in FIG. As explained in the first step, at least a part of the illumination light flux llt,2 which has propagated in the core layer tag due to this bubble (not shown), reaches the bubble, and its path is disturbed and the cladding layer The light passes through 41S and is emitted to the outside of the display element as display light.

In this way, two-dimensional display is possible by appropriately selecting the row conducting lines 419 and the column conducting lines 9.

Note that the circuit configuration and operation for driving the above-mentioned display device are as follows.
The light emitting diode J shown in the figure? a, 3'l b
, 34tc...3'lz Optical waveguide 3j a, 3jb, 33;'c,...3
5 z and heat generating resistor 3ba, 3otb...Remove 3otz, bamboo wheel drive circuit 3gA13daB, 3daC...
...Connect each of the row conductors shown in Figure 2 of the 3G ZK, and also connect the dynamic shaft drive circuits J3h, 33B...3
By connecting the 3ZK shown in FIG. 7 and the column conductor 7, the display device shown in FIG. 2 can be driven in the same manner as explained in FIG.

Also, the row conductor ll! in FIG. 7θ! ? A heating resistor may be provided in place of the column conducting wire, and a heat-conductive and insulating member may be provided in place of the heating resistor element Sθ to constitute the heating element. In this case, the area where the surface heating resistors of the chamber axis and moving axis intersect is particularly heated, so bubbles as shown in Figure 1 are formed in the core layer above this heated area. Ru.

The core layer heated by one of the heat-generating resistors other than the intersection portion boils, and therefore no bubbles are formed, so there is no problem with display.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a display device to which the principle of optical path modulation of the optical element shown in FIG. 7 is applied.

In Fig. 1/, S is a flat optical waveguide serving as a display element whose cross section is similar to the optical element shown in Fig. 9;
an infrared absorbing layer, a thermally conductive cladding layer made of a flat plate-shaped member with a relatively low refractive index, a core layer made of the above-mentioned liquid, etc. with a relatively high refractive index, and a relatively refractive layer. A translucent cladding layer made of a flat plate-like member with a low
3-7 are stacked in this order. However, it is referred to as a partial full optical waveguide panel obtained by removing the infrared absorbing layer Sg from the flat optical waveguide sg. , 5/ is a linear light source for illumination, S! is a cylindrical lens which converges the illumination light beam S3 from the linear light source -1-/ and guides it to the core layer jb of the flat optical waveguide jg.

2 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 2 is one-dimensionally scanned over the planar optical waveguide, 5', which infrared absorbing layer S< is shown as a locus 6/. It is assumed that the infrared beam 62 is modulated by a video information signal. S9 is a bubble, and the infrared absorbing layer jZ at the part irradiated with the infrared beam Bβ generates heat, and this heat is transmitted to a part of the core layer SB via the cladding layer sS, and a part of the core layer JB boils. The bubble is formed by being heated to such an extent that the bubble 59 is heated to the extent that is the emitted light as display light emitted to the outside of the planar optical waveguide Sg via the cladding layer j7.Next, the operation of the display shown in FIG. 1 will be explained. An illumination light beam S3 is converged from a linear light source S/ through a cylindrical lens S, 2 and made to enter a core layer SB of a flat optical waveguide 5. When the infrared beam O2 is not irradiated on the infrared absorbing layer Sda and no bubble 59 is formed in the core layer j6, the illumination light flux j3 that has entered the core layer 3-6 is different from the core layer jB. Cladding layer jS or S
It is repeatedly totally reflected at the boundary surface due to the difference in the refractive index between the light beam and the light beam 7, propagates through the core layer j6 of the planar optical waveguide, reaches the other end of the core layer j6, and is emitted. In this state, the modulated infrared beam irradiates the lower surface of the infrared absorbing layer S while tracing a trajectory.

Now, assume that the infrared beam 6.2 irradiates the infrared absorbing layer Sg in the illustrated portion while tracing a trajectory 6/.

This heats the infrared absorbing layer j&, and this heat is transferred to the core layer S6 via the cladding layer 5.5, causing a portion of the core layer j2 to boil and causing the core layer j6 to undergo the process described in FIG. 9. A bubble s9 is formed.

The illumination light flux j3 propagating within the core layer j6 as described above
When a portion of the beam reaches this bubble, 59, the path of this luminous flux is disturbed by the bubble, 59, as described in FIG. A portion of the light beam whose course is disturbed passes through the cladding layer 57 as described in FIG. 9, and is emitted to the outside of the planar optical waveguide Sg as emitted light 6θ as display light. Note that the infrared absorbing layer corresponding to the bubble formed in the core layer S6, the part where the 59 is formed, and the part of the infrared ray beam 6,! When the irradiated power disappears and the heat supply is cut off, this bubble 52 is cooled and disappears regardless of whether it is natural cooling or forced cooling, so the emitted light 6θ as display light is No more ejection from layer S7.

In this way, a large number of bubbles are formed in the core layer j6 according to the optical modulation of the infrared beam 62, and the flat optical waveguide 5 is formed as one screen! This enables dimensional display.

In addition, in order to improve the optical waveguide efficiency, the heating elements are different from each other in place of the planar optical waveguide, as shown in Figs. 2(b) and 5.
It is also possible to use tubular optical waveguides arranged in close horizontal rows as shown in Figures 6 and 6, or to use thin optical waveguide holes as shown in Figure 7. Of course.

Figures 1-2 are perspective views of one embodiment of a scanning mechanism for scanning a display isobaric infrared beam as shown in Figures 1-2.

In FIG. 72, a laser oscillator 6 as a laser light source
After passing through the thin film waveguide deflector 6 and lens 6.5, the infrared beam 67 output from
While being reflected by the infrared absorbing layer 347 of the flat optical waveguide shown in FIG. Note that the galvanometer mirror 66 contributes to the scanning of light in the direction of arrow a, and the thin film waveguide type deflector 611 contributes to the scanning of light in the direction of arrow a. Further, one of the galvanometer mirror 66 and the thin film waveguide type deflector 6g is a horizontal scanner, and the other is a vertical scanner.

In addition to this, we also combined galvano mirrors and polygons! One example is a dimensional scanning mechanism.

FIG. 73 is a block diagram of an overall display device according to an application of the present invention, particularly a display device using modulated infrared beams 1-7.

70 is a video generation circuit that generates a video signal; 7/ is a video signal generating circuit that controls the video signal and sends this signal to a video amplification circuit 73 and horizontal and vertical drive circuits 7. ．． 2, 75 laser light sources, 7 da is an infrared beam from the laser light source ≧ [an optical modulator that modulates according to the signal from the video amplification circuit 73, and the light modulated by the 7 optical modulators is , enters the horizontal scanner 7B or the vertical scanner 77. Also, the horizontal scanner 7g1 vertical scanner 77 is the horizontal and vertical drive circuit 7! Each device operates in response to drive signals synchronized with video signals. The infrared beam from this scanner is incident on the infrared absorbing layer of the display element 79.

Further, the core layer of the display element 79 is configured so that light from θ is incident on the illumination light source. The specific structure of the scanning mechanism 7B is partially shown as an example in FIG. 72, and the specific structure of the display device and/or is shown as an example in FIG.

The video signal output from the video generation circuit 7θ is sent to the control circuit 7.
7 and is amplified by a video amplification circuit 73. The optical modulator 74 is driven by the input of the amplified video signal and modulates the infrared beam emitted from the laser light source 7S. on the other hand,
A horizontal synchronization signal and a vertical synchronization signal are output from the control circuit 7/, and the horizontal and vertical drive circuits 7! A horizontal scanner 7g and a vertical scanner 77 are driven through the scanners. In this way, the thermal 2
A dimensional image is formed. The subsequent operation of 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 in place of the video generating circuit 7θ.

ζ, a heating resistor or an infrared absorbing layer as a heating element of the display shown in Figures S to 7 and Figures 2 to 1 is provided inside the cladding layer of the optical waveguide panel, or The heating element can also be included in the optical waveguide panel by providing it at the boundary between the core layer and the cladding layer of the waveguide panel. In this case, even if a heat generating element is provided at the boundary between the core layer and the cladding layer, when the heat generating element generates heat and is not heating the core layer, the light propagating within the core layer and the heat generating element If the conditions for total reflection between the two sides are satisfied, display on the display device becomes possible using the same operation as the light modulation principle and display principle shown in FIGS. 1 to 7.

Note that it is preferable to separately provide a well-known pressure absorbing means or pressure relaxing means (not shown) as means for absorbing or alleviating the increase in pressure caused by the generation of bubbles.

As explained in detail above, the main effects of the present invention are: / Since it is possible to arrange seven microscopic vapor bubbles in a high-density arrangement as a display pixel unit, high-resolution image display is possible. .

U. Still images or moving images including slow motion can be easily displayed by adjusting the duration of vapor bubbles serving as display pixels in the liquid layer.03 The structure of the optical element is relatively simple. Therefore, it has excellent productivity, and the element has high durability and reliability.

Long: Can be adapted to a wide range of drive systems.

There are many things that can be mentioned.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view for explaining the operating principle of an optical element as a light modulation element or display element according to the present invention;
Figures (a) and (b) are schematic cross-sectional views of the optical element shown in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the optical element shown in Figure 1 with a light diffusion layer provided.・Figure 7 is a schematic cross-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 schematic cross-sectional views as application examples of the present invention. The first figure is a block diagram of a display device as an application example of the present invention. The second figure is a schematic perspective view of a display unit as an application example of the present invention. Used for the display shown in Figure 2. FIG. 1/FIG. 1 is a partial schematic perspective view of the configuration of a heating element; FIG. 1/FIG. FIG. 73, a schematic perspective view of the structure of the scanning mechanism, is a block diagram of a display device as an application example of the present invention. /, google, j otsu; core layer,, 2.3. ,．． 2. ．． 2. ,．． 2g, //l, 3.
'Is, J-j, j7. ．． 2';Clara)'
layer gu, gua; heating element lla, zb, -/41. ．． 23,3 otsu a, 3
Otsusu, -3 Otsu2; Heating resistor j; Switch Otsu, /j'a, /J"a, J So, 6'; Bubble 7
;Light (in the visible region); Emitted light; 27;Light diffusion layer /θ9.5;Infrared absorption layer//;Infrared rays /2. ;Observer/, 5;Optical waveguide/7a, /7b-/'7n;Light-emitting diode/So3. /? b.../9n; Light emitting diode 2j; Optical waveguide hole 3θ; Image control circuit 3/; Column width selection circuit 3
-2; Action selection circuit 33h, JJB・, :3z; Dynamic axis drive circuit, 341A, 341B, 34C-=,
('KZ: Chamber shaft drive circuit 3 gu, J squirrel, j gu C...
・3gz; Light emitting diode 3j”a, Jjb, , 3
3c ・3! z; Optical waveguide θ, S/; Linear light source; Row conductor 4tg; Column conductor jθ; Heat generating resistor element
Otsu 2; Infrared beam 70; Image generation circuit 7/; Control circuit 7.2; Horizontal and vertical drive circuit 73; Image amplification circuit 7g; Light modulator 7j; Laser light source 77.7, etc.; 79; Display element angle θ ; Illumination light source Patent applicant Canon Corporation 12 Figure 1 (a) Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 12 Figure 5 Figure 7 Continuation of Figure 1 page 72 Inventor Takashi Noma Tokyo Canon Co., Ltd., 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo (72) Inventor Hirotsugu Takagi Canon Co., Ltd., 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Inventor Mitsunobu Nakazawa 3-chome, Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo No. 30-2 Canon Co., Ltd. (?■ Inventor: Kunio Ozawa No. 30-2, Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo, Canon Co., Ltd.)

Claims (1)

[Claims] The cavity a1 of the cladding layer having a relatively low refractive index and having parallel cavities formed by overlapping a transparent flat cladding layer with striped grooves formed on the surface and a flat cladding layer. An optical waveguide panel having an optical waveguide hole in which a core layer is formed by filling the hole with a translucent liquid having a relatively high refractive index, and a part of the core layer is heated to form a core layer. 1. An optical element comprising a heating element that generates vapor bubbles therein.