TWI483004B - Electrically tunable liquid crystal lens set with central electrode - Google Patents

Description

Electro-modulating liquid crystal lens group with central electrode

The invention relates to a liquid crystal cell which utilizes liquid crystal between electrodes and applies a non-uniform electric field to produce a lens effect, in particular to a liquid crystal cell which uses a voltage change between electrodes to control the focal length of the lens and has a plurality of stacking of the liquid crystal cells. Liquid crystal lens group.

An electrically variable liquid crystal lens can have advantages in volume and cost compared to a zoom lens group of a general solid structure. Electrically modulated liquid crystal lenses can be used in cameras, telescopes, and other optoelectronic devices.

Broadly speaking, an optoelectronic device having an electrically modulated liquid crystal lens includes a pair of electrodes and a liquid crystal cell interposed between the two electrodes. The electrode system is used to control the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules to produce a gradual refractive index profile on the cross section of the light path, thereby forming a lens effect. In addition, by varying the voltage between the electrodes with a variable voltage source, the focal length of the lens can be controlled to vary between a very short focal length to an infinity focal length. In order to generate an uneven electric field, the current general practice includes the use of a spherical electrode or a central opening in one of the electrodes to achieve an effect of applying an uneven electric field to the liquid crystal layer.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an electrically modulated liquid crystal lens assembly including a plurality of liquid crystal lens systems that overlap each other in a vertical projection direction. Each liquid crystal lens includes a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between two planes of non-conducting. One of the non-conductive layers is provided with indium tin oxide (ITO). The transparent electrode formed. Another non-conductive layer is formed with a central electrode directed to the liquid crystal layer and the other electrode. The liquid crystal layer, the center electrode, and the other electrode are stacked in a vertical projection direction. The central electrode may be a thin rod whose axis is perpendicular to the liquid crystal layer or an electrode having a tip end close to the liquid crystal layer. The type of the central electrode may be connected to a power source via a transparent conductive indium tin oxide layer on the insulating layer or a transparent connecting member on the surface of the insulating layer facing away from the liquid crystal layer. The electric field applied to the liquid crystal layer can be substantially a function of the voltage between the central bump electrode and the electrode on the other side of the liquid crystal layer by separating the conductive layer and the raised portion of the electrode by an insulating layer.

The uneven electric field formed can drive the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules to form a graded refractive index distribution in the liquid crystal layer, thereby forming a lens effect. The focal length of the formed lens can be controlled by varying the voltage value between the central raised electrode and the opposing planar electrode.

This particular electrode structure can be combined with a layer of indium tin oxide having a central opening. The central opening is generally larger than the diameter of the raised electrode. The electrode having the central opening may be disposed on the other side of the insulating layer with respect to the bump electrode or as the counter electrode on the other side of the liquid crystal layer. A layer of high-impedance material can be formed in the central opening.

The problem of birefringence caused by the liquid crystal material can be solved by providing a liquid crystal layer in which two layers are arranged perpendicular to each other or by providing an alignment film on the liquid crystal layer.

In the electrically modulated liquid crystal lens assembly of the present invention, two adjacently disposed liquid crystal lenses may have the same or opposite lens effects for forming the desired optical effect in the liquid crystal lens group.

10‧‧‧Electric-tone liquid crystal cell

12‧‧‧Liquid layer

14‧‧‧ glass substrate

16‧‧‧Indium tin oxide film electrode

18‧‧‧Alignment layer

20‧‧‧Variable voltage power supply

22‧‧‧Indium tin oxide layer

24‧‧‧Indium tin oxide film

26‧‧‧Central bulge

28‧‧‧Insulation

32‧‧‧Indium tin oxide layer

34‧‧‧Center tip projection

36‧‧‧spirit

40‧‧‧Indium tin oxide central bulge

42‧‧‧Connecting components

50‧‧‧ bump electrode

52‧‧‧ glass substrate

54‧‧‧Insulation

56‧‧‧Liquid layer

58‧‧‧Second indium tin oxide electrode

60‧‧‧Central opening

62‧‧‧Alignment layer

64‧‧‧First variable voltage power supply

66‧‧‧Second variable voltage power supply

68‧‧‧ planar indium tin oxide layer

70‧‧‧ bump electrode

72‧‧‧Liquid layer

74‧‧‧Indium tin oxide electrode

76‧‧‧Central opening

100‧‧‧Electrical modulation liquid crystal lens unit

110‧‧‧ liquid crystal lens

110A‧‧‧ liquid crystal lens

110B‧‧‧ liquid crystal lens

112‧‧‧Liquid layer

114‧‧‧ glass substrate

116‧‧‧First electrode

118‧‧‧Alignment layer

118A‧‧‧First alignment layer

118B‧‧‧Second alignment layer

120‧‧‧Variable voltage power supply

122‧‧‧Indium tin oxide layer

124‧‧‧Second transparent conductive electrode

126‧‧‧ central raised electrode

128‧‧‧Insulation

200‧‧‧Electrical modulation liquid crystal lens unit

210‧‧‧ liquid crystal lens

210A‧‧‧ liquid crystal lens

210B‧‧‧ liquid crystal lens

258‧‧‧ third electrode

260‧‧‧Central opening

264‧‧‧First variable voltage power supply

266‧‧‧Second variable voltage power supply

300‧‧‧Electrical modulation liquid crystal lens unit

310‧‧‧ liquid crystal lens

310A‧‧‧ liquid crystal lens

310B‧‧‧ liquid crystal lens

370‧‧‧High-impedance material layer

400‧‧‧Electrical modulation liquid crystal lens unit

410‧‧‧ liquid crystal lens

410A‧‧‧ liquid crystal lens

410B‧‧‧ liquid crystal lens

416‧‧‧First electrode

460‧‧‧Central opening

500‧‧‧Electrical modulation liquid crystal lens unit

510‧‧‧ liquid crystal lens

510A‧‧ liquid crystal lens

510B‧‧‧ liquid crystal lens

600‧‧‧Electrical modulation liquid crystal lens unit

610‧‧‧ liquid crystal lens

610A‧‧ liquid crystal lens

610B‧‧‧ liquid crystal lens

Z‧‧‧Vertical projection direction

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the structure of a conventional electric modulation liquid crystal cell.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the structure of an electrically modulated liquid crystal cell according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic view showing interference fringes caused by light rays penetrating the structure of the electrically modulated liquid crystal cell of the present invention.

4 is a schematic view showing a bump electrode for a liquid crystal lens structure according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view showing a method of connecting a central electrode of a liquid crystal lens having a bump electrode to a power source according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a view showing the state of bonding of the bump electrode and the electrode having the central opening in the electrically modulated liquid crystal lens having the bump electrode of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an electrically tunable liquid crystal lens structure having a bump electrode according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein a bump electrode is used at one end of the liquid crystal layer and an electrode having a central opening is used at the other end of the liquid crystal layer. schematic diagram.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the structure of an electrically modulated liquid crystal cell according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing an electrically modulated liquid crystal lens assembly of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing an electrically modulated liquid crystal lens assembly of a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a schematic view showing an electrically modulated liquid crystal lens assembly of a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 12 is a schematic view showing an electrically modulated liquid crystal lens assembly of a sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 13 is a schematic view showing an electrically modulated liquid crystal lens assembly of a seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Please refer to Figure 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the structure of a conventional liquid crystal cell 10. The electrically variable liquid crystal cell 10 is sandwiched between the two glass substrates 14 by a liquid crystal layer 12 of a flat surface. The opposite surfaces of the two glass substrates are covered with an indium tin oxide (ITO) thin film electrode 16, respectively. The surface of the indium tin oxide thin film electrode 16 close to the liquid crystal layer 12 is covered with an alignment layer 18. The alignment layer 18 is preferably polyimide (PI) or cerium oxide such as cerium oxide.

The indium tin oxide film electrode 16 is connected to a variable voltage power source 20. By By changing the voltage of the indium tin oxide thin film electrode 16, the applied electric field of the liquid crystal layer 12 can drive the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules, thereby forming a refractive effect similar to that of the lens for penetrating light in the liquid crystal cell. The alignment of the liquid crystal molecules can be controlled by adjusting the electric field strength, and the focal length of the lens effect can also be changed by this.

Please refer to Figure 2. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the structure of an electrically modulated liquid crystal cell according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the drawings, elements equivalent to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. The difference from the conventional electric modulation liquid crystal cell shown in FIG. 1 above is the indium tin oxide layer 22 and the insulating layer 28 in the electrically variable liquid crystal cell of the present invention. The indium tin oxide layer 22 is formed on one side of the two glass substrates 14 facing the liquid crystal layer 12. The electrode of this embodiment includes an indium tin oxide film 24 and a central protrusion 26. The central protrusion 26 protrudes from the surface of the indium oxide film 24 toward the liquid crystal layer 12. An alignment layer 18 is formed on one side of the central protrusion 26 to be in close contact with the liquid crystal layer 12. An insulating layer 28 is provided in a space between the indium oxide film 24 and the alignment layer 18. The insulating layer 28 is electrically insulating and transparent, and is preferably formed of cerium oxide (SiO _x ) such as cerium oxide (SiO ₂ ), but is not limited thereto. Since the insulating layer 28 is disposed adjacent to the alignment layer 18, it can be formed together in the process. However, the surface of the alignment layer 18 facing the liquid crystal layer 12 needs to have a similar groove or uneven structure to cause liquid crystal molecules to fall into this structure to form a pretilt angle having a specific angle. If the alignment layer 18 is formed of hafnium oxide or other hafnium oxide, the alignment layer 18 and the insulating layer 28 may be formed by a sputtering or evaporating process. The thickness of the insulating layer 28 can range from a few micrometers to hundreds of micrometers, while the thickness of the alignment layer 18 is typically less than one micron. If the alignment layer 18 and the insulating layer 28 use the same inorganic material, the insulating layer 28 can be used as a bottom layer in a deposition process and can be deposited in a vertical manner, and the alignment layer 18 can be performed in an oblique manner. Deposition. Further, if the alignment layer 18 is formed using an organic material such as polyimide (PI), a rubbing process is additionally required to form a pretilt angle to the liquid crystal molecules.

The convex central protrusion 26 is formed to form a stronger electric field effect on the liquid crystal layer 12 than the edge, so that the liquid crystal layer 12 has a lens-like refractive index change curved surface, thereby generating light incident into the liquid crystal cell. A lens-like optical effect.

Please refer to Figure 3 and Figure 2. Figure 3 is a schematic view showing the interference fringes caused by the light passing through the structure of the electrically modulated liquid crystal cell of Figure 2 above. The central projection 26 is formed in the center to produce a stripe pattern of the highest frequency and to decrement the frequency toward the edge.

Please refer to Figure 4 and Figure 2. Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing a bump electrode for a liquid crystal lens structure as shown in Fig. 2 in another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The insulating layer 28 supports an indium tin oxide layer 32, and the indium tin oxide layer 32 covers the side of the insulating layer 28 facing away from the liquid crystal layer. The indium tin oxide layer 32 includes a central tip projection 34, and the end of the central tip projection 34 is a pointed top 36 adjacent the alignment layer. The apex 36 is used to form a more intense electric field change gradient for the liquid crystal layer, so that the resulting lens effect can have a shorter focal length. In the prototype of the present invention, the focal length of the lens effect can be as much as about 7 cm.

Please refer to Figure 5. Fig. 5 is a top plan view showing a method of connecting a central electrode of a liquid crystal lens having a bump electrode to a power source according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the above embodiment is that the present embodiment does not cover the surface of the insulating layer with the indium tin oxide layer having the entire surface as in the above second drawing. The indium tin oxide central protrusion 40 in Fig. 5 may represent the central protrusion 26 in Fig. 2 or the central tip protrusion 34 in Fig. 4, and the indium tin oxide central protrusion 40 may be oxidized by oxidation. The indium tin connection element 42 is connected to a power source. The indium tin oxide connecting member 42 connects the indium tin oxide central bump 40 to the edge of the insulating layer 28 to be connected to the power source. Under this structure, since the electric field formed by the indium tin oxide connecting member 42 itself is small without affecting the operation of the entire device, the insulating layer 28 having a thinner thickness can be used for matching.

Please refer to Figure 6. Fig. 6 is a view showing the state of bonding of the bump electrode and the electrode having the central opening in the electrically modulated liquid crystal lens having the bump electrode of the present invention. A bump electrode 50 (similar to that shown in Fig. 2 above) is interposed between the glass substrate 52 and the insulating layer 54. A second indium tin oxide electrode 58 having a central opening 60 is formed and surrounds the bump electrode 50, and the structure also includes an alignment layer 62. A first variable voltage power source 64 is coupled to the bump electrode 50, and a second variable voltage power source 66 is coupled to one end of the first variable voltage power source 64 coupled to the bump electrode 50 and to the central opening 60 The indium tin oxide electrode 58 is connected. The other end of the first variable voltage power source 64 is connected to a planar indium tin oxide layer 68 disposed on the other side of the liquid crystal layer 56. By varying the magnitude of the voltage applied by the first variable voltage source 64 and the second variable voltage source 66, the focal length of the formed lens (and other optical characteristics such as spherical effects) can be varied from a few centimeters to infinity. .

Please refer to Figure 7. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an electrically tunable liquid crystal lens structure having a bump electrode according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein a bump electrode is used at one end of the liquid crystal layer and an electrode having a central opening is used at the other end of the liquid crystal layer. schematic diagram. As shown in FIG. 7, a bump electrode 70 formed of indium tin oxide is disposed on one side of the liquid crystal layer 72, and an indium tin oxide electrode 74 having a larger central opening 76 is provided to the liquid crystal layer. The other side of 72. By varying the value of the applied voltage between the bump electrode 70 and the indium tin oxide electrode 74, the focal length (and other optical properties) of the formed lens can be controlled to vary over a wide range.

Please refer to Figure 8. FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the structure of an electrically modulated liquid crystal cell according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, this embodiment provides an electrically modulated liquid crystal lens assembly 100. The electrically variable liquid crystal lens group 100 can also be regarded as a liquid crystal cell having a plurality of electrically variable liquid crystal lenses. The electrically variable liquid crystal lens group 100 includes a plurality of liquid crystal lenses 110. Each liquid crystal lens 110 includes a planar liquid crystal layer 112, a planar first electrode 116, a second transparent conductive electrode 124, and a variable voltage power supply 120. The planar liquid crystal layer 112 is interposed between a pair of oppositely disposed, transparent and insulating alignment layers 118. The alignment layer 118 of this embodiment includes a first alignment layer 118A and a second The alignment layer 118B is relatively disposed, but is not limited thereto. The first electrode 116 of the plane is formed of a transparent conductive material, and the first electrode 116 is disposed adjacent to a surface of the alignment layer 118 such as the first alignment layer 118A facing away from the liquid crystal layer 112. For example, the first electrode 116 and the second transparent conductive electrode 124 may include indium tin oxide, but not limited thereto. The second transparent conductive electrode 124 is disposed on a surface of the second alignment layer 118B facing away from the liquid crystal layer 112, and the second transparent conductive electrode 124 includes only one central bump electrode 126. The liquid crystal layer 112, the first electrode 116, and the second transparent conductive electrode 124 are stacked one on another in a vertical projection direction Z. The variable voltage power supply 120 is coupled to the first electrode 116 and the second transparent conductive electrode 124 to apply a non-uniform electric field to the liquid crystal layer 112. The non-uniform electric field has a maximum intensity at the center of the first electrode 116 and the second transparent conductive electrode 124 and decreases toward the edges of the first electrode 116 and the second transparent conductive electrode 124 for adjusting the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer 112. A non-uniform condition provides a lensing effect on the light that penetrates the liquid crystal lens 110. The focal length of the liquid crystal lens 110 is preferably a function of a voltage applied between the first electrode 116 and the second transparent conductive electrode 124.

Note also that in the present embodiment, the liquid crystal lenses 110 are overlapped with each other in the vertical projection direction Z. Further, the electrically variable liquid crystal lens group 100 may include a liquid crystal lens 110A and a liquid crystal lens 110B. The liquid crystal lens 110A overlaps the liquid crystal lens 110B in the vertical projection direction Z. The liquid crystal lens 110A and the liquid crystal lens 110B may have the same or opposite lens effects, respectively. For example, the liquid crystal lens 110A and the liquid crystal lens 110B may have a convex lens effect or a concave lens effect, respectively, but the invention is not limited thereto. The liquid crystal lens 110 of the present invention can be used to provide other suitable lens effects as needed, and the electrically variable liquid crystal lens group 100 can also include more than two liquid crystal lenses 110 as needed.

In this embodiment, the electrically modulated liquid crystal lens group 100 may further include a plurality of glass substrates 114 stacked in a vertical projection direction Z. Two adjacent glass substrates 114 are respectively disposed in contact with the first electrode 116 and the second transparent conductive electrode 124 opposite to one side of the liquid crystal layer 112. In addition, the second transparent conductive electrode 124 of the liquid crystal lens 110A may be disposed on a back surface of the glass substrate 114. A surface of the second transparent conductive electrode 124 of the lens 110B is formed to form a specific optical effect, but is not limited thereto.

In addition, each of the liquid crystal lenses 110 of the present embodiment differs from the prior art in the structure of the indium tin oxide layer 122 and the insulating layer 128. In the present embodiment, the indium tin oxide layer 122 is formed on a surface of the glass substrate 114 facing the liquid crystal layer 112. The second transparent conductive electrode 124 includes an indium tin oxide layer 122 and a central bump electrode 126. The central bump electrode 126 protrudes from the surface of the indium tin oxide layer 122 toward the liquid crystal layer 112. In other words, the indium tin oxide layer 122 can be considered as an electrode layer extending over all of the liquid crystal layer 112, and the central bump electrode 126 can be considered as an extension from the center of the second transparent conductive electrode 124. The second alignment layer 118B is formed on one side of the central bump electrode 126 to be in close proximity to the liquid crystal layer 112. The space between the indium tin oxide layer 122 and the second alignment layer 118B is provided with an insulating layer 128. The insulating layer 128 has the characteristics of electrical insulation and transparency, and is preferably formed by using cerium oxide such as cerium oxide, but is not limited thereto. The insulating layer 128 may surround a central region disposed adjacent to the second alignment layer 118B. Further, the central bump electrode 126 of the liquid crystal lens 110 preferably extends in a direction away from the adjacent liquid crystal lens 110. As shown in FIG. 8, the liquid crystal lens 110A is disposed adjacent to the liquid crystal lens 110B, and the central bump electrode 126 of the liquid crystal lens 110A extends in a direction away from the liquid crystal lens 110B, and the center bump electrode 126 of the liquid crystal lens 110B. It may extend in a direction away from the liquid crystal lens 110A. In other words, the central bump electrode 126 of the liquid crystal lens 110A located above may extend upward in the direction of the liquid crystal layer 112, and the central bump electrode 126 of the liquid crystal lens 110B located below may face downward toward the liquid crystal layer 112 thereof. Extend to produce specific optical effects.

The central bump electrode 126 of the second transparent conductive electrode 124 forms a stronger electric field effect on the liquid crystal layer 112 than the edge, so that the liquid crystal layer 112 has a lens-like refractive index change surface, and thus the incident The light from the cell produces a lens-like optical effect. The interference fringes caused by the central bump electrode 126 of this embodiment are similar to those of the third figure described above. Central raised electricity The pole 126 can produce a stripe pattern of the highest frequency in the center and decrease the frequency toward the edge direction, or the center bump electrode 126 can also generate a stripe pattern of the lowest frequency in the center and increase the frequency toward the edge direction. In addition, another variation of the central bump electrode 126 of this embodiment can be referred to the fourth figure and related content described above. In other words, another variation of the central bump electrode 126 of the present embodiment can be varied from a tip end to the opposite end of the liquid crystal layer from a small tip to a relatively large radius.

Another variation of the insulating layer and the indium tin oxide layer of this embodiment can be referred to the above-mentioned FIG. 5 and related content. The indium tin oxide central protrusion 40 in FIG. 5 may represent the central convex electrode 126 in the above-mentioned FIG. 8 or a state in which the indium tin oxide layer covers the entire surface of the insulating layer in FIGS. 4 and 8 described above. The central tip projection 34 in Fig. 4, and the indium tin oxide central projection 40 can be connected to a power source by an indium tin oxide connecting member 42. The indium tin oxide connecting member 42 connects the indium tin oxide central bump 40 to the edge of the insulating layer 28 to be connected to the power source. In other words, the indium tin oxide central bump 40 can be considered a central extension, and the indium tin oxide connecting component 42 can be viewed as a transparent conductive element connecting the central extension to one end of the variable voltage supply.

Please refer to Figure 9. FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing an electrically modulated liquid crystal lens assembly of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, the electrically variable liquid crystal lens group 200 includes a plurality of liquid crystal lenses 210. The difference from the second preferred embodiment is that the liquid crystal lens 210 further includes a third electrode 258, a first variable voltage power supply 264, and a second variable voltage power supply 266. The third electrode 258 has a central opening 260, and the third electrode 258 is disposed between the second alignment layer 118 and the glass substrate 114 provided with the second transparent conductive electrode 124. The only central raised electrode 126 of the second transparent conductive electrode 124 extends from the center of the liquid crystal lens 210 through the central opening 260 of the third electrode 258. The third electrode 258 may also be formed of indium tin oxide. In other words, the third electrode 258 having the central opening 260 is formed and surrounds the projection of the indium tin oxide layer 122. The first variable voltage source 264 is coupled to the central bump electrode 126 and the second variable voltage source 266 One end connected to the first variable voltage power source 264 and the central bump electrode 126 and a third electrode 258 having a central opening 260 are connected. The other end of the first variable voltage power source 264 is connected to the first electrode 116 disposed on the other side of the liquid crystal layer 112. By varying the magnitude of the voltage applied by the first variable voltage source 264 and the second variable voltage source 266, the focal length of the formed lens (and other optical characteristics such as spherical effects) can be varied from a few centimeters to infinity. . That is, the second variable voltage power supply 266 can be regarded as an intermediate variable voltage power supply for controlling and changing the voltage between the third electrode 258 and the first electrode 116. The third electrode 258 can be used to form a horizontal electric field to the liquid crystal layer 112, and the third electrode 258 can serve as an accelerator for the reaction speed of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer 112. In the present embodiment, the liquid crystal lens 210A and the liquid crystal lens 210B may have the same or opposite lens effects, respectively. The second transparent conductive electrode 124 of the liquid crystal lens 210A can be disposed on a surface of the glass substrate 114 facing away from the second transparent conductive electrode 124 of the liquid crystal lens 210B, thereby forming a specific optical effect, but is not limited thereto.

Please refer to section 10. FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing an electrically modulated liquid crystal lens assembly of a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, the electrically variable liquid crystal lens group 300 includes a plurality of liquid crystal lenses 310. The difference from the third preferred embodiment is that the liquid crystal lens 310 further includes a high-resistance material layer 370 disposed in the central opening 260 of the third electrode 258. The high-resistance material layer 370 is used to adjust and optimize the electric field condition between the first electrode 116, the second transparent conductive electrode 124, and the third electrode 258. In the present embodiment, the liquid crystal lens 310A and the liquid crystal lens 310B may have the same or opposite lens effects, respectively. The second transparent conductive electrode 124 of the liquid crystal lens 310A can be disposed on a surface of the glass substrate 114 facing away from the second transparent conductive electrode 124 of the liquid crystal lens 310B, thereby forming a specific optical effect, but is not limited thereto.

Please refer to Figure 11. 11 is a schematic view showing an electrically modulated liquid crystal lens assembly of a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 11, the electrically variable liquid crystal lens group 400 includes a plurality of liquid crystal lenses 410. The difference from the second preferred embodiment described above is that in each liquid crystal lens 410 The second transparent conductive electrode 124 having the central bump electrode 126 is disposed on one side of the liquid crystal layer 112, and the first electrode 416 having a central opening 460 is disposed on the other side of the liquid crystal layer 122. By varying the amount of voltage applied between the first electrode 416 and the second transparent conductive electrode 124, the focal length (and other optical characteristics) of the formed lens can be controlled to vary over a wide range. In the present embodiment, the liquid crystal lens 410A and the liquid crystal lens 410B may have the same or opposite lens effects, respectively. The second transparent conductive electrode 124 of the liquid crystal lens 410A can be disposed on a surface of the glass substrate 114 facing away from the second transparent conductive electrode 124 of the liquid crystal lens 410B, thereby forming a specific optical effect, but is not limited thereto.

Please refer to Figure 12. Figure 12 is a schematic view showing an electrically modulated liquid crystal lens assembly of a sixth preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 12, the electrically variable liquid crystal lens group 500 includes a plurality of liquid crystal lenses 510. The difference from the above-described fourth preferred embodiment is that, in each liquid crystal lens 510, the central bump electrode 126 extends in a direction toward the adjacent liquid crystal lens 510. As shown in FIG. 12, the central bump electrode 126 of the liquid crystal lens 510A may extend in a direction toward the liquid crystal lens 510B adjacent to the liquid crystal lens 510A, and the center bump electrode 126 of the liquid crystal lens 510B may be along a liquid crystal lens. The direction of the 510A extends. That is, the central bump electrode 126 of the liquid crystal lens 510A located above may extend downward toward the liquid crystal layer 112, and the central bump electrode 126 of the liquid crystal lens 510B located downward may face upward toward the liquid crystal layer 112 thereof. Extend to produce specific optical effects.

Please refer to Figure 13. Figure 13 is a schematic view showing an electrically modulated liquid crystal lens assembly of a seventh preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 13, the electrically variable liquid crystal lens group 600 includes a plurality of liquid crystal lenses 610. The difference from the above-described sixth preferred embodiment is that, in the liquid crystal lens 610B located below, one of the glass substrates 114 is disposed between the first electrode 116 of the liquid crystal lens 610B and the liquid crystal layer 112. That is, in the electrically variable liquid crystal lens group 600, the liquid crystal lens 610A located above and the liquid crystal lens 610B located below share a first electrode 116, whereby The purpose of simplifying the structure of the electrically tunable liquid crystal lens group 600 can be achieved.

In summary, in the electrically modulated liquid crystal lens assembly of the present invention, the central raised electrode of each liquid crystal lens is used to apply an uneven electric field to the liquid crystal layer. Each of the liquid crystal lenses is stacked on each other, and two adjacent liquid crystal lenses may have the same or opposite optical and lens effects, respectively.

100‧‧‧Electrical modulation liquid crystal lens unit

110‧‧‧ liquid crystal lens

110A‧‧‧ liquid crystal lens

110B‧‧‧ liquid crystal lens

112‧‧‧Liquid layer

114‧‧‧ glass substrate

116‧‧‧First electrode

118‧‧‧Alignment layer

118A‧‧‧First alignment layer

118B‧‧‧Second alignment layer

120‧‧‧Variable voltage power supply

122‧‧‧Indium tin oxide layer

124‧‧‧Second transparent conductive electrode

126‧‧‧ central raised electrode

128‧‧‧Insulation

Z‧‧‧Vertical projection direction

Claims (15)

An electrically modulated liquid crystal lens assembly comprising: a plurality of liquid crystal lenses, each of the liquid crystal lenses comprising: a first alignment layer disposed opposite to a second alignment layer, wherein the first alignment layer and the second alignment layer are transparent Insulating; a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first alignment layer and the second alignment layer, wherein the liquid crystal layer is a planar liquid crystal layer; a first electrode, the first alignment layer and the second alignment layer One of the back surfaces is disposed adjacent to a surface of the liquid crystal layer, wherein the first electrode is formed of a transparent conductive material, and the first electrode is a planar electrode; and a second transparent conductive electrode is disposed on the surface a second alignment layer facing away from a surface of the liquid crystal layer, wherein the second transparent conductive electrode comprises only one central bump electrode, and the liquid crystal layer, the first electrode and the second transparent conductive electrode are along a vertical Stacked in a projection direction; and a variable voltage power supply connected to the first electrode and the second transparent conductive electrode to apply a non-uniform electric field to the liquid crystal layer, the non-uniform electric field being applied to the first electrode The center of the second transparent conductive electrode has a maximum intensity and decreases toward the edges of the first electrode and the second transparent conductive electrode, so that the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer is adjusted to be uneven and penetrates the liquid crystal The light of the lens provides a lens effect, wherein the focal length of the liquid crystal lens is a function of a voltage applied between the first electrode and the second transparent conductive electrode; wherein the liquid crystal lenses overlap each other in the vertical projection direction. The electrically modulated liquid crystal lens assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the liquid crystal lenses comprises a transparent insulating layer surrounding a central region disposed adjacent to the second alignment layer, and the transparent insulating layer is The back of the second alignment layer is disposed in contact with the surface of the liquid crystal layer. The electrically modulated liquid crystal lens assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of glass substrates, wherein the two adjacent glass substrates are respectively disposed in contact with the first electrode and the second transparent conductive electrode. The electrically modulated liquid crystal lens assembly of claim 3, wherein the two adjacent glass substrates are respectively disposed on a side of the first electrode and the second transparent conductive electrode facing away from the liquid crystal layer. The electrically modulated liquid crystal lens assembly of claim 3, wherein at least one of the glass substrates is disposed between the first electrode and the liquid crystal layer. The electrically modulated liquid crystal lens assembly of claim 1, wherein the second transparent conductive electrode further comprises an electrode layer extending over all of the liquid crystal layer, and the second transparent conductive layer is at the center of the second transparent conductive layer With an extension. The electrically modulated liquid crystal lens assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the liquid crystal lenses further comprises a transparent conductive member connected to a central extension and one end of the variable voltage power supply. The electrically modulated liquid crystal lens assembly of claim 1, wherein the central raised electrode has a width ranging from a small tip to a relatively large radius from one end to the opposite end of the liquid crystal layer. The electrically modulated liquid crystal lens assembly of claim 1, wherein the first electrode has a central opening. The electrically modulated liquid crystal lens unit of claim 3, wherein at least one of the liquid crystal lenses further comprises: a third electrode disposed on one of the first alignment layer and the second alignment layer and provided with the first Between the glass substrates of the two transparent conductive electrodes, wherein the third electrode has a central portion Opening a central protruding electrode extending from a central portion of the liquid crystal lens through the central opening of the third electrode; and an intermediate variable voltage power supply for controlling and changing the third electrode and the first electrode The voltage between them. The electrically modulated liquid crystal lens assembly of claim 10, wherein at least one of the liquid crystal lenses further comprises a layer of high-resistance material disposed in the central opening of the third electrode. The electrically modulated liquid crystal lens assembly of claim 1, wherein the first electrode and the second transparent conductive electrode comprise indium tin oxide (ITO). The electrically modulated liquid crystal lens assembly of claim 1, wherein the central bump electrode extends in a direction away from the adjacent liquid crystal lens. The electrically modulated liquid crystal lens assembly of claim 1, wherein the central bump electrode extends in a direction toward the adjacent liquid crystal lens. A liquid crystal cell constituting an electrically adjustable zoom lens, comprising: a plurality of glass substrates stacked on each other in a vertical projection direction; a plurality of liquid crystal lenses, each of the liquid crystal lenses comprising: a first alignment layer opposite to a second alignment layer The first alignment layer and the second alignment layer are planar, transparent and insulated; a liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between the first alignment layer and the second alignment layer; a first electrode is coated on the The first alignment layer faces away from a surface of the liquid crystal layer and extends over the first alignment layer, wherein the first electrode is a transparent conductive electrode; and a second transparent conductive electrode is disposed on the second alignment layer a layer facing away from a surface of the liquid crystal layer The second transparent conductive electrode includes only one central raised electrode, and the liquid crystal layer, the first electrode and the second transparent conductive electrode are stacked on each other in a vertical projection direction; a transparent insulating layer, The back surface of the second alignment layer is disposed in contact with the surface of the liquid crystal layer, and the transparent insulating layer surrounds the convex portion of the second transparent conductive electrode; and a variable voltage power source, the first electrode and the first a transparent conductive electrode connected to apply a non-uniform electric field to the liquid crystal layer, the non-uniform electric field having maximum intensity at a center of the first electrode and the second transparent conductive electrode and facing the first electrode Decreasing the edge of the second transparent conductive electrode to adjust the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer to a non-uniform condition to provide a lens effect on the light penetrating the liquid crystal lens, and the voltage of the variable voltage power source is determined a focal length of the formed lens, wherein the liquid crystal lenses overlap each other in the vertical projection direction, and the two adjacent glass substrates are respectively associated with the first electrode And the second transparent conductive layer facing away from the liquid crystal side electrodes provided in contact.