TWI784650B - Spatial multi-domain liquid crystal phase lens - Google Patents

Abstract

A spatial multi-domain liquid crystal phase lens includes a thin film transistor (TFT) liquid crystal panel, a first driving circuit and a polarization related lens. The TFT liquid crystal panel is configured to emit a polarized light. The aperture ratio of the TFT liquid crystal panel is more than 90%. The first driving circuit is electrically connected to the TFT liquid crystal panel so as to control a polarization direction of the polarized light. The polarization related lens is configured to receive the polarized light and then emit a light beam. The polarization related lens is configured to switch the waveform distribution of the light beam according to the polarized light.

Description

Spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens

The invention relates to a liquid crystal lens, and in particular to a space multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens.

Liquid crystal lenses can change the axial distribution of liquid crystals by applying voltage to achieve a zoom effect, and can be applied to many different optical systems. However, the adjustment of the focal length of the liquid crystal lens generally involves changing the focal length of the entire lens at the same time. In this way, if there is a need for regional focus adjustment, such as three-dimensional image display, only a sequential method can be used to quickly adjust the focus of the liquid crystal lens and the displayed image. However, it is not easy to adjust the focal length of the liquid crystal lens and display images so quickly.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens including a thin film transistor liquid crystal panel, a first driving circuit and a polarization-dependent lens. The thin film transistor liquid crystal panel is used to emit polarized light, and the aperture ratio of the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel is greater than 90%. The first driving circuit is electrically connected to the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel to control the polarization direction of the polarized light. Polarization-dependent lenses are used to receive polarized light and emit light beams accordingly. Polarization-dependent lenses are used to switch the waveform distribution of light beams according to the polarization.

In some embodiments, the polarization-dependent lens is a lens, lens array, lens, or free-form lens, depending on the phase distribution of the polarization-dependent lens.

In some embodiments, the above-mentioned first driving circuit applies a voltage to switch the polarized light emitted by the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel between the first polarized light and the second polarized light that are orthogonal to each other.

In some embodiments, the aforementioned polarization-dependent lens is a lens with birefringence property or a Berry phase lens.

In some embodiments, the capacitance of the storage capacitor of the TFT-LCD panel is less than 10% of the capacitance of the liquid crystal capacitor of the TFT-LCD panel.

In some embodiments, the liquid crystal alignment and distribution of the liquid crystal layer of the above-mentioned TFT-LCD panel will divide the TFT-LCD panel into a first area and a second area according to the voltage applied by the first driving circuit. The polarized light emitted from one region is orthogonal to the polarized light emitted from the second region.

In some embodiments, the above-mentioned spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens further includes a polarizer disposed in front of the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel.

In some embodiments, the above-mentioned spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens further includes at least one optical compensation film, wherein at least one optical compensation film is disposed before the TFT-LCD panel, or is disposed between the TFT-LCD panel and the polarization-dependent lens between them, or, at the same time, it is arranged in front of the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel and between the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel and the polarization-dependent lens.

In some embodiments, the constituent materials of the Berry phase lens include liquid crystal materials, birefringent polymers or metamaterials.

In some embodiments, the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens further includes a second driving circuit electrically connected to the polarization-dependent lens to apply a voltage to the polarization-dependent lens to switch between different phase distributions of the polarization-dependent lens.

In some embodiments, the above-mentioned spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens further includes a lens with a fixed diopter to shift the diopter of the light beam, wherein the lens is arranged in front of the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel, or is arranged between the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel and the polarization between the related lenses, or behind the polarization related lenses.

In some embodiments, the aforementioned lens is a lens array.

In some embodiments, the aforementioned lens is a solid lens, a Fresnel lens, a liquid crystal lens or a liquid lens.

In some embodiments, the TFT-LCD panel is in a twisted nematic mode or an electronically controlled birefringence mode.

The object of the present invention is to provide another spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens including a thin film transistor liquid crystal panel, a first driving circuit and a Berry phase lens film. The thin film transistor liquid crystal panel is used to emit polarized light, and the aperture ratio of the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel is greater than 90%. The first driving circuit is electrically connected to the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel to control the polarization direction of the polarized light. The Berry phase lens film is used to receive polarized light and emit the beam accordingly. Berry phase lens films are used to switch the waveform distribution of light beams according to polarized light.

The object of the present invention is to provide another spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase mirror comprising a thin film transistor liquid crystal panel, a first driving circuit, a plurality of Berry phase mirrors and a plurality of second driving circuits. The thin film transistor liquid crystal panel is used to emit polarized light, and the aperture ratio of the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel is greater than 90%. The first driving circuit is electrically connected to the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel to control the polarization direction of the polarized light. The first of the plurality of Berry phase lenses is used to receive polarized light, and the last of the plurality of Berry phase lenses is used to emit light beams, wherein the number of the plurality of Berry phase lenses is N. The plurality of second drive circuits are electrically connected to the plurality of Berry phase lenses one-to-one to respectively apply voltages to the plurality of Berry phase lenses, so that the light beams have 2 ^N −1 kinds of diopters.

In order to make the above-mentioned features and advantages of the present invention more comprehensible, the following specific embodiments are described in detail together with the accompanying drawings.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed in detail below. It should be appreciated, however, that the embodiments provide many applicable concepts that can be implemented in a wide variety of specific contexts. The discussed and disclosed embodiments are for illustration only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The terms “first”, “second”, etc. used herein do not specifically refer to a sequence or order, but are only used to distinguish elements or operations described with the same technical terms.

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 100 includes a thin film transistor liquid crystal panel 120 , a polarization-dependent lens 140 and a driving circuit 160 . The thin film transistor liquid crystal panel 120 is used to emit polarized light. The driving circuit 160 is electrically connected to the TFT-LCD panel 120 to apply a voltage to the TFT-LCD panel 120 to control the polarization direction of the polarized light emitted by the TFT-LCD panel 120 . The polarization-dependent lens 140 is used for receiving polarized light from the TFT-LCD panel 120 and emitting light beams accordingly. The polarization-dependent lens 140 is used to switch the waveform distribution of the emitted light beam according to the polarization direction of the received polarized light.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the aperture ratio of the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel 120 is greater than 90%. In an embodiment of the present invention, the capacitance of the storage capacitor (Cst) of the TFT-LCD panel 120 is less than 10% of the capacitance of the liquid crystal capacitor of the TFT-LCD panel 120 . FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an equivalent circuit of a thin film transistor liquid crystal panel. Wherein, Cgs is the parasitic capacitance between the gate terminal and the source terminal of the thin film transistor TFT, Cpd and Cpd' are the coupling capacitance, Cst is the storage capacitance, Clc is the liquid crystal capacitance, and Vcom is the common electrode voltage. Specifically, a TFT-LCD panel for general display will include a storage capacitor (Cst). In the embodiment of the present invention, the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel has a very small opaque inorganic storage capacitor, and almost all of the storage capacitor comes from organic layers, such as overcoat layer, flat layer, polyimide (Polyimide, PI), etc. . In addition, it may also come from an additional transparent conductive layer, for example, there are two transparent conductive layers on the thin film transistor array substrate. However, because the opaque inorganic storage capacitor is very small, in the embodiment of the present invention, the capacitance value of the total storage capacitor (Cst) of the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel 120 is smaller than the capacitance of the liquid crystal capacitor (Clc) of the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel 120 10% of the value, that is, Clc:Cst>10:1.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel 120 includes two electrodes and a liquid crystal layer (not shown in FIG. 1 ) sandwiched between the two electrodes. Control the orientation of a plurality of liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer of the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel 120 (that is, the alignment and distribution of liquid crystals). Accordingly, the present invention can apply a voltage through the driving circuit 160 to make the polarization emitted by the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel 120 The light is switched between mutually orthogonal first polarized light and second polarized light. For example, the first polarized light and the second polarized light are left-handed and right-handed circularly polarized light. For another example, the first polarized light and the second polarized light are two linearly polarized lights with an angle of 90 degrees.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the liquid crystal mode of the liquid crystal layer of the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel 120 can be selected or optimized according to the situation of the applied system, specifically, the liquid crystal mode of the liquid crystal layer of the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel 120 The state can be a twisted nematic (Twist Nematic, TN) mode or an electrically controlled birefringence (Electrically Controlled Birefringence, ECB) mode.

In an embodiment of the present invention, according to the phase distribution of the polarization-dependent lens 140, the polarization-dependent lens 140 can be a lens, a lens array, a lens or a free-form surface lens.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the polarization-dependent lens 140 can be a lens with birefringence properties, a Pancharatnam-Berry phase lens or a Berry phase lens film.

3A, 3B and 3C are schematic diagrams of the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 100 in different states according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Wherein, in the illustrations of FIG. 3A , FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C , the polarization-dependent lens 140 is illustrated as a Berry phase lens.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, the driving circuit 160 applies a voltage to make the polarized light emitted by the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel 120 be right-handed polarized light. For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, the driving circuit 160 applies a voltage to The polarized light emitted by the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel 120 is left-handed polarized light.

The polarization-dependent lens 140 is switched between a positive lens and a negative lens according to the polarization direction of the polarized light emitted by the TFT-LCD panel 120 . For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, when the polarized light emitted by the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel 120 is right-handed polarized light, the polarization-dependent lens 140 (such as a Berry phase lens) is a positive lens focusing, that is, the polarization-dependent lens The light beam emitted by 140 has a positive diopter (ie, +D). For example, as shown in FIG. 3B, when the polarized light emitted by the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel 120 is left-handed polarized light, the polarization-dependent lens 140 (such as a Berry phase lens) is a negative lens defocusing, that is, the polarization-dependent lens The light beam emitted by 140 has a negative diopter (ie, -D).

It can be seen from the illustrations in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B that the polarization-dependent lens 140 of the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 100 of the first embodiment of the present invention is a passive element, and the polarization-dependent lens 140 as a passive element can realize a positive lens and a negative lens. Switch between two diopters.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned relationship between the polarization direction of the polarized light and whether the polarization-dependent lens is a positive lens or a negative lens will depend on, for example, the distribution pattern of the liquid crystal molecules of the Berry phase lens. In other words, in another embodiment of the present invention, when the polarized light is left-handed polarized light, the polarization-dependent lens 140 (such as a Berry phase lens) can also be a positive lens focusing; when the polarized light is right-handed polarized light, the polarization The associated optic 140 (eg, a Berry phase optic) may also be a negative lens defocus.

In the embodiment of the present invention, different voltages can be applied to each liquid crystal molecule of the liquid crystal layer of the TFT-LCD panel 120 through the driving circuit 160 to realize individual control of the orientation of each liquid crystal molecule, thereby realizing spatial polarization control. In other words, the liquid crystal arrangement and distribution of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer of the TFT liquid crystal panel 120 will change with the voltage applied by the driving circuit 160 .

For example, as shown in FIG. 3C , the liquid crystal alignment and distribution of the liquid crystal layer of the TFT-LCD panel 120 will be divided into the first region R1 and the second region R2 according to the voltage applied by the driving circuit 160. , wherein the polarized light emitted from the first region R1 is orthogonal to the polarized light emitted from the second region R2. For example, the polarized light emitted from the first region R1 is left-handed polarized light, and the polarized light emitted from the second region R2 is right-handed polarized light. Accordingly, in the above example, the first part of the polarization-dependent lens 140 corresponding to the first region R1 receives left-handed polarized light, so it is focused by a negative lens, so the diopter of the outgoing light beam is a negative value (that is, -D ), and the second part of the polarization-dependent lens 140 corresponding to the second region R2 receives right-handed polarized light, so it is focused by a positive lens, so the diopter of the outgoing light beam is a positive value (ie, +D). In other words, the present invention can make a part of the polarization-dependent lens 140 to be a positive lens and the other part to be a negative lens through the liquid crystal alignment and distribution operation on the TFT liquid crystal panel 120 . Specifically, the present invention can realize regional focal length adjustment by controlling the liquid crystal alignment and distribution of the liquid crystal layer of the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel 120, so that the focal length of the emitted light beams is regionally different, in other words, the polarization-dependent lens 140 The beams emitted from different positions will have different focal length distributions, thus achieving the effect of spatial multi-focal length changes, which can be further applied to optical system applications with related requirements, such as augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR ) Three-dimensional (3D) dynamic projection.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the application of the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 100 to 3D imaging according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4 , an augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) system is used for displaying or projecting a virtual image. The spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 100 can be matched with the display 10 and the projector 20, so that the displayed virtual image can be matched with the spatial focal length change, and the displayed virtual image can be placed in a more suitable position. As shown in FIG. 4 , through the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 100, the projected virtual image is projected as a short-distance image to an actual closer position, while the projected virtual image is a long-distance image and is projected to an actual farther position. position, so as to achieve dynamic 3D imaging.

In addition, the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 100 can also be combined with a light field display system to achieve a 3D imaging effect. Specifically, the local 3D imaging effect can be achieved through the change of the local focal length of the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 100 .

5A and 5B are schematic diagrams of the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 100 in different states according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Wherein, in the examples of FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B , the polarization-dependent lens 140 is exemplified as a lens (liquid crystal lens) with birefringence properties.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, when the polarization direction of the linearly polarized light emitted by the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel 120 is parallel to the liquid crystal optical axis plane, there is a focal length (the diopter of the light beam emitted by the polarization-dependent lens 140 is D _{4− 1} ≠ 0). For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, when the polarization direction of the linearly polarized light emitted by the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel 120 is perpendicular to the optical axis plane of the liquid crystal, there is no lens effect (the diopter D of the light beam emitted by the polarization-dependent lens 140 _4-2 =0).

6A and 6B are schematic diagrams of the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 100 in different states according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Wherein, in the examples of FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B , the polarization-dependent lens 140 is exemplified as a lens (liquid crystal lens) with birefringence properties.

For example, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the polarization direction of the linearly polarized light emitted by the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel 120 is parallel to the liquid crystal optical axis plane, there is a focal length (the diopter of the light beam emitted by the polarization _- dependent lens 140 is D5 _-1 ). For example, as shown in FIG. 6B, when the polarization direction of the linearly polarized light emitted by the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel 120 is perpendicular to the optical axis plane of the liquid crystal, there is another focal length (the diopter of the light beam emitted by the polarization-dependent lens 140 is D _5-2 , and D _5-1 ≠D _5-2 ).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens may further include a polarizer (not shown) disposed in front of the TFT-LCD panel, that is, the TFT-LCD panel is disposed between the polarizer and the polarization-dependent lens between. Specifically, a polarizer can be selectively placed in front of the TFT-LCD panel to limit the polarization direction of incoming light.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens may further include one or more optical compensator films (not shown) for optimizing viewing angle, polarization state or dispersion. The optical compensation film can be arranged before the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel, or the optical compensation film can be arranged between the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel and the polarization-related lens, or the optical compensation film can be arranged before the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel at the same time And it is arranged between the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel and the polarization related lens.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when the polarization-dependent lens 140 is a Berry phase lens, the constituent materials of the Berry phase lens may include liquid crystal material, birefringent polymer or metamaterial.

FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 200 is similar to the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 100, the difference is that the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 200 also includes a driving circuit 180, and the driving circuit 180 is electrically connected to the polarization-dependent lens 140 to apply a voltage to the polarization-dependent lens. 140, so that the polarization-dependent lens 140 can be switched between different phase distributions (for example, switching between with lens and without lens).

In the embodiment of the present invention, when the polarization-dependent lens 140 is a Berry phase lens, in order to maintain a high diffraction efficiency in a wide range of wavelengths, the Berry phase lens can use liquid crystal molecules or polymers in the propagation direction to design differently. The distribution of the direction of rotation is achieved.

8A, 8B and 8C are schematic diagrams of the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 200 in different states according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Wherein, in the illustrations of FIG. 8A , FIG. 8B and FIG. 8C , the polarization-dependent lens 140 is illustrated as a Berry phase lens.

Specifically, the polarization-dependent lens 140 includes two electrodes and a liquid crystal layer (not shown) sandwiched between the two electrodes. In the present invention, the driving circuit 180 can apply a voltage to the two electrodes to control the liquid crystal of the polarization-dependent lens 140. According to the alignment of multiple liquid crystal molecules in the layer, the present invention can switch the polarization-dependent lens 140 between different phase distributions by applying a voltage through the driving circuit 180 (for example, switching between having a lens and not having a lens).

For example, as shown in FIG. 8A , the drive circuit 160 applies a voltage to make the polarized light emitted by the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel 120 be right-handed polarized light, so the polarization-dependent lens 140 (such as a Berry phase lens) is a positive lens focusing , so the diopter of the emitted light beam is positive (ie, +D). For example, as shown in FIG. 8B , the drive circuit 160 applies a voltage to make the polarized light emitted by the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel 120 a left-handed polarized light, so the polarization-dependent lens 140 (such as a Berry phase lens) is a negative lens defocus , so the diopter of the emitted light beam is negative (ie, -D).

For example, as shown in FIG. 8C , the drive circuit 160 applies a voltage to make the polarized light emitted by the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel 120 a right-handed polarized light, and at the same time, the drive circuit 180 applies a voltage to make the polarized light emitted by the polarization-dependent lens 140 The diopter of the light beam becomes zero (ie, D=0), in other words, the drive circuit 180 applies a voltage to switch the polarization dependent optic 140 to no lens.

As can be seen from the illustrations in FIG. 8A , FIG. 8B and FIG. 8C , the polarization-dependent lens 140 of the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 200 of the second embodiment of the present invention is an active element, and the polarization-dependent lens can be made through the operation of the applied voltage of the drive circuit 180 The lens 140 switches between different phase distributions to switch the diopter of the light beam emitted by the polarization-dependent lens 140 correspondingly, so that the polarization-dependent lens 140 that is an active element can realize, for example, three diopters of positive lens, negative lens, and no lens. switch.

9A and 9B are schematic diagrams of the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 200 in different states according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Wherein, in the examples of FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B , the polarization-dependent lens 140 is exemplified as a lens (liquid crystal lens) with birefringence properties.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B, when the polarization direction of the linearly polarized light emitted by the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel 120 is parallel to the liquid crystal optical axis plane, the focal length of the polarization-dependent lens 140 can be changed by the driving circuit 180 ( In FIG. 9A , the diopter of the beam emitted by the polarization-dependent lens 140 is D _8-1 , and in FIG. 9B , the diopter of the beam emitted by the polarization-dependent lens 140 is D _8-2 , and D _8-1 ≠D _{8 -2} ).

10A and 10B are schematic diagrams of the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 200 in different states according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Wherein, in the examples of FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B , the polarization-dependent lens 140 is exemplified as a lens (liquid crystal lens) with birefringence properties.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10A and FIG. 10B , when the polarization direction of the linearly polarized light emitted by the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel 120 is parallel to the optical axis plane of the liquid crystal, the focal length of the polarization-dependent lens 140 can be changed by the driving circuit 180 ( In FIG. 10A , the diopter of the beam emitted by the polarization-dependent lens 140 is D _9-1 , and in FIG. 10B , the diopter of the beam emitted by the polarization-dependent lens 140 is D _9-2 , and D _9-1 ≠D _{9 -2} ).

FIG. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 300 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 300 is similar to the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 100 , the difference is that the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 300 further includes a lens 190 . As shown in FIG. 11 , the lens 190 is arranged behind the polarization-dependent lens 140, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In other embodiments of the present invention, the lens can also be arranged in front of the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel, or arranged in the thin film Between the transistor liquid crystal panel and the polarization dependent lens.

In the third embodiment of the present invention, the lens 190 has a fixed diopter to shift the diopter of the beam emitted by the polarization-dependent lens 140 . In other words, the purpose of the lens 190 is to shift the diopter. For example, when the polarization-dependent lens 140 (eg, Berry phase lens) receives right-handed polarized light to focus as a positive lens with a positive diopter (eg, _DPB ), and the lens 190 has a fixed diopter (eg, D _FIX ) , the diopter of the light beam emitted by the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 300 is shifted to become (D _PB +D _FIX ). For example, when polarization-dependent lens 140 (eg, Berry phase lens) receives left-handed polarized light and defocuses as a negative lens with a negative diopter (eg, _-DPB ), and lens 190 has a fixed diopter (eg, D _FIX ) , the diopter of the light beam emitted by the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 300 is shifted to become (-D _PB +D _FIX ).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the lens 190 may be a plurality of lens arrays arranged in an array. In an embodiment of the present invention, the lens 190 may be in the form of a solid lens, a Fresnel lens, a liquid crystal lens or a liquid lens.

FIG. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of a spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 400 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 400 includes a thin film transistor liquid crystal panel (for convenience of illustration, not shown in FIG. 12 , and the aperture ratio of the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel is greater than 90%) for emitting polarized light, an electrical connection The thin film transistor liquid crystal panel applies a voltage to the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel to control the polarization direction of the polarized light emitted by the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel (not shown in FIG. 12 for ease of description), the first shell Inner phase lens PB1 , the first driving circuit 182 , the second Berry phase lens PB2 and the second driving circuit 184 .

The first Berry phase lens PB1 arranged at the front is used to receive the polarized light and emit the first light beam accordingly, and the second Berry phase lens PB2 arranged at the last is used to receive the first light beam and emit the second light beam accordingly beam. The first Berry phase lens PB1 is used for switching the diopter of the emitted first light beam according to the polarization direction of the received polarized light. The second Berry phase lens PB2 is used for switching the diopter of the emitted second light beam according to the polarization direction of the received first light beam.

The first drive circuit 182 is electrically connected to the first Berry phase lens PB1 to apply a voltage to the first Berry phase lens PB1, thereby controlling the orientation of a plurality of liquid crystal molecules of the first Berry phase lens PB1, so that the first Berry phase lens PB1 The phase lens PB1 is switched between different phase distributions (for example, switching between having a lens and not having a lens). The second drive circuit 184 is electrically connected to the second Berry phase lens PB2 to apply a voltage to the second Berry phase lens PB2, thereby controlling the orientation of a plurality of liquid crystal molecules of the second Berry phase lens PB2, so that the second Berry phase lens PB2 The phase lens PB2 is switched between different phase distributions (for example, switching between having a lens and not having a lens).

13A, 13B and 13C are schematic diagrams of the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 400 in different states according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that, for ease of illustration, FIG. 13A , FIG. 13B and FIG. 13C do not show the TFT-LCD panel included in the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 400 and the driving circuit electrically connected to the TFT-LCD panel.

For example, as shown in FIG. 13A , the first Berry phase lens PB1 receives right-handed polarized light, and focuses as a positive lens with positive diopter (for example: +D _PB1 ), and at the same time, the second driving circuit 184 applies a voltage to The second Berry phase lens PB2 is switched to no lens, therefore, the diopter of the second light beam emitted by the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 400 is +D _PB1 .

For example, as shown in FIG. 13B , the first Berry phase lens PB1 receives right-handed polarized light, and the first drive circuit 182 applies a voltage to switch the first Berry phase lens PB1 to no lens, so that the diopter is zero. The right-handed polarized light is emitted to the second Berry phase lens PB2 as the first light beam, and then the second Berry phase lens PB2 receives the first right-handed polarized light beam as a positive diopter (for example: +D _PB2 ) Therefore, the diopter of the second light beam emitted by the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 400 is +D _PB2 .

For example, as shown in FIG. 13C , the first Berry phase lens PB1 receives right-handed polarized light and focuses it as a positive lens with positive diopter (for example: +D _PB1 ), and then the second Berry phase lens PB2 receives The first beam of left-handed polarized light and diopter of +D _PB1 is defocused as a negative lens with negative diopter (for example: -D _PB2 ). Therefore, the diopter of the beam emitted by the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 400 is +( D _PB1 -D _PB2 ).

13A, 13B and 13C, it can be known that the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase mirror 400 of the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes two Berry phase mirrors as active elements, so they can each pass through the applied voltage of the driving circuit. The operation makes each Berry phase lens switch between different phase distributions (for example, switch between lens and lensless), so that the second light beam output by the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 400 has 2 ² −1=3 kinds diopters (ie: +D _PB1 , +D _PB2 , +(D _PB1 -D _PB2 )).

14A, 14B and 14C are schematic diagrams of the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 400 in different states according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted that, for ease of illustration, FIG. 14A , FIG. 14B and FIG. 14C do not show the TFT-LCD panel included in the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 400 and the driving circuit electrically connected to the TFT-LCD panel.

For example, as shown in FIG. 14A , the first Berry phase lens PB1 receives left-handed polarized light, and defocuses as a negative lens with negative diopter (for example: -D _PB1 ), and at the same time, the second drive circuit 184 applies a voltage to The second Berry phase lens PB2 is switched to no lens, therefore, the diopter of the second light beam emitted by the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 400 is -D _PB1 .

For example, as shown in FIG. 14B , the first Berry phase lens PB1 receives left-handed polarized light, and the first drive circuit 182 applies a voltage to switch the first Berry phase lens PB1 to no lens, so that the diopter is zero The left-handed polarized light emerges as the first light beam to the second Berry phase lens PB2, and then the second Berry phase lens PB2 receives the first light beam of the left-handed polarized light, and acts as a negative lens with a negative diopter (for example: -D _PB2 ). Defocusing, therefore, the diopter of the second light beam emitted by the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 400 is -D _PB2 .

For example, as shown in FIG. 14C , the first Berry phase lens PB1 receives left-handed polarized light and defocuses as a negative lens with negative diopter (for example: -D _PB1 ), and then the second Berry phase lens PB2 receives The first beam of right-handed polarized light and diopter of -D _PB1 is focused as a positive lens with positive diopter (for example: +D _PB2 ). Therefore, the diopter of the beam emitted by the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 400 is +( -D _PB1 +D _PB2 ).

It can be known from the illustrations in FIG. 14A, FIG. 14B and FIG. 14C that the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase mirror 400 of the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes two Berry phase mirrors as active elements, so they can respectively pass through the applied voltage of the driving circuit. The operation makes each Berry phase lens switch between different phase distributions (for example, switch between lens and lensless), so that the second light beam output by the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 400 has 2 ² −1=3 kinds diopters (ie: -D _PB1 , -D _PB2 , +(-D _PB1 +D _PB2 )).

The number of Berry phase lenses included in the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 400 of the fourth embodiment of the present invention is just an example. In other embodiments of the present invention, the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 400 may include N Berry phase mirrors, N is a positive integer, and when the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase mirror 400 includes N Berry phase mirrors, the light beams output by the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase mirror 400 will have 2 ^N -1 types Diopter combination.

In other embodiments of the present invention, the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase mirror may also include a thin film transistor liquid crystal panel arranged in front of N Berry phase mirrors, and a driving circuit is electrically connected to the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel to apply a voltage to Thin film transistor liquid crystal panel to control the polarization direction of the polarized light emitted by the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel, so that the polarized light emitted by the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel is between a first polarized light and a second polarized light which are orthogonal to each other Switching (such as switching between left-handed polarized light and right-handed polarized light), so that the Berry phase lens behind the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel can be switched between different phase distributions (such as switching between positive lens, negative lens and no lens) ). In this way, when the number of Berry phase lenses behind the TFT-LCD panel is N, the light beams output by the space multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens including the TFT-LCD panel and N Berry phase lenses will have 2 *(2 ^N -1) diopter combinations.

Based on the above, the present invention proposes a spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens including a thin film transistor liquid crystal panel and a polarization-related lens. By applying a voltage to the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel, the polarized light emitted by the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel is controlled in mutually orthogonal directions. Switching between the first polarized light and the second polarized light, moreover, the polarization-dependent lens can be switched between different phase distributions by applying a voltage to the polarization-dependent lens. In addition, regional focal length adjustment is realized by controlling the arrangement and distribution of liquid crystals of the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel, so as to achieve the effect of spatial multi-focal length variation.

The features of several embodiments are outlined above, so those skilled in the art can better understand aspects of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can easily use the present invention as a basis to design or modify other processes and structures, thereby achieving the same goals and/or achieving the same advantages as the embodiments described herein . Those skilled in the art should also understand that these equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and that they can make various changes, substitutions and alterations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

10: Display 20: Projector 100, 200, 300, 400: Spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens 120: Thin film transistor liquid crystal panel 140: Polarization related lens 160, 180: Driving circuit 182: First driving circuit 184: Second driving Circuit 190: lens Cgs: parasitic capacitance Clc: liquid crystal capacitance Cpd, Cpd': coupling capacitance Cst: storage capacitance D, +D, -D, D _4-1 , D _4-2 , D _5-1 , D _5-2 , D _8-1 , D _8-2 , D _9-1 , D _9-2 , +D _PB1 , +D _PB2 , +(D _PB1 -D _PB2 ), -D _PB1 , -D _PB2 , +(-D _PB1 +D _PB2 ): diopter PB1: first Berry phase lens PB2: second Berry phase lens R1: first area R2: second area TFT: thin film transistor Vcom: common electrode voltage

A better understanding of aspects of the present invention can be obtained from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be noted that, in accordance with the standard practice in the industry, various features are not drawn to scale. In fact, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily increased or decreased for clarity of discussion. [ FIG. 1 ] is a schematic structural diagram of a spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Fig. 2] is a schematic diagram of an equivalent circuit of a thin film transistor liquid crystal panel. [FIG. 3A], [FIG. 3B], [FIG. 3C] are schematic diagrams of the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens in different states according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [ FIG. 4 ] is a schematic diagram of the application of the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens to 3D imaging according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [FIG. 5A] and [FIG. 5B] are schematic diagrams of the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens in different states according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [FIG. 6A] and [FIG. 6B] are schematic diagrams of the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens in different states according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [ FIG. 7 ] is a schematic structural diagram of a spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [FIG. 8A], [FIG. 8B], [FIG. 8C] are schematic diagrams of the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens in different states according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [FIG. 9A] and [FIG. 9B] are schematic diagrams of the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens in different states according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [FIG. 10A] and [FIG. 10B] are schematic diagrams of the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens in different states according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [ Fig. 11 ] is a schematic structural diagram of a spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [ Fig. 12 ] is a schematic structural view of a spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [FIG. 13A], [FIG. 13B], [FIG. 13C] are schematic diagrams of the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens in different states according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. [FIG. 14A], [FIG. 14B], [FIG. 14C] are schematic diagrams of the spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens in different states according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

160: drive circuit

R1: the first region

R2: second area

+D, -D: diopter

Claims (15)

A spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens, comprising: a thin film transistor liquid crystal panel for emitting a polarized light, wherein an opening ratio of the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel is greater than 90%; a first driving circuit electrically connected to the film A transistor liquid crystal panel is used to control the polarization direction of the polarized light; and a polarization-dependent lens is used to receive the polarized light and emit a light beam accordingly; wherein the polarization-dependent lens is used to switch the waveform distribution of the light beam according to the polarized light ; Wherein the polarization-dependent lens is a lens with birefringence properties or a Berry phase lens. The spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens as claimed in Claim 1, wherein according to the phase distribution of the polarization-dependent lens, the polarization-dependent lens is a lens, a lens array, a lens or a free-form surface lens. The spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first driving circuit applies a voltage so that the circularly polarized light emitted by the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel is in a mutually orthogonal first polarized light and a first polarized light Switch between two polarized light. The spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens as described in claim 1 further includes: A polarizer is arranged in front of the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel. The spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens according to claim 1, wherein the constituent materials of the Berry phase lens include liquid crystal materials, birefringent polymers or metamaterials. The spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens as described in claim 1 further includes: a lens with a fixed diopter to shift the diopter of the light beam, wherein the lens is arranged in front of the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel, or is arranged in the The thin film transistor liquid crystal panel is arranged between the polarization-related lens, or behind the polarization-related lens. The spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens according to claim 6, wherein the lens is a lens array. The spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens according to claim 6, wherein the lens is a solid lens, a Fresnel lens, a liquid crystal lens or a liquid lens. The spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens according to claim 1, wherein the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel is in a twisted nematic mode or an electronically controlled birefringence mode. The spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens as claimed in claim 1, wherein the capacitance value of the storage capacitor of the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel is less than 10% of the capacitance value of the liquid crystal capacitor of the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel. The spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase mirror as described in Claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal alignment and distribution of a liquid crystal layer of the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel will make the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel divided into two parts according to the voltage applied by the first driving circuit A first area and a second area, wherein the polarized light emitted from the first area is orthogonal to the polarized light emitted from the second area. The spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase mirror according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one optical compensation film, wherein the at least one optical compensation film is arranged in front of the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel, or is arranged on the thin film transistor liquid crystal Between the panel and the polarization-related lens, or, at the same time, it is arranged in front of the TFT-LCD panel and between the TFT-LCD panel and the polarization-related lens. The spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase mirror as described in claim 1 further includes: a second driving circuit electrically connected to the polarization-dependent mirror to apply a voltage to the polarization-dependent mirror, so that the polarization-dependent mirror is between different phase distributions to switch. A spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens, comprising: a thin film transistor liquid crystal panel for emitting a polarized light, wherein an opening ratio of the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel is greater than 90%; a first driving circuit electrically connected to the film A transistor liquid crystal panel is used to control the polarization direction of the polarized light; and a Berry phase lens film is used to receive the polarized light and emit a light beam accordingly; wherein the Berry phase lens film is used to switch the polarized light according to the polarized light Waveform distribution of the beam. A spatial multi-zone liquid crystal phase lens, comprising: a thin film transistor liquid crystal panel for emitting a polarized light, wherein an opening ratio of the thin film transistor liquid crystal panel is greater than 90%; a first driving circuit electrically connected to the film A transistor liquid crystal panel to control the polarization direction of the polarized light; a plurality of Berry phase lenses, wherein the first one of the Berry phase lenses is used to receive the polarized light, and one of the last one of the Berry phase lenses is used To emit a light beam, wherein the number of the Berry phase lenses is N; and a plurality of second drive circuits electrically connected to the Berry phase lenses one-to-one to respectively apply voltages to the Berry phase lenses, Thus, the light beam has 2 ^N -1 kinds of diopters.

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