Fast-switching liquid crystal diffusers: outlook on optical properties and applicability in volumetric display architecture

Ainārs Ozols; Edmunds Zutis; Roberts Zabels; Elza Linina; Kriss Osmanis; Ilmars Osmanis

doi:10.1117/12.2594147

20 June 2021 Fast-switching liquid crystal diffusers: outlook on optical properties and applicability in volumetric display architecture

Ainārs Ozols, Edmunds Zutis, Roberts Zabels, Elza Linina, Kriss Osmanis, Ilmars Osmanis

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 11788, Digital Optical Technologies 2021; 117880U (2021) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2594147
Event: SPIE Digital Optical Technologies, 2021, Online Only

Abstract

Volumetric display implementations come in different forms. One of the most robust ways is an entirely solid-state volumetric architecture based on cholesteric liquid crystal optical diffuser elements. Stacking these elements enables formation of a volumetric screen – a projection volume, which is scanned time-sequentially. In this way two crucial components are working in conjunction – an image projector and an electronically switchable diffuser-element stack. LightSpace Technologies have been researching this concept of solid-state volumetric display technology since 2014. Improvements to the key enabling component – optical diffuser element – have been achieved over this period and include improved responsiveness, as well as enhanced optical characteristics – haze and transparency over visible spectrum. This work overviews and discusses key aspects of diffuser elements as well as a large-scale volumetric screen as a whole. Key characteristics of diffuser elements have been discussed and studied in regards to application in high refreshrate 3D display systems. Methods of improving optical performance of diffuser stacks have been analyzed and supported by experimental results. The base of a volumetric screen element within this work was a polymer-free chiral nematic liquid crystal filled in a homeotropic cell. A typical switching time of a full image cycle was around 1.5 ms. Influence of cell gap and driving voltage on the switching characteristics have been analyzed. In terms of volumetric screen improvements, viability and gains of lamination approach has been investigated. It has been found that even a non-ideal refractive index matching improves an overall light transmittance through a stack of diffuser elements significantly.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Ainārs Ozols, Edmunds Zutis, Roberts Zabels, Elza Linina, Kriss Osmanis, and Ilmars Osmanis "Fast-switching liquid crystal diffusers: outlook on optical properties and applicability in volumetric display architecture", Proc. SPIE 11788, Digital Optical Technologies 2021, 117880U (20 June 2021); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2594147

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available