18492603. LIGHT GUIDE ELEMENT COMPRISING A DIFFRACTION ELEMENT HAVING A CHOLESTERIC LIQUID CRYSTAL LAYER WITH A PITCH GRADIENT simplified abstract (FUJIFILM Corporation)

LIGHT GUIDE ELEMENT COMPRISING A DIFFRACTION ELEMENT HAVING A CHOLESTERIC LIQUID CRYSTAL LAYER WITH A PITCH GRADIENT

Organization Name

FUJIFILM Corporation

Inventor(s)

Fumitake Mitobe of Minamiashigara-shi (JP)

Katsumi Sasata of Minamiashigara-shi (JP)

Yukito Saitoh of Minamiashigara-shi (JP)

Akiko Watano of Minamiashigara-shi (JP)

LIGHT GUIDE ELEMENT COMPRISING A DIFFRACTION ELEMENT HAVING A CHOLESTERIC LIQUID CRYSTAL LAYER WITH A PITCH GRADIENT - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18492603 titled 'LIGHT GUIDE ELEMENT COMPRISING A DIFFRACTION ELEMENT HAVING A CHOLESTERIC LIQUID CRYSTAL LAYER WITH A PITCH GRADIENT

Simplified Explanation

The patent application describes a light guide element that includes a light guide plate and a diffraction element with a liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal layer has a unique alignment pattern that changes the direction of the optical axis while continuously rotating in at least one in-plane direction. The refractive index of the light guide plate is 1.70 or higher, and the refractive index of the liquid crystal layer satisfies the condition n-n≠0.

• Light guide element with diffraction element
• Liquid crystal layer with unique alignment pattern
• High refractive index of light guide plate
• Specific condition for refractive indices of light guide plate and liquid crystal layer

Potential Applications

This technology could be used in:

• Holographic displays
• Head-up displays
• Augmented reality devices

Problems Solved

This technology solves issues related to:

• Enhancing display brightness and clarity
• Improving image quality in optical devices
• Increasing viewing angles in display systems

Benefits

The benefits of this technology include:

• Improved visual experience
• Enhanced display performance
• Increased efficiency in light transmission

Potential Commercial Applications

The potential commercial applications of this technology include:

• Consumer electronics
• Automotive displays
• Medical imaging devices

Possible Prior Art

One possible prior art could be the use of diffraction elements in light guide elements for display applications. However, the specific combination of a liquid crystal layer with a unique alignment pattern and high refractive index materials may be novel in this context.

How does this technology compare to existing holographic display solutions?

This article does not provide a direct comparison with existing holographic display solutions.

What are the potential limitations of using liquid crystal layers in light guide elements?

The article does not address any potential limitations or challenges associated with using liquid crystal layers in light guide elements.

Original Abstract Submitted

A light guide element includes: a light guide plate; and a diffraction element that is disposed on a main surface of the light guide plate, in which the diffraction element includes a liquid crystal layer that is formed of a liquid crystal composition including a liquid crystal compound and has a liquid crystal alignment pattern in which a direction of an optical axis derived from the liquid crystal compound changes while continuously rotating in at least one in-plane direction, a refractive index of the light guide plate is 1.70 or higher, and in a case where the refractive index of the light guide plate is represented by nand a refractive index of the liquid crystal layer is represented by n, n−n≥0 is satisfied.