2D-3D switchable display based on a passive polymeric lenticular lens array and electrically suppressed ferroelectric liquid crystal.

We reveal a 2D-3D switchable lens unit that is based on a polarization-sensitive microlens array and a polarization selector unit made of an electrically suppressed helix ferroelectric liquid crystal (ESHFLC) cell. The ESHFLCs offer a high contrast ratio (∼10k∶1) between the crossed polarizers at a low applied electric field (∼1.7  V/μm) with a small switching time (<50  μs). A special driving scheme, to switch between a 2D and 3D mode, has been developed to avoid unwanted issues related to DC accumulation in the ferroelectric liquid crystal without affecting its optical quality. The proposed lens unit is characterized by low power consumption, ultrafast response, and 3D crosstalk <5%, and can therefore find application in TVs, cell phones, etc.

[1]  O. Yaroshchuk,et al.  Photoalignment of liquid crystals: basics and current trends , 2012 .

[2]  B. Javidi,et al.  Three-dimensional imaging methods based on multiview images , 2005, Journal of Display Technology.

[3]  Yi-Hsin Lin,et al.  A large bistable negative lens by integrating a polarization switch with a passively anisotropic focusing element. , 2014, Optics express.

[4]  J. Geng.  Three-dimensional display technologies. , 2013, Advances in optics and photonics.

[5]  Fork gratings based on ferroelectric liquid crystals. , 2016, Optics express.

[6]  Jiyoon Kim,et al.  Lenticular lens array based on liquid crystal with a polarization-dependent focusing effect for 2D–3D image applications , 2015 .

[7]  Hongwen Ren,et al.  Liquid crystal micro-lenticular array assembled by a fringing field , 2012 .

[8]  T. Sergan,et al.  Switchable broadband achromatic half-wave plate with nematic liquid crystals. , 2004, Optics letters.

[9]  Oscar Hendrikus Willemsen,et al.  2-D/3-D displays based on switchable lenticulars , 2008 .

[10]  Chao-Hsu Tsai,et al.  Challenge of 3D LCD displays , 2009, Defense + Commercial Sensing.

[11]  Hoi Sing Kwok,et al.  Optimization of alignment quality of ferroelectric liquid crystals by controlling anchoring energy , 2014 .

[12]  N. Clark,et al.  Submicrosecond bistable electro‐optic switching in liquid crystals , 1980 .

[13]  John Kelly.  The Development of an Experimental Electron-Beam-Addressed Memory Module , 1975, Computer.

[14]  Lin-Yao Liao,et al.  2‐D/3‐D switchable autostereoscopic display with multi‐electrically driven liquid‐crystal (MeD‐LC) lenses , 2010 .

[15]  Hoi Sing Kwok,et al.  Ferroelectric liquid crystals: Excellent tool for modern displays and photonics , 2015 .

[16]  Shin-Tson Wu,et al.  Switchable focus using a polymeric lenticular microlens array and a polarization rotator. , 2013, Optics express.

[17]  G. Love,et al.  Wave front control systems based on modal liquid crystal lenses , 2000 .

[18]  Yi-Pai Huang,et al.  Enhancing the Brightness of Parallax Barrier Based 3D Flat Panel Mobile Displays Without Compromising Power Consumption , 2010, Journal of Display Technology.

[19]  Yi-Pai Huang,et al.  Locally Controllable Liquid Crystal Lens Array for Partially Switchable 2D/3D Display , 2015, Journal of Display Technology.

[20]  A K Srivastava,et al.  Liquid Crystal Active Glasses for 3D Cinema , 2010, Journal of Display Technology.

[21]  Bahram Javidi,et al.  Recent Developments in 3-D Imaging Technologies , 2010, Journal of Display Technology.

[22]  Yasuhiro Takaki,et al.  Design conditions for attractive reality in mobile-type 3-D display , 2010 .

[23]  A. Srivastava,et al.  Micro-patterned photo-aligned ferroelectric liquid crystal Fresnel zone lens. , 2015, Optics letters.

[24]  Hoi Sing Kwok,et al.  Autostereoscopic 3D pictures on optically rewritable electronic paper , 2013 .

[25]  Marenori Kawamura,et al.  Liquid-crystal micro-lens array with two-divided and tetragonally hole-patterned electrodes. , 2013, Optics express.

[26]  V. Chigrinov,et al.  Electrically suppressed helix ferroelectric liquid crystals for modern displays , 2015 .

[27]  Takashi Kawai.  3D displays and applications , 2002 .

[28]  Abhishek Kumar Srivastava,et al.  Fast switchable grating based on orthogonal photo alignments of ferroelectric liquid crystals , 2012 .

[29]  Hoi Sing Kwok,et al.  Submicron-scale liquid crystal photo-alignment , 2013 .

[30]  Haiying Wang,et al.  Liquid crystal microlens arrays with switchable positive and negative focal lengths , 2005 .

[31]  J Sun,et al.  Optically rewritable 3D liquid crystal displays. , 2014, Optics letters.

[32]  David R. Selviah,et al.  Variable focal length microlenses , 2000 .

[33]  Joohwan Kim,et al.  Wide-viewing-angle 3D/2D convertible display system using two display devices and a lens array. , 2005, Optics express.

[34]  José Francisco Algorri,et al.  Liquid Crystal Microlenses for Autostereoscopic Displays , 2016, Materials.