Large aperture liquid crystal lens array based on integrated composite electrodes for 2D/3D switchable displays

Abstract

A large aperture liquid crystal (LC) lens array based on integrated composite electrodes (ICE-LC) lens array with low operating voltages is proposed. The top substrate contains composite electrodes, while the bottom substrate contains strip electrodes. Composite electrodes are further categorized into integral plate electrode (IPE) and rectilinear-patterned electrode (RPE). Meanwhile, the strip electrodes consist of auxiliary electrodes and pixel electrodes. During the focusing mode, the electric field can easily propagate through the LC layer. Simultaneously, the voltage on auxiliary electrodes is maintained lower than that on pixel electrodes to optimize the electric field distribution. To assess the operating efficiency of the ICE-LC, an evaluation of the conventional model is taken during the simulation. Simulation results show that the ICE-LC lens array achieves the shortest focal length at a low operating voltage. The pixel electrodes operate at 4.5 Vrms, and the auxiliary electrodes at 0.9 Vrms. This configuration provides an ideal refractive index profile in a relatively thick LC layer. Additionally, this configuration enables 2D/3D switchable display, outperforming current LC lens array in the equivalent aperture.