Polarization-dependent lens structure and method of manufacturing the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016124239-A1
Application number	US-201314893686-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Oct 18, 2013
Priority date	May 29, 2013
Publication date	May 5, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Provided is a polarization-dependent lens structure. The lens structure includes an optically-isotropic polymer layer having a reverse lens shape on a first surface and a lens portion where the surface of the optically-isotropic polymer layer is filled with liquid crystalline polymers, nano-scale 1D lattice structures (nano-scale grooves) are formed on an upper surface thereof, and the liquid crystalline polymers are aligned by the nano-scale 1D lattice structures along a direction of long axes of the 1D lattice structures, wherein it is determined according to a polarization direction of incident light whether or not the polarization-dependent lens structure operates as a lens.

First claim

1 . A polarization-dependent lens structure comprising:
an optically-isotropic polymer layer having a reverse lens shape on a first surface; and a lens portion where the surface of the optically-isotropic polymer layer is filled with liquid crystalline polymers, nano-scale 1D lattice structures (nano-scale grooves) are formed on an upper surface thereof, and the liquid crystalline polymers are aligned by the nano-scale 1D lattice structures along a direction of long axes of the 1D lattice structures, wherein it is determined according to a polarization direction of incident light whether or not the polarization-dependent lens structure operates as a lens.

2 . The polarization-dependent lens structure according to claim 1 , wherein the lens portion is formed as a Fresnel lens.

3 . The polarization-dependent lens structure according to claim 1 , wherein the lens portion is formed as a GRIN lens.

4 . The polarization-dependent lens structure according to claim 1 , wherein the lens portion further includes a substrate made of a transparent material on a second surface facing the first surface of the optically-isotropic polymer layer.

5 . The polarization-dependent lens structure according to claim 1 , wherein the lens portion further includes a protection layer for preventing alignment of the liquid crystalline polymers on the surface from being destructed.

6 . The polarization-dependent lens structure according to claim 1 , wherein the long axes of the 1D lattice structures of the lens portion are aligned in a direction horizontal or vertical to an axis of the lens.

7 . The polarization-dependent lens structure according to claim 1 , wherein the optically-isotropic polymer layer is formed in a reverse lens shape on the first surface by performing nano-imprinting by using a lens-shaped mold.

8 . The polarization-dependent lens structure according to claim 3 , wherein the polarization-dependent lens structure further includes an alignment layer on the first surface of the optically-isotropic polymer layer.

9 . The polarization-dependent lens structure according to claim 1 , wherein the nano-scale 1D lattice structure is configured with lattices having such a period that optical diffraction of light incident on the lens portion does not occur.

10 . A method of manufacturing a polarization-dependent lens structure, comprising steps of:
(a) preparing a substrate; (b) applying an optically-isotropic polymer material on the substrate and, after that, forming a optically-isotropic polymer layer having a reverse lens shape on an upper surface thereof; (c) coating an upper surface of the optically-isotropic polymer layer with liquid crystalline monomers; (d) arranging the liquid crystalline monomers by allowing a mold having nano-scale 1D lattice structures to be in contact with a surface of the coated liquid crystalline monomers; (e) forming a liquid crystalline polymer layer by photo-curing the liquid crystalline monomers; and (f) forming a lens portion on which a surface the nano-scale 1D lattice structures are formed by separating the mold.

11 . The method according to claim 10 , further comprising a step (g) of forming on a surface of the lens portion a protection layer which prevents alignment of the liquid crystalline polymer layer from being destructed.

12 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein the step (b) includes steps of:
applying the optically-isotropic polymer material on the substrate; and forming a reverse lens shape on an upper surface of the applied optically-isotropic polymer material by performing nano-imprinting by using a nano-scale lens-shaped mold.

13 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein in the step (d), the mold having the nano-scale 1D lattice structures is in contacted with the surface of the liquid crystalline monomers so that long axes of the 1D lattice structures are aligned in a direction horizontal or vertical to an axis of a lens.

14 . The method according to claim 10 , further comprising a step of removing the substrate as a final step.

15 . The method according to claim 10 , wherein the step (b) is applying the optically-isotropic polymer material on the substrate, forming the optically-isotropic polymer layer having a reverse lens shape on the upper surface thereof, and forming an alignment layer on a surface of the optically-isotropic polymer layer.

Assignees

• Kyungpook Nat Univ Ind Acad

Inventors

• Kim Hak-Rin
• Joo Kyung-Il

Classifications

• G02B27/286

  for controlling or changing the state of polarisation, e.g. transforming one polarisation state into another (G02B5/3083 takes precedence; light guide coupling means utilising polarising elements G02B6/34) · CPC title

• B05D5/06

  to obtain multicolour or other optical effects (B05D5/02 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G02B3/08

  with discontinuous faces, e.g. Fresnel lens {(diffractive Fresnel lenses G02B5/1876)} · CPC title

• G02B27/285 Primary

  comprising arrays of elements, e.g. microprisms · CPC title

• G02B3/0087

  with index gradient · CPC title