Samsung Electronics and POSTECH Researchers Develop Ultra Thin Metasurface Metalens for Seamless 2D and 3D Mobile Displays
The optical metasurfaces create an uninterrupted visual connection between two dimensional and three dimensional display systems. The joint research effort by Samsung Electronics and Pohang University of Science and Technology achieved a major optical achievement which the Nature journal documented. The researchers successfully created a metasurface lens system which enables users to switch between viewing high definition flat images and stereo 3D content. This breakthrough advances light field display technology from research settings into future mobile device implementation.
The main challenges which light field displays faced throughout their existence included high optical weight, severe viewing restrictions and the need for specialized eye tracking systems to preserve three dimensional visuals. The researchers solution to this problem involved using the light polarization state to control how the ultra thin metalens focused light. The researchers developed a component which uses nanoscale structured surface etching to create optical behavior changes that happen automatically during real time operation.
The system uses a voltage controlled polarization mechanism which operates from the display stack's front section. The metalens changes its shape to concave form when a user requires standard high resolution two dimensional output, such as text reading or web browsing. The system base modification completely cancels the lenticular effect because it enables light to travel through the base structure in straight lines, just like flat glass does. The system uses metalens technology to switch between three dimensional video and its convex state. The display system uses this setup to create a broader depth field which maintains display clarity.
The research results in the creation of a device which has a physical structure that serves as its most impressive achievement. The team created a metasurface lenticular lens which measures 1.2 millimeters in total profile width. The researchers achieved a viewing angle of 100 degrees by implementing a high numerical aperture design approach. The system enables six times more spatial movement freedom than the standard light field equipment which restricts users to 15 degree viewing angles. The system enables various observers to experience the three dimensional effect from different viewing locations.
Scalable Manufacturing and Successful Testing on OLED Panels Pave the Way for Commercial Integration
The researchers manufactured a lens measuring 25 square centimeters to demonstrate their technology can scale to practical applications, which they tested using standard organic light emitting diode panels. The successful testing of this large area metalens suggests that the technology is ready to be matured for mobile and commercial hardware platforms. Samsung and the POSTECH laboratory have created a new path for future portable visual systems by changing traditional glass optics into nanoscale surface structures.
Source: samsung
