Hologram color filter, liquid crystal display device using the same, and fabrication process of hologram color filter

• US 5,506,701 A
• Filed: 01/28/1994
• Issued: 04/09/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Company Limited
• Inventors: Ichikawa, Nobuhiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Turner, Samuel A.
• Application Number:
  US08/187,549
• Time in Patent Office: 802 Days
• Field of Search: 359/13, 359/15, 359/22, 359/23, 359/24, 359/25, 359/53
• US Class Current: 359/15
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/1885 Arranged as a periodic array
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/201 in the form of arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/203 having holographic or diffractive elements diffraction gratings per se G02B5/18; holographic elements per se G02B5/32; generating the spectrum using diffraction elements G01J3/18
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/32 Holograms used as optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133514 Colour filters
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133621 providing coloured light G02F1/133617, G02F1/133533 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/0439 for recording Holographic Optical Element [HOE]
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/0478 Serial printer, i.e. point oriented processing

Abstract

The present invention has for its object to spectrally diffract white light by a hologram for the illumination of a given position, thereby achieving some considerable improvement in the efficiency of utilization of backlight for liquid crystal display, etc., and makes use of a difference in the angle of diffraction of a hologram 5 depending on wavelength to diffract the wavelength components of the colors displayed into liquid crystal cells R, G and B of a liquid crystal display element 10 located at the back side of the hologram 5, thereby achieving some considerable improvement in the efficiency of utilization of backlight. As the hologram 5, an array form of converging unit holograms with the efficiency of diffraction independent, or less dependent, on wavelength, or other equivalent hologram arrangement may be used.

Claims

1. A hologram color filter, comprising:

a hologram, wherein incident light is spectrally diffracted by said hologram into spectral components of different wavelength, wherein one of said spectral components is emitted to a desired position at a predetermined spatial period, and wherein said hologram has an efficiency of diffraction independent, or less dependent, on wavelength.

2. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hologram is produced by disposing converging unit holograms in an array wherein said converging unit holograms have an efficiency of diffraction independent, or less dependent, on wavelength.

3. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 2, wherein said hologram color filter is located on a light-incident side of an imaging device made up of a periodic arrangement of photodetection elements.

4. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 2, wherein said hologram color filter is located on a side of a liquid crystal display element onto which backlight is incident and wherein said liquid crystal display element comprises a periodic arrangement of liquid crystal cells.

5. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 4, wherein said hologram color filter is located on said side of said liquid crystal display element onto which backlight is incident and wherein said liquid crystal display element comprises means for projecting an image displayed by said liquid crystal display.

6. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 4, wherein said liquid crystal display element comprises a light-blocking means at a position corresponding to a region between said liquid crystal cells.

7. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 6, wherein said hologram color filter is located on said side of said liquid crystal display element onto which backlight is incident and wherein said liquid crystal display element comprises means for projecting an image displayed by said liquid crystal display.

8. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 6, wherein an additional color filter is disposed between said liquid crystal display element and said light-blocking means.

9. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 4, wherein a light-diffusing means is located at any position on said light-emerging side of said hologram.

10. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 9, wherein said hologram color filter is located on said side of said liquid crystal display element onto which backlight is incident and wherein said liquid crystal display element comprises means for projecting an image displayed by said liquid crystal display.

11. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 9, wherein said liquid crystal display element comprises a light-blocking means at a position corresponding to a region between said liquid crystal cells.

12. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 11, wherein said hologram color filter is located on said side of said liquid crystal display element onto which backlight is incident and wherein said liquid crystal display element comprises means for projecting an image displayed by said liquid crystal display.

13. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 11, wherein an additional color filter is disposed between said liquid crystal display element and said light-blocking means.

14. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hologram comprises uniform interference fringes with an efficiency of diffraction independent, or less dependent, on wavelength and wherein an array of converging elements is arranged on a light-striking or emerging side of said hologram.

15. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 14, wherein said hologram color filter is located on a light-incident side of an imaging device made up of a periodic arrangement of photodetection elements.

16. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 14, wherein said hologram color filter is located on a side of a liquid crystal display element onto which backlight is incident and wherein said liquid crystal display element comprises a periodic arrangement of liquid crystal cells.

17. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 16, wherein said hologram color filter is located on said side of said liquid crystal display element onto which backlight is incident and wherein said liquid crystal display element is used for projecting an image displayed by said liquid crystal display.

18. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 16, wherein said liquid crystal display element comprises a light-blocking means at a position corresponding to a region between said liquid crystal cells.

19. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 18, wherein said hologram color filter is located on said side of said liquid crystal display element onto which backlight is incident and wherein said liquid crystal display element is used for projecting an image displayed by said liquid crystal display.

20. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 18, wherein an additional color filter is disposed between said liquid crystal display element and said light-blocking means.

21. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 16, wherein a light-diffusing means is located at any position on said light-emerging side of said hologram.

22. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 21, wherein said hologram color filter is located on said side of said liquid crystal display element onto which backlight is incident and wherein said liquid crystal display element is used for projecting an image displayed by said liquid crystal display.

23. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 21, wherein said liquid crystal display element comprises a light-blocking means at a position corresponding to a region between said liquid crystal cells.

24. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 23, wherein said hologram color filter is located on said side of said liquid crystal display element onto which backlight is incident and wherein said liquid crystal display element comprises means for projecting an image displayed by said liquid crystal display.

25. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 23, wherein an additional color filter is disposed between said liquid crystal display element and said light-blocking means.

26. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hologram color filter is located on a side of a liquid crystal display element onto which backlight is incident and wherein said liquid crystal display element comprises a periodic arrangement of liquid crystal cells.

27. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 26, wherein a light-diffusing means is located at any position on a light-emerging side of said hologram.

28. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 27, wherein said hologram color filter is located on said side of said liquid crystal display element onto which backlight is incident and wherein said liquid crystal display element is used for projecting an image displayed by said liquid crystal display.

29. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 27, wherein said liquid crystal display element comprises a light-blocking means at a position corresponding to a region between said liquid crystal cells.

30. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 29, wherein said hologram color filter is located on said side of said liquid crystal display element onto which backlight is incident and wherein said liquid crystal display element is used for projecting an image displayed by said liquid crystal display.

31. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 29, wherein an additional color filter is disposed between said liquid crystal display element and said light-blocking means.

32. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 26, wherein said liquid crystal display element comprises a light-blocking means at a position corresponding to a region between said liquid crystal cells.

33. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 32, wherein said hologram color filter is located on said side of said liquid crystal display element onto which backlight is incident and wherein said liquid crystal display element is used for projecting an image displayed by said liquid crystal display.

34. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 32, wherein an additional color filter is disposed between said liquid crystal display element and said light-blocking means.

35. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 26, wherein said hologram color filter is located on said side of said liquid crystal display element onto which backlight is incident and wherein said liquid crystal display element is used for projecting an image displayed by said liquid crystal display.

36. A hologram color filter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said hologram color filter is located on a light-incident side of an imaging device made up of a periodic arrangement of photodetection elements.

37. A liquid crystal display device, comprising:

a hologram color filter, which is illuminated by backlight from behind to provide a color display, wherein said hologram filter comprises a hologram which has an efficiency of diffraction independent, or less dependent, on wavelength is located on a side of said liquid crystal display device onto which said backlight is incident and

liquid crystal cells, wherein wavelength components of said backlight which are spectrally diffracted by said hologram are allowed to strike onto said liquid crystal cells for creating corresponding colors of said color display.

38. A liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 37, wherein a light-blocking means is located at a position corresponding to a region between said liquid crystal cells.

39. A liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 38, wherein a photopolymer is used as a material for recording said hologram.

40. A liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 38, wherein a converging element corresponding to each of said liquid crystal cells is located between said hologram and each of said liquid crystal cells.

41. A liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 38, wherein said hologram comprises uniform interference fringes with said efficiency of diffraction independent, or less dependent, on wavelength, and wherein converging elements are arranged on a side of said hologram on which said backlight strikes or from which said backlight is emitted, and wherein each of said converging elements corresponds to three liquid crystal cells which are adjacent to each other.

42. A liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 38, wherein said hologram comprises an array of converging unit holograms, wherein each of said converging unit holograms corresponds to three liquid crystal cells which are adjacent to each other, and wherein each converging unit hologram spectrally diffracts said backlight, which substantially obliquely strikes a hologram plane, onto a set of liquid crystal cells in in-line configuration.

43. A liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 38, wherein said hologram comprises an array of converging unit holograms, wherein each of said converging unit holograms corresponds to three liquid crystal cells which are adjacent to each other, and wherein each converging unit hologram spectrally diffracts said backlight, which substantially vertically strikes a hologram plane of said hologram, onto a set of liquid crystal cells in offset configuration.

44. A liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 38, wherein another color filter of a different color is periodically located with respect to an adjacent liquid crystal cell.

45. A liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 44, wherein a photopolymer is used as a material for recording said hologram.

46. A liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 44, wherein a converging element corresponding to each of said liquid crystal cells is located between said hologram and each of said liquid crystal cells.

47. A liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 44, wherein said hologram comprises uniform interference fringes with said efficiency of diffraction independent, or less dependent, on wavelength, and wherein converging elements are arranged on a side of said hologram on which said backlight strikes or from which said backlight is emitted, and wherein each of said converging elements corresponds to three liquid crystal cells which are adjacent to each other.

48. A liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 44, wherein said hologram comprises an array of converging unit holograms, wherein each of said converging unit holograms corresponds to three liquid crystal cells which are adjacent to each other, and wherein each converging unit hologram spectrally diffracts said backlight, which substantially obliquely strikes a hologram plane, onto a set of liquid crystal cells in in-line configuration.

49. A liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 44, wherein said hologram comprises an array of converging unit holograms, wherein each of said converging unit holograms corresponds to three liquid crystal cells which are adjacent to each other, and wherein each converging unit hologram spectrally diffracts said backlight, which substantially vertically strikes a hologram plane of said hologram, onto a set of liquid crystal cells in offset configuration.

50. A liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 37, wherein another color filter of a different color is periodically located with respect to an adjacent liquid crystal cell.

51. A liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 50, wherein a photopolymer is used as a material for recording said hologram.

52. A liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 50, wherein a converging element corresponding to each of said liquid crystal cells is located between said hologram and each of said liquid crystal cells.

53. A liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 50, wherein said hologram comprises uniform interference fringes with said efficiency of diffraction independent, or less dependent, on wavelength, and wherein converging elements are arranged on a side of said hologram on which said backlight strikes or from which said backlight is emitted, and wherein each of said converging elements corresponds to three liquid crystal cells which are adjacent to each other.

54. A liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 50, wherein said hologram comprises an array of converging unit holograms, wherein each of said converging unit holograms corresponds to three liquid crystal cells which are adjacent to each other, and wherein each converging unit hologram spectrally diffracts said backlight, which substantially obliquely strikes a hologram plane, onto a set of liquid crystal cells in in-line configuration.

55. A liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 50, wherein said hologram comprises an array of converging unit holograms, wherein each of said converging unit holograms corresponds to three liquid crystal cells which are adjacent to each other, and wherein each converging unit hologram spectrally diffracts said backlight, which substantially vertically strikes a hologram plane of said hologram, onto a set of liquid crystal cells in offset configuration.

56. A liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 37, wherein said hologram comprises an array of converging unit holograms, wherein each of said converging unit holograms corresponds to three liquid crystal cells which are adjacent to each other, and wherein each converging unit hologram spectrally diffracts said backlight, which substantially vertically strikes a hologram plane of said hologram, onto a set of liquid crystal cells in offset configuration.

57. A liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 37, wherein said hologram comprises an array of converging unit holograms, wherein each of said converging unit holograms corresponds to three liquid crystal cells which are adjacent to each other, and wherein each converging unit hologram spectrally diffracts said backlight, which substantially obliquely strikes a hologram plane, onto a set of liquid crystal cells in in-line configuration.

58. A liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 37, wherein said hologram comprises uniform interference fringes with said efficiency of diffraction independent, or less dependent, on wavelength, wherein converging elements are arranged on a side of said hologram on which said backlight strikes or from which said backlight is emitted, and wherein each of said converging elements corresponds to three liquid crystal cells which are adjacent to each other.

59. A liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 37, wherein a converging element corresponding to each of said liquid crystal cells is located between said hologram and each of said liquid crystal cells.

60. A liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 37, wherein a photopolymer is used as a material for recording said hologram.

61. A liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 37, wherein said hologram comprises a relief hologram.

62. A liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 37, wherein said hologram comprises a computer-generated hologram.

63. A fabrication process of a hologram color filter comprising the steps of:

disposing converging unit holograms in an array wherein said converging unit holograms have an efficiency of diffraction independent, or less dependent, on wavelength and spectrally diffract light incident thereon into spectral components of different wavelength in order to emit said spectral components to a desired position at a predetermined spatial period;

producing a computer-generated hologram having properties of said converging unit holograms;

bringing said computer-generated hologram in contact with a photosensitive material or superposing said computer-generated hologram and said photosensitive material together with a gap therebetween; and

illuminating said computer-generated hologram with coherent light such that light diffracted by said computer-generated hologram and undiffracted light propagated rectilinearly through said computer-generated hologram interfere with each other in said photosensitive material for reproducing a copied hologram from said computer-generated hologram.

64. A fabrication process of a hologram color filter as claimed in claim 63, wherein said copied hologram is used as an original for further copying.

65. A fabrication process of a hologram color filter comprising the steps of:

disposing converging unit holograms in an array, wherein said converging unit holograms have an efficiency of diffraction independent, or less dependent, on wavelength and spectrally diffract light incident thereon into spectral components of different wavelength in order to emit said spectral components to a desired position at a predetermined spatial period;

producing a relief computer-generated hologram having properties of said converging unit holograms;

coating a photosetting resin on a relief surface of said relief computer-generated hologram; and

irradiating said photosetting resin with light for copying said relief computer-generated hologram in the form of a relief hologram onto said photosensitive resin.