JPS6051821A - Color light valve device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a color light valve device requiring no special restraint in the light incident direction by transmitting luminous flux, modulated in a light modulator by heating a medium through a color filter. CONSTITUTION:When one of resistor heaters 6a-6d, e.g., 6b is selectively heated, heat is conducted to the thin film of a heat effect medium layer 4 sandwiched with an insulating layer 3 and a transparent protective plate 1 and a distribution 7 of refractive indices are generated. A white incident light 11 passes through a support 5, a resistor heater layer 4, the layer 3, and the region of the distribution 7, and it is deflected there and further, passes through one of a red filter layer 10a, a green filter layer 10b, and a blue filter layer 10c, and it is emitted out of the valve device. The emitted light 12 of a desired color is obtained in accrodance with voltage selectively impressed to the heater 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a color light valve device suitable as a light source for a color display or a color printer.

An example of a conventional optical modulator is Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 56-5523, but it requires the use of an optical crystal material to input polarized light.

Furthermore, in order to improve the diffraction efficiency, restrictions are imposed on making the light incident on the electrode as parallel as possible. Further, a laser is often used as a light source for the light beam incident on such a modulation element.

Alternatively, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 56-94377 discloses a light valve using liquid crystal, and like the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 56-5523, it is necessary to give predetermined polarization characteristics to the incident light beam. In this case, it is difficult to obtain a good erasure ratio. Therefore, forming a light source for obtaining a color image using the above-mentioned light modulation element has the disadvantage that the apparatus becomes complicated and the cost increases.

The purpose of the present invention is to improve the above-mentioned drawbacks and to improve the use of a laser as a light source. It is an object of the present invention to provide a color light valve device which does not require a special light source and can use a general white light source such as a NOx lamp.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a color light valve device that does not require the light source to have polarization properties.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a color light pulp device that does not require any particular restriction on the direction of incidence of the luminous flux from the light source.

The color light pulp device according to the present invention includes a light modulation section that generates a refractive index distribution in the medium by applying heat to the medium and performs light modulation, a light source section that projects a light beam to the light modulation section, and a light source section that projects a light beam onto the light modulation section. By applying a predetermined amount of wavefront conversion to the incident light beam in the light modulation section, the modulated light beam passes through a predetermined color filter. It was designed so that it would pass through.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail using the drawings.

FIG. 1(A) is a diagram showing an embodiment of a light modulation element using heat-induced refractive index change used in the present invention. Figure 1 (
A) In the IC, l is a transparent protective plate, ZIi is a thin layer made of a thermal effect medium whose bending rate is easily changed by heat, 3 is a thermally conductive insulation layer, 4 is 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d
A heating resistor layer in which heating resistors indicated by i are arranged, 5 is an insulation I@3 and heating resistors 6a, 6b,
6c, 6d, . . . supports. When the °C heating resistor generates heat, the heat is transmitted through the insulating layer 3 to the thin thermal effect medium layer 2, creating a temperature distribution within the liquid thin layer and forming a refractive index distribution. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, when the heating resistor 6b is selected and generates heat,
This heat is transferred to the thermal effect medium thin layer 2 through the insulating layer 3 adjacent to the resistor 6b, heats the liquid in the area of the thermal effect medium thin layer 2 facing the resistor 6b, and is refracted into this area. A rate distribution 7 is formed. This refractive index distribution 7 changes as the thermal effect medium in this region cools down after a predetermined period of time.
Disappear. One cycle from the formation of the refractive index distribution to the disappearance 1 is a very short time, and it is possible to perform it on the order of k)Iz. The above fever antibody is 1. It is formed on the support body 5 by the manufacturing technique of C, and the interval between adjacent heating resistors is formed on the order of mμ.

The thermal effect medium includes water, alcohol,
You can use anything else. The θn refractive index temperature dependence of this liquid is −1 for water, OX 10 ,
For ethyl alcohol, it is -4,0X 10 . or,
As a solid material, a plastic material such as acrylic or polycarbonate, or a polymer material such as an epoxy resin used as an adhesive is preferable. The liver is approximately -1,0X10. In the case of polycarbonate it is about -1,3X IO.

FIG. 1 CB) is a schematic perspective view showing the configuration of the light modulation element shown in FIG. 1(A), and the numbers 1 to 6 are the same as those shown in FIG. 1(A). 8 is a conductive wire, which is connected to each drive voltage so that each of the heating resistors (6a, 6 br... can be driven independently), while the other end of the heating resistor is grounded or connected to a common voltage. The heating resistors 6a and 6b are connected to the conductive wire 8.

When a voltage signal is applied to each of the heating resistors, a refractive index distribution is generated in the thin layer of the thermal effect medium in the vicinity of each heating resistor. When the voltage signal is reduced to zero, this refractive index distribution is cooled down and returns to its original state without refractive index distribution.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a transmission type light modulation element, and the structure of the light modulation element itself is the same as that shown in FIG. 6b'.

...) and the insulating layer 3' are made of a transparent medium.

In the above light modulation element, when the intensity of the voltage applied to the heating resistor is changed, the amount of heat generated by the heating resistor changes, and the refractive index distribution in the thermal effect medium in the vicinity of the heating resistor changes. The wavefront of the light flux also changes.

FIG. 3 is a diagram explaining how the traveling direction of light changes, that is, it is deflected, due to the above-mentioned refractive index distribution. Reference numerals 1 to 7 are the same members as explained in FIG. 1, and in this case, the light variable W4 element is As shown in FIG. 2, it is assumed that all the components are made of translucent members. In FIG. 3, when white incident light M11 enters a part of the refractive index distribution 7 where the gradient of the refractive index change is particularly large, the direction of the light beam changes, and the light beam is deflected and output as shown by 12. 1O is a color filter layer in which a filter 10a for passing red light, a filter 10b for passing green light, and a filter 1f)c for passing blue light are disposed, and the emission 1 element line 12 is connected to the color filters (10a, 10b, 1Oc). ), and at that time, it becomes monochromatic light of either red, green, or backlight. The refractive index gradient with respect to the incident light beam 11 applied to the heating resistor 6 also changes. Therefore, the direction of the emitted light ray 12 changes, the color filter through which it passes also changes, and the color of the light ray finally emitted from the light modulation element also changes. Therefore, by selecting the voltage input to the heating resistor 6, the emitted light 12 can be made to pass through a desired filter, and emitted light of a desired color can be obtained.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the color light pulp apparatus according to the present invention. Numbers assigned to members shown in FIG. 4 that are the same as those in FIG. 3 represent the same members. In FIG. 4, when no voltage is applied to the heating resistor 6, the incident light beam 11 becomes the exit light beam 11 which undergoes no wavefront conversion.
' and enters the lens system 13. Thereafter, the light is blocked by a light blocking plate 14.

On the other hand, when one section pressure i is applied to the heating resistor 6, the color filter 1 (la, 10b or 1
0c and reaches the observation surface 15 without being blocked by the light shielding plate 14. Therefore, flashing colored light is formed on the observation surface 15 by turning on and off the applied voltage. In the above embodiment, the lens system 13 is not an essential requirement, and it is meaningful to separate the modulated light and the non-modulated light by the light shielding plate 13.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the colored light pulp according to the present invention, and the same numbers as those assigned to the embodiments described above indicate the same members. In Figure 5, 21.2
2.23 is a heating resistor to which a predetermined voltage corresponding to different color video signals is applied, and each heating resistor has a voltage of zero or
A constant voltage is applied. If the voltage cannot be applied to each heating resistor, the light flux that has passed through it is cut off by the light shielding plate 14,
When a voltage is applied to any or all of the heating resistors 21, 22, and 23, the light beam incident on the refractive index distribution section corresponding to each heating resistor is deflected, and each of the heating resistors is set at a predetermined position. Color filters 10a, 10
b, passes through lOc and reaches the observation plane 15. This embodiment uses a predetermined constant voltage without changing the voltage applied to each heating resistor as in the previous embodiment, and also uses a predetermined constant voltage to obtain multiple colored lights at the same time as in the previous embodiment. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to simultaneously obtain a plurality of color lights, that is, mixed color light.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the color light pulp apparatus according to the present invention. In the drawings, the same numbers as in the previous embodiment represent the same members. 31, 32 and 33 are heating resistors. When a predetermined voltage is applied to each heating resistor, a refractive index distribution is generated in the thermal effect medium 2 as described above, and the light beams deflected thereby are directed to the color filters 1 and 2.
0 a, 10 b.

It passes through the position 10c. For example, a light ray 16a passing through a color filter 10a.

By arranging the lens system 13i in which the surface 15' including the imaginary divergence origin of 17a and the observation surface 15 are in a conjugate relationship, and by providing the light shielding plate 14 at the imaging point flj of the incident light beam 11 by the lens 13, the light ray 16a is and 17a reach the observation surface 15 without being obstructed by the light shielding plate 14 and form an imaging spot 18.

Image forming spot 19. is similarly applied to other heating resistors.
Form 20.

7, 8, and 9 are diagrams showing other embodiments of the color light pulp apparatus according to the present invention, and each figure shows the modulated light flux emitted depending on the selection of the heating resistor to which voltage is applied. shows a change in direction.

In addition, in the numbers attached to FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9, the same numbers as in the above embodiment indicate the same members. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the state of emitted light when the voltages applied to the heating resistors 41 to 44Vc are applied for different times, that is, when voltages are not applied to two or more heating resistors at the same time. 7th
As shown in the figure, when a voltage is applied, the light flux that has passed through the refractive index distribution of the heating resistor 41 is filtered through the color filter'
Similarly, the light flux that has passed through the refractive index distribution of 42 passes through the color filter 10b, the light flux that has passed through the refractive index distribution of 43 passes through the color filter 10c, and the light flux that has passed through the refractive index distribution of 44 passes through &JlOc, respectively. Light modulation elements are currently being formed.

Now, in Fig. 7, if a voltage is applied to the adjacent heating resistors 41 and 42 at the same time, as shown in Fig. 8, there will be no independent refractive index distribution for each, and the two heating resistors will have one refractive index. A distribution is formed.

This can be realized by making the spacing between the heating resistors 41 and 42 close. When the light beam 11 is incident on a portion of such a refractive index distribution, the light beam is deflected only at the edge of the refractive index distribution,
The light beams 23 and 24 at the center pass through without being deflected. In this case, the modulated light flux passes through the color filter 10a and the color filter 10b, and two types of light fluxes 21 and 22 with different colors are emitted.

Next, when a voltage is applied to the heating resistors 42 and 43 at the same time, a refractive index distribution similar to that described above is created, and the emitted light is transmitted to the color filter 10b Il! : Two types of color light fluxes are emitted according to 10c. Further, when a voltage is applied to the heating resistors 43 and 44 at the same time, two types of colored light fluxes corresponding to the color filter 10c and 10 dK are emitted.

Next, as shown in FIG. 9, when all voltages are simultaneously applied to the heating resistors 41, 42 and 43, the refraction gradient becomes large only in the portions corresponding to both ends of the heating resistors 41 and 43, based on the same principle as described above. Only the light incident on the portion is deflected and passes through the color filters 10a and 10c. The light beam incident on the center is not deflected and is unmodulated light beam 25.26
It emits as.

For the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, any color or combination thereof can be observed on the observation surface 15 by using the same lens system 13 and 14-karat gold light shielding plate as shown in FIG. Ru. Now, color filters 10a and 10b
, 10c, 10d 'r: red (R), green (
G), back (B), and white (W), the color combinations shown in Table 1 can be obtained by applying voltages to the heating resistors.

Table 1 ○: Voltage application The heating resistors 41 to 44 in the above embodiments are used as color signal sources for one pixel, and by arranging them periodically, color signals for one-dimensional multiple pixels or two-dimensional multiple pixels can be generated. source can be realized.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a plurality of pixels in a -dimensional array, 101 to 104. 201-204. 3 (11
~304, . . . are heating resistors 41 to 4 as color signal sources for one pixel in the above embodiment, respectively.
4 are arranged periodically, 400 is an electrode connected to the voltage applying means, and 50 (l is a ground electrode. The arrangement interval of each heating resistor is lWj l). When a voltage is applied to the resistor at the same time, the refractive index distribution is the same as that shown in Fig. 8 or 9.
ζ are arranged closely.

Fig. 11 shows a color filter corresponding to the heating resistor shown in Fig. 10, R, G, B, and W are nine red, green, and red, respectively.
In the evening, white color filters are arranged in a period r).

Further, as an embodiment of the present invention described above, transparent imr41'j
Although the light modulation element shown in FIG. 7 has been described as an example, for example, it is also possible to use a reflective light modulation element in which 4 is an insulating layer and 3 is an original reflective layer in the light modulation element shown in FIG. can be,
The same effect can be obtained when compared with a transmissive light modulation element.

As described above, the color light noclusive device according to the present invention is different from conventional devices in that (1) it uses a liquid such as water, alcohol, or a polymeric material such as acrylic as a medium for deflecting light; Cheap materials can be used (2) There is no restriction on the angle of incidence of the light flux that enters the light modulation element, and the arrangement can be freely selected (3) The light flux that enters the light modulation element can be up to 1 of natural light (4) 1. The C manufacturing technology makes it possible to increase the density of the arrangement of the heating resistors or the rIi pole pattern around them (5).Excellent effects such as a good extinction ratio can be obtained.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1 (A), CB), Figures 2 and 3 are diagrams for explaining the light modulation element used in the device of the present invention, Figures 31 to 4, Figures 5 and 6. , FIG. 7, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9 are views showing a color light valve device according to the present invention, respectively,
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the heating resistor array of the device according to the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the color filter of the device according to the present invention. 1... Transparent protection plate, 2... Thermal effect medium, 3...
Insulating layer, 4. Heating resistor layer, 5. Support, 6.
- Heating resistor, 7... Refractive index distribution, 10... Color filter layer, 10a, 10b, lOc =... Color filter, II-... Incident light ray, 12... Outgoing light ray,
13... N/Z system, 14... Light shielding plate, 1 5...
・ Kan6kawa aa0 Applicant: Canon Co., Ltd. No. 1 Review (A) No. 7 Entrance (8) Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 7 Item □? 1 Figure 8 (-7-) I '-, /--No 1) Figure 70-1101 Figure 11

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A light modulator that modulates light by creating a refractive index distribution in the medium by applying heat to the medium, a light source that projects a light beam to the light modulator, and a light beam that undergoes wavefront conversion in the light modulator. A color light pulp device characterized by being equipped with a color filter provided at a position through which the light passes. (2) A light modulator that modulates light by creating a refractive index distribution in the medium by applying heat to the medium, a light source that projects a light beam to the light modulator, and a light beam that undergoes wavefront conversion in the light modulator. a color filter provided at a position through which the light passes; and means for controlling the position of the color filter through which the light passes by controlling the heat applied to the light modulation section and changing the direction of the light flux emitted from the light modulation section. A color light bulb device with a special feature.