EP1421572A1

EP1421572A1 - Optical waveguide system for a flat-panel display

Info

Publication number: EP1421572A1
Application number: EP01964635A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ronald S. Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-08-22
Filing date: 2001-08-22
Publication date: 2004-05-26
Also published as: CA2457345C; EP1421572A4; CA2457345A1; AU2001285472B2

Abstract

A flat panel display for providing high contrast, low -artifact enlarged optical images. The flat panel display comprised a pixelated input imaging device (100), a first array (11) of optical waveguides (15) including a bias cut (16), a first light redirecting layer (13), a second array (12) of optical waveguides (18) also including a bias cut (17), and a second light redirecting layer (14). The first and second arrays (11, 12) of optical waveguides (15, 18) enlarge an input image in first and second directions respectively.

Description

OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE SYSTEM FOR A FLAT-PANEL DISPLAY

Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains in general to the spatial frequency relationship between the optical elements of a flat-panel display

Background of the Invention

Devices for enlarging optical images using optical waveguides are well known. Early devices included bundles of optical fibers that were tapered along their length such that the fibers were larger in cross- section at one end than at the other. To produce an enlarged image, the original image was input into the small end of the fiber bundle. The image that emerged from the large end of the fiber bundle was magnified by a factor equal to the ratio of the diameter of the large end to that of the smaller end. While producing the desired effect, these devices often produced poor quality, distorted images because of the difficulty in producing uniform tapers in the large number of fibers required by the devices. Another technique for producing enlarged images using optical waveguides involved cutting a bundle of optical waveguides at a bias and redirecting the emergent light in a direction normal to the bias cut. As a result of the bias cut, the image emerging from the bundle of waveguides was magnified in one direction. Glenn, Jr. discloses one such technique in U.S. Patent No. 4,208,096.

In U.S. Patent No. 3,402,000, Crawford also discloses a fiber optic image enlarger that employs the bias-cut waveguide bundle technique. The Crawford image enlarger includes a first bundle of optical fibers having a bias cut that magnifies an input image in a first direction. The magnified image is then redirected into a second bundle of optical fibers having a bias cut that magnifies the input image in a second direction. The resultant image, therefore, is magnified in two dimensions.

Although successful in producing enlarged images, devices based on the prior art typically exhibit problems originating from the inefficient cooperation between the optical structures. A first problem can result from nonuniform spacing between the optical waveguides or from slight variations in alignment of optical waveguide structures. Normally, manufactured bundles of optical waveguides include a certain amount of nonuniformity in the spacing between the individual waveguides. This nonuniformity generally goes unnoticed when images are transmitted through a single bundle of optical waveguides. When multiple bundles of optical waveguides having similar spatial frequencies are coupled together, however, the nonuniformity in spacing or misalignment of the fibers of each bundle causes Moire fringe patterns that appear as alternating light and dark areas in the transmitted image. A second problem, may result from inadequate spatial sampling of the optical elements of each optical structure. Typically, light input image devices include a structure comprising an array of pixels each projecting a portion of the input light image. The maximum resolution state of such a device includes adjacent pixels alternating between light and dark. When the input image device is optically coupled to a bundle of optical waveguides each having a dimension similar to the pixel dimension, any misalignment between the pixels and optical waveguides can significantly degrade the output image. Rather than each adjacent waveguide transmitting alternating light and dark signals in a one-to-one correspondence with the pixels of the input imaging device, each waveguide will transmit light from a portion of a dark pixel and a portion of an adjacent light pixel. At the far end of the optical waveguides, the light and dark components of the light input to each waveguide merge together. As a result, the resolution of the input image is lost, and the output image appears gray.

While in theory the pixels of the input imaging device could be aligned perfectly with each corresponding optical waveguide to provide accurate mapping and transmission of the input image, in practice such a result is not feasible. Manufacturing of such a device would be extremely difficult and prohibitively costly.

These problems are further compounded in devices, such as the Crawford device, that include multiple light transmissions interfaces. In these devices, the product of the light transmission characteristics through each optical structure and at each light transmission interface determines the overall quality of the output image. Therefore, any global nonuniformity in either bundle of waveguides or any misalignment of optical structures at the light transmission interfaces serves to compound the negative effects on the output image.

Summary of the Invention The object of the invention is to improve the quality of the output image of a device having a pixelated input imaging device and multiple bundles of optical waveguides used for enlarging the input image.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims .

To achieve the objects and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the invention comprises an input imaging source for supplying an input image. The input imaging source is coupled to a first array of optical waveguides having an input surface and an intermediate output surface. The intermediate output surface is oriented at an angle with respect to said input surface, and each waveguide of the first array comprises a first major cross-sectional dimension. A first light redirecting layer is disposed adjacent the intermediate light output surface for redirecting the input image emerging from the first array of optical waveguides into a second array of optical waveguides. The second array has an intermediate input surface disposed adjacent the light redirecting layer and a light output surface oriented at an angle with respect to the intermediate input surface. Each waveguide of the second array comprises a second major cross-sectional dimension. Finally, a second light redirecting layer, through which the input image is projected, is disposed on the light output surface of the secondary array.

In the preferred embodiment, the input imaging source comprises pixels having a major planar dimension.

Also, the groups of waveguides from both the first and second arrays together form an equivalent waveguide size defined by the relationship:

where E represents the equivalent waveguide size, O_ represents the first major cross-sectional dimension, and D₂ represents the second major cross-sectional dimension. Preferably, a pixel-to waveguide ratio between the major planar dimensions of the pixels of the input imaging source and the equivalent waveguide size is between about 1.2 to about 4.0. In a further embodiment of the present invention, all of the first major cross-sectional dimensions of the waveguides of the first array are substantially equal, and all of the second major cross-sectional dimensions of the waveguides of the second array are substantially equal. Furthermore, a cross-sectional ratio of the first major cross-sectional dimensions to the second major cross-sectional dimension is at least 1.25.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, all of the first major cross-sectional dimensions vary randomly about a first mean value dimension, and all of the second major cross-sectional dimensions vary randomly about a second mean value dimension.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, both the first and second arrays of waveguides are square arrays where the waveguides are arranged in a plurality of rows and columns. In this embodiment, the first array of optical waveguides is rotated relatively with respect to the second array of optical waveguides to form a rotation angle defined as the angle formed by the corresponding rows of the first and second arrays after rotation.

The flat panel display according to the present invention enjoys reduced susceptibility to output image degradation caused by misalignments and non-uniformities of the optical structures in comparison to the devices of the prior art. The present invention employs a novel approach of formulating a relationship between the dimensions of each structural element of the flat panel display to alleviate the poor image quality and artifacts common in the prior art devices.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.

The accompany drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate the embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Some of the features, advantages, and benefits of the present invention having been stated, others will become apparent as the description proceeds when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a plan view of the optical enlarger portion of the flat panel display according to the present invention; FIG. IB is a side view of the optical enlarger portion of the flat panel display according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates the input imaging source and corresponding optics for optically coupling the input imaging source to the optical enlarger portion of the flat panel display according to the present invention; and

FIG. 3A illustrates undesirable Moire fringe effects caused by nonuniformities in the optical structures according to the present invention and

FIG. 3B illustrates the negative effects caused by misalignment at an interface between similarly sized optical structures according to the present invention; and FIG. 4A illustrates the relationship between the input imaging device pixel dimension and the equivalent waveguide size according to the present invention; and

FIG. 4B illustrates a waveguide configuration for minimizing Moire fringe artifacts according to the present invention; and

FIG. 5A and 5B illustrate two additional waveguide configurations for minimizing Moire fringe artifacts according to the present invention; and

FIG. 6 illustrates modeled data showing responsive curves of optical elements of the flat panel display and an overall, vertical modulation transfer function (MTF) of the flat panel display along the most sparsely sampled direction, excluding MTF degradation due to the light redirecting layer.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout, the prime notation, if used, indicates similar elements in alternative embodiments.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts . Figs. 1A and IB provide a plan view and side view, respectively, of an optical enlarger portion 10 of a flat panel display according to the present invention. The optical enlarger portion 10 comprises a first array 11 of optical waveguides 15 coupled to a second array 12 of optical waveguides 18 via a first light redirecting layer 13.

The first array 11 comprises a plurality of optical waveguides 15 fused together to form a coherent bundle. In the preferred embodiment, waveguides 15 are arranged such that their ends form an m x n array. Various methods for fusing the waveguides may be employed including mechanical adhesives, chemical adhesives, or thermal fusing methods. Preferably, waveguides 15 comprise optical fibers each having a circular cross- section with a constant diameter along its entire length. In alternative embodiments, however, waveguides 15 may have square, rectangular, or any other suitably shaped cross-sectional profile. In the preferred embodiment optical waveguides 15 have a width or diameter, depending on the shape, of about 15 μm. The specific choice of waveguide dimension, however, can be varied according to the desired resolution of the flat panel display.

Once waveguides 15 are fused together to form first array 11, the array 11 is cut to form an input face 16 and an intermediate output face 17. Input face 16 is formed by cutting the waveguides 15 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the waveguides 15. Cutting the fibers in this manner improves the transmission efficiency of first array 11. Optical fibers, as is well known, generally include a transparent core surrounded by a cladding having an index of refraction lower than that of the core. Light is transmitted along the longitudinal direction of the optical fibers as a result of total internal reflection of the light traveling along the fiber. Incident light entering the fibers at an angle greater than a critical angle cannot achieve total internal reflection and is therefore lost. Thus, to maximize the efficiency of a fiber optic-based device, incident light should typically enter the fibers as nearly parallel to the direction of the fibers as possible.

By orienting the input face 16 of the first array 11 perpendicular to the direction of the optical waveguides 15, light that is incident along direction i of the optical waveguides 15. This bias cut exposes a surface comprising an m x n array of optical waveguides 15. The sections of the optical waveguides 15 formed by the bias cut, i.e. an ellipse for waveguides of circular cross-sections, a rectangle for waveguides of a square cross-section, etc., have a grater surface area than the corresponding cross sectional areas of the waveguides 15 at input surface 16. As a result, an image incident on input surface 16 will emerge at intermediate output face 17 magnified in one direction. The particular magnification factor depends on the angle of the bias cut. As the angle θ of the bias cut is reduced and the section surface area of each of the waveguides 15 increases, the magnification factor is increased according to the relationship:

1

M = sin#

where M is the magnification factor.

The present invention includes a light redirecting layer 13 disposed adjacent to the intermediate output face 17 of the first array 11. As shown in Fig. 1A, light redirecting layer 13 alters the light propagation direction i of the light emerging from the first array 11 by an angle of β, where β=90°- θ. The light then propagates along direction i ' , which is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the optical waveguides 18 of the second array 12.

Light redirecting layer 13 may comprise any of the various light redirecting structures known in the art, however, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, light redirecting layer 13 comprises a holographic optical element (HOE) and more preferably a volume phase HOE. To form the volume phase HOE of the present invention, a photopolymer material such as HRF- 750x294-6 from DuPont of Wilmington, Delaware, is exposed to an interference pattern generated by two coherent beams of radiation. The incident angles of the radiation beams determine the orientation of a slanted fringe hologram internal to light redirecting layer 13. Once fixed with a treatment of ultraviolet radiation, the internal hologram creates effective Bragg gratings that redirect light within the volume of the light redirecting layer 13 .

Use of a volume phase HOE in light redirecting layer 13 has several advantages over known techniques. First, because the structure of the volume phase HOE is contained entirely within the boundaries of light redirecting layer 13, conventional methods for bonding the light redirecting layer 13 to the first and second arrays 11 and 12, respectively, may be employed. Conventional transparent adhesives, which typically inhibit the performance of light redirecting layers having surface structure gratings, can be used without negative effects. Second, a light redirecting layer comprising a HOE can typically be made thinner than conventional structures. This property reduces the spreading of light propagating through the light redirecting layer 13 and thereby enhances the MTF and efficiency of the device. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, light redirecting layer 13 has a thickness in the range of about 5 μm to about 20 μm. Secondary array 12 is formed similarly to first array 11. Second array 12 comprises a plurality of optical waveguides 18 fused together to form a coherent bundle. As in first array 11 waveguides 18 are arranged such that their ends form an m x n array. In the preferred embodiment, optical waveguides 18 have a width or diameter, depending on the shape, of about lOμm; however, the specific choice of waveguide dimension can be varied according to the desired resolution of the flat panel display. Second array 12 also includes and intermediate input face 19 and an output face 20. A second light redirecting layer 14 is disposed adjacent to output face 20.

Intermediate input face 19 of second array 12 is formed by cutting the waveguides 18 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the waveguides 18. Light redirecting layer 13 is disposed adjacent to intermediate input face 19 and redirects light emanating from first array 11 along direction i ' or parallel to the longitudinal direction of waveguides 18. Output face 20 is formed by making a bias cut an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal direction i ' of the optical waveguides 18. This bias cut provides the second array 12 with the ability to magnify an image input in a second direction. In the preferred embodiment, the first magnification direction of the first array 11 is perpendicular to the second magnification direction of the second array 12. Further more, the bias cuts in first array 11 and second array 12 are preferably configured such that the original aspect ration of the input light image is preserved.

The present invention also includes a second light redirecting layer 14 disposed adjacent the output face 20 of the second array 12. Light redirecting layer 20 alters the light propagation direction of the light emerging from the second array 12 according to the requirements of the flat panel display.

Light redirecting layer 14 may comprise any of the various light redirecting structures known in the art, however, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, light redirecting layer 14, like light redirecting layer 13, comprises a holographic optical element (HOE) and more preferably a volume phase HOE. To minimize the negative effects of light spreading, light redirecting layer 14 is preferably formed with a thickness from about 5 μm to about 200 μm dictated primarily by the size of magnified pixel.

Fig. 2 illustrates the relationship between the input imaging device 100 and the optical enlarger portion 10. Input imaging device 100 preferably comprises a spatial light modulator (SLM) including an array of pixels for providing an input image. Other suitable input devices including cathode ray tubes and eletroluminescent image sources, can also be used. SLM 100 can be optically coupled to the optical enlarger portion of the flat panel display by various methods. Fig. 2 depicts one such method that includes lens 101, aperture 102, and lens 103. Alternatively, any suitable arrangement for optically coupling the light from the input imaging device 100 with the first optical array 11 may be employed. In operation, a light input image from SLM 100 is made incident on input face 16 of optical enlarger portion 10. Because input face 16 is oriented normal to the longitudinal directions of waveguides 15, redirecting optics between SLM 100 and optical enlarger portion 10 are not required.

As described previously, prior art devices having light transmission interfaces between pixelated input devices and bundles of optical waveguides or between two separate bundles of optical waveguides are susceptible to several problems affecting overall image quality. Fig. 3A illustrates one such problem. Input imaging device 100 projects an image 300 comprising alternating light and dark areas. Each light area corresponds to the output of a row of pixels, and similarly, each dark area corresponds to the output of a row of pixels. Elements 301 and 302 depict two separate bundles of optical waveguides, respectively, joined by a light redirecting layer 304. As a result of normal manufacturing processes, fabricating bundles of waveguides typically include globally nonuniformities, an output image 303 may include Moire fringe patterns that are detrimental to the overall output image quality. Fig. 3B illustrates a second problem affecting the image quality of the prior art devices. In this example, a bundle of waveguides 315 has a pitch that matches the spacing between the pixels of input image device 300. In theory, the highest transmission efficiency of combination between the input image device 300 and the bundle 315 occurs when the waveguides 316 are in perfect alignment with the corresponding pixels of input image device 300. Perfect alignment between these elements would yield an output image similar to image 310. In this image, the output of each waveguide directly matches the input received from each pixel 317 of the input imaging device 300. In practice, however such alignment would be extremely difficult and prohibitively costly to achieve. The same difficulty arises when attempting to align waveguides from two separate bundles that form an interface. Random misalignment between the optical components forming a light transmission interface is common . Image 312 illustrates the result of a random misalignment at the light transmission interface formed between input imaging device 300 and optical waveguides 316. Similar results occur due to random misalignment and an interface between two separate bundles of optical waveguides as well. Input image 311 depicts the image that is received at input face 319 as a result of misalignment between the pixels 317 of input imaging device 300 and the individual waveguides 316 of bundle 315. As shown by input image 311, the amount of misalignment between the pixels 317 and the waveguides 316 is approximately equal to the pixel pitch. As a result, the input image from each pixel is split and transmitted along adjacent waveguides. In this example each waveguide must transmit image information comprising both a light component and a dark component. If the waveguides 316 have a length similar to their major cross-sectional dimension, then the resulting image at output face 318 would look similar to image 311. However, where the total length of the optical waveguides is significantly larger than their major cross-sectional dimensions, the components of the input image merge together. As a result of mixing between the light and dark components incident on each waveguide 316, the contrast of the original input image shown on input imaging device 300 is lost, and the output image 312 at fact 318 appears as a uniformly gray image.

The present invention mitigates the problems caused by waveguide non-uniformities and optical element misalignment. The solution to these problems is manifested in the spatial relationships between input imaging device 100, optical waveguides 15, and optical waveguides 18. Particularly, as illustrated in Fig. 4A, pixels 400 forming a square m x n array at input imaging device 100 have square dimensions denoted by X. In the preferred embodiment, the major planar pixel dimension X is in the range of about 20 μm to 50 μm, although other pixel dimensions may be used within the scope of the invention. Next, optical waveguides 15 of the first array 11 and optical waveguides 18 of the second array, when characterized together, exhibit an equivalent waveguide size defined by the relationship:

where E represents the equivalent waveguide size D_x represents the major cross-sectional dimension of waveguide 15 and D₂ represents the major cross-sectional dimension of waveguides 18. In the preferred embodiment, a pixel-to-waveguide ratio, defined as the ration between the major planar dimension X of the pixels 400 and the equivalent waveguide size X' is between about 1.25 to about 4.0. Fig 4A illustrates array 401, which represents the equivalent array derived mathematically from first array 11 and second array 12. Equivalent array 401 comprises an array of components having an equivalent waveguide size X' . According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ratio between X, the input imaging device pixel size, and X' , the equivalent waveguide size, is between about 1.2 and 4.0.

Fig. 4B illustrates one configuration of waveguides

15 and 18 that is useful for alleviating the undesirable artifacts associated with Moire fringe effects. In this approach, optical waveguides 15 of the first array 11 are formed having a major cross-sectional dimension Y, and optical waveguides 18 of the second array 12 are formed having a major cross-sectional dimension Y' . Further, a cross-sectional ratio between the major cross-sectional dimension Y of optical waveguides 15 and the major cross- sectional dimension Y' of optical waveguides 18 is at least 1.25. Preferably, this ratio is between about 1.25 and about 3.0. Interface 402 depicts the side view of a small group of waveguides 15 and waveguides 18 surrounding the first light redirecting layer 13, according to the present invention.

Fig. 5A illustrates another technique for minimizing Moire fringe effects. Views 450 and 451 depict end views of optical waveguides 15 of the first array 11 and optical waveguides 18 of the second array 12, respectively. In this embodiment, the major cross- sectional dimensions of waveguides 15 vary randomly about a first mean value dimension Z. Similarly, the major cross-sectional dimensions of optical waveguides 18 vary randomly about a second mean value dimension Z' . In the preferred embodiment, the mean value dimension Z of the first array 11 is substantially equal to the mean value dimension Z' of the second array 12, and both mean value dimensions are approximately 12.7 μm. Other mean value dimensions, however, are possible within the scope of the invention.

Fig. 5B illustrates yet another technique for minimizing Moire fringe effects. Views 452 and 453 depict end views of optical waveguides 15 of the first array 11 and optical waveguides 18 of the second array 12, respectively. In this embodiment optical waveguides 15 of the first array 11 are arranged in a square array oriented along orthogonal axes X and Y. Similarly optical waveguides 18 of the second array 12 are arranged in a square array oriented along orthogonal axes X' and Y' . In both arrays, directions X and X' extend along the rows of waveguides of the corresponding arrays, and directions Y and Y' extend along the columns of the corresponding arrays. Waveguide arrays 11 and 12 are oriented with respect to each other such that a relative rotation angle is formed between the rows and columns of respective waveguides in both arrays. Specifically, waveguide array 11 is rotated relative to second array 12 to form a rotation angle defined as the angle between corresponding rows (i.e. rows 460 and 461) of arrays 11 and 12, respectively. Thus, the rotation angle is the angle formed, for example, between rows 460 and 461. In the preferred embodiment, the rotation angle is approximately 30 degrees.

The flat panel display having the particular spatial relationships with respect to the pixel size of the input imaging source, the equivalent waveguide size, the physical waveguide dimensions, and the specific waveguide orientations, as defined by the present invention, offers greatly improved image output. Regardless of the particular alignment between pixels 400, waveguides 15, and waveguides 18, there is a substantial sampling of the white and black pixels of the input image, and therefore, very little mixing of light and dark image components occurs within the fibers. As a result, the original contrast of the input image is largely preserved, and a high quality, non-gray output image results. Fig. 6 graphically depicts the modulation transfer function (MFT) of the light guide components for the flat panel display according to one particular set of spatial frequency values within the scope of the present invention. Curve 500 represents the MTF of second array 12 having waveguides 18 each with a major cross-sectional dimension of about 10 μm. Curve 500 was calculated using a sinusoidal spatial pattern as input, and it closely matches the experimentally obtained MTF data for second array 12, as shown as diamond points 501. To maximize the overall MTF of the flat panel display, a high-contrast square wave input spatial pattern is desirable. Curve 502 represents the contrast transfer function CTF of first array 11, having waveguides 15 with a major cross-sectional dimension of about 15 μm, in response to a high-contrast square wave input spatial pattern. Curve 504 represents the MTF of first array 11 in response to a sinusoidal spatial pattern. A comparison of curves 502 and 504 shows that a high-contrast square wave input pattern provides a greater modulation than a sinusoidal input at corresponding spatial frequency values. The higher modulation at a lower spatial frequencies from a square wave input is due to the presence of higher harmonic Fourier components in the square wave spatial pattern. These higher harmonics serve to increase the modulation according to the following equation:

CTF = ^[M_N - ^ M_{3N +} ^M_5N - ^M_7N ... ]

where CTF is the contrast transfer function of a square wave input, M_N is the MTF of a sinusoidal input at the spatial frequency of interest, M_3N is the MTF of a sinusoidal input at three times the spatial frequency of interest, and so on.

The modulation output of the combination of first array 11 and second array 12 is shown by curve 503, which represents the product of curves 500 and 502. To find the final modulation output of the flat panel display, the spatial frequency of the pixels of input imaging source 100 is compared to curve 503. In a particular example for instance, a flat panel display having 15 μm waveguides in the first array 11 and 10 μm waveguides in the second array 12 will exhibit a modulation of about 68% when an input imaging device having pixels of 33 μm is used. Similarly, if 50 μm pixels are employed at the input device, the overall modulation would be about 94%.

Fig. 6 is illustrative of only a single example of a specific combination of spatial dimensions according to the present invention. In practice, any suitable dimensions for the optical elements of the flat panel display that fall within the spatial relationship designated by the present invention will provide output images with high MTF and low levels of Moire artifacts. Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

THAT CLAIMED IS:

1. A flat panel display comprising an input imaging source (100) for supplying an input image, said input imaging source (100) comprising pixels having a major planar dimension, a first array (11) of optical waveguides (15) optically coupled to said input imaging source (100) , said first array (11) having an input surface (16) and an intermediate output surface (17) , said intermediate output surface (17) being oriented at an angle with respect to said input surface (16) , and wherein each waveguide (15) of said first array (11) comprises a first major cross-sectional dimension (O_) , a first light redirecting layer (13) disposed adjacent said intermediate light output surface (17) for redirecting said input image, the display being characterized by having: a second array (12) of optical waveguides (18), said second array (12) having an intermediate input surface (19) disposed adjacent said light redirecting layer (13) and a light output surface (20) oriented at an angle with respect to said intermediate input surface (19) , wherein each waveguide (18) of said second array (12) comprises a second major cross- sectional dimension (D₂) , and wherein the first and second major cross-sectional dimensions (D-, D₂) form an equivalent waveguide size (E) according to the relationship:

where E represents the equivalent waveguide size, D_: represents the first major cross-sectional dimension, and D₂ represents the second major cross-sectional dimension; and a second light redirecting layer (14) , disposed on said light output surface (20) , through which said input image is projected.

2. The flat panel display of Claim 1, wherein a pixel-to-waveguide ratio between the major planar dimension of the pixels of the input imaging source (100) and the equivalent waveguide size (E) is between about 1.2 to about 4.0.

3. The flat panel display of Claims 1-2, wherein all of the first major cross-sectional dimensions (D_x) of the waveguides (15) of the first array (11) are substantially equal, all of the second major cross- sectional dimensions (D₂) of the waveguides (18) of the second array (12) are substantially equal, and wherein a cross-sectional ratio of said first major cross- sectional dimension (O_) to said second major cross- sectional dimension (D₂) is at least 1.25.

4. The flat panel display of Claim 3, wherein said cross-sectional ratio is between about 1.25 to about 3.0.

5. The flat panel display of Claims 1-2, wherein all of the first major cross-sectional dimensions (D_x) vary randomly about a first mean value dimension (Z) , and all of the second major cross-sectional dimensions (D₂) vary randomly about a second mean value dimension (Z¹).

6. The flat panel display of Claim 5, wherein said first mean value dimension (Z) and said second mean value dimension (Z¹) are substantially equivalent.

7. The flat panel display of Claims 1-6, wherein said first array (11) of optical waveguides (15) is rotated with respect to said second array (12) of optical waveguides (18) to form a rotation angle defined as an angle between corresponding rows of the first and second arrays (11, 12) after rotation.

8. The flat panel display of Claim 7, wherein said rotation angle is about 30 degrees.

9. The flat panel display of Claims 1-8, wherein said first array (11) magnifies said input image in a first dimension and said second array (12) magnifies said input image in a second dimension.

10. The flat panel display of Claims 1-9, wherein said first light redirecting layer (13) comprises a first holographic optical element.

11. The flat panel display of Claim 10, wherein said first holographic optical element has a thickness of from about 5 μm to about 20 μm.

12. The flat panel display of Claims 1-11, wherein said first light redirecting layer has a thickness in the range of about 5 μm to about 20 μm.

13. The flat panel display of Claims 1-12, wherein said second light redirecting layer (14) comprises a second holographic optical element.

14. The flat panel display of Claim 13, wherein said second holographic optical element has a thickness of from about 5 μm to about 200 μm.

15. The flat panel display of Claims 1-14, wherein said second light redirecting layer (14) has a thickness in the range of about 5 μm to about 200 μm.

16. The flat panel display of Claims 1-15, wherein said input imaging source (100) comprises a spatial light modulator.

17. The flat panel display of Claims 1-16, wherein said optical waveguides (15, 18) of both said first array (11) and said second array (12) have constant cross-sections along their entire length.

18. The flat panel display of Claims 1-17, wherein both said first array (11) of optical waveguides (15) and said second array (12) of optical waveguides (18) comprise coherent bundles of cylindrical optical fibers.

19. The flat panel display of Claim 18, wherein said cylindrical optical fibers have constant cross- sections along their entire length.

20. The flat panel display of Claims 1-19, wherein said optical waveguides (15, 18) of both said first array (11) and said second array (12) define longitudinal paths extending along their length, said input surface (16) being disposed normal to said longitudinal paths of said first array (11) , said intermediate output surface (17) being disposed at an acute angle with respect to said longitudinal paths of said first array (11) , said intermediate input surface (19) being disposed normal to said longitudinal paths of said second array (12) , and said light output surface (20) being disposed at an acute angle with respect to said longitudinal paths of said second array (12).