A brightness enhancing structure for a reflective display incorporates a transparent sheet having an inward hemispherical surface, a backplane electrode, an apertured membrane between the hemispherical surface and the backplane electrode, and a light reflecting electrode on an outward side of the membrane. A voltage source connected between the electrodes is switchable to apply a first voltage to move the particles inwardly through the apertured membrane toward the backplane electrode, and a second voltage to move the particles outwardly through the apertured membrane toward the light reflecting electrode. Movement of the particles toward the light reflecting electrode frustrates total internal reflection of light rays at the hemispherical surface. Movement of the particles toward the backplane electrode permits total internal reflection of light rays at the hemispherical surface, and outward reflection from the light reflecting electrode toward the hemispherical surface of light rays which pass inwardly through the hemispherical surface.

Conventional total internal reflection image displays consist of mobile particles of a single charge and capable of displaying information consisting of two different optical states. The reflective image display embodiments described herein comprises particles of different charge states and optical characteristics in combination with multi-electrode arrays. This may allow for displaying information consisting of at least three different optical states.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a display device, including: a liquid crystal display panel, comprising a liquid crystal layer including a polymer network formed of a polymerizable monomer; a light guide component, wherein the light guide component is configured such that light from the light source is emitted out from the first surface of the light guide component into the liquid crystal display panel, and in a case that the liquid crystal layer is not applied with a voltage, light from the light source is totally reflected at the liquid crystal display panel without being emitted from a side of the second substrate opposite to the first substrate into the outside air.

A display device includes a display panel including a plurality of pixels each having a plurality of sub-pixels; and a light path adjustment film on the display panel, wherein the light path adjustment film includes a first base film, and a pattern layer on a surface of the first base film, wherein the pattern layer includes a plurality of first patterns having a first refractive index, and a plurality of second patterns between the first patterns and having a second refractive index less than the first refractive index, and wherein the first pattern includes a top surface spaced apart from the display panel and parallel with the display panel, a bottom surface between the top surface and the display panel, and a slanted surface connecting the top surface and the bottom surface.

An optical device includes a first structure, a second structure, one or more optical waveguide regions, and a seal member. The first structure has a first surface. The second structure has a second surface facing the first surface. The one or more optical waveguide regions are located between the first surface of the first structure and the second surface of the second structure and contain a liquid crystal material. The seal member fixes a spacing between the first structure and the second structure, surrounds the one or more optical waveguide regions, and includes an opening through which the liquid crystal material is injected. A width of the opening in a first direction is greater than a width of the one or more optical waveguide regions in the first direction.

A totally internally reflective image display having a first electrically charged particle and a second electrically charged particle of opposite charges are disclosed. By applying a non-zero voltage the particles are moved such that they frustrate total internal reflection and create a dark state. By applying a zero voltage and/or voltage pulsing, light is totally internally reflected to create a light state. The display is DC balanced and compatible with common drive electronics. Multi-colored displays may be created using first and second particles with different optical characteristics.

An instrument for measuring and analyzing surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and/or surface plasmon coupled emission on an electro-optic grating-coupled sensor surface is described herein. The sensor chip achieves SPR through a grating-coupled approach, with variations in the local dielectric constant at regions of interest (ROI) at the sensor surface detected as a function of the intensity of light reflecting from these ROI. Unlike other grating-based approaches, the metal surface is sufficiently thin that resonant conditions are sensitive to dielectric constant changes both above and below the metal surface (like the Kretschmann configuration). Dielectric constant shifts that occur as mass accumulates on the surface can be returned to reference intensities by applying voltage across the underlying electro-optic polymer. Approaches to the development of the sensor surfaces are described, as are software and hardware features facilitating sample handling, data gathering, and data analysis by this solid-state approach.

Total internal reflection (TIR) based image displays comprise at least one high refractive index (>1.5) convex protrusion interfaced with a low refractive index (<1.5) medium. Total internal reflection of light is frustrated at this interface by movement of electrophoretically mobile particles into and out of the evanescent wave region. The size, shape and arrangement of the convex protrusions, typically in the shape of lenses, affects TIR at the interface and ultimately the brightness of the display. The brightness is a critical aspect of reflective displays. The degree of brightness determines what applications the displays may be used for and their ultimate acceptance by consumers. For example, high brightness displays allow for the use of color filter arrays for applications requiring color. The shape of the convex protrusions may be described by a polar coordinate system.

Optical states in TIR-based image displays may be modulated by movement of electrophoretically mobile particles into and out of the evanescent wave region at the interface of a high refractive index convex protrusions and a low refractive index medium. The movement of particles into the evanescent wave region may frustrate TIR and form dark states at pixels. Movement of particles out of the evanescent wave region may allow for TIR of incident light to form bright states at pixels. The movement of the particles may be controlled by employing the drive methods of pulse width modulation, voltage modulation or a combination thereof.

A total internal reflection-based display may be driven by an apparatus and method to move electrophoretically mobile particles into and out of an evanescent wave region to create static and video images. The apparatus may comprise one or more of a host microprocessor/controller, display controller, TIR display panel, frame buffer memory 1, frame buffer memory 2, host interface, temperature/environmental sensor, timing controller, look up table, power management integrated circuit or display panel interface.