Four-mode 2D/3D switchable display with a 1D/2D convertible liquid crystal lens array

A four-mode 2D/3D switchable display using a 1D/2D convertible liquid crystal (LC) lens array is proposed in this paper. The LC lens array is composed of two orthogonal LC lens arrays, with a lambda/2 film in the middle to rotate the polarization by 90 degrees. Based on the LC lens array, a four-mode 2D/3D switchable display is realized, which is switchable between the turn-off and turn-on states: when the operating voltage V-1 = 0, V-2 = 0, the display operates in mode I, which is 2D display; when the operating voltage V-1 = 0, V-2 = 0, the display operates in mode II, and the 3D display effect is in x direction; when the operating voltage V-1 = 0, V-2 = 0, the display operates in mode III, and the 3D display effect is in y direction; when the operating voltage V-1 = 0, V-2 = 0, the display operates in mode IV, the 3D display effect is in x-y plane. Experimental results indicate that the LC lens array has simple fabrication process, low operating voltage (similar to 5.4V), and short focal length. Moreover, based on the designed LC lens array, the 2D/3D switchable display shows no moire pattern. (C) 2021 Optical Society of America under the terms of the OSA Open Access Publishing Agreement