Theoretical considerations for arrayed waveguide displays.
An arrayed waveguide display (AWD) is proposed in which a linear emitter array is coupled to a waveguide array upon which liquid-crystal (LC) switches are formed. Images are displayed by line-by-line control of light, including emission by the emitter array, injection into the waveguide array, propagation inside, and extraction by use of the LC switches. With mostly polymeric materials, an AWD can be made thin and tough. Its light-use efficiency can be made larger than that of a conventional transmissive LC display. Because of these potential advantages, an AWD is well suited for mobile applications.
Fujieda
Ichiro
I
NEC Corporation, Kawasaki Kanagawa, Japan. i-fujieda@da.jp.nec.com