The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 14, 2014
Filed:
May. 31, 2012
Jiandong Huang, Vancouver, WA (US);
Apostolos T. Voutsas, Portland, OR (US);
Jiandong Huang, Vancouver, WA (US);
Apostolos T. Voutsas, Portland, OR (US);
Sharp Laboratories of America, Inc., Camas, WA (US);
Abstract
A system and method are provided for using bubble structures to control the extraction of light from a waveguide top surface. The method determines a maximum angle (α) of light propagation through a waveguide medium relative to a first horizontal direction parallel to a waveguide top surface. A plurality of bubble structures is provided having a refractive index less than the waveguide medium. The bubble structures have a base, and sides formed at an acute angle upwards with respect to the base. The bubble structure bases are separated by gap (W), have a height (H), and have a top separated from a waveguide top surface by a space (h). The method varies the gap (W), the height (H), and the space (h). In response, the intensity of light extraction at even the maximum angle (α) of light propagation, can be controlled from the waveguide top surface.