Optical beam deflection arrangement and multi-view display having the same

Abstract

There is disclosed an optical beam deflection arrangement which may be used in an autostereoscopic display device. The arrangement comprises a substrate; a first layer, for example formed of an optically isotropic solid and having a curved surface facing towards the substrate; and a second layer, for example formed of a liquid crystal material confined between the substrate and the first layer. An interface between the first and second layers may, for example, define an array of parallel lenticulars. A refractive index of the second layer, for light of a predetermined polarization, maybe switchable between a first value matching the refractive index of the first layer and a second value different to the refractive index of the first layer, to thereby selectably provide a beam deflection function. The substrate is spaced from the first layer by a plurality of spacers which are extended from the substrate or from the first layer, the spacers making point or line contact with the other one of the substrate and the first layer. The spacers may comprise elongate spacers having a length direction parallel to the plane of the substrate. The substrate and the first layer may be formed of flexible plastics materials, in which case the arrangement may be manufactured using roll-to-roll processing techniques.