Experimental study of 1-μm-pitch light modulation of a liquid crystal separated by dielectric shield walls formed by nanoimprint technology for electronic holographic displays

One-dimensional 1-μm-pitch light modulation was achieved experimentally using a liquid crystal (LC) device for wide viewing-zone angle holographic displays. When the pixel pitch of the LC device is 1 μm, individual pixel driving is extremely difficult due to electric field leakage and penetration of the elastic force of the LC from adjacent pixels. To overcome these problems, a dielectric shield wall structure is suggested, with dielectric walls between pixels. An LC cell with a dielectric shield wall structure was fabricated using nanoimprint technology; the individuality of the light modulation and diffraction pattern produced by the LC cell was evaluated. Our results showed that the dielectric shield wall structure achieved individual 1-μm-pitch light modulation and a diffraction angle of 19 deg at a wavelength of 633 nm. The remaining layer of the dielectric resin, which is surplus dielectric resin under the dielectric walls produced by the nanoimprint procedure, should be reduced as it tends to increase the driving voltage and electric field leakage from adjacent pixels.