Abstract: Directional light guide plates, directional surface light sources, and three-dimensional (3D) image display apparatuses employing the directional surface light sources are provided. Each of the directional light guide plates includes a plurality of viewing zone separation units having a refractive index different from that of a light guide unit, for separating light into left and right viewing zones.

Abstract: Provided is an object recognition system. The object recognition system recognizes an object in an ROI of a source image. The object recognition system includes an image change unit and an ROI detection unit. The image change unit receives the source image, and changes the object into an edge image which is represented as an edge line. The ROI detection unit divides the edge image into a plurality of regions, compares a total sum of edge component values of an edge line included in each of the regions and a predetermined threshold value by regions, and detects a region, in which the total sum of edge component values is greater than the threshold value, as the ROI from among the plurality of regions.

Abstract: An illumination unit is provided including a coherent light source; a projection optical element which focuses a light beam emitted from the coherent light source onto a focal plane; and a holographic optical element interposed between the coherent light source and the projection optical element, and having an interference pattern formed thereon. The holographic optical element diffracts the light beam emitted from the coherent light source and emits the diffracted light to the projection optical element. Here, the interference pattern on the holographic optical element may have information that diffracts the light beam and thereby cancels a diffraction of the light beam due to an aberration of the projection optical element.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a touch substrate; a waveguide layer arranged on the touch substrate, the waveguide layer including a plurality of waveguides; an optical output structure arranged on the waveguide layer and configured to output light propagating in the plurality of waveguides at touched locations on the touch substrate; a gap layer arranged to provide a predetermined gap between the waveguide layer and the optical output structure; and an optical system, which projects light output by the optical output structure.

Abstract: A backlight unit and a display device including the backlight unit are provided. The backlight unit includes at least one light source unit and a light guide plate. The light source unit provides collimated light and controls light such that it is emitted in a plurality of light exit directions.

Abstract: A complex spatial light modulator and a three-dimensional (3D) image display apparatus including the complex spatial light modulator are provided. The complex spatial light modulator includes: a spatial light modulator that modulates a phase of light; a prism array including a plurality of prism units, each of the plurality of prism units including a first prism surface and second prism surface, where light from the spatial light modulator is incident on the prism array; and a polarization-independent diffracting element that diffracts light that has passed through the prism array.

Abstract: A changeable liquid lens array and a method of manufacturing the same. The changeable liquid lens array includes a substrate, a plurality of partition walls arrayed on the substrate and having a fluid travel path, cells defined by the plurality of partition walls, a first fluid comprised in the cells, a second fluid arranged on the first fluid, a first electrode arranged on at least one side surface of each of the partition walls, and a second electrode disposed to be separate from the partition walls. A shape of shape of an interface between the first fluid and the second fluid changes based on a voltage that is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: Provided is a transflective display apparatus including a light source, a light guide plate guiding light from the light source or incident external light toward the inside, emitting the light or the incident external light to a light emitting surface of the light guide plate, and including a diffusion reflective member formed on the light emitting surface, a color reflective member disposed in a lower portion of the light guide plate and including a plurality of arrayed color regions for reflecting light of a color, a light modulation member disposed in an upper portion of the light guide plate, modulating light, and forming an image, including a plurality of pixel regions corresponding to the plurality of color regions, respectively, each of the plurality of pixel regions including an effective region and an ineffective region, wherein the diffusion reflective member is disposed to face the ineffective region.

Abstract: Provided are examples of light modulators and optical apparatuses that may include the light modulators. A light modulator may include a plasmonic nano-antenna and an element for changing plasmon resonance characteristics of the plasmonic nano-antenna. The plasmon resonance characteristics of the plasmonic nano-antenna may be changed due to a change in refractive index of the element, and thus light may be modulated.

Abstract: A 2D/3D switchable backlight unit and an image display device employing the same are provided. The 2D/3D switchable backlight unit includes a light source, a light guide plate in which light emitted from the light source is total-internal-reflected, and a switch array comprising a plurality of switches that selectively contact a first surface of the light guide plate and emit light by frustrated total internal reflection inside the light guide plate. In 2D mode, each of the switches contacts the first surface of the light guide plate. In 3D mode, some of the switches contact the first surface of the light guide plate.

Abstract: Provided are a complex spatial light modulator and a three-dimensional image display device including the same. The complex spatial light modulator includes: a spatial light modulator for modulating a phase of light; a prism array disposed next to the spatial light modulator; and a polarization-independent diffractive element for diffracting light that has passed through the prism array. The complex spatial light modulator may modulate both phase and amplitude of light.

Abstract: A three-dimensional holographic image display device and a method using the same are provided. Light corresponding to left and right eye holograms is emitted according to a time division method and divided into a first path and a second path. Active shutters operate substantially in synchronization with the emitted left and right eye holograms to provide images to a user's left and right eyes.

Abstract: Provided are examples of light modulators and optical apparatuses that may include the light modulators. A light modulator may include a plasmonic nano-antenna and an element for changing plasmon resonance characteristics of the plasmonic nano-antenna. The plasmon resonance characteristics of the plasmonic nano-antenna may be changed due to a change in refractive index of the element, and thus light may be modulated.

Abstract: Provided are an optically addressable spatial light modulator (OASLM) divided into a plurality of segments, and an apparatus and method for displaying a holographic three-dimensional (3D) image using the OASLM. The holographic 3D image display apparatus includes a first light source which emits a write beam, an electric addressable spatial light modulator (EASLM) which modulates the write beam emitted from the first light source according to hologram information regarding a 3D image, a second light source which emits a read beam, an OASLM which receives the write beam modulated by the EASLM and modulates the read beam emitted from the second light source according to hologram information included in the modulated write beam, a scanning optical unit which projects the write beam modulated by the EASLM onto the OASLM, and a Fourier lens which focuses the read beam modulated by the OASLM onto a predetermined space to form the 3D image.

Abstract: Provided are methods of manufacturing a surface light source device, the methods include forming a first structure that includes a first substrate and a plurality of glass beads each partially embedded in the first substrate. A second structure is formed that includes a second substrate and an adhesive material layer formed on the second substrate. The first structure and the second structure are adhered to each other in such a way that the glass beads are each partially embedded into the adhesive material layer.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method for fabricating a quantum dot. The method includes the steps of (a) preparing a compound semiconductor layer including a quantum well structure formed by sequentially stacking a first barrier layer, a well layer and a second barrier layer; (b) forming a dielectric thin film pattern including a first dielectric thin film having a thermal expansion coefficient higher than a thermal expansion coefficient of the second barrier layer and a second dielectric thin film having a thermal expansion coefficient lower than the thermal expansion coefficient of the second barrier layer on the second barrier layer; and (c) heat-treating the compound semiconductor layer formed thereon with the dielectric thin film pattern to cause an intermixing between elements of the well layer and elements of the barrier layers at a region of the compound semiconductor layer under the second dielectric thin film.

Abstract: A changeable liquid lens array and a method of manufacturing the same. The changeable liquid lens array includes a substrate, a plurality of partition walls arrayed on the substrate and having a fluid travel path, cells defined by the plurality of partition walls, a first fluid comprised in the cells, a second fluid arranged on the first fluid, a first electrode arranged on at least one side surface of each of the partition walls, and a second electrode disposed to be separate from the partition walls. A shape of shape of an interface between the first fluid and the second fluid changes based on a voltage that is applied to the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: A display apparatus according to example embodiments may include a light source; an all-in-one type light guide plate; a reflective plate; and a display panel. The all-in-one type light guide plate may include a light guide member and light emitting members, wherein the light guide member reflects light incident from the light source toward the light emitting members, and the light emitting members protrude from one side of the light guide member and emit light incident from the light guide member. The light guide member and the light emitting members may be integrally formed or individually combined to form an all-in-one type light guide plate. The display apparatus may form an image using light from a backlight unit and external light.

Abstract: Provided is a transflective display apparatus including a color reflective plate disposed at a light emitting surface of a light guide plate, and a display panel disposed at another surface of the light emitting surface of the light guide plate so that light emitted from a light source is reflected by a color reflective plate through the light guide plate and travels toward the display panel.

Abstract: Provided is a complex spatial light modulator and a holographic 3D image display including the complex spatial light modulator. The complex spatial light modulator includes a spatial light modulator for modulating a phase or an amplitude of light, a pair of lens arrays, and a grating disposed between the pair of lens arrays. Accordingly, the phase and the amplitude of light may be modulated simultaneously.