New backplane architecture
High-speed light modulation
High-resolution light modulators determine the graphical experience in virtual reality glasses or the performance in optical communication. A new backplane architecture for light modulation has been developed at Fraunhofer FEP, thanks to which extremely high frame rates now lead to improved image quality or optical modulation.
In applications such as optical imaging or laser control and communication, light modulators are used to control and monitor the intensity, phase or polarization of light. High-speed light modulation is also used in applications such as high-resolution displays, AR and VR glasses. This allows clear images with low motion blur and a high refresh rate to be generated, resulting in an improved visual experience.
Backplane architecture expands possibilities for light modulation
The Fraunhofer FEP has been developing microdisplays based on OLED-on-silicon technology for many years, which are designed specifically for each application. For AR and VR applications with high refresh rates, various displays with a sophisticated combination of power-saving backplane and optimized pixel densities have already been realized at the institute in recent years. Philipp Wartenberg, Head of the IC and System Design Department, explains the latest developments: "Our newly developed backplane architecture greatly expands the possibilities for light modulation and exceeds previous refresh rates many times over. This is made possible by the integration of a complete frame buffer and a high-speed interface to the pixel matrix. This architecture enables a data transfer rate of up to 576 Gbit/s to a pixel array with a resolution of 1,440 × 1,080 pixels and a pixel size of 2.5 μm for LCOS, OLED and micro-LED frontplanes."
Application for optical modulation
In order to be able to offer future partners and customers application and customer-specific developments in addition to OLED-on-silicon technology, the scientists at Fraunhofer FEP have designed the pixel control in such a way that it can serve various other front-plane technologies such as micro-LED or LCOS. The latter is particularly interesting for optical modulation applications.
The scientists at Fraunhofer FEP are using the new technology to develop new microdisplays and components for light modulation. The institute presented examples of various microdisplays and sensors at Photonics West 2024 and at SPIE AR VR MR 2024 in San Francisco.
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