2-D/3-D displays based on switchable lenticulars

An attractive concept for 3-D displays is the one based on LCDs equipped with lenticular lenses. This enables autostereoscopic multiview 3-D displays without a loss in brightness. A general issue in multiview 3-D displays is their relatively low spatial resolution because the pixels are divided among the different views. To overcome this problem, we have developed switchable displays, using liquid-crystal (LC) filled switchable lenticulars. In this way, it is possible to have a high-brightness 3-D display capable of fully exploiting the native 2-D resolution of the underlying LCD. The feasibility of LC-filled switchable lenticulars was shown in several applications. For applications in which it is advantageous to be able to display 3-D and 2-D content simultaneously, a 42-in. locally switchable prototype having a matrix electrode structure was developed. These displays were realized using cylindrically shaped lenticular lenses in contact with LC. An alternative for these are lenticulars based on gradient-index (GRIN) LC lenses. Preliminary results for such switchable GRIN lenses are presented as well.