DISPLAY backliGHT illumination by femtosecond laser micromachining

ended

Femtosecond laser micromachining is a powerful microfabrication technology for transparent materials. It allows direct writing of photonic circuit in the volume of glasses with arbitrary geometry and 3D layouts. In addition, the same tool can be used to selectively remove specific portions of the substrate, thus allowing complex and ultraprecise microstructuring of a piece of glass. In the ERC Advanced Grant CAPABLE, femtosecond laser micromachining is developed to unprecedented levels of control and precision to produce new devices targeting quantum information applications. Here, we exploit the capability of this technology to produce integrated photonic components in standard glasses to develop innovative solutions for liquid crystal displays. This approach could enable a far higher energy efficiency than current displays combined with excellent color reproduction and improved contrast. The goal of this PoC is to perform a technical and commercial feasibility study to move the method developed in the PI’s laboratory during the ERC grant to the market. In particular, we plan to speed up the maturity level of the technology further, improving the production process of integrated optics, setting an actionable IPR strategy (including a market assessment), identifying the suitable exploitation strategy for valorising the patent/know how (licensing). The above actions will be performed in collaboration with the partner VitreaLab, a startup company that is devoted to commercializing new integrated illumination solutions. The results of this project could have a significant impact in the liquid crystal display market that is worth ca. $100 billion annually.