Liquid crystal lens device, image display apparatus, drive device, and drive method

摘要

According to an embodiment, a liquid crystal lens device includes an optical element and a voltage controller. The optical element includes: a refractive index modulation layer of which a refractive index distribution changes according to a voltage applied thereto; and electrodes to apply a voltage to the refractive index modulation layer. In a first voltage state, the voltage controller controls voltages applied to the electrodes such that a first refractive index distribution is arranged periodically in the optical element. In a second voltage state, the voltage controller controls voltages applied to the electrodes such that a second refractive index distribution is achieved. In an intermediate voltage state, the voltage controller controls a voltage applied to a first-type electrode, to which a first voltage that is the maximum value among the voltages applied to the electrodes in the first voltage state is applied, to a second voltage lower than the first voltage.

主权项

1. A liquid crystal lens device comprising:
an optical element including:
a refractive index modulation layer of which a refractive index distribution changes according to a voltage applied thereto; anda plurality of electrodes to apply a voltage to the refractive index modulation layer; and a voltage controller to:
when a state of voltage applied to the electrodes is in a first voltage state, control voltages applied to the electrodes in such a way that a first refractive index distribution is arranged periodically in at least a part of the optical element, the first refractive index distribution having a gradient refractive index of the refractive index modulation layer;when the state of voltage is in a second voltage state different from the first voltage state, control voltages applied to the electrodes in such a way that a second refractive index distribution is achieved;when the state of voltage is in an intermediate voltage state that is set when the voltage state is switched from the first voltage state to the second voltage state, control a voltage applied to a first-type electrode, to which a first voltage that is the maximum value among the voltages applied to the electrodes in the first voltage state is applied, to a second voltage lower than the first voltage; andwhen the state of voltage is in the intermediate voltage state, control a voltage applied to a second-type electrode adjacent to the first-type electrode to a third voltage different from the second voltage.