Transparent displays enabled by resonant nanoparticle scattering.

Hsu, Chia Wei; Zhen, Bo; Qiu, Wenjun; Shapira, Ofer; DeLacy, Brendan G; Joannopoulos, John D; Soljačić, Marin · Nat Commun · 2014

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The ability to display graphics and texts on a transparent screen can enable many useful applications. Here we create a transparent display by projecting monochromatic images onto a transparent medium embedded with nanoparticles that selectively scatter light at the projected wavelength. We describe the optimal design of such nanoparticles, and experimentally demonstrate this concept with a blue-color transparent display made of silver nanoparticles in a polymer matrix. This approach has attractive features including simplicity, wide viewing angle, scalability to large sizes and low cost.