An integrated elastomer substrate with a lens array and pixel elements for three-dimensional liquid crystal displays

In this paper, a concept of an integrated elastomer substrate for a three-dimensional (3D) liquid crystal display based on the integral-imaging method is presented. The elemental lens array and columnar spacers were integrated into one of the two substrates, an elastomer substrate, through an imprinting process. The integrated elastomer substrate was capable of maintaining the uniform liquid crystal (LC) cell gap and promoting homeotropic LC alignment without any surface treatment. The monolithic approach reported herein will provide a key component for 3D displays with enhanced portability through a more than 40% weight reduction compared with the conventional integral-imaging method.