Samsung Electronics and POSTECH have announced the publication of their research paper, “Switchable 2D-3D display through a metasurface lenticular lens,” in the journal Nature. This work signifies a significant advancement in display technology, achieved through a partnership between industry and academia.
Rethinking 3D Displays With Metasurfaces
The research introduces a switchable 2D/3D display that utilizes a metasurface lenticular lens, which is an ultra-thin metalens composed of nanoscale structures. This allows the display to seamlessly transition between flat (2D) and stereoscopic (3D) images.
Metasurfaces are much thinner than traditional lenses and enable complex optical functions, making them crucial for the development of next-generation displays and camera systems.
The approach enhances Light Field Display technology by directing light from multiple angles to create a glasses-free 3D experience that mimics real-world perception. Although promising for entertainment, augmented reality (AR), and medical imaging, conventional Light Field Displays face challenges like bulky optics, narrow viewing angles (approximately 15 degrees), reduced resolution, and reliance on real-time eye tracking.
The research team overcame these issues by using polarization to design a metasurface lenticular lens (MLL) that dynamically adjusts focal properties.
Switching Between 2D and 3D
The study is the first to showcase a meta-optical system capable of switching between 2D and 3D modes in a single device using voltage control. This innovation could allow users to switch between high-resolution 2D for everyday tasks and immersive 3D for video content.
The system changes the metalens between concave and convex modes based on the polarization controller in front of the display. For 2D viewing, the metalens acts as a concave lens, offsetting the convex lens and allowing light to pass through like a flat pane of glass, producing a clear image. For 3D content, the metalens becomes convex, enhancing depth and widening the viewing angle.
Thinner Design, Wider Viewing Angles
A key achievement of this research is the improvement in both thickness and viewing angle. Traditionally, achieving high image quality and a wide viewing angle required large, thick lenses. However, the team’s MLL features a high numerical aperture, resulting in an ultra-thin profile of 1.2 mm and an ultra-wide viewing angle of up to 100 degrees. This is a significant increase from the conventional 15-degree viewing angle, allowing multiple viewers to experience 3D content from different positions.
A Step Closer to Commercialization
Beyond proving the concept, the research demonstrates the practical viability of integrating metalens technology into real-world devices. The team fabricated a large-area metalens measuring 50 × 50 mm (25 cm²) and validated its use on OLED panels commonly used in mobile devices.
This research was conducted in collaboration with the Visual Technology Team at Samsung Research, Samsung Electronics, and the POSTECH Nanoscale Photonics & Integrated Manufacturing Laboratory. Looking forward, this technology could transform next-generation displays across smartphones, tablets, and commercial systems.
Through optical design and fabrication to real-time switching validation, Samsung and POSTECH have made a significant technological breakthrough. With the publication in Nature, Samsung further establishes its leadership in meta-optics and next-generation display technologies.
