Samsung Electronics and POSTECH Develop 2D-3D Switching Display... Research Published in Nature

Breaking the Limits of 3D Displays
Seamless Switching Between 2D and 3D with Meta-Lens
Ultra-Wide 100-Degree Viewing Angle

The research paper on "Meta-surface Lenticular Lens-Based 2D·3D Conversion Display," jointly conducted by Samsung Electronics and Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) through industry-academia collaboration, has been published in the internationally renowned journal Nature.

According to Samsung Electronics on April 23, the "meta-surface lenticular lens-based 2D·3D conversion display" refers to a display that can freely switch between two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) modes on the screen, using an ultra-thin lens (meta-surface) comprised of nano-scale structures arranged in precise patterns.

Meta-surfaces are technologies that enable complex optical functions while significantly reducing thickness compared to conventional curved lenses, making them the focus of active research for next-generation displays and camera systems.

This technology represents an advancement in "light field display"—which delivers light from various angles simultaneously to create a realistic sense of depth without the need for glasses—by providing an even more immersive 3D experience.

2D3D Conversion Display Structure Diagram. Samsung Electronics.

Traditional light field displays have been highlighted as next-generation technologies for fields such as entertainment, augmented reality (AR), and medical imaging, but their widespread adoption has been limited. This is due to their thick lenses, a narrow 3D viewing angle of about 15 degrees, lower image resolution, and the requirement for real-time gaze tracking devices to determine the user’s position.

The research team addressed these challenges using "polarization," which is the property of light to oscillate in a specific direction. By simply changing the polarization direction of the light, they independently designed the "meta-surface lenticular lens (MLL)," a special nano-structured lens whose focal point can be dynamically adjusted.

This study is the world’s first to demonstrate a meta-optical system that can switch between 2D and 3D modes within a single device simply by applying voltage. As a result, users can now selectively utilize "high-resolution 2D mode" for reading text or performing routine tasks and "immersive 3D mode with multi-view support" for watching videos.

The meta-lens automatically switches between a concave or convex lens depending on the status of the "polarization modulator" positioned in front of the display. The key principle is as follows: when the polarization modulator is active, the meta-lens functions as a concave lens, counteracting the effects of the existing convex lens. In other words, while the convex lens focuses light inward, the concave lens disperses it outward. The opposing forces of the two lenses combine to create a neutral state—like light passing straight through a flat glass window—allowing for the clear transmission of high-resolution 2D images. This is particularly advantageous for reading text or web browsing.

In contrast, when enjoying 3D movies (with the polarization modulator turned off), the meta-lens switches to a convex lens, reinforcing the function of the existing convex lens to maximize 3D stereoscopic effects and viewing angles. This enables the display to provide both the clarity of 2D and the depth of 3D simultaneously.

A particularly notable achievement of this research is the dramatic improvement in both the thickness and viewing angle of optical devices. Traditionally, enhancing image quality and viewing angle has required large, thick optical lenses. However, the meta-surface lenticular lens developed by the research team is designed with a high numerical aperture, maintaining an ultra-thin thickness of just 1.2 millimeters (mm) while offering an ultra-wide viewing angle of up to 100 degrees. This is more than six times wider than the previous 15 degrees, allowing multiple users to watch 3D content together. Additionally, its nano-scale design overcomes the physical limitations of conventional bulky optical equipment.

This research is especially meaningful because it has moved beyond proof-of-concept and is now very close to commercialization. The research team successfully fabricated a large-area meta-lens measuring 50 mm by 50 mm (a total area of 25 cm²) and validated its application on organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panels, which dominate the mobile device market, thereby enhancing the technical completeness of the system.

Looking ahead, this technology is expected to become a core solution that transforms the paradigm of the next-generation display market—not only for electronic devices such as smartphones and tablets, but also for commercial display systems.

This research was a collaborative effort between the Visual Technology Team at Samsung Research and the Nano-scale Photonics & Integrated Manufacturing Laboratory at POSTECH.

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