Light-controlling structure and display device employing the same
Provided are a light-controlling structure having a simple structure and a short response time and a display device employing the structure, wherein the structure includes a first electrode; a second electrode which is disposed apart from the first electrode; at least one heat-emitting unit which is electrically connected to the first and second electrodes; and a phase change material, of which light permeability changes according to temperature, which is disposed to contact the heat-emitting unit.
1 . A light-controlling structure comprising:
a first electrode;
a second electrode which is disposed apart from the first electrode;
at least one heat-emitting unit which is electrically connected to the first and second electrodes; and
a phase change material, of which light permeability changes according to temperature, which is disposed to contact the heat-emitting unit.
2 . The light-controlling structure of claim 1 , wherein the first electrode is formed of a light-permeable material.
3 . The light-controlling structure of claim 1 , wherein the second electrode is formed of a light-permeable material.
4 . The light-controlling structure of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first electrode and second electrode is formed of ITO.
5 . The light-controlling structure of claim 1 , wherein the heat-emitting unit and the phase change material are disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode.
6 . The light-controlling structure of claim 1 , wherein the heat-emitting unit comprises an electric resistance device and is heated by an electric current that flows in the heat-emitting unit due to a voltage applied to the first and second electrodes.
7 . The light-controlling structure of claim 1 , wherein the phase change material contains Ge—Sb—Te.
8 . The light-controlling structure of claim 1 , wherein the phase change material surrounds at least a portion of the heat-emitting unit.
9 . A display device comprising:
a first electrode;
a second electrode which is disposed apart from the first electrode;
at least one heat-emitting unit which is electrically connected to the first and second electrodes;
a phase change material, of which light permeability changes according to temperature, which is disposed to contact the heat-emitting unit; and
a lamp which projects light on the phase change material.
10 . The display device of claim 9 , wherein the first electrode is formed of a light-permeable material.
11 . The display device of claim 9 , wherein the second electrode is formed of a light-permeable material.
12 . The display device of claim 9 , wherein at least one of the first electrode and second electrode is formed of ITO.
13 . The display device of claim 9 , further comprising a first substrate on which the first electrode is disposed.
14 . The display device of claim 9 , further comprising a second substrate on which the second electrode is disposed.
15 . The display device of claim 9 , wherein the heat-emitting unit and the phase change material are disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode.
16 . The display device of claim 9 , wherein the heat-emitting unit comprises an electric resistance device and is heated by electric current that flows in the heat-emitting unit due to a voltage applied to the first and second electrodes.
17 . The display device of claim 9 , wherein the phase change material contains Ge—Sb—Te.
18 . The display device of claim 9 , wherein the phase change material surrounds at least a portion of the heat-emitting unit.
19 . The display device of claim 9 , further comprising a filter for controlling light permeating through the phase change material.