Methods and apparatus for transparent display using up-converting nanoparticles

A display comprising:

• a transparent substrate;
• at least one nanoparticle disposed on the transparent substrate, the at least one nanoparticle comprising a resonant structure;
• a first light source, in optical communication with the at least one nanoparticle, to illuminate the at least one nanoparticle with a first infrared beam at a first infrared wavelength λ1;
• and
• a second light source, in optical communication with the at least one nanoparticle, to illuminate the at least one nanoparticle with a second infrared beam at a second infrared wavelength λ2 while the first light source illuminates the at least one nanoparticle with the first infrared beam so as to cause the at least one nanoparticle to emit visible light,
• wherein the at least one nanoparticle comprises at least one of:
• at least one first nanoparticle to emit light at a first visible wavelength between about 390 nm and about 490 nm;
• at least one second nanoparticle to emit light at a second visible wavelength between about 490 nm and about 580 nm;
• and
• at least one third nanoparticle to emit light at a third visible wavelength between about 580 nm and about 760 nm.

A display comprising:

• a transparent substrate;
• at least one nanoparticle disposed on the transparent substrate, the at least one nanoparticle comprising a resonant structure;
• a first light source, in optical communication with the at least one nanoparticle, to illuminate the at least one nanoparticle with a first infrared beam at a first wavelength λ1;
• and
• a second light source, in optical communication with the at least one nanoparticle, to illuminate the at least one nanoparticle with a second infrared beam at a second wavelength λ2 while the first light source illuminates the at least one nanoparticle with the first infrared beam so as to cause the at least one nanoparticle to emit visible light,
• wherein the transparent substrate at least partially defines a cavity and the at least one nanoparticle comprises a plurality of nanoparticles, and further comprising:
• a fluid, disposed within the cavity, in which the plurality of nanoparticles is suspended;
• a circulation system, in fluid communication with the fluid, to circulate the fluid so as to evenly distribute the plurality of nanoparticles within the cavity, and
• wherein the fluid comprises at least one of air and a liquid.

A method of making a display, the method comprising:

• (A) providing at least one nanoparticle that emits visible light when illuminated by infrared light, the at least one nanoparticle comprising a resonant structure;
• (B) providing a substrate having a transmittance of about 90% to about 100% from about 390 nm to about 760 nm;
• (C) depositing the at least one nanoparticle on the substrate;
• (D) aligning a first infrared beam to illuminate the at least one nanoparticle in a first direction substantially orthogonal to an optical axis of the substrate;
• and
• (E) aligning a second infrared beam to illuminate the at least one nanoparticle in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis of the substrate,
• wherein (C) comprises:
• (i) melting the substrate to form a liquid substrate;
• (ii) dissolving the at least one nanoparticle into the liquid substrate;
• and
• (iii) allowing the liquid substrate to harden so as to fix the at least one particle to or at least partially within the substrate.

A method of making a display, the method comprising:

• (A) providing at least one nanoparticle that emits visible light when illuminated by infrared light, the at least one nanoparticle comprising a resonant structure;
• (B) providing a substrate having a transmittance of about 90% to about 100% from about 390 nm to about 760 nm;
• (C) depositing the at least one nanoparticle on the substrate;
• (D) aligning a first infrared beam to illuminate the at least one nanoparticle in a first direction substantially orthogonal to an optical axis of the substrate;
• and
• (E) aligning a second infrared beam to illuminate the at least one nanoparticle in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis of the substrate,
• wherein (C) comprises:
• (i) suspending the at least one nanoparticle in a fluid to form a nanoparticle suspension;
• and
• (ii) sealing the nanoparticle suspension within a cavity at least partially defined by the substrate.