Phase-Change Wax Integrated with Rapid Carbon Nanotube Array for Spatial Light Modulation

Abstract

By integrating super-aligned carbon nanotube (SACNT) films with paraffin wax, an addressable optical valve composite array was created through screen printing and laser cutting. The temperature of the SACNT film can be controlled, which rapidly induces phase changes in the paraffin wax, leading to a swift change in optical transparency. The transmission spot exhibited significant differences, with a contrast degree reaching up to 0.65. At a paraffin wax surface density of 1.17×10-4 g/mm2, the rise and fall times of the transmitted optical signal across the 350–1100 nm spectrum were 155 ± 2 ms and 135 ± 11 ms, respectively, enabling rapid spatial light modulation. A prototype was fabricated, capable of dynamically displaying letters, with the crosstalk effect of the current being significantly mitigated in spatial light modulation. This rapid spatial modulation prototype can be customized to any shape and size, and it can either be freestanding or mounted on any substrate. This innovation offers a new approach to spatial light modulation.