From Pixels to Patterns: Decoding Smartphone Display Properties through Diffraction, Reflection, and Refraction

TL;DR

This paper presents three experimental methods for students to analyze smartphone display properties using optical phenomena like diffraction, reflection, and refraction, supported by an improved theoretical model.

Contribution

It introduces practical experiments for measuring display features and an enhanced model for water droplet refraction analysis.

Findings

Diffraction patterns can determine Pixels Per Inch (PPI).

Reflections reveal touch glass thickness and pixel layer details.

Water droplets act as miniature lenses to magnify pixel images.

Abstract

In this paper we show how students can measure optical features of smartphone displays through three experiments. Observing diffraction patterns from smartphone displays allows students to determine the Pixels Per Inch (PPI). Observing reflections within a smartphone display provides information about touch glass thickness and pixel layer properties. Finally, water drops are used as miniature lenses to see the magnified image of the pixels beneath. An enhanced theoretical model that covers both small and large droplets is provided.