Abstract: A waveguide may include a substrate and an array of beam splitters embedded within the substrate, where each beam splitter within the array of beam splitters does not fully transect the substrate. Various other devices, systems, and methods of manufacture are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system includes a light outputting device configured to output a divergent light. The system also includes a lens configured to convert the divergent light incident thereon from a first side of the lens to a collimated light substantially covering a light receiving region located at a second side of the lens, the lens including a plurality of Fresnel structures formed on at least one of a first lens surface or a second lens surface of the lens. Each Fresnel structure includes a slope facet and a draft facet. At least one of the draft facets is a first type of draft facet configured to not interact with a ray of the divergent light that is non-parallel with the at least one of the draft facets.

Abstract: An electronic display assembly includes a display element and a corrective element coupled to the display element. The display element has a first plurality of sub-pixels of a first type and a second plurality of sub-pixels of a second type. Two adjacent sub-pixels of the first plurality of sub-pixel are separated by a sub-pixel distance. The corrective element has a plurality of features configured to diffuse light emitted by the first plurality of sub-pixels such that an apparent distance between the two adjacent sub-pixels of the first type, viewed at a viewing distance away from the electronic display assembly, is less than the sub-pixel distance.

Abstract: A backlight device includes a first surface and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface. The backlight device is configured to emit light in a first optical band through the second surface toward a display panel of a head-mounted display (HMD). The display panel is configured to convert the light from the backlight device to image light. The backlight device is transparent to light in a second optical band that is different than the first optical band. An eye tracking system illuminates an eyebox with light in the second optical band. A camera assembly positioned adjacent to the first surface of the backlight device. The camera assembly is configured to capture images of the eye in the second optical band through the backlight device, the display panel. The eye tracking system determines eye tracking information based at least in part on the captured images.

Abstract: An electronic display assembly includes a display element and a corrective element coupled to the display element. The display element has a first plurality of sub-pixels of a first type and a second plurality of sub-pixels of a second type. Two adjacent sub-pixels of the first plurality of sub-pixel are separated by a sub-pixel distance. The corrective element has a plurality of features configured to diffuse light emitted by the first plurality of sub-pixels such that an apparent distance between the two adjacent sub-pixels of the first type, viewed at a viewing distance away from the electronic display assembly, is less than the sub-pixel distance.

Abstract: Aspects of an optical element are provided herein for use in an optical assembly. The optical element may include an optical substrate, an optical component (e.g., a lens), and a plurality of alignment features. The optical component is configured to receive light and is included in a middle region of the optical substrate. The alignment features are included in a periphery region on a surface of the optical substrate. The alignment features are configured to contact a corresponding plurality of alignment features included in another optical element of the optical assembly to provide a kinematic coupling between the optical element and the other optical element for aligning the optical components.

Abstract: An electronic display assembly includes a display element and a corrective element coupled to the display element. The display element has a first plurality of sub-pixels of a first type and a second plurality of sub-pixels of a second type. Two adjacent sub-pixels of the first plurality of sub-pixel are separated by a sub-pixel distance. The corrective element has a plurality of features configured to diffuse light emitted by the first plurality of sub-pixels such that an apparent distance between the two adjacent sub-pixels of the first type, viewed at a viewing distance away from the electronic display assembly, is less than the sub-pixel distance.

Abstract: An example optical substrate, according to aspects of the present disclosure, includes a support structure, a plurality of lenses, and a plurality of flexures. Each flexure is engaged with the support structure and a respective lens for allowing independent lateral movements of the lenses during assembly of the optical substrate with another layer of an optical assembly. A first lateral movement provided by a first flexure of the plurality of flexures during the assembly is different from a second lateral movement provided by a second flexure of the plurality of flexures.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing thin, multi-bend optics includes placing an optical substrate and a protective sheet into a compression mold and closing the compression mold to deform the optical substrate and to deform the protective sheet. The optical substrate can include an optical surface and the protective sheet can be disposed between the compression mold and the optical surface of the optical substrate. The compression mold can include a mold contact surface that is characterized by a surface roughness. The compression mold can be held in a closed position for a compression time period, during which, the protective sheet contacts the mold contact surface and provides a buffer layer between the mold contact surface and the optical surface thereby mitigating against transfer of the surface roughness of the mold contact surface onto the optical surface.

Abstract: An example optical substrate, according to aspects of the present disclosure, includes a support structure, a plurality of optical components, and a plurality of flexures. Each flexure is engaged with the support structure and a respective optical component for allowing independent lateral movements of the optical components during assembly of the optical substrate with another layer of an optical assembly.

Abstract: A method includes placing an optical substrate onto a vacuum mold having a bent contact surface characterized by a surface roughness. The method further includes bending, by an applied bending force, the optical substrate and the protective sheet to cause the protective sheet to come into contact with the bent contact surface of the vacuum mold, generating a vacuum-induced holding force to hold the protective sheet against the bent contact surface of the vacuum mold. After a holding time period, the vacuum-induced holding force is released. During molding, a protective sheet provides a buffer layer between the bent contact surface of the vacuum mold and an optical surface of the optical substrate thereby mitigating against transfer of the surface roughness of the bent contact surface onto the optical surface.

Abstract: A near-eye optical element includes light sources arranged with an illumination layer. The light sources are angled to direct light from the light sources to illuminate an ocular region.

Abstract: A backlight device includes a first surface and a second surface that is opposite to the first surface. The backlight device is configured to emit light in a first optical band through the second surface toward a display panel of a head-mounted display (HMD). The display panel is configured to convert the light from the backlight device to image light. The backlight device is transparent to light in a second optical band that is different than the first optical band. An eye tracking system illuminates an eyebox with light in the second optical band. A camera assembly positioned adjacent to the first surface of the backlight device. The camera assembly is configured to capture images of the eye in the second optical band through the backlight device, the display panel. The eye tracking system determines eye tracking information based at least in part on the captured images.

Abstract: An example optical substrate, according to aspects of the present disclosure, includes a support structure, a plurality of optical components, and a plurality of flexures. Each flexure is engaged with the support structure and a respective optical component for allowing independent lateral movements of the optical components during assembly of the optical substrate with another layer of an optical assembly.

Abstract: Aspects of an ultrasonic polishing system include an ultrasonic actuator and a polishing arm. The ultrasonic actuator is configured to generate ultrasonic vibrations and the polishing arm is coupled to the ultrasonic actuator. The polishing arm includes a horn and a polishing ball. The horn has a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is coupled to receive the ultrasonic vibrations and the horn is configured to propagate the ultrasonic vibrations from the proximal end to a distal end. The polishing ball is attached to the distal end of the horn, where the polishing ball vibrates in response to the ultrasonic vibrations for polishing a surface of an optical element. The polishing ball is configured to provide a polishing area on the surface of the optical element that is smaller than an aperture of the optical element.

Abstract: Aspects of an optical element are provided herein for use in an optical assembly. The optical element may include an optical substrate, an optical component (e.g., a lens), and a plurality of alignment features. The optical component is configured to receive light and is included in a middle region of the optical substrate. The alignment features are included in a periphery region on a surface of the optical substrate. The alignment features are configured to contact a corresponding plurality of alignment features included in another optical element of the optical assembly to provide a kinematic coupling between the optical element and the other optical element for aligning the optical components.

Abstract: A head-mounted display (HMD) comprises an electronic display having a display region divided into a central region and one or more periphery regions. The central region may correspond to a binocular field of view of the user, while the periphery regions correspond to portions of a monocular field of view. The HMD further comprises an eye tracking system configured to determine a position of an eye of a user of the HMD. The HMD is configured to display a content item within a periphery region of the display that does not interfere with the user's view of content within the central region. In response to a determination by the eye tracking system that the user's eye is directed at the displayed content item within the periphery region, the HMD changes a visual property of the content item.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus may include (1) a deformable stepped lens that (a) provides a first optical power when a shape of the deformable stepped lens includes a first state, and (b) provides a second optical power different from the first optical power when the shape of the deformable stepped lens includes a second state different from the first state and (2) an actuator coupled to the deformable stepped lens that, when actuated, applies force to the deformable stepped lens to alter the shape of the deformable stepped lens from the first state to the second state. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A head-mounted device (HMD) comprises a display element, a Fresnel assembly, an illumination source, and a camera assembly. The display element outputs image light in a first band of light through a display surface. The optics block directs light from the display element to a target region (e.g., includes a portion of a user's face, eyes, etc.). The Fresnel assembly transmits light in the first band and directs light in a second band different than the first band to a first position. The source illuminates the target area with light in the second band. The camera is located in the first position and captures light in the second band corresponding to light reflected from the target area that is then reflected by the Fresnel assembly toward the camera. A controller may use the captured light to determine tracking information for areas of a user's face (e.g., eyes).

Abstract: An electronic display assembly includes a display element and a corrective element coupled to the display element. The display element has a first plurality of sub-pixels of a first type and a second plurality of sub-pixels of a second type. Two adjacent sub-pixels of the first plurality of sub-pixel are separated by a sub-pixel distance. The corrective element has a plurality of features configured to diffuse light emitted by the first plurality of sub-pixels such that an apparent distance between the two adjacent sub-pixels of the first type, viewed at a viewing distance away from the electronic display assembly, is less than the sub-pixel distance.