Abstract: A method of fabricating a multi-element fiber scanner includes providing a fiber optic cable having a cladding region and a fiber core and focusing a laser beam at a series of predetermined locations inside the cladding region of the fiber optic cable. The method also includes creating a plurality of damage sites at the predetermined locations, exposing the fiber optic cable to an etchant solution, and preferentially etching the plurality of damage sites to form a base having a base plane and a longitudinal axis orthogonal to the base plane, a retention collar disposed a predetermined distance along the longitudinal axis from the base, a first fiber link including the fiber core, passing through the base plane, and joined to the retention collar, and a plurality of additional links joined to the base, extending from the base to the retention collar, and joined to the retention collar.

Abstract: An eye tracking system includes a pair of glasses including two frames; a light scanning projector coupled to the pair of glasses and operable to scan a beam of light to project an image frame including a plurality of pixels; an eyepiece mounted in one of the two frames and optically coupled to the light scanning projector; one or more photodetectors coupled to one of the two frames and operable to detect time-varying reflected signals; and a processor coupled to the light scanning projector and the photodetectors. The eyepiece includes an exit pupil expander operable to direct a portion of the beam of light towards an eye of a user. Each of the time-varying reflected signals is associated with the plurality of pixels. The processor is operable to correlate the time-varying reflected signals with the plurality of pixels and determine a first eye orientation.

Abstract: A fiber scanning projector includes a piezoelectric element and a scanning fiber passing through and mechanically coupled to the piezoelectric element. The scanning fiber emits light propagating along an optical path. The fiber scanning projector also includes a first polarization sensitive reflector disposed along and perpendicular to the optical path, a quarter wave plate disposed adjacent the first polarization sensitive reflector, and a second polarization sensitive reflector disposed along and perpendicular to the optical path.

Abstract: A display assembly suitable for use with a virtual or augmented reality headset is described and includes the following: an input coupling grating; a scanning mirror configured to rotate about two or more different axes of rotation; an optical element; and optical fibers, each of which have a light emitting end disposed between the input coupling grating and the scanning mirror and oriented such that light emitted from the light emitting end is refracted through at least a portion of the optical element, reflected off the scanning mirror, refracted back through the optical element and into the input coupling grating. The scanning mirror can be built upon a MEMS type architecture.

Abstract: A waveguide display system may include an eyepiece waveguide that can have a first surface and a second surface, the waveguide including an incoupling diffractive optical element (DOE) and an outcoupling DOE. The waveguide display system may include a light source and a scanning mirror, and may include reflective and collimating optical elements. The incoupling DOE can be configured to selectively propagate incident light beams to the outcoupling DOE in the waveguide through total internal reflection (TIR).

Abstract: A method of displaying an image to a viewer includes operating a fiber scanning projector to produce a scanned light beam incident on an incoupling diffractive optical element (DOE) coupled to a waveguide. A portion of the light beam is reflected via a reflective back surface of the incoupling DOE. The reflected portion of the scanned light beam is incident on a reflective optical element, which reflects the light beam back to the incoupling DOE. The returning light beam is then diffracted by the incoupling DOE to produce a second pass first diffracted light beam. The second pass first diffracted light beam is propagated within the planar waveguide via total internal reflection (TIR) to an outcoupling DOE, which directs a portion of the second pass first diffracted light beam toward an eye of a viewer to display the image to the user.

Abstract: An augmented reality system includes a light source configured to generate a virtual light beam. The system also includes a light guiding optical element having an entry portion, an exit portion, and a surface having a diverter disposed adjacent thereto. The light source and the light guiding optical element are configured such that the virtual light beam enters the light guiding optical element through the entry portion, propagates through the light guiding optical element by at least partially reflecting off of the surface, and exits the light guiding optical element through the exit portion. The light guiding optical element is transparent to a first real-world light beam. The diverter is configured to modify a light path of a second real-world light beam at the surface.

Abstract: A virtual image generation system comprises a planar optical waveguide having opposing first and second faces, an in-coupling (IC) element configured for optically coupling a collimated light beam from an image projection assembly into the planar optical waveguide as an in-coupled light beam, a first orthogonal pupil expansion (OPE) element associated with the first face of the planar optical waveguide for splitting the in-coupled light beam into a first set of orthogonal light beamlets, a second orthogonal pupil expansion (OPE) element associated with the second face of the planar optical waveguide for splitting the in-coupled light beam into a second set of orthogonal light beamlets, and an exit pupil expansion (EPE) element associated with the planar optical waveguide for splitting the first and second sets of orthogonal light beamlets into an array of out-coupled light beamlets that exit the planar optical waveguide.

Abstract: An augmented reality system includes a light source configured to generate a virtual light beam. The system also includes a light guiding optical element having an entry portion, an exit portion, and a surface having a diverter disposed adjacent thereto. The light source and the light guiding optical element are configured such that the virtual light beam enters the light guiding optical element through the entry portion, propagates through the light guiding optical element by at least partially reflecting off of the surface, and exits the light guiding optical element through the exit portion. The light guiding optical element is transparent to a first real-world light beam. The diverter is configured to modify a light path of a second real-world light beam at the surface.

Abstract: A waveguide apparatus includes a planar waveguide and at least one optical diffraction element (DOE) that provides a plurality of optical paths between an exterior and interior of the planar waveguide. A phase profile of the DOE may combine a linear diffraction grating with a circular lens, to shape a wave front and produce beams with desired focus. Waveguide apparati may be assembled to create multiple focal planes. The DOE may have a low diffraction efficiency, and planar waveguides may be transparent when viewed normally, allowing passage of light from an ambient environment (e.g., real world) useful in AR systems. Light may be returned for temporally sequentially passes through the planar waveguide. The DOE(s) may be fixed or may have dynamically adjustable characteristics. An optical coupler system may couple images to the waveguide apparatus from a projector, for instance a biaxially scanning cantilevered optical fiber tip.

Abstract: A method of operating a multi-axis fiber scanner having a base including a base plane includes providing a source of electromagnetic radiation, directing the electromagnetic radiation through a fiber link that passes through the base plane of the base along a longitudinal axis orthogonal to the base plane, and supporting a retention collar positioned a distance from the base plane. The method also includes actuating a first piezoelectric actuator among a plurality of piezoelectric actuators to decrease the distance between a first side of the base and the retention collar, actuating a second piezoelectric actuator among the plurality of piezoelectric actuators to increase the distance between a second side of the base and the retention collar, and scanning the fiber link in a scanning plane.

Abstract: A method for facilitating surgery using an augmented reality system, comprises retrieving patient data relating to a surgical procedure on a patient, generating virtual content comprising a virtual three-dimensional (3D) anatomical model based on the patient data, and displaying the virtual content, such that, when viewed by the first user, the virtual 3D anatomical model appears to be fixed at a physical location, whereby the virtual 3D anatomical model may be viewed by the first user from any angle or orientation merely by walking around the physical location.

Abstract: An eye tracking system includes a pair of glasses including two frames; a light scanning projector coupled to the pair of glasses and operable to scan a beam of light to project an image frame including a plurality of pixels; an eyepiece mounted in one of the two frames and optically coupled to the light scanning projector; one or more photodetectors coupled to one of the two frames and operable to detect time-varying reflected signals; and a processor coupled to the light scanning projector and the photodetectors. The eyepiece includes an exit pupil expander operable to direct a portion of the beam of light towards an eye of a user. Each of the time-varying reflected signals is associated with the plurality of pixels. The processor is operable to correlate the time-varying reflected signals with the plurality of pixels and determine a first eye orientation.

Abstract: A fiber scanning projector includes a piezoelectric element and a scanning fiber mechanically coupled to the piezoelectric element. The fiber scanning projector also includes an optical assembly section operable to receive light from the scanning fiber. The optical assembly section includes a prism element, a collimating element coupled to the prism element at an interface, a quarter wave plate, and a polarizing beam splitter disposed at the interface.

Abstract: A projector includes a cantilever position detection system. The projector also includes a chassis, an actuator mounted to the chassis, and a cantilever light source having a longitudinal axis and mechanically coupled to the actuator. The projector also includes a position measurement region including an aperture, wherein the cantilever light source extends through the aperture, and a plurality of optical source/photodetector pairs disposed in a lateral plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A fiber optic element of a fiber scanning system includes a motion actuator having longitudinal side members, an internal orifice, a first support region, a central region, and a second support region. The fiber optic element also includes a first fiber optic cable passing through the internal orifice and having a first fiber joint as well as a second fiber optic cable passing through the internal orifice. The second fiber optic cable has a second fiber joint disposed in the central region and spliced to the first fiber joint, a second coupling region, a light delivery region, and a light emission tip. The light delivery region is characterized by a first diameter and the light emission tip is characterized by a second diameter less than the first diameter.

Abstract: A waveguide display disposed in glasses includes a first pupil expander assembly operable to project a first image defined by a first field of view, and a second pupil expander assembly disposed adjacent the first pupil expander assembly and operable to project a second image defined by a second field of view different from the first field of view. The first pupil expander assembly is operable to emit light at a first non-zero angle with respect to a first emission plane associated with the first pupil expander assembly. The second pupil expander assembly is operable to emit light at a second non-zero angle with respect to a second emission plane associated with the second pupil expander assembly. The first non-zero angle is opposite to the second non-zero angle.

Abstract: A method of operating a multi-axis fiber scanner having a base including a base plane includes providing a source of electromagnetic radiation, directing the electromagnetic radiation through a fiber link that passes through the base plane of the base along a longitudinal axis orthogonal to the base plane, and supporting a retention collar positioned a distance from the base plane. The method also includes actuating a first piezoelectric actuator among a plurality of piezoelectric actuators to decrease the distance between a first side of the base and the retention collar, actuating a second piezoelectric actuator among the plurality of piezoelectric actuators to increase the distance between a second side of the base and the retention collar, and scanning the fiber link in a scanning plane.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a variable diameter fiber includes providing a fiber optic cable comprising a cladding region, a fiber core, and a plurality of sacrificial regions disposed in the cladding region and focusing a laser beam at a series of predetermined locations inside the fiber optic cable. The method also includes creating a series of damage sites associated with the series of predetermined locations, wherein the series of damage sites define a variable diameter profile and a latticework in the cladding region of the fiber optic cable. The method further includes exposing the fiber optic cable to an etchant solution, preferentially etching the series of damage sites, and separating peripheral portions of the fiber optic cable to release the variable diameter fiber.

Abstract: A fiber optic element of a fiber scanning system includes a motion actuator having longitudinal side members, an internal orifice, a first support region, a central region, and a second support region. The fiber optic element also includes a first fiber optic cable passing through the internal orifice and having a first fiber joint as well as a second fiber optic cable passing through the internal orifice. The second fiber optic cable has a second fiber joint disposed in the central region and spliced to the first fiber joint, a second coupling region, a light delivery region, and a light emission tip. The light delivery region is characterized by a first diameter and the light emission tip is characterized by a second diameter less than the first diameter.