Abstract: An optical device includes an optical assembly having a first end and a second end, the optical assembly including a first optical component and a second optical component, the first optical component having at least a first optical surface, a second optical surface, and a third optical surface that are non-parallel to one another. The first optical surface is curved and extends between the first end and the second end. A first polarization selective redirector is located between the first optical component and the second optical component, and a first polarization rotating redirector is disposed at the second end.

Abstract: A device for illuminating a spatial light modulator includes a light source and an optical element. The light source is configured to provide illumination light. The optical element has a first surface, a second surface that is distinct from and non-parallel to the first surface, and a third surface that is distinct from and non-parallel to the first surface and the second surface. The optical element is configured to receive the illumination light at the first surface, propagate the illumination light via total internal reflection, and output the illumination light from the third surface. Also disclosed is a method performed by the device.

Abstract: A display device includes a projector and a display that has a first surface and a second surface. The projector is configured to project image light toward the display. The display is configured to output diffused image light from the first surface and to transmit ambient light from the second surface to the first surface. The display device also includes an optical assembly that has a substrate with substantially uniform thickness. The optical assembly is configured to receive the diffused image light and transmit a portion of the diffused image light output from the first surface of the display at a first optical power. The optical assembly is also configured to receive the ambient light and transmit a portion of the ambient light through the optical assembly at a second optical power that is less than the first optical power.

Abstract: A device for illuminating a spatial light modulator includes a light source and an optical element. The light source is configured to provide illumination light. The optical element has a first surface, a second surface that is distinct from and non-parallel to the first surface, and a third surface that is distinct from and non-parallel to the first surface and the second surface. The optical element is configured to receive the illumination light at the first surface, propagate the illumination light via total internal reflection, and output the illumination light from the third surface. Also disclosed is a method performed by the device.

Abstract: A display device includes a projector and a display that has a first surface and a second surface. The projector is configured to project image light toward the display. The display is configured to output diffused image light from the first surface and to transmit ambient light from the second surface to the first surface. The display device also includes an optical assembly that has a substrate with substantially uniform thickness. The optical assembly is configured to receive the diffused image light and transmit a portion of the diffused image light output from the first surface of the display at a first optical power. The optical assembly is also configured to receive the ambient light and transmit a portion of the ambient light through the optical assembly at a second optical power that is less than the first optical power.

Abstract: A device for illuminating a spatial light modulator includes a light source and an optical element. The light source is configured to provide illumination light. The optical element has a first surface, a second surface that is distinct from and non-parallel to the first surface, and a third surface that is distinct from and non-parallel to the first surface and the second surface. The optical element is configured to receive the illumination light at the first surface, propagate the illumination light via total internal reflection, and output the illumination light from the third surface. Also disclosed is a method performed by the device.

Abstract: A liquid crystal (LC) mixture for a pitch variable optical element is provided. The LC mixture includes a host LC and one or more LC dimers dissolved as a guest in the host LC. The host LC and the one or more LC dimers have respective dielectric anisotropies of opposite signs in nematic phase. A net dielectric anisotropy of the LC mixture is substantially neutral.

Abstract: A liquid crystal (LC) mixture for a pitch variable optical element is provided. The LC mixture includes a host LC and one or more LC dimers dissolved as a guest in the host LC. The host LC and the one or more LC dimers have respective dielectric anisotropies of opposite signs in nematic phase. A net dielectric anisotropy of the LC mixture is substantially neutral.

Abstract: Apparatuses and systems including curved optical waveguides, and methods for use include an output-grating of a curved waveguide that includes a spatially modulated grating period configured to cause, for each beam of light corresponding to an image coupled into a bulk-substrate of the curved waveguide by an input-grating, corresponding rays of light output from different locations of the output-grating to be substantially collimated. Adaptive optics of a display engine compensate for aberrations that vary over a field-of-view associated with light corresponding to the image out-coupled by the output-grating. Further, a curved portion of the curved waveguide is designed to keep internally reflected light below a critical angle to prevent inadvertent out-coupling thereof. Further, curved surfaces of the curved waveguide can include polynomial surfaces to compensate for lateral color errors and distortion.

Abstract: A display device includes a projector and a display that has a first surface and a second surface. The projector is configured to project image light toward the display. The display is configured to output diffused image light from the first surface and to transmit ambient light from the second surface to the first surface. The display device also includes an optical assembly that has a substrate with substantially uniform thickness. The optical assembly is configured to receive the diffused image light and transmit a portion of the diffused image light output from the first surface of the display at a first optical power. The optical assembly is also configured to receive the ambient light and transmit a portion of the ambient light through the optical assembly at a second optical power that is less than the first optical power.

Abstract: An optical device is provided. The optical device includes an optical grating. The optical grating includes two electrodes arranged opposite to each other and a liquid crystal (LC) composition sandwiched between the electrodes. The two electrodes provide a driving voltage to the optical grating. The LC mixture includes a host LC and one or more LC dimers dissolved as a guest in the host LC. The host LC and the one or more LC dimers have respective dielectric anisotropies of opposite signs in nematic phase. A net dielectric anisotropy of the LC mixture is substantially neutral at a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A device for illuminating a spatial light modulator includes a light source and an optical element. The light source is configured to provide illumination light. The optical element has a first surface, a second surface that is distinct from and non-parallel to the first surface, and a third surface that is distinct from and non-parallel to the first surface and the second surface. The optical element is configured to receive the illumination light at the first surface, propagate the illumination light via total internal reflection, and output the illumination light from the third surface. Also disclosed is a method performed by the device.

Abstract: An optical system includes a light source, a film positioned to be illuminated by light from the light source, the film including a plurality of Bragg gratings configured to redirect the light, and an actuator configured to apply a shearing force to the film. The shearing force manipulates an orientation of the plurality of Bragg gratings to change an extent to which the plurality of Bragg gratings redirects the light and to thereby re-position a pupil at which the light converges after redirection by the plurality of Bragg gratings.

Abstract: A display includes a projector configured to provide light of a virtual image, a waveguide into which the light of the virtual image is injected at an injection angle by the projector, and a combiner disposed along the waveguide and configured to redirect the light of the virtual image. The waveguide is configured to emit the light at a point established by the injection angle. The combiner is further configured to allow ambient light from beyond the waveguide to pass through the combiner. The waveguide constrains the light of the virtual image through total internal reflection along a curved path for the light between the projector and the combiner.

Abstract: A holographic display includes a pixel array including one or more pixels, a holographic data source, a drive array, and a light source. Each pixel includes a phase-modulating structure and an amplitude-modulating structure. The holographic data source is configured to supply a holographic drive signal. The holographic drive signal includes, for each pixel in each of a plurality of time-varying holographic image frames, a phase component defining phase modulation for the pixel and an amplitude component defining amplitude modulation for the pixel. The drive array is configured to, for each pixel in each holographic image frame, modulate the phase-modulating structure according to the phase component and modulate the amplitude-modulating structure according to the amplitude component. The light source is configured to output coherent light to illuminate the one or more pixels of the pixel array.

Abstract: Apparatuses and systems including curved optical waveguides, and methods for use therewith, are described herein. An output-grating of a curved waveguide includes a spatially modulated grating period configured to cause, for each beam of light corresponding to an image coupled into a bulk-substrate of the curved waveguide by an input-grating, corresponding rays of light output from different locations of the output-grating to be substantially collimated. Adaptive optics of a display engine compensate for aberrations that vary over a field-of-view associated with light corresponding to the image out-coupled by the output-grating. Further, a curved portion of the curved waveguide is designed to keep internally reflected light below a critical angle to prevent inadvertent out-coupling thereof. Further, curved surfaces of the curved waveguide can include polynomial surfaces to compensate for lateral color errors and distortion.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for display devices including holographic optical elements for directing light toward image producing panels. An example display device includes a phase modulating image producing panel, and a holographic optical element configured to receive collimated light and to output converging light toward the phase modulating image producing panel, the phase modulating image producing panel being configured to use at least a portion of the converging light to produce an image with collimated or diverging light.

Abstract: A near-eye display device comprises a left-eye optical system and a right-eye optical system. Each of the left-eye optical system and the right-eye optical system comprises a holographic optical component positioned in a field of view of a user eye, an image source configured to emit imaging light, and an alignment optical component, wherein projection beam path between the image source and the light-deflecting optical component and an alignment beam path between the alignment optical component and the light-deflecting component share a common optical path.

Abstract: An optical system includes a light source, a film positioned to be illuminated by light from the light source, the film including a plurality of Bragg gratings configured to redirect the light, and an actuator configured to apply a shearing force to the film. The shearing force manipulates an orientation of the plurality of Bragg gratings to change an extent to which the plurality of Bragg gratings redirects the light and to thereby re-position a pupil at which the light converges after redirection by the plurality of Bragg gratings.

Abstract: A holographic display includes a pixel array including one or more pixels, a holographic data source, a drive array, and a light source. Each pixel includes a phase-modulating structure and an amplitude-modulating structure. The holographic data source is configured to supply a holographic drive signal. The holographic drive signal includes, for each pixel in each of a plurality of time-varying holographic image frames, a phase component defining phase modulation for the pixel and an amplitude component defining amplitude modulation for the pixel. The drive array is configured to, for each pixel in each holographic image frame, modulate the phase-modulating structure according to the phase component and modulate the amplitude-modulating structure according to the amplitude component. The light source is configured to output coherent light to illuminate the one or more pixels of the pixel array.