Abstract: A waveguide display includes a waveguide, a projector configured to project images (e.g., images to be displayed to a user and/or disparity test images) onto the waveguide, an input coupler configured to couple the images into the waveguide, and one or more output couplers on the waveguide. At least one output coupler of the one or more output couplers is configured to direct the projected images towards the user's eye. At least one output coupler of the one or more output couplers is configured to direct the projected images towards a disparity camera. The waveguide display includes an active dimming layer on the side of the waveguide opposing the user's eye. The active dimming layer is electrically controllable to attenuate ambient light reaching the users eye via the waveguide, based on the effect of the ambient light on the visibility of the projected images measured using the disparity camera.

Abstract: A gradient refractive index (GRIN) lens includes a transparent central disk and transparent annular segments, including central annular segments and peripheral annular segments. The central disk and each annular segment has a continuous optical phase profile at a design wavelength along a radial direction extending outward from a center of the central disk. An optical phase discontinuity is present at the interface between the central disk and the innermost central annular segment and at the interface between each pair of adjacent annular segments. Radial widths of the central annular segments decrease with increasing distance away from the center of the central disk. The peripheral annular segments have optical phase profiles for the design wavelength that are linear or have maximum first derivatives that are constant or become smaller with increasing distance of the peripheral annular segments away from the center of the central disk.

Abstract: A waveguide display includes a waveguide, a projector configured to project images (e.g., images to be displayed to a user and/or disparity test images) onto the waveguide, an input coupler configured to couple the images into the waveguide, and one or more output couplers on the waveguide. At least one output coupler of the one or more output couplers is configured to direct the projected images towards the user's eye. At least one output coupler of the one or more output couplers is configured to direct the projected images towards a disparity camera. The waveguide display includes an active dimming layer on the side of the waveguide opposing the user's eye. The active dimming layer is electrically controllable to attenuate ambient light reaching the users eye via the waveguide, based on the effect of the ambient light on the visibility of the projected images measured using the disparity camera.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an optical system to reduce antenna interference for smart glasses. The optical system includes a lens device and a frame. The frame is configured to engage the wearer's head and house additional technology such as a power system and projector to support augmented and virtual reality technology. The lens device comprises a plurality of layers that are adhered together. The lens device includes a first lens layer. The lens device includes an eye-tracking layer adjacent to the first lens layer. The lens device includes a waveguide layer oriented adjacent to the eye-tracking layer; an active dimming layer oriented adjacent to the waveguide layer, and a second lens layer oriented adjacent to the active dimming layer. The frame is configured to house the lens device. The frame also comprises an antenna, wherein the antenna is spatially oriented away from the waveguide and active dimming layer by at least a separation distance.

Abstract: A holographic display includes an illuminator, a spatial light modulator (SLM) coupled to the illuminator, and an ocular lens coupled to the SLM. The illuminator provides a wide-area illuminating light beam to illuminate the SLM with a spatially homogeneous beam of light. The illuminator may include a slab waveguide with an evanescent out-coupler, or a beam expander based on a diffraction grating with an oblique angle of incidence and a near-normal angle of diffraction of the illuminating light. A low-pass spatial filter may be provided to filter out higher diffraction orders of the illuminating light diffracted on the SLM.

Abstract: A holographic display includes an illuminator, a spatial light modulator (SLM) coupled to the illuminator, a beam redirector and an ocular lens coupled to the SLM. A controller is operably coupled to the SLM and the beam redirector and configured to provide exit pupils at eyebox locations where a holographic image may be observed. The exit pupils provided in a time-sequential manner, forming a grid of exit pupils/eyebox locations. An eye tracking system may be used to center the grid around the current eye pupil position, to provide a larger overall eyebox for viewing the holographically generated image.

Abstract: An optical device includes a first electrode and a medium that includes ferroelectric liquid crystals and chiral dopants. The medium is located adjacent to the first electrode. The optical device may also include a second electrode distinct and separate from the first electrode. The optical device may be used as an optical dimming device, controlling an amount light passing through the optical device based on a voltage gradient provided to the optical device.

Abstract: The disclosed system may include a conductive mesh layer. The conductive mesh layer may include a lattice that has multiple different electrically conductive links. The electrically conductive links may be shaped according to at least one specified form. The system may also include an active dimming layer that may be configured to provide active dimming according to a control signal. The system may further include an antenna feed connected to the conductive mesh layer. The antenna feed circuitry may drive the conductive mesh layer as a radiating element of an antenna. Various other apparatuses, systems, and mobile electronic devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical assembly is configured to receive visible scene light at the backside of the optical assembly and to direct the visible scene light on an optical path toward the eyeward side. The optical assembly includes a dimming element disposed on the optical path, where the dimming element includes a photochromic material that is configured to darken in response to exposure to a range of light wavelengths. A display element is disposed on the optical path between the eyeward side of the optical assembly and the dimming element. The display element is configured to direct visible display light toward the eyeward side and also to direct activation light to the dimming element, where the activation light is within the range of light wavelengths to activate a darkening of the photochromic material to dim the visible scene light.

Abstract: The disclosed system may include at least one gradient-index liquid crystal lens. The system may include a selection module that selects a viewing angle. The system may also include an adjustment module that dynamically adjusts a phase reset property of the gradient-index liquid crystal lens in response to the selected viewing angle. Various other devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical device includes a first set of one or more electrodes, a second set of one or more electrodes distinct and separate from the first set of one or more electrodes, and a medium that includes liquid crystal physical gel. The medium is located between the first set of one or more electrodes and the second set of one or more electrodes. The optical device may operate as an optical dimming device, which may be used in head-mounted display devices or as dimmable windows or shutters.

Abstract: A device includes a primary electrode, a secondary electrode overlapping at least a portion of the primary electrode, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the primary electrode and the secondary electrode, where the primary electrode has a spatially variable electrical resistance.

Abstract: A varifocal liquid lens includes a body filled with two different fluids separated by an interface of a variable curvature across a clear aperture of the varifocal liquid lens. At least one of the first or second fluids is birefringent, such that a refractive index difference between the first and second fluids and resulting optical power of the varifocal liquid lens is dependent on polarization of impinging light. At a first light polarization, the first and second fluids may be matched in refractive index, while at a second, orthogonal light polarization, the first and second fluids may be mismatched in refractive index, whereby the first interface between the first and second fluids may have a variable, non-zero optical power for the second polarization while having a substantially non-variable, zero optical power for the first polarization of light.

Abstract: A device includes a first lens configured to provide a first optical power that is variable within a first optical power adjustment range at a first step resolution. The device also includes a second lens coupled with the first lens and including a deformable member that is deformable to vary an optical power of the second lens. The second lens is configured to provide a second optical power that is variable within a second optical power adjustment range at a second step resolution, the second step resolution being smaller than the first step resolution.

Abstract: An optical assembly is configured to receive visible scene light at the backside of the optical assembly and to direct the visible scene light on an optical path toward the eyeward side. The optical assembly includes a dimming element disposed on the optical path, where the dimming element includes a photochromic material that is configured to darken in response to exposure to a range of light wavelengths. A display layer is disposed on the optical path between the eyeward side of the optical assembly and the dimming element. The display layer is configured to direct visible display light toward the eyeward side and also to direct activation light to the dimming element, where the activation light is within the range of light wavelengths to activate a darkening of the photochromic material to dim the visible scene light.

Abstract: A display system includes a source of unpolarized image light, and a stack of polarization-selective optical elements operable to switchably convert the unpolarized image light into two orthogonally polarized light beams, each of which being switchable in at least one beam characteristic. An output polarizer selects one of the two orthogonally polarized light beams for providing to a user. A depolarizer may be disposed between an electronic display emitting polarized light and the stack. The depolarizer may be in the form of an LC bilayer with randomized in-plane optic axis.

Abstract: The disclosed system may include a support structure and a lens, mounted to the support structure, that includes a conductive layer with a metal mesh formed into a non-periodic grid. Various other wearable devices, apparatuses, and methods of manufacturing are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus may include a varifocal lens, where the transmissivity of the varifocal lens changes in relation to the optical power of the varifocal lens; and a transmissivity compensation component that is configured to change as the optical power of the varifocal lens changes, such that a variation of transmissivity of the varifocal lens is less than a variation of transmissivity of the varifocal lens in combination with the transmissivity compensation component. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes an active optical component. The active optical component includes an activation layer located between two electrodes, such as a first electrode and a second electrode distinct and separate from the first electrode. The active optical component also includes one or more substrates for providing mechanical support for at least one of the two electrodes. In some configurations, the optical assembly includes a first substrate for providing mechanical support for the first electrode, and a second substrate for providing mechanical support for the second electrode.

Abstract: A varifocal liquid lens includes a body filled with two different fluids separated by an interface of a variable curvature across a clear aperture of the varifocal liquid lens. At least one of the first or second fluids is birefringent, such that a refractive index difference between the first and second fluids and resulting optical power of the varifocal liquid lens is dependent on polarization of impinging light. At a first light polarization, the first and second fluids may be matched in refractive index, while at a second, orthogonal light polarization, the first and second fluids may be mismatched in refractive index, whereby the first interface between the first and second fluids may have a variable, non-zero optical power for the second polarization while having a substantially non-variable, zero optical power for the first polarization of light.