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 optically dimmable switch for providing a first transmittance while the first optically dimmable switch is in a first state and providing a second transmittance distinct from the first transmittance while the first optically dimmable switch is in a second state distinct from the first state. The optical device also includes a dynamic heat source thermally coupled with the first optically dimmable switch. The dynamic heat source is at a first temperature at a first time and is at a second temperature distinct from the first temperature at a second time mutually exclusive from the first time. 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: 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: A lens system may include a lens having a first electrode electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. The lens may be divided into a plurality of lens segments that are concentrically arranged proceeding from a center to a radially outer periphery of the lens. An optical power of a first lens segment of the plurality of lens segments may be greater than an optical power of a second lens segment of the plurality of lens segments disposed radially outward relative to the first lens segment. Various other devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical element includes a first optical substrate, a second optical substrate overlying at least a portion of the first optical substrate, a liquid crystal layer disposed within a cell gap between the first optical substrate and the second optical substrate, and a plurality of carbon nanotube pillars extending between the first optical substrate and the second optical substrate across the cell gap. The carbon nanotube pillars may have an aspect ratio of at least approximately 2:1, and may be configured to maintain a uniform cell gap thickness.

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 solution containing transparent metal ions in a liquid or gel electrolyte. The solution 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 system includes (a) an optical device having a GRIN LC lens, the GRIN LC lens including a liquid crystal layer, (b) a sensor configured to assess an attribute of the liquid crystal layer, (c) a heat source, and (d) a controller configured to mediate heat flow between the heat source and the liquid crystal layer based on a signal provided by the sensor.

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: 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: An optical element includes a first boundary layer and a second boundary layer. A solution is disposed between the first boundary layer and the second boundary layer. The solution includes liquid crystals co-mingled with oblong photochromic dye molecules. The photochromic dye molecules are matched to the liquid crystals to offset a decrease in absorption of the photochromic dye molecules in response to a temperature increase of the photochromic dye molecules.

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 system is provided. The system includes a display configured to output a virtual image. The system also includes a lens assembly optically coupled to the display and including a plurality of optical lenses. The system also includes a controller configured to selectively activate one or more of the plurality of optical lenses, determine a lens center shift between a center of the selectively activated one or more of the plurality of optical lenses and a center of the lens assembly, and determine an image shift based on the lens center shift for shifting the virtual image output from the display.

Abstract: A device is provided. The device includes a reflective polarizer configured to selectively reflect or transmit a polarized light based on a polarization of the polarized light. The device also includes a display element disposed at a first side of the reflective polarizer, and configured to output a first image light representing a virtual image. The device also includes a polarization switch disposed between the display element and the reflective polarizer, and configured to switch or maintain a polarization of the first image light. The device further includes an active dimming device disposed at a second side of the reflective polarizer, and configured to provide an adjustable transmittance of an input light.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a plurality of successive optical stages that are configured to transmit light at a variable overall optical power by configuring one or more stages of the successive optical stages. A respective optical stage of the successive optical stages includes an active optical element that is configurable to be in a first state at a first time and a second state at a second time that is distinct from the first time. The active optical element, in the first state, has a first respective optical power for light of a first polarization and a second respective optical power, that is different from the first respective optical power, for light of a second polarization that is orthogonal to the first polarization. The active optical element, in the second state, has a third optical power for light of the first polarization and light of the second polarization.

Abstract: A headset for augmented reality applications is provided. The headset includes at least one eyepiece configured to provide a see-through image to a user via a transparent optical component, and to provide an artificial image through a display, and a dimming shutter configured to adjust a transparency level of the transparent optical component. The dimming shutter further includes an active liquid crystal layer configured to adjust a transparency level according to an electrical power provided between two electrodes, and a photoactive layer configured to adjust the transparency level upon absorption of an ultraviolet radiation for a selected period of time. A default orientation of a host material in the active liquid crystal layer may be in a dark state or in a clear state, when no electrical power is provided. A method and a memory storing instructions to execute the method for use of the above device are also provided.

Abstract: A device includes a display including multiple pixels, each pixel having an optical emitter to provide at least one light beam from an image. The device also includes an optical element to relay light beams from the display to a viewer through an eyebox, the eyebox limiting an area that includes a pupil of the viewer and a varifocal assembly to direct, through the eyebox, light beams having a first and second mutually orthogonal polarization states, according to a desired mode of operation of the device, and associated with a first and second field of view of the image in a focused mode of operation of the device, and an immersive mode of operation of the device, respectively. A memory storing instructions and a processor to execute the instructions to cause the device to perform a method for adjusting between the immersive mode and the focused mode are also provided.

Abstract: A device includes a liquid crystal (“LC”) layer having a gradient refractive index distribution. The device also includes an electrode layer coupled to the LC layer. The electrode layer includes a plurality of electrodes separated by one or more gaps masked by a light shielding material.

Abstract: A device is provided. The 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: A head mounted device includes a light sensor configured to generate light data in response to measuring scene light in an external environment of the head mounted device, a display configured to present a virtual image to an eyebox area of the head mounted device, a near-eye dimming element configured to modulate a transmission of the scene light to the eyebox area in response to a transmission command, and processing logic configured to adjust the transmission command of the dimming element in response to a brightness level of the virtual image and the light data generated by the light sensor.

Abstract: A device is provided. The device includes a first liquid crystal (“LC”) cell configured to modulate an amplitude of a light beam. The device also includes a second LC cell stacked with the first LC cell and configured to modulate a phase of the light beam. The device includes a sandwiched electrode layer disposed between the first LC cell and the second LC cell. The sandwiched electrode layer includes a conductive polymer film configured to function as a common electrode layer for driving at least one of the first LC cell or the second LC cell.