Abstract: This disclosure describes a wearable display system configured to project light to the eye(s) of a user to display virtual (e.g., augmented reality) image content in a vision field of the user. The system can include light source(s) that output light, spatial light modulator(s) that modulate the light to provide the virtual image content, and an eyepiece configured to convey the modulated light toward the eye(s) of the user. The eyepiece can include waveguide(s) and a plurality of in-coupling optical elements arranged on or in the waveguide(s) to in-couple the modulated light received from the spatial light modulator(s) into the waveguide(s) to be guided toward the user's eye(s). The spatial light modulator(s) may be movable, and/or may include movable components, to direct different portions of the modulated light toward different ones of the in-coupling optical elements at different times.

Abstract: A method of reducing optical artifacts includes injecting a light beam generated by an illumination source into a polarizing beam splitter (PBS), reflecting a spatially defined portion of the light beam from a display panel, reflecting, at an interface in the PBS, the spatially defined portion of the light beam towards a projector lens, passing at least a portion of the spatially defined portion of the light beam through a circular polarizer disposed between the PBS and the projector lens, reflecting, by one or more elements of the projector lens, a return portion of the spatially defined portion of the light beam, and attenuating, at the circular polarizer, the return portion of the spatially defined portion of the light beam.

Abstract: A viewing optics assembly comprising a spatial light modulator is configured to rotate the spatial light modulator.

Abstract: An artifact mitigation system includes a projector assembly and a set of imaging optics optically coupled to the projector assembly. The artifact mitigation system also includes an eyepiece optically coupled to the set of imaging optics. The eyepiece includes a diffractive incoupling interface. The artifact mitigation system further includes an artifact prevention element disposed between the set of imaging optics and the eyepiece. The artifact prevention element includes a linear polarizer, a first quarter waveplate disposed adjacent the linear polarizer, and a color select component disposed adjacent the first quarter waveplate.

Abstract: In some embodiments, optical systems with a reflector and a lens proximate a light output opening of the reflector provide light output with high spatial uniformity and high efficiency. The reflectors are shaped to provide substantially angularly uniform light output and the lens is configured to transform this angularly uniform light output into spatially uniform light output. The light output may be directed into a spatial light modulator, which modulates the light to project an image.

Abstract: In a general aspect, a wearable display system includes a microlens array projector including a plurality of elemental microlens relays (EMRs). Each EMR of the plurality of EMRs includes a microLED microdisplay including a plurality of pixels, and is configured to generate a subset of light associated with an image. Each EMR also includes a microlens configured to receive the subset of light from the microdisplay. The system also includes a lightguide, an incoupling element optically coupled with the lightguide, and an outcoupling element optically coupled with the lightguide. The microlens is configured to relay the subset of light to the incoupling element. The incoupling element is configured to incouple the subset of light into the lightguide. The outcoupling element is configured to outcouple portions of the subset of light at a plurality of respective locations along the lightguide, where outcoupled light of the plurality of EMRs represents the image.

Abstract: In some embodiments, optical systems with a reflector and a lens proximate a light output opening of the reflector provide light output with high spatial uniformity and high efficiency. The reflectors are shaped to provide substantially angularly uniform light output and the lens is configured to transform this angularly uniform light output into spatially uniform light output. The light output may be directed into a spatial light modulator, which modulates the light to project an image.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a polarizing beam splitter is provided. The beam splitter may comprise an optically transmissive spacer having first and second opposing faces, with a first polarizer on the first opposing face and a second polarizer on the second opposing face. The optically transmissive spacer may separate first and second triangular prisms of a cube-type beam splitter, with the first polarizer between the first triangular prism and the first opposing face of the spacer, and the second polarizer between the second triangular prism and the second opposing face of the spacer.

Abstract: A display system is disclosed including an emitter system assembly for providing a light output. The emitter system assembly includes a first emitter that provides a first emission spectrum, a cavity at least partially surrounding the first emitter, a first aperture configured for transmitting therethrough at least a portion of the first emission spectrum from the first emitter, and a shaping element in optical communication with the first aperture. The cavity includes reflectors that reflect the first emission spectrum within the cavity and toward the aperture.

Abstract: An artifact mitigation system includes a projector assembly and a set of imaging optics optically coupled to the projector assembly. The artifact mitigation system also includes an eyepiece optically coupled to the set of imaging optics. The eyepiece includes a diffractive incoupling interface. The artifact mitigation system further includes an artifact prevention element disposed between the set of imaging optics and the eyepiece. The artifact prevention element includes a linear polarizer, a first quarter waveplate disposed adjacent the linear polarizer, and a color select component disposed adjacent the first quarter waveplate.

Abstract: A method for determining a residual retardance of an LCOS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) panel includes transmitting a light beam to the LCOS panel at an angle of incidence and measuring an intensity of a reflected light beam. The method includes biasing the LCOS panel in a dark state and measuring a dark state intensity of the reflected light beam. The method also includes biasing the LCOS panel in a bright state, and measuring a bright state intensity of the reflected light beam. A residual retardance of the LCOS panel is determined based on a contrast ratio of the bright state intensity and the dark state intensity. The method can also include selecting a compensator for the LCOS panel based on the residual retardance.

Abstract: Techniques for artifact mitigation in an optical system are disclosed. Light associated with a world object is received at the optical system, which is characterized by a world side and a user side. Light associated with a virtual image is projected onto an eyepiece of the optical system, causing a portion of the light associated with the virtual image to propagate toward the user side and light associated with an artifact image to propagate toward the world side. A dimmer of the optical system positioned between the world side and the eyepiece is adjusted to reduce an intensity of the light associated with the artifact image impinging on the dimmer and an intensity of the light associated with the world object impinging on the dimmer.

Abstract: In some embodiments, optical systems with a reflector and a lens proximate a light output opening of the reflector provide light output with high spatial uniformity and high efficiency. The reflectors are shaped to provide substantially angularly uniform light output and the lens is configured to transform this angularly uniform light output into spatially uniform light output. The light output may be directed into a spatial light modulator, which modulates the light to project an image.

Abstract: An artifact mitigation system includes a projector assembly and a set of imaging optics optically coupled to the projector assembly. The artifact mitigation system also includes an eyepiece optically coupled to the set of imaging optics. The eyepiece includes a diffractive incoupling interface. The artifact mitigation system further includes an artifact prevention element disposed between the set of imaging optics and the eyepiece. The artifact prevention element includes a linear polarizer, a first quarter waveplate disposed adjacent the linear polarizer, and a color select component disposed adjacent the first quarter waveplate.

Abstract: Techniques for artifact mitigation in an optical system are disclosed. Light associated with a world object is received at the optical system, which is characterized by a world side and a user side. Light associated with a virtual image is projected onto an eyepiece of the optical system, causing a portion of the light associated with the virtual image to propagate toward the user side and light associated with an artifact image to propagate toward the world side. A dimmer of the optical system positioned between the world side and the eyepiece is adjusted to reduce an intensity of the light associated with the artifact image impinging on the dimmer and an intensity of the light associated with the world object impinging on the dimmer.

Abstract: In some embodiments, optical systems with a reflector and a lens proximate a light output opening of the reflector provide light output with high spatial uniformity and high efficiency. The reflectors are shaped to provide substantially angularly uniform light output and the lens is configured to transform this angularly uniform light output into spatially uniform light output. The light output may be directed into a spatial light modulator, which modulates the light to project an image.

Abstract: An optical system for an augmented reality head mounted display eyepiece that is configured to deliver images to the eye wherein the optical system includes optics. The optics are disposed so as to receive light output from the light source. The optics further arranged with respect to a spatial light modulator such that the light received from the light source passes through the optics and illuminates the spatial light modulator. The light illuminating the spatial light modulator is redirected back through the optics and is coupled into at least one waveguide through at least one in-coupling optical element. At least a portion of the coupled light is ejected from at least one waveguide by at least one out-coupling optical element and directed to the eye of the user.

Abstract: A method for determining a residual retardance of an LCOS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) panel includes transmitting a light beam to the LCOS panel at an angle of incidence and measuring an intensity of a reflected light beam. The method includes biasing the LCOS panel in a dark state and measuring a dark state intensity of the reflected light beam. The method also includes biasing the LCOS panel in a bright state, and measuring a bright state intensity of the reflected light beam. A residual retardance of the LCOS panel is determined based on a contrast ratio of the bright state intensity and the dark state intensity. The method can also include selecting a compensator for the LCOS panel based on the residual retardance.

Abstract: An optical system for an augmented reality head mounted display eyepiece that is configured to deliver images to the eye wherein the optical system includes optics. The optics are disposed so as to receive light output from the light source. The optics further arranged with respect to a spatial light modulator such that the light received from the light source passes through the optics and illuminates the spatial light modulator. The light illuminating the spatial light modulator is redirected back through the optics and is coupled into at least one waveguide through at least one in-coupling optical element. At least a portion of the coupled light is ejected from at least one waveguide by at least one out-coupling optical element and directed to the eye of the user.

Abstract: An eyepiece for projecting an image includes a first planar waveguide positioned in a first lateral plane. The first planar waveguide comprises a first diffractive optical element (DOE) disposed at a first lateral position. The eyepiece also includes a second planar waveguide positioned in a second lateral plane adjacent to the first lateral plane. The second planar waveguide comprises a second DOE disposed at a second lateral position different from the first lateral position. The eyepiece further includes a third planar waveguide positioned in a third lateral plane adjacent to the second lateral plane. The third planar waveguide comprises a third DOE disposed at a third lateral position different from the first lateral position and the second lateral position. The eyepiece also includes an optical filter positioned between the second planar waveguide and the third planar waveguide. The optical filter is disposed at the third lateral position.