Abstract: A waveguide is disclosed for use in an augmented reality or virtual reality display. The waveguide includes a plurality of optical structures exhibiting differences in refractive index from a surrounding waveguide medium. The optical structures are arranged in an array to provide at least two diffractive optical elements overlaid on one another in the waveguide. Each of the two diffractive optical elements is configured to receive light from an input direction and couple it towards the other diffractive optical element which can then act as an output diffractive optical element, providing outcoupled orders towards a viewer. The optical structures have a shape, when viewed in the plane of the waveguide, comprising a plurality of substantially straight sides having respective normal vectors at different angles and this can effectively reduce the amount of light that is coupled out of the waveguide on first interaction with the optical structures.

Abstract: A waveguide is disclosed for use in an augmented reality or virtual reality display. The waveguide includes a plurality of optical structures (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80) exhibiting differences in refractive index from a surrounding waveguide medium. The optical structures are arranged in an array to provide at least two diffractive optical elements (H1, H2) overlaid on one another in the waveguide. Each of the two diffractive optical elements is configured to receive light from an input direction and couple it towards the other diffractive optical element which can then act as an output diffractive optical element, providing outcoupled orders towards a viewer. The optical structures have a shape, when viewed in the plane of the waveguide, comprising a plurality of substantially straight sides having respective normal vectors at different angles and this can effectively reduce the amount of light that is coupled out of the waveguide on first interaction with the optical structures.

Abstract: A waveguide is disclosed for use in an augmented reality or virtual reality display. The waveguide includes a plurality of optical structures (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80) exhibiting differences in refractive index from a surrounding waveguide medium. The optical structures are arranged in an array to provide at least two diffractive optical elements (H1, H2) overlaid on one another in the waveguide. Each of the two diffractive optical elements is configured to receive light from an input direction and couple it towards the other diffractive optical element which can then act as an output diffractive optical element, providing outcoupled orders towards a viewer. The optical structures have a shape, when viewed in the plane of the waveguide, comprising a plurality of substantially straight sides having respective normal vectors at different angles and this can effectively reduce the amount of light that is coupled out of the waveguide on first interaction with the optical structures.