Abstract: An optical device includes a first layer including a first birefringent material having a negative birefringence dispersion property. The optical device also includes a second layer including a second birefringent material having a positive birefringence dispersion property. The first layer and the second layer are structurally patterned to provide at least one predetermined optical function.

Abstract: An optical device includes a spatial light modulator and an optical waveguide with a plurality of extraction features. The plurality of extraction features is positioned relative to the optical waveguide so that a respective extraction feature receives light, having propagated within the optical waveguide, in a first direction and directs a first portion of the light in a second direction distinct from the first direction to exit the optical waveguide and illuminate at least a portion of the spatial light modulator. The plurality of extraction features is also positioned relative to the optical waveguide so that a respective extraction feature directs a second portion, distinct from the first portion, of the light to undergo total internal reflection, thereby continuing to propagate within the optical waveguide.

Abstract: A display provides display light to an eyebox area. A reflective layer receives the display light from the display and redirects the display light to the eyebox area. The reflective layer receives scene light from an external environment of the device and redirects the scene light to a camera for capturing scene images. The camera is positioned a first distance from the reflective layer that is approximately the same as a second distance between the reflective layer and the eyebox area.

Abstract: A device includes a light source configured to generate an image light. The device also includes a lens assembly coupled with the light source. The lens assembly includes a mirror configured to transmit a first portion of the image light and reflect a second portion of the image light. The lens assembly also includes a reflective polarizer including a birefringent medium with a chirality and configured to substantially reflect the first portion of the image light output from the mirror as a polarized light having a predetermined handedness toward the mirror. The lens assembly further includes a lens disposed between the mirror and the reflective polarizer and configured to provide an optical power to the image light.

Abstract: Folding optics are used in conjunction with a lens system to reduce a back focal length of a head-mounted display. The lens system provides optical power to focus light from an optical display. The folding optics reflects light to fold upon itself to reduce a distance between the lens system and the optical display.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques for displaying images on multiple image planes in a near-eye display system. A switchable optical device includes a first polarizer configurable to polarize incident light into light of a first circular polarization state, and a second polarizer configurable to transmit light of a second circular polarization state and reflect light of the first circular polarization state into light of the first circular polarization state. The switchable optical device also includes a partial reflector positioned between the first polarizer and the second polarizer. The partial reflector is configured to transmit light from the first polarizer and reflect light from the second polarizer, where the reflected light and the light from the second polarizer have different polarization states. At least one of the first polarizer or the second polarizer includes a cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) circular polarizer that is switchable by a voltage signal.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface that is opposite to and substantially parallel with the first surface. The substrate also includes a reflector and a beam splitter, each of which is coupled to the substrate. The optical assembly is configured to transmit image light received at the first surface in an optical path that includes reflection at each of the reflector and the beam splitter before the image light is output from the second surface. The optical assembly is also configured to transmit ambient light received at the first surface such that the second light is output from the second surface without undergoing reflection at either the reflector or the beam splitter. A method of transmitting light through the optical assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A display device includes a first display, a second display and one or more optical elements. The first display is configured to provide a first light that corresponds to a first image, the second display is configured to provide a second light that corresponds to a second image, and the one or more optical elements are configured to project a display image using the first light and the second light. The display image includes the first image and the second image. The display device is configured to project the first image with a first magnification and project the second image with a second magnification that is distinct from the first magnification. Also disclosed is a method performed by the display device.

Abstract: A display device is configurable to be operable in a first mode and a second mode. The display device includes an emission surface configured to output image light, a first optical assembly, and a second optical assembly. The first optical assembly is configured to receive image light from the emission surface and to direct the image light toward the eyes of a user at a first optical power. The second optical assembly includes a first region configured to receive image light from the emission surface and to direct the image light toward the eyes of a user at a second optical power. The second optical assembly also includes a second region configured to receive ambient light and to transmit at least a portion of the received ambient light at a third optical power distinct from and less than the first optical power and the second optical power.

Abstract: A first type of stacked LC structure includes at least two liquid crystal (LC) cells arranged in optical series that share a common substrate between adjacent LC cells. A second type of stacked LC structure includes at least two LC cells arranged in optical series that share a common electrode layer between adjacent LC cells. An optical assembly for use in a head mounted display (HMD) may include one or more stacked LC structures configured to transmit light in successive optical stages to provide a varifocal optical display assembly having adjustable optical power. By sharing a common substrate or a common electrode layer between adjacent LC cells, the total thickness of a stacked LC structure may be reduced, which may lead to a corresponding reduction in size and weight and improvement in user comfort for an HMD.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface that is opposite to and substantially parallel with the first surface. The substrate also includes a reflector and a beam splitter, each of which is coupled to the substrate. The optical assembly is configured to transmit image light received at the first surface in an optical path that includes reflection at each of the reflector and the beam splitter before the image light is output from the second surface. The optical assembly is also configured to transmit ambient light received at the first surface such that the second light is output from the second surface without undergoing reflection at either the reflector or the beam splitter. A method of transmitting light through the optical assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical device includes a substrate, a plurality of optical elements positioned on the substrate, and one or more switchable cells. A respective optical element of the plurality of optical elements is configured to redirect light having a first polarization and transmit light having a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization. The plurality of optical elements includes a first optical element located on a first region of the substrate and a second optical element located on a second region of the substrate. A respective switchable cell of the one or more switchable cells includes optically anisotropic molecules. The one or more switchable cells include a first switchable cell located on a first cell location of the substrate between the first region and the second region of the substrate. Also disclosed are a display device including the optical device and a method performed by the optical device.

Abstract: An optical device for illuminating one or more portions of a spatial light modulator includes a waveguide, an array of tunable retarders, and a polarization selective optical element. A respective tunable retarder is optically coupled to receive light from the waveguide. The respective tunable retarder has a first state, which causes the respective tunable retarder to direct light having a first polarization in a first direction, and a second state, which causes the respective tunable retarder to direct light having a second polarization distinct from the first polarization in the first direction. The polarization selective optical element is located adjacent to the array of tunable retarders so that the light having the first polarization propagates from the polarization selective optical element in a second direction and the light having the second polarization propagates from the polarization selective optical element in a third direction distinct from the second direction.

Abstract: A display assembly includes a light source, a spatial light modulator (SLM) and a grating. The light source is configured to emit illumination light, the SLM is configured to receive the illumination light and reflect at least a portion of the illumination light. The grating is positioned to redirect the illumination light output from the light source toward the SLM, receive at least a portion of the reflected light from the SLM, redirect first light having a first polarization toward the light source, and transmit through the grating second light having a second polarization that is orthogonal to the first polarization. Also disclosed are operations performed by the display assembly.

Abstract: A display device includes a waveguide, an array of tunable retarders in contact with the waveguide, and a polarization selective optical element. A respective tunable retarder of the array of tunable retarders receives light from the waveguide. The respective tunable retarder has a first state, which causes the respective tunable retarder to direct light having a first polarization in a first direction and a second state, which causes the respective tunable retarder to direct light having a second polarization that is distinct from the second polarization in the first direction. The polarization selective optical element is located adjacent to the array of tunable retarders so that the light having the second polarization propagates from the polarization selective optical element in a second direction and the light having the second polarization propagates from the polarization selective optical element in a third direction distinct from the second direction.

Abstract: A display provides display light to an eyebox area. A reflective layer receives the display light from the display and redirects the display light to the eyebox area. The reflective layer receives scene light from an external environment of the device and redirects the scene light to a camera for capturing scene images. The camera is positioned a first distance from the reflective layer that is approximately the same as a second distance between the reflective layer and the eyebox area.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes an electronic display having a pixel array configured to display a sequence of subframes, and an image shifting electro-optic device that is operable to shift at least a portion of an image of the display pixel array synchronously with displaying the sequence of subframes, so as to form a sequence of offset subframe images for providing an enhanced image resolution and pixel correction in a compound image. The image shifting electro-optic device may include a polarization switch in series with a polarization grating, for shifting image pixels between offset image positions in coordination with displaying consecutive subframes.

Abstract: An optical system includes a grating including at least one substrate and a grating structure coupled to the at least one substrate. The grating structure is configured to diffract a first light having an incidence angle within a predetermined range. The optical system also includes a polarizer configured to transmit the first light diffracted by the grating structure and block a second light reflected by a surface of the at least one substrate.

Abstract: A varifocal liquid crystal lens in Alvarez configuration is disclosed. A head mounted or near-eye display may include a liquid crystal Alvarez lens for focus adjustment for user sight accommodation, vergence accommodation, etc. The liquid crystal Alvarez lens may be of various types, such as Pancharatnam-Berry phase (PBP) lens or a polarization volume holographic lens.

Abstract: An optical system includes a grating including at least one substrate and a grating structure coupled to the at least one substrate. The grating structure is configured to diffract a first light having an incidence angle within a predetermined range. The optical system also includes a polarizer configured to transmit the first light diffracted by the grating structure and block a second light reflected by a surface of the at least one substrate.