Abstract: Head-mounted virtual and augmented reality display systems include a light projector with one or more emissive micro-displays having a first resolution and a pixel pitch. The projector outputs light forming frames of virtual content having at least a portion associated with a second resolution greater than the first resolution. The projector outputs light forming a first subframe of the rendered frame at the first resolution, and parts of the projector are shifted using actuators, such that physical positions of light output for individual pixels occupy gaps between the old locations of light output for individual pixels. The projector then outputs light forming a second subframe of the rendered frame. The first and second subframes are outputted within the flicker fusion threshold. Advantageously, an emissive micro-display (e.g., micro-LED display) having a low resolution can form a frame having a higher resolution by using the same light emitters to function as multiple pixels of that frame.

Abstract: Methods and systems for depth-based foveated rendering in the display system are disclosed. The display system may be an augmented reality display system configured to provide virtual content on a plurality of depth planes using different wavefront divergence. Some embodiments include monitoring eye orientations of a user of a display system based on detected sensor information. A fixation point is determined based on the eye orientations, the fixation point representing a three-dimensional location with respect to a field of view. Location information of virtual objects to present is obtained, with the location information indicating three-dimensional positions of the virtual objects. Resolutions of at least one virtual object is adjusted based on a proximity of the at least one virtual object to the fixation point. The virtual objects are presented to a user by display system with the at least one virtual object being rendered according to the adjusted resolution.

Abstract: Methods and systems for depth-based foveated rendering in the display system are disclosed. The display system may be an augmented reality display system configured to provide virtual content on a plurality of depth planes using different wavefront divergence. Some embodiments include monitoring eye orientations of a user of a display system based on detected sensor information. A fixation point is determined based on the eye orientations, the fixation point representing a three-dimensional location with respect to a field of view. Location information of virtual objects to present is obtained, with the location information indicating three-dimensional positions of the virtual objects. Resolutions of at least one virtual object is adjusted based on a proximity of the at least one virtual object to the fixation point. The virtual objects are presented to a user by display system with the at least one virtual object being rendered according to the adjusted resolution.

Abstract: Head-mounted virtual and augmented reality display systems include a light projector with one or more emissive micro-displays having a first resolution and a pixel pitch. The projector outputs light forming frames of virtual content having at least a portion associated with a second resolution greater than the first resolution. The projector outputs light forming a first subframe of the rendered frame at the first resolution, and parts of the projector are shifted using actuators, such that physical positions of light output for individual pixels occupy gaps between the old locations of light output for individual pixels. The projector then outputs light forming a second subframe of the rendered frame. The first and second subframes are outputted within the flicker fusion threshold. Advantageously, an emissive micro-display (e.g., micro-LED display) having a low resolution can form a frame having a higher resolution by using the same light emitters to function as multiple pixels of that frame.

Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of fiber scanning systems and methods of scanning optical fibers. The disclosed systems and methods advantageously provide an improvement to the scanning range, the oscillation amplitude, and/or the maximum pointing angle for an optical fiber in a fiber scanning system by inducing a buckling of a portion of the optical fiber.

Abstract: An example head-mounted display device includes a light projector, an optical assembly arranged to direct light from a light projector to a user, and an actuator module. The optical assembly includes a variable focus lens assembly including a rigid refractive component, a shaper ring defining an aperture, and a flexible lens membrane between the shaper ring and the rigid refractive component and covering the aperture. The refractive component, the shaper ring, and the lens membrane are arranged along an axis. The refractive component and the lens membrane define a chamber containing a volume of fluid. The actuator module is configured to adjust an optical power of the variable focus lens by moving the shaper ring relative to the refractive component along the axis, such that a curvature of the lens membrane in the aperture is modified.

Abstract: Head-mounted virtual and augmented reality display systems include a light projector with one or more emissive micro-displays having a first resolution and a pixel pitch. The projector outputs light forming frames of virtual content having at least a portion associated with a second resolution greater than the first resolution. The projector outputs light forming a first subframe of the rendered frame at the first resolution, and parts of the projector are shifted using actuators, such that physical positions of light output for individual pixels occupy gaps between the old locations of light output for individual pixels. The projector then outputs light forming a second subframe of the rendered frame. The first and second subframes are outputted within the flicker fusion threshold. Advantageously, an emissive micro-display (e.g., micro-LED display) having a low resolution can form a frame having a higher resolution by using the same light emitters to function as multiple pixels of that frame.

Abstract: Described are optical fibers and scanning fiber displays comprising optical fibers. The disclosed optical fibers include a plurality of mass adjustment regions, such as gas-filled regions, positioned between a central waveguiding element and an outer periphery for reducing a mass of the optical fiber as compared to an optical fiber lacking the plurality of mass adjustment regions.

Abstract: A method for providing a composite field of view includes providing two or more input light beams to a scanning mirror and scanning the two or more input light beams using the scanning mirror to provide a plurality of reflected light beams at different angles. Each of the plurality of reflected light beams is configured to provide an image in a respective field of view. The method also includes receiving the plurality of reflected light beams in a waveguide and projecting a plurality of output light beams from the waveguide to form a projected image in the composite field of view. The composite field of view is larger than the respective field of view provided by each of the two or more input light beams.

Abstract: An image display system includes an optical subsystem configured to emit a first light beam and a second light beam, wherein the first light beam illuminates a first portion of a composite field of view and the second beam illuminates a second portion of the composite field of view. A scanning mirror is positioned to intercept and reflect the first light beam and the second light beam. The system also has a waveguide with at least one input coupling optical element for receiving the first light beam and the second light beam into the waveguide. The waveguide also has an output coupling optical element for projecting a plurality of output light beams derived from the first light beam and the second light beam from the waveguide to illuminate the composite field of view.

Abstract: A fiber scanning system includes an actuator configured to have an actuator natural frequency, and a fiber optic scanning element coupled to the actuator. The fiber optic scanning element is configured to have a fiber natural frequency that is within a threshold of the actuator natural frequency, such that a displacement gain of the fiber optic scanning element as a function of operating frequency exhibits a first peak value at a first resonance frequency less than the fiber natural frequency, and a second peak value at a second resonance frequency greater than the fiber natural frequency.

Abstract: An example head-mounted display device includes a light projector, an optical assembly arranged to direct light from a light projector to a user, and an actuator module. The optical assembly includes a variable focus lens assembly including a rigid refractive component, a shaper ring defining an aperture, and a flexible lens membrane between the shaper ring and the rigid refractive component and covering the aperture. The refractive component, the shaper ring, and the lens membrane are arranged along an axis. The refractive component and the lens membrane define a chamber containing a volume of fluid. The actuator module is configured to adjust an optical power of the variable focus lens by moving the shaper ring relative to the refractive component along the axis, such that a curvature of the lens membrane in the aperture is modified.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a variable diameter fiber includes providing a fiber optic cable comprising a cladding region, a fiber core, and a plurality of sacrificial regions disposed in the cladding region and focusing a laser beam at a series of predetermined locations inside the fiber optic cable. The method also includes creating a series of damage sites associated with the series of predetermined locations, wherein the series of damage sites define a variable diameter profile and a latticework in the cladding region of the fiber optic cable. The method further includes exposing the fiber optic cable to an etchant solution, preferentially etching the series of damage sites, and separating peripheral portions of the fiber optic cable to release the variable diameter fiber.

Abstract: An example apparatus includes an optical fiber, an actuator, and a joint mechanically coupling the actuator to the optical fiber. The joint includes a neck extending along an axis. The optical fiber is threaded through an aperture extending along the axis through the neck. The optical fiber is attached to the joint at a surface of the neck facing the axis. The joint also includes a collar extending along the axis. The actuator is mechanically attached to the joint at an inner surface of the collar facing the axis. The joint also includes a flexural element extending radially from the neck to the collar. During operation, the joint couples a force from the actuator to the optical fiber to vary an orientation of a portion of the optical fiber extending from the neck with respect to the axis.

Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of fiber scanning systems and methods of scanning optical fibers. The disclosed systems and methods advantageously provide an improvement to the scanning range, the oscillation amplitude, and/or the maximum pointing angle for an optical fiber in a fiber scanning system by inducing a buckling of a portion of the optical fiber.

Abstract: Head-mounted virtual and augmented reality display systems include a light projector with one or more emissive micro-displays having a first resolution and a pixel pitch. The projector outputs light forming frames of virtual content having at least a portion associated with a second resolution greater than the first resolution. The projector outputs light forming a first subframe of the rendered frame at the first resolution, and parts of the projector are shifted using actuators, such that physical positions of light output for individual pixels occupy gaps between the old locations of light output for individual pixels. The projector then outputs light forming a second subframe of the rendered frame. The first and second subframes are outputted within the flicker fusion threshold. Advantageously, an emissive micro-display (e.g., micro-LED display) having a low resolution can form a frame having a higher resolution by using the same light emitters to function as multiple pixels of that frame.

Abstract: Described are systems and techniques for characterizing optical fibers. Disclosed systems and techniques employ optical metrology, functional metrology, or both to characterize microstructured optical fibers and determine fiber characteristics, errors, and quality control metrics. The characteristics, errors, and quality control metrics are useful for improving the manufacturing of optical fibers.

Abstract: An example apparatus includes an optical fiber, an actuator, and a joint mechanically coupling the actuator to the optical fiber. The joint includes a neck extending along an axis. The optical fiber is threaded through an aperture extending along the axis through the neck. The optical fiber is attached to the joint at a surface of the neck facing the axis. The joint also includes a collar extending along the axis. The actuator is mechanically attached to the joint at an inner surface of the collar facing the axis. The joint also includes a flexural element extending radially from the neck to the collar. During operation, the joint couples a force from the actuator to the optical fiber to vary an orientation of a portion of the optical fiber extending from the neck with respect to the axis.

Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of fiber scanning systems and methods of scanning optical fibers. The disclosed systems and methods advantageously provide an improvement to the scanning range, the oscillation amplitude, and/or the maximum pointing angle for an optical fiber in a fiber scanning system by inducing a buckling of a portion of the optical fiber.

Abstract: Described are optical fibers and scanning fiber displays comprising optical fibers. The disclosed optical fibers include a plurality of mass adjustment regions, such as gas-filled regions, positioned between a central waveguiding element and an outer periphery for reducing a mass of the optical fiber as compared to an optical fiber lacking the plurality of mass adjustment regions.