Abstract: In some embodiments, an augmented reality system includes at least one waveguide that is configured to receive and redirect light toward a user, and is further configured to allow ambient light from an environment of the user to pass therethrough toward the user. The augmented reality system also includes a first adaptive lens assembly positioned between the at least one waveguide and the environment, a second adaptive lens assembly positioned between the at least one waveguide and the user, and at least one processor operatively coupled to the first and second adaptive lens assemblies. Each lens assembly of the augmented reality system is selectively switchable between at least two different states in which the respective lens assembly is configured to impart at least two different optical powers to light passing therethrough, respectively.

Abstract: An optical device includes a liquid crystal layer having a first plurality of liquid crystal molecules arranged in a first pattern and a second plurality of liquid crystal molecules arranged in a second pattern. The first and the second pattern are separated from each other by a distance of about 20 nm and about 100 nm along a longitudinal or a transverse axis of the liquid crystal layer. The first and the second plurality of liquid crystal molecules are configured as first and second grating structures that can redirect light of visible or infrared wavelengths.

Abstract: An augmented reality display system is configured to direct a plurality of parallactically-disparate intra-pupil images into a viewer's eye. The parallactically-disparate intra-pupil images provide different parallax views of a virtual object, and impinge on the pupil from different angles. In the aggregate, the wavefronts of light forming the images approximate a continuous divergent wavefront and provide selectable accommodation cues for the user, depending on the amount of parallax disparity between the intra-pupil images. The amount of parallax disparity is selected using a light source that outputs light for different images from different locations, with spatial differences in the locations of the light output providing differences in the paths that the light takes to the eye, which in turn provide different amounts of parallax disparity.

Abstract: Antireflection coatings for metasurfaces are described herein. In some embodiments, the metasurface may include a substrate, a plurality of nanostructures thereon, and an antireflection coating disposed over the nanostructures. The antireflection coating may be a transparent polymer, for example a photoresist layer, and may have a refractive index lower than the refractive index of the nanostructures and higher than the refractive index of the overlying medium (e.g., air). Advantageously, the antireflection coatings may reduce or eliminate ghost images in an augmented reality display in which the metasurface is incorporated.

Abstract: Techniques are described for operating an optical system. In some embodiments, light associated with a world object is received at the optical system. Virtual image light is projected onto an eyepiece of the optical system. A portion of a system field of view of the optical system to be at least partially dimmed is determined based on information detected by the optical system. A plurality of spatially-resolved dimming values for the portion of the system field of view may be determined based on the detected information. The detected information may include light information, gaze information, and/or image information. A dimmer of the optical system may be adjusted to reduce an intensity of light associated with the world object in the portion of the system field of view according to the plurality of dimming values.

Abstract: A virtual image generation system comprises a planar optical waveguide having opposing first and second faces, an in-coupling (IC) element configured for optically coupling a collimated light beam from an image projection assembly into the planar optical waveguide as an in-coupled light beam, a first orthogonal pupil expansion (OPE) element associated with the first face of the planar optical waveguide for splitting the in-coupled light beam into a first set of orthogonal light beamlets, a second orthogonal pupil expansion (OPE) element associated with the second face of the planar optical waveguide for splitting the in-coupled light beam into a second set of orthogonal light beamlets, and an exit pupil expansion (EPE) element associated with the planar optical waveguide for splitting the first and second sets of orthogonal light beamlets into an array of out-coupled light beamlets that exit the planar optical waveguide.

Abstract: An augmented reality display system. The system can include a first eyepiece waveguide with a first input coupling grating (ICG) region. The first ICG region can receive a set of input beams of light corresponding to an input image having a corresponding field of view (FOV), and can in-couple a first subset of the input beams. The first subset of input beams can correspond to a first sub-portion of the FOV. The system can also include a second eyepiece waveguide with a second ICG region. The second ICG region can receive and in-couple at least a second subset of the input beams. The second subset of the input beams can correspond to a second sub-portion of the FOV. The first and second sub-portions of the FOV can be at least partially different but together include the complete FOV of the input image.

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: An augmented reality display system is configured to direct a plurality of parallactically-disparate intra-pupil images into a viewer's eye. The parallactically-disparate intra-pupil images provide different parallax views of a virtual object, and impinge on the pupil from different angles. In the aggregate, the wavefronts of light forming the images approximate a continuous divergent wavefront and provide selectable accommodation cues for the user, depending on the amount of parallax disparity between the intra-pupil images. The amount of parallax disparity is selected using a light source that outputs light for different images from different locations, with spatial differences in the locations of the light output providing differences in the paths that the light takes to the eye, which in turn provide different amounts of parallax disparity.

Abstract: A method of operating an AR system to display an image viewable by a user's eyes includes tracking, by an eye-tracking subsystem, a position of the user's eyes and determining, based on the position, a focus depth of the user's eyes. The method also includes selecting, from a plurality of light-guiding optical elements, a subset of light-guiding optical elements configured to focus light at a depth plane corresponding to the focus depth of the user's eyes, producing a plurality of light beams using a subset of sub-light sources of a plurality of sub-light sources, the subset of sub-light sources being configured to illuminate the subset of light-guiding optical elements, and imaging the plurality of light beams through an imaging system and onto the subset of light-guiding optical elements such that the image is generated at the depth plane corresponding to the focus depth of the user's eyes.

Abstract: Techniques are described for operating an optical system. In some embodiments, light associated with a world object is received at the optical system. Virtual image light is projected onto an eyepiece of the optical system. A portion of a system field of view of the optical system to be at least partially dimmed is determined based on information detected by the optical system. A plurality of spatially-resolved dimming values for the portion of the system field of view may be determined based on the detected information. The detected information may include light information, gaze information, and/or image information. A dimmer of the optical system may be adjusted to reduce an intensity of light associated with the world object in the portion of the system field of view according to the plurality of dimming values.

Abstract: A display system aligns the location of its exit pupil with the location of a viewer's pupil by changing the location of the portion of a light source that outputs light. The light source may include an array of pixels that output light, thereby allowing an image to be displayed on the light source. The display system includes a camera that captures images of the eye and negatives of the images are displayed by the light source. In the negative image, the dark pupil of the eye is a bright spot which, when displayed by the light source, defines the exit pupil of the display system. The location of the pupil of the eye may be tracked by capturing the images of the eye, and the location of the exit pupil of the display system may be adjusted by displaying negatives of the captured images using the light source.

Abstract: Soft-imprint alignment processes for patterning liquid crystal polymer layers via contact with a reusable alignment template are described herein. An example soft-imprint alignment process includes contacting a liquid crystal polymer layer with a reusable alignment template that has a desired surface alignment pattern such that the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal polymer are aligned to the surface alignment pattern via chemical, steric, or other intermolecular interaction. The patterned liquid crystal polymer layer may then be polymerized and separated from the reusable alignment template. The process can be repeated many times. The reusable alignment template may include a photo-alignment layer that does not comprise surface relief structures that correspond to the surface alignment pattern and a release layer above this photo-alignment layer. A reusable alignment template and methods of fabricating the same are also disclosed.

Abstract: A beamsplitter can include a first surface with a diffractive optical element, a second surface normal to the first surface, and a beam splitting surface arranged at an angle to the second surface that is less than 45 degrees. The beamsplitter may be configured to illuminate the entire second surface in response to an input beam at the first surface.

Abstract: Illuminations systems that separate different colors into laterally displaced beams may be used to direct different color image content into an eyepiece for displaying images in the eye. Such an eyepiece may be used, for example, for an augmented reality head mounted display. Illumination systems may be provided that utilize one or more waveguides to direct light from a light source towards a spatial light modulator. Light from the spatial light modulator may be directed towards an eyepiece. Some aspects of the invention provide for light of different colors to be outcoupled at different angles from the one or more waveguides and directed along different beam paths.

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 imaging system includes a light source configured to produce a plurality of spatially separated light beams. The system also includes an injection optical system configured to modify the plurality of beams, such that respective pupils formed by beams of the plurality exiting from the injection optical system are spatially separated from each other. The system further includes a light-guiding optical element having an in-coupling grating configured to admit a first beam of the plurality into the light-guiding optical element while excluding a second beam of the plurality from the light-guiding optical element, such that the first beam propagates by substantially total internal reflection through the light-guiding optical element.

Abstract: Examples of light projector systems and methods of use. A method can include providing an optical device having a first surface, a second surface normal to the first surface, and a third surface arranged at an angle to the second surface. The third surface can be reflective to light of a first state and transmissive to light of a second state. An input beam having the first state can be normally incident on the first surface. A transmissive diffractive optical element on the first surface can convert the input beam into at least a first diffracted beam directed toward the third surface, where it is reflected by the third surface in a direction substantially parallel to the first surface. The reflected first diffracted beam can be modulated with image information using a spatial light modulator to produce a modulated light beam having the second state.

Abstract: Illuminations systems that separate different colors into laterally displaced beams may be used to direct different color image content into an eyepiece for displaying images in the eye. Such an eyepiece may be used, for example, for an augmented reality head mounted display. Illumination systems may be provided that utilize one or more waveguides to direct light from a light source towards a spatial light modulator. Light from the spatial light modulator may be directed towards an eyepiece. Some aspects of the invention provide for light of different colors to be outcoupled at different angles from the one or more waveguides and directed along different beam paths.

Abstract: A display system aligns the location of its exit pupil with the location of a viewer's pupil by changing the location of the portion of a light source that outputs light. The light source may include an array of pixels that output light, thereby allowing an image to be displayed on the light source. The display system includes a camera that captures images of the eye and negatives of the images are displayed by the light source. In the negative image, the dark pupil of the eye is a bright spot which, when displayed by the light source, defines the exit pupil of the display system. The location of the pupil of the eye may be tracked by capturing the images of the eye, and the location of the exit pupil of the display system may be adjusted by displaying negatives of the captured images using the light source.