Abstract: An integrated optical beam steering system is configured in three stages to provide beam steering for image light from an imager (e.g., laser, light emitting diode, or other light source) to downstream elements in a display system such as an exit pupil expander (EPE) in a mixed-reality computing device. The first stage includes a multi-level cascaded array of optical switches that are configurable to spatially route image light over a first dimension of a two-dimensional (2D) field of view (FOV) of the display system. The second waveguiding stage transfers the image light along preformed waveguides to a collimator in the third stage which is configured to collimate the image light along the first dimension of the FOV (e.g., horizontal). The waveguiding and collimating stages may be implemented using lightweight photonic crystal nanostructures.

Abstract: An integrated optical beam steering system is configured in three stages to provide beam steering for image light from an imager (e.g., laser, light emitting diode, or other light source) to downstream elements in a display system such as an exit pupil expander (EPE) in a mixed-reality computing device. The first stage includes a multi-level cascaded array of optical switches that are configurable to spatially route image light over a first dimension of a two-dimensional (2D) field of view (FOV) of the display system. The second waveguiding stage transfers the image light along preformed waveguides to a collimator in the third stage which is configured to collimate the image light along the first dimension of the FOV (e.g., horizontal). The waveguiding and collimating stages may be implemented using lightweight photonic crystal nanostructures.

Abstract: An integrated optical beam steering system includes a photonic crystal nanostructure having a plurality of nanoelements, an input surface to receive light from an imager, and a concave output surface which maintains a desired field of view with suitable coupling efficiency. Parameters of the nanoelements are configured to give rise to a photonic bandgap for a predetermined range of wavelengths. Waveguides are disposed in the nanostructure which comprise negative space formed by the absence of nanoelements and are employed to generate a propagating band within the photonic bandgap. The respective waveguides have inputs disposed on the input surfaces of the nanostructure where light propagates in a respective waveguide in total internal reflection. The respective waveguides further have outputs that have paths with curved portions located in the nanostructure and the outputs are configured normal to the concave output surface.

Abstract: An optical fiber system including an optical fiber and an optical grating is provided. The optical fiber is configured to support M mode groups, where differences in effective refractive index between adjacent mode groups are substantially equal. The optical grating is optically coupled to the optical fiber, and has a period inversely proportional to the difference in effective refractive index between adjacent mode groups. The optical grating is configured to couple all adjacent mode groups in the optical fiber.