Abstract: A lens includes a substrate with optically anisotropic molecules arranged in helical configurations between first and second surfaces. A first portion of the substrate includes a first helical structure having a first phase and a second helical structure adjacent to the first helical structure having a second phase. A difference between the first and second phases corresponds to a first phase difference. A second portion includes a third helical structure having a third phase and a fourth helical structure adjacent to the third helical structure having a fourth phase. A difference between the third and fourth phases corresponds to a second phase difference. A third portion includes a fifth helical structure having a fifth phase and a sixth helical structure adjacent to the fifth helical structure having a sixth phase. A difference between the fifth and sixth phases corresponds to a third phase difference.

Abstract: A device and a head-mounted display (HMD) are provided. The device comprises a first flexible electrode and a second flexible electrode configured to provide a driving voltage to the device; a birefringent material layer coupled to the first flexible electrode and the second flexible electrode, and structurally patterned to provide at least one predetermined optical function of the device; and a first photo-alignment (PAM) layer and a second PAM layer sandwiching the birefringent material layer. A structured pattern of the birefringent material layer is based on a manipulation of optic axis of birefringent material molecules in the birefringent material layer.

Abstract: A transferrable thin-film optical device and a head-mounted display are provided. A transferrable thin-film optical device comprises a thin-film layer providing at least one predetermined optical function. The thin-film layer is configured to be removably attached to a substrate, such that a molecular pattern for the at least one predetermined optical function of the thin-film layer is preserved post removal.

Abstract: A device and method are provided. The device comprises a reflector having variable optical power; and a waveguide display assembly optically coupled to the reflector and having a light source. The waveguide display assembly is configured to guide light from the light source to transmit in a first direction towards the reflector for a first optical path, and in a second direction towards an eye-box of the device for a second optical path. The reflector is configured to reflect the light in the first direction towards the eye-box.

Abstract: The technology provides decoupling an aspheric optical element from a birdbath optical element in a near-eye display (NED) device. One or more aspheric lens are used with a spherical birdbath reflective mirror in a projection light engine of a NED device. A projection light engine provides image light (or other information), by way of the spherical birdbath reflective mirror and at least one aspheric lens, to a near-eye display of the NED device. The spherical birdbath reflective mirror collimates and reflects the image light to an exit pupil external to the projection light engine. Decoupling the aspheric optical element from the spherical birdbath reflective mirror may enable high modulation transfer function (MTF) and improved manufacturability of the projection light engine. The NED device having aspheric optical elements decoupled from a birdbath optical element may be positioned by a support structure in a head-mounted display (HMD) or head-up display (HUD).

Abstract: A device and a head-mounted display (HMD) are provided. The device comprises a first flexible electrode and a second flexible electrode configured to provide a driving voltage to the device; a birefringent material layer coupled to the first flexible electrode and the second flexible electrode, and structurally patterned to provide at least one predetermined optical function of the device; and a first photo-alignment (PAM) layer and a second PAM layer sandwiching the birefringent material layer. A structured pattern of the birefringent material layer is based on a manipulation of optic axis of birefringent material molecules in the birefringent material layer.

Abstract: A device and method are provided. The device comprises a reflector having variable optical power; and a waveguide display assembly optically coupled to the reflector and having a light source. The waveguide display assembly is configured to guide light from the light source to transmit in a first direction towards the reflector for a first optical path, and in a second direction towards an eye-box of the device for a second optical path. The reflector is configured to reflect the light in the first direction towards the eye-box.

Abstract: A transferrable thin-film optical device and a head-mounted display are provided. A transferrable thin-film optical device comprises a thin-film layer providing at least one predetermined optical function. The thin-film layer is configured to be removably attached to a substrate, such that a molecular pattern for the at least one predetermined optical function of the thin-film layer is preserved post removal.

Abstract: An example see-through head-mounted display system includes a freeform prism and a display device configured to emit display light through the freeform prism to an eye of a user. The see-through head-mounted display system may also include an imaging device configured to receive gaze-detection light reflected from the eye and directed through the freeform prism.

Abstract: A transparent waveguide for use in eye tracking includes an input-coupler and an output-coupler. The input-coupler comprises a plurality of curved grating lines having a radially varying pitch. When positioned in front of an eye illuminated with infrared light, infrared light beams reflected from the eye and incident on the input-coupler enter the waveguide at the input-coupler, propagate through the waveguide by way of total internal reflections, and exit the waveguide proximate the output-coupler.

Abstract: An example see-through head-mounted display system includes a freeform prism and a display device configured to emit display light through the freeform prism to an eye of a user. The see-through head-mounted display system may also include an imaging device having an entrance pupil positioned at a back focal plane of the freeform prism, the imaging device configured to receive gaze-detection light reflected from the eye and directed through the freeform prism.

Abstract: A depth image capture device uses a circular polarization structure positioned at the output of an illumination radiation source, such as a diode laser. A linear polarization element receives the collimated illumination radiation and provides polarized radiation to a quarter wave plate. Radiation exits the quarter wave plate as circularly polarized radiation and is provided to a diffractive optical element outputting a pattern to illuminate a target. A detector receives a reflection of the output pattern from the target.

Abstract: A transparent waveguide for use in eye tracking includes an input-coupler and an output-coupler. The input-coupler comprises a plurality of curved grating lines having a radially varying pitch. When positioned in front of an eye illuminated with infrared light, infrared light beams reflected from the eye and incident on the input-coupler enter the waveguide at the input-coupler, propagate through the waveguide by way of total internal reflections, and exit the waveguide proximate the output-coupler.

Abstract: A transparent waveguide for use in eye tracking includes an input-coupler and an output-coupler. The input-coupler comprises a plurality of curved grating lines having a radially varying pitch. When positioned in front of an eye illuminated with infrared light, infrared light beams reflected from the eye and incident on the input-coupler enter the waveguide at the input-coupler, propagate through the waveguide by way of total internal reflections, and exit the waveguide proximate the output-coupler.

Abstract: Technology for detecting a change in a configuration position of one or more elements in an illumination system is described. A light source generates an illumination signal, and an element of the system directs a portion of the light of the signal back to a light detector. In one example, the portion of light is reflected back to the light detector. By monitoring an output signal of the light detector based on the directed light, control circuitry can detect that a position of an element of the system has changed. In one example, an off-the-shelf integrated circuit laser diode package including a monitor photodiode can be used with a reflective element. In one example, the reflective element is a tilted optical element. Changes can be detected in the configuration of one or more optical elements of the illumination system which are outside the laser diode package.

Abstract: The technology provides decoupling an aspheric optical element from a birdbath optical element in a near-eye display (NED) device. One or more aspheric lens are used with a spherical birdbath reflective mirror in a projection light engine of a NED device. A projection light engine provides image light (or other information), by way of the spherical birdbath reflective mirror and at least one aspheric lens, to a near-eye display of the NED device. The spherical birdbath reflective mirror collimates and reflects the image light to an exit pupil external to the projection light engine. Decoupling the aspheric optical element from the spherical birdbath reflective mirror may enable high modulation transfer function (MTF) and improved manufacturability of the projection light engine. The NED device having aspheric optical elements decoupled from a birdbath optical element may be positioned by a support structure in a head-mounted display (HMD) or head-up display (HUD).

Abstract: A transparent waveguide for use in eye tracking includes an input-coupler and an output-coupler. The input-coupler comprises a plurality of curved grating lines having a radially varying pitch. When positioned in front of an eye illuminated with infrared light, infrared light beams reflected from the eye and incident on the input-coupler enter the waveguide at the input-coupler, propagate through the waveguide by way of total internal reflections, and exit the waveguide proximate the output-coupler.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for a see-through head-mounted display system. In one embodiment, the see-through head-mounted display system comprises a freeform prism, and a display device configured to emit display light through the freeform prism to an eye of a user. The see-through head-mounted display system may also comprise an imaging device having an entrance pupil positioned at a back focal plane of the freeform prism, the imaging device configured to receive gaze-detection light reflected from the eye and directed through the freeform prism.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for a see-through head-mounted display system. In one embodiment, the see-through head-mounted display system comprises a freeform prism, and a display device configured to emit display light through the freeform prism to an eye of a user. The see-through head-mounted display system may also comprise an imaging device having an entrance pupil positioned at a back focal plane of the freeform prism, the imaging device configured to receive gaze-detection light reflected from the eye and directed through the freeform prism.

Abstract: A dual-mode includes a light source configured to project a structured illumination from which visible light can be filtered. The dual-mode imager also includes a detector configured to capture both the structured illumination and visible light from the scene. A temporal or spatial filter is used to selectively block visible light from one or more portions of the detector while passing the structured illumination to the one or more portions of the detector.