Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for providing waveguide display devices utilizing overlapping integrated dual action (IDA) waveguides. One embodiment includes a waveguide display device including: a first input image source providing first image light; a second input image source provide second image light; a first IDA waveguide; and a second IDA waveguide. The first IDA waveguide and the second IDA waveguide may include an overlapping region where a first two-dimensionally expanded first image light, a second two-dimensionally expanded first image light, a first two-dimensionally expanded second image light, and a second two-dimensionally expanded second image light is ejected towards an eyebox. Advantageously, resolution may be enhanced and field of view may be expanded through the use of overlapping IDA waveguides.

Abstract: An illuminator for illuminating a display panel includes a lightguide with an array of buried slanted bulk reflectors that out-couple portions of the light beam propagating in the lightguide through one of the lightguide surfaces. Polarization beam-splitting slanted surfaces may be used to provide polarized output. Such an illuminator may be used with a reflective display panel operating by polarization. The beam-splitting slanted surfaces operate as a polarizer, providing polarized illuminating light. The light reflected by the reflective panel may propagate back through the illuminator, and the polarization beam-splitting slanted surfaces may operate also as analyzer.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to augmented reality (AR) systems. More specifically, embodiments described herein provide for an AR projection system and AR devices having the projection system. In one or more embodiments, an augmented reality device includes a projection system. The projection system includes a light engine. The light engine includes a pixel. The pixel includes an emission surface. A microlens is coupled to the emission surface of the pixel. The projection system further includes a projection lens configured to refract a first light emitted by the pixel. The first light has a first pupil length defined by a distance between a first end and a second end of the first light. The augmented reality device further includes a waveguide including an input coupler configured to incouple the first light at a first bounce length that is equivalent to the first pupil length.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to metrology systems and metrology methods to measure waveguides for image quality standards. In at least one embodiment, an optical device metrology system includes a stage, a body, and a light engine positioned within the body and mounted above the stage. The light engine includes, a light source, a fold mirror angled relative to the light source, the fold mirror is configured to turn a light beam toward the stage, one or more lenses or arrays positioned between the fold mirror and the stage, and a projection lens positioned between the one or more lenses or arrays and the stage. The system further includes, a first detector positioned within the body and mounted above the stage adjacent to the light engine configured to receive the projected light beam projected upwardly from the stage.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide an asymmetric optical metrology system for evaluating and inspecting the performance of optical devices, such as augmented reality (AR) waveguide combiners. The system utilizes an asymmetric optical configuration and fly-eye illumination to enhance the detection limit of image sharpness and the accuracy of luminance uniformity. By employing different lenses with various focal lengths, the system increases the sampling rate in the angular space, addressing the challenges of form factor limitations and pixel density inherent in conventional metrology tools. Embodiments described herein offer improved contrast and sharp image details, as well as a compact design, making it suitable for the development, optimization, and quality control of optical devices, such as AR waveguide combiners.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to augmented reality devices and related methods. The augmented reality devices include a projection system. The projection system includes a projector including a major axis. The projected is configured to project an image along the major axis. A prism is configured to refract the image. The image includes a first spectrum, a second spectrum, and a third spectrum. A waveguide is disposed at a wrap angle from a plane formed from the major axis of the projector. The waveguide includes an input coupler, and an output coupler.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to augmented reality devices and related methods. In one or more embodiments, an augmented reality device includes a projection system and a waveguide. The projection system includes a projector and a prism. The projector projects an image along the projectors major axis. The prism refracts the image having a first spectrum, a second spectrum, and a third spectrum. The waveguide is disposed at a wrap angle from a plane formed from the major axis of the projector. The waveguide includes an input coupler and an output coupler. The input coupler includes input structures at an input period and an input orientation and the input coupler is configured to receive the spectrums at different corresponding input angles. The output coupler includes output structures at an output period and an output orientation and the output coupler out couples the respective spectrums at an about equal output angle.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to an augmented reality (AR) system. The AR system includes a projection system and an optical device. The projection system includes a backlight, a lens, and an illumination system. The illumination system is configured to receive light from the backlight and emit light having a first color trend. The light having a first color trend is emitted through the lens towards the optical device. The optical device is configured to form a second color trend. The second color trend is opposite the first color trend.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for providing waveguide display devices utilizing overlapping integrated dual axis (IDA) waveguides. One embodiment includes a waveguide display device including: a first input image source providing first image light; a second input image source provide second image light; a first IDA waveguide; and a second IDA waveguide. The first IDA waveguide and the second IDA waveguide may include an overlapping region where a first two-dimensionally expanded first image light, a second two-dimensionally expanded first image light, a first two-dimensionally expanded second image light, and a second two-dimensionally expanded second image light is ejected towards an eyebox. Advantageously, resolution may be enhanced and field of view may be expanded through the use of overlapping IDA waveguides.

Abstract: A waveguide is provided. The waveguide includes a substrate having two outer surfaces for propagating a beam of light in the substrate by reflecting the beam from the two outer surfaces. The waveguide includes at least one polarization volume hologram (PVH) grating to couple light in and/or out of the waveguide. The PVH grating may be a multi-layer PVH grating with graded birefringence.

Abstract: Systems for the manufacturing of waveguide cells in accordance with various embodiments can be configured and implemented in many different ways. In many embodiments, various deposition mechanisms are used to deposit layer(s) of optical recording material onto a transparent substrate. A second transparent substrate can be provided, and the three layers can be laminated to form a waveguide cell. Suitable optical recording material can vary widely depending on the given application. In some embodiments, the optical recording material deposited has a similar composition throughout the layer. In a number of embodiments, the optical recording material spatially varies in composition, allowing for the formation of optical elements with varying characteristics. Regardless of the composition of the optical recording material, any method of placing or depositing the optical recording material onto a substrate can be utilized.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing holographic waveguide display using integrated gratings in accordance with various embodiments of the invention are illustrated. One embodiment includes a waveguide display including a source of light, and a first waveguide including a grating structure including first and second gratings, and an input coupler configured to couple a first field-of-view portion of light, and couple a second field-of-view portion of light, wherein the first grating is configured to provide beam expansion in a first direction for the first field-of-view portion of light, and provide beam expansion in the first direction and beam extraction towards a viewer for the second field-of-view portion of light, the second grating is configured to provide beam expansion in a second direction for the second field-of-view portion of light, and provide beam expansion in the second direction and beam extraction towards a viewer for the first field-of-view portion of light.

Abstract: Optical binocular disparity detection devices may include an optical combiner and a single image sensor. The optical combiner may include a left input for receiving a left image and a right input for receiving a right image. An output of the optical combiner may be configured to direct the left image and the right image out of the optical combiner. The single image sensor may be configured to receive and sense the left image and the right image from the output and to generate data indicative of a disparity between the left image and the right image. Various other related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A leaky-mode acousto-optical modulator may be used to generate visual images suitable for direct viewing, without image-forming optics. To extend a field of view of the modulator to limits suitable for visual displays, an array of acoustic transducers is coupled to a waveguide along its length. Each acoustic transducer generates an acoustic wave causing a corresponding leaky mode to appear. A reflector is disposed proximate each transducer for directing the out-coupled light portion at a unique angle, providing a corresponding field of view portion for that direction. The field of view portions coalesce into a continuous synthetic field of view suitable for wide-angle visual display applications.

Abstract: A leaky-mode acousto-optical modulator may be used to generate visual images suitable for direct viewing, without image-forming optics. To extend a field of view of the modulator to limits suitable for visual displays, the leaky-mode acousto-optical modulator may be equipped with a switchable beam redirector, e.g. a switchable-angle reflector, providing field of view portions one by one in a time-sequential manner. The field of view portions coalesce into a continuous synthetic field of view suitable for wide-angle visual display applications.

Abstract: A waveguide display comprises: a waveguide supporting a single grating layer; a source of data-modulated light; a first input coupler for directing a first spectral band of light from the source into a first waveguide pupil; a second input coupler for directing a second spectral band of light from the source into a second waveguide pupil; an output coupler comprising multiplexed first and second gratings, at least one fold grating for directing the first spectral band along a first path from the first pupil to the output coupler and providing a first beam expansion; at least one fold grating for directing the second spectral band along a second path from the second pupil to the output coupler and providing a first beam expansion. The first multiplexed grating directing the first spectral band out of the waveguide in a first direction with beam expansion orthogonal to the first beam expansion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for providing waveguide display devices utilizing overlapping integrated dual action (IDA) waveguides. One embodiment includes a waveguide display device including: a first input image source providing first image light; a second input image source provide second image light; a first IDA waveguide; and a second IDA waveguide. The first IDA waveguide and the second IDA waveguide may include an overlapping region where a first two-dimensionally expanded first image light, a second two-dimensionally expanded first image light, a first two-dimensionally expanded second image light, and a second two-dimensionally expanded second image light is ejected towards an eyebox. Advantageously, resolution may be enhanced and field of view may be expanded through the use of overlapping IDA waveguides.

Abstract: A pupil-replicating lightguide includes a slab of transparent material, a switchable out-coupling grating for out-coupling portions of image light to propagate towards an eyebox, and a switchable tracking grating for redirecting tracking light carrying an eye image towards an eye tracking camera. One of the two gratings may be turned ON while the other is turned OFF, in a time-sequential manner, allowing the combined use of the pupil-replicating lightguide for carrying image light and eye tracking light.

Abstract: An optical element includes a waveguide body that is configured to guide light by total internal reflection from an input end to an output end, an input coupling structure located at the input end for coupling light into the waveguide body, and an output coupling structure located at the output end for coupling light out of the waveguide body, where the waveguide body includes a layer of an optically anisotropic organic solid crystal. Such an optical element may have low weight and exhibit good color uniformity while presenting a 2D diagonal field-of-view of at least approximately 10°.

Abstract: A see-through illuminator for a reflective display panel provides a better image contrast when the illuminator is configured to direct a leakage light beam exiting the lightguide from a side opposing the display panel to propagate non-parallel to an image light formed by reflection of an illuminating light beam from the display panel. An objective lens may concentrate the image and leakage light beams at different locations, enabling a user's eye placed at a location of the image light beam to see the projected image without interference from the leakage light beam.