Abstract: An optical assembly includes at least one substrate that provides a first curved surface and a second surface. The optical assembly also includes a beam splitter on the first curved surface, a reflector on the second surface, and an optical retarder disposed between the beam splitter and the reflector. The optical assembly is configured to transmit the first light through the optical assembly at a first optical power. The optical assembly is also configured to transmit second light through peripheral portions of the optical assembly at a second optical power that is less than the first optical power. The first light includes light having a first polarization and wavelengths within a predetermined wavelength range. The second light includes light having wavelengths within the predetermined wavelength range and a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization, as well as light having wavelengths outside the predetermined wavelength range.

Abstract: An optical device includes a first polarization selective reflector; a second polarization selective reflector positioned relative to the first polarization selective reflector so that the first polarization selective reflector directs first light having a first nonplanar polarization toward the second polarization selective reflector and the second polarization selective reflector directs at least a portion of the first light toward the first polarization selective reflector as second light. The optical device includes a first reflector positioned relative to the first polarization selective reflector so that the first polarization selective reflector directs at least a portion of the second light having a second nonplanar polarization toward the first reflector as third light.

Abstract: An optical assembly for an eye-tracking camera includes an aperture stop, a first optical surface, and a second optical surface. The optical assembly is configured to receive non-visible light reflected or scattered by an eye and to direct the non-visible light to an image sensor along an optical path, where the non-visible light is received from an optical combiner of an eye-tracking system. The first optical surface is disposed on the optical path and is configured to correct for field-independent optical aberrations induced by the optical combiner. The second optical surface is disposed on the optical path and is configured to correct for field-dependent optical aberrations induced by the optical combiner.

Abstract: A display device includes a relay waveguide and a scanner. The scanner is configured to angularly scan image light for coupling into the waveguide, and includes a scanning reflector and a second reflector disposed between the scanning reflector and an input coupler of the waveguide. The scanning reflector has an aperture for the image light to propagate therethrough toward the second reflector. The second reflector is configured to reflect at least a portion of the image light received through the aperture back toward the scanning reflector and to transmit at least a portion of the image light reflected from the scanning reflector toward the input coupler. The arrangement enables a compact design of the display.

Abstract: An optical device includes a first waveguide having a first side and an opposing second side, a spatial light modulator configured to project image light, one or more lenses disposed between the spatial light modulator and the first waveguide, and a first in-coupler coupler coupled with the first waveguide. The spatial light modulator is positioned on the first side of the first waveguide. The first in-coupler is positioned to receive the image light projected by the spatial light modulator and transmitted through the one or more lenses and to redirect at least a first portion of the image light so that the first portion of the image light enters the first waveguide and undergoes total internal reflection inside the first waveguide.

Abstract: An optical device includes a spatial light modulator configured to project image light, a diffractive lens, and a polarization-selective reflector. The spatial light modulator defines an optical axis. The diffractive lens is positioned to receive the image light from the spatial light modulator. The polarization-selective reflector is positioned to receive the image light from the diffractive lens. The polarization-selective reflector having a polarization-selective reflective surface in an orientation that is non-perpendicular to the optical axis of the spatial light modulator.

Abstract: A display device includes a projector and a display that has a first surface and a second surface. The projector is configured to project image light toward the display. The display is configured to output diffused image light from the first surface and to transmit ambient light from the second surface to the first surface. The display device also includes an optical assembly that has a substrate with substantially uniform thickness. The optical assembly is configured to receive the diffused image light and transmit a portion of the diffused image light output from the first surface of the display at a first optical power. The optical assembly is also configured to receive the ambient light and transmit a portion of the ambient light through the optical assembly at a second optical power that is less than the first optical power.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a reflector and a volume Bragg grating (VBG). The VBG is positioned for: (i) transmitting light having a first polarization and incident upon the VBG at an incident angle that is within a first angular range, (ii) reflecting light having the first polarization and incident upon the VBG at an incident angle that is within a second angular range distinct from the first angular range, and (iii) transmitting light having a second polarization different from the first polarization. The optical assembly is configured to receive first light, having the first polarization, and reflect the first light at the reflector and at the VBG before the first light is output from the optical assembly. The optical assembly is configured to receive second light, having the second polarization, and output the second light from the optical assembly without undergoing reflection at either the reflector or the VBG.

Abstract: An optical assembly a substrate having a first surface and a second surface that is opposite to and substantially parallel with the first surface. The first surface has a first curved profile and the second surface has a second curved profile. The optical assembly also includes a beam splitter on the first surface and a reflector on the second surface. The optical assembly is configured to transmit image light received at the first surface in an optical path that includes reflection at each of the reflector and the beam splitter before the image light is output from the second surface. The optical assembly is also configured to transmit ambient light received at the first surface such that the second light is output from the second surface without undergoing reflection at either the reflector or the beam splitter. A method of transmitting light through the optical assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A beam scanner for a near-eye display includes a beam-folded pupil relay configured for receiving a light beam reflected from a tiltable reflector and relaying the light beam to an exit pupil while preserving the beam angle of the reflected beam. The beam-folding pupil relay includes a beamsplitter, e.g. a polarization beam splitter configured to redirect the beam to a curved reflector, which sends the beam towards the exit pupil. Polarization of the light beam reflected from the curved reflector may be changed to an orthogonal polarization by a waveplate disposed in an optical path of the light beam between the polarization beam splitter and the curved reflector, enabling the reflected light beam to propagate through the polarization beam splitter towards the exit pupil. A pupil-replicating waveguide may be disposed proximate the exit pupil. A 2D tiltable reflector or a pair of 1D tiltable reflectors may be used.

Abstract: A display device includes a projector and a display that has a first surface and a second surface. The projector is configured to project image light toward the display. The display is configured to output diffused image light from the first surface and to transmit ambient light from the second surface to the first surface. The display device also includes an optical assembly that has a substrate with substantially uniform thickness. The optical assembly is configured to receive the diffused image light and transmit a portion of the diffused image light output from the first surface of the display at a first optical power. The optical assembly is also configured to receive the ambient light and transmit a portion of the ambient light through the optical assembly at a second optical power that is less than the first optical power.

Abstract: A multipass scanner usable e.g. in a near-eye display is disclosed. The multipass scanner scans a light beam angularly, forming an image in angular domain. The multipass scanner includes a light source, a tiltable reflector, and a multipass coupler that couples light emitted by the light source to the tiltable reflector, receives the reflected light and couples it back to the tiltable reflector to double the scanning angle. Then, the multipass coupler couples the light reflected at least twice from the tiltable reflector to an exit pupil of the scanner. A pupil-replicating waveguide disposed at the exit pupil of the scanner extends the image in angular domain. Multiple reflections of the light beam from the tiltable reflector enable one to increase the angular scanning range and associated field of view of the display without having to increase the angular scanning range of the tiltable reflector.

Abstract: A beam scanner of a near-eye display includes a pair of tiltable reflectors and a beam-folding pupil relay coupling the tiltable reflectors optically together. The beam-folding pupil relay includes a beamsplitter for receiving the light beam reflected by the first tiltable reflector, and a first curved reflector for receiving the light beam from the beamsplitter, and for reflecting the light beam back towards the beamsplitter. The beam-folded pupil relay is configured to couple the light beam reflected by the first curved reflector to the second tiltable reflector. A second curved reflector may be provided for coupling the light beam scanned by the tiltable reflectors to a pupil-replicating waveguide. A controller may be provided for scanning the light beam in coordination with operating the light source at varying levels of brightness or color.

Abstract: A display device may include a plurality of tiled spatial light modulators (SLMs) imparting image information upon respective light beams to obtain image beams. Pupil steering optics are configured to steerably direct the image beams towards a same or different exit pupil locations within an eyebox of the display device, providing exit pupil replication and/or an expanded field of view. An eye tracking system provides location information of the user's eye, enabling the pupil steering optic to direct at least some of the image beams to a desired exit pupil location.

Abstract: A display device includes a relay waveguide and a scanner. The scanner is configured to angularly scan image light for coupling into the waveguide, and includes a scanning reflector and a second reflector disposed between the scanning reflector and an input coupler of the waveguide. The scanning reflector has an aperture for the image light to propagate therethrough toward the second reflector. The second reflector is configured to reflect at least a portion of the image light received through the aperture back toward the scanning reflector and to transmit at least a portion of the image light reflected from the scanning reflector toward the input coupler. The arrangement enables a compact design of the display.

Abstract: An optical device includes a first polarization selective reflector; a second polarization selective reflector positioned relative to the first polarization selective reflector so that the first polarization selective reflector directs first light having a first nonplanar polarization toward the second polarization selective reflector and the second polarization selective reflector directs at least a portion of the first light toward the first polarization selective reflector as second light. The optical device includes a first reflector positioned relative to the first polarization selective reflector so that the first polarization selective reflector directs at least a portion of the second light having a second nonplanar polarization toward the first reflector as third light.

Abstract: A multipass scanner usable e.g. in a near-eye display is disclosed. The multipass scanner scans a light beam angularly, forming an image in angular domain. The multipass scanner includes a light source, a tiltable reflector, and a multipass coupler that couples light emitted by the light source to the tiltable reflector, receives the reflected light and couples it back to the tiltable reflector to double the scanning angle. Then, the multipass coupler couples the light reflected at least twice from the tiltable reflector to an exit pupil of the scanner. A pupil-replicating waveguide disposed at the exit pupil of the scanner extends the image in angular domain. Multiple reflections of the light beam from the tiltable reflector enable one to increase the angular scanning range and associated field of view of the display without having to increase the angular scanning range of the tiltable reflector.

Abstract: A beam scanner of a projector-based near-eye display includes a prismatic element with a reflective polarizer and a quarter-wave waveplate (QWP). The beam-folding prismatic element receives a polarized light beam from a light source and couples the beam to a tiltable reflector, e.g. a 2D tiltable MEMS reflector, for angular scanning the beam. The light beam impinging onto the tiltable reflector is separated from the light beam reflected from the tiltable reflector by polarization. The polarization-based separation is achieved by causing the light beam to propagate through the QWP before and after impinging onto the tiltable reflector. Upon double propagation of the light beam through the QWP, the beam changes its polarization to an orthogonal polarization, which enables its separation from the impinging beam. The beam scanner may receive multiple light beams from multiple light sources. A projector and a near-eye display based on such beam scanners are also disclosed.

Abstract: A self-calibrating display can detect and compensate for binocular disparity or other visual imperfection of the display. The display includes a pair of projection units for projecting test light carrying test images through waveguides, which are normally used to carry images to left and right eyes of a user. A detection unit detects the test light propagated through the waveguides, and extracts the test images. Position of reference features in the detected test images may be used to determine binocular disparity, and luminance and color distribution across the test images may be used to determine the illumination and color uniformity of the images displayed to the user. After the visual defects have been detected, they may be reduced or compensated for by pre-emphasizing or shifting images to be displayed to the left and right eyes of the user.

Abstract: A scanning projector for a display apparatus includes a first scanning reflector configured to steer a light beam in a first plane, a second scanning reflector configured to steer the light beam received from the first scanning reflector in a second plane, and beam relay optics configured to relay a first pupil defined at the first scanning reflector to a second pupil defined at the second scanning reflector, and to relay the second pupil to an output pupil of the scanning projector. The beam relay optics may include a concave reflector and a polarization beam splitter coupled to a scanning reflector in a triple pass configuration.