Abstract: In one example, an eyepiece has a one-piece shape that is solid and rotationally asymmetric. The eyepiece includes first, second and third surfaces at least partially defining the one-piece shape. The first surface is configured to receive a spatially modulated light beam. The second surface is configured to internally reflect the spatially modulated light beam toward the third surface. The third surface is configured to reflect the spatially modulated light beam toward and through the second surface. Transmission of the spatially modulated light beam through the second surface concentrates the spatially modulated light beam.

Abstract: Described examples a three-dimensional printer includes a vat having a transparent bottom, the vat configured to contain a photo-polymerizing resin and a lift plate movably positioned within the vat. The three-dimensional printer also includes an optical device configured to project a pattern of light through the transparent bottom. The optical device includes a light source configured to provide light at a light source output and a light integrator configured to provide divergent light at a light integrator output responsive to the light at the light source output. The optical device also includes projection optics configured to project projection output light at an optics output through the transparent bottom responsive to a modulated light at the optics input and a spatial light modulator configured to provide the modulated light responsive to the divergent light.

Abstract: An example includes a system, having: an illumination source configured to produce illumination light; and a spatial light modulator (SLM) optically coupled to the illumination source, the SLM comprising an array of picture elements. The SLM is configured to: receive the illumination light; direct, by a first portion of the picture elements, on state light in a first direction; and direct, by a second portion of the picture elements, off state light in a second direction. The example system includes imaging optics optically coupled to the SLM, the imaging optics configured to receive the on state light from the SLM and to project an image as an image portion of a beam; and non-imaging optics optically coupled to the SLM, the non-imaging optics configured to receive the off state light from the SLM and to project the off state light as part of the beam.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a light source configured to produce light and a prism. The apparatus also includes freeform optics optically coupled between the light source and the prism, the freeform optics configured to direct the light towards the prism and eyepiece optics optically coupled to the prism. Additionally, the apparatus includes a spatial light modulator (SLM) optically coupled to the prism, the prism configured to direct the light towards the SLM, the SLM configured to modulate the light to produce modulated light, and the prism configured to direct the modulated light towards the eyepiece optics.

Abstract: Described examples a three-dimensional printer includes a vat having a transparent bottom, the vat configured to contain a photo-polymerizing resin and a lift plate movably positioned within the vat. The three-dimensional printer also includes an optical device configured to project a pattern of light through the transparent bottom. The optical device includes a light source configured to provide light at a light source output and a light integrator configured to provide divergent light at a light integrator output responsive to the light at the light source output. The optical device also includes projection optics configured to project projection output light at an optics output through the transparent bottom responsive to a modulated light at the optics input and a spatial light modulator configured to provide the modulated light responsive to the divergent light.

Abstract: An apparatus for a near eye display includes an optical waveguide coupler adapted to be optically coupled to one or more light sources, a first prism optically coupled to the optical waveguide coupler, a second prism coupled to the first prism where the first prism faces a first side of the second prism, a spatial light modulator (SLM) optically coupled to the second prism where the SLM faces a second side of the second prism, and focusing optics optically coupled to the second prism where the focusing optics face a third side of the second prism.

Abstract: An example includes a system, having: an illumination source configured to produce illumination light; and a spatial light modulator (SLM) optically coupled to the illumination source, the SLM comprising an array of picture elements. The SLM is configured to: receive the illumination light; direct, by a first portion of the picture elements, on state light in a first direction; and direct, by a second portion of the picture elements, off state light in a second direction. The example system includes imaging optics optically coupled to the SLM, the imaging optics configured to receive the on state light from the SLM and to project an image as an image portion of a beam; and non-imaging optics optically coupled to the SLM, the non-imaging optics configured to receive the off state light from the SLM and to project the off state light as part of the beam.

Abstract: A near eye display apparatus includes: a lens having a viewing area, the lens comprising a waveguide having a waveguide input and a waveguide output optically coupled to the viewing area; an optical projector having a projector output, the optical projector comprising an illumination source optically coupled to the optical prism element and configured to provide illumination light into the optical prism element at a particular direction, a spatial light modulator optically coupled to the optical prism element and configured to receive the illumination light from the optical prism element and to reflect patterned light, the optical prism element configured to provide the patterned light to the projector output at the particular direction; and an optical folding element optically coupled between the projector output and the waveguide input, the optical folding element configured to fold an optical path of the patterned light in at least two different directions.

Abstract: Described examples include an optical device, having a light source with a light source output and a light integrator having a light integrator input and a light integrator output, the light integrator input optically coupled to the light source output, and the light integrator configured to provide divergent light at the light integrator output responsive to the light at the light source output. The optical device also has projection optics with an optics input and an optics output, the projection optics configured to project output light at the optics output responsive to modulated light at the optics input, in which a focal point of the optics input matches a divergence of the modulated light and a spatial light modulator optically coupled between the light integrator output and the optics input, the spatial light modulator configured to provide the modulated light responsive to the divergent light.

Abstract: In some examples, an apparatus includes a light source. The light source is configured to operate in a first mode by emitting light during a first period of time during which a display screen reflecting the light is substantially opaque. The light source is also configured to operate in a second mode by not emitting light during a second period of time during which the display screen is substantially transparent. The light source is also configured to repeatedly alternate between the first mode and the second mode to create a perception of an image resulting from the display screen reflecting the light being displayed on a transparent screen.

Abstract: In some examples, an apparatus includes a light source. The light source is configured to operate in a first mode by emitting light during a first period of time during which a display screen reflecting the light is substantially opaque. The light source is also configured to operate in a second mode by not emitting light during a second period of time during which the display screen is substantially transparent. The light source is also configured to repeatedly alternate between the first mode and the second mode to create a perception of an image resulting from the display screen reflecting the light being displayed on a transparent screen.

Abstract: Described examples include a light tunnel of a material, the light tunnel including: a first section having a first surface and an opposing second surface, a second section having a third surface and an opposing fourth surface, a third section having a fifth surface and an opposing sixth surface, and a fourth section having a seventh surface and an opposing eighth surface; a first crease between the first section and the second section, a second crease between the second section and the third section, a third crease between the third section and the fourth section, and an intersection between an end of the first section and the fourth section; and a reflective coating forming a reflective surface on the first, third, fifth and seventh surfaces, the reflective surface being continuous across at least one of the creases, and the reflective coating being discontinuous at the intersection.

Abstract: In described examples, a body includes an opening in a central portion of a surface, a cavity having sides extending from the opening into the body, and a bottom surface within the body supporting a phosphor configured to emit light when energized by incoming light. In a further arrangement, the sides are tapered from the opening to the bottom surface, such that a cross sectional area of the opening is greater than a cross sectional area of the bottom surface.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator outputs modulated light including: modulated first light when the spatial light modulator receives first light; and modulated second light when the spatial light modulator receives second light. Projection optics project the modulated light onto: a first pixel region when a component or the spatial light modulator has a first position; and a second pixel region when the component or the spatial light modulator has a second position. The first and second pixel regions partially overlap. A pixel shifter moves the component or the spatial light modulator between: the first position when the spatial light modulator outputs the modulated first light; and the second position when the spatial light modulator outputs the modulated second light.

Abstract: Described examples include an optical device having a first light source configured to provide a first light having a first characteristic. The optical device also has a second light source configured to provide a second light having a second characteristic. The optical device also has a combiner configured to combine the first light and the second light to provide a combined light. The optical device also has a spatial light modulator configured to modulate the combined light to provide modulated combined light. The optical device also has a divider configured to receive the modulated combined light and to direct a first portion of the modulated combined light having the first characteristic to a first target and to direct a second portion of the modulated combined light having the second characteristic to a second target.

Abstract: A near eye display apparatus includes: a lens having a viewing area, the lens comprising a waveguide having a waveguide input and a waveguide output optically coupled to the viewing area; an optical projector having a projector output, the optical projector comprising an illumination source optically coupled to the optical prism element and configured to provide illumination light into the optical prism element at a particular direction, a spatial light modulator optically coupled to the optical prism element and configured to receive the illumination light from the optical prism element and to reflect patterned light, the optical prism element configured to provide the patterned light to the projector output at the particular direction; and an optical folding element optically coupled between the projector output and the waveguide input, the optical folding element configured to fold an optical path of the patterned light in at least two different directions.

Abstract: In described examples, a digital light processing color projector includes light emitters configured to collectively emit light at multiple wavelengths, multiple light directing elements forming an illumination path having at least one aperture stop, a micromirror array coupled to a substrate, an aperture located at the aperture stop, and a filter with a selected color transmittance profile located at or near the aperture stop. The light directing elements are configured to direct light towards the micromirror array as illumination light. An aperture width determines a diameter of the illumination light. A micromirror on-state reflects the illumination light as on-state light. The substrate reflects the illumination light as flat-state light. The light directing elements direct on-state light through the aperture to a projector output. The filter filters flat-state light in an overlap region of the on-state light and flat-state light, or an illumination light portion corresponding to overlap region.

Abstract: Described examples include an optical device having a first light source configured to provide a first light having a first characteristic. The optical device also has a second light source configured to provide a second light having a second characteristic. The optical device also has a combiner configured to combine the first light and the second light to provide a combined light. The optical device also has a spatial light modulator configured to modulate the combined light to provide modulated combined light. The optical device also has a divider configured to receive the modulated combined light and to direct a first portion of the modulated combined light having the first characteristic to a first target and to direct a second portion of the modulated combined light having the second characteristic to a second target.

Abstract: Described examples include a light tunnel of a material, the light tunnel including: a first section having a first surface and an opposing second surface, a second section having a third surface and an opposing fourth surface, a third section having a fifth surface and an opposing sixth surface, and a fourth section having a seventh surface and an opposing eighth surface; a first crease between the first section and the second section, a second crease between the second section and the third section, a third crease between the third section and the fourth section, and an intersection between an end of the first section and the fourth section; and a reflective coating forming a reflective surface on the first, third, fifth and seventh surfaces, the reflective surface being continuous across at least one of the creases, and the reflective coating being discontinuous at the intersection.

Abstract: Described examples include a structured light projector including a light source. The structured light projector also includes a spatial light modulator arranged to modulate light from the light source. The structured light projector also includes a diffractive optical element arranged to modulate the light from the light source. The structured light projector further includes projection optics arranged to project the light modulated by the spatial light modulator and the diffractive optical element to a target.