PLANAR WAVEGUIDE APPARATUS WITH DIFFRACTION ELEMENT(S) AND SYSTEM EMPLOYING SAME

摘要

A waveguide apparatus includes a planar waveguide and at least one optical diffraction element (DOE) that provides a plurality of optical paths between an exterior and interior of the planar waveguide. A phase profile of the DOE may combine a linear diffraction grating with a circular lens, to shape a wave front and produce beams with desired focus. Waveguide apparati may be assembled to create multiple focal planes. The DOE may have a low diffraction efficiency, and planar waveguides may be transparent when viewed normally, allowing passage of light from an ambient environment (e.g., real world) useful in AR systems. Light may be returned for temporally sequentially passes through the planar waveguide. The DOE(s) may be fixed or may have dynamically adjustable characteristics. An optical coupler system may couple images to the waveguide apparatus from a projector, for instance a biaxially scanning cantilevered optical fiber tip.

主权项

1. A waveguide apparatus, comprising:
a planar waveguide having at least a first end, a second end, a first face, and a second face, the second end opposed to the first end along a length of the waveguide, at least the first and the second faces forming an at least partially internally reflective optical path along at least a portion of the length of the planar waveguide, and the planar waveguide having at least one optically diffractive optical element that interprets interrupts the at least partially internally reflective optical path to provide a plurality of optical paths between an exterior and an interior of the planar waveguide via the first face thereof at respective positions along at least a portion of the length of the planar waveguide.