Design optimization of polarization volume gratings for full‐color waveguide‐based augmented reality displays

• Published in: Journal of the Society for Information Display Vol. 31; no. 5; pp. 380 - 386
• Main Authors: Ding, Yuqiang, Li, Yannanqi, Yang, Qian, Wu, Shin‐Tson
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Campbell Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.05.2023
• Subjects: Augmented reality; Color; Couplers; Design optimization; liquid crystal polarization volume grating; Polarization; smart glass; Stability augmentation; waveguide display; Waveguides
• ISSN: 1071-0922; 1938-3657
• DOI: 10.1002/jsid.1206

Reflective polarization volume gratings (PVGs) can be used as input and output couplers in a diffractive waveguide‐based augmented reality (AR). To improve the stability and wearing comfort, a thin and lightweight full‐color waveguide display is needed. In this paper, we propose a single full‐color waveguide AR display based on PVGs. By analyzing the optical system, we derived the field of view limit by optimizing a three‐layer PVG as an in‐coupler. Pairing with a single‐layer, thin PVG as an out‐coupler, we can achieve a relatively uniform exit pupil of 8 mm at horizontal pupil expansion direction. A single full‐color waveguide display based on polarization volume gratings is developed. Such a waveguide design achieves the field of view limit for full‐color and obtains a large eyebox by 1D exit pupil expansion. This work will provide a comprehensive methodology for optimizing the design of a single full‐color waveguide display based on polarization volume gratings.