Optical engines, display structures, display devices, and vehicles

Abstract

This disclosure relates to an optical engine 1000, a display structure 4000, 5000, 7200, a display device 7000, 8100 and a vehicle 8000. The optical engine 1000 comprises an illumination apparatus 1100 comprising a first light source 1110 configured to emit a first light 1111 having a first peak wavelength and a superluminescent light source 1120 configured to emit a second light 1122 having a second peak wavelength different from the first peak wavelength.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to display devices. In particular, this disclosure relates to multi-color optical engines, waveguide-based display structures comprising such optical engines, display devices comprising such display structures, and vehicles comprising such display devices.

Background Art

[0002] In modern display devices, laser light sources are commonly used due to their higher image sharpness, lower energy consumption, and smaller form factor achievable by such sources. The latter two benefits, namely lower energy consumption and smaller form factor, are particularly beneficial for portable display devices such as head-mounted display devices.

[0003] [[ID=十六]]The size and mass of a portable display device can be further reduced by utilizing a waveguide-based structure for guiding light from the optical engine of such a display device towards one or both eyes of a user. Additionally, when utilizing such a waveguide-based structure, further reduction in the size and mass of the display device can be achieved by using a diffraction in-coupling structure for coupling light into the waveguide.

[0004] Since the images generated by typical optical engines are relatively small, an exit pupil expansion method is commonly used to increase the size of the output image in conventional portable waveguide-based display devices.

[0005] However, due to the chromatic dispersion of the diffraction incoupling structure and the narrowness of the light beam emitted by a typical laser light source, it can be difficult to couple all the light emitted by a conventional laser-based multicolor optical engine into the waveguide via the diffraction incoupling structure without severely impairing image quality.

[0006] Considering this, it is desirable to develop novel solutions related to display devices. [Overview of the project] [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] This summary is provided to introduce, in a simplified form, the selection of concepts that will be further elaborated upon in the detailed description below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the requested subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the requested subject matter.

[0008] According to a first embodiment, an optical engine for a display device is provided. The optical engine comprises a lighting device comprising a first light source configured to emit first light having a first peak wavelength, and a superluminescent light source configured to emit second light having a second peak wavelength different from the first peak wavelength.

[0009] According to a second aspect, a display structure is provided. The display structure comprises a waveguide, an incoupling structure, and an optical engine according to the first aspect, configured to guide light into the waveguide via the incoupling structure for propagation in the waveguide by total internal reflection.

[0010] According to a third aspect, a display device is provided that comprises a display structure according to the third aspect.

[0011] According to a fourth aspect, a vehicle is provided that is equipped with a display device according to a third aspect.

[0012] This disclosure will be better understood by reading the following detailed description in consideration of the attached drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This shows the optical engine. [Figure 2] This shows the normalized emission spectrum of the lighting device. [Figure 3] A cross-sectional view of a superluminescent diode is shown. [Figure 4] The display structure is shown. [Figure 5] Other display structures are shown. [Figure 6] Waveguide shown. [Figure 7] This indicates a display device. [Figure 8] This indicates a vehicle. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] Unless explicitly stated otherwise, none of the drawings described above may be drawn to scale, and any element in the drawings may be drawn in inaccurate proportions to other elements in order to highlight a particular structural aspect of the embodiment of the drawings.

[0015] Furthermore, corresponding elements in any two embodiments of the drawings described above may be disproportionate to each other within the two drawings in order to highlight a particular structural aspect of the embodiment of the two drawings.

[0016] Please note the following regarding the optical engine, display structure, and display device described in this detailed explanation.

[0017] In this specification, “display device” may mean an output device, e.g., an electronic device, that is capable of operating for the visual representation of images and / or data. A display device may generally comprise at least one optical engine. A display device may optionally further comprise any one or more parts or elements necessary or beneficial for the visual representation of images and / or data, e.g., a power unit, a combiner optical unit, e.g., a waveguide-based combiner optical unit, an eye-tracking unit, a head-tracking unit, a gesture-sensing unit, and / or a depth-mapping unit. A display device may be a portable display device, e.g., a head-mounted display device and / or a see-through display device, e.g., a head-up display device, or otherwise.

[0018] In this specification, “unit” may mean an element that is suitable for or configured to perform at least one particular process. A unit may generally comprise one or more parts, each of which may be classified as belonging to the apparatus of the unit. The “apparatus” of a unit configured to perform a process may mean a set of one or more parts of the unit that are suitable for or configured to perform at least one particular subprocess of the process. Thus, “unit comprising apparatus” may mean the unit comprising one or more parts belonging to the apparatus. Generally, the apparatus may comprise one or more arbitrary elements, such as mechanical, electrical, and / or optical elements, that are necessary and / or beneficial for performing its particular subprocess.

[0019] Furthermore, an "optical engine" or "display engine" may mean a unit for a display device that is suitable for generating visual content for a user of the display device or is configured to generate such, or a unit of the display device. Additionally or alternatively, an "optical engine" may mean, for example, a unit for a display device that is suitable for forming an image transmitted to an in-coupling structure in an angular spectrum or is configured to form such, or a unit of the display device. The optical engine may comprise an illumination device having at least one light source and optionally one or more parts or elements necessary or beneficial for controlling the at least one light source. The optical engine may optionally further comprise any one or more parts or elements necessary or beneficial for generating visual content, such as a graphics processing unit (GPU), an optical combiner device, light steering optics, such as a light scanner device and / or a light relay device.

[0020] Throughout this disclosure, a "display structure" may mean at least a part of a display device. Thus, the display structure may or may not form an operational display device.

[0021] FIG. 1 schematically shows an optical engine 1000 according to an embodiment. The optical engine 1000 comprises an illumination device 1100, and the illumination device 1100 is a first light source 1110 configured to emit a first light 1111 having a first peak wavelength

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[0022] In this disclosure, “waveguide” may mean an optical waveguide. Additionally or alternatively, waveguide may mean a two-dimensional waveguide, and the light may be restricted along the thickness direction of the waveguide.

[0023] Throughout this specification, “incoupling structure” may mean a structure suitable for, or configured to, couple light into a waveguide for propagation in the waveguide by total internal reflection. Generally, an incoupling structure may comprise, for example, one or more diffractive optical elements, e.g., a diffraction grating, one or more reflective optical elements, e.g., a mirror, and / or one or more refractive optical elements, e.g., a prism.

[0024] In this specification, “diffractive optical element” may mean an optical element whose operation is based on the diffraction of light. Generally, a diffractive optical element may have structural features having at least one dimension on the order of the wavelength of visible light, for example, at least one dimension less than 1 micrometer. Typical examples of diffractive optical elements include diffraction gratings, for example, one-dimensional and two-dimensional diffraction gratings, which may be implemented as single-region diffraction gratings or multi-region diffraction gratings. Diffractive gratings may generally be implemented as at least surface-relief diffraction gratings or volume holographic diffraction gratings, which may be configured to function as transmission and / or reflection type diffraction gratings.

[0025] Therefore, "diffraction incoupling structure" may also mean an incoupling structure equipped with a diffraction optical element.

[0026] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the first light source 1110 is implemented as a laser light source. In other embodiments, the first light source may be implemented in any suitable way, for example, as a laser light source, a superluminescent light source, or a light-emitting diode source.

[0027] As shown by the dotted line in Figure 1, the superluminescent light source 1120 may also include a superluminescent diode 1123. In general, superluminescent light sources with superluminescent diodes can facilitate the formation of optical engine illumination devices in a reduced form factor. In other embodiments, the superluminescent light source may include one or more components of any suitable type for achieving superluminescence or amplified spontaneous emission, for example, one or more superluminescent diodes and / or one or more die-based light-emitting devices.

[0028] As further shown by the dotted line in Figure 1, the lighting device 1100 is

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[0029] In the embodiment of Figure 1, the additional light source 1130 may be implemented as an additional laser light source. Generally, implementing the additional light source as an additional laser light source or an additional superluminescent light source can facilitate a reduction in the form factor and / or energy consumption of an optical engine suitable for additive color mixing having three colors. In other embodiments, the illumination device comprises an additional light source configured to emit a third light having a third peak wavelength different from each of the first and second peak wavelengths, and the additional light source may be implemented in any suitable way, for example, as an additional laser light source or an additional superluminescent light source.

[0030] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the optical engine 1000 includes an optical combiner device 1200 for combining at least first light 1111 emitted by a first light source 1110 and second light 1122 emitted by a superluminescent light source 1120 to form combined light 1201. In other embodiments, the optical engine may or may not include this type of optical combiner device.

[0031] If the lighting device 1100 also includes a further light source 1130, the optical combiner device 1200 may be configured to combine the first light 1111 emitted by the first light source 1110, the second light 1122 emitted by the superluminescent light source 1120, and the third light 1133 emitted by the further light source 1130 to form combined light 1201. In other embodiments, the lighting device includes at least one further light source and an optical combiner device, the optical combiner device may be suitable for or configured to combine the light emitted by some or all of the individual light sources of the lighting device.

[0032] The optical engine 1000 in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 further comprises an optical scanner device 1300 for deflecting light generated by the illumination device 1100. The optical engine 1000 is configured to receive coupled light 1201 formed by the optical combiner device 1200. Generally, optical engines in display devices that include this type of optical scanner device can enable a reduction in the form factor of the display device. In other embodiments, the optical engine may be implemented in any suitable way. Thus, the optical engine may or may not include an optical scanner device for deflecting light generated by the illumination device. In some embodiments, the optical engine may include a non-scanning micromirror device, such as a micromirror device and / or a liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) device comprising an array of micromirror actuators, in addition to or instead of the optical scanner device.

[0033] The optical scanner apparatus 1300 in the embodiment of Figure 1 comprises a micromirror scanner 1310. Generally, micromirror scanners may offer reduced mass and / or power consumption. Additionally or alternatively, micromirror scanners can reduce maintenance requirements and / or increase reliability under harsh operating conditions. In other embodiments, the optical engine comprises an optical scanner apparatus for deflecting light generated by an illumination device, and the optical scanner apparatus may comprise one or more components of any suitable type, e.g., one or more micromirror scanners, one or more fiber scanners, one or more integrated electro-optic scanners, one or more acousto-optic modulators, one or more phased array beam staircases and / or one or more surface acoustic wave (SAW) scanners.

[0034] In this specification, “micromirror scanner” or “microscanner” or “scanning micromirror” may mean a micromirror-based actuator for light modulation. Additionally or alternatively, a micromirror scanner may mean a microoptoelectromechanical system (MOEMS) that deflects light generated by an illumination device. Generally, a micromirror scanner may or may not include a digital micromirror device (DMD). In a micromirror scanner, light modulation may be caused by translational and / or rotational motion of a mirror, e.g., a micromirror, on one or more axes.

[0035] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the micromirror scanner 1310 comprises a first deflection mirror 1311 and a second deflection mirror 1312. Each of the first deflection mirror 1311 and the second deflection mirror 1312 is a micromirror scanning in a one-dimensional direction. Thus, the micromirror scanner 1310 in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 is implemented as a dual one-dimensional micromirror scanner. In other embodiments, the optical scanner device comprises a micromirror scanner, and the micromirror scanner may be implemented in any suitable way, for example, as a one-dimensional micromirror scanner, a dual one-dimensional micromirror scanner, or a two-dimensional micromirror scanner.

[0036] The optical engine 1000 in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 may be configured for non-pupil imaging. In other embodiments, the optical engine may or may not be configured for non-pupil imaging. For example, in some embodiments, the optical engine may be configured for pupil imaging, comprising an optical relay device configured to form the intermediate image and output pupil of the optical engine.

[0037] Figure 2 shows the normalized emission spectrum 2000 of an optical engine illumination device according to one embodiment. The optical engine of the embodiment in Figure 2, or any one or more parts thereof, may be described in any of the embodiments disclosed with reference to or in connection with Figure 1.

[0038] The emission spectrum 2000 of the embodiment in Figure 2 comprises a first light spectrum 2001 of first light emitted by a first light source, which may be implemented as a laser light source, and a second light spectrum 2002 emitted by a superluminescent light source. The first light has a first peak wavelength

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[0039] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2,

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[0040] In the example shown in Figure 2, the first optical spectrum 2001 has a full-width (FWHM) linewidth.

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[0041] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2,

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[0042] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2,

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[0043] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2,

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[0044] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the lighting device is

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[0045] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2,

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[0046] In the example shown in Figure 2

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[0047] Throughout this specification, “blue wavelength range” may mean a wavelength range extending from 440 nm to 490 nm or from 450 nm to 485 nm.

[0048] In this specification, the "green wavelength range" may mean a wavelength range extending from 495 nm to 575 nm or from 500 nm to 565 nm.

[0049] Furthermore, the "red wavelength range" may mean a wavelength range extending from 600 nm to 750 nm, or from 610 nm to 700 nm, or from 620 nm to 650 nm, or from 625 nm to 640 nm.

[0050] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the third optical spectrum 2003 has an FWHM linewidth of less than 2 nm.

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[0051] In some embodiments, the additional light source may be implemented as an additional superluminescent light source. In this type of embodiment, the third optical spectrum of the third light emitted by the additional light source may have, for example, a linewidth of 2 nm or more, 3 nm or more, 4 nm or more, or 5 nm or more, and / or a linewidth of 50 nm or less, 40 nm or less, 30 nm or less, 20 nm or less, or 10 nm or less.

[0052] Figure 3 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of a superluminescent diode 3000 of a superluminescent light source or a further superluminescent light source of an optical engine illumination device according to one embodiment. The optical engine of the embodiment in Figure 3 or any one or more parts thereof may be described by reference to either Figure 1 or Figure 2, or by any embodiment disclosed in relation to Figures 1 and 2.

[0053] In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the superluminescent diode 3000 comprises a substrate 3030, a first cladding layer 3011 disposed on the substrate 3030, an active layer 3020 on the first cladding layer 3011, and a second cladding layer 3012 on the active layer 3020. The active layer 3020 is disposed between the first cladding layer 3011 and the second cladding layer 3012.

[0054] The superluminescent diode 3000 in the embodiment of Figure 3 further comprises a first electrode 3001 connected to a substrate 3030 and a second electrode 3002 connected to a second cladding layer 3012 for applying an operating voltage to the first cladding layer 3011 and the active layer 3020 during operation. In other embodiments, the superluminescent light source comprises a superluminescent diode, and the superluminescent diode may have any suitable type of structure.

[0055] In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the active layer 3020 comprises a first end face 3021 and a second end face 3022, and the superluminescent diode 3000 comprises a first anti-reflective coating 3041 on the first end face 3021 and a second anti-reflective coating 3042 on the second end face 3022 to limit optical feedback within the active layer 3020 so that laser oscillation is prohibited. In other embodiments, the superluminescent diode may be configured to operate below its laser oscillation threshold by any suitable means. For example, in some embodiments, the active layer of the superluminescent diode may have a slanted anti-reflective coated end face.

[0056] In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the active layer 3020 comprises aluminum gallium phosphide indium AlGaInP. Generally, the active layer of a superluminescent diode comprising AlGaInP can enable emission in the red wavelength range, particularly at shorter wavelengths, with reduced energy consumption. In other embodiments, the active layer of the superluminescent diode may or may not comprise AlGaInP.

[0057] In particular, the active layer 3020 in the embodiment of Figure 3 may be implemented as an AlGaInP multiple quantum well active layer. In this type, the peak wavelength of light emitted by the superluminescent diode 3000 may be adjustable by adjusting the quantum well thickness of the active layer 3020. In other embodiments, the active layer may or may not be implemented as a multiple quantum well active layer, for example, an AlGaInP multiple quantum well active layer.

[0058] It should be understood that the embodiments of the first embodiment described above may be used in combination with each other. Some of the embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments.

[0059] The embodiments described above primarily relate to optical engines. Below, embodiments relating to display structures and display devices are given greater emphasis. The methods, definitions, details, and advantages of the optical engine embodiments described above apply to the embodiments described later, with necessary modifications. The same is true, and vice versa.

[0060] Figure 4 shows a display structure 4000 according to one embodiment. The embodiment in Figure 4 may follow any of the embodiments disclosed with reference to any of Figures 1 to 3, or in relation to Figures 1 to 3.

[0061] Additionally or alternatively, although not explicitly shown in Figure 4, the embodiments of Figure 4 or any part thereof may generally have any features and / or elements of any of the embodiments of Figures 1 to 3 that are omitted from Figure 4.

[0062] In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the display structure 4000 comprises a waveguide 4100 and an incoupling structure 4210. The display structure 4000 of the embodiment shown in Figure 4 further comprises an optical engine 4300 according to a first aspect of this specification. The optical engine 4300 is configured to guide light 4301 into the waveguide 4100 via the incoupling structure 4210 for propagation in the waveguide 4100 by total internal reflection.

[0063] In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the display structure 4000 is configured to perform exit pupil dilation by pupil duplication along at least one duplication direction 4101. In other embodiments, the display structure may or may not be configured in this manner.

[0064] In this specification, “exit pupil dilation” may mean a process of dispersing light within a waveguide in a controlled manner to enlarge the portion of the waveguide where light outcoupling occurs.

[0065] Furthermore, “pupil duplication” may also mean the process of exit pupil dilation, in which multiple exit subpupils are formed within the imaging system. In waveguide-based multicolor imaging systems that rely on pupil duplication for exit pupil dilation, it has been found that individual exit subpupils are preferably positioned in a manner that overlaps for all angles and all colors of light in the portion of the waveguide where light outcoupling occurs. This type of apparatus for exit subpupils can make it possible to avoid the formation of spatial intensity changes in the outcoupled image, which are typically perceived as dark fringes.

[0066] Throughout this specification, “first replication direction” may mean the direction in which the waveguide is configured to perform pupil replication. Furthermore, “a waveguide configured to perform pupil replication along at least the first replication direction” may mean the waveguide configured to perform one-dimensional pupil replication, e.g., horizontal or vertical pupil replication, or two-dimensional pupil replication, e.g., horizontal or vertical pupil replication.

[0067] In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the incoupling structure 4210 is implemented as a diffraction incoupling structure. Thus, the incoupling structure 4210 comprises an incoupling grating 4211. In other embodiments, the incoupling structure may be implemented in any suitable way, for example, as a diffraction incoupling structure.

[0068] The optical engine 4300 in the embodiment shown in Figure 4 comprises a first light source 4310 and a superluminescent light source 4320. In addition, although not shown in Figure 4, the optical engine 4300 may further comprise one or more additional light sources in addition to the first light source 4310 and the superluminescent light source 4320. Such one or more additional light sources may be implemented in any suitable way, for example, as one or more laser light sources and / or one or more additional superluminescent light sources and / or one or more light-emitting diode sources.

[0069] In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the display structure 4000 includes an intermediate pupil dilation structure 4220 configured to receive light 4301 from an incoupling structure 4210, and an outcoupling structure 4230 configured to receive light 4301 from the intermediate pupil dilation structure 4220. In other embodiments, the display structure may or may not include this type of intermediate pupil dilation structure and this type of outcoupling structure.

[0070] In this disclosure, “outcoupling structure” may mean a structure configured to outcouple light from a waveguide. Generally, an outcoupling structure may comprise, for example, one or more diffractive optical elements, e.g., a diffraction grating; one or more reflective optical elements, e.g., a mirror; and / or one or more refractive optical elements, e.g., a prism.

[0071] The display structure 4000 in the embodiment shown in Figure 4 is configured to perform exit pupil dilation by pupil duplication along a first duplication direction 4101 using an intermediate pupil dilation structure 4220, and by pupil duplication along a second duplication direction 4102 perpendicular to the first duplication direction 4101 using an outcoupling structure 4230. In other embodiments, the display structure may or may not be configured in this manner.

[0072] In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, each of the incoupling structure 4210, the intermediate pupil dilation structure 4220, and the outcoupling structure 4230 may comprise one or more one-dimensional diffraction gratings. In other embodiments, some or all of the incoupling structure, the intermediate pupil dilation structure, and the outcoupling structure may comprise one or more one-dimensional diffraction gratings, or they may not.

[0073] The waveguide 4100 in the embodiment of Figure 4 may have a thickness (T) of about 0.3 millimeters (mm). Generally, a smaller waveguide thickness may increase the density of subpupils in the waveguide's outcoupling structure, thereby making it easier to avoid the formation of spatial intensity changes in the outcoupled image, while a larger waveguide thickness may facilitate the fabrication of waveguide-based display devices. In other embodiments, the waveguide may have any suitable thickness, for example, 0.25 mm or more, or 0.27 mm or more, or 0.3 mm or more and / or 5 mm or less, or 2 mm or less, or 1 mm or less.

[0074] Figure 5 shows a display structure 5000 according to one embodiment. The embodiment of Figure 5 may follow any embodiment disclosed with reference to or in connection with any of Figures 1 to 4. Additionally or alternatively, although not explicitly shown in Figure 5, the embodiment of Figure 5 or any part thereof may generally have any features and / or elements of any embodiment of Figures 1 to 4 that are omitted from Figure 5.

[0075] In particular, similar to the display structure 4000 of the embodiment in Figure 4, the display structure 5000 of the embodiment in Figure 5 also comprises a waveguide 5100 and an optical engine 5300 comprising a first light source 5310 and a superluminescent light source 5320. Additionally, the waveguide 5100 comprises a diffraction incoupling structure 5210 configured to couple light 5301 generated from the optical engine 5300 into the waveguide 5100.

[0076] However, unlike the embodiment in Figure 4, the waveguide 5100 in the embodiment in Figure 5 includes an outcoupling structure 5230 configured to directly receive light 5301 from the incoupling structure 5210.

[0077] The display structure 5000 in the embodiment shown in Figure 5 is configured to perform exit pupil dilation by pupil duplication along a first duplication direction 5101 and a second duplication direction 5102 using an outcoupling structure 5230. In other embodiments, the display structure may or may not be configured in this manner.

[0078] In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the incoupling structure 5210 and the outcoupling structure 5230 may comprise one or more two-dimensional diffraction gratings. In other embodiments, some or all of the incoupling structure, intermediate pupil dilation structure, and outcoupling structure may comprise one or more two-dimensional diffraction gratings, or they may not.

[0079] Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of the waveguide 6100. In Figure 6, the plane of the drawing extends parallel to the plane of the waveguide 6100.

[0080] In this disclosure, “surface” of a waveguide may mean a portion of the waveguide surface that is visible from or facing a particular viewing direction. Additionally or alternatively, a surface of a waveguide may mean a surface that is suitable for or configured to limit light in the waveguide by total internal reflection.

[0081] In Figure 6, the first diffraction structure 6141 is configured to direct light toward the second diffraction structure 6142, and the light propagates through the waveguide 6100 by total internal reflection. The first diffraction structure 6141 may be, for example, an incoupling structure, and the second diffraction structure 6142 may be, for example, an intermediate pupil dilation structure or an outcoupling structure.

[0082] In Figure 6, a first propagation path 6151 and a second propagation path 6152 are shown. The first light emitted by the first light source propagates along the first propagation path 6151, and the second light emitted by the superluminescent light source propagates along the second propagation path 6152.

[0083] The first light shown in Figure 6 has a first peak wavelength and a first optical spectrum. The second light has a second optical spectrum that is broader than the first optical spectrum. However, unlike the first light 1111 and the second light 1122 in the embodiment of Figure 1, for example, the second light shown in Figure 6 has the same first peak wavelength as the first light shown in Figure 6.

[0084] On the other hand, to emphasize the lower width of the first light spectrum, in Figure 6, the first light is shown as a monochrome, so that for any particular angle of incidence of the first light, the first light is reflected from the plane of the waveguide 6100 at equally spaced peak wavelength sub-pupils 6161.

[0085] On the other hand, to emphasize the increased width of the second light spectrum, Figure 6 shows that, for any particular angle of incidence of the first light, the second light is reflected from the plane of the waveguide 6100 not only at the peak wavelength sub-pupil 6161 but also at equally spaced second wavelength sub-pupils 6162 and equally spaced third wavelength sub-pupils 6163.

[0086] The second wavelength subpupil 6162 exhibits a higher subpupil distance than the peak wavelength subpupil 6161, and the third wavelength subpupil 6163 exhibits a lower subpupil distance than the peak wavelength subpupil 6161. Due to this variation in subpupil distance at different wavelengths, the second light exhibits a higher subpupil density than the first light at the second diffraction structure 6142. This type of higher subpupil density, achievable by a superluminescent light source, can facilitate the avoidance of the formation of spatial intensity changes in the image outcoupled from the waveguide. In particular, this type of higher subpupil density can reduce the so-called "pupil banding" effect, which can be perceived by a moving observer of this type of image.

[0087] Figure 7 shows a display device 7000 according to one embodiment. The embodiment in Figure 7 may follow any embodiment disclosed with reference to or in connection with any of Figures 1 to 5. Additionally or alternatively, although not explicitly shown in Figure 7, the embodiment in Figure 7 or any part thereof may generally have any features and / or elements of any embodiment in Figures 1 to 5.

[0088] In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the display device 7000 is implemented as a see-through head-mounted display device, more specifically as eyeglasses with a see-through display. In other embodiments, the display device may be implemented in any suitable way, for example, as a see-through display device and / or a head-mounted display device.

[0089] Throughout this specification, “see-through display device” or “transparent display device” may mean a display device on which a user can see images and / or data displayed on the display device, as well as a display device that can be seen through the display device.

[0090] Furthermore, “head-mounted display device” may mean a display device that is worn on the head as part of a headgear, and / or is configured to be worn on or over the eyes.

[0091] In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the display device 7000 comprises a frame 7100 and a display structure 7200 according to a second embodiment supported by the frame 7100.

[0092] The display structure 7200 comprises a waveguide 7210, a diffraction incoupling structure 7221, a diffraction outcoupling structure 7223 configured to receive light from the incoupling structure 7221, and an optical engine 7230, the optical engine 7230 comprising a first light source 7231 and a superluminescent light source 7232, and configured to guide light into the waveguide 7210 via the incoupling structure 7221 for propagation in the waveguide 7210 by total internal reflection.

[0093] Figure 8 schematically shows a vehicle 8000 according to one embodiment. In the embodiment of Figure 8, the vehicle 8000 is implemented as a car. In other embodiments, the vehicle may or may not be implemented as a car. For example, in some embodiments, the vehicle may be an automobile, e.g., a car, truck or bus; a rail vehicle, e.g., a train or tram; a vessel, e.g., a ship or boat; an aircraft, e.g., an airplane, helicopter or spacecraft.

[0094] In the embodiment of Figure 8, the vehicle 8000 includes a display device 8100 according to a third embodiment. Even if not explicitly shown in Figure 8, the embodiment of Figure 8 or any part thereof may generally include any features and / or elements of any of the embodiments of Figures 1 to 5.

[0095] In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, the display device 8100 comprises a waveguide 8110, an incoupling structure 8121, an intermediate pupil dilation structure 8122, an outcoupling structure 8123, and an optical engine 8130. In other embodiments, the vehicle may comprise one or more display devices of any suitable type according to the third embodiment.

[0096] In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, the display device 8100 is implemented as a head-up display device. In other embodiments, the display device may or may not be implemented as a head-up display device.

[0097] In this specification, “head-up display device” may mean a see-through display device configured to present images and / or data to a vehicle operator, such as a driver or pilot, without requiring the operator to take their eyes off their normal line of sight.

[0098] In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, the display device 8100 further comprises a thin-pane window 8200, and the waveguide 8110 extends within the window 8200. In other embodiments, one or more waveguides may be arranged in one or more suitable ways. In some embodiments, the waveguide may extend within a thin-pane window, such as a windshield. In some embodiments, the vehicle may have waveguides located away from the window.

[0099] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the basic idea of ​​the present invention can be implemented in various ways through advances in the art. Therefore, the present invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above, but rather may be modified within the scope of the claims.

[0100] It should be understood that any of the above-mentioned benefits and advantages may apply to one embodiment or to several embodiments. The embodiments are not limited to those that solve some or all of the problems described or that have some or all of the benefits and advantages described.

[0101] In this specification, the term “equipped with” means to include one or more additional features or actions that follow, without excluding the presence of one or more additional features or actions. It should be further understood that the singular description of an item means that there is one or more of those items. [Explanation of Symbols]

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Claims

1. Waveguide (4100) and, An incoupling structure (4210) implemented as a diffraction incoupling structure, An optical engine (1000) is configured to guide light (4301) into the waveguide (4100) via the incoupling structure (4210) for propagation within the waveguide (4100) by total internal reflection, A display structure (4000) comprising, The optical engine (1000) includes an illumination device (1100), The aforementioned lighting device (1100) First peak wavelength [Math 1] A first light source (1110) configured to emit a first light (1111) having the following characteristics: The first peak wavelength [Math 3] A second peak wavelength that is different from the first. [Math 2] A superluminescent light source (1120) configured to emit a second light (1122) having the following characteristics: The first light source (1110) is implemented as a laser light source, and the superluminescent light source (1120) comprises a superluminescent diode (1123). The second peak wavelength [Math 4] is the first peak wavelength [Math 5] higher, Display structure (4000).

2. The second light (1122) has a full width at half maximum (FWHM) that is greater than 2 nm and less than 10 nm. [Math 6] Having a second optical spectrum (2002) having, The display structure (4000) according to claim 1.

3. The second peak wavelength [Number 7] It is within the red wavelength range (2030) extending from 600 nm to 750 nm, or from 610 nm to 700 nm, or from 620 nm to 650 nm, or from 625 nm to 640 nm. The display structure (4000) according to claim 1.

4. The superluminescent diode (3000) comprises an active layer (3020) made of aluminum gallium indium phosphide (AlGaInP), The display structure (4000) according to claim 1.

5. The illumination device (1100) has the first peak wavelength [Number 9] and the second peak wavelength [Number 10] A third peak wavelength different from each of the above [Number 8] A further light source (1130) is configured to emit a third light (1133) having the following characteristics: The display structure (4000) according to claim 1.

6. The further light source (1130) is implemented as a further laser light source or as a further superluminescent light source. The display structure (4000) according to claim 5.

7. The second peak wavelength [Math 11] The third peak wavelength [Math 12] higher, The display structure (4000) according to claim 5 or 6.

8. The optical engine (1000) further comprises an optical scanner device (1300) for deflecting the light generated by the illumination device (1100). The display structure (4000) according to claim 1.

9. The optical scanner device (1300) includes a micromirror scanner (1310). The display structure (4000) according to claim 8.

10. The waveguide (4100) has a thickness (T) of 0.25 mm or more and 5 mm or less. The display structure (4000) according to claim 1.

11. A display device (7000) comprising the display structure described in claim 1.

12. Implemented as a see-through display device, The display device (7000) according to claim 11.

13. Implemented as a head-up display device or a head-mounted display device, The display device (7000) according to claim 11 or 12.

14. A vehicle (8000) comprising the display device (8100) according to claim 11 or 12.

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