Waveguide and augmented reality device comprising same

Abstract

An augmented reality device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises: a display engine; and a waveguide facing the display engine, wherein the waveguide includes: a single glass; a first meta-grating region which is disposed on the single glass and which diffracts, in a first direction, light incident from the display engine; and a second meta-grating region which is disposed on the single glass and which diffracts, in a second direction different from the first direction, light diffracted from the first meta-grating region, and the first meta-grating region includes a first nanostructure included in a first unit cell and a second nanostructure spaced apart from the first nanostructure in the first direction, and the second meta-grating region includes a third nanostructure included in a second unit cell and a fourth nanostructure spaced apart from the third nanostructure in the second direction. Other various embodiments are possible.

Description

Wave guide and augmented reality device including the same

[0001] Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a wave guide and an augmented reality device including the same.

[0002] An augmented reality device is a device capable of viewing augmented reality (AR), such as augmented reality glasses. The image optical system of an augmented reality device may include an image generator that creates an image and a waveguide for sending the generated image to the eye. Such augmented reality devices are required to have a wide field of view and high-quality images, and the device itself is required to be lightweight and compact.

[0003] Recently, optical systems based on waveguides are being researched and developed for augmented reality devices such as augmented reality glasses. Waveguides can utilize freeform reflection or multi-mirror reflection, or diffraction coupling elements such as diffractive optical elements or holographic optical elements, to input, expand, and / or output light.

[0004] The information described above may be provided as related art for the purpose of aiding understanding of the present disclosure. No claim or determination is made as to whether any of the foregoing may be applied as prior art related to the present disclosure.

[0005] Augmented reality devices, such as AR glasses, may be provided in a form factor similar to glasses. To enhance immersion, the augmented reality device may include a waveguide (e.g., an image combiner) capable of combining real objects and virtual objects to provide them to the user. Additionally, the augmented reality device may include a display engine for outputting virtual objects through the waveguide. Within the waveguide, light output from the display engine may be diffracted and transmitted to the user's eyes.

[0006] In order to provide miniaturization and lightweighting of augmented reality devices, the thickness of the waveguide needs to be reduced. However, if the thickness of the waveguide is reduced, the number of times light is diffracted inside the waveguide increases, which can lead to severe light loss, and consequently, it may be difficult to ensure the brightness of the image output to the user. In addition, as light loss becomes severe, it may require a larger battery to power the display engine or require external power, which makes it difficult to miniaturize and lightweight the augmented reality device.

[0007] In addition, conventional diffraction elements provide high optical diffraction efficiency only at specific wavelengths and have limitations in processing the entire wavelength band of the visible light region (400nm to 700nm), particularly red (approx. 650nm), green (approx. 550nm), and blue (approx. 450nm) wavelengths. Due to these limitations, in order to process multiple wavelength bands including RGB colors, multiple waveguides must be stacked, which leads to the problem of increased thickness of the entire system.

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a wave guide with improved light transmission efficiency even at a thin thickness and an augmented reality device including the same may be provided.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a wave guide including a metagrating region capable of operating for multiple wavelength bands even through a single wave guide, and an augmented reality device including the same may be provided.

[0010] However, the problems to be solved in this disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and may be determined in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an augmented reality device comprises: a display engine configured to output light of a plurality of wavelength bands; and a wave guide facing the display engine, the wave guide configured to diffract light incident from the display engine and output it to the outside of the wave guide, wherein the wave guide comprises: a substrate; and a first metagrating region disposed on the substrate and configured to diffract light incident from the display engine in a first direction. and a second metagrating region disposed on the substrate and configured to diffract light diffracted from the first metagrating region in a second direction different from the first direction, wherein the first metagrating region comprises a first nanostructure and a second nanostructure included in a first unit cell having a first period in the first direction and a second period in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the second nanostructure is spaced apart from the first nanostructure in the first direction, and the second metagrating region comprises a third nanostructure and a fourth nanostructure included in a second unit cell having a third period in the second direction and a fourth period in a direction perpendicular to the second direction, and the fourth nanostructure may be spaced apart from the third nanostructure in the second direction.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a wave guide comprises: a substrate; a first metagrating region disposed on the substrate and configured to diffract light incident from a display engine in a first direction; and a second metagrating region disposed on the substrate and configured to diffract light diffracted from the first metagrating region in a second direction different from the first direction, wherein the first metagrating region comprises a first nanostructure and a second nanostructure included in a first unit cell having a first period in the first direction and a second period in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the second nanostructure is spaced apart from the first nanostructure in the first direction, and the second metagrating region comprises a third nanostructure and a fourth nanostructure included in a second unit cell having a third period in the second direction and a fourth period in a direction perpendicular to the second direction, and the fourth nanostructure may be spaced apart from the third nanostructure in the second direction.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, by implementing an augmented reality device with a thin thickness and improved light transmission efficiency, it is possible to provide a smaller and lighter augmented reality device.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a wave guide including a metagrating region capable of operating for multiple wavelength bands (e.g., red, green, or blue) through a single wave guide and an augmented reality device including the same may be provided.

[0015] The effects obtainable from the present disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains from the description below.

[0016] The aspects, configurations, and / or advantages described above regarding one embodiment of the present disclosure may become more apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the usage state of an augmented reality device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a visual image provided to a user according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a drawing for illustrating a wave guide of an augmented reality device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining the operation of a wave guide according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a wave guide according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIGS. 6a and 6b are schematic diagrams for illustrating a unit cell including a nanostructure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a unit cell of a first metagrating region according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a unit cell of a second metagrating region according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 9a is a schematic diagram illustrating a second unit cell located on a first optical path according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 9b is a schematic diagram illustrating a second unit cell located on a second optical path according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 9c is a schematic diagram illustrating a third unit cell located on a third optical path according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a unit cell of a third metagrating region according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first metagrating region according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second metagrating region according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 13a is a schematic diagram illustrating a third metagrating region according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 13b is a schematic diagram illustrating a third metagrating region according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an augmented reality device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 15 is a combined perspective view for explaining the internal configuration of an augmented reality device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of an augmented reality device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily practice them. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In relation to the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for identical or similar components. Furthermore, in the drawings and related descriptions, descriptions of well-known functions and configurations may be omitted for clarity and brevity.

[0037] In the present disclosure, 'Augmented Reality' may mean overlaying a computer-generated virtual image onto a physical, real-world environment or a real-world object to display it as a single image.

[0038] In the present disclosure, the term "Augmented Reality Device" refers to a device capable of displaying augmented reality, and may include not only glasses-shaped Augmented Reality Glasses worn by a user, but also Head Mounted Display Apparatuses or Augmented Reality Helmets. Such Augmented Reality Display Devices can be usefully utilized in daily life, such as for information retrieval, navigation, and camera shooting. Additionally, Augmented Reality Glasses, which are implemented in the form of glasses, can be worn as a fashion item and used for both indoor and outdoor activities.

[0039] In the present disclosure, a "real scene" refers to a scene of the real world viewed by an observer or user through an augmented reality display device, and may include real world object(s). Meanwhile, a "virtual image" may be an image generated through a display engine. The virtual image may include both static and dynamic images. Such a virtual image may be an image that is overlaid on the real scene to display information about real world objects within the real scene, information about the operation of the augmented reality device, or control menus.

[0040] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the usage state of an augmented reality device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a visual image provided to a user according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] The embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 2 can be combined with the embodiments of FIGS. 3 to 16.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the augmented reality device (100) (e.g., the augmented reality device (100) of FIG. 12) may be a glasses-type device configured to be wearable by a user. The augmented reality device (100) is not limited thereto and may be provided as various types of devices that are wearable by a user and capable of providing augmented reality to the user.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the augmented reality device (100) may include a display engine (110) for generating a virtual image composed of light generated from a light source.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the augmented reality device (100) may include a wave guide (120) configured to guide a virtual image generated by a display engine (110) to the user's eye (1). The wave guide (120) may be formed of a material that is transparent to the visible light band so that a scene of the real world can be seen along with the virtual image, but is not limited thereto.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the display engine (110) may be configured to generate light of a virtual image. The display engine (110) may be a projector comprising an image panel, an illumination optical system, or a projection optical system. For example, the display engine (110) is a device that emits light to output a virtual object at a predetermined viewing angle. For example, the display engine (110) may be a projector that projects light generated by an image panel or a projector that scans modulated light, but is not limited thereto.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the display engine (110) may include a display engine for the left eye and a display engine for the right eye, corresponding to the user's left eye and right eye, respectively, but is not limited thereto. The display engine (110) may be placed and / or positioned on the temple of the glasses of the augmented reality device (100) (e.g., the wearable member (1203) of FIGS. 15 to 17), but is not limited thereto.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the display engine (110) may be configured to output polarized light or unpolarized light depending on the method of the image panel or the lighting optical system. The display engine (110) may include, but is not limited to, an LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) panel, an LEDoS (LED on Silicon) panel, or a DMD (Digital Micromirror Device) panel.

[0048] According to one embodiment, light output from a display engine (110) may be configured to be incident on one surface of a wave guide (120). The display engine (110) may be placed or coupled to one surface of the wave guide (120). According to an embodiment, a filter (not shown) that passes only the wavelength band and / or polarization of the light output from the display engine (110) may be placed between the display engine (110) and one surface of the wave guide (120).

[0049] According to one embodiment, the wave guide (120) can receive light of a virtual image output from the display engine (110). The light input to the wave guide (120) can be diffracted at or within the wave guide (110) and output to the user's eye (1).

[0050] According to one embodiment, the scene (20) seen by the eyes (1) of a user wearing an augmented reality device (100) may include a real object (21) and a virtual object (22) (or a virtual image). For example, a wave guide (120) may enable a real object (21) located outside the augmented reality device (100) to be visually visible. Additionally, the wave guide (120) may enable a virtual object (22) output from a display engine (110) to be visually visible.

[0051] According to one embodiment, an augmented reality device (100) and / or a wave guide (120) may cause a virtual scene (e.g., 20b of FIG. 2) to appear superimposed on a real scene (e.g., 20a of FIG. 2) by overlaying a real object (21) and a virtual object (22) in a scene (20) seen by the user's eye (1). For example, the augmented reality device (100) and / or the wave guide (120) may cause a real object (21) and a virtual object (22) to appear superimposed. The wave guide (120) may be defined and / or referred to as an image combiner that overlays a real object (21) and a virtual object (22).

[0052] According to one embodiment, the user's eye (1) may be separated from the wave guide (120) by a first distance (L1), but the virtual object (22) output from the wave guide (120) may be perceived as being located outside the augmented reality device (100) by a second distance (L2) greater than the first distance (L1) from the wave guide (120).

[0053] FIG. 3 is a drawing for illustrating a wave guide of an augmented reality device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0054] FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining the operation of a wave guide according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0055] The embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4 may be combined with the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2, or the embodiments of FIGS. 5 to 16.

[0056] The configuration of the augmented reality device (100), display engine (110), or wave guide (120) of FIGS. 3 and 4 may be partially or entirely the same as the configuration of the augmented reality device (100), display engine (110), or wave guide (120) of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 3, the wave guide (120) may include a substrate comprising a first surface (120a) facing the user's eye (1) and a second surface (120b) facing in the opposite direction to the first surface (120a). The substrate may include, as an example, glass, but is not limited thereto. According to one embodiment, the second surface (120b) may face the direction in which the user's gaze is directed or the direction in which the augmented reality device (100) is directed.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the wave guide (120) may be a plate-shaped member having a predetermined thickness formed between the first surface (120a) and the second surface (120b), but is not limited thereto. For example, the wave guide (120) may have a flat plate shape or a curved plate shape.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the wave guide (120) may be formed as a single-layer structure (e.g., a single substrate) that may have transparency and through which light can be propagated while being reflected internally. The fact that the wave guide (120) (e.g., a single substrate including glass) has transparency may be defined as a material through which light in the visible light band can pass, and the transparency may not be 100% and may have a predetermined color.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the wave guide (120) may be configured to transmit light from a virtual image generated or output from a display engine (110) and light from a real object in a real scene to the user's eye (1).

[0061] According to one embodiment, the waveguide (120) may include at least one diffraction element (131, 132, 133) that diffracts light of a virtual image generated or output from a display engine (110). The at least one diffraction element (131, 132, 133) may include a first diffraction element (131), a second diffraction element (132) spaced apart from the first diffraction element (131), and a third diffraction element (133) spaced apart from the first diffraction element (131) and the second diffraction element (132).

[0062] According to one embodiment, at least one diffraction element (131, 132, 133) may be formed on the first surface (120a) of the wave guide (120), but is not limited thereto. For example, at least one diffraction element (131, 132, 133) may be formed on the second surface (120b) of the wave guide (120).

[0063] According to one embodiment, at least one diffraction element (131, 132, 133) may include, but is not limited to, a diffractive optical element (DOE), a holographic optical element (HOE), a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC), a meta surface, or a meta grating.

[0064] According to one embodiment, light (L1) output from a display engine (110) may be incident toward a first diffraction element (131). The light (L1) may be diffracted by the first diffraction element (131) and propagate within a wave guide (120). The first diffraction element (131) may be defined and / or referred to as an input-coupler.

[0065] According to one embodiment, light (L2) diffracted by the first diffraction element (131) can be reflected inside the wave guide (120) and transmitted to the second diffraction element (132). The light (L2) can be diffracted at the second diffraction element (132) and transmitted to the third diffraction element (133), and can be diffracted at the third diffraction element (133) and output to the user's eye (1).

[0066] According to one embodiment, the second diffraction element (132) may be defined and / or referred to as a fold-coupler, and the third diffraction element (133) may be defined and / or referred to as an output-coupler.

[0067] According to one embodiment, light (L3) generated by a display engine (110) and output to a user's eye (1) may include a virtual object or a virtual image.

[0068] According to one embodiment, a virtual object or virtual image included in the light (L1) output from the display engine (110) may be relatively small in size, but may be diffracted and propagated within the wave guide (110) and may be relatively expanded in size. For example, the size of a virtual object or virtual image included in the light (L3) output to the user's eye (1) may be expanded to correspond to the user's eyebox (EB).

[0069] Referring to FIG. 4, light output from the display engine (110) can be incident on the wave guide (120). For example, the direction (Kin) of the wave vector of the light output from the display engine (110) may be perpendicular to one surface of the wave guide (120), but is not limited thereto.

[0070] According to one embodiment, light incident on the wave guide (120) is diffracted by the first diffracting element (131), and the direction of the wave vector may be changed. For example, the light diffracted by the first diffracting element (131) may propagate to the second diffracting element (132). For example, the direction (K1) of the wave vector of the light diffracted by the first diffracting element (131) may be substantially perpendicular to the direction (Kin), but is not limited thereto. The direction (K1) of the wave vector of the light diffracted by the first diffracting element (131) may be directed toward the second diffracting element (132).

[0071] According to one embodiment, light propagated to the second diffraction element (132) may be diffracted by the second diffraction element (132), and the direction of the wave vector may change. For example, light diffracted by the second diffraction element (132) may be propagated to the third diffraction element (133). For example, the direction (K2) of the wave vector of the light diffracted by the second diffraction element (132) may be different from the direction (K1), but is not limited thereto. The direction (K2) of the wave vector of the light diffracted by the second diffraction element (132) may be directed toward the third diffraction element (133).

[0072] According to one embodiment, light propagated by the third diffraction element (132) may be diffracted by the third diffraction element (133), thereby changing the direction of the wave vector. For example, the light diffracted by the third diffraction element (133) may be output to the user's eye. For example, the direction (Kout) of the wave vector of the light diffracted by the third diffraction element (133) may be different from the direction (K2), but is not limited thereto. The direction (Kout) of the wave vector of the light output to the user's eye (1) by the third diffraction element (133) may be substantially parallel to the direction (Kin), but is not limited thereto.

[0073] The arrangement relationship of the first diffraction element (131), the second diffraction element (132), and the third diffraction element (133) shown in FIG. 4 is exemplary and is not limited thereto.

[0074] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a wave guide according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0075] FIGS. 6a and 6b are schematic diagrams for illustrating a unit cell including a nanostructure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0076] The embodiments of FIGS. 5, 6a, and 6b may be combined with the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 4, or the embodiments of FIGS. 7 to 16. The configurations of the embodiments of FIGS. 5, 6a, and 6b may be partially or wholly identical to the configurations of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 4, or the configurations of FIGS. 7 to 16.

[0077] Referring to FIG. 5, a wave guide (200) (e.g., wave guide (120) of FIG. 1, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4) may include a substrate (201), a first metagrating region (210) (e.g., first diffraction element (131) of FIG. 4), a second metagrating region (220) (e.g., second diffraction element (132) of FIG. 4), and a third metagrating region (230) (e.g., third diffraction element (133) of FIG. 4).

[0078] According to one embodiment, the substrate (201) can be formed of a transparent glass material capable of efficiently transmitting light through total internal reflection. The substrate (201) may be composed of a single substrate (e.g., a substrate composed of a single layer of glass). Accordingly, the substrate (201) may be referred to as a 'single substrate'. For example, the single substrate (201) may not correspond to a structure in which multiple substrates are stacked, but may include only one substrate. According to one embodiment, the substrate (201) may include glass, but is not limited thereto, and may be composed of a member of various materials.

[0079] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, by providing a wave guide (200) operable for light of multiple wavelength bands (e.g., red, green, or blue) even through a substrate (201), miniaturization and weight reduction of the wave guide (200) and / or augmented reality device may be provided.

[0080] According to one embodiment, the substrate (201) may face a display engine (e.g., the display engine (110) of FIG. 1). For example, the display engine may face the substrate (201) so that light output from the display engine is incident on the first metagrating region (210).

[0081] According to one embodiment, the first metagrating region (210), the second metagrating region (220), and the third metagrating region (230) may be spaced apart from each other on a single substrate (201).

[0082] According to one embodiment, the first metagrating area (210) may face a display engine (e.g., the display engine (110) of FIG. 1).

[0083] According to one embodiment, the first metagrating region (210) can diffract light incident from the display engine at a specific diffraction angle, and the diffracted light can be transmitted and / or proceed to the second metagrating region (220) through total reflection within the substrate (201).

[0084] According to one embodiment, the wave vector direction (K1) of the light diffracted in the first metagrating region (210) may be directed toward the second metagrating region (220).

[0085] According to one embodiment, the first metagrating region (210) may be formed by clustering unit cells containing nanostructures containing metamaterials. For example, referring to the illustrated reference numeral 210a, a state is illustrated in which unit cells containing nanostructures are arranged to have a periodic arrangement. The unit cells will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings described below.

[0086] According to one embodiment, the second metagrating region (220) can diffract light transmitted from the first metagrating region (210) at a specific diffraction angle, and the diffracted light can be transmitted and / or proceed to the third metagrating region (230) through total reflection within the substrate (201).

[0087] According to one embodiment, the wave vector direction (K2) of the light diffracted in the second metagrating region (220) may be directed toward the third metagrating region (230). The wave vector direction (K2) of the light diffracted in the second metagrating region (220) may be different from the wave vector direction (K1) of the light diffracted in the first metagrating region (210).

[0088] According to one embodiment, the second metagrating region (220) may be formed by clustering unit cells containing nanostructures containing metamaterials. For example, referring to the illustrated reference numerals 220a and 220b, a state in which unit cells containing nanostructures are arranged to have a periodic arrangement is illustrated. The unit cells will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings described below.

[0089] According to one embodiment, the third metagrating region (230) can diffract light transmitted from the second metagrating region (220) at a specific diffraction angle. The wave vector direction (K3) of the light diffracted in the third metagrating region (230) may be different from the wave vector direction (K2) of the light diffracted in the second metagrating region (220) and / or the wave vector direction (K1) of the light diffracted in the first metagrating region (210).

[0090] According to one embodiment, the third metagrating region (230) may be formed by clustering unit cells containing nanostructures containing metamaterials. For example, unit cells containing nanostructures are illustrated by referring to the illustrated reference numerals 230a and 230b. The unit cells will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings described below.

[0091] According to one embodiment, the light diffracted in the third metagrating region (230) may have a modified wavefront. The light diffracted to have a modified wavefront may be output to the outside of the substrate (201). For example, the light diffracted in the third metagrating region (230) may be output toward the user's eyeball.

[0092] According to one embodiment, the first metagrating region (210) may be defined and / or referred to as an input coupler. The second metagrating region (220) may be defined and / or referred to as a fold coupler. The third metagrating region (230) may be defined and / or referred to as an output coupler.

[0093] Referring to FIGS. 6a and 6b, a unit cell (10, 10a) having periodicity is shown.

[0094] The description of the unit cell (10, 10a) described with reference to FIGS. 6a and 6b may be applied to the description of the unit cell of the first metagrating area (210), the unit cell of the second metagrating area (220), and the unit cell of the third metagrating area (230) of FIG. 5.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 6a, the unit cell (10) may include isotropic nanostructures (21, 22). The unit cell (10) may include a cell region (20) defined by at least a portion of a substrate, a nanostructure (21) disposed on the cell region (20), and another nanostructure (22). The nanostructure (21) and the other nanostructure (22) may include a metamaterial (e.g., a dielectric metasurface).

[0096] According to one embodiment, the cell region (20) may have a width of a first period (Px) in the direction of the wave vector (K) of the light diffracted from the unit cell (10), and may have a length of a second period (Py) in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the wave vector (K).

[0097] According to one embodiment, the width of the first period (Px) may have a value greater than, but not limited to, the value obtained by dividing the wavelength of light of a specific wavelength band by the refractive index of the substrate.

[0098] According to one embodiment, the length of the second period (Py) may have a value less than or equal to the value obtained by dividing the wavelength of light of a specific wavelength band by the refractive index of the substrate, but is not limited thereto.

[0099] According to one embodiment, the nanostructure (21) may include a metamaterial, may have a first width (W1) in the direction of the wave vector (K), and may have a first length (L1) in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the wave vector (K).

[0100] According to one embodiment, another nanostructure (22) may be spaced apart from the nanostructure (21) in the wave vector direction (K). The other nanostructure (22) may include a metamaterial, may have a second width (W2) in the wave vector direction (K), and may have a second length (L2) in a direction perpendicular to the wave vector direction (K). The second width (W2) may be larger than the first width (W1), and the second length (L2) may be larger than the first length (L1), but is not limited thereto.

[0101] According to one embodiment, the volume (e.g., area * thickness) of another nanostructure (22) may be greater than, but is not limited to, the volume of the nanostructure (21). When viewed over the substrate, the area (e.g., second width (W2) * second length (L1)) of the other nanostructure (22) may be greater than, but is not limited to, the area (e.g., first width (W1) * first length (L1)) of the nanostructure (21).

[0102] According to one embodiment, a nanostructure (21) and another nanostructure (22) may be in an isotropic structural relationship. For example, the nanostructure (21) and another nanostructure (22) may have symmetrical shapes (e.g., rectangles or square prisms).

[0103] According to one embodiment, another nanostructure (22) may be spaced apart from the nanostructure (21) by a first distance (d1). The first distance (d1) may correspond to the difference between the second width (W2) and the first width (W1), but is not limited thereto.

[0104] According to one embodiment, when another nanostructure (22) is spaced apart from the nanostructure (21) in the vector direction (K) of the wave in the cell region (20) forming the unit cell (10) having a first period (Px) and a second period (Py), light incident on the unit cell (10) can be diffracted in the vector direction (K) of the wave.

[0105] According to one embodiment, the unit cells of the first metagrating region (210) shown in FIG. 5 may be designed and / or arranged such that the first period (Px) of the unit cell (10) is in the vector direction of the wave (e.g., the K1 direction in FIG. 5), and other nanostructures (22) of the unit cell (10) may be spaced apart from the nanostructure (21) in the vector direction of the wave (e.g., the K1 direction in FIG. 5).

[0106] According to one embodiment, the unit cells of the second metagrating region (220) shown in FIG. 5 may be designed and / or arranged such that the first period (Px) of the unit cell (10) is in the vector direction of the wave (e.g., the K2 direction in FIG. 5), and the other nanostructure (22) of the unit cell (10) may be spaced apart from the nanostructure (21) in the vector direction of the wave (e.g., the K2 direction in FIG. 5).

[0107] According to one embodiment, the unit cells of the third metagrating region (230) shown in FIG. 5 may be designed and / or arranged such that the first period (Px) of the unit cell (10) is in the vector direction of the wave (e.g., the K3 direction in FIG. 5), and the other nanostructure (22) of the unit cell (10) may be spaced apart from the nanostructure (21) in the vector direction of the wave (e.g., the K3 direction in FIG. 5).

[0108] According to one embodiment, each metagrating region can provide a diffraction structure optimized for a specific angle of incidence and polarization of a specific wavelength band by varying the geometric variables of the unit cell (10) (e.g., width and length of a nanostructure (21), width and length of another nanostructure (22), and distance between the nanostructure (21) and the other nanostructure (22)). For example, each metagrating region can diffract light in a desired direction by changing the phase gradient for a specific wavelength band through the optimization of the geometric variables of the unit cell (10).

[0109] Referring to FIG. 6b, the unit cell (10a) may include anisotropic nanostructures (21a, 22a). The unit cell (10a) may include a cell region (20a) defined by at least a portion of the substrate, a nanostructure (21a) disposed on the cell region (20a), and another nanostructure (22a). The nanostructure (21a) and the other nanostructure (22a) may include a metamaterial (e.g., a dielectric metasurface).

[0110] According to one embodiment, the cell region (20a) may have a width of a first period (Px) in the direction of the wave vector (K) of the light diffracted from the unit cell (10a) and a length of a second period (Py) in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the wave vector (K).

[0111] According to one embodiment, the width of the first period (Px) may have a value greater than, but not limited to, the value obtained by dividing the wavelength of light of a specific wavelength band by the refractive index of the substrate.

[0112] According to one embodiment, the length of the second period (Py) may have a value less than or equal to the value obtained by dividing the wavelength of light of a specific wavelength band by the refractive index of the substrate, but is not limited thereto.

[0113] According to one embodiment, the nanostructure (21a) may include a metamaterial, may have a first width (W3) in the direction of the wave vector (K), and may have a first length (L3) in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the wave vector (K).

[0114] According to one embodiment, another nanostructure (22a) may be spaced apart from the nanostructure (21a) in the wave vector direction (K). The other nanostructure (22a) may include a metamaterial and may have a second width (W4) in the wave vector direction (K) and a second length (L4) in a direction perpendicular to the wave vector direction (K). The second width (W4) may be larger than the first width (W3) and the second length (L4) may be larger than the first length (L3), but is not limited thereto.

[0115] According to one embodiment, the volume (e.g., area * thickness) of another nanostructure (22a) may be greater than, but not limited to, the volume of the nanostructure (21a). When viewed from above the substrate, the area (e.g., elliptical area) of the other nanostructure (22a) may be greater than, but not limited to, the area (e.g., elliptical area) of the nanostructure (21a).

[0116] According to one embodiment, a nanostructure (21a) and another nanostructure (22a) may be in an anisotropic structural relationship. For example, a nanostructure (21a) and another nanostructure (22a) may have an asymmetric shape (e.g., elliptical).

[0117] According to one embodiment, another nanostructure (22a) may be spaced apart from the nanostructure (21a) by a second distance (d2). The second distance (d2) may correspond to the difference between the second width (W4) and the first width (W3), but is not limited thereto.

[0118] According to one embodiment, when another nanostructure (22a) is spaced apart from the nanostructure (21a) in the vector direction (K) of the wave in a cell region (20a) forming a unit cell (10a) having a first period (Px) and a second period (Py), light incident on the unit cell (10a) can be diffracted in the vector direction (K) of the wave.

[0119] According to one embodiment, the unit cells of the first metagrating region (210) shown in FIG. 5 may be designed and / or arranged such that the first period (Px) of the unit cell (10a) is in the vector direction of the wave (e.g., the K1 direction in FIG. 5), and the other nanostructure (22a) of the unit cell (10a) may be spaced apart from the nanostructure (21a) in the vector direction of the wave (e.g., the K1 direction in FIG. 5).

[0120] According to one embodiment, the unit cells of the second metagrating region (220) shown in FIG. 5 may be designed and / or arranged such that the first period (Px) of the unit cell (10a) is in the vector direction of the wave (e.g., the K2 direction in FIG. 5), and the other nanostructure (22a) of the unit cell (10a) may be spaced apart from the nanostructure (21a) in the vector direction of the wave (e.g., the K2 direction in FIG. 5).

[0121] According to one embodiment, the unit cells of the third metagrating region (230) shown in FIG. 5 may be designed and / or arranged such that the first period (Px) of the unit cell (10a) is in the vector direction of the wave (e.g., the K3 direction in FIG. 5), and the other nanostructure (22a) of the unit cell (10a) may be spaced apart from the nanostructure (21a) in the vector direction of the wave (e.g., the K3 direction in FIG. 5).

[0122] According to one embodiment, each metagrating region can provide a diffraction structure optimized for a specific angle of incidence and polarization of a specific wavelength band by varying the geometric variables of the unit cell (10a) (e.g., width and length of the nanostructure (21a), width and length of another nanostructure (22a), and the distance between the nanostructure (21a) and the other nanostructure (22a)). For example, each metagrating region can diffract light in a desired direction by changing the phase gradient for a specific wavelength band through the optimization of the geometric variables of the unit cell (10a). For example, each metagrating region may include unit cells having different geometric variables from other metagrating regions. For example, even within a single metagrating region, unit cells having different geometric variables may be included by region.

[0123] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a unit cell of a first metagrating region according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0124] The embodiment of FIG. 7 may be combined with the embodiments of FIG. 1 to 6b, or the embodiments of FIG. 8 to 16. The configurations of the embodiment of FIG. 7 may be partially or wholly identical to the configurations of the embodiments of FIG. 1 to 6, or the configurations of the embodiments of FIG. 8 to 16.

[0125] Referring to FIG. 7, a first metagrating area (e.g., the first metagrating area (210) of FIG. 5) may include a first unit cell (211) (e.g., the unit cell (10, 10a) of FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b). In the first metagrating area, a plurality of first unit cells (211) may be arranged with periodicity. Within the first metagrating area, the plurality of first unit cells (211) may be designed to have the same geometric variable or different geometric variable depending on the area, but are not limited thereto.

[0126] According to one embodiment, a first unit cell (211) of a first metagrating region defined as an input coupler may include a cell region (2011), a first nanostructure (2111), and a second nanostructure (2112). The first nanostructure (2111) and the second nanostructure (2112) may include a metamaterial (e.g., a dielectric metasurface).

[0127] According to one embodiment, the cell region (2011) may have a width of a first period (Px) in the direction of the wave vector (K1) of the light diffracted from the first unit cell (211), and may have a length of a second period (Py) in a direction perpendicular to the wave vector direction (K).

[0128] According to one embodiment, the width of the first period (Px) may have a value greater than or equal to the value obtained by dividing the wavelength of light in a specific wavelength band by the refractive index of the substrate, but is not limited thereto. According to one embodiment, the length of the second period (Py) may have a value less than or equal to the value obtained by dividing the wavelength of light in a specific wavelength band by the refractive index of the substrate, but is not limited thereto.

[0129] According to one embodiment, the first nanostructure (2111) may include a metamaterial, may have a first width (W1) in the direction of the wave vector (K1), and may have a first length (L1) in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the wave vector (K1). The first width (W1) and the first length (L1) may be substantially the same, but are not limited thereto. For example, the cross-section of the first nanostructure (2111) may be square in shape. That is, the first nanostructure (2111) may have a cross-section of 4-fold symmetry, but is not limited thereto.

[0130] According to one embodiment, the second nanostructure (2112) may be spaced apart from the first nanostructure (2112) in the wave vector direction (K1). The second nanostructure (2112) may include a metamaterial, may have a second width (W2) in the wave vector direction (K1), and may have a second length (L2) in a direction perpendicular to the wave vector direction (K1). The second width (W2) and the second length (L2) may be substantially the same, but are not limited thereto. For example, the cross-section of the second nanostructure (2112) may be square in shape. That is, the second nanostructure (2112) may have a cross-section of 4-fold symmetry, but is not limited thereto.

[0131] According to one embodiment, the second width (W2) may be larger than the first width (W1).

[0132] According to one embodiment, the second length (L2) may be larger than the first length (L1), but is not limited thereto.

[0133] According to one embodiment, the second nanostructure (2112) may be spaced apart from the first nanostructure (2111) by a specified distance (d1). The distance (d) may correspond to the difference between the second width (W2) and the first width (W1), but is not limited thereto.

[0134] According to one embodiment, when a second nanostructure (2112) is spaced apart from the first nanostructure (2111) in the vector direction of the wave (K1) with respect to the first nanostructure (2111) in a cell region (2011) forming a first unit cell (211) having a first period (Px) and a second period (Py), light incident on the first unit cell (211) can be diffracted in the vector direction of the wave (K1).

[0135] According to one embodiment, the unit cells (e.g., first unit cells (211)) of the first metagrating region (210) shown in FIG. 5 may be designed and / or arranged such that the first period (Px) of the first unit cell (211) is in the vector direction of the wave (e.g., the K1 direction of FIG. 5), and the second nanostructure (2112) of the first unit cell (211) may be spaced apart from the first nanostructure (2111) in the vector direction of the wave (e.g., the K1 direction of FIG. 5).

[0136] According to one embodiment, the first nanostructure (2111) and the second nanostructure (2112) may be in an isotropic relationship, but are not limited thereto, and may be in an anisotropic relationship.

[0137] According to one embodiment, the second nanostructure (2112) is spaced apart from the first nanostructure (2111) in the vector direction (K1) of the wave, and the volume of the second nanostructure (2112) may be larger than the volume of the first nanostructure (2111). In such a case, the phase gradient of the light diffracted by the first unit cell (2111) may change so as to be diffracted in the vector direction (K1) of the wave.

[0138] According to one embodiment, even within the first metagrating region, geometric variables of the first unit cell (211) (e.g., width and length of the first nanostructure (2111), width and length of the second nanostructure (2112), and the distance between the first nanostructure (2111) and the second nanostructure (2112)) can be varied to provide a diffraction structure optimized according to a specific angle of incidence and polarization of a specific wavelength band.

[0139] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a unit cell of a second metagrating region according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9a is a schematic diagram illustrating a second unit cell located on a first optical path according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9b is a schematic diagram illustrating a second unit cell located on a second optical path according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9c is a schematic diagram illustrating a third unit cell located on a third optical path according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0140] The embodiments of FIGS. 8 to 9c may be combined with the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 7 or the embodiments of FIGS. 10 to 16. The configurations of the embodiments of FIGS. 8 to 9c may be partially or wholly identical to the configurations of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 7 or the configurations of FIGS. 10 to 16.

[0141] Referring to FIG. 8, the wave guide (200) may include a substrate (201).

[0142] According to one embodiment, the wave guide (200) may include a first metagrating area (210) configured to diffract light incident from a display engine toward a second metagrating area (220) in a wave vector direction (e.g., wave vector direction (K1) of FIG. 5), a second metagrating area (220) configured to diffract light transmitted to the second metagrating area (220) in a wave vector direction (e.g., wave vector direction (K2) of FIG. 5) toward a third metagrating area (230), and a third metagrating area (230) configured to diffract light transmitted to the third metagrating area (230) in a wave vector direction (e.g., wave vector direction (K3) of FIG. 5) and output it to the outside of the wave guide (200).

[0143] According to one embodiment, light diffracted in the first metagrating region (210) can be transmitted to the second metagrating region (220) along different light paths (L1, L2, L3) according to wavelength bands.

[0144] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9a, the second unit cell (221) of the second metagrating region (220) that diffracts light transmitted along the first light path (L1) into the third metagrating region (230) may include a cell region (2012) and a nanostructure (2211).

[0145] According to one embodiment, the cell region (2012) may have a first period (Px) in the direction of the wave vector (K2) and a second period (Py) in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the wave vector (K2). The nanostructure (2211) may have a width (W) specified in the direction of the wave vector (K2) and a length (L) specified in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the wave vector (K2). The nanostructure (2211) may have an anisotropic shape, but is not limited thereto.

[0146] According to one embodiment, a second unit cell (221) located on a first light path (L1) may be configured to diffract light with a relatively large angle of incidence (e.g., angle of incidence for the second unit cell (221)) into a third metagrating region (230) and transmit light with a relatively small angle of incidence to the second unit cell (221) without diffracting it into the third metagrating region (230), but is not limited thereto. For example, the second unit cell (221) may have a geometric variable that causes only light with a relatively large angle of incidence to diffract into the third metagrating region (230), but is not limited thereto. The relatively large angle of incidence may have various values ​​depending on design changes.

[0147] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9b, the second unit cell (222) of the second metagrating region (220) that diffracts light transmitted along the second optical path (L2) into the third metagrating region (230) may include a cell region (2013), a first nanostructure (2221), and a second nanostructure (2222).

[0148] According to one embodiment, the cell region (2012) may have a first period (Px) in the direction of the wave vector (K2) and a second period (Py) in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the wave vector (K2). The first nanostructure (2221) may have a first width (W1) specified in the direction of the wave vector (K2) and a first length (L1) specified in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the wave vector (K2). The second nanostructure (2222) may have a second width (W2) greater than the first width (W1) in the direction of the wave vector (K2) and a second length (L2) greater than the first length (L1) specified in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the wave vector (K2). The second nanostructure (2222) may be spaced apart from the first nanostructure (2221) by a distance (d) specified in the wave vector direction (K2).

[0149] According to one embodiment, a second unit cell (222) located on a second light path (L2) may be configured to diffract light with a relatively medium angle of incidence (e.g., angle of incidence for the second unit cell (222)) into a third metagrating region (230) and transmit light with a relatively large or small angle of incidence to the second unit cell (222) without diffracting it into the third metagrating region (230), but is not limited thereto. For example, the second unit cell (222) may have a geometric variable that causes only light with a relatively medium angle of incidence to diffract into the third metagrating region (230), but is not limited thereto. The relatively medium angle of incidence may have various values ​​depending on design changes.

[0150] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9c, the second unit cell (223) of the second metagrating region (220) that diffracts light transmitted along the third light path (L3) into the third metagrating region (230) may include a cell region (2014), a first nanostructure (2231), and a second nanostructure (2232).

[0151] According to one embodiment, the cell region (2014) may have a first period (Px) in the direction of the wave vector (K2) and a second period (Py) in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the wave vector (K2). The first nanostructure (2231) may have a first width (W1) specified in the direction of the wave vector (K2) and a length (L) specified in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the wave vector (K2). The second nanostructure (2222) may have a second width (W2) greater than the first width (W1) in the direction of the wave vector (K2) and a length (L) specified in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the wave vector (K2). The length (L) of the first nanostructure (2231) and the length of the second nanostructure (2232) may be substantially the same, but are not limited thereto. The second nanostructure (2232) may be spaced apart from the first nanostructure (2231) by a distance (d) specified in the wave vector direction (K2).

[0152] According to one embodiment, a second unit cell (223) located on a third light path (L3) may be configured to diffract light with a relatively small angle of incidence (e.g., angle of incidence for the second unit cell (223)) into a third metagrating region (230) and transmit light with a relatively large angle of incidence to the second unit cell (223) without diffracting it into the third metagrating region (230), but is not limited thereto. For example, the second unit cell (223) may have a geometric variable that causes only light with a relatively small angle of incidence to diffract into the third metagrating region (230), but is not limited thereto. The relatively small angle of incidence may have various values ​​depending on design changes.

[0153] Referring to FIGS. 8 to 9c, the second unit cells (221, 222, 223) placed in each of the light paths (L1, L2, L3) may have progressively larger nanostructures positioned in the direction of the wave vector (K2) to change the phase gradient of light having a specific wavelength band and a specific angle of incidence, but are not limited thereto.

[0154] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a unit cell of a third metagrating region according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0155] The embodiment of FIG. 10 may be combined with the embodiments of FIG. 1 to 9c, or the embodiments of FIG. 11 to 16. The configurations of the embodiment of FIG. 10 may be partially or entirely identical to the configurations of the embodiments of FIG. 1 to 9c, or the configurations of the embodiments of FIG. 11 to 16.

[0156] Referring to FIG. 10, the wave guide (200) may include a substrate (201).

[0157] According to one embodiment, the wave guide (200) may include a first metagrating area (210) configured to diffract light incident from a display engine toward a second metagrating area (220) in a wave vector direction (e.g., wave vector direction (K1) of FIG. 5), a second metagrating area (220) configured to diffract light transmitted to the second metagrating area (220) in a wave vector direction (e.g., wave vector direction (K2) of FIG. 5) toward a third metagrating area (230), and a third metagrating area (230) configured to diffract light transmitted to the third metagrating area (230) in a wave vector direction (K3) and output it to the outside of the wave guide (200).

[0158] According to one embodiment, light diffracted in the first metagrating region (210) can be transmitted to the second metagrating region (220) along different light paths (L1, L2, L3) according to wavelength band and rotated, and light diffracted in the second metagrating region (220) can be transmitted to the third metagrating region (230) along different light paths (L1, L2, L3) and diffracted.

[0159] According to one embodiment, a third unit cell (231) of a third metagrating region (230) that diffracts light transmitted along a first light path (L1) may include a cell region and a nanostructure (2311).

[0160] According to one embodiment, a third unit cell (231) of a third metagrating region (230) that diffracts light transmitted along a first light path (L1) may include a cell region, a first nanostructure (2311), and a second nanostructure (2312).

[0161] According to one embodiment, the cell region may have a first period (Px) in the direction of the wave vector (K3) and a second period (Py) in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the wave vector (K3). The second nanostructure (2312) may be spaced apart from the first nanostructure (2311) by a distance specified in the direction of the wave vector (K3).

[0162] According to one embodiment, a second unit cell (231) located on a first light path (L1) can output light to the outside of the wave guide (200) by diffracting light having a relatively large angle of incidence (e.g., angle of incidence for the third unit cell (231)). For example, the output light may be incident on the user's eyeball. For example, the third unit cell (231) may have a geometric variable that diffracts only light having a relatively large angle of incidence to output to the outside of the wave guide (200), but is not limited thereto. The relatively large angle of incidence may have various values ​​depending on design changes.

[0163] According to one embodiment, a third unit cell (232) of a third metagrating region (230) that diffracts light transmitted along a first light path (L1) may include a cell region and a nanostructure (2321).

[0164] According to one embodiment, a third unit cell (232) of a third metagrating region (230) that diffracts light transmitted along a second optical path (L2) may include a cell region, a first nanostructure (2321), and a second nanostructure (2322).

[0165] According to one embodiment, the cell region may have a first period (Px) in the direction of the wave vector (K3) and a second period (Py) in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the wave vector (K3). The second nanostructure (2322) may be spaced apart from the first nanostructure (2321) by a distance specified in the direction of the wave vector (K3).

[0166] According to one embodiment, a second unit cell (232) located on a second light path (L2) can output light to the outside of the waveguide (200) by diffracting light having a relatively intermediate angle of incidence (e.g., an angle of incidence for the third unit cell (232)). For example, the output light may be incident on the user's eyeball. For example, the third unit cell (232) may have a geometric variable that diffracts only light having a relatively intermediate angle of incidence to output it to the outside of the waveguide (200), but is not limited thereto. The relatively intermediate angle of incidence may have various values ​​depending on design changes.

[0167] According to one embodiment, a third unit cell (233) of a third metagrating region (230) that diffracts light transmitted along a third light path (L3) may include a cell region, a first nanostructure (2331), and a second nanostructure (2332).

[0168] According to one embodiment, the cell region may have a first period (Px) in the direction of the wave vector (K3) and a second period (Py) in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the wave vector (K3). The second nanostructure (2332) may be spaced apart from the first nanostructure (2331) by a distance specified in the direction of the wave vector (K3).

[0169] According to one embodiment, a second unit cell (233) located on a third light path (L3) can output light to the outside of the wave guide (200) by diffracting light having a relatively intermediate angle of incidence (e.g., angle of incidence for the third unit cell (233)). For example, the output light may be incident on the user's eyeball. For example, the third unit cell (233) may have a geometric variable that diffracts only light having a relatively intermediate angle of incidence to output to the outside of the wave guide (200), but is not limited thereto. The relatively intermediate angle of incidence may have various values ​​depending on design changes.

[0170] Referring to FIG. 10, the third unit cells (231, 232, 233) placed in each of the optical paths (L1, L2, L3) may have progressively larger nanostructures positioned in the direction of the wave vector (K2) to change the phase gradient of light having a specific wavelength band and a specific angle of incidence and to improve the efficiency of output to the outside of the wave guide (200), but are not limited thereto.

[0171] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first metagrating region according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0172] The embodiment of FIG. 11 may be combined with the embodiments of FIG. 1 to 10, or the embodiments of FIG. 12 to 16. The configurations of the embodiment of FIG. 11 may be partially or wholly identical to the configurations of the embodiments of FIG. 1 to 10, or the configurations of FIG. 12 to 16.

[0173] Referring to FIG. 11, the wave guide (200) may include a substrate (201) and a first metagrating area (210).

[0174] According to one embodiment, the first metagrating region (210) may include a first sub-region (2101), a second sub-region (2102), and a third sub-region (2103) that include different geometric variables to increase diffraction efficiency for multiple wavelength bands (e.g., red (R), green (G), or blue (B)).

[0175] According to one embodiment, the first sub-region (2101), the second sub-region (2102), and the third sub-region (2103) may be regions separated along the wave vector direction (K1).

[0176] According to one embodiment, the first sub-region (2101) may include geometric variables that have excellent diffraction efficiency for light (R) in the red wavelength band incident on the first sub-region (2101). For example, the first unit cell (211) of the first sub-region (2101) may include a cell region having a first period (Px) and a second period (Px) based on the wavelength band of light (R) in the red wavelength band, and may be configured to have the shape and arrangement of a first nanostructure (2111) and a second nanostructure (2112) that have excellent phase gradient change efficiency for light (R) in the red wavelength band.

[0177] According to one embodiment, the second sub-region (2102) may include geometric variables that have excellent diffraction efficiency for light (G) in the green wavelength band incident on the second sub-region (2102). For example, the first unit cell (212) of the second sub-region (2102) may include a cell region having a first period (Px) and a second period (Px) based on the wavelength band of light (G) in the green wavelength band, and may be configured to have the shape and arrangement of a first nanostructure (2121) and a second nanostructure (2122) that have excellent phase gradient change efficiency for light (G) in the green wavelength band.

[0178] According to one embodiment, the third sub-region (2103) may include geometric variables that have excellent diffraction efficiency for light (B) in the blue wavelength band incident on the third sub-region (2103). For example, the first unit cell (213) of the third sub-region (2103) may include a cell region having a first period (Px) and a second period (Px) based on the wavelength band of light (B) in the blue wavelength band, and may be configured to have the shape and arrangement of a first nanostructure (2131) and a second nanostructure (2132) that have excellent phase gradient change efficiency for light (B) in the blue wavelength band.

[0179] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second metagrating region according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0180] FIG. 13a is a schematic diagram illustrating a third metagrating region according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0181] FIG. 13b is a schematic diagram illustrating a third metagrating region according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0182] The embodiments of FIGS. 12, FIGS. 13a, and FIGS. 13b may be combined with the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 11, or the embodiments of FIGS. 14 to 16. The configurations of the embodiments of FIGS. 12, FIGS. 13a, and FIGS. 13b may be partially or wholly identical to the configurations of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 11, or the configurations of FIGS. 14 to 16.

[0183] Referring to FIG. 12, the wave guide (200) may include a substrate (201), a first metagrating area (210), a second metagrating area (220), and a third metagrating area (230).

[0184] According to one embodiment, the second metagrating region (220) may include a first sub-region (224), a second sub-region (225), and a third sub-region (226) that include different geometric variables to increase diffraction efficiency for multiple wavelength bands (e.g., red (R), green (G), or blue (B)).

[0185] According to one embodiment, the first sub-region (224), the second sub-region (225), and the third sub-region (226) may have an elongated shape having an angle close to parallel with the wave vector direction (K1) of the light diffracted in the first metagrating region (210), but are not limited thereto.

[0186] According to one embodiment, the first sub-region (224) may include geometric variables that have excellent diffraction efficiency for light in the red wavelength band incident on the first sub-region (224). For example, the second unit cell of the first sub-region (224) may include a cell region having a first period and a second period based on the wavelength band of light in the red wavelength band, and may be configured to have the shape and arrangement of a first nanostructure and a second nanostructure that have excellent phase gradient change efficiency for light in the blue wavelength band.

[0187] According to one embodiment, the first sub-region (224) may be formed by arranging a plurality of first sub-regions in a row, but is not limited thereto. When a plurality of first sub-regions are arranged in a row, the second unit cells of each region may have different geometric variables, but are not limited thereto.

[0188] According to one embodiment, the second sub-region (225) may include geometric variables that have excellent diffraction efficiency for light in the green wavelength band incident on the second sub-region (225). For example, the second unit cell of the second sub-region (225) may include a cell region having a first period and a second period based on the wavelength band of light in the green wavelength band, and may be configured to have the shape and arrangement of a first nanostructure and a second nanostructure that have excellent phase gradient change efficiency for light in the blue wavelength band.

[0189] According to one embodiment, the second sub-region (225) may be formed by arranging a plurality of second sub-regions in a row, but is not limited thereto. When a plurality of second sub-regions are arranged in a row, the second unit cells of each region may have different geometric variables, but are not limited thereto.

[0190] According to one embodiment, the third sub-region (226) may include geometric variables having excellent diffraction efficiency for light in the blue wavelength band incident on the third sub-region (226). For example, the second unit cell of the third sub-region (226) may include a cell region having a first period and a second period based on the wavelength band of light in the blue wavelength band, and may be configured to have the shape and arrangement of a first nanostructure and a second nanostructure having excellent phase gradient change efficiency for light in the blue wavelength band.

[0191] According to one embodiment, the third sub-region (226) may be formed by arranging a plurality of third sub-regions in a row, but is not limited thereto. When a plurality of third sub-regions are arranged in a row, the second unit cells of each region may have different geometric variables, but are not limited thereto.

[0192] According to one embodiment, the length of the major axis of the sub-regions (224, 225, 226) may have an optimized length to cover the entire field of view (FoV) of the light output from the display engine (110) because the light of multiple wavelength bands has different diffraction angles depending on the wavelength band. Accordingly, the sub-regions (224, 225, 226) may have different major axis lengths depending on the wavelength band, and may also have different lengths within the same sub-region.

[0193] According to one embodiment, the sum of the width (WR) of the end (224a) of the first sub-region (224), the width (WG) of the end (225) of the second sub-region (225), and the width (WB) of the end (226a) of the third sub-region (226) may be smaller than the width (WD) (e.g., diameter) of the light output from the display engine (110) to reduce the haze of the output light or to limit and / or reduce unwanted diffraction, but is not limited thereto. The widths (WR, WG, WB) may have the same size, but are not limited thereto, may have different sizes.

[0194] Referring to FIG. 13a, the third metagrating region (230) may include a first sub-region (234), a second sub-region (235), and a third sub-region (236) that include different geometric variables to increase diffraction efficiency for multiple wavelength bands (e.g., red (R), green (G), or blue (B)).

[0195] According to one embodiment, the first sub-region (234), the second sub-region (235), and the third sub-region (236) may have a major axis in a direction perpendicular to the wave vector direction (K3) of the light diffracted in the third metagrating region (230), but are not limited thereto.

[0196] According to one embodiment, the first sub-region (234) may include geometric variables that have excellent diffraction efficiency for light in the red wavelength band incident on the first sub-region (234). For example, the third unit cell of the first sub-region (234) may be configured to include a cell region having a first period and a second period based on the wavelength band of light in the red wavelength band, and to have the shape and arrangement of a first nanostructure and a second nanostructure that have excellent phase gradient change efficiency for light in the blue wavelength band.

[0197] According to one embodiment, the first sub-region (234) may be formed by arranging a plurality of first sub-regions in a row, but is not limited thereto. When a plurality of first sub-regions are arranged in a row, the third unit cells of each region may have different geometric variables, but are not limited thereto.

[0198] According to one embodiment, the second sub-region (235) may include geometric variables that have excellent diffraction efficiency for light in the green wavelength band incident on the second sub-region (235). For example, the third unit cell of the second sub-region (235) may include a cell region having a first period and a second period based on the wavelength band of light in the green wavelength band, and may be configured to have the shape and arrangement of a first nanostructure and a second nanostructure that have excellent phase gradient change efficiency for light in the blue wavelength band.

[0199] According to one embodiment, the second sub-region (235) may be formed by arranging a plurality of second sub-regions in a row, but is not limited thereto. When a plurality of second sub-regions are arranged in a row, the third unit cells of each region may have different geometric variables, but are not limited thereto.

[0200] According to one embodiment, the third sub-region (236) may include geometric variables that have excellent diffraction efficiency for light in the blue wavelength band incident on the third sub-region (236). For example, the third unit cell of the third sub-region (236) may include a cell region having a first period and a second period based on the wavelength band of light in the blue wavelength band, and may be configured to have the shape and arrangement of a first nanostructure and a second nanostructure that have excellent phase gradient change efficiency for light in the blue wavelength band.

[0201] According to one embodiment, the third sub-region (236) may be formed by arranging a plurality of third sub-regions in a row, but is not limited thereto. When a plurality of third sub-regions are arranged in a row, the third unit cells of each region may have different geometric variables, but are not limited thereto.

[0202] According to one embodiment, the sum of the width (WR) of the end (234a) of the first sub-region (234), the width (WG) of the end (235) of the second sub-region (235), and the width (WB) of the end (236a) of the third sub-region (236) may be less than about 2.2 mm, but is not limited thereto.

[0203] Referring to FIG. 13b, the third metagrating region (230) may include a first sub-region (237), a second sub-region (238), and a third sub-region (239) that include different geometric variables to increase diffraction efficiency for multiple wavelength bands (e.g., red (R), green (G), or blue (B)).

[0204] According to one embodiment, the first sub-region (237), the second sub-region (238), and the third sub-region (239) may have a major axis in the direction of the wave vector (K3) of the light diffracted in the third metagrating region (230), but are not limited thereto.

[0205] According to one embodiment, the first sub-region (237) may include geometric variables that have excellent diffraction efficiency for light in the red wavelength band incident on the first sub-region (237). For example, the third unit cell of the first sub-region (237) may include a cell region having a first period and a second period based on the wavelength band of light in the red wavelength band, and may be configured to have the shape and arrangement of a first nanostructure and a second nanostructure that have excellent phase gradient change efficiency for light in the blue wavelength band.

[0206] According to one embodiment, the first sub-region (237) may be formed by arranging a plurality of first sub-regions in a row, but is not limited thereto. When a plurality of first sub-regions are arranged in a row, the third unit cells of each region may have different geometric variables, but are not limited thereto.

[0207] According to one embodiment, the second sub-region (238) may include geometric variables that have excellent diffraction efficiency for light in the green wavelength band incident on the second sub-region (238). For example, the third unit cell of the second sub-region (238) may include a cell region having a first period and a second period based on the wavelength band of light in the green wavelength band, and may be configured to have the shape and arrangement of a first nanostructure and a second nanostructure that have excellent phase gradient change efficiency for light in the blue wavelength band.

[0208] According to one embodiment, the second sub-region (238) may be formed by arranging a plurality of second sub-regions in a row, but is not limited thereto. When a plurality of second sub-regions are arranged in a row, the third unit cells of each region may have different geometric variables, but are not limited thereto.

[0209] According to one embodiment, the third sub-region (239) may include geometric variables that have excellent diffraction efficiency for light in the blue wavelength band incident on the third sub-region (239). For example, the third unit cell of the third sub-region (239) may include a cell region having a first period and a second period based on the wavelength band of light in the blue wavelength band, and may be configured to have the shape and arrangement of a first nanostructure and a second nanostructure that have excellent phase gradient change efficiency for light in the blue wavelength band.

[0210] According to one embodiment, the third sub-region (239) may be formed by arranging a plurality of third sub-regions in a row, but is not limited thereto. When a plurality of third sub-regions are arranged in a row, the third unit cells of each region may have different geometric variables, but are not limited thereto.

[0211] According to one embodiment, the sum of the width (WR) of the end (237a) of the first sub-region (237), the width (WG) of the end (238) of the second sub-region (238), and the width (WB) of the end (239a) of the third sub-region (239) may be less than about 2.2 mm, but is not limited thereto.

[0212] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an augmented reality device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0213] The embodiment of FIG. 14 can be combined with the embodiments of FIG. 1 to 13c, or the embodiments of FIG. 15 to 16.

[0214] Referring to FIG. 14, an augmented reality device (100) (e.g., the augmented reality device (100) of FIG. 1) is an electronic device in the form of glasses, and a user can visually perceive surrounding objects or environments while wearing the augmented reality device (100). For example, the augmented reality device (100) may be smart glasses or a head mounting device (HMD) or smart glasses that can provide images directly in front of the user's eyes. The configuration of the augmented reality device (100) of FIG. 14 may be partly or wholly identical to the configuration of the augmented reality device (100) of FIG. 1.

[0215] According to one embodiment, the augmented reality device (100) may include a housing (1210) that forms the exterior of the augmented reality device (100). The housing (1210) may provide a space in which components of the augmented reality device (100) can be placed. For example, the housing (1210) may include a lens frame (1202) and at least one wearable member (1203).

[0216] According to one embodiment, the augmented reality device (100) may be disposed within a housing (1210) and may include a display member (1201) capable of outputting a visual image. For example, the augmented reality device (100) may include at least one display member (1201) capable of providing visual information (or an image) to a user. For example, the display member (1201) may include a module equipped with a lens, a display, a wave guide (e.g., the wave guide (120) of FIG. 1, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4, or the wave guide (200) of FIG. 5, FIG. 8, FIG. 10, FIG. 11, and FIG. 12) and / or a touch circuit. According to one embodiment, the display member (1201) may be formed to be transparent or translucent. According to one embodiment, the display member (1201) may include glass made of a translucent material or a window member whose light transmittance can be controlled as the color concentration is adjusted.

[0217] According to one embodiment, the lens frame (1202) may accommodate at least a portion of the display member (1201). For example, the lens frame (1202) may surround at least a portion of the edge of the display member (1201). According to one embodiment, the lens frame (1202) may position at least one of the display members (1201) corresponding to the user's eye. According to one embodiment, the lens frame (1202) may be a rim of a general eyeglass structure. According to one embodiment, the lens frame (1202) may include at least one closed curve surrounding the display member (1201). According to one embodiment, the lens frame (1202) may include a first end (1202c) and a second end (1202d) opposite to the first end (1202c). The first end (1202c) may be positioned adjacent to the first wearable member (1203a), and the second end (1202d) may be positioned adjacent to the second wearable member (1203b).

[0218] According to one embodiment, the wearable member (1203) may extend from the lens frame (1202). For example, the wearable member (1203) may extend from the end of the lens frame (1202) and, together with the lens frame (1202), be supported or positioned on the user's body (e.g., ear). According to one embodiment, the wearable member (1203) may be rotatably coupled to the lens frame (1202) via a hinge structure (1229). According to one embodiment, the wearable member (1203) may include an inner surface (1231c) configured to face the user's body and an outer surface (1231d) opposite to the inner surface (1231c). According to one embodiment (not shown), at least a portion of the wearable member (1203) may be formed of a flexible material (e.g., rubber). For example, at least a portion of the wearable member (1203) may be formed in a band shape that surrounds at least a portion of the user's body (e.g., ear).

[0219] According to one embodiment, the augmented reality device (100) may include a hinge structure (1229) configured to allow the wearable member (1203) to be folded with respect to the lens frame (1202). The hinge structure (1229) may be positioned between the lens frame (1202) and the wearable member (1203). When the user is not wearing the augmented reality device (100), the user may fold the wearable member (1203) so that a portion overlaps with the lens frame (1202) to carry or store it. According to one embodiment, the hinge structure (1229) may include a first hinge structure (1229a) connected to a part of the lens frame (1202) (e.g., a first end (1202c)) and a first wearing member (1203a), and a second hinge structure (1229b) connected to a part of the lens frame (1202) (e.g., a second end (1202d)) and a second wearing member (1203b).

[0220] FIG. 15 is a combined perspective view for explaining the internal configuration of an augmented reality device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0221] FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of an augmented reality device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0222] The configuration of the display member (1201), lens frame (1202), wearable member (1203), and hinge structure (1229) of FIG. 15 and / or FIG. 16 may be partially or entirely identical to the configuration of the display member (1201), lens frame (1202), wearable member (1203), and hinge structure (1229) of FIG. 14.

[0223] Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, an augmented reality device (100) (e.g., the augmented reality device (100) of FIG. 1) may include a display member (1201), a lens frame (1202), a wearable member (1203), a hinge structure (1229), at least one circuit board (1241), at least one battery (1243), at least one power delivery structure (1246), a camera module (1250), and / or a sensor module (1280).

[0224] According to one embodiment, the augmented reality device (100) may acquire and / or perceive a visual image of an object or environment in the direction that the user is looking at or the augmented reality device (100) is facing (e.g., -Y direction) using a camera module (1250), and may receive information regarding the object or environment from an external electronic device via a network. In another embodiment, the augmented reality device (100) may provide the information regarding the received object or environment to the user in an auditory or visual form. The augmented reality device (100) may provide the information regarding the received object or environment to the user in a visual form through a display member (1201) using a display module. For example, the augmented reality device (100) may implement augmented reality by implementing information regarding the object or environment in a visual form and combining it with an actual image of the user's surrounding environment.

[0225] According to one embodiment, the display members (1201) are provided as a pair and can be positioned to correspond to the user's left eye and right eye, respectively, when the augmented reality device (100) is worn on the user's body. For example, the display members (1201) may include a first display member (1201a) and a second display member (1201b) positioned spaced apart from the first display member (1201a). The first display member (1201a) may be positioned to correspond to the user's right eye, and the second display member (1201b) may be positioned to correspond to the user's left eye.

[0226] According to one embodiment, the display member (1201) may include a first surface (F1) facing the direction in which external light is incident (e.g., -Z direction) and a second surface (F2) facing the opposite direction of the first surface (F1) (e.g., +Z direction). When a user is wearing the augmented reality device (100), at least a portion of the light or image incident through the first surface (F1) may pass through the second surface (F2) of the display member (1201) positioned to face the user's left eye and / or right eye and be incident on the user's left eye and / or right eye.

[0227] According to one embodiment, the lens frame (1202) may include at least two frames. For example, the lens frame (1202) may include a first frame (1202a) and a second frame (1202b). According to one embodiment, when a user wears the augmented reality device (100), the first frame (1202a) is a frame that faces the user's face, and the second frame (1202b) may be a part of the lens frame (1202) that is spaced apart from the first frame (1202a) in the direction of the user's gaze (e.g., the -Z direction).

[0228] According to one embodiment, the augmented reality device (100) may include a light output module (1211) (e.g., the display engine (110) of FIG. 1) configured to provide images and / or videos to a user. For example, the light output module (1211) may include a display panel (not shown) capable of outputting a video and a lens (not shown) corresponding to the user's eye and guiding the video to a display member (1201). For example, the user may obtain a video output from the display panel of the light output module (1211) through the lens of the light output module (1211). According to one embodiment, the light output module (1211) may include a device configured to display various information. For example, the light output module (1211) may include at least one of a liquid crystal display (LCD), a digital mirror device (DMD), a liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), or a micro light emitting diode (micro LED). According to one embodiment, if the light output module (1211) and / or the display member (1201) includes one of a liquid crystal display, a digital mirror device, or a silicon liquid crystal display, the augmented reality device (100) may include a light source that irradiates light onto a display area of ​​the light output module (1211) and / or the display member (1201). According to another embodiment, if the light output module (1211) and / or the display member (1201) includes one of an organic light emitting diode or a micro LED, the augmented reality device (100) may provide a virtual image to the user without including a separate light source.

[0229] According to one embodiment, at least a portion of the optical output module (1211) may be disposed within the housing (1210). For example, the optical output module (1211) may be connected to a display member (1201) and may provide an image to a user through the display member (1201). For example, an image output from the optical output module (1211) may be incident on the display member (1201) through an input optical member (not shown) located at one end of the display member (1201), and may be radiated toward the user's eye through a wave guide (e.g., the wave guide (120) of FIG. 1, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4, or the wave guide (200) of FIG. 5, FIG. 8, FIG. 10, FIG. 11, and FIG. 12) and an output optical member (not shown) located at least a portion of the display member (1201).

[0230] According to one embodiment, the augmented reality device (100) may include a circuit board (1241) (e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB), a printed board assembly (PBA), a flexible PCB (FPCB), or a rigid-flexible PCB (RFPCB)) that accommodates components for operating the augmented reality device (100). For example, the circuit board (1241) may include at least one integrated circuit chip, and at least one of a processor (not shown), a memory (not shown), a power management module (not shown), or a communication module (not shown) may be provided on the integrated circuit chip. According to one embodiment, the circuit board (1241) may be placed within a wearable member (1203) of a housing (1210). For example, the circuit board (1241) may include a first circuit board (1241a) disposed within a first wearable member (1203a) and a second circuit board (1241b) disposed within a second wearable member (1203b). According to one embodiment, a communication module may be mounted on the first circuit board (1241a) located within the first wearable member (1203a), and a processor may be mounted on the second circuit board (1241b) located within the second wearable member (1203b). According to one embodiment, the circuit board (1241) may be electrically connected to a battery (1243) through a power delivery structure (1246). According to one embodiment, the circuit board (1241) may be an interposer board.

[0231] According to one embodiment, the battery (1243) can be electrically connected to components of the augmented reality device (100) (e.g., a light output module (1211), a circuit board (1241), a speaker module (1245), a microphone module (1247) and / or a camera module (1250)) and can supply power to the components of the augmented reality device (100).

[0232] According to one embodiment, at least a portion of the battery (1243) may be disposed in the wearable member (1203). According to one embodiment, the battery (1243) may include a first battery (1243a) disposed within the first wearable member (1203a) and a second battery (1243b) disposed within the second wearable member (1203b). According to one embodiment, the battery (1243) may be disposed adjacent to the ends (1203c, 1203d) of the wearable member (1203).

[0233] According to one embodiment, the speaker module (1245) can convert an electrical signal into sound. At least a portion of the speaker module (1245) may be placed within the wearable member (1203) of the housing (1210). According to one embodiment, the speaker module (1245) may be positioned within the wearable member (1203) to correspond to the user's ear. According to one embodiment (e.g., FIG. 15), the speaker module (1245) may be placed next to the circuit board (1241). For example, the speaker module (1245) may be placed between the circuit board (1241) and the battery (1243). According to another embodiment (not shown), the speaker module (1245) may be placed on the circuit board (1241). For example, the speaker module (1245) may be placed between the circuit board (1241) and the inner case (e.g., the inner case (1231) of FIG. 16).

[0234] According to one embodiment, the augmented reality device (100) may include a power delivery structure (1246) configured to deliver power from a battery (1243) to an electronic component of the augmented reality device (100) (e.g., an optical output module (1211)). For example, the power delivery structure (1246) is electrically connected to the battery (1243) and / or a circuit board (1241), and the circuit board (1241) can deliver power received through the power delivery structure (1246) to the optical output module (1211). According to one embodiment, the power delivery structure (1246) may be configured to deliver power. For example, the power delivery structure (1246) may include a flexible printed circuit board or a wire. For example, the wire may include a plurality of cables (not shown). In one embodiment, the shape of the power delivery structure (1246) may be varied in various ways considering the number and / or type of cables, etc.

[0235] According to one embodiment, the microphone module (1247) can convert sound into an electrical signal. According to one embodiment, the microphone module (1247) can be placed within the lens frame (1202). For example, at least one microphone module (1247) can be placed at the bottom (e.g., in the direction toward the -Y axis) and / or the top (e.g., in the direction toward the +X axis) of the augmented reality device (100). According to one embodiment, the augmented reality device (100) can more clearly recognize the user's voice by using voice information (e.g., sound) obtained from at least one microphone module (1247). For example, the augmented reality device (100) can distinguish voice information and ambient noise based on the obtained voice information and / or additional information (e.g., low-frequency vibrations of the user's skin and bones). For example, the augmented reality device (100) can clearly recognize the user's voice and perform a function that reduces ambient noise (e.g., noise canceling).

[0236] According to one embodiment, the camera module (1250) can capture still images and / or video. The camera module (1250) may include at least one of a lens, at least one image sensor, an image signal processor, or a flash. According to one embodiment, the camera module (1250) may be placed within a lens frame (1202) and around a display member (1201).

[0237] According to one embodiment, the camera module (1250) may include at least one first camera module (1251). According to one embodiment, the first camera module (1251) may capture the trajectory of a user's eye (e.g., pupil) or gaze. For example, the first camera module (1251) may include a light-emitting part (e.g., IR LED) (not shown) configured to emit light in the infrared band and a camera structure (not shown) configured to capture the reflection pattern of light emitted by the light-emitting part to the user's eye. According to one embodiment, a processor (e.g., processor (120) of FIG. 1) may adjust the position of the virtual image so that the virtual image projected onto the display member (1201) corresponds to the direction in which the user's pupil gazes. According to one embodiment, the first camera module (1251) may track the trajectory of the user's eye or gaze using a plurality of first camera modules (1251) of the same specifications and performance.

[0238] According to one embodiment, the first camera module (1251) may periodically or non-periodically transmit information related to the trajectory of the user's eyes or gaze (e.g., trajectory information) to the processor. According to another embodiment, the first camera module (1251) may transmit the trajectory information to the processor when it detects that the user's gaze has changed based on the trajectory information (e.g., the eyes move beyond a reference value while the head is not moving).

[0239] According to one embodiment, the camera module (1250) may include a second camera module (1253). According to one embodiment, the second camera module (1253) may capture an external image. According to one embodiment, the second camera module (1253) may capture an external image through a second optical hole (1223) formed in the second frame (1202b). For example, the second camera module (1253) may include a high-resolution color camera and may be a high-resolution (HR) or photo-video (PV) camera. According to one embodiment, the second camera module (1253) may provide an autofocus (AF) function and an optical image stabilizer (OIS) function.

[0240] According to one embodiment, the augmented reality device (100) may include a flash (not shown) positioned adjacent to the second camera module (1253). For example, the flash (not shown) may provide light to increase the brightness (e.g., illumination) around the augmented reality device (100) when acquiring an external image of the second camera module (1253), and may reduce the difficulty of acquiring an image due to a dark environment, the mixing of various light sources, and / or light reflection.

[0241] According to one embodiment, the camera module (1250) may include at least one third camera module (1255). According to one embodiment, the third camera module (1255) may capture a user's movements through a first optical hole (1221) formed in the lens frame (1202). For example, the third camera module (1255) may capture a user's gesture (e.g., hand movement). The third camera module (1255) and / or the first optical hole (1221) may be positioned at each end of the lens frame (1202) (e.g., the second frame (1202b)), for example, at each end of the lens frame (1202) (e.g., the second frame (1202b)) in the X direction. According to one embodiment, the third camera module (1255) may be a camera with a global shutter (GS) type. For example, the third camera module (1255) may be a camera supporting 3DoF (degrees of freedom) or 6DoF, and may provide 360-degree spatial (e.g., omnidirectional), position recognition, and / or motion recognition. According to one embodiment, the third camera module (1255) may be a stereo camera and may perform simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) and user motion recognition functions using multiple global shutter type cameras of the same specifications and performance. According to one embodiment, the third camera module (1255) may include an IR (infrared) camera (e.g., a TOF (time of flight) camera or a structured light camera). For example, the IR camera may operate as at least part of a sensor module for detecting the distance to a subject.

[0242] According to one embodiment, at least one of the first camera module (1251) or the third camera module (1255) may be replaced with a sensor module. For example, the sensor module may include at least one of a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL), an infrared sensor, and / or a photodiode. For example, the photodiode may include a positive intrinsic negative (PIN) photodiode or an avalanche photodiode (APD). The photodiode may be interpreted as a photo detector or a photo sensor.

[0243] According to one embodiment, at least one of the first camera module (1251), the second camera module (1253), or the third camera module (1255) may include a plurality of camera modules (not shown). For example, the second camera module (1253) may be composed of a plurality of lenses (e.g., wide-angle and telephoto lenses) and image sensors and may be placed on one side of the augmented reality device (100) (e.g., a side facing the -Z direction). For example, the augmented reality device (100) may include a plurality of camera modules each having different attributes (e.g., angle of view) or functions, and may control the angle of view of the camera modules to change based on user selection and / or trajectory information. For example, at least one of the plurality of camera modules may be a wide-angle camera and at least another may be a telephoto camera.

[0244] According to one embodiment, the processor can determine the movement of the augmented reality device (100) and / or the movement of the user by using information of the augmented reality device (100) obtained using at least one of the gesture sensor, gyroscope sensor, or accelerometer sensor of the sensor module and the user's movement (e.g., approach of the user's body to the augmented reality device (100)) obtained using the third camera module (1255). According to one embodiment, the augmented reality device (100) may include, in addition to the described sensors, a magnetic (geomagnetic) sensor capable of measuring orientation using a magnetic field and magnetic field lines and / or a Hall sensor capable of obtaining movement information (e.g., direction of movement or distance of movement) using the strength of the magnetic field. For example, the processor can determine the movement of the augmented reality device (100) and / or the movement of the user based on information obtained from the magnetic (geomagnetic) sensor and / or the Hall sensor.

[0245] According to one embodiment, the augmented reality device (100) can perform an input function (e.g., touch and / or pressure sensing function) capable of interacting with a user. For example, a component configured to perform the touch and / or pressure sensing function (e.g., a touch sensor and / or pressure sensor) may be placed in at least a part of the wearable member (1203). The augmented reality device (100) can control a virtual image output through a display member (1201) based on information obtained through said component. For example, the sensor associated with the touch and / or pressure sensing function may be configured in various ways, such as a resistive type, a capacitive type, an electromagnetic induction type (EM), or an optical type. According to one embodiment, the component configured to perform the touch and / or pressure sensing function may be partially or entirely identical to the configuration of the input module (150) of FIG. 1.

[0246] According to one embodiment, the augmented reality device (100) may include a reinforcing member (1260) that is disposed in the internal space of a lens frame (1202) and is formed to have a higher rigidity than the rigidity of the lens frame (1202).

[0247] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (1200) may include a lens structure (1273). The lens structure (1273) may refract at least a portion of light. For example, the lens structure (1273) may be a prescription lens with a specified refractive power. According to one embodiment, at least a portion of the lens structure (1273) may be positioned behind the display member (1201) (e.g., in the +Z direction). For example, the lens structure (1273) may be positioned between the display member (1201) and the user's eye.

[0248] According to one embodiment, the housing (1210) may include a hinge cover (1227) capable of concealing a portion of the hinge structure (1229). Another portion of the hinge structure (1229) may be received or concealed between the inner cover (1231) and the outer cover (1233), which will be described later.

[0249] According to one embodiment, the wearable member (1203) may include an inner cover (1231) and an outer cover (1233). For example, the inner cover (1231) is a cover configured to face or directly contact the user's body and may be made of a material with low thermal conductivity, for example, a synthetic resin. According to one embodiment, the inner cover (1231) may include an inner surface facing the user's body (e.g., the inner surface (1231c) of FIG. 14). For example, the outer cover (1233) may include a material capable of at least partially transferring heat (e.g., a metallic material) and may be coupled to face the inner cover (1231). According to one embodiment, the outer cover (1233) may include an outer surface opposite to the inner surface (1231c) (e.g., the outer surface (1231d) of FIG. 14). In one embodiment, at least one of the circuit board (1241) or the speaker module (1245) may be accommodated in a space separated from the battery (1243) within the wearable member (1203). In the illustrated embodiment, the inner cover (1231) may include a first cover (1231a) that accommodates the circuit board (1241) and / or the speaker module (1245) and a second cover (1231b) that accommodates the battery (1243), and the outer cover (1233) may include a third cover (1233a) that is coupled to face the first cover (1231a) and a fourth cover (1233b) that is coupled to face the second cover (1231b). For example, the first cover (1231a) and the third cover (1233a) can be combined (hereinafter referred to as the 'first cover portion (1231a, 1233a)') to accommodate a circuit board (1241) and / or a speaker module (1245), and the second cover (1231b) and the fourth cover (1233b) can be combined (hereinafter referred to as the 'second cover portion (1231b, 1233b)') to accommodate a battery (1243).

[0250] According to one embodiment, the first cover portion (1231a, 1233a) is rotatably coupled to the lens frame (1202) through a hinge structure (1229), and the second cover portion (1231b, 1233b) can be connected or mounted to the end of the first cover portion (1231a, 1233a) through a connecting structure (1235). According to one embodiment, the part of the connecting structure (1235) that contacts the user's body may be made of an elastic material with low thermal conductivity, such as silicone, polyurethane, or rubber, and the part that does not contact the user's body may be made of a material with high thermal conductivity (e.g., a metal material). For example, when heat is generated in a circuit board (1241) or a battery (1243), the connection structure (1235) can block the transfer of heat to the part that contacts the user's body and disperse or release the heat through the part that does not contact the user's body. According to one embodiment, the part of the connection structure (1235) configured to contact the user's body can be interpreted as part of the inner cover (1231), and the part of the connection structure (1235) that does not contact the user's body can be interpreted as part of the outer cover (1233). According to one embodiment, the first cover (1231a) and the second cover (1231b) can be formed integrally without the connection structure (1235), and the third cover (1233a) and the fourth cover (1233b) can be formed integrally without the connection structure (1235). According to one embodiment, in addition to the illustrated components, other components (e.g., an antenna module) may be further included, and information regarding objects or environments may be received from an external electronic device via a network using a communication module.

[0251] According to one embodiment, the lens frame (1202) may include a connecting portion (1274) between a first marking member (1201a) and a second marking member (1201b). For example, the connecting portion (1274) may be interpreted as a portion corresponding to the nose pad of the glasses.

[0252] According to one embodiment, the electronic device (1200) may include a connection member (1205). According to one embodiment, a circuit board (1241) is connected to the connection member (1205) and can transmit electrical signals to components of the electronic device (1200) (e.g., a light output module (1211) and / or a camera module (1250)) through the connection member (1205). For example, a control signal transmitted from a processor located on the circuit board (1241) may be transmitted to the electronic components using at least a portion of the connection member (1205). For example, at least a portion of the connection member (1205) may include wiring (not shown) electrically connected to the components of the electronic device (1200).

[0253] According to one embodiment, the connecting member (1205) may include a first connecting member (1205a) in which at least a portion is disposed within a first wearing member (1203a) and a second connecting member (1205b) in which at least a portion is disposed within a second wearing member (1203b). According to one embodiment, at least a portion of the first connecting member (1205a) and / or the second connecting member (1205b) may face a hinge structure (1229). For example, the first connecting member (1205a) may extend from a first circuit board (1241a) across the hinge structure (1229) into the interior of a lens frame (1202). The second connecting member (1205b) may extend from a second circuit board (1241b) across the hinge structure (1229) into the interior of a lens frame (1202). For example, a portion of the first connecting member (1205a) and a portion of the second connecting member (1205b) may be placed within the wearing member (1203), and another portion may be placed within the lens frame (1202).

[0254] According to one embodiment, the first connecting member (1205a) and the second connecting member (1205b) may include a structure that can be folded or unfolded based on the rotation of the hinge structure (1229). For example, the first connecting member (1205a) and / or the second connecting member (1205b) may include a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB). According to one embodiment, the first connecting member (1205a) may be electrically and / or mechanically connected to the first circuit board (1241a). According to one embodiment, the second connecting member (1205b) may be electrically and / or mechanically connected to the second circuit board (1241b). According to one embodiment, the first connecting member (1205a) and / or the second connecting member (1205b) may include a structure for transmitting a signal (e.g., wiring and / or cables).

[0255] According to one embodiment, the sensor module (1280) can detect light passing through the display member (1201). According to one embodiment, the sensor module (1280) may include a first sensor module (1281) capable of detecting light passing through the first display member (1201a) and a second sensor module (1282) capable of detecting light passing through the second display member (1201b). For example, the first sensor module (1281) can detect light from the rear (e.g., +Z direction) of the first display member (1201a), and the second sensor module (1282) can detect light from the rear of the second display member (1201b).

[0256] According to one embodiment, the sensor module (1280) may include a third sensor module (1283) capable of detecting light in front of the display member (1201) (e.g., in the -Z direction). For example, the third sensor module (1283) can detect light in front of the display member (1201) (e.g., in the -Z direction).

[0257] According to one embodiment, the sensor module (1280) may be an illuminance sensor. According to one embodiment, the third sensor module (1283) may have some or all of the same configuration as the second camera module (1253).

[0258] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, an augmented reality device (100) comprises: a display engine (110) configured to output light of a plurality of wavelength bands; and a wave guide (120, 200) facing the display engine, the wave guide configured to diffract light incident from the display engine and output it to the outside of the wave guide, wherein the wave guide comprises: a substrate (201); and a first metagrating region (210) disposed on the substrate and configured to diffract light incident from the display engine in a first direction. and includes a second metagrating region (220) disposed on the substrate and configured to diffract light diffracted from the first metagrating region in a second direction different from the first direction, wherein the first metagrating region includes a first nanostructure (2111) and a second nanostructure (2112) included in a first unit cell (211) having a first period in the first direction and a second period in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the second nanostructure is spaced apart from the first nanostructure in the first direction, and the second metagrating region includes a third nanostructure (2211) and a fourth nanostructure (2212) included in a second unit cell (221) having a third period in the second direction and a fourth period in a direction perpendicular to the second direction, and the fourth nanostructure may be spaced apart from the third nanostructure in the second direction.

[0259] According to one embodiment, the volume of the second nanostructure is greater than or equal to the volume of the first nanostructure, and the volume of the fourth nanostructure may be greater than or equal to the volume of the third nanostructure.

[0260] According to one embodiment, when viewed from above the substrate, the area of ​​the second nanostructure is larger than the area of ​​the first nanostructure, and when viewed from above the substrate, the area of ​​the fourth nanostructure may be larger than the area of ​​the third nanostructure.

[0261] According to one embodiment, the first metagrating region may include a first sub-region (2101) configured to diffract light in a red wavelength band incident from the display engine; a second sub-region (2102) configured to diffract light in a green wavelength band incident from the display engine; and a third sub-region (2103) configured to diffract light in a blue wavelength band incident from the display engine.

[0262] According to one embodiment, the first sub-region, the second sub-region, and the third sub-region may be separated and arranged along the first direction.

[0263] According to one embodiment, the wave guide further comprises a third metagrating region (230) disposed on the substrate and configured to diffract light diffracted from the second metagrating region in a third direction different from the second direction, and the third metagrating region comprises a fifth nanostructure (2311) and a sixth nanostructure (2312) included in a third unit cell (231) having a first period in the third direction and a second period in a direction perpendicular to the third direction, and the sixth nanostructure may be spaced apart from the fifth nanostructure in the third direction.

[0264] According to one embodiment, the volume of the sixth nanostructure may be greater than or equal to the volume of the fifth nanostructure.

[0265] According to one embodiment, when viewed over the substrate, the area of ​​the sixth nanostructure may be larger than the area of ​​the fifth nanostructure.

[0266] According to one embodiment, the first metagrating region, the second metagrating region, and the third metagrating region may be formed to have different geometric variables.

[0267] According to one embodiment, the first metagrating region may be formed such that a plurality of first unit cells included within the first metagrating region have different geometric variables for each zone.

[0268] According to one embodiment, the second metagrating region may be formed such that a plurality of second unit cells included within the second metagrating region have different geometric variables for each zone.

[0269] According to one embodiment, the third metagrating region may be formed such that a plurality of third unit cells included within the third metagrating region have different geometric variables for each zone.

[0270] According to one embodiment, the second metagrating region may include: a fourth sub-region (224) configured to diffract light in the red wavelength band transmitted from the first metagrating region; a fifth sub-region (225) configured to diffract light in the green wavelength band incident from the first metagrating region; and a sixth sub-region (226) configured to diffract light in the blue wavelength band incident from the first metagrating region.

[0271] According to one embodiment, the sum of the width of the fourth sub-region, the width of the fifth sub-region, and the width of the sixth sub-region may be less than the diameter of the light output from the display engine.

[0272] According to one embodiment, the third metagrating region may include a seventh sub-region (234) configured to diffract light in the red wavelength band transmitted from the second metagrating region; an eighth sub-region (235) configured to diffract light in the green wavelength band incident from the second metagrating region; and a ninth sub-region (236) configured to diffract light in the blue wavelength band incident from the second metagrating region.

[0273] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a wave guide (200) comprises: a substrate (201); a first metagrating area (210) disposed on the substrate and configured to diffract light incident from a display engine in a first direction; and includes a second metagrating region (220) disposed on the substrate and configured to diffract light diffracted from the first metagrating region in a second direction different from the first direction, wherein the first metagrating region includes a first nanostructure (2111) and a second nanostructure (2112) contained in a first unit cell (211) having a first period in the first direction and a second period in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, and the second nanostructure is spaced apart from the first nanostructure in the first direction, and the second metagrating region includes a third nanostructure (2211) and a fourth nanostructure (2212) contained in a second unit cell having a third period in the second direction and a fourth period in a direction perpendicular to the second direction, and the fourth nanostructure may be spaced apart from the third nanostructure in the second direction.

[0274] According to one embodiment, the wave guide further comprises a third metagrating region (230) disposed on the one substrate and configured to diffract light diffracted from the second metagrating region in a third direction different from the second direction, and the third metagrating region comprises a fifth nanostructure (231) and a sixth nanostructure (232) included in a third unit cell having a first period in the third direction and a second period in a direction perpendicular to the third direction, and the sixth nanostructure may be spaced apart from the fifth nanostructure in the third direction.

[0275] According to one embodiment, the first metagrating region may be formed such that a plurality of first unit cells included within the first metagrating region have different geometric variables for each zone.

[0276] According to one embodiment, the second metagrating region may be formed such that a plurality of second unit cells included within the second metagrating region have different geometric variables for each zone.

[0277] According to one embodiment, the third metagrating region may be formed such that a plurality of third unit cells included within the third metagrating region have different geometric variables for each zone.

[0278] Although specific embodiments have been described in the detailed description of this document, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications are possible within the scope of this document.

Claims

1. In an augmented reality device, A display engine configured to output light of multiple wavelength bands; and A wave guide facing the display engine, comprising a wave guide configured to diffract light incident from the display engine and output it to the outside of the wave guide. The above wave guide is, One substrate; A first metagrating region disposed on the above substrate and configured to diffract light incident from the display engine in a first direction; and It includes a second metagrating region disposed on the above substrate and configured to diffract light diffracted from the first metagrating region in a second direction different from the first direction, and The above-mentioned first metagrating region is, It includes a first nanostructure and a second nanostructure included in a first unit cell having a first period in the first direction and a second period in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, and The second nanostructure is spaced apart in the first direction with respect to the first nanostructure, and The above second metagrating region is, It includes a third nanostructure and a fourth nanostructure included in a second unit cell having a third period in the second direction and a fourth period in a direction perpendicular to the second direction, and The above-mentioned fourth nanostructure is an augmented reality device spaced apart in the second direction with respect to the above-mentioned third nanostructure.

2. In Paragraph 1, The volume of the second nanostructure is greater than or equal to the volume of the first nanostructure, and An augmented reality device in which the volume of the fourth nanostructure is greater than or equal to the volume of the third nanostructure.

3. In Paragraph 1, When viewed from the above substrate, the area of ​​the second nanostructure is larger than the area of ​​the first nanostructure, and An augmented reality device in which, when viewed over the above substrate, the area of ​​the fourth nanostructure is larger than the area of ​​the third nanostructure.

4. In Paragraph 1, The above-mentioned first metagrating region is, A first sub-region configured to diffract light in the red wavelength band incident from the above-mentioned display engine; A second sub-region configured to diffract light in the green wavelength band incident from the above-mentioned display engine; and An augmented reality device comprising a third sub-region configured to diffract light of a blue wavelength band incident from the above-mentioned display engine.

5. In Paragraph 4, The first sub-region, the second sub-region, and the third sub-region are, An augmented reality device separated and arranged along the first direction above.

6. In Paragraph 1, The above wave guide is, It further includes a third metagrating region disposed on the above substrate and configured to diffract light diffracted from the second metagrating region in a third direction different from the second direction, and The above third metagrating region is, It includes a fifth nanostructure and a sixth nanostructure included in a third unit cell having a first period in the third direction and a second period in a direction perpendicular to the third direction, and The above-mentioned sixth nanostructure is an augmented reality device spaced apart in the third direction with respect to the above-mentioned fifth nanostructure.

7. In Paragraph 6, An augmented reality device in which the volume of the sixth nanostructure is greater than or equal to the volume of the fifth nanostructure.

8. In Paragraph 7, An augmented reality device in which, when viewed over the above substrate, the area of ​​the sixth nanostructure is larger than the area of ​​the fifth nanostructure.

9. In Paragraph 6, An augmented reality device in which the first metagrating region, the second metagrating region, and the third metagrating region are formed to have different geometric variables.

10. In Paragraph 6, The above-mentioned first metagrating region is, An augmented reality device in which a plurality of first unit cells included within the first metagrating area are formed to have different geometric variables for each zone.

11. In Paragraph 6, The above second metagrating region is, An augmented reality device in which a plurality of second unit cells included within the second metagrating area are formed to have different geometric variables for each zone.

12. In Paragraph 6, The above third metagrating region is, An augmented reality device in which a plurality of third unit cells included within the third metagrating area are formed to have different geometric variables for each zone.

13. In Paragraph 6, The above second metagrating region is, A fourth sub-region configured to diffract light in the red wavelength band transmitted from the first metagrating region; A fifth sub-region configured to diffract light in the green wavelength band incident from the first metagrating region; and An augmented reality device comprising a sixth sub-region configured to diffract light in the blue wavelength band incident from the first metagrating region.

14. In Paragraph 13, An augmented reality device in which the sum of the width of the fourth sub-region, the width of the fifth sub-region, and the width of the sixth sub-region is less than the diameter of the light output from the display engine.

15. In Paragraph 6, The above third metagrating region is, A seventh sub-region configured to diffract light in the red wavelength band transmitted from the second metagrating region; An eighth sub-region configured to diffract light in the green wavelength band incident from the second metagrating region; and An augmented reality device comprising a ninth sub-region configured to diffract light of a blue wavelength band incident from the second metagrating region.

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