Beam Steering Device Removing Zeroth Order Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional head-mounted displays are bulky and heavy due to complex optics, leading to user discomfort and inefficiencies in virtual and augmented reality experiences, and electro-optic elements in these displays suffer from light leakage issues causing optical artifacts.
Innovation Solution
A compact and lightweight head-mounted display device utilizing a combination of a pixel array and microlens tiles, with a beam steering system that includes active and passive deflectors using liquid crystals to steer light efficiently and minimize zeroth-order diffraction leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electro-optic elements are configured to deflect light in a direction of first order diffraction, then beam steering efficiency is improved, but light leakage in a direction of zeroth order diffraction occurs causing optical artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful zeroth-order diffraction light from the optical path using a spatial light modulator configured to block or redirect this specific diffraction order, thereby eliminating optical artifacts while preserving the useful first-order diffraction beam steering function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial light modulator as an intermediary element between the beam steering device and the display, which actively manipulates the light field to suppress zeroth-order diffraction leakage while allowing first-order diffraction to proceed for beam steering
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex optics are used in head-mounted displays, then display functionality is improved, but device weight and size increase causing user discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical and complex optical systems with electro-optic elements including liquid crystal displays and spatial light modulators, which achieve beam steering and display functions through electrical control of light properties rather than mechanical movement or complex lens systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates multiple functions (beam steering, light modulation, display) into single multi-functional electro-optic components, eliminating the need for separate dedicated optical elements for each function and thereby reducing overall device complexity and weight
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a compact, efficient, and user-friendly display device with a large field of view, reducing user discomfort and optical artifacts by effectively steering light and minimizing leakage, thereby enhancing virtual and augmented reality experiences.
Implementation Method 1
separating light diffracted into a zeroth order direction by the first active deflector
Implementation Method 2
electro-optic elements, such as beam steering devices, are used to enhance the user's virtual-reality and/or augmented reality experience
Data Source
AI summary
A beam steering device includes a first active deflector. The first active deflector includes a first substrate with one or more electrodes, a second substrate with one or more electrodes, and liquid crystals located between the first substrate and the second substrate. The second substrate is distinct from the first substrate. The beam steering device also includes a passive deflector positioned parallel to the first active deflector. The passive deflector includes a third substrate, a fourth substrate that is distinct from the third substrate, and liquid crystals located between the third substrate and the fourth substrate. A method for separating zeroth order leakage with the beam steering device is also disclosed.