Blazed Diffraction Grating Imprint Layout for AR Depth Cues
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional augmented reality (AR) systems struggle to provide a comfortable and realistic presentation of virtual image elements amidst real-world imagery due to challenges in aligning accommodative and vergence states of the human visual system, leading to user discomfort.
Innovation Solution
The fabrication of blazed diffraction gratings with faceted features on waveguides allows for high manufacturing throughput and efficient light coupling, enabling the display system to provide accurate accommodative and vergence cues by modifying wavefront divergence, thereby aligning accommodative and vergence states for a more realistic and comfortable 3D experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional AR systems are used to present virtual image elements, then the system structure is simple, but the alignment between accommodative and vergence states is poor leading to user discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the diffraction grating into multiple regions with different line orientations (first region with lines in first direction, second region with lines in second direction). This segmentation allows different portions of the wavefront to be manipulated independently, enabling precise control over vergence and accommodation cues for virtual images at different depths and positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by varying the orientation of diffraction grating lines in different regions. The first region has lines extending in a first direction while the second region has lines extending in a second direction, creating location-specific optical properties that enable accurate alignment of accommodative and vergence states for virtual images at different spatial locations.
2Productivity
If high manufacturing throughput is required for diffraction gratings, then production efficiency increases, but manufacturing precision of faceted features may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action by using a master template that already contains the precisely defined faceted line patterns. This master template is used to imprint multiple diffraction grating regions simultaneously, ensuring high manufacturing precision is achieved before the actual production batch, thereby enabling both high throughput and high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating a master template with the desired faceted feature patterns and then replicating this template across multiple regions to produce the diffraction gratings. This copying process from a precision master template ensures consistent high manufacturing precision while maintaining high productivity through parallel imprinting.
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 achieves a more realistic and comfortable 3D experience by aligning accommodative and vergence states, reducing user discomfort and enhancing the perception of depth through high-efficiency diffraction gratings.
Implementation Method 1
The diffraction grating comprises periodically repeating lines and is configured to diffract light incident thereon
Data Source
AI summary
A method of fabricating a blazed diffraction grating comprises providing a master template substrate and imprinting periodically repeating lines on the master template substrate in a plurality of master template regions. The periodically repeating lines in different ones of the master template regions extend in different directions. The method additionally comprises using at least one of the master template regions as a master template to imprint at least one blazed diffraction grating pattern on a grating substrate.