Curved Reflective Waveguide for Near-Eye Display Aberration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for compact, high-performance optical systems that are not cumbersome and sensitive to tolerances, with existing systems often suffering from low image quality due to aberrations and high volume occupancy.
Innovation Solution
The development of image processing guides with curved reflective surfaces and refractive elements that transfer optical signals without focusing within the guide, using a configuration of surfaces that allow for minimal distortion and aberration correction, enabling thin and lightweight optical systems for applications like head-mounted near eye displays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If traditional optical systems are used to convey digital images, then image quality can be maintained, but the system volume and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into distinct functional components: a waveguide structure for light propagation, holographic diffraction gratings for coupling light in and out, and selective reflective surfaces for directing light paths. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall system volume while maintaining image quality through specialized functionality at each stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical elements are nested within the waveguide structure, with diffraction gratings embedded in the waveguide surfaces and reflective surfaces integrated into the optical pathway. This nesting eliminates the need for separate mounting structures and reduces the overall system volume occupancy while maintaining precise optical alignment for high image quality.
2Volume of moving object
If compact optical systems are designed, then volume occupancy is reduced, but manufacturing tolerances become more critical and difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple optical functions are merged into the waveguide structure itself: light coupling, guidance, and output are achieved through integrated diffraction gratings and reflective surfaces formed on the waveguide. This merging reduces the number of discrete components and interfaces, thereby reducing cumulative manufacturing tolerance requirements while maintaining compact volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The design employs parameter optimization in the diffraction grating structures and reflective surface geometries to achieve robust performance across a range of manufacturing variations. By carefully selecting grating periods, depths, and reflective surface angles, the system maintains high image quality and proper light coupling even with moderate manufacturing tolerances, reducing the stringency of precision requirements.
3Reliability
If multiple optical elements are used to correct aberrations, then image quality improves, but device complexity and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides light from the input to the output, integrates diffraction gratings for coupling, incorporates reflective surfaces for path control, and provides a platform for aberration correction. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate correction elements, reducing device complexity while maintaining image quality through the integrated optical design.
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
This solution provides high optical quality with minimal distortion and aberration correction, achieving compact and efficient optical systems suitable for various applications such as head-mounted displays, cell phone cameras, and projectors, with improved manufacturing tolerances and reduced volume occupancy.
Implementation Method 1
at least one curved reflective surface configured to receive light from the optical pathway and to return light to the optical pathway
Implementation Method 2
image processing guides with curved reflective surfaces and refractive elements that transfer optical signals without focusing within the guide
Data Source
AI summary
An image processing guide comprising: a solid body comprising: a plurality of surfaces defining an optical pathway from an input surface to an output surface, where the optical pathway connects the plurality of surfaces successively; wherein the plurality of surfaces comprises at least one curved reflective surface configured to receive light from the optical pathway and to return light to the optical pathway; wherein the optical signal is not focused to an image plane within the solid body.