Dichroic Beam Combiner Stack for Compact HMDs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dichroic beam combiners are unsuitable for compact optical devices like head-mounted displays due to their form factor, which is not compatible with the spatial constraints of these systems.
Innovation Solution
The development of optical devices with dichroic beam combiners that involve a stack of coated surfaces arranged in a periodic formation, where each segment includes specific reflective and transmissive properties for different wavelength ranges, allowing for the combination of colored light beams while optimizing the device's size and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional dichroic beam combiners with multiple dichroic reflectors and collimating optics are used, then colored light beams can be effectively combined, but the device form factor becomes too large for compact optical devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple dichroic reflectors and collimating optics into a single integrated substrate. The substrate contains multiple embedded dichroic beam combining elements that perform the function of separate optical components, thereby combining light beam combination capability with compact form factor requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent embeds multiple dichroic beam combining elements within a single substrate structure. Each element is nested within the substrate material, allowing multiple optical functions to be contained within one compact volume, thus reducing the overall device form factor while maintaining light beam combination capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple dichroic reflectors are spaced apart to combine different colored beams, then color combination is achieved, but the device becomes unsuitable for head-mounted displays with spatial constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple dichroic reflectors into a single integrated substrate structure, eliminating the need for separate spaced-apart components. This merging approach maintains color beam combination functionality while significantly reducing the device length, making it suitable for head-mounted displays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a spatial arrangement where dichroic reflectors are spaced apart in three-dimensional space to an integrated planar substrate structure. This dimensional change allows multiple beam combining functions to be achieved within a compact footprint, reducing the device length while maintaining versatility.
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 enables the creation of compact optical devices that effectively combine colored light beams, enhancing the performance and usability of head-mounted displays by reducing the device's form factor and improving light manipulation efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
dichroic beam combiners that utilize dichroic reflectors to combine individual color beams to form a combined-color beam
Implementation Method 2
each configured to transmit light having wavelength in a first wavelength range and reflect light having wavelength in a second wavelength range
Data Source
AI summary
Coated surfaces arranged in a stack assume a periodic formation having a sequence of segments including a first segment. The first segment has first, second, and third coated surfaces, and is repeated a set number of times to form the periodic formation. The stack is sliced to form a slice having two major external surfaces and adjacent sections each having coated surfaces from one segment between the two major external surfaces. The slice is cut to form at least one substrate from each section. Each substrate has two major surfaces and coated surfaces from a single segment of the periodic formation between the two major surfaces. In certain embodiments, the first coated surface reflects a first light color, the second coated surface transmits the first light color and reflects a second light color, and the third surface reflects a third light color and transmits the first and second light colors.