Diffractive Optical Lens Color Compensation for Wide-View AR Displays
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing augmented reality systems face challenges in providing a wide angle of view while minimizing chromatic aberration in diffractive optical lens elements.
Innovation Solution
A multi-image display apparatus utilizing a diffractive optical lens element with varying focal lengths based on wavelength and polarization state, combined with an optical system that offsets chromatic aberration by providing different optical path lengths for each color image, using beam splitters, dichroic mirrors, and quarter-wave plates to focus images on the same plane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a diffractive optical lens element is used to provide a wide angle of view, then the angle of view is improved, but chromatic aberration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is divided into multiple functional components: beam splitters that separate color channels, dichroic mirrors that reflect specific wavelengths, and quarter-wave plates that manipulate polarization states. Each component handles a specific aspect of light manipulation, collectively achieving wide angle of view while correcting chromatic aberration through coordinated operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate optical elements between the diffractive lens and the image sensor. Beam splitters and dichroic mirrors act as intermediaries that separate and redirect different color components along different optical paths with adjusted lengths, allowing chromatic aberration to be compensated while maintaining the wide angle capability of the diffractive lens
2Object-affected harmful factors
If different optical path lengths are provided for different color images to offset chromatic aberration, then chromatic aberration is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple optical functions are merged into a compact integrated system. The beam splitters, dichroic mirrors, and quarter-wave plates are arranged in a unified optical path configuration that simultaneously achieves color separation, path length adjustment, and polarization control. This merging reduces the overall complexity compared to separate systems for each function while maintaining chromatic aberration correction capability
3Measurement precision
If the diffractive optical lens element focuses different wavelengths at different positions, then wavelength-dependent focusing occurs, but image quality deteriorates due to chromatic aberration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent systematically varies the optical path lengths for different color channels as a key parameter. By adjusting the path length of each color component (red, green, blue) through different combinations of beam splitter reflections and mirror positions, the system compensates for the wavelength-dependent focal lengths of the diffractive lens, ensuring all colors focus at the same plane and thereby improving image quality
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 apparatus achieves a wide angle of view for virtual and real-world images with reduced chromatic aberration, enhancing the realism of augmented reality experiences.
Implementation Method 1
a diffractive optical lens element, wherein a focal length of the diffractive optical lens element varies based on a wavelength and a polarization state of incident light
Implementation Method 2
The diffractive optical lens element is configured to condense light having a first polarization state and transmit without refraction light having a second polarization state
Implementation Method 3
the optical system is configured to offset chromatic aberration of the diffractive optical lens element by providing different optical path lengths for the first color image, the second color image, and the third color image
Implementation Method 4
a first beam splitter configured to transmit or reflect incident light based a polarization state of the incident light
Implementation Method 5
a dichroic mirror stack facing a first surface of the first beam splitter
Implementation Method 6
The optical system may further include a quarter-wave plate between the first beam splitter and the spatial light modulator
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A multi-image display apparatus for augmented reality (AR) or mixed reality (MR) includes a diffractive optical lens element (DL) an image forming device (I10) configured to form a first image including a first color image at image plane IP1, a second color image at image plane IP2, and a third color image at image plane IP3 and an optical system configured to transfer the first image and a second image from the outisde to the diffractive optical lens element, the second image transferred along a path different from a path of the first image. The optical system is configured to offset chromatic aberration of the diffractive optical lens element by providing different and offset image planes for the first color image, the second color image, and the third color image.