Folded Optics Light Efficiency via Resonant Structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical systems, such as pancake optics and circularly-symmetric lenses, face limitations in light efficiency, bulkiness, and optical aberrations, which restrict their scalability and performance in creating immersive 3D displays and imaging applications.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of folded optical systems combined with active-material elements, resonant structures, quantum luminescence mechanisms, and axially-varying refractive index materials to enhance light efficiency and wavefront control, allowing for deeper and brighter virtual depth programming in a thinner form factor, and eliminating the need for circular symmetry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If folded optical systems with multiple reflective surfaces are used to increase light path length, then virtual depth is improved, but light efficiency deteriorates due to half light being wasted at each reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning from conventional reflective surfaces to resonant structures with specific optical parameters. The resonant structures are designed to transmit light efficiently at specific wavelengths and angles, changing the optical parameters of the system to achieve both long light path length and high light efficiency simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining resonant structures with axially-varying refractive index materials. This composite approach allows the system to achieve multiple functions: the resonant structures provide efficient light transmission at specific angles while the axially-varying refractive index materials control wavefront shaping, together enabling deep virtual depth with high light efficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If circularly-symmetric optical elements are used to provide optical focusing power, then image quality is improved, but device complexity and bulkiness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by replacing circularly-symmetric optical elements with asymmetric resonant structures. These asymmetric structures achieve optical focusing and wavefront control without requiring circular symmetry, thereby reducing device complexity and bulkiness while maintaining or improving image quality through engineered asymmetric resonant modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional circular symmetry to three-dimensional axially-varying refractive index profiles. This dimensional change allows the system to achieve optical focusing power through axial variation rather than circular symmetry, reducing the complexity of the optical system while maintaining image quality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional optical systems are used to create immersive 3D displays, then depth perception is achieved, but light efficiency remains limited to 25% maximum
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters by introducing resonant structures with specific resonance conditions. These resonant structures are tuned to transmit light efficiently at the desired wavelengths and angles, enabling immersive 3D displays with light efficiency exceeding the conventional 25% limit.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by designing the resonant structures and axially-varying refractive index materials to work together in a coordinated manner. The resonant structures continuously transmit light efficiently while the axially-varying materials continuously shape the wavefront, maintaining high light efficiency throughout the entire optical path for immersive 3D display.
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 approach significantly increases light efficiency beyond 25%, reduces eye fatigue, and enables large-scale, scalable, and cost-effective production of high-performance lightfield displays and imaging systems with improved realism and depth perception.
Implementation Method 1
The families use a set of periodic resonant structures... to realize deeper, brighter wavefront programming
Implementation Method 2
combining folded optical systems, such as FECs or pancake systems, with active-material elements, resonant elements, quantum luminescence elements
Implementation Method 3
axial refractive index variations... to realize deeper, brighter wavefront programming
Implementation Method 4
an optical cavity, or folded optical system, with multiple reflective surfaces... the light travels a longer physical distance between the display surface and the exit face
Data Source
AI summary
Some implementations of the disclosure relate to an optical system with elements that do not macroscopically vary transverse to an optical axis. In some embodiments, the elements lack a unique axis of rotational symmetry or are transversely periodic. Some embodiments include nonreciprocal, nonlinear, or anisotropic elements to form an image as part of a display system or an imaging system.