Multi-view Displays Using Orbital Angular Momentum Encoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-view and multi-planar 3D display systems face challenges in accurately directing 2D images into different view zones or depth layers, requiring precise mechanisms to discriminate between light intended for different viewers or screens, often relying on wavelength or polarization encoding which is limited to two views and expensive to implement.
Innovation Solution
The use of optical vortices and orbital angular momentum (OAM) multiplexing to encode and decode light, allowing for the creation of multiple view zones or layers without the need for physical elements like spiral phase plates, using pixel-based or image-based OAM encoding and decoding techniques with transformation optics to direct light into appropriate view zones or focal planes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wavelength or polarization encoding is used to direct light into different view zones, then light discrimination between different viewers is achieved, but the system is limited to two views and becomes expensive to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the encoding parameter from traditional wavelength/polarization to orbital angular momentum (OAM) modes, which are characterized by different topological charges (l values). This parameter change enables encoding of multiple views (more than two) using a single projector and passive screens, as each OAM mode can be independently directed to different view zones without requiring complex selective filtering mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If physical elements like spiral phase plates are used to encode OAM, then multiple view zones can be created, but the system becomes more complex and requires additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the spiral phase plates from the optical path by encoding OAM modes directly onto the light using computational methods or alternative optical elements that do not require physical phase modulation components. This allows multiple view zones to be created while simplifying the optical system by eliminating the need for separate encoding components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses computational holography or digital encoding to replicate the effect of physical spiral phase plates by projecting encoded images that contain the necessary OAM information. This digital copying approach replaces physical optical elements with software-based or projection-based solutions, reducing hardware complexity while maintaining the ability to create multiple view zones.
3Productivity
If traditional multi-view 3D display mechanisms are used, then 3D displays can be provided, but light efficiency is reduced and cross-talk between images increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or optical filtering mechanisms (such as polarizing filters or liquid crystal shutters) with OAM-based encoding and decoding systems. This substitution allows for more efficient light utilization by encoding multiple views in the angular momentum domain, reducing the need for light-blocking mechanisms and thereby improving light efficiency while minimizing cross-talk between different views.
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
Enables the creation of autostereoscopic displays that can provide three or more views without the need for special eyewear, improving light efficiency and reducing cross-talk between images, while allowing for a higher number of addressable view zones or layers with a single projector and passive screens.
Implementation Method 1
an optical assembly encoding the light associated with the three or more 2D images with optical angular momentum (OAM)
Implementation Method 2
a projection assembly displaying the three or more images on three or more screens positioned at three or more differing focal planes
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-view display system or optical vortex 3D display in a multi-view or multilayer embodiment or configuration. The new 3D display system encodes and decodes images into independent modes of optical angular momentum (OAM). In some embodiments, the 3D display system uses pixel-based OAM. In such systems, transformation optics are used to sort the OAM modes. These transformation optics convert the OAMs' spiral wavefronts to linear gradient wavefronts, which are then deflected by a simple lens. The transformation optics, thus, are used in image-based (per pixel) decoding/sorting. In other embodiments, the 3D display system uses image-based OAM. In such systems, convolution of the OAM modes with the image is used rather than the direct modulation of the OAM mode and the image (as used in the prior system discussed above) for image-based encoding and decoding/sorting of images in different OAM modes.