Multicolor Waveguide Holography System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing holography technologies rely on traditional interference patterns and require beam splitters, prisms, lenses, and other optical components, limiting their miniaturization and integration with other circuits.
Innovation Solution
A multicolor waveguide holography system that uses an input grating coupler to combine red, green, and blue light at different angles into a waveguide, which then conveys the light to a binary metasurface hologram for out-of-plane propagation, eliminating the need for traditional optical components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional interference patterns and optical components (beam splitters, prisms, lenses) are used in holography, then holographic image quality can be achieved, but device size and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical functions (beam splitting, diffraction, hologram formation) into a single integrated photonic device structure. The input grating coupler and binary metasurface hologram are fabricated as monolithic components on a single substrate, eliminating the need for separate beam splitters, prisms, and lenses while maintaining holographic image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The binary metasurface hologram serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the holographic element for image formation and the output grating coupler for light extraction. This multi-functional design reduces the overall component count and device complexity while preserving the necessary optical performance
2Use of energy by moving object
If traditional optical components are used in holography, then sufficient light control can be achieved, but miniaturization is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested structure where the binary metasurface hologram is integrated within the waveguide layer, and the input grating coupler is fabricated on top of the waveguide. This nested arrangement allows multiple optical functions to be packed into a compact footprint, enabling miniaturization while maintaining effective light control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from three-dimensional optical component arrangements to a two-dimensional planar photonic circuit layout. By confining light propagation to the waveguide plane and using in-plane grating couplers, the system achieves miniaturization while preserving light control capabilities through precise subwavelength patterning
3Ease of manufacture
If multicolor light is combined using traditional methods, then color separation can be achieved, but registration precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent processes multicolor light by separating it into distinct wavelength channels (red, green, blue) that propagate independently through the waveguide. Each color is modulated by its own phase profile in the binary metasurface hologram, allowing precise registration to be achieved independently for each color channel while maintaining ease of manufacture through sequential processing
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 ultraminiature holographic systems suitable for augmented and virtual reality displays, with improved registration and reproduction of features, and the ability to generate multicolor holographic images without beam splitters or lenses.
Implementation Method 1
an input grating coupler to combine three colors of free-space optical radiation at different angles into a waveguide
Implementation Method 2
The waveguide conveys the optical radiation in-plane to a binary metasurface hologram
Implementation Method 3
The binary metasurface hologram decouples the optical radiation for out-of-plane propagation to generate a multicolor holographic image
Data Source
AI summary
Various examples of out-of-plane multicolor waveguide holography systems, methods of manufacture, and methods of use are described herein. In some examples, a multicolor waveguide holography system includes a planar waveguide to convey optical radiation between a grating coupler and a metasurface hologram. The grating coupler may be configured to couple out-of-plane optical radiation of three different color incident at three different angles into the planar waveguide. The combined multicolor optical radiation may be conveyed by the waveguide to the metasurface hologram. The metasurface hologram may diffractively decouple the three colors of optical radiation for off-plane propagation to form a multicolor holographic image in free space.