Multiplane Nanophotonic Voxel Engine for Compact 3D Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multiplane 3D display technologies are bulky, limited in the number of projected image planes, and suffer from sub-optimal refresh rates, pixel density, and power consumption, leading to discomfort and fatigue due to vergence-accommodation conflict.
Innovation Solution
A multiplane nanophotonic voxel engine utilizing a laser light source and piezoelectrically actuated beam-steering cantilevers with embedded waveguides, capable of projecting 3D images over multiple planes with high resolution, refresh rates, and low power consumption, achieving 4K resolution per plane and a contrast ratio of 10,000:1.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If existing multiplane projection methods are used, then multiple image planes can be projected, but the systems are bulky and limited in the number of image planes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from 2D display planes to 3D voxel space by introducing the depth dimension through focal plane modulation. The system projects light into three-dimensional space at multiple focal depths, creating volumetric displays rather than flat images. This dimensional expansion allows numerous image planes to be stacked vertically within a compact footprint, resolving the contradiction between device size and number of projected planes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic focal plane modulation where the focal depth of projected light can be rapidly changed without moving mechanical components. By modulating the phase or focus of light waves optically, the system can switch between multiple focal planes at high speeds, enabling a compact device to project many image planes dynamically rather than requiring fixed mechanical structures for each plane.
2Manufacturing precision
If higher pixel density is achieved, then resolution improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical micropositioning systems with optical phase modulation to achieve high pixel density. Instead of physically moving mirrors or lenses to precise positions for each pixel, the system uses spatial light modulators and phase masks to optically address individual voxels in 3D space. This substitution of mechanical precision with optical control dramatically reduces device complexity while maintaining or improving pixel density.
Solution Approach 2:
By adding the depth dimension to traditional 2D pixel arrays, the system achieves volumetric pixel density without increasing lateral resolution requirements. High pixel density is attained by stacking pixels across multiple focal planes in the z-dimension, allowing the system to achieve millions of effective pixels without requiring correspondingly complex lateral micropositioning mechanisms.
3Productivity
If refresh rate is increased, then display performance improves, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic modulation of light projection at the desired refresh rate, turning the projection on and off in synchronized cycles rather than maintaining continuous illumination. By projecting light only during necessary time windows at each focal plane and using pulsed laser sources synchronized to the refresh cycle, the system achieves high refresh rates while minimizing average power consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical moving mirrors or acousto-optic deflectors with purely electronic and optical phase modulation to steer and focus light. This eliminates the need for high-power mechanical actuators and reduces power consumption while enabling rapid focal plane switching at high refresh rates through low-power electronic control of spatial light modulators and phase masks.
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 system enables compact, high-resolution 3D imaging with over 10,000,000 pixels/mm³, ultra-low power consumption, and refresh rates exceeding 100,000 frames per second, suitable for applications like AR/VR displays and holography.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of beam-steering cantilevers may be piezoelectrically actuated beam-steering cantilevers. Each piezoelectrically actuated beam-steering cantilever may comprise a plurality of embedded waveguides that can emit light in various directions based on the actuation of the cantilever
Data Source
AI summary
Described are systems and methods for projecting multiplane 3D images using a multiplane nanophotonic voxel engine. The multiplane nanophotonic voxel engine may include a laser light source and a photonic integrated circuit. The photonic integrated circuit may include a plurality of beam-steering cantilevers and a plurality of modulators. The plurality of beam-steering cantilevers may be piezoelectrically actuated beam-steering cantilevers. Each piezoelectrically actuated beam-steering cantilever may comprise a plurality of embedded waveguides that can emit light in various directions based on the actuation of the cantilever in order to generate a portion of an image.