Planar Light Circuit for AR Glasses Speckle Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Planar light circuits in optical architectures, such as those used in augmented reality and virtual reality applications, suffer from optical artefacts like speckles due to diffraction effects from periodic structures, which degrade image quality and require reduction.
Innovation Solution
A planar light circuit design featuring a substrate with multiple laser diodes, waveguides, and Mach-Zehnder modulators that use different light propagation paths and electro-optical materials to control electromagnetic radiation, reducing speckle effects by introducing wavelength offsets and intensity modulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If periodic optical elements are used in the beam path for beam shaping and combining, then beam shaping capability is improved, but optical artefacts such as speckles are generated due to diffraction effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the beam shaping function into multiple independent waveguides, each carrying a portion of the beam. This segmentation allows the system to achieve beam shaping capability while avoiding the use of periodic optical elements that cause diffraction and speckle artefacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional periodic optical elements (mechanical/optical system) with a planar light circuit comprising waveguides and modulators. This substitution eliminates diffraction effects and the associated optical artefacts while maintaining beam shaping functionality through electromagnetic field control in the waveguides.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a planar light circuit with multiple laser diodes and waveguides is implemented, then coherence artifacts are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple laser diodes and their corresponding waveguides into a single integrated planar light circuit structure. This combining approach reduces coherence artifacts by creating multiple independent light paths while managing device complexity through integrated design and shared components.
Solution Approach 2:
The planar light circuit is designed to perform multiple functions including beam shaping, beam combining, and coherence artifact reduction within a single integrated structure. This multi-functionality allows the system to address multiple requirements simultaneously, reducing the need for separate components and managing overall system complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If Mach-Zehnder modulators are added to the waveguide structure, then intensity modulation and phase shift capability are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses Mach-Zehnder modulators that change the refractive index or physical parameters of the waveguide to achieve intensity modulation and phase shift. By controlling these parameters electrically, the system achieves versatile modulation capability while the manufacturing precision is managed through standard semiconductor fabrication processes.
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 solution effectively suppresses optical artefacts, enhancing image quality and enabling compact, cost-effective implementation in augmented reality and virtual reality systems by reducing coherence artifacts and improving scanning performance.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the first and the second waveguide path comprises a section filled with an electro-optical material. The section is partially filled or completely filled the electro-optical material. The Mach-Zehnder modulator includes an electrode coupled to the electro-optical material.
Implementation Method 2
a first waveguide located on or at the substrate... The first waveguide is configured to guide the electromagnetic radiation received at the first number N of inlets to the first outlet.
Implementation Method 3
The first pixel comprises a first number N of laser diodes... A laser emits coherent light in which a wave front is in phase and which has a narrow spectral width.
Data Source
AI summary
A planar light circuit comprises a substrate and a first pixel. The first pixel comprises a first number N of laser diodes, a first waveguide located on the substrate, a first number N of inlets which couple the first number N of laser diodes to the first waveguide and a first outlet. The first waveguide couples the first number N of inlets to the first outlet.An arrangement comprises the planar light circuit. The arrangement is realized as data glasses.