Wedge Light-Turning Optics for Compact SLM Polarization Splitting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional illumination systems for spatial light modulators, such as those used in augmented reality displays, are bulky due to the use of thick and large polarizing beam splitters, which are not efficiently reduced in size, and they do not effectively address the challenges of providing realistic and comfortable three-dimensional presentations of augmented reality displays, which are bulky and bulky. They may be advantageous to reduce the size of polarizing beam splitters in illumination systems that provide illumination to spatial light modulators. These and other concepts are discussed below.
Innovation Solution
The illumination systems described herein include a polarization beam splitting components having a reduced size, configured to direct light with a first polarization state towards a spatial light modulator and light reflected with a second polarization state towards a viewer, utilizing a wedge-shaped light turning element and a polarization sensitive light turning element to modulate light effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional polarizing beam splitters are used in illumination systems, then the system can effectively direct polarized light to spatial light modulators, but the system becomes bulky and large in size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the conventional polarizing beam splitter into two separate functional components: a polarizer that generates polarized light and a beam splitter that directs the light. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and reduces the overall volume of the illumination system while maintaining effective light directing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent reconfigures the optical path by introducing a specific geometric arrangement where the polarizer and beam splitter operate in different spatial dimensions and orientations. This dimensional reorganization allows for a more compact system layout that reduces the bulkiness associated with conventional single-component polarizing beam splitters.
2Volume of moving object
If the size of polarizing beam splitters is reduced, then the illumination system becomes more compact, but the ability to effectively direct polarized light may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the polarizing function from the beam splitting function into distinct components, each can be miniaturized independently while maintaining their respective functionalities. The polarizer maintains its polarizing efficiency while the beam splitter maintains its light directing capability, despite reduced overall size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the optical parameters of the segmented components, including the orientation angles, material properties, and geometric configurations of the polarizer and beam splitter. These parameter optimizations ensure that the reduced-size components maintain effective polarized light direction capability comparable to conventional larger components.
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 reduced size of the polarization beam splitters allows for more compact and efficient illumination systems, enhancing the user experience by providing realistic and comfortable augmented reality displays.
Implementation Method 1
direct light having a first polarization state towards a spatial light modulator and direct light reflected from the spatial light modulator having a second polarization state different from the first polarization towards a viewer
Implementation Method 2
direct light reflected from the spatial light modulator having a second polarization state different from the first polarization towards a viewer
Implementation Method 3
utilizing a wedge-shaped light turning element to modulate light effectively
Data Source
AI summary
An optical device may include a light turning element. The optical device can include a first surface that is parallel to a horizontal axis and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The optical device may include a light module that includes a plurality of light emitters, and that can be configured to combine light from the emitters. The optical device can further include a light input surface that is between the first and the second surfaces and is disposed with respect to the light module to receive light. The optical device may include an end reflector that is disposed on a side opposite the light input surface. The light coupled into the light turning element may be reflected by the end reflector and/or reflected from the second surface towards the first surface.