Framework for optimizing AR waveguide in-coupler architectures.

Waveguide displays have been shown to exhibit multiple interactions of light at the in-coupler diffractive surface, leading to light loss. Any losses at the in-coupler set a fundamental upper limit on the full-system efficiency. Furthermore, these losses vary spatially across the beam for each field, significantly decreasing the displayed image quality. We present a framework for alleviating the losses based on irradiance, efficiency, and MTF maps. We then derive and quantify the innate tradeoff between the in-coupling efficiency and the achievable modulation transfer function (MTF) characterizing image quality. Applying the framework, we show a new in-coupler architecture that mitigates the efficiency vs image quality tradeoff. In the example architecture, we demonstrate a computation speed that is 2,000 times faster than that of a commercial non-sequential ray tracer, enabling faster optimization and more thorough exploration of the parameter space. Results show that with this architecture, the in-coupling efficiency still meets the fundamental limit, while the MTF achieves the diffraction limit up to and including 30 cycles/deg, equivalent to 20/20 vision.

Metagrating meets the geometry-based efficiency limit for AR waveguide in-couplers.

Recently, augmented reality (AR) displays have attracted considerable attention due to the highly immersive and realistic viewer experience they can provide. One key challenge of AR displays is the fundamental trade-off between the extent of the field-of-view (FOV) and the size of the eyebox, set by the conservation of etendue sets this trade-off. Exit-pupil expansion (EPE) is one possible solution to this problem. However, it comes at the cost of distributing light over a larger area, decreasing the overall system's brightness. In this work, we show that the geometry of the waveguide and the in-coupler sets a fundamental limit on how efficient the combiner can be for a given FOV. This limit can be used as a tool for waveguide designers to benchmark the in-coupling efficiency of their in-coupler gratings. We design a metasurface-based grating (metagrating) and a commonly used SRG as in-couplers using the derived limit to guide optimization. We then compare the diffractive efficiencies of the two types of in-couplers to the theoretical efficiency limit. For our chosen waveguide geometry, the metagrating's 28% efficiency surpasses the SRG's 20% efficiency and nearly matches the geometry-based limit of 29% due to the superior angular response control of metasurfaces compared to SRGs. This work provides new insight into the efficiency limit of waveguide-based combiners and paves a novel path toward implementing metasurfaces in efficient waveguide AR displays.

Metaform optics: Bridging nanophotonics and freeform optics.

The demand for high-resolution optical systems with a compact form factor, such as augmented reality displays, sensors, and mobile cameras, requires creating new optical component architectures. Advances in the design and fabrication of freeform optics and metasurfaces make them potential solutions to address the previous needs. Here, we introduce the concept of a metaform-an optical surface that integrates the combined benefits of a freeform optic and a metasurface into a single optical component. We experimentally realized a miniature imager using a metaform mirror. The mirror is fabricated via an enhanced electron beam lithography process on a freeform substrate. The design degrees of freedom enabled by a metaform will support a new generation of optical systems.