Configurations are disclosed for presenting virtual reality and augmented reality experiences to users. The system may comprise a lens assembly comprising two transmissive plates, a first of the two transmissive plates comprising a first surface sag based at least in part on a cubic function, and a DOE to direct image information to a user's eye; wherein the DOE is placed in between the two transmissive plates of the lens assembly, and wherein the DOE is encoded with the inverse of the cubic function corresponding to the surface sag of the first transmissive plate; such that a wavefront created by the encoded DOE is compensated by the wavefront created by the first transmissive plate, thereby collimating light rays associated with virtual content delivered to the DOE.

A grating structure for a diffractive optic includes grating lines, each of which is approximated by successive segments. Longitudinal axes of the segments each have an angle relative to a first coordinate axis of a reference coordinate system. A first section of a first one of the grating lines is approximated by a first group of the segments, and a second section adjacent to the first section of the first grating line is approximated by a second group of segments. The longitudinal axes of a major portion of the segments of the first group have a first predetermined angle relative to the first coordinate axis of the reference coordinate system, and the longitudinal axes of a major portion of the segments of the second group have a second predetermined angle different from the first predetermined angle relative to the first coordinate axis of the reference coordinate system.

An apparatus with a grating structure and a method for forming the same are disclosed. The grating structure includes forming a recess in a grating layer. A plurality of channels is formed in the grating layer to define slanted grating structures therein. The recess and the slanted grating structures are formed using a selective etch process.

An image cast system includes: a transparent holographic display screen; a first diffraction grating superimposed at a first display surface of the transparent holographic display screen; a second diffraction grating superimposed at a second display surface of the transparent holographic display screen; a plurality of cast light sources including a cast light source disposed outside and facing towards the transparent holographic display screen or a cast light source disposed inside the transparent holographic display screen; and a control device connected to the transparent holographic display screen, the first diffraction grating, the second diffraction grating, and the plurality of cast light sources. The control device controls at least one cast light source of the plurality of cast light sources to cast a virtual scene image onto the first display surface of the transparent holographic display screen; and outputs an electrical control signal to the second diffraction grating.

A system may comprise a selectively transparent projection device for projecting an image toward an eye of a viewer from a projection device position in space relative to the eye of the viewer, the projection device being capable of assuming a substantially transparent state when no image is projected; an occlusion mask device coupled to the projection device and configured to selectively block light traveling toward the eye from one or more positions opposite of the projection device from the eye of the viewer in an occluding pattern correlated with the image projected by the projection device; and a zone plate diffraction patterning device interposed between the eye of the viewer and the projection device and configured to cause light from the projection device to pass through a diffraction pattern having a selectable geometry as it travels to the eye.

Method and apparatus for generating pulses in a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system. In some embodiments, a resonance chamber is provided to recirculate electromagnetic radiation from a light source between a base mirror and an active laminated structure characterized as a Bragg grating structure and having interleaved passive and active layers. A Q-switch control circuit applies a voltage profile to the active layers to transition the active laminated structure between a charging state in which the electromagnetic radiation recirculates within the resonance chamber and a release state in which the electromagnetic radiation is transmitted through the active laminated structure as an emitted light pulse. The passive layers may be formed of a dielectric material. The active layers may be formed of a metal material such but not limited to Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), Lithium Niobate (LiNbO3), Barium Titanate (BaTiO3), doped Silicon (Si), or doped Germanium (Ge).

Provided are an optical element that can make the brightness of light emitted from a light guide plate uniform, a light guide element, and an image display device. The optical element includes a patterned cholesteric liquid crystal layer that is obtained by immobilizing a cholesteric liquid crystalline phase, in which the patterned cholesteric liquid crystal layer has a liquid crystal alignment pattern in which a direction of an optical axis derived from a liquid crystal compound changes while continuously rotating in at least one in-plane direction, and the patterned cholesteric liquid crystal layer has regions having different pitches of helical structures in a plane.

An optical system is presented for use in a near-eye mixed reality system. The system comprises a relay system defining an eyebox of the optical system, said relay system being configured and operable to relay a virtual image light field from a light-engine onto an eye pupil plane while combining said virtual image with real-world light field. The relay system is configured as a free space relay system configured for free space propagation of said virtual image light field being relayed, said free space relay system comprising at least one off-axis 4f-system. Each of said at least one off-axis 4f-system comprises at least one lens formed from at least one resonance-domain surface relief diffractive optical element (SRDOE) operable for combining said virtual image light field with the real-world light field, said at least one SRDOE being configured with a predetermined global surface relief pattern characterized by global variation of at least some of pattern parameters across said SRDOE.

A near eye optical display includes a waveguide comprising a first surface and a second surface, an input coupler, a fold grating, and an output grating. The input coupler is configured to receive collimated light from a display source and to cause the light to travel within the waveguide via total internal reflection between the first surface and the second surface to the fold grating; the fold grating is configured to provide pupil expansion in a first direction and to direct the light to the output grating via total internal reflection between the first surface and the second surface; and the output grating is configured to provide pupil expansion in a second direction different than the first direction and to cause the light to exit the waveguide from the first surface or the second surface.

A micro-electromechanical structure for modulating light beams includes multiple asymmetric deformable diffractive elements, each having an L-shaped cross section, split pedestal and flexible reflective member. The reflective member has an elongated shape, and a supported part and unsupported part. The split pedestal extends along the long dimension of the supported part of the reflective member and is anchored to a substrate which supports one or more electrodes or serves as an electrode. The diffractive element is movable between a non-energized position wherein the diffractive element acts to reflect a beam of light as a planar mirror, to an energized position wherein upon application of an electrostatic force, the diffractive element flexes independently about an axis parallel to the long dimension of each reflective member to vary a curvature of the reflective member to form a blazed grating.