An anamorphic directional illumination device may provide a near-eye display apparatus or a vehicle external light device. The anamorphic near-eye display apparatus comprises a spatial light modulator with asymmetric pixels; an input transverse anamorphic lens; and an extraction waveguide that passes input light in a first direction between a polarization-sensitive reflector and front guide surface to a lateral anamorphic reflector, and to reflect the light back through the extraction waveguide to guide between the rear guide surface and front guide surface. Reflective extraction features are arranged to extract the reflected light towards the pupil of a viewer, maintaining the directionality of the fan of light rays from the spatial light modulator and anamorphic imaging system. A thin, transparent and efficient anamorphic display apparatus for Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality displays and for scene illumination is provided.

An anamorphic directional illumination device may provide a near-eye display apparatus or a vehicle external light device. The anamorphic near-eye display apparatus comprises a spatial light modulator with asymmetric pixels; an input transverse anamorphic lens; and an extraction waveguide that passes input light in a first direction between a polarization-sensitive reflector and front guide surface to a lateral anamorphic reflector, and to reflect the light back through the extraction waveguide to guide between the rear guide surface and front guide surface. Reflective extraction features are arranged to extract the reflected light towards the pupil of a viewer, maintaining the directionality of the fan of light rays from the spatial light modulator and anamorphic imaging system. A thin, transparent and efficient anamorphic display apparatus for Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality displays and for scene illumination is provided.

In some implementations, an anamorphic prism may comprise an entrance face arranged to receive a beam with a first aspect ratio, a set of internal faces arranged to reflect the beam, and an exit face arranged to output the beam with a second aspect ratio. In some implementations, the anamorphic prism has a neutral point at which the second aspect ratio equals the first aspect ratio. The anamorphic prism may variably magnify the beam according to an angle at which the anamorphic prism is rotated relative to the neutral point.

In some implementations, an anamorphic prism may comprise an entrance face arranged to receive a beam with a first aspect ratio, a set of internal faces arranged to reflect the beam, and an exit face arranged to output the beam with a second aspect ratio. In some implementations, the anamorphic prism has a neutral point at which the second aspect ratio equals the first aspect ratio. The anamorphic prism may variably magnify the beam according to an angle at which the anamorphic prism is rotated relative to the neutral point.

An anamorphic directional illumination device may provide a near-eye display apparatus or a vehicle external light device. The anamorphic near-eye display apparatus includes an illumination system including a spatial light modulator, an optical system including a transverse anamorphic component, an extraction waveguide including a polarization-sensitive reflector and an array of extraction features, a lateral anamorphic component, a light reversing reflector, and a polarisation conversion retarder disposed between a polarisation-sensitive reflector and the light reversing reflector. The polarisation conversion retarder has a retardance of a quarter wavelength at a wavelength of visible light. A thin, transparent and efficient anamorphic display apparatus for Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality displays and for scene illumination is provided.

An anamorphic directional illumination device may provide a near-eye display apparatus or a vehicle external light device. The anamorphic near-eye display apparatus includes an illumination system including a spatial light modulator, an optical system including a transverse anamorphic component, an extraction waveguide including a polarization-sensitive reflector and an array of extraction features, a lateral anamorphic component, a light reversing reflector, and a polarisation conversion retarder disposed between a polarisation-sensitive reflector and the light reversing reflector. The polarisation conversion retarder has a retardance of a quarter wavelength at a wavelength of visible light. A thin, transparent and efficient anamorphic display apparatus for Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality displays and for scene illumination is provided.