Described herein are methods and display systems for enhanced eye tracking for display systems, such as augmented or virtual reality display systems. The display systems may include: a light source configured to output light and a moveable diffractive grating configured to reflect light from the light source, the reflected light forming a light pattern on the eye of the user; a plurality of light detectors to detect light reflected from the eye; and one or more processors. The display system changes the orientation of the diffractive grating, such that the light pattern reflected from the diffractive grating is scanned along an axis across the eye. Light intensity patterns are obtained via the light detectors, with a light intensity pattern representing a light detector signal obtained by detecting light reflected off of the eye as the light pattern is scanned across the eye. Due to differences in how light reflects off of different parts of the eye, different eye poses provide different light intensity patterns and the eye pose is determined based on detected light intensity pattern(s).

A spatial light modulator and an electronic apparatus including the spatial light modulator are provided. The spatial light modulator may include: a plurality of pixels configured to steer incident light; and a plurality of thermoelectric layers in which heat transfer with the plurality of pixels occurs. The plurality of pixels may include a plurality of grating structures.

A multifunctional rangefinder capable of functioning as a rangefinder and at least one additional function. The multifunctional rangefinder comprises a laser transmitter for transmitting a laser pulse and an object lens, located at an inlet of the multifunctional rangefinder, for capturing light reflected by a target and focusing the reflected light at a first digital micro-mirror device. The first digital micro-mirror device has a plurality of micro-mirrors, and each of the plurality of micro-mirrors has an “on” position and an “off” position. A single detector element receives light reflected by the plurality of micro-mirrors of the first digital micro-mirror device. An optical condenser arrangement is located between the digital micro-mirror device and the detector element. An analog/digital converter is coupled to the single detector element for processing signals detected by the single detector element. A grating, a second digital micro-mirror device, first and second collimating lens are also provided.

In a stacked waveguide assembly, the waveguides can comprise color filters, distributed filters, and/or switch materials. Examples of color filters include dyes, tints, or stains. Examples of distributed filters and/or switch materials include dichroic filters, Bragg gratings, electronically switchable glass, and electronically switchable mirrors. Switch materials can be designed or tuned to attenuate light of unwanted colors or wavelengths. The waveguides may each be associated with a particular design wavelength. This can mean that a waveguide that is associated with a design wavelength includes an incoupling optical element is configured to deflect light at the design wavelength to an associated light distributing element and that the associated wavelength selective region is configured to attenuate light not at the design wavelength.

A depth camera assembly (DCA) for depth sensing of a local area. The DCA includes a transmitter, a receiver, and a controller. The transmitter illuminates a local area with outgoing light in accordance with emission instructions. The transmitter includes a fine steering element and a coarse steering element. The fine steering element deflects one or more optical beams at a first deflection angle to generate one or more first order deflected scanning beams. The coarse steering element deflects the one or more first order deflected scanning beams at a second deflection angle to generate the outgoing light projected into the local area. The receiver captures one or more images of the local area including portions of the outgoing light reflected from the local area. The controller determines depth information for one or more objects in the local area based in part on the captured one or more images.

The present disclosure is directed to compact packaging for optical MEMS devices, such as one- and two-dimensional beam scanners. An embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure includes a light source and a MEMS-based scanning element for steering at least a portion of the light provided by the light source in at least one dimension as an output light signal, as well as one or more optical elements for collimating and/or redirecting light within a sealed chamber defined by the elements of a housing. In some embodiments, the one or more optical elements include a reflective lens that collimates the light provided by the light source while simultaneously correcting phase-front error imparted by the scanning element while steering the output beam.

Disclosed is a coupling device for coupling the imaging beam path between the inner surface and the outer surface of the eyeglass lens; and a decoupling structure-present in the eyeglass lens for decoupling the imaging beam path from the eyeglass lens in the direction of the eye. The coupling device couples the imaging beam path between the inner surface and the outer surface of the eyeglass lens such that the imaging beam path is guided to the decoupling structure via reflections between the inner surface and the outer surface. A beam-splitting structure is present between the display device and the area of the eyeglass lens, in which the first reflections occurs, said beam-splitting structure splitting the imaging beam path extending from the image generator into two partial imaging beam paths, which form the beam paths arriving from different directions on the partial structures of the decoupling structure.

A waveguide configured for use with a near eye display (NED) device can include a light-transmissive substrate configured to propagate light rays through total internal reflection and a switchable diffractive optical element (DOE) on a surface of the substrate that is configured to input and/or output light rays to and/or from the substrate. According to some embodiments, the switchable DOE can include diffractive properties that vary across an area of the DOE. In some embodiments, the switchable DOE includes a surface relief diffraction grating (SRG) a surface of the substrate, a layer of liquid crystal material in contact with the SRG, a layer of conducting material in contact with the liquid crystal material configured to apply the voltage to the liquid crystal material, and a layer of insulating material over the layer of conducting material.

Disclosed herein are various improvements in optical switching engines. In one aspect, a range of switching engines includes various multiple bounce, multiple image devices, such as, for example, the Herriott Cell and the Robert Cell. In another aspect, liquid crystal spatial light modulators (SLMs) are used in the switching engine of an optical cross-connect. In another aspect, polarization gratings (PGs) are used in the switching engine. In another aspect, a switching engine includes a Fourier cell using SLMs with more than two states. Alternative imaging optics in a Fourier cell implementing a multiple-bounce, multiple image device are also disclosed.

A flow through Micro-Electromechanical Systems (MEMS) package and methods of operating a MEMS packaged using the same are provided. Generally, the package includes a cavity in which the MEMS is enclosed, an inlet through which a fluid is introduced to the cavity during operation of the MEMS and an outlet through which the fluid is removed during operation of the MEMS, wherein the package includes features that promote laminar flow of the fluid across the MEMS. The package and method are particularly useful in packaging spatial light modulators including a reflective surface and adapted to reflect and modulate a light beam incident thereon. Other embodiments are also provided.