Various embodiments set forth optical patterning systems. Each pixel of the optical patterning systems includes an amplitude-modulating cell that is in line with a phase-modulating cell. The amplitude-modulating cell includes a liquid crystal and a drive method for modulating at least the amplitude of a wavefront of light that passes through the amplitude-modulating cell. The phase-modulating cell includes a liquid crystal and a drive method for modulating at least the phase of a wavefront of light that passes through the phase-modulating cell. In some embodiments, the amplitude-modulating cell shares a common ground with the phase-modulating cell. The amplitude-modulating cell and the phase-modulating cell can be used to independently control the amplitude change and phase delay imparted by the pixel, enabling complex wavefront modulation.

A device includes a display configured to generate an image light. The device also includes a waveguide optically coupled with the display and configured to guide the image light to an exit pupil of the device. The waveguide includes a grating including a birefringent material, and a birefringence of the grating is configured to increase along a pupil-expanding direction of the device.

A direct-retina holographic projection system includes first and second spatial light modulators (SLMs) and a control module. The first SLM receives a beam of light and dithers the beam of light at a predetermined frequency to provide multiple instances of the beam of light. The second SLM receives the instances of the beam of light, displays an encoded phase hologram of a graphic image to be projected, and diffracts the instances of the beam of light to provide instances of the encoded phase hologram with the same graphic image but multiplied with dithered wavefronts. The control module: iteratively adjusts a parameter of the first SLM to generate the instances of the beam of light; and controls operation of the second SLM to, based on the instances of the beam of light, display multiple instances of the graphic image on a retina of an eye of a viewer.

A holographic display system for a motor vehicle includes a light source for generating a beam of coherent light and a spatial light modulator (SLM) having a two-dimensional pixel array. The two-dimensional pixel array modulates the beam of coherent light for generating a plurality of subframes, with each subframe being associated with one of a plurality of partial fields of view. The system further includes a scanner for directing the subframes onto associated sections of a display surface. The system further includes a computer having a memory including instructions, such that a processor is programmed to control the two-dimensional pixel array of the SLM for generating the subframes. The processor is further programmed to control the scanner for directing the subframes onto associated sections of the display surface and displaying a reconstructed image within a full field of view, which includes each of the partial fields of view.

An illumination device has a coherent light source that emits coherent light beam, and an optical device that diffuses the coherent light beam, wherein the optical device comprises a first diffusion region that diffuses the coherent light beam to illuminate a first area, and a second diffusion region that diffuses the coherent light beam to display predetermined information in a second area.

A system includes a plurality of optical identifiers and a reader for the optical identifiers. Each optical identifier has an optical substrate and a volume hologram (e.g., with unique data, such as a code page) in the optical substrate. The reader for the optical identifiers includes a laser, and a camera. The laser is configured to direct laser light into a selected one of the optical identifiers that has been placed into the reader to produce an image of the associated volume holograms at the camera. The camera is configured to capture the image. The captured image may be stored in a digital format by the system.

Various embodiments set forth optical patterning systems. Each pixel of the optical patterning systems includes an amplitude-modulating cell that is in line with a phase-modulating cell. The amplitude-modulating cell includes a liquid crystal and a drive method for modulating at least the amplitude of a wavefront of light that passes through the amplitude-modulating cell. The phase-modulating cell includes a liquid crystal and a drive method for modulating at least the phase of a wavefront of light that passes through the phase-modulating cell. In some embodiments, the amplitude-modulating cell shares a common ground with the phase-modulating cell. The amplitude-modulating cell and the phase-modulating cell can be used to independently control the amplitude change and phase delay imparted by the pixel, enabling complex wavefront modulation.

An optical device having suppressed rainbow effect is provided. The optical device includes a light source configured to generate an image light, an optical combiner coupled with the light source and configured to direct the image light to an eye-box of the optical device, and a dimming element disposed at the optical combiner. The optical combiner includes at least one diffractive element. The optical combiner has a first side facing the eye-box and an opposing second side facing a real world, and the dimming element is disposed at the second side of the optical combiner. The dimming element is configured to receive a light from the real world and significantly attenuate an intensity of the light having an incidence angle in a predetermined range.

Improvements to gratings for use in waveguides and methods of producing them are described herein. Deep surface relief gratings (SRGs) may offer many advantages over conventional SRGs, an important one being a higher S-diffraction efficiency. In one embodiment, deep SRGs can be implemented as polymer surface relief gratings or evacuated periodic structures (EPSs). EPSs can be formed by first recording a holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal (HPDLC) periodic structure. Removing the liquid crystal from the cured periodic structure provides a polymer surface relief grating. Polymer surface relief gratings have many applications including for use in waveguide-based displays.

Improvements to gratings for use in waveguides and methods of producing them are described herein. Deep surface relief gratings (SRGs) may offer many advantages over conventional SRGs, an important one being a higher S-diffraction efficiency. In one embodiment, deep SRGs can be implemented as polymer surface relief gratings or evacuated periodic structures (EPSs). EPSs can be formed by first recording a holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal (HPDLC) periodic structure. Removing the liquid crystal from the cured periodic structure provides a polymer surface relief grating. Polymer surface relief gratings have many applications including for use in waveguide-based displays.