COLOR-SELECTIVE WAVEGUIDES FOR AUGMENTED REALITY/MIXED REALITY APPLICATIONS

Abstract

Color-selective waveguides, methods for fabricating color-selective waveguides, and augmented reality (AR)/mixed reality (MR) applications including color-selective waveguides are described. The color-selective waveguides can advantageously reduce or block stray light entering a waveguide (e.g., red, green, or blue waveguide), thereby reducing or eliminating back-reflection or back-scattering into the eyepiece.

Claims

1.-20. (canceled)

21. An optical device comprising: a waveguide that includes one or more patterned regions and one or more unpatterned regions on one or more surfaces of the waveguide; and a polymer coating on at least a portion of at least one unpatterned region of at least one surface of the waveguide, wherein the polymer coating includes a chromatic component that absorbs at least 90% of one or more of red light, green light, and blue light traveling through the waveguide.

22. The optical device of claim 21, wherein the waveguide is formed of a glass material.

23. The optical device of claim 21, wherein the waveguide is formed of a polymer material.

24. The optical device of claim 21, wherein the one or more patterned regions include an incoupling grating (ICG) and one or more diffractive regions.

25. The optical device of claim 24, wherein the polymer coating is between the ICG and one of the one or more diffractive regions.

26. The optical device of claim 24, wherein the polymer coating is around the ICG.

27. The optical device of claim 24, wherein the polymer coating is around the ICG and around at least one of the one or more diffractive regions.

28. The optical device of claim 24, wherein the one or more diffractive regions include one or more of an exit pupil expander (EPE) and an orthogonal pupil expander (OPE).

29. The optical device of claim 21, wherein the polymer coating is a first polymer coating on a first surface of the waveguide, and wherein the optical device includes a second polymer coating on at least a portion of a second surface of the waveguide that is opposite to the first surface.

30. The optical device of claim 29, wherein the second polymer coating includes the same chromatic component as the first polymer coating.

31. The optical device of claim 29, wherein the chromatic component is a first chromatic component, and wherein the second polymer coating includes a second chromatic component that absorbs at least 90% of a different one of the one or more of red light, green light, and blue light than the first chromatic component.

32. The optical device of claim 29, wherein the second polymer coating is on at least a portion of a second surface of the waveguide that is opposite at least one of the one or more patterned regions on the first surface of the waveguide.

33. The optical device of claim 29, wherein the first polymer coating differs from the second polymer coating in one or more of thickness, composition, concentration, transmission, color, and color absorption.

34. The optical device of claim 29, wherein the first polymer coating is on at least two non-contiguous regions of the first surface, and wherein the second polymer coating is contiguous on the second surface.

35. The optical device of claim 21, wherein the polymer coating is a first polymer coating on a first surface of the waveguide, wherein the optical device includes a second polymer coating on at least a different portion of the first surface of the waveguide than the first polymer coating, wherein the chromatic component is a first chromatic component, and wherein the second polymer coating includes a second chromatic component that absorbs at least 90% of a different one of the one or more of red light, green light, and blue light than the first chromatic component.

36. The optical device of claim 21, wherein the polymer coating has substantially a same refractive index as the waveguide.

37. The optical device of claim 21, wherein the optical device is an eyepiece.

38. The optical device of claim 37, wherein the polymer coating includes a first concentration of the chromatic component on a first portion of the waveguide where the chromatic component is more likely to be detectable by a user of the eyepiece, and a second concentration of the chromatic component on a second portion of the waveguide where the chromatic component is less likely to be detectable by the user, wherein the first concentration is lower than the second concentration.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0035] FIGS. 1A and 1B depict color filters and optical transmission through these color filters, respectively.

[0036] FIGS. 2A and 2B depict dye-doped waveguides for color filtration.

[0037] FIG. 3A depicts local dispense of dye-doped resin during waveguide fabrication via casting. FIG. 3B depicts a dye-doped polymer waveguide. FIG. 3C depicts transmission of a selected light component through a dye-doped polymer waveguide.

[0038] FIGS. 4A-4D depict global dispense of dye-doped resin to yield color-selective waveguides.

[0039] FIGS. 5A-5F depict local and global coating of dye-doped resin onto glass or polymer waveguides for color selectiveness.

[0040] FIGS. 6A and 6B depict direct casting of a color filter onto a surface of an existing waveguide or cover layer.

[0041] FIG. 7 depicts casting of individual color filters with a dye-doped resin.

[0042] FIGS. 8A-8H depict examples of gradients in dye loadings in a waveguide.

[0043] FIGS. 9A-9C show examples of suitable absorptivity ranges for red, green, blue (RGB) dyes for color-selective polymer waveguides.

[0044] FIGS. 10A-10C shows examples of suitable transmission for red, green, and blue dyes for color-selective polymer waveguides.

[0045] FIG. 11 shows the UV-visible spectrum of an example UVA enhanced lamp suitable for UV curing of adhesives.

[0046] FIGS. 12A-12C show red, green, and blue edge absorbers with colorant absorption spectra tailored directly to color channels in a waveguide.

[0047] FIG. 13 depicts an edge absorber with green and blue portions.

[0048] FIG. 14A shows an example with adhesive and a colorant having tailored absorption in green and blue wavelengths at different dopant levels. FIG. 14B is a graph showing percent transmission versus dopant level from FIG. 14A.

[0049] FIG. 15 depicts a visible wavelength edge absorber and interlayer lamination adhesive including colorants that absorb wavelengths of every color channel in the eyepiece stack.

[0050] FIG. 16 shows overlaid absorbance spectra of red, green, and blue colorants.

[0051] FIG. 17 shows a comparison of a simulation of the absorbance spectra of FIG. 16 and output of exemplary red, green, and blue light-emitting diodes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] Current incoupling grating (ICG) designs have limited wavelength selectivity, such that stray light of an undesired wavelength is sometimes injected into the waveguide. In one example, a green ICG diffracts some portion of blue and red light, which gets coupled into the waveguide as “stray light.” The presence of stray light in a waveguide can degrade its optical performance. In some cases, light at the edge of a waveguide is back-reflected or back-scattered into an eyepiece, thereby eroding contrast.

[0053] One way to mitigate the coupling of stray light into a waveguide is to use a color filter that selectively lets a single color pass through and blocks other colors that would otherwise end up as unwanted light in the waveguide. FIG. 1A depicts an exploded view of glass-based eyepiece stack 100 with red, green, and blue color filters 102, 104, 106, respectively, on eye side cover layer 108. Red, green, and blue color filters 110, 112, 114, respectively are typically used to selectively transmit RGB light into corresponding red, green, and blue waveguides 102, 104, 106, respectively, while absorbing other colors. RGB waveguides include incoupling gratings (ICG) 116, exit pupil expanders (EPE) 118, and orthogonal pupil expanders (OPE) 120, respectively. Red, green, and blue waveguides 102, 104, 106 are positioned between eye side cover layer 108 and world side cover layer 122. FIG. 1B depicts the spectral response 130, 132, 134 of red, green, and blue color filters, respectively, shown in FIG. 1A. Due at least in part to differences in thermal expansion and high-precision alignment requirements of certain optical designs, however, it can be difficult to integrate a glass color filter with a polymer eyepiece. Doing so can introduce complexity and cost that is not present in glass eyepieces.

[0054] Color-selective polymer waveguide eyepieces that mitigate coupling of stray light into waveguides are described herein. In some cases, the polymer of a specific color eyepiece layer is doped with one or more dyes or particles with selected chromatic properties to attenuate undesired wavelengths of coupled light (e.g., a green eyepiece layer is doped with green dye on the optical path). In one example, a high refractive index (R.I.) resin used for polymer waveguide fabrication is loaded with a desired color dye to allow light of a certain wavelength range to pass through and block all other wavelengths. As used herein, “high refractive index” generally refers to a R.I. at 587.56 nm (R.I., nd) greater than about 1.45 or greater then about 1.5. The amount of light of a specific color that gets blocked by a specific dye is based at least in part on the concentration of the dye in the polymer.

[0055] Typically, waveguide thicknesses described herein are on the order of a few hundred microns (about 200 μm to about 1000 μm) and are typically smaller than the total internal reflection (TIR) path lengths, which can be several centimeters (about 2 cm to about 15 cm). The longer optical path length in a waveguide facilitates effective absorption of the stray light even with low concentration dye loadings in a polymer waveguide. FIG. 2A depicts orange dye-doped waveguide 200 (e.g., with a thickness of about 200 μm to about 500 μm) and transmission of blue light 202 through orange-doped waveguide 200. FIG. 2B depicts attenuation of blue light 202 that occurs as the light travels a total internal reflection (TIR) path (e.g., about 3 cm to about 5 cm) through orange dye-doped waveguide 200. The suitability of a dye for dye loading into a specific polymer waveguide for color selectivity can depend at least in part on factors including chemical compatibility, process compatibility, and solubility of the dye in a base high index resin.

[0056] Color-selective waveguides described herein can be fabricated in a variety of methods, including various molding and casting methods, other appropriate methods including lithography methods (e.g., imprint lithography methods), etching methods, deposition methods, and any combination thereof. Fabrication may include a single process or two or more different processes. In one example, fabricating a color-selective waveguide includes casting a waveguide with a chromatic component to yield a doped waveguide (e.g., a dye-doped waveguide), and modifying the doped waveguide to include features (e.g., gratings, pillars, spacers, and the like). The doped waveguide may be flat or patterned, or have any combination of flat and patterned regions. Modifying the doped waveguide can include an imprint lithography process or an etching process to create appropriate features.

[0057] One aspect includes local dispense of dye-doped high index resin along with dispense of a base resin for waveguide fabrication. Using this approach, the dye doping can be achieved at a single or multiple locations in the bulk of the polymer waveguide depending at least in part on the concentration of the dye used and or the extent of light that needs to be attenuated. In one example, the dye-doped high index resin is dispensed in a controlled fashion around the ICG area. FIG. 3A depicts steps in a process for fabricating a dye-doped polymer waveguide. Base (un-doped) high-index resin 300 is dispensed onto patterned surface 302 (e.g., around a center area) of bottom mold 304. Dye-doped resin 306 is dispensed onto another area of bottom mold 304 and allowed to spread between top mold 308 and bottom mold 304 spaced apart at a selected distance. After casting, the resins are cured (e.g., with UV radiation), and the resulting waveguide is demolded to yield dye-doped polymer waveguide 310 with un-doped polymer region 312 and doped polymer region 314. Dye-doped polymer waveguide 310, with ICG area 316 formed of doped polymer and diffractive areas 318 formed of un-doped polymer, is highly selective for a chosen color. As depicted in FIG. 3B, doped polymer waveguide 310 includes un-doped polymer regions 312 (diffractive areas 316) and doped polymer regions 314 (ICG area 318 and areas 320 between diffractive areas 316). FIG. 3C shows light with RGB components 322, 324, 326, respectively, entering dye-doped polymer waveguide 310, and only the selected component (e.g., red component 322) demonstrating TIR through dye-doped polymer waveguide 310.

[0058] Example 1. Two different resin samples were prepared based on LUMIPLUS 1.71 index resin supplied by Mitsubishi Gas Chemicals (MGC), Japan. 50 ml of pure LUMIPLUS formulation was prepared using MGC's protocol without adding any dye in the base resin to yield a resin batch. 25 ml of the resin batch was taken in a separate glass vial and 1 wt % of VIS 484 (supplied by Adam Gates & Company) was added to the vial. The resulting dye loaded resin was then subjected to ultrasonic waves for mixing for about 5 minutes to yield a homogeneous dye-doped resin. A polymer waveguide was fabricated by dispensing about 3 ml of pure resin in the center and about 1 ml of dye-doped resin around the ICG area onto a nano-patterned mold with diffractive patterns. The resin then spread between two molds spaced apart with a distance of about 350 μm and was exposed to UV light (wavelength of about 365 nm) for curing followed by a post anneal step at 100° C. for 20 minutes. The resulting dye-doped polymer waveguide has two different zones as depicted in FIG. 3A: a first zone around the ICG area that has a color selective dye, with the rest of the waveguide being free of dye.

[0059] In a manner similar to that described in Example 1, various color dyes (Red, Green, Blue, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Infrared dye) that have selective transmission and absorption can be used to fabricate color selective polymer waveguides. Example base resin/dye combinations are listed in Table 1.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Various combinations of dyes and base resins for color selective polymer waveguides. Absorbing wavelength Transmitting Dye Base Resin/monomer (nm) wavelength (nm) VIS 484 from High refractive index resins (LUMIPLUS) 420-550 600-900 Adam Gates & 1.72 and 1.75 index resins (MGC Advanced Blue and Red Company Polymers, Inc.), UV curable low index Green polymers such as acrylates, thiol-ene polymers, polydimethoxysilane (PDMS), OrmoStamp (micro resist technology GmbH) VIS 606 from High refractive index resins-LUMIPLUS 530-650 400-500 Adam Gates & 1.72 and 1.75 index resins (MGC Advanced Green and Blue Company Polymers, Inc.), UV curable low index Red polymers such as acrylates, thiol-ene polymers, polydimethoxysilane (PDMS), OrmoStamp (micro resist technology GmbH) VIS 682 from High refractive index resins-LUMIPLUS 600-750 400-610 Adam Gates & 1.72 and 1.75 index resins from (MGC Red Blue & Green Company Advanced Polymers, Inc.), UV curable low index polymers such as acrylates, thiol-ene polymers, polydimethoxysilane (PDMS), OrmoStamp (micro resist technology GmbH) SR-4000L from High refractive index resins-LUMIPLUS 400-570 570-700 Fujifilm 1.72 and 1.75 index resins from (MGC Blue and Red Advanced Polymers, Inc.), UV curable low Green index polymers such as acrylates, thiol-ene polymers, polydimethoxysilane (PDMS), OrmoStamp (micro resist technology GmbH) SG-4000L from High refractive index resins-LUMIPLUS 400-475 & 500-575 Fujifilm. 1.72 and 1.75 index resins from (MGC 600-700 Green Advanced Polymers, Inc.), UV curable low Blue and index polymers such as acrylates, thiol-ene Red polymers, polydimethoxysilane (PDMS), OrmoStamp (micro resist technology GmbH) SB-4000L from High refractive index resins-LUMIPLUS 525-700 400-500 Fuji-film 1.72 and 1.75 index resins from (MGC Green and Blue Advanced Polymers, Inc.), UV curable low Red index polymers such as acrylates, thiol-ene polymers, polydimethoxysilane (PDMS), OrmoStamp (micro resist technology GmbH) VIS 575 from High refractive index resins-LUMIPLUS 400-650  700 Adam Gates & 1.72 and 1.75 index resins from (MGC Most visible  Infrared Company Advanced Polymers, Inc.), UV curable low wavelengths (Black dye) index polymers such as acrylates, thiol-ene polymers, polydimethoxysilane (PDMS), OrmoStamp (micro resist technology GmbH)

[0060] In addition to the resin-dye combinations listed in Table 1, two or more dyes can be incorporated into the same base resin to achieve specific color selectivity. Examples of dye combinations are listed in Table 2. This approach can be helpful when a single dye cannot achieve the desired color selectivity. In one example, a pseudo black dye formulated to absorb RGB light is doped around an ICG toward the anti-launch side to absorb RGB light. Such pseudo black dye can also be applied around the periphery of a glass or polymer waveguide to absorb RGB light reflected or refracted from the edges.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Combinations of dyes for desired color selectivity in polymer waveguides Location in a Color Dye(s) waveguide Expected outcome Red Blue and green light Local or global Block blue and absorbing dyes green light; allow only red light Green Blue and red light Local or global Block blue and red absorbing dyes light; allow only green light. Blue Green and red light Local or global Block green and absorbing dyes red light; allow only green light to do TIR. Pseudo Red, green, Local around Block RGB light Black and blue light ICG area colors (R + G + B) absorbing dyes (anti-launch side) Infrared Infrared dye Local or global Helps with eye tracking

[0061] Another aspect includes global dispense of dye-doped high-index resin for waveguide fabrication. Since the waveguide is uniformly doped, a low concentration of the dye can effectively attenuate the unwanted light as the light undergoes TIR over a path length of a few centimeters. FIG. 4A depicts global dispense of dye-doped high-index resin, in which dye-doped resin 406 is dispensed on patterned surface 402 of bottom mold 404 and undergoes a casting and curing process between bottom mold 404 and top mold 408 similar to that depicted in FIG. 3A to fabricate color selective waveguide 410 with only dye-doped polymer 414 in ICG area 416 and diffractive areas 418. FIGS. 4B-4D depict ray diagrams for waveguides doped with dyes that allow only red, green, and blue light 422, 424, and 426, respectively. In FIG. 4B, red polymer-doped waveguide 410r allows TIR of only red light 422. In FIG. 4C, green polymer-doped waveguide 410g allows TIR of only green light 424. In FIG. 4D, blue polymer-doped waveguide 410b allows TIR of only blue light 426.

[0062] Example 2. 25 ml of LUMIPLUS 1.72 index resin was prepared in a glass vial per MGC's POR mix ratio of individual monomers. To this, a VIS484 dye from Adam Gates & Company was added in a low concentration. The resulting dye-doped resin was then subjected to ultrasonic waves for mixing for about 5 minutes to yield a homogeneous dye-doped resin. The dye-doped resin formulation was dispensed onto a mold surface for waveguide fabrication.

[0063] In a manner similar to that described in Example 2, various color dyes (Red, Green, Blue, Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Infrared) as shown in Table 1 that have selective transmission and absorption can be used to fabricate color-selective polymer waveguides.

[0064] Another aspect includes local and global coating of the dye-doped high-index resin on a waveguide surface. The waveguide to be coated can be formed of glass or polymer. In this approach, a waveguide surface can be coated locally or globally with dye-doped high-index resin to achieve a desired light attenuation. FIGS. 5A-5F depict various implementations of such coatings and example locations on the waveguide where such coatings can be applied. In FIG. 5A, dye-doped polymer waveguide 510 includes waveguide 512 and dye-doped polymer coating 514 between ICG area 516 and diffractive areas 518. In FIG. 5B, dye-doped polymer waveguide 520 includes waveguide 522 and dye-doped coating 524 around ICG area 526. In FIG. 5C, dye-doped polymer waveguide 530 includes waveguide 532, dye-doped coating 534 around ICG area 536 and diffractive area 538. In FIG. 5D, dye-doped polymer waveguide 540 includes waveguide 542, first dye-doped coating 544 on a side of ICG area 546, as well as second dye-doped coating 544′ on a surface of waveguide 542 opposite ICG area 546 and diffractive areas 548. Second dye-doped coating 544′ can be the same as or different than (e.g., in one or more of thickness, color, composition, concentration, transmission) first dye-doped coating 544. In FIG. 5E, dye-doped polymer waveguide 550 includes waveguide 552, first dye-doped coating 554 on waveguide 552 surrounding ICG area 556, as well as second dye-doped coating 554′ on a surface of waveguide 552 opposite ICG area 556 and diffractive areas 558. Second dye-doped coating 554′ can be the same as or different than (e.g., in one or more of thickness, color, composition, concentration, transmission) first dye-doped coating 554, each of which can be the same or different (e.g., in one or more of thickness, color, composition, composition). In FIG. 5F, dye-doped polymer waveguide 560 includes waveguide 562, first dye-doped coating 564 around ICG area 566 and diffractive areas 568, as well as second dye-doped coating 564′ on a surface of waveguide 562 opposite ICG area 566 and diffractive areas 568. Second dye-doped coating 564′ can be the same as or different than (e.g., in one or more of thickness, color, composition, composition) first dye-doped coating 564, each of which can be the same or different (e.g., in one or more of thickness, color, composition, composition).

[0065] Referring to FIGS. 5A-5F, waveguides 512, 522, 532, 542, 552, and 562 can be glass or polymer. In locations where the dye-doped polymer might interfere with a user's vision, a low concentration of the dye can be used such that the color tint is not detectable. In locations where the dye-doped polymer will not interfere with a user's vision, a higher concentration dye can be introduced to achieve greater light attenuation as the light propagates with TIR through the waveguide, and thereby achieving higher color selectivity.

[0066] Another aspect includes casting a color filter directly onto a surface of a waveguide or a cover layer. In this approach, local high-pigmented areas of a specific dye are deposited onto a glass or polymer waveguide or cover layer surface using a UV curable composition loaded with desired dye pigments. FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate color filter fabrication for a waveguide and a cover layer, respectively. FIG. 6A depicts casting of dye-doped resin 606 in ICG area 616 on patterned surface 602 between top mold 608 and substrate 604. Substrate 604 is waveguide 612 (e.g., a glass waveguide or a polymer waveguide). After casting and UV curing, dye-doped waveguide 610 includes dye-doped regions 614 around ICG area 616. FIG. 6B depicts casting of dye-doped resin 626 between substrate 624 (e.g., a cover glass or polymer layer) and top mold 628, followed by UV curing and demolding of doped polymer waveguide 630 with colored filters 634 on a surface of doped polymer waveguide 630. Dye-doped resins 626 may be the same or different (e.g., in thickness, color, composition, concentration, transmission), such that colored filters 634 are similarly the same or different.

[0067] Another aspect includes casting individual color filters separately. The resulting color filters can be fabricated separately in multiple numbers via casting of UV-curable dye-doped high-index resin, as depicted in FIG. 7. The color filters then can be picked and placed onto a polymer or glass substrate for use in a selected device. FIG. 7 depicts dye-doped resin on bottom mold 704, and casting of dye-doped resin 706 between bottom mold 704 and top mold 708. The dye-doped resins 716 can be different colors (e.g., RGB). Dye-doped resins 706 are cured (e.g., with UV light) and demolded to yield colored filters 714 on bottom mold 704. Colored filters 714 (e.g., one each of RGB) can be removed (picked) from bottom mold 704 and positioned (placed) on substrate 720 (e.g., a cover layer).

[0068] Another aspect includes doping polymer waveguides with infrared dye. Polymer waveguides doped with infrared dye can assist with eye tracking. A waveguide doped with infrared dye can be fabricated in a manner similar to that described in Example 1 or Example 2.

[0069] Another aspect includes doping polymer waveguides with one or more dyes having a selected concentration gradient. FIGS. 8A-8H depict a top view of various implementations in which a waveguide is doped with a dye having a selected concentration gradient over all or a portion of the waveguide to yield a dye-doped waveguide. Dye concentration, doping location, and gradient pattern can be selected based on the application. The dye-doped gradient can be achieved by dispensing dye-doped resin droplets with varying dye concentrations and spreading the droplets to cover the desired areas of the waveguide before curing the resin.

[0070] FIG. 8A depicts dye-doped waveguide 810 with a dye concentration gradient decreasing from a perimeter of dye-doped waveguide 810 proximate ICG area 816 toward the perimeter of dye-doped waveguide 810 proximate diffraction (e.g., EPE/OPE) areas 818. FIG. 8B depicts dye-doped waveguide 820 with a dye concentration gradient increasing from a perimeter of dye-doped waveguide 820 proximate ICG area 816 toward the perimeter of dye-doped waveguide 820 proximate diffraction areas 818. FIG. 8C depicts dye-doped waveguide 830 with a dye concentration gradient increasing from perimeter proximate a first side of both the ICG area 816 and diffraction areas 818 (e.g., closer to ICG area 816) toward the perimeter on a second side of ICG area 816 and diffraction areas 818 (e.g., closer to diffraction areas 818). FIG. 8D depicts dye-doped waveguide 840 with a dye concentration gradient increasing from a perimeter of dye-doped waveguide 840 proximate the second side of ICG area 816 and diffraction areas 818 (e.g., closer to diffraction areas 818) toward the perimeter on the first side of ICG area 816 and diffraction areas 818 (e.g., closer to diffraction areas 818). FIG. 8E depicts dye-doped waveguide 850 having a dye concentration gradient similar to that of dye-doped waveguide 810 in FIG. 8A, together with a dye-doped ICG area 816′. Dye-doped ICG area 816′ can include a dye the same as or different than (e.g., thickness, color, composition, concentration, transmission) the dye in the dye concentration gradient. FIG. 8F depicts dye-doped waveguide 860 similar to that of dye-doped waveguide 850 in FIG. 8E, together with dye-doped polymer 814 encircling ICG area 816. Dye-doped polymer 814 can include a dye the same as or different than (e.g., thickness, color, composition, concentration, transmission) the dye in the dye concentration gradient, ICG region 816, or both. FIG. 8G depicts dye-doped waveguide 870 similar to that of dye-doped waveguide 850 in FIG. 8E, together with dye-doped polymer 814 partially encircling ICG area 816. One of the diffraction areas 818 (e.g., EPE or OPE) is doped with a dye that is the same as or different than (e.g., thickness, color, composition, concentration, transmission) the dye in dye-doped polymer 814 partially encircling ICG region 816. Dye-doped polymer 814 is doped with a dye that is the same as or different than (e.g., thickness, color, composition, concentration, transmission) any other dye in dye-doped waveguide 870 (e.g., dye in the dye concentration gradient, dye in ICG area 816, or both). FIG. 8H depicts dye-doped waveguide 880 similar to that of dye-doped waveguide 870 in FIG. 8G, together with dye-doped region 814′ about a perimeter of dye-doped waveguide 880. Dye-doped region 814′ is doped with a dye that is the same as or different than (e.g., thickness, color, composition, concentration, transmission) one or more of the dye in the dye concentration gradient, the ICG area 816, and the diffraction area 818.

[0071] In some aspects, the dye-doped polymer of a polymer waveguide has a refractive index that is substantially the same as, or within a selected range (Δn≤0.5) of, the refractive index of an un-doped polymer of the polymer waveguide. Thus, in some implementations, dye-doped polymer in a polymer waveguide is formed from the same resin as an undoped polymer in the polymer waveguide. In certain implementations (e.g., for a glass waveguide), the refractive index of a dye-doped polymer coating may be selected to be substantially the same as the refractive index of the coated substrate (e.g., a glass substrate).

[0072] Table 3 lists optical and chemical properties (e.g., solubility, concentration, relative transmission) of suitable chromatic components for doped polymer waveguides and coatings, including components for red, blue, and green layer dyes.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Properties of suitable chromatic components for doped polymer waveguides and coatings. Material Category Number Parameter Name Specification Blue Layer Dye Optical OP01 Relative Transmission @455 nm >60% Blue Layer Dye Optical OP02 Relative Transmission @511 nm- <10% 640 nm Blue Layer Dye Optical OP03 Relative Transmission @630 nm  <2% Blue Layer Dye Optical OP04 Relative Transmission @511 nm- <55% 700 nm Green Layer Optical OP05 Relative Transmission @400 nm- <10% Dye 464 nm Green Layer Optical OP06 Relative Transmission @525 nm >85% Dye Green Layer Optical OP07 Relative Transmission @621 nm- <10% Dye 680nm Green Layer Optical OP08 Relative Transmission @621 nm- <16% Dye 700 nm Red Layer Dye Optical OP09 Relative Transmission @400 nm- <12% 576 nm Red Layer Dye Optical OP10 Relative Transmission @450 nm- <10% 576 nm Red Layer Dye Optical OP11 Relative Transmission @620 nm- AVG >90% 640 nm All Dye Chemical CH01 Solubility in Acetone Initial screening conditions: 0.03 g in 2 ml (room temperature, 3-4 min ultrasonic) All Dye Chemical CH02 Solubility in IPA Initial screening conditions: 0.03 g in 2 ml (room temperature, 3-4 min ultrasonic) All Dye Chemical CH03 Solubility in Hexane No requirement All Dye Chemical CH04 Solubility in Water No requirement All Dye Chemical CH05 Concentration in up to 3000 ppm High Index Resin

[0073] Table 4 lists suitable ranges related to doping of chromatic components in high R.I. resins used for polymer waveguides.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Absorption and Transmission bands, absorptivity, and solubility for RGB polymer waveguides. Absorption Band (nm) Transmission Band (nm) Solubility Absorptivity Absorptivity with no Color (Lg.sup.−1 cm.sup.−1) (Lg.sup.−1 cm.sup.−1) particulates Red 400-560 600-650 >3 ppm >10 <0.1 Green 440-480, 600-650 500-550 nm >3 ppm >10 <0.1 Blue 500-700 nm 440-480 >3 ppm >10 <0.1

[0074] Assuming that diffraction efficiency from LCOS is 60:1, and that all of this light is incident upon an ICG of a color other than the color of interest, it is estimated that >5:1 (<20% transmission) color filter performance is needed to achieve >300:1 performance. Using an estimated average path length in the waveguide of 50 mm, this equates to an absorptivity of ≥0.14 cm.sup.−1. For the color of interest, a transmission of >95% is advantageous. Using an estimated average path length in the waveguide of 50 mm, this equates to an absorptivity of ≤0.004 cm.sup.−1. FIGS. 9A-9C show examples of suitable absorptivity ranges for RGB dye wavelength ranges for color-selective polymer waveguides. In FIG. 9A (blue dye), the absorptivity for blue dye 900 is typically about 0.004 cm.sup.−1 or less, and the absorptivity for green dye 902 and red dye 904 is typically about 0.14 cm.sup.−1 or greater. In FIG. 9B (green dye), the absorptivity for green dye 902 is typically about 0.004 cm.sup.−1 or less, and the absorptivity for blue dye 900 and red dye 904 is typically about 0.14 cm.sup.−1 or greater. In FIG. 9C (red dye), the absorptivity for red dye 904 is typically about 0.004 cm.sup.−1 or less, and the absorptivity for blue dye 900 and green dye 902 is typically about 0.14 cm.sup.−1 or greater.

[0075] While a final concentration of a colorimetric component at casting may correspond to the levels depicted in FIGS. 9A-9C, these ranges would correspond to <72% transmission (absorbing regions) and >99% transmission (transmission regions) for a 1 cm path length. It may be advantageous to consider an absorbance range between >0.7 and <0.02 at a 1 cm path length, which corresponds to <20% transmission (absorbing region) and >95% transmission (transmission regions).

[0076] FIGS. 10A-10C show examples of suitable transmission for RGB dyes for color-selective polymer waveguides. In FIG. 10A (blue dye), the transmission for blue dye 900 is typically about 95% or greater, and the transmission for green dye 902 and red dye 904 is typically about 20% or less. In FIG. 10B (green dye), the absorptivity for green dye 902 is typically about 95% or greater, and the transmission for blue dye 900 and red dye 904 is typically about 20% or less. In FIG. 9C (red dye), the transmission for red dye 904 is typically about 95% or greater, and the absorptivity for blue dye 900 and green dye 902 is typically about 20% or less.

[0077] In another aspect, colorant-doped (e.g., dye- or pigment-doped) UV-curable adhesives are implemented to retain light-absorbing or light-attenuating properties of an edge seal adhesive or interlayer adhesive, thereby allowing for efficient UV curing at a wide range of applied thicknesses. UV-cured adhesives are typically used for interlayer adhesive and edge seal applications, but if excessive UV light is absorbed at the adhesive surface during UV curing, a UV-cured skin and un-cured center can result. This imposes a thickness limitation on the applied adhesive, increasing processing time (cycles) in order to achieve increased thickness or limiting maximum thickness of the applied adhesive if the processing time is held constant. This effect is even more apparent for “black-edging adhesives,” which typically include carbon black and broadly absorb UV-Visible light.

[0078] FIG. 11 shows the UV-visible (200-400 nm 400-700 nm, respectively) spectrum of an example UVA enhanced lamp (Uvitron 600 W UVA Enhanced Lamp Spectral Distribution UV0834) suitable for UV curing of adhesives. The relative intensity of UVC radiation (200 nm to 280 nm—depicted as 250 nm to 280 nm) 1100, UVB radiation (280 nm to 315 nm) 1102, UVA radiation (315 nm to 400 nm) 1104, and visible radiation (400 nm to 700 nm) 1106. Carbon black absorption spectra have a broad absorption across UV and visible wavelengths. This broad absorption, especially in the UV, decreases the depth of cure of a black edging adhesive, and the UV radiation typically only penetrates to a limited depth of the layer (e.g., 120 μm to 200 μm), leaving the rest of the layer partially cured or completely uncured in the absence of thermal curing. When an edge seal is partially un-cured, the adhesive can phase separate during reliability test conditions, with clear resin wicking into the grating areas. While repeated application of thinner coatings followed by UV-curing after each coating can be implemented to achieve thicker coatings, adhesive dispensing uniformity and increased processing times (cycles) can be problematic.

[0079] Colorant-doped adhesives described herein are suitable for high-throughput manufacturing of waveguide based eyepieces including polymer or glass waveguides. The absorption spectra of these color-absorbing adhesives can be selectively tuned (RGB, CMYK, etc.) to match the color channel and visible light absorption specifications of each waveguide. Colorants (e.g., pigments or dyes) with tailored spectra can be added to an adhesive to absorb the specific operating single or multiple wavelengths of light of the waveguides while not absorbing UV light, thereby allowing for efficient curing of the adhesive material with limited effect of its thickness. This method allows for fabrication of a customized wavelength-absorbing adhesive.

[0080] Colorant-doped adhesives are prepared by combining a base adhesive and a colorant. As provided by the Beer-Lambert law, concentration of the colorant in the base adhesive can be selected based on the absorptivity of the colorant at the wavelength of interest, the amount of light to be attenuated, and the optical path-length available to achieve this attenuation. The colorant can be selected to absorb the specific wavelength(s) carried by waveguide while not absorbing UV light. Suitable colorant concentrations are typically in a range of 0.1 mg/L to 100 g/L. Table 5 lists examples of commercially available UV curable adhesive materials, and Table 6 lists examples of commercially available colorants.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Examples of UV-curable adhesives Manufacturer Product Name Viscosity (cP) ThreeBond TB3042B    500 cP ThreeBond TB3114 26,000 cP Dexerials SA1641SN 35,000 cP Dexerials SA1801SN 33,000 cP Dymax 3069    450 cP Dymax 4-20418-GEL 35,000 cP Dymax 6-630-T  6,000 cP Dymax OP-4-20632-GEL 70,000 cP

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Examples of colorants Absorbing wavelength Dye (nm) VIS 484 420-550 Adam Gates & Company Blue and Green VIS 606 530-650 Adam Gates & Company Red and Green VIS 682 600-750 Adam Gates & Company Red VIS461B 400-500 QCR Solutions Corp Blue VIS548B 450-600 QCR Solutions Corp Green VIS637A 500-700 QCR Solutions Corp Red and Green

[0081] In one example, a green light source with FWHM between 1 nm and 35 nm is paired with a colorant that absorbs in the same wavelength range. For certain architectures and light sources, a 1:1 match in spectra is favorable. For other architectures and light sources, the colorant absorption spectrum is focused on the peak wavelength of light source.

[0082] In a single color absorption example, a red channel waveguide is paired with an adhesive doped with red-absorbing colorant used as an edge absorber. FIGS. 12A-12C show RGB edge absorbers with colorant absorption spectra tailored directly to the color channel carried in the waveguide. The waveguide can be made of glass or polymer. FIG. 12A shows blue channel waveguide 1200 with spacer 1202 having adhesive 1204 doped with UV-pass blue-absorbing colorant (e.g., VIS461B). FIG. 12B shows green channel waveguide 1210 with spacer 1212 having adhesive 1214 doped with UV-pass green-absorbing colorant (e.g., VIS548B). FIG. 12C shows red channel waveguide 1220 having spacer 1222 having adhesive 1224 doped with UV-pass red-absorbing colorant (e.g., VIS637A).

[0083] In a multi-color absorption example, a blue and green channel waveguide is paired with an adhesive doped with blue and green wavelength absorbing colorant used as an edge absorber. The blue and green channel waveguide can be made of glass or polymer. FIG. 13 depicts blue and green channel waveguide 1300 with spacer 1302 having adhesive 1304 doped with UV-pass blue- and green-absorbing colorant (e.g., Adam Gates VIS484 or QCR Solutions VIS461B+QCR Solutions VIS548B).

[0084] FIG. 14A shows transmission (%) versus wavelength (nm) of various compositions, including air (plot 1400), a comparative example with adhesive (LPB-224) only (plot 1402), and examples including adhesive (LPB-224) and various colorant (Adam Gates VIS484) concentrations (plots 1404, 1406, 1408, 1410) showing tailored absorption in blue and green wavelengths. Plot 1404 corresponds to 1 mL LPB-224/20 μL dye standard. Plot 1406 corresponds to 1 mL LPB-224/40 μL dye standard. Plot 1408 corresponds to 1 mL LPB-224/80 μL dye standard. Plot 1410 corresponds to 1 mL LPB-224/160 μL dye standard. The dye standard included 0.0177 g of VIS484 dissolved in 20.58 g (or 20.58 mL) base monomer (LPB). Plots 1420, 1422, 1424 in FIG. 14B show percent transmission (% T) versus dopant level at 640 nm, 520 nm, and 450 nm, respectively, taken from FIG. 14A.

[0085] In another example, a visible wavelength edge absorber and interlayer lamination adhesive is prepared by adding colorants that absorb wavelengths of every color channel in the eyepiece stack. FIG. 15 shows red, green, and blue channel waveguides 1500, 1502, 1504 between cover layers 1506 and supported by visible wavelength edge absorbers 1508 and integrated spacers 1510 and 1512. Waveguides 1500, 1502, and 1504 can be made of polymer or glass. Visible wavelength edge absorbers 1508 are RGB absorbing, UV-pass. Integrated spacers 1510 and 1512 include visible wavelength inter-lamination glue that is RGB absorbing, UV pass. Any mixture of RGB, CMY, or the like can be used, depending on the wavelength(s) of waveguide channel light that are advantageously absorbed, while leaving the adhesive with UV-transparency.

[0086] Plots 1600, 1602, 1604 in FIG. 16 shows overlaid absorbance spectra (absorbance versus wavelength) of individual QCR Solutions Dye VIS637A (red), VIS548B (green), and VIS461B (blue), respectively, exhibiting little absorption in the UV band. Plot 1700 in FIG. 17 shows optical output versus wavelength for a combination of QCR Solutions Dyes (33% VIS461, 33% VIS548, and 33% VIS637) from FIG. 16. Plots 1702, 1704, 1706 show optical output versus wavelength for example RBG light emitting diode output. Plot 1708 shows optical output versus wavelength for phototropic transmission illustrating absorption in RGB bands (RGB=0.735, 0.797, and 0.727, respectively).

[0087] Customized color-absorbing adhesive can be applied on an edge (e.g., as depicted in FIGS. 12A-12C and 13) or on any horizontal surface of a waveguide layer, inclusive of integrated spacers (e.g., as depicted in FIG. 15).

[0088] Refractive index matching of the adhesive (whether for inter-layer adhesive or edge absorber) can be obtained by utilizing a high index component along with methods described herein or by using a high refractive index UV cure adhesive and a matching colorant as described herein. Closer refractive index matching between the adhesive and waveguide layer can be achieved to reduce back reflections at an interface.

[0089] Colorants can be incorporated into a wide range of adhesives without limiting or restricting the dispensed thickness, dispensed area, or viscosity of the adhesive. A viscosity of the adhesive can be selected as appropriate for an intended application. A suitable viscosity range for edge seals is typically in a range of about 300 cP to about 3000 cP at application temperature (e.g., at room temperature). A suitable viscosity range for interlayer lamination without integrated spacers is typically in a range of about 27,000 cP to about 70,000 cP. A suitable viscosity range for interlayer lamination with adhesive dispensed on integrated spacers is typically less than about 20 cP. A thickness range of the adhesive also depends on intended applications. A suitable thickness for edge seals is typically in a range of about 50 μm to about 150 μm. A suitable thickness for interlayer lamination with integrated spacers is typically in a range of about 25 μm to about 250 μm. A suitable thickness for interlayer lamination with integrated spacers is typically in a range of about 1 μm to about 10 μm.

[0090] While this specification contains many specific details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the disclosure or of what may be claimed, but rather as examples of features that are associated with particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination may in some examples be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a sub-combination or variation of a sub-combination.

[0091] A number of embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. For example, various structures shown above may be used, with elements rearranged, positioned differently, oriented differently, added, and/or removed. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.