Gradient polarization volume grating with wide angular bandwidth for augmented reality

作者:Yan, Xudong; Wang, Jiawei; Zhang, Wei; Liu, Yanjun; Luo, Dan*
来源:Optics Express, 2023, 31(21): 35282-35292.
DOI:10.1364/OE.503493

摘要

Angular bandwidth, which is critical to field-of-view, plays important role in diffractive optical waveguide augmented reality display. However, design and fabrication of large angular bandwidth is still a challenge. Herein, we demonstrate a liquid crystal reflective gradient polarization volume grating with three-dimensional gradient periodic structure for waveguide near-eye display. Two-beam polarization interference with special designed periodic gradient photomask are applied to chiral-dopant reactive mesogens doped with ultraviolet dye for generating gradient three-dimensional configuration of liquid crystals, resulting in gradient polarization volume grating with extended angle bandwidth of 61 degrees while keeping 80% diffraction efficiency, with peak efficiency near 100%. The proposed gradient polarization volume grating provides an effective method to broaden the angular bandwidth in waveguide for wide field-of view augmented reality display.