Planar waveguide based augmented reality smart glasses with large field of view

Xiao Xue; Lin Xiao; Hao Jianying; Zang Jinliang; Tan Xiaodi

doi:10.12086/oee.2019.180550

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Xiao Xue, Lin Xiao, Hao Jianying, et al. Planar waveguide based augmented reality smart glasses with large field of view[J]. Opto-Electronic Engineering, 2019, 46(10): 180550. doi: 10.12086/oee.2019.180550

Citation:

Xiao Xue, Lin Xiao, Hao Jianying, et al. Planar waveguide based augmented reality smart glasses with large field of view[J]. Opto-Electronic Engineering, 2019, 46(10): 180550. doi: 10.12086/oee.2019.180550

Planar waveguide based augmented reality smart glasses with large field of view

1.
School of Optics and Photonics, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
2.
Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Photonics Technology, College of Photonic and Electronic Engineering, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350007, China

More Information

Corresponding author: Tan Xiaodi, E-mail:xtan@fjnu.edu.cn

Received Date 28 October 2018

Revised Date 02 April 2019

Published Date 18 October 2019

Abstract

Abstract

We present a way to achieve the compact augmented reality (AR) smart glasses with a large field of view (FOV). A planar waveguide and embedded narrow band minus filters are used for image transmission and coupling. The optical system based on the method is simple in structure and has the advantages of small size and lightweight. A geometric model for the propagation of light in the waveguide is constructed. Based on this model, the constraints of the structure and the dependence of designed parameters with viewing angles are analyzed. According to the calculations, a 3 mm thick waveguide is fabricated to investigate the feasibility of the theory. Experimental results demonstrate that the prototype can deliver a projected image and realize the fusion of the virtual image and the real scene as expected, the measured viewing FOV was about 50°.
- augmented reality /
- smart glasses /
- waveguide /
- field of view

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References

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Overview

Overview

Overview: Augmented reality (AR) smart glasses are capable of superimposing computer-generated information on the real world. Until now, various combiners for delivering displayed virtual image, for instance, semi-reflective reflectors, hologram, and freeform prism have been adopted. However, they are suffering from some problems, such as low light efficiency, relative short lifetime when exposed to environmental variations, and complex production process. What's more, to realize large field of view (FOV) is still a great challenge, especially for AR smart glasses with compact format. In this paper, we present a method to achieve compact AR glasses by using a planar waveguide with embedded narrow band minus filters. The planar waveguide works as an element for the transmission of projected virtual image, while the minus filters work for coupling the image from the micro-display into the waveguide, and coupling it out of the waveguide on the other side to the eye of a viewer. Since the minus filters reflect only the specified waveband from a wide spectral range, the output virtual image from the waveguide can maintain high luminance and the rays from the ambient environment can pass through the waveguide with high transmittance. Furthermore, an array of parallel out minus filters is arranged at the output side, so that exit beams can be expanded without additional ghost images. To get the design parameters of the waveguide and the viewing angle that can be transferred by the waveguide, a geometric model was constructed. According to that, constraints of the design parameters and the relationship of them with the incident angles were analyzed. Based on the calculation results, a 3 mm thick waveguide, which can deliver a FOV of 53° theoretically, was fabricated to verify the feasibility of the proposed method. Experiment was conducted with the first prototype. A virtual image was provided by a projector and a camera was used at the output side for capturing the exit virtual image and the real scene. Through the photo taken by the camera, we can see both the suspended image and a view of the real environment. Experimental result demonstrated that the waveguide can deliver a projected image and realize the fusion of the virtual image and the real scene as expected. The actual FOV transferred by the prototype was about 50°. In conclusion, the present approach is a very promising design to enable a compact AR glasses with a large FOV.