Breaking the optical efficiency limit of pancake optics in virtual reality

Yuqiang Ding; Zhenyi Luo; Garimagai Borjigin; Shin-Tson Wu

doi:10.1117/12.3009827

13 March 2024 Breaking the optical efficiency limit of pancake optics in virtual reality

Yuqiang Ding, Zhenyi Luo, Garimagai Borjigin, Shin-Tson Wu

Proceedings Volume 12908, Advances in Display Technologies XIV; 1290806 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3009827
Event: SPIE OPTO, 2024, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Pancake lens has been widely used in mixed reality (MR) due to its compact formfactor. However, using a half mirror to fold the optical path results in a tremendous optical loss. To break this optical efficiency limit while keeping a compact formfactor, we present a new folded optical system incorporating a nonreciprocal polarization rotator. In our proof-ofconcept experiment using a commercial Faraday rotator, the theoretically predicted 100% efficiency is validated. Meanwhile, the ghost images can be suppressed to undetectable level if the optics are with anti-reflection coating. Our novel pancake optical system holds great potential for revolutionizing next-generation MR displays.

(2024) Published by SPIE. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.

Citation Download Citation

Yuqiang Ding, Zhenyi Luo, Garimagai Borjigin, and Shin-Tson Wu "Breaking the optical efficiency limit of pancake optics in virtual reality", Proc. SPIE 12908, Advances in Display Technologies XIV, 1290806 (13 March 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3009827

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