Eyebox uniformity optimization over the full field of view for optical waveguide displays based on linked list processing

Abstract

Eyebox uniformity is an important indicator to evaluate the performance of optical waveguide displays. However, there is currently no standard design approach that achieves ideal uniformity over the full field of view (FOV) within the eyebox. Here, a novel method for eyebox uniformity optimization based on linked list processing is proposed. The linked list processing method can fast record the light trajectory and calculate the optimal numerical diffraction efficiency distribution of the coupler. We use the linked list method for an L-shaped diffractive optical waveguide and solve the matched coupler structure by combining rigorous coupled-wave analysis (RCWA) and the simplex method. By building the model on LightTools and demonstrating the illuminance uniformity, the feasibility of the method is verified. In the FOV range of 15°× 15°, the eyebox uniformity reaches 0.9 at the central viewing angle and the overall eyebox uniformity is 0.617.