Apple inc. (20240310566). Waveguide Display with Staircase Grating Input Coupler simplified abstract
Contents
Waveguide Display with Staircase Grating Input Coupler
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
Choon How Gan of Cheltenham (GB)
Ben-Li Sheu of Sunnyvale CA (US)
Francesco Aieta of Alameda CA (US)
Se Baek Oh of Hillsborough CA (US)
Zhenwen Ding of San Jose CA (US)
Waveguide Display with Staircase Grating Input Coupler - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240310566 titled 'Waveguide Display with Staircase Grating Input Coupler
Simplified Explanation: The patent application describes an electronic device with a waveguide, an input coupler to direct light into the waveguide, and an optical coupler to extract the light from the waveguide. A medium is layered onto the waveguide, and the input coupler includes a first surface relief grating (SRG), while the optical coupler includes a second SRG in the medium. The first SRG is a non-binary staircase SRG with ridges having multiple steps, while the second SRG is a binary SRG with troughs that extend to the height of the lowest steps of the first SRG. A reflective layer fills the first SRG to enhance efficiency.
Key Features and Innovation:
- Electronic device with waveguide, input coupler, and optical coupler
- Layered medium on the waveguide
- First SRG with multiple steps and reflective layer
- Second SRG with troughs extending to the height of the first SRG
Potential Applications: This technology could be used in augmented reality devices, optical communication systems, and other light-based applications.
Problems Solved: Enhances in-coupling efficiency of the input coupler, maximizing the efficiency of light delivery to the eye box.
Benefits:
- Improved light delivery efficiency
- Enhanced performance of optical systems
- Potential for clearer and brighter display in devices
Commercial Applications: Potential commercial applications include AR/VR headsets, optical sensors, and telecommunications equipment.
Prior Art: Prior art related to this technology may include research on waveguide optics, surface relief gratings, and optical coupling techniques.
Frequently Updated Research: Researchers may be exploring advancements in surface relief gratings, waveguide materials, and optical system design.
Questions about Waveguide Optics: 1. What are the key components of a waveguide system? 2. How do surface relief gratings enhance light coupling efficiency in optical devices?
Original Abstract Submitted
an electronic device may have a waveguide, an input coupler that couples light into the waveguide, and an optical coupler that couples the light out of the waveguide. a medium may be layered onto the waveguide. the input coupler may include a first surface relief grating (srg) and the optical coupler may include a second srg in the medium. the first srg may be a non-binary staircase srg having ridges with multiple steps. the second srg may be a binary srg having troughs that extend to the height of the lowest steps of the first srg. a reflective layer may fill the first srg. forming the input coupler using a staircase srg may serve to maximize the in-coupling efficiency of the input coupler, thereby maximizing the efficiency with which the light is provided to an eye box.
