New holographic lenses for augmented reality applications

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

The present invention comprises:

1) A method of generating holographic lenses.

2) A holographic lensgenerated using said method.

3) A light-guiding system comprising the holographic lenses generated by said method.

This device presents a new structure and design of the holographic optical elements (HOEs) which means that the image introduced to the system, which will be projected on the eye of the user, arrives with more energy and much sharper.

Due to this modification of the wavefront made by holograms, not only is the red light guided, but the image is focused on the individual's retina (see Figure 1).

Also, the design can be adapted to the distances required for each application and the image size can be increased or reduced by changing the registration of the holographic lenses included in the system.

This system consists of a 4F system composed of holographic reflection or transmission lenses, a waveguiding substrate and a projection system to introduce the image to the eye of the user or to a semi-transparent screen.

Figure 1: Diagram of holographic lens operation

TECHNOLOGY ADVANTAGES AND INNOVATIVE ASPECTS

MAIN ADVANTAGES OF THE TECHNOLOGY

• This new light guidance system based on holographic lenses will be simpler and less costly than current systems using optical prisms.

• The images offered will be of much higher quality, i.e. better sharpness than current AR devices.

• The system eliminates the multiple images that characterise current holographic displays.

INNOVATIVE ASPECTS

• This method generates a holographic lens that guides the light, so that it meets the angular condition of total reflection on the substrate, without using optical prisms to incident the reference beam and the target beam on the photosensitive material. Currently, the use of optical prisms makes mass production of holographic lenses expensive and difficult.

• The design can be adapted to the distances needed for each application and the image size can be increased or reduced by changing the registration of the holographic lenses included in the system.

• This compact system does not require analogue or digital lenses for its operation because its function is performed by the holographic optical elements (HOLEs).

CURRENT STATE OF DEVELOPMENT

The invention is being developed at a laboratory level.

COLLABORATION SOUGHT

The group is looking for companies or institutions interested in acquiring this technology for commercial exploitation through patent licensing agreements or to collaborate in the development of new holographic lenses.

TECHNICAL IMAGES (1)