Foveated near-eye display for mixed reality using liquid crystal photonics

Foveated near-eye display is one of the most promising approaches to deliver immersive experience of mixed reality. However, it is challenged to conceive a compact optical system. Here, we introduce a method to use polarization optics via liquid crystal photonics to improve the foveated display performance. We demonstrate a benchtop prototype of this idea. We implement and combine two display modules for peripheral and foveal visions. A peripheral display consists of a polarization selective lens (PSL) module, a polarization selective diffuser (PSD), and a slanted projection system. An 80. diagonal field of view is achieved by on-axis optical configuration of the PSL module and the PSD. A foveal holographic display is composed of a spatial light modulator (SLM), a volume grating lens, and a microelectromechanical system mirror possibly in combination with a switchable polarization selective grating module. The holographic reconstruction using the SLM enables accurate focus cue generation and high resolution above 30 cycles per degree within 15 degrees by 15 degrees field of view. We explore and discuss the liquid crystal photonics in the prototype that has a novel optical design using volume gratings with polarization selectivity.