Volume Holographic Waveguide Using Multiplex Recording for Head-Mounted Display

We propose a new type of volume holographic waveguide using multiplex recording for head mounted displays called the volume-holographic multiplexed-mirror (VHM) waveguide. The VHM waveguide is based on a photopolymer with a thickness of several hundred micrometers that has been developed for holographic data storage. We investigated if the VHM can exhibit high performance when combined with broad wavelength light sources. We prototyped a head mounted display unit with the VHM waveguide and evaluated the transmittance, luminance efficiency, and potential field of view. We confirmed clear transparency of 87%, high luminance efficiency of 3850 cd/m(2)/lm suitable for outside use, and wide potential field of view of 35 degrees (horizontal) and 36 degrees (vertical). The VHM waveguide could pave the way for new high-performance head mounted displays for augmented reality.