Full-color augmented reality display via integrated achromatic template polarization volume grating

Augmented reality (AR) displays, position at the forefront of next generation display technology, have received enthusiastic attention by its significantly enhancing in information acquisition capabilities. Liquid crystal (LC) based polarization volume grating (PVG) is widely used as the coupler for its small volume, light weight, simple structure and high efficiency. However, the wavelength limitation and chromatic aberration challenges of PVG limits its application in full-color AR display. To meet the demand for full-color display, an achromatic template PVG (ATPVG) using multi-templating technology is proposed. It realizes achromatic full-color AR display via three PVG templates with different photo alignment patterns. The integrated single-layer device enables large-angle rotating of red, green, and blue incident light with both uniform performance and substantial diffraction efficiency. The comparisons between ATPVG and chromatic PVG in laser diffraction and AR display indicate that the ATPVG exhibits effectively elimination on the chromatic aberration. In addition, the ATPVG enables direct replacement of the couplers in the existing AR devices without system modification.