As the industrialization of waveguide based Augmented Reality devices is progressing, considerations around design based shaping of the waveguides as well as robustness move into focus. Therefore, automated approaches concerning the cutting of eyepieces made of high index glass is a high priority. A promising approach for scalable free form cutting with high strength and precision is the utilization of ultrashort pulsed lasers. However, the plurality of possible laser process parameters and the different material compositions of high index glasses present a challenging field of optimization opportunities with respect to strength of the glass. SCHOTT AG and 3D-Micromac AG optimized a separation process towards high and predictable bending strength and integrated it into a modular machine concept freely scalable from lab to mass production use.
The fast-growing market for consumer-devices based on Augmented Reality (AR) technology requires optical waveguides. These components, which are used for image projection, are made of high-index glass or other transparent materials. Cutting eyeglasses out of the bare or preprocessed material has complex requirements for today’s available processes. For some years now, laser-cutting processes of transparent materials with ultrashort pulse (USP) lasers have been increasingly adopted in those industrial applications. The ability of a fully automated process flow is of critical importance, especially for AR products, which target the mass production market. Laser cutting tools combine good edge quality with fully automated process flows and free-form capability. This presentation covers the advantages of laser technology based on application examples for AR waveguides
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.