Waveguide technology is widely believed to constitute the most promising approach to realize affordable and fully immersive Augmented Reality (AR) / Mixed Reality (MR) devices. For all major technology platforms (diffractive, reflective, or holographic), specialty grade high index optical glass is the central component to achieve some of the key features of AR devices, such as field of view, MTF, or weight. We will provide insights into SCHOTT’s roadmap for dedicated glass development for the AR sector and discuss the latest achievement with high relevance for the industry. It is a game of trade-offs between the desired properties to produce an optical glass which enables the entry of AR devices into the consumer market.
In the variety of optical solutions for Head Mounted Devices, the Waveguide Technology is widely believed to constitute one of the most promising approaches to realize affordable Augmented Reality (AR) / Mixed Reality (MR) experience while enabling full immersive user impression combined with smallest form factor and uncompromised image quality.
In the race to highest Field-of-View (FoV) and best image quality the optical waveguide, made from specialty grade high index glass wafers, is the core component. The material and geometry characteristics of such wafers are directly determining image properties, such as maximum Field-of-View, contrast, brightness, distortion of the image, guided to the user’s eye.
We report advances in making glass wafers larger in diameter, to enable cost efficiency of subsequent processes. We provide insight into SCHOTT’s material roadmap for combiner optics in Augmented Reality devices including high refractive index. Finally, we present results of collaborative research between glass, resin and equipment companies, targeting to provide mass producible solutions allowing optical component manufacturers to accelerate the merchantability of consumer ready devices.
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