5.5 Emerging display technologies (e.g., light field, holographic)

Emerging display tech is pushing AR/VR boundaries. Light field and holographic displays create realistic 3D images without glasses. These innovations simulate real-world depth and allow viewing from multiple angles, enhancing immersion.

Volumetric and retinal displays offer unique approaches. Volumetric displays create 3D images in space, while retinal projection bypasses eye focusing. These technologies promise more natural and comfortable AR/VR experiences.

Light Field and Holographic Displays

Light Field Displays

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  Application of light field displays to vision correction and accommodation support - TIB AV-Portal View original

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Top images from around the web for Light Field Displays

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  Application of light field displays to vision correction and accommodation support - TIB AV-Portal View original

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  New augmented reality head-mounted display offers unrivalled viewing experience | University of ... View original

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• Capture and reproduce the light rays in a scene from different angles and directions
• Allow for natural focus cues and depth perception without the need for special glasses or head-tracking
• Can be achieved through various methods such as microlens arrays, multilayer displays, or computational displays
• Enable realistic and immersive viewing experiences by simulating how light behaves in the real world (light field)
• Provide a sense of depth and parallax, allowing users to see different perspectives as they move their head or eyes

Holographic Displays

• Use diffraction and interference of light to create three-dimensional images
• Reconstruct wavefronts of light that appear to originate from virtual objects at different depths
• Can be generated using spatial light modulators (SLMs) or holographic optical elements (HOEs)
• Offer high-resolution, full-color, and wide field-of-view displays without the need for special glasses
• Enable realistic and dynamic 3D visualizations that can be viewed from multiple angles (holographic projection)

Near-Eye Light Field Displays

• Combine light field technology with near-eye displays for AR/VR applications
• Provide a compact and wearable solution for displaying light fields close to the user's eyes
• Use microlens arrays or multilayer displays integrated into head-mounted displays (HMDs)
• Enable natural focus cues, accommodation-convergence matching, and reduced eye strain
• Allow for a more comfortable and immersive AR/VR experience by mimicking real-world depth perception

Volumetric and Retinal Displays

Volumetric Displays

• Create three-dimensional images by illuminating points in a volume of space
• Use various methods such as swept-volume displays, static-volume displays, or holographic volume displays
• Can be achieved through rotating screens, stacked transparent displays, or laser-induced plasma
• Enable multiple users to view 3D content from different angles without the need for special glasses
• Provide a true 3D representation of objects that can be viewed in the round (360 degrees)

Retinal Projection Displays

• Project images directly onto the retina of the eye using low-power lasers or LEDs
• Bypass the eye's focusing mechanism and create a sharp image regardless of the user's visual acuity
• Can be used for AR applications by superimposing digital content onto the user's real-world view
• Offer a compact and energy-efficient solution for near-eye displays
• Enable high-resolution, wide field-of-view, and bright displays with reduced screen door effect

Varifocal and Multi-Focal Displays

Varifocal Displays

• Dynamically adjust the focal distance of the display based on the user's gaze or convergence
• Use various methods such as liquid lenses, deformable mirrors, or motorized lens systems
• Provide correct focus cues and reduce the accommodation-convergence conflict in AR/VR displays
• Enable more comfortable and natural viewing experiences by mimicking the eye's focusing mechanism
• Can be combined with eye-tracking technology to optimize the focal distance in real-time

Multi-Focal Displays

• Present multiple focal planes at different depths simultaneously
• Use spatial multiplexing or temporal multiplexing techniques to create multiple focal planes
• Can be achieved through stacked displays, multi-layer LCDs, or high-speed switchable lenses
• Provide correct focus cues and reduce the accommodation-convergence conflict in AR/VR displays
• Enable more realistic and comfortable viewing experiences by simulating multiple depth planes (focal stacks)
• Allow users to focus on different parts of the virtual scene naturally, similar to real-world vision