Dynamic Augmented Reality Display by Layer‐Folded Metasurface via Electrical‐Driven Liquid Crystal. Issue 12 (11th May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tang, Jiao; Wan, Shuai; Shi, Yangyang; Wan, Chengwei; Wang, Zejing; Li, Zhongyang
• Is Part Of: Advanced optical materials. Volume 10:Issue 12(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-05-11
• Subjects: layer‐folded metasurface -- liquid crystals -- meta‐holography -- multi‐patterning alignment -- switchable AR display -- total internal reflection; Optical materials -- Periodicals; Photonics -- Periodicals; 620.11295
• DOI: 10.1002/adom.202200418
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2195-1071

Abstract

Abstract: Heading toward the next‐generation versatile meta‐devices and meta‐systems with increasing complexity, it inevitably demands the cascading and coupling between multi‐layer metasurfaces to create new design space for meta‐optics. However, the accurate requirement for multilayer alignment at the nanoscale is significantly challenging due to the actual fabrication limitation, thus hindering the state‐of‐the‐art meta‐optics device integration and its practical application. Herein, a dynamic meta‐system for augmented reality (AR) holographic display functionality based on a layer‐folded metasurface integrated with an electrical‐driven liquid crystal (LC) platform is originally proposed and realized. By ingeniously folding the optical path between meta‐device vertical space, a beam‐steering metasurface in parallel with the other two holographic metasurfaces placed on a single surface is successfully cascaded. Such a layer‐folded scheme enjoys single‐time lithography processing for multi‐patterning with nanoscale alignment accuracy and avoids any vertical alignment issue. Furthermore, by combining with an electrical‐driven LC tuning scheme, the integrated meta‐system could actively switch independent‐encoded holographic images in real‐time floating in the actual‐world scene. Overall, it is envisioned that such a compact dynamic meta‐system suggests a feasible route for dynamic tunable wearable AR displays, intelligent dynamic displays, multi‐functional devices, etc. Abstract : A dynamic meta‐system for augmented reality (AR) holographic display based on a layer‐folded metasurface integrated with electrical‐driven liquid crystal (LC) platform is originally presented. By ingeniously folding the optical path, layer‐folded metasurface enjoys single‐time lithography processing with nanoscale horizontal alignment accuracy. By utilizing electrical‐driven LC tuning, AR display dynamic switch is enabled in real‐world scene for human eyes in real‐time.