Advanced multilayer holographic technology for the realization of compact AR-HUDs

Abstract

Holographic components are nowadays not only applied in optical systems for the chromatical correction combined with lenses and mirrors but also widely applied in projection, detection, lighting and filtering. It plays an important role in Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) projection systems in order to achieve high imaging performance within a very compact volume. For AR Head-up Displays (HUDs), due to the increase of the field-of-view and the display distances, it is getting more and more challenging to realize the good imaging performance within a small volume. We will introduce an innovative technology from ZEISS Microoptics, which differs from other already existing diffractive or holographic solutions. This technology is based on multilayer holographic structure. With the smart arrangement of the holograms and the complex diffraction of the light, it is possible to offer large degrees of freedom to improve the resolution and brightness of the AR-HUDs and tremendously reduce the system size. The advanced multilayer holographic technology provides large flexibilities of the shape, the size, and the position. The layers are also defined to increase the achromatism and color performance of the AR-HUDs. This work of ZEISS Microoptics provides a break-through solution, which overcomes the disadvantages of mirrors, lenses and the single layer holographic components. It provides also an insight for optical systems not only in Automotive but also in other smart functional glass technologies to realize the compact high-performance functions.