Binocular dynamic holographic three-dimensional display for optical see-through augmented reality using two spatial light modulators

Abstract

In this paper, a binocular see-through holographic three-dimensional (3D) display system based on two spatial light modulators (SLMs) is proposed and implemented, where the SLMs are used to load the phase-only holograms of the left and right 3D perspective images of a volumetric scene for optical holographic reconstruction with correct depth cues, respectively. Moreover, two beam splitters are employed to achieve the functions of directional light-guide devices and optical combiners simultaneously for providing binocular augmented reality (AR) sensation. Optical experiments demonstrate that the proposed system can successfully present binocular holographic AR 3D images with both binocular parallax and accommodation effect, which enables observation free of the accommodation-vergence conflict and visual fatigue problem. Furthermore, the capability of dynamic display with the proposed system is also tested in the experiments by synchronously refreshing the SLMs with the sequential holograms, and the captured videos demonstrate that the proposed system shows a promising potential for the real-time binocular AR true 3D display products.