Full-color 3D image for holographic waveguide-type AR system using optical elements

Abstract

We proposed the full-color three-dimensional (3D) holographic waveguide-type augmented reality (AR) system based on integral imaging using the optical element which is holographic mirror array (HMA). Our suggested system is the same as with the conventional holographic waveguide. Here, two holographic optical element (HOE) films are located at the in-and out-put of the holographic-type waveguide. The main roles of the HOEs; the first HOE is located in-coupler exist of the waveguide: which is HMA film. An HMA has a similar role for image forming properties with the lens array and the RGB light beams are reflected on each mirror and reproduce the full-color 3D image like lens array-based integral imaging technique, where each elemental mirror isn’t flat. The second one HOE is located at the out-coupler of the holographic waveguide, which has a reflecting and magnifying function. The procedure of the proposed system is following; here, the elemental image set (EIS) with color information is displayed by the high-speed microdisplay. Then relayed beam is reflecting and reconstructing onto the waveguide by the full-color HMA, then reflects the reconstructed full-color 3D image is transmitted from the waveguide in front of the observer’s eye by the out-coupler full-color HOE. The main advantages of the proposed system have advantages of conventional such as the lightweight, thin size, and a critical advantage that the observer can see the full-color 3D visualizations reconstructed by the full-color HMA with the real-world scenes at the same time. In the experiment, the AR feature has been successfully verified that the real-world scene and virtual full-color 3D image were observed simultaneously.