Scanned MicroLED array for waveguide display
A waveguide display includes a source assembly, an output waveguide, and a controller. The source assembly includes a light source and an optics system. The light source includes source elements arranged in a 1D or 2D array that emit image light. The optics system includes a scanning mirror assembly that scans the image light to particular locations based on scanning instructions. The output waveguide receives the scanned image light from the scanning mirror assembly and outputs an expanded image light. In some embodiments, the waveguide display includes a source waveguide and the 1D array of source elements. The source waveguide receives a conditioned image light from the source assembly. The controller generates the scanning instructions and provides the scanning instructions to the scanning mirror assembly. In some embodiments, the controller provides the scanning instructions to an actuator assembly of the source waveguide.
1. A scanning waveguide display, comprising:
a light source including a plurality of source elements that are configured to emit an image light that is at least partially coherent;
a scanning mirror assembly configured to scan the image light as scanned image light at least along one dimension to particular locations in accordance with scanning instructions;
an output waveguide including an input area and an output area, the output waveguide coupled to receive the scanned image light emitted from the scanning mirror assembly at the input area, expand the scanned image light at least along two dimensions, and output the expanded image light from a portion of the output area, the location of the portion of the output area based in part on a direction of the scanned image light output from the scanning mirror assembly; and
a controller configured to generate the scanning instructions and provide the scanning instructions to the scanning mirror assembly.
2. The scanning waveguide display of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of source elements form a one-dimensional array and are configured to emit the image light, and each of the plurality of source elements corresponds to a line in an image output by the scanning waveguide display.
3. The scanning waveguide display of claim 2 , wherein the one-dimensional array is curved.
4. The scanning waveguide display of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of source elements are placed in a sparse two-dimensional array and are configured to emit the image light, and each of the plurality of source elements corresponds to a portion in an image output by the scanning waveguide display.
5. The scanning waveguide display of claim 4 , wherein the sparse two-dimensional array comprises at least a first source element and a second source element, the first source element emits light at a first range of wavelengths, the second source element emits light at a second range of wavelengths that is different from the first range of wavelengths.
6. The scanning waveguide display of claim 1 , wherein the scanning mirror assembly comprises at least a galvanometer mirror.
7. The scanning waveguide display of claim 1 , wherein the scanning mirror assembly comprises at least a MEMS mirror.
8. The scanning waveguide display of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of source elements each emit light of a same wavelength.
9. The scanning waveguide display of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of source elements include at least one source element to emit light in a different range of wavelengths than another source element of the plurality of source elements.
10. The scanning waveguide display of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of source elements are selected from a group consisting of: a light-emitting diode (LED), a MicroLED, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), an organic MicroLED, and a superluminescent light emitting diode (SLED).
11. The scanning waveguide display of claim 1 , wherein each source element of the plurality of source elements includes a plurality of sides, and for each source element: at least two of its sides are in contact with an optical isolator that reduces optical interference with adjacent source elements.
12. The scanning waveguide display of claim 11 , wherein for each source element: the optical isolator is in contact with at least three of its plurality of sides.
13. A scanning waveguide display comprising:
a light source configured to emit an image light that is at least partially coherent, the light source comprising a plurality of source elements that form a one-dimensional array and are configured to emit the image light, and each of the plurality of source elements corresponds to a line in an image output by the scanning waveguide display;
a light conditioning assembly configured to condition the image light from the plurality of source elements; and
a source waveguide including an entrance area and an exit area, the source waveguide configured to receive the conditioned image light from the light conditioning assembly at the entrance area, expand the conditioned image light in at least one dimension, and output the expanded image light from the exit area.
14. The scanning waveguide display of claim 13 , wherein each source element of the plurality of source elements includes a plurality of sides, and for each source element: at least two of its sides are in contact with an optical isolator that reduces optical interference with adjacent source elements.
15. The scanning waveguide display of claim 14 , wherein for each source element: the optical isolator is in contact with at least three of its plurality of sides.
16. The scanning waveguide display of claim 13 , wherein the one-dimensional array is curved.
17. The scanning waveguide display of claim 13 , further comprising:
an output waveguide including an input area and an output area, the output waveguide coupled to receive the expanded image light emitted from the source waveguide at the input area, and output the expanded image light from a portion of the output area, the location of the portion of the output area based in part on a direction of the expanded light output from the source waveguide; and
a controller configured to generate the scanning instructions and provide the scanning instructions to one or more actuators associated with the source waveguide.