Light projector using an acousto-optical control device
An approach for projecting light may be implemented using a acousto-optical depth switch that uses surface acoustic waves produced along a substrate to guide image light to different areas. The surface acoustic waves may be generated on a substrate using a transducer. Surface acoustic waves of different frequencies can guide image light onto different optical elements at different physical positions. The optical elements may be configured to show objects in an image at different distances from a viewer.
1. A system for projecting light, the system comprising:
a light generator that generates image light that corresponds to a series of images;
a display device that receives the image light generated by the light generator;
an acousto-optical scanner, wherein the display device deflects the image light onto the acousto-optical scanner and the acousto-optical scanner deflects portions of the image light onto a plurality of diffractive optical elements, wherein each of the plurality of diffractive optical elements corresponds to a different depth plane of the series of images,
wherein the acousto-optical scanner comprises a first modulator and a second modulator.
2. The system for projecting light of claim 1 , where
the image light comprises vertical image light and horizontal image light,
the first modulator deflects portions of the vertical image light in a first direction, and
the second modulator deflects portions of the horizontal image light in a second direction.
3. The system for projecting light of claim 2 , wherein
the vertical image light is deflected onto the first modulator, and
the horizontal image light is deflected onto the second modulator.
4. The system for projecting light of claim 2 , wherein the first modulator comprises:
a first coupler;
a first substrate;
a first waveguide; and
a first transducer, wherein the first transducer generates surface acoustic waves to deflect portions the vertical image light in the first direction.
5. The system for projecting light of claim 2 , wherein the second modulator comprises:
a second coupler;
a second substrate;
a second waveguide; and
a second transducer, wherein the second transducer generates surface acoustic waves to deflect portions of the horizontal image light in the second direction.
6. The system for projecting light of claim 1 , wherein the second modulator is orthogonal to the first modulator.
7. The system for projecting light of claim 1 , wherein the acousto-optical scanner further comprises a third modulator, wherein the second modulator is oriented at 45 degrees relative to the first modulator, and the third modulator is oriented at 90 degrees relative to the first modulator.
8. The system for projecting light of claim 1 , wherein the acousto-optical scanner is configured to generate surface acoustic waves in a plurality of frequencies including a first frequency and a second frequency that is different from the first frequency, wherein the first frequency deflects a portion of the image light onto a first diffractive optical element, and the second frequency deflects a portion of the image light onto a second diffractive element.
9. A system for projecting light, the system comprising:
a light generator that generates image light that corresponds to a series of images;
a display device that receives the image light generated by the light generator;
an acousto-optical scanner, wherein the display device deflects the image light onto the acousto-optical scanner and the acousto-optical scanner deflects portions of the image light onto a plurality of diffractive optical elements, wherein each of the plurality of diffractive optical elements corresponds to a different depth plane of the series of images,
wherein:
the acousto-optical scanner comprises a substrate having a first side and a second side orthogonal to the first side,
the first side of the substrate comprises:
a first coupler,
a first waveguide, and
a first transducer, and
the second side of the substrate comprises:
a second coupler
a second waveguide, and
a second transducer.
10. The system for projecting light of claim 9 , wherein the acousto-optical scanner is configured to generate surface acoustic waves in a plurality of frequencies including a first frequency and a second frequency that is different from the first frequency, wherein the first frequency deflects a portion of the image light onto a first diffractive optical element, and the second frequency deflects a portion of the image light onto a second diffractive element.
11. A system for projecting light, the system comprising:
a light generator that generates image light that corresponds to a series of images;
a display device that receives the image light generated by the light generator; and
an acousto-optical scanner, wherein the display device deflects the image light onto the acousto-optical scanner and the acousto-optical scanner deflects portions of the image light onto a plurality of diffractive optical elements, where each of the plurality of diffractive optical elements correspond to a different depth plane of a series of images,
wherein:
the acousto-optical scanner comprises a horizontal modulator and a vertical modulator,
the horizontal modulator horizontally deflects portions of the image light,
the vertical modulator receives horizontally deflected image light from the horizontal modulator, and
the vertical modulator vertically deflects portions of the horizontally deflected image light.
12. The system for projecting light of claim 11 , wherein the horizontal modulator comprises:
a first coupler;
a first substrate;
a first waveguide; and
a horizontal transducer, wherein the horizontal transducer generates surface acoustic waves to horizontally deflect the image light.
13. The system for projecting light of claim 11 , wherein the vertical modulator comprises:
a second coupler;
a second substrate;
a second waveguide; and
a vertical transducer, wherein the vertical transducer generates surface acoustic waves to vertically deflect the horizontally deflected image light.
14. The system for projecting light of claim 11 , wherein the vertical modulator is orthogonal to the horizontal modulator.
15. The system for projecting light of claim 11 , wherein the acousto-optical scanner is configured to generate surface acoustic waves in a plurality of frequencies including a first frequency and a second frequency that is different from the first frequency, wherein the first frequency deflects a portion of the image light onto a first diffractive optical element, and the second frequency deflects a portion of the image light onto a second diffractive element.