Spatial light modulator displays with divergence correction lens

1. An optical device, comprising:

a spatial light modulator configured to project image light, the spatial light modulator defining an optical axis;

a diffractive lens positioned to receive the image light from the spatial light modulator; and

a polarization-selective reflector positioned to receive the image light from the diffractive lens, the polarization-selective reflector having a polarization-selective reflective surface in an orientation that is non-perpendicular to the optical axis of the spatial light modulator.

2. The optical device of claim 1 , wherein chief rays from the spatial light modulator are parallel to one another at least between the spatial light modulator and the diffractive lens.

3. The optical device of claim 1 , wherein:

a first ray from the spatial light modulator impinges on a first region of the diffractive lens positioned at a first distance from an optical axis of the diffractive lens;

a second ray from the spatial light modulator impinges on a second region of the diffractive lens positioned at a second distance distinct from the first distance from the optical axis of the diffractive lens; and

the diffractive lens is configured to steer the first ray and the second ray toward a common focal point located on the optical axis of the diffractive lens.

4. The optical device of claim 1 , wherein the diffractive lens is an axisymmetric lens.

5. The optical device of claim 1 , further comprising a first set of one or more lenses positioned between the diffractive lens and the polarization-selective reflector.

6. The optical device of claim 5 , wherein the first set of one or more lenses includes a negative field lens.

7. The optical device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a waveguide positioned to receive the image light from the polarization-selective reflector.

8. The optical device of claim 7 , further comprising:

a second set of one or more lenses positioned between the polarization-selective reflector and the waveguide.

9. The optical device of claim 7 , further comprising:

an illumination source positioned to output illumination light toward the polarization-selective reflective surface; and

a reflector positioned to receive the illumination light from the polarization-selective reflective surface and redirect the illumination light back to the polarization-selective reflective surface.

10. The optical device of claim 9 , wherein the illumination source includes an array of light emitting devices coupled with an array of tapered integrators.

11. The optical device of claim 9 , wherein:

the polarization-selective reflective surface is configured to transmit light having a first polarization and reflect light having a second polarization distinct from the first polarization.

12. The optical device of claim 9 , wherein the polarization-selective reflector is positioned to:

receive the illumination light from the illumination source and provide the illumination light in a first direction toward the reflector;

receive the illumination light reflected off the reflector and direct the illumination light toward the spatial light modulator in a second direction distinct from the first direction;

receive the image light projected from the spatial light modulator and transmitted through the diffractive lens; and

provide the image light received from the spatial light modulator in a third direction toward the waveguide, wherein the third direction is distinct from the first direction and the second direction.

13. The optical device of claim 9 , further comprising (i) a reflective polarizer positioned between the illumination source and the polarization-selective reflector and (ii) a reflective surface with an aperture, the reflective surface positioned relative to the illumination source so that the illumination light from the illumination source propagates through the aperture toward the reflective polarizer, the reflective polarizer reflects at least a first portion of the illumination light toward the reflective surface, the reflective surface reflects at least a second portion of the illumination light back toward the reflective polarizer, and the reflective polarizer receives the second portion of the illumination light and transmits at least a third portion of the illumination light.

14. The optical device of claim 13 , wherein the polarization-selective reflector is positioned to:

receive the third portion of the illumination light from the reflective polarizer and provide the third portion of the illumination light in a fourth direction toward the spatial light modulator;

receive the image light projected from the spatial light modulator and transmitted through the diffractive lens in a fifth direction distinct from the fourth direction; and

provide the image light received from the spatial light modulator in a sixth direction toward the waveguide, wherein the sixth direction is distinct from the fourth direction and the fifth direction.

15. The optical device of claim 1 , wherein the spatial light modulator is a Liquid Crystal on Silicon display.

16. A method comprising:

projecting, with a spatial light modulator defining an optical axis, image light;

receiving, with a diffractive lens, the image light from the spatial light modulator; and

receiving, with a polarization-selective reflector, the image light from the diffractive lens, wherein the polarization-selective reflector has a polarization-selective reflective surface positioned in an orientation that is non-perpendicular to the optical axis of the spatial light modulator.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein receiving, with the diffractive lens, the image light from the spatial light modulator includes receiving chief rays from the spatial light modulator that are parallel to one another.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the diffractive lens is an axisymmetric lens.

19. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

receiving, with a first set of one or more lenses, the image light from the diffractive lens; and

providing, with the first set of one or more lenses, the image light toward the polarization-selective reflector.

20. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

receiving, with a waveguide, the image light from the polarization-selective reflector.