Methods, devices, and systems for illuminating spatial light modulators
An optical device may include a light turning element. The optical device can include a first surface that is parallel to a horizontal axis and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The optical device may include a light module that includes a plurality of light emitters. The light module can be configured to combine light from the emitters, for example using at least one dichroic combiner and/or a light integrator. The optical device can further include a light input surface that is between the first and the second surfaces and is disposed with respect to the light module to receive light. The optical device may include an end reflector that is disposed on a side opposite the light input surface. The light coupled into the light turning element may be reflected by the end reflector and/or reflected from the second surface towards the first surface.
1 . An integrated optical device comprising:
a light pipe integrator comprising a first region and a second region that is separate from and adjacent to the first region, wherein the first region is a dichroic combiner, wherein the second region is a light integrator, and wherein the dichroic combiner is in series with the light integrator such that light passes from the dichroic combiner into the light integrator;
a plurality of light emitters comprising:
a first light emitter configured to emit light of a first color into the dichroic combiner through a first portion of one or more outer surfaces of the first region of the light pipe integrator; and
a second light emitter configured to emit light of a second color into the dichroic combiner through a second portion of the one or more outer surfaces of the first region of the light pipe integrator; and
a first dichroic combining element arranged in the dichroic combiner, wherein the first dichroic combining element is configured to redirect, toward the light integrator, the light of the first color that is emitted into the dichroic combiner by the first light emitter, and to transmit, toward the light integrator, the light of the second color that is emitted into the dichroic combiner by the second light emitter, such that the redirected light of the first color is combined with the transmitted light of the second color in the dichroic combiner,
wherein the light integrator is configured to receive at least some of the combined light from the dichroic combiner.
2 . The integrated optical device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of light emitters comprises a third light emitter configured to emit light of a third color into the dichroic combiner through a third portion of the one or more outer surfaces of the first region of the light pipe integrator, and wherein the dichroic combiner is configured to combine the light of the first color that is emitted from the first light emitter, the light of the second color that is emitted from the second light emitter, and the light of the third color that is emitted from the third light emitter.
3 . The integrated optical device of claim 2 , further comprising a second dichroic combining element arranged in the dichroic combiner, wherein the second dichroic combining element is configured to redirect, toward the light integrator, the light of the third color that is emitted into the dichroic chamber by the third light emitter, and to transmit, toward the light integrator, the combined light of the first color and the second color, such that the redirected light of the third color is combined with the transmitted combined light of the first color and the second color in the dichroic combiner.
4 . The integrated optical device of claim 2 , wherein the first dichroic combining element is configured to redirect, toward the light integrator, the light of the third color that is emitted into the dichroic combiner by the third light emitter, such that the redirected light of the first color and redirected light of the third color are combined with the transmitted light of the second color in the dichroic combiner.
5 . The integrated optical device of claim 2 , wherein the first portion and the third portion are included in a first surface of the integrated optical device, wherein the second portion is included in a second surface of the integrated optical device, and wherein the first surface is substantially perpendicular to the second surface.
6 . The integrated optical device of claim 1 , wherein the first dichroic combining element comprises one or more tilted surfaces configured to direct light from the plurality of light emitters along a common optical path.
7 . The integrated optical device of claim 6 , wherein the one or more tilted surfaces are inclined with respect to the common optical path.
8 . The integrated optical device of claim 1 , wherein the first dichroic combining element comprises one or more dichroic coatings.
9 . The integrated optical device of claim 1 , wherein the light integrator comprises diffusing features.
10 . The integrated optical device of claim 1 , wherein the light integrator comprises hollow portions defined by inner reflective sidewalls through which light can propagate.
11 . The integrated optical device of claim 1 , wherein the light integrator comprises solid optically transmissive material through which light can propagate via total internal reflection.
12 . The integrated optical device of claim 1 , wherein the outer surfaces of the integrated optical device include one or more planar outer surfaces.
13 . The integrated optical device of claim 1 , wherein the outer surfaces have a shape of a rectangular prism.
14 . A head-mountable display system configured to project light to an eye of a user to display augmented reality image content in a vision field of the user, the head-mountable display system comprising:
an integrated optical device, comprising:
a light pipe integrator comprising a first region and a second region that is separate from and adjacent to the first region, wherein the first region is a dichroic combiner, wherein the second region is a light integrator, and wherein the dichroic combiner is in series with the light integrator such that light passes from the dichroic combiner into the light integrator;
a plurality of light emitters comprising:
a first light emitter configured to emit light of a first color into the dichroic combiner through a first portion of one or more outer surfaces of the first region of the light pipe integrator; and
a second light emitter configured to emit light of a second color into the dichroic combiner through a second portion of the one or more outer surfaces of the first region of the light pipe integrator; and
a first dichroic combining element arranged in the dichroic combiner, wherein the first dichroic combining element is configured to redirect, toward the light integrator, the light of the first color that is emitted into the dichroic combiner by the first light emitter, and to transmit, toward the light integrator, the light of the second color that is emitted into the dichroic combiner by the second light emitter, such that the redirected light of the first color is combined with the transmitted light of the second color in the dichroic combiner,
wherein the light integrator is configured to receive at least some of the combined light from the dichroic combiner;
a frame configured to be supported on a head of the user;
an eyepiece disposed on the frame;
a waveguide configured to receive light emitted from the integrated optical device; and
a spatial light modulator disposed with respect to the waveguide to receive and modulate light ejected from the waveguide.
15 . The head-mountable display system of claim 14 , wherein the waveguide and the spatial light modulator are disposed with respect to the eyepiece to direct the modulated light into the waveguide such that the modulated light is directed into the user's eye to form images therein.
16 . The head-mountable display system of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of light emitters comprises a third light emitter configured to emit light of a third color into the dichroic combiner through a third portion of the one or more outer surfaces of the first region of the light pipe integrator, and wherein the dichroic combiner is configured to combine the light of the first color that is emitted from the first light emitter, the light of the second color that is emitted from the second light emitter, and the light of the third color that is emitted from the third light emitter.
17 . The head-mountable display system of claim 16 , further comprising a second dichroic combining element arranged in the dichroic combiner, wherein the second dichroic combining element is configured to redirect, toward the light integrator, the light of the third color that is emitted into the dichroic chamber by the third light emitter, and to transmit, toward the light integrator, the combined light of the first color and the second color, such that the redirected light of the third color is combined with the transmitted combined light of the first color and the second color in the dichroic combiner.
18 . The head-mountable display system of claim 16 , wherein the first dichroic combining element is configured to redirect, toward the light integrator, the light of the third color that is emitted into the dichroic combiner by the third light emitter, such that the redirected light of the first color and redirected light of the third color are combined with the transmitted light of the second color in the dichroic combiner.
19 . The head-mountable display system of claim 14 , wherein the first dichroic combining element comprises one or more tilted surfaces configured to direct light from the plurality of light emitters along a common optical path.
20 . The head-mountable display system of claim 19 , wherein the one or more tilted surfaces are inclined with respect to the common optical path.