Beam multiplier that can be used as an exit-pupil expander and related system and method
US7339737B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 12, 2004 |
| Grant date | Mar 4, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 13, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B2027/014
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A beam multiplier includes a beam-multiplying layer and an adjacent optical layer. The beam-multiplying layer is operable to generate output beamlets of light from an input beam of light, and the optical layer has an adjustable index of refraction. By switching the index of refraction of the optical layer between first and second values, one can switch the beam multiplier to a first state (e.g., “on”) where it generates the output beamlets of light, and can switch the beam multiplier to a second state (e.g., “off”) where it passes the input beam of light but does not generate the output beamlets. And by using the beam multiplier as an exit-pupil expander, one can switch the exit-pupil expander to a first state where it generates multiple exit-pupil images, and to a second state where it generates only a single exit-pupil image.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.