U.S. patent application number 17/481278 was filed with the patent office on 2022-01-06 for aligning a polarization device using a spatially variant polarization element.
The applicant listed for this patent is Facebook Technologies, LLC. Invention is credited to Kieran Tobias Levin, Evan Mark Richards.
Application Number | 20220003910 17/481278 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-01-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220003910 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Levin; Kieran Tobias ; et
al. |
January 6, 2022 |
ALIGNING A POLARIZATION DEVICE USING A SPATIALLY VARIANT
POLARIZATION ELEMENT
Abstract
An alignment apparatus for a polarization device includes a
polarizer subassembly for polarizing a light beam, a rotary support
for rotatably supporting the polarization device in a path of the
light beam downstream of the polarizer subassembly, an analyzer
subassembly downstream of the rotary support for receiving the
light beam propagated through the polarization device, and a
photodetector array disposed downstream of the analyzer subassembly
and extending along the width dimension of the light beam for
detecting the light beam propagated through the analyzer
subassembly. At least one of the polarizer or analyzer
subassemblies includes a spatially variant polarization element
having a polarization property varying along the width dimension of
the light beam.
Inventors: |
Levin; Kieran Tobias; (Union
City, CA) ; Richards; Evan Mark; (Phoenix,
AZ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Facebook Technologies, LLC |
Menlo Park |
CA |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/481278 |
Filed: |
September 21, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16368111 |
Mar 28, 2019 |
11156755 |
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17481278 |
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International
Class: |
G02B 5/30 20060101
G02B005/30; G01J 4/04 20060101 G01J004/04; G02B 27/28 20060101
G02B027/28 |
Claims
1. An alignment system for aligning a polarization device, the
alignment system comprising: a light source for providing a first
light beam having a width along a first axis; a first spatially
variant polarization element having a polarization property varying
along the first axis for receiving and polarizing the first light
beam; and a first alignment apparatus comprising a first rotary
support for rotatably supporting a first polarization component of
the polarization device in a path of the first light beam and a
first photodetector array disposed downstream of the first
spatially variant polarization element, wherein the first
photodetector array extends along the first axis for detecting the
first light beam propagated through the first spatially variant
polarization element.
2. The alignment system of claim 1, wherein the light source is
configured for providing a second light beam having a width along a
second axis; the alignment system further comprising a second
alignment apparatus comprising a second rotary support for
rotatably supporting a second polarization component of the
polarization device in a path of the second light beam, a second
spatially variant polarization element having a polarization
property varying along the first axis and disposed downstream of
the second rotary support for receiving the second light beam
propagated through the second polarization component, and a second
photodetector array disposed downstream of the second spatially
variant polarization element and extending along the second axis
for detecting the second light beam propagated through the second
spatially variant polarization element.
3. The alignment system of claim 2, further comprising a
translation stage for combining the first and second polarization
components of the polarization device after aligning by the first
and second alignment apparatuses, respectively.
4. The alignment system of claim 1, wherein the polarization device
comprises a reflective polarizer.
5. The alignment system of claim 1, wherein the polarization device
comprises a pancake lens.
6. The alignment system of claim 1, wherein the first spatially
variant polarization element comprises an array of polarizer
segments, the array extending along the first axis, wherein a
transmission axis direction of the polarizer segments varies from a
polarizer segment to a polarizer segment of the array.
7. The alignment system of claim 1, wherein the spatially variant
polarization element comprises: an array of half-wave waveplate
segments, the array extending along the first axis, wherein an
optic axis direction of the half-wave waveplate segments of the
array varies from a half-wave waveplate segment to a half-wave
waveplate segment of the array; and a linear polarizer downstream
of the array.
8. The alignment system of claim 1, wherein the spatially variant
polarization element comprises: a half-wave optical retarder
extending along the first axis and having an optic axis direction
smoothly and monotonically varying along the first axis; and a
linear polarizer downstream of the half-wave optical retarder.
9. The alignment system of claim 1, wherein the spatially variant
polarization element comprises an array of optical retarders, the
array extending along the first axis, wherein at least one of a
retardation or an optic axis direction of the optical retarders of
the array varies from an optical retarder to an optical retarder of
the array.
10. The alignment system of claim 9, wherein the retardation of the
optical retarders of the array varies between 0.2 and 0.3
wavelengths of the light beam.
11. The alignment system of claim 1, wherein the spatially variant
polarization element comprises an optical retarder extending along
the first axis and having at least one of an optical retardation or
an optic axis direction smoothly and continuously varying along the
first axis.
12. A method for aligning a polarization device, the method
comprising: polarizing a light beam having a width along a first
axis by a polarizer subassembly; rotatably supporting the
polarization device in a path of the light beam by a rotary
support; receiving the light beam propagated through the
polarization device at an analyzer subassembly; and detecting the
light beam propagated through the analyzer subassembly by a
photodetector array disposed downstream of the analyzer subassembly
and extending along the first axis; wherein at least one of the
polarizer or analyzer subassemblies comprises a spatially variant
polarization element having a polarization property varying along
the first axis.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: obtaining an
optical power distribution of the light beam detected by the
photodetector array; and obtaining a rotation angle of the
polarization device to make the optical power distribution match a
pre-determined optical power distribution.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising rotating the rotary
support by the rotation angle.
15. An alignment apparatus for a polarization device, the alignment
apparatus comprising: a polarizer subassembly for polarizing a
light beam having a width along a first axis; a rotary support for
rotatably supporting the polarization device in a path of the light
beam downstream of the polarizer subassembly; an analyzer
subassembly downstream of the rotary support for receiving the
light beam propagated through the polarization device; and a
photodetector array downstream of the analyzer subassembly, the
photodetector array extending along the first axis for detecting
the light beam propagated through the analyzer subassembly; wherein
the polarizer subassembly comprises a linear transmission
polarizer, and wherein the analyzer subassembly comprises the
spatially variant polarization element.
16. The alignment apparatus of claim 15, wherein the polarizer
subassembly further comprises a quarter-wave waveplate downstream
of the linear transmission polarizer.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present invention is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 16/368,111 filed on Mar. 28, 2019 and
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to optical equipment
manufacturing, and in particular to devices and methods for
alignment and assembly of polarization-based optical devices.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Polarization properties of light can be used for remote
sensing, imaging, glare removal, redirection and switching of
optical beams, providing a 3D viewing effect, etc.
Polarization-based optical devices often include elements such as
polarizers and waveplates. Polarization optical elements need to be
precisely oriented to ensure intended operation of the device. For
example, to obtain circularly-polarized light, one may use a linear
optical polarizer stacked with a quarter-wave waveplate having an
optic axis oriented exactly at 45 degrees with respect to a
transmission axis of the linear optical polarizer. If the linear
polarizer is oriented at a different angle w.r.t. the optic axis of
the waveplate, an elliptical or even linear polarization may
result.
[0004] Head-mounted displays (HMDs), near-eye displays (NEDs), and
other display systems, including wearable displays, often use
polarization elements and devices that transform optical
polarization of light beams to redirect and switch the light beams.
Folded optical beam configurations may be used to provide compact
lenses for the displays. To achieve folded beam configurations,
polarization rotators may be combined with transmissive and/or
reflective polarizers. During assembly of polarization-based
optical devices with folded beam configurations, individual
polarization components need to be rotated at precise angles. The
rotation angles of polarization components in an assembly jig are
often determined by trial and error, one by one. Tedious and
time-consuming optical assembly of polarization-based devices
increases their manufacturing costs.
SUMMARY
[0005] In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided
an alignment apparatus for a polarization device. The alignment
apparatus includes a polarizer subassembly for polarizing a light
beam having a width along a first axis, a rotary support for
rotatably supporting the polarization device in a path of the light
beam downstream of the polarizer subassembly, an analyzer
subassembly downstream of the rotary support for receiving the
light beam propagated through the polarization device, and a
photodetector array downstream of the analyzer subassembly, the
photodetector array extending along the first axis for detecting
the light beam propagated through the analyzer subassembly. At
least one of the polarizer or analyzer subassemblies includes a
spatially variant polarization element having a polarization
property varying along the first axis.
[0006] The polarizer subassembly may include a linear transmission
polarizer, and the analyzer subassembly may include the spatially
variant polarization element. The polarizer subassembly may further
include a quarter-wave waveplate downstream of the linear
transmission polarizer. The polarizer subassembly may include the
spatially variant polarization element, and the analyzer
subassembly may include a linear transmission polarizer. The
analyzer subassembly may further include a quarter-wave waveplate
upstream of the linear transmission polarizer.
[0007] In some embodiments, the spatially variant polarization
element includes an array of polarizer segments, the array
extending along the first axis. A transmission axis direction of
the polarizer segments may vary from a polarizer segment to a
polarizer segment of the array. In some embodiments, the spatially
variant polarization element comprises a linear transmission
polarizer extending along the first axis and having a transmission
axis direction smoothly and continuously varying along the first
axis.
[0008] In some embodiments, the spatially variant polarization
element includes an array of half-wave waveplate segments, the
array extending along the first axis, and a linear polarizer
downstream of the array. An optic axis direction of the half-wave
waveplate segments of the array may vary from a half-wave waveplate
segment to a half-wave waveplate segment of the array. In some
embodiments, the spatially variant polarization element includes a
half-wave optical retarder extending along the first axis and
having an optic axis direction smoothly and monotonically varying
along the first axis, and a linear polarizer downstream of the
half-wave optical retarder.
[0009] In some embodiments, the spatially variant polarization
element includes an array of optical retarders, the array extending
along the first axis. At least one of a retardation or an optic
axis direction of the optical retarders of the array may vary from
an optical retarder to an optical retarder of the array. For
example, the retardation of the optical retarders of the array
varies between 0.2 and 0.3 wavelengths of the light beam. In some
embodiments, the spatially variant polarization element includes an
optical retarder extending along the first axis and having at least
one of an optical retardation or an optic axis direction smoothly
and continuously varying along the first axis. The polarization
device may include a pancake lens polarization component.
[0010] In accordance with the present disclosure, there is provided
an alignment system for aligning a polarization device. The
alignment system includes a light source for providing a first
light beam having a width along a first axis, a first spatially
variant polarization element having a polarization property varying
along the first axis for receiving and polarizing the first light
beam, and a first alignment apparatus comprising a first rotary
support for rotatably supporting a first polarization component of
the polarization device in a path of the first light beam and a
first photodetector array disposed downstream of the first
spatially variant polarization element. The first photodetector
array extends along the first axis for detecting the first light
beam propagated through the first spatially variant polarization
element.
[0011] In some embodiments, the light source is configured for
providing a second light beam having a width along a second axis,
and the alignment system further includes a second alignment
apparatus. The second alignment apparatus includes a second rotary
support for rotatably supporting a second polarization component of
the polarization device in a path of the second light beam, a
second spatially variant polarization element having a polarization
property varying along the first axis and disposed downstream of
the second rotary support for receiving the second light beam
propagated through the second polarization component, and a second
photodetector array disposed downstream of the second spatially
variant polarization element and extending along the second axis
for detecting the second light beam propagated through the second
spatially variant polarization element. The alignment system may
further include a translation stage for combining the first and
second polarization components of the polarization device after
aligning by the first and second alignment apparatuses,
respectively. The polarization device may include a pancake
lens.
[0012] In accordance with the present disclosure, there is further
provided a method for aligning a polarization device including
polarizing a light beam having a width along a first axis by a
polarizer subassembly, rotatably supporting the polarization device
in a path of the light beam by a rotary support, receiving the
light beam propagated through the polarization device at an
analyzer subassembly, and detecting the light beam propagated
through the analyzer subassembly by a photodetector array disposed
downstream of the analyzer subassembly and extending along the
first axis. At least one of the polarizer or analyzer subassemblies
includes a spatially variant polarization element having a
polarization property varying along the first axis.
[0013] In some embodiments, the method further includes obtaining
an optical power distribution of the light beam detected by the
photodetector array, obtaining a rotation angle of the polarization
device to make the optical power distribution match a
pre-determined optical power distribution, and rotating the rotary
support by the rotation angle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in conjunction
with the drawings, in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an alignment apparatus for a
polarization device and a graph of an optical power distribution on
a detector array, in accordance with an embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 2A is a side cross-sectional view of an alignment
apparatus for a polarization device, the alignment apparatus
including a uniform linear transmission polarizer and a segmented
linear transmission analyzer;
[0017] FIG. 2B is a side cross-sectional view of an alignment
apparatus for a polarization device, the alignment apparatus
including a segmented linear transmission polarizer and a uniform
linear transmission analyzer;
[0018] FIG. 2C is a side cross-sectional view of an alignment
apparatus for a polarization device, the alignment apparatus
including a quarter-wave waveplate downstream of a uniform linear
polarizer, for providing circularly polarized illuminating light,
and a segmented linear transmission analyzer;
[0019] FIG. 2D is a side cross-sectional view of an alignment
apparatus for a polarization device, the alignment apparatus
including a segmented linear transmission polarizer and a
quarter-wave waveplate upstream of a uniform linear transmission
analyzer;
[0020] FIG. 2E is a side cross-sectional view of an alignment
apparatus for a polarization device, the alignment apparatus
including a quarter-wave waveplate upstream of a segmented linear
transmission analyzer;
[0021] FIG. 2F is a side cross-sectional view of an alignment
apparatus for a polarization device, the alignment apparatus
including a quarter-wave waveplate downstream of a segmented linear
transmission polarizer;
[0022] FIG. 2G is a side cross-sectional view of an alignment
apparatus for a polarization device, the alignment apparatus
including a segmented retarder upstream of a uniform linear
transmission analyzer;
[0023] FIG. 2H is a side cross-sectional view of an alignment
apparatus for a polarization device, the alignment apparatus
including a segmented retarder downstream of a uniform linear
transmission polarizer;
[0024] FIG. 3A is a side cross-sectional view of a segmented linear
transmission polarizer;
[0025] FIG. 3B is a plan view of the segmented linear transmission
polarizer of FIG. 3A;
[0026] FIG. 4A a side cross-sectional view of a linear transmission
polarizer having a continuously variable transmission axis
direction;
[0027] FIG. 4B is a plan view of the linear transmission polarizer
of FIG. 4A;
[0028] FIG. 5A is a side cross-sectional view of a segmented
half-wave waveplate stacked with a linear transmission
polarizer;
[0029] FIG. 5B is a plan view of the segmented half-wave waveplate
of FIG. 4A;
[0030] FIG. 6A is a side cross-sectional view of a half-wave
retarder having a continuously variable optic axis direction,
stacked with a linear transmission polarizer;
[0031] FIG. 6B is a plan view of the half-wave retarder of FIG.
6A;
[0032] FIG. 7A is a side cross-sectional view of a segmented
optical retarder with variable thickness and retardation;
[0033] FIG. 7B is a plan view of the segmented optical retarder of
FIG. 7A;
[0034] FIG. 8A is a side cross-sectional view of an optical
retarder having a continuously variable thickness and
retardation;
[0035] FIG. 8B is a plan view of the optical retarder of FIG.
8A;
[0036] FIG. 9A is a side cross-sectional view of a segmented
quarter-wave waveplate having a variable optic axis direction;
[0037] FIG. 9B is a plan view of the segmented quarter-wave
waveplate of FIG. 9A;
[0038] FIG. 10A is a side cross-sectional view of a quarter-wave
optical retarder having a continuously variable optic axis
direction;
[0039] FIG. 10B is a plan view of the optical retarder of FIG.
10A;
[0040] FIG. 11 is a plan cross-sectional view of an alignment
system for aligning a pancake lens, the alignment system including
a pair of alignment apparatuses of FIGS. 2A-2H;
[0041] FIG. 12 is a plan cross-sectional view of an alignment
system for ins-situ alignment of a pancake lens;
[0042] FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a method for aligning a
polarization device; and
[0043] FIG. 14 is an isometric view of a head-mounted display
including a polarization device of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0044] While the present teachings are described in conjunction
with various embodiments and examples, it is not intended that the
present teachings be limited to such embodiments. On the contrary,
the present teachings encompass various alternatives and
equivalents, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art.
All statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments
of this disclosure, as well as specific examples thereof, are
intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents
thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include
both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed
in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same
function, regardless of structure.
[0045] As used herein, the terms "first", "second", and so forth
are not intended to imply sequential ordering, but rather are
intended to distinguish one element from another, unless explicitly
stated. Similarly, sequential ordering of method steps does not
imply a sequential order of their execution, unless explicitly
stated. In FIGS. 1, 2A-2H, 3A-3B to 10A-10B, FIG. 11, and FIG. 12,
similar reference numerals denote similar elements.
[0046] A polarization device can be aligned to provide a desired
polarization at the output. For example, a linear transmission
polarizer may be aligned to provide a vertical output polarization.
To make sure that the polarization is indeed vertical, a second
polarizer, termed "analyzer", may be rotated in an optical path
downstream of the linear transmission polarizer, and an optical
power level of light transmitted by the analyzer may be monitored.
When the transmitted light is at minimum, the analyzer orientation
is at 90 degrees w.r.t. the polarizer orientation. This allows one
to determine the current orientation of the linear transmission
polarizer from the orientation of the analyzer, which can be
precisely known e.g. from a previously performed calibration.
[0047] In accordance with the present disclosure, at least one of
the polarizer for providing input polarized light, or analyzer for
determining the polarization state of the output light may include
a spatially variant polarization element. An array of
photodetectors may be disposed downstream of the analyzer for
parallel detection of optical power level at a plurality of
locations at the same time. This enables the analyzer to be
stationary, i.e. no rotation of the analyzer may be required to
determine the polarization state of the output light and,
accordingly, to determine an angle by which a polarization device
needs to be rotated for optimal alignment. The parallel detection
of polarized output light can make the alignment much quicker.
Furthermore, since the light detection is performed in parallel,
time variation of optical power level of the light source can no
longer contribute to the measurement error.
[0048] Referring to FIG. 1, an alignment apparatus 100 for aligning
a polarization device 110 includes a polarizer subassembly 102 for
polarizing a light beam 104 having a width w along Y-axis 106. A
rotary support 108 is disposed downstream of the polarizer
subassembly 102. The rotary support 108 supports the polarization
device 110 in a path 103 of the light beam 104, such that the
polarization device 110 can be rotated about Z-axis 112, which is
parallel to the direction of propagation of the light beam 104 in
this example. The polarization device 110 can include a reflective
or transmissive polarizer, a waveplate, an optical element such as
a lens with laminated polarizer and/or a waveplate, an optical
retarder film, a Pancharatnam--Berry phase (PBP) liquid crystal
(LC) lens or grating, a volume holographic grating or lens, a
hyperbolic metamaterial, etc. The polarization device 110 can also
include any combination of the above polarization components.
[0049] An analyzer subassembly 114 is disposed in the path 103 of
the light beam 104 downstream of the rotary support 108. The
analyzer subassembly 114 receives the light beam 104 propagated
through the polarization device 110. In this example, the analyzer
subassembly 114 includes an array of linear transmission polarizer
segments 116 extending along the Y-axis 106 and having a
transmission axis direction varying from the segment 116 to the
segment 116 in going along the Y-axis 106. The transmission axis
direction depends linearly on a position of the segments 116 along
the Y-axis 106. For the segments 116 of equal size, a difference
between transmission axis direction of neighboring segments 116 can
be constant, e.g. 0.2 degree, 0.5 degree, 1 degree, etc. The linear
polarization transmission axis directions are shown with
double-headed arrows. It is noted that the polarizer subassembly
102 and the analyzer subassembly 114 are rotated in FIG. 1 to be in
plan view, for convenience of illustration of the transmission axis
direction.
[0050] A nominal optical power distribution 118 along the Y-axis
106, corresponding to a desired orientation of the polarization
device 110, is shown in FIG. 1 with white horizontal blocks
perpendicular to the Y-axis 106. In this example, the nominal
optical power distribution 118 is symmetrical about a center axis
parallel to the Z-axis 112. An "actual" optical power distribution
120, that is, a measured optical power distribution with the
polarization device 110 rotated away from the desired orientation,
is asymmetric, with a minimum power reading shifted upwards in FIG.
1. The actual optical power distribution 120 is shown in FIG. 1
with shaded horizontal blocks perpendicular to the Y-axis 106. By
measuring the actual optical power distribution 120, one can
determine an angle by which the polarization device 110 needs to be
rotated in the rotary support 108 to arrive at the nominal optical
power distribution 118, which may be pre-determined. A single
measurement of such optical power distribution can be sufficient to
determine the correct orientation of the polarization device 110.
Once the correct orientation has been determined, the polarization
device 110 may be rotated accordingly, and the optical power
distribution may be measured again to verify.
[0051] Example embodiments of the alignment apparatus 100 of FIG. 1
will be considered with reference to FIGS. 2A to 2H. Referring
first to FIG. 2A, an alignment apparatus 200A for assembly of a
polarization device, e.g. a pancake lens, may include a light
source 201 extending along Y-axis for providing a light beam 204 of
a finite width along Y-axis, i.e. extending vertically in FIG. 2A.
A uniform linear transmission polarizer 202 polarizes the light
beam 204. The uniform linear transmission polarizer 202 is an
example of the polarizer subassembly 102 of the alignment apparatus
100 of FIG. 1. A first polarization component 210-1 of the pancake
lens (FIG. 2A) is supported by a rotary support (not shown for
brevity). The first polarization component 210-1 includes a
downstream-facing plano-convex lens 241 and a reflective polarizer
242 mounted, e.g. laminated, onto a flat surface of the
downstream-facing plano-convex lens 241. The first polarization
component 210-1 is an example of the polarization device 110 of the
alignment apparatus 100 of FIG. 1. A segmented linear transmission
polarizer 214 (FIG. 2) is disposed downstream of the first
polarization component 210-1. The segmented linear transmission
polarizer 214 is an example of the analyzer subassembly 114 of the
alignment apparatus 100 of FIG. 1, i.e. the polarization element(s)
downstream of the polarization device(s) to be aligned. A
photodetector array 222 is disposed downstream of the segmented
linear transmission polarizer 214. The photodetector array 222
extends along Y-axis. In operation, the photodetector array 222
detects the light beam 204 propagated through the segmented linear
transmission polarizer 214. The first polarization component 210-1
of the pancake lens may slightly focus the light beam 204, as
shown. The focusing effect can be taken into account by a
corresponding re-scaling of optical power distribution obtained by
the photodetector array 222. It is noted that the first
polarization component 210-1 is only a non-limiting example of a
polarization device that can be aligned.
[0052] The principle of alignment of the first polarization
component 210-1 is similar to that of the alignment apparatus 100
of FIG. 1. Briefly, a nominal rotation angle of the first
polarization component 210-1 corresponds to a pre-determined
optical power density distribution at the photodetector array 222,
for example to a pre-determined nominal location of a minimum of
that distribution. When the first polarization component 210-1 is
disposed at an angle different from the nominal angle, a local
minimum of the optical power density distribution detected by the
photodetector array 222 will be at different location. The
difference between the nominal and measured locations of the minima
of the optical power density distributions can be indicative of the
angle by which the first polarization component 210-1 needs to be
rotated to be properly aligned.
[0053] Turning to FIG. 2B, an alignment apparatus 200B is a variant
of the alignment apparatus 200A of FIG. 2A. In the alignment
apparatus 200B of FIG. 2B, the uniform 202 and segmented 214 linear
transmission polarizers are swapped, that is, the segmented linear
transmission polarizer 214 is disposed upstream of the first
polarization component 210-1 and thus acts as a polarizer, and the
uniform linear transmission polarizer 202 is disposed downstream of
the first polarization component 210-1 and thus acts as an
analyzer. The alignment process in this case is similar. It is
noted that in the alignment apparatus 200B of FIG. 2B, the uniform
linear transmission polarizer 202 in front of the photodetector
array 222 may be omitted.
[0054] Referring to FIG. 2C, an alignment apparatus 200C for
assembly of a polarization device, e.g. a pancake lens, may include
the light source 201 extending along Y-axis for providing the light
beam 204 of a finite width along Y-axis. The uniform linear
transmission polarizer 202 polarizes the light beam 204. A
quarter-wave waveplate 224 is disposed downstream of the uniform
linear transmission polarizer 202. An optic axis of the
quarter-wave waveplate 224 can be at 45 degrees w.r.t. the
transmission axis of the uniform linear transmission polarizer 202,
causing the optical beam 204 to become circularly polarized. In
other words, the polarizer subassembly of the alignment apparatus
200C includes the uniform linear transmission polarizer 202 and the
quarter-wave waveplate 224, and functions as a circular polarizer.
Other known configurations of circular polarizer may also be used
in the alignment apparatus 200C.
[0055] A second polarization component 210-2 of the pancake lens
can be held by a rotary support, which is not shown for brevity.
The second polarization component 210-2 includes an upstream-facing
plano-convex lens 243 and a quarter-wave optical retarder film 244
mounted, e.g. laminated, onto a flat surface of the upstream-facing
plano-convex lens 243. The analyzer subassembly of the alignment
apparatus 200C of FIG. 2C includes the segmented linear
transmission polarizer 214, similarly to the alignment apparatus
100 of FIG. 1 and the alignment apparatus 200A of FIG. 2A. In
operation, the circularly polarized light beam 204 becomes linearly
polarized upon propagating through the quarter-wave optical
retarder film 244 of the second polarization component 210-2. The
linearly polarized light 204 impinges onto the segmented linear
transmission polarizer 214, which functions as an analyzer. The
photodetector array 222 detects the optical power density
distribution downstream of the segmented linear transmission
polarizer 214. The measured optical power distribution is
indicative of the rotation angle of the second polarization
component 210-2, and may be adjusted to the nominal rotation angle
as explained above.
[0056] An alignment apparatus 200D of FIG. 2D is a variant of the
alignment apparatus 200C of FIG. 2C. In the alignment apparatus
200D of FIG. 2D, the polarizer and analyzer subassemblies are
swapped: the segmented linear transmission polarizer 214 is used to
polarize the light beam 204, and the combination of the
quarter-wave waveplate 224 and the uniform linear transmission
polarizer 202 is used to analyze the light beam 204 by providing
polarization-dependent light attenuation. In the analyzer
subassembly of the alignment apparatus 200D of FIG. 2D, the
quarter-wave waveplate 224 is disposed upstream of the uniform
linear transmission polarizer 202.
[0057] In some embodiments, the optic axes directions of the
quarter-wave optical retarder film 244 and the quarter-wave
waveplate 224 are parallel to one another. As a result, the optical
retardations of the quarter-wave optical retarder film 244 and the
quarter-wave waveplate 224 add up to half-wave retardation, which
rotates the linear polarization of the impinging optical beam 204
by twice the angle between a direction of linear polarization of
the impinging optical beam 204 and the optic axes directions of the
quarter-wave optical retarder film 244 and the quarter-wave
waveplate 224. In some embodiments, the optic axes directions of
the quarter-wave optical retarder film 244 and the quarter-wave
waveplate 224 are perpendicular to each other, causing the optical
retardations of the quarter-wave optical retarder film 244 and the
quarter-wave waveplate 224 to cancel each other's retardation,
which preserves the orientation of linear polarization of the
impinging optical beam 204.
[0058] Referring now to FIG. 2E, an alignment apparatus 200E is
similar to the alignment apparatus 200C of FIG. 2C. In the
alignment apparatus 200E of FIG. 2E, the quarter-wave waveplate 224
is disposed not upstream but downstream of the second polarization
component 210-2. The resulting effect is similar, as the optical
retardation of the quarter-wave waveplate 224 and the quarter-wave
optical retarder film 244 adds up to either a half-wave retardation
in one non-limiting embodiment, or to zero retardation in another
non-limiting embodiment. Similarly, a difference between an
alignment apparatus 200F of FIG. 2F and the alignment apparatus
200D of FIG. 2D is that in the alignment apparatus 200F of FIG. 2F,
the quarter-wave waveplate 224 is disposed not downstream but
upstream of the second polarization component 210-2. The operation
of the alignment apparatus 200F of FIG. 2F is similar to that of
the alignment apparatus 200D of FIG. 2D.
[0059] Turning to FIG. 2G, an alignment apparatus 200G for assembly
of a polarization device, e.g. a pancake lens, may include the
light source 201 extending along Y-axis for providing the light
beam 204 of a finite width along Y-axis, i.e. extending vertically
in FIG. 2G. The polarizer subassembly of the alignment apparatus
200G includes a uniform linear transmission polarizer 202. The
polarization device to be aligned--the second polarization
component 210-2 of the pancake lens in this example--is supported
by a rotary support, which is omitted for brevity. The analyzer
subassembly of the alignment apparatus 200G includes an array 226
of optical retarders, followed by the linear transmission polarizer
202. The array 226 extends along Y-axis, that is, vertically in
FIG. 2G. At least one an optical retardation or an optic axis
direction of the optical retarders of the array 226 varies along
Y-axis. By way of a non-limiting example, an optic axis direction
may be fixed at 45 degrees w.r.t. the upstream linear transmission
polarizer, and the optical retardation the optical retarders of the
array 226 may vary from 0.2 wavelengths to 0.3 wavelengths of the
light beam 204. The middle optical retarder of the array 226 may
have optical retardation of 0.25 wavelength, i.e. may act as a
quarter-wave waveplate.
[0060] In operation, when the second polarization component 210-2
of the pancake lens is disposed at an optimal rotation (also termed
"clocking") angle, the optical retardation of the 244 and the
middle optical retarder of the array 226 adds to half-wavelength
(or zero wavelengths, depending on relative orientation), causing a
local minimum at the optical power density distribution at the
photodetector array 222. When the second polarization component
210-2 of the pancake lens is rotated away from this angle, the
local minimum may shift and/or change the optical power density
level, which indicates that the second polarization component 210-2
is misaligned.
[0061] Referring now to FIG. 2H, an alignment apparatus 200H is
similar to the alignment apparatus 200G of FIG. 2G. In the
alignment apparatus 200H of FIG. 2H, the array 226 of optical
retarders is disposed not downstream but upstream of the second
polarization component 210-2. In other words, the array 226 of
optical retarders is a part of polarizer subassembly of the
alignment apparatus 200H, not the analyzer subassembly. The
principle of operation of the alignment apparatus 200H is
similar.
[0062] It is to be understood that pancake lens polarization
components 210-1, 210-2 are shown in FIGS. 2A-2H as examples only.
The alignment apparatuses of FIGS. 2A-2H may be used for alignment
of any polarization device including, without limitation, a
reflective or transmissive polarizer, a waveplate, an optical
element such as a lens with laminated polarizer and/or a waveplate,
an optical retarder film, a Pancharatnam--Berry phase (PBP) liquid
crystal (LC) lens or grating, a volume holographic grating or lens,
a hyperbolic metamaterial, and/or any combination of the above
polarization components. Furthermore, the alignment apparatuses 100
of FIGS. 1 and 200A to 200H of FIGS. 2A to 2H, respectively, can be
used to determine an optical retardation variation or polarization
rotation of any optical element, not necessarily a polarization
element. For example, a regular lens may have some spatial
variation of optical retardation across its clear aperture, and/or
a small spatially varying polarization rotation due to Fresnel
refraction on a curved surface. By placing such a lens in the
alignment apparatuses 100 of FIGS. 1 and 200A to 200H of FIGS. 2A
to 2H and determining optical power distribution at the output, one
can characterize the optical retardation and/or polarization
rotation spatial variation of the lens under test.
[0063] It is further noted that at least one of the polarizer or
analyzer subassemblies may include a spatially variant polarization
element having a polarization property varying along the first
axis. In other words, the spatially variant polarization element
may be disposed upstream, downstream, or both upstream and
downstream of the polarization device being aligned. In embodiments
where the spatially variant polarization element is disposed
upstream of the polarization device, the spatially variant
polarization element functions as a spatially variant polarizer for
polarizing the light beam 104 (FIG. 1) or 204 (FIGS. 2A-2H). When
the spatially variant polarization element is disposed downstream
of the polarization device, the spatially variant polarization
element functions as a spatially variant analyzer for converting
the polarization of the light beam 104, 204 into optical power
density variation, which may be suitably detected by a
photodetector array disposed downstream of the analyzer
subassembly.
[0064] Example embodiments of the spatially variant polarization
element usable in the polarizer and/or analyzer subassemblies of
the alignment apparatuses of FIG. 1 and FIGS. 2A-2H will now be
described in reference to FIGS. 3A, 3B to 10A, 10B. Referring first
to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a segmented linear transmission polarizer 314
includes a linear array 326 of transmission polarizer segments 316,
which may be supported by an optional substrate 350. The array 326
of the linear transmission polarizer segments 316 extends along
Y-axis, which corresponds to a width direction of an extended
impinging optical beam, not shown. Each linear transmission
polarizer segment 316 is disposed in XY plane. A transmission axis
direction of the linear transmission polarizer segments 316, shown
with double-sided arrows, varies from one linear transmission
polarizer segment 316 to another linear transmission polarizer
segment 316 along the Y-axis, that is, in the direction of the
array 326, as shown. The variation may be monotonic, e.g. linearly
varying with a position of the polarizer segments along Y-axis. The
variation of the transmission axis direction may also be
non-linear, e.g. square root, quadratic, polynomial, exponential,
etc. Furthermore, the variation of the transmission axis direction
may be non-monotonic in some embodiments. A selected linear
transmission polarizer segment, e.g. a center polarizer segment
316-1, may have a pre-determined transmission axis direction, e.g.
vertical as shown in FIG. 3B, horizontal, at 45 degrees, etc.
[0065] Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a continuously spatially
variant linear transmission polarizer 414 includes a polymer-based
polarizer sheet 416 supported by a substrate 450. The polymer-based
polarizer sheet 416 includes an in-plane bend 452, as shown in FIG.
4B. The bend is in the plane of the substrate 450, that is, in XY
plane, and has a radius of curvature on that plane. The bend may be
achieved e.g. by heating and stretching the polymer polarizer
sheet. The in-plane bend 452 causes the transmission axis direction
to vary smoothly and continuously along Y-axis, as shown with
double-headed arrows. The continuously variant linear transmission
polarizer 414 operates similarly to the segmented linear
transmission polarizer 314 of FIGS. 3A and 3B. Other materials may
be used instead of the polymer sheet.
[0066] Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, a segmented compound polarizer
514 includes a uniform linear transmission polarizer 502 supported
by, e.g. laminated on, an optional substrate 550. An array 526 of
half-wave waveplate segments 516 may be supported by the uniform
linear transmission polarizer 502. The uniform linear transmission
polarizer 502 and the half-wave waveplate segments 516 are disposed
parallel to each other and to the XY plane. The array 526 extends
along Y-axis, i.e. along a width direction of an extended impinging
optical beam. An optic axis direction of the half-wave waveplate
segments 516 of the array 526, shown with double-sided arrows,
varies along the Y-axis in going from one half-wave waveplate
segments 516 to another half-wave waveplate segments 516, as shown.
The variation of the transmission axis direction may be linear or
non-linear, e.g. square root, quadratic, polynomial, exponential,
etc. Furthermore, the variation of the transmission axis direction
may be non-monotonic in some embodiments. A selected linear
transmission polarizer segment, e.g. a center polarizer segment
516-1, may have a pre-determined transmission axis direction, e.g.
vertical as shown in FIG. 3B, horizontal, at 45 degrees, etc.
[0067] In operation, the half-wave waveplate segments 516 rotate a
polarization of an impinging light beam by an angle dependent on
the optic axis direction of the half-wave waveplate segments 516.
Thus, the half-wave waveplate segments 516 create an effect similar
to rotation of the transmission axis direction by individual
transmission polarizer segments. Accordingly, the segmented
compound polarizer 514 operates similarly to the array 326 of the
linear transmission polarizer segments 316 of FIGS. 3A and 3B,
providing a similar optical power density distribution at the
output. The order of the array 526 and the linear transmission
polarizer 502 on the substrate 550 may be reversed. For polarizer
configurations, the array 526 is disposed downstream of the linear
transmission polarizer 502 in the optical path of the light beam.
For analyzer configurations, the array 526 is disposed upstream of
the linear transmission polarizer 502 in the optical path of the
light beam.
[0068] Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, a continuously spatially
variant compound polarizer 614 includes a uniform linear
transmission polarizer 602 supported by, e.g. laminated on, an
optional substrate 650. A half-wave retarder sheet 616 includes an
in-plane bend 652, as shown in FIG. 6B. The bend is in the plane of
the substrate 650, that is, in XY plane, and has a radius of
curvature on that plane. The bend may be achieved e.g. by heating
and stretching the half-wave retarder sheet 616. The in-plane bend
652 causes the polarization of an impinging light beam to rotate by
an angle dependent on the local optic axis direction of the
half-wave retarder sheet 616. Thus, the half-wave retarder sheet
616 creates an effect similar to rotation of the transmission axis
direction by a continuously variant polarizer; accordingly, the
continuously variant compound polarizer 614 operates similarly to
the continuously variant linear transmission polarizer 414 of FIGS.
4A and 4B, providing a similar optical power density distribution
at the output. The order of the retardation sheet 616 and the
linear transmission polarizer 602 on the substrate 650 may be
reversed. For polarizer configurations, the half-wave retarder
sheet 616 is disposed downstream of the linear transmission
polarizer 602 in the optical path of the light beam. For analyzer
configurations, the half-wave retarder sheet 616 is disposed
upstream of the linear transmission polarizer 602 in the optical
path of the light beam.
[0069] Turning to FIGS. 7A and 7B, a segmented optical retarder 714
includes a linear array 726 of optical retarder segments 716, which
may be supported by an optional substrate 750. The array 726 of the
optical retarder segments 716 extends along Y-axis, i.e. along a
width direction of an extended impinging optical beam, not shown.
Each optical retarder segment 716 is disposed in XY plane. In the
embodiment of FIGS. 7A and 7B, an optic axis direction of the
optical retarder segments 716 is fixed at 45 degrees w.r.t. an edge
of the substrate 750. More generally, the optic axis direction of
the optical retarder segments 716 may be selected depending upon
impinging optical beam polarization. The retardation of the optical
retarder segments 716, represented by a thickness of the optical
retarder segments 716 in FIG. 7A, varies along the Y-axis, i.e.
monotonically increases in going from bottom to top of FIGS. 7A and
7B. The thickness and retardation of each optical retarder segment
716 is constant across that segment. The variation of the optical
retardation from one optical retarder segment 716 to another
optical retarder segment 716 may also be non-linear, e.g. square
root, quadratic, polynomial, exponential, etc. Furthermore, the
variation of the transmission axis direction may be non-monotonic
in some embodiments. A selected linear transmission polarizer
segment, e.g. a center optical retarder segment 716-1, may have a
pre-determined retardation, e.g. 0.25 wavelengths of the impinging
optical beam. The optical retardation of the optical retarder
segments 716 may be within a pre-determined range, for example, 0.2
wavelengths to 0.3 wavelengths.
[0070] Referring to FIGS. 8A and 8B, a continuously spatially
variant optical retarder 814 includes a retarder wedge 816
supported by an optional substrate 850. The retarder wedge 816 is
disposed in XY plane and has a thickness varying along Y-axis, i.e.
along the width direction of an extended impinging optical beam.
Accordingly, optical retardation of the retarder wedge 816 varies
smoothly and continuously along Y-axis. A selected location 816-1
of the retarder wedge 816 may have a pre-determined retardation,
e.g. 0.25 wavelengths of the impinging optical beam. The optical
retardation of the retarder wedge 816 may vary within a
pre-determined range, for example, 0.2 wavelengths to 0.3
wavelengths. In the embodiment of FIGS. 8A and 8B, an optic axis
direction of the retarder wedge 816 is fixed at 45 degrees w.r.t.
an edge of the substrate 850. More generally, the optic axis
direction of the retarder wedge 816 may be selected depending upon
impinging optical beam polarization.
[0071] In some embodiments, the optical retardation of the retarder
wedge 816 may vary within a much larger range, for example, tens or
even hundreds of wavelengths. Such a retarder may be obtained e.g.
by providing a wedge of a birefringent crystal such as quartz, for
example. Furthermore, a pair of wedges may be provided, with their
optic axes non-parallel e.g. at 45 degrees w.r.t. each other. When
a birefringent crystal wedge is used to provide spatially variant
polarization of the optical beam, the optical power density may
exhibit many oscillations across the detector array.
[0072] Referring now to FIGS. 9A and 9B, a segmented optical
retarder 914 includes a linear array 926 of optical retarder
segments 916 supported by an optional substrate 950. The array 926
of the optical retarder segments 916 extends along Y-axis, i.e.
along a width direction of an extended impinging optical beam, not
shown. Each optical retarder segment 916 is disposed in XY plane.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 9A and 9B, an optic axis direction of
the optical retarder segments 716, shown with double-sided arrows,
varies along Y-axis in going from one retarder segment 716 to
another. The variation of the optic axis direction may linear or
non-linear, e.g. square root, quadratic, polynomial, exponential,
etc. Furthermore, the variation of the optic axis direction may be
non-monotonic in some embodiments. A selected linear transmission
polarizer segment, e.g. a center optical retarder segment 916-1,
may be oriented in a pre-determined default direction, e.g. at 45
degrees w.r.t. an edge of the substrate 950.
[0073] Turning to FIGS. 10A and 10B, a continuously spatially
variant optical retarder 1014 includes a quarter-wave retarder
sheet 1016 supported by an optional substrate 1050. The
quarter-wave retarder sheet 1016 includes an in-plane bend 1052, as
shown in FIG. 10B. The bend is in the plane of the substrate 1050,
that is, in XY plane, and has a radius of curvature on that plane.
The bend causes an optic axis direction, shown with double-headed
arrows, to vary along Y-axis, i.e. vertically in FIGS. 10A and 10B.
The variation of the optic axis direction may linear or non-linear,
e.g. square root, quadratic, polynomial, exponential, etc.
Furthermore, the variation of the optic axis direction may be
non-monotonic in some embodiments. A selected location 1016-1 of
the quarter-wave retarder sheet 1016 may have a pre-determined
orientation of the optic axis.
[0074] Other types of retarders with spatially variable optic axis
direction may be used instead of the quarter-wave retarder sheet
1016 of FIGS. 10A and 10B, or the half-wave retarder sheet 616 of
FIGS. 6A and 6B for that matter. For example, photo-aligned
polymer-immersed liquid crystal materials may be used. Furthermore,
a spatial light modulator (SLM) including tunable or switchable
pixels may be used in place of the waveplates and/or retarders in
FIGS. 1, 2A to 2H, 3A and 3B to 10A and 10B. By way of non-limiting
examples, the SLM may be based on a liquid crystal layer in pi-cell
or in-plane switching configurations.
[0075] Referring to FIG. 11, an alignment system 1100 for aligning
a polarization device, e.g. a pancake lens 1110 of a head-mounted
display (HIVID) 1170 includes a light source 1101 for providing a
first light beam 1104-1 having a width w.sub.1 as measured along
Y-axis. A linear polarizer 1102 may be disposed in a path of the
first light beam 1104-1 to linearly polarize the first light beam
1104-1. A first alignment apparatus 1191 is similar to the
alignment apparatus 200A of FIG. 2A. The first alignment apparatus
1191 (FIG. 11) includes a first rotary support 1108-1 for rotatably
supporting a first polarization component 1110-1 of the pancake
lens 1110 in a path of the first light beam 1104-1. In the
embodiment shown, the first polarization component 1110-1 includes
a downstream-facing plano-convex lens and a reflective polarizer on
its flat side.
[0076] A first spatially variant polarization element 1114-1 having
a polarization property varying along Y-axis may be disposed
downstream of the first rotary support 1108-1. The first spatially
variant polarization element 1114-1 may include any of the
spatially variant polarization elements described above with
reference to FIGS. 3A, 3B to 10A, 10B. The first spatially variant
polarization element 1114-1 may function as an analyzer of the
first light beam 1104-1 propagated through the first polarization
component 1110-1. A first photodetector array 1122-1 extends along
Y-axis. In operation, the first photodetector array 1122-1 detects
a spatial optical power density distribution of the first light
beam 1104-1 propagated through the first spatially variant
polarization element 1114-1.
[0077] The alignment system 1100 may be further configured to
provide a second light beam 1104-2 to an optional second alignment
apparatus 1192 of the alignment system 1100. To that end, the
alignment system 1100 may include a partially reflecting mirror
1172 for splitting off the second light beam 1104-2, and optionally
a fully reflecting mirror 1173 for redirecting the second light
beam 1104-2 towards the second alignment apparatus 2. The second
light beam 1104-2 may have a width w.sub.2 along Y-axis.
[0078] The second alignment apparatus 1192 is similar to the
alignment apparatus 200C of FIG. 2C. The second alignment apparatus
2 (FIG. 11) includes a quarter-wave waveplate 1124 and a second
rotary support 1108-2 for rotatably supporting a second
polarization component 1110-2 of the pancake lens 1110 in a path of
the second light beam 1104-2. In the embodiment shown, the second
polarization component 1110-2 may include an upstream-facing
plano-convex lens with a quarter-wave waveplate coupled to its
planar side. A second spatially variant polarization element 1114-2
having a polarization property varying along the first axis is
disposed downstream of the second rotary support 1108-2 for
receiving the second light beam 1104-2 propagated through the
second polarization component 2220-2. A second photodetector array
1122-2 is disposed downstream of the second spatially variant
polarization element 1114-2. The second photodetector array 1122-2
may extend along Y-axis axis. In operation, the second
photodetector array 1122-2 detects the second light beam propagated
through the second spatially variant polarization element 1114-2.
The second spatially variant polarization element 1114-2 and the
second photodetector array 1122-2 may be oriented differently, i.e.
along X-axis or in any other direction, not necessarily parallel to
the direction of the first spatially variant polarization element
1104-1 and the first photodetector array 1122-1, for as long as the
second light beam 1104-2 has a sufficient width in that
direction.
[0079] In some embodiments of the alignment system 1100, the light
source 1101 may be wavelength-selectable, i.e. the light source
1101 may provide the first 1104-1 and/or the second 1104-2 light
beam at a selectable test wavelength, e.g. at a wavelength of a red
color channel, a green color channel, and/or a blue color channel.
The alignment may be performed sequentially at each of these
wavelengths, and spatially variant polarizers may have to be
rotated at different angles for each of the test wavelength. The
final orientation of optical components being aligned may be
selected to provide acceptable optical performance at each test
wavelength.
[0080] In the embodiment shown, the alignment system 1100 further
includes translation stages 1181 and 1182 for combining the first
1110-1 and second 1110-2 polarization components of the pancake
lens 1110 after aligning by the first 1191 and second 1192
alignment apparatuses, respectively. The translation stages 1181
and 1182 may be configured to place the first 1110-1 and second
1110-2 polarization components into the HMD 1170 without changing
their relative orientation obtained after alignment. This enables
the pancake lens 1110 to operate properly, carrying an image
generated by an electronic display panel 1174 to an eyebox 1176 of
the HMD 1170 while suppressing ghost artifacts. Other variants of
the alignment system 1100 may include separate light sources for
the first 1191 and second 1192 alignment apparatuses. The first
1114-1 and second 1114-2 spatially variant polarization elements
may be disposed downstream or upstream of the respective
polarization devices or components to be aligned. Furthermore, in
some embodiments, a single spatially variant polarization element
may be used with a single light source. Many other polarization
devices or components may be aligned by the alignment system 1100,
including a reflective or transmissive polarizer, a waveplate, an
optical element with laminated polarizer and/or a waveplate, an
optical retarder film, a Pancharatnam--Berry phase (PBP) liquid
crystal (LC) lens or grating, a volume holographic grating or lens,
a hyperbolic metamaterial, etc., as well as any combination of the
above polarization components.
[0081] Referring now to FIG. 12, an alignment system 1200 for
aligning a polarization device 1210 having multiple polarization
components 1210-1, 1210-2 includes a light source 1201 for
providing a light beam 1204 of a finite width, a linear polarizer
1202 for polarizing the light beam, and waveplates 1224-1 and
1224-2 upstream and downstream of the polarization device 1210,
respectively. The waveplates 1224-1 and 1224-2 can be retracted and
inserted into the light beam 1204 by translation stages 1281 and
1282. A rotary support (not shown for brevity) may be provided for
independently rotating the polarization components 1210-1, 1210-2.
A spatially variant polarization element 1214 is disposed
downstream of the polarization device 1210, and a photodetector
array 1222 is provided for measuring an optical power density
distribution at the output of the spatially variant polarization
element 1214. The waveplates 1224 may include quarter-wave
waveplates, half-wave waveplates, etc., and may be rotatable. The
spatially variant polarization element 1214 may be placed onto its
own translation stage for optional removal from the light beam
1204, and may include any of the polarization elements of FIGS. 3A,
3B to 10A, 10B. Additional linear polarizers may be provided in the
path of the light beam 1204. In this example, the first
polarization component 1210-1 includes a reflective polarizer, and
the second polarization component 1210-2 includes a quarter-wave
waveplate.
[0082] The alignment system 1200 enables alignment of the
polarization components 1210-1, 1210-2 when all, or at least more
than one, of these components are present in the path of the light
beam 1204. For example, to align the first polarization component
1210-1 including a reflective polarizer element, the first 1224-1
and second 1224-2 second waveplates may be retracted from the
optical beam 1204, and the first polarization component 1210-1 may
be rotated to provide a strong attenuation of the optical beam 1204
by the spatially variant polarization element 1214 at the middle of
the photodetector array 1222. Then, the second waveplate 1224-2 may
be inserted into the optical beam 1204, and the second polarization
component 1210-2 may then be aligned. Alternatively, both first
1210-1 and second 1210-2 polarization components may be aligned
iteratively, in turns, until a desired optical power density
distribution has been obtained at the photodetector array 1222.
[0083] Turning to FIG. 13, a method 1300 for aligning a
polarization device includes polarizing (1302) a light beam having
a width along a first axis, e.g. Y-axis. The light beam may be
polarized using a suitable polarization element or, more generally,
a polarizer subassembly which may include polarizers, waveplates,
etc. The polarization may be e.g. linear, circular, or elliptical.
The light beam may be wide enough to illuminate the polarization
device across its clear aperture along Y-axis. The polarization
device to be aligned may be rotatably supported (1304) in a path of
the light beam by a rotary support enabling the polarization device
rotation in the light beam path, for example, about an axis
parallel to the light beam path. The polarization device may be
rotated while being illuminated by the light beam, or in an
interval between separate successive illuminations of the
polarization device. The light beam propagates through the
polarization device and is received (1306) at an analyzer
subassembly. For example, the light beam can be received by a
spatially variant polarization element having a polarization
property varying across the beam, i.e. along Y-axis disposed
laterally with respect to the beam. The light beam propagated
through the analyzer subassembly is then detected (1308) by a
photodetector array disposed downstream of the analyzer subassembly
and extending along Y-axis.
[0084] The method 1300 may further include obtaining (1310) an
optical power distribution of the detected light beam. As has been
explained above with reference to FIG. 1, the optical power density
distribution detected by the photodetector array may be
representative of the angle(s) of rotation of the polarization
device away from an optimal angle of rotation corresponding to a
pre-determined optical power distribution. The pre-determined
optical power distribution may be substantially symmetric relative
to a selected photodetector of the photodetector array. The angle
may be obtained (1312) and then, the polarization device may be
rotated (1314) by the obtained rotation angle to match the
pre-determined optical power distribution. The polarization device
may include a plurality of individually rotatable or adjustable
polarization components; these may be aligned one-by-one or in a
parallel iterative manner. A spatially variant polarization element
may be disposed upstream, downstream, or both upstream and
downstream of the polarization device being aligned.
[0085] Referring to FIG. 14, an HMD 1400 is an example of an AR/VR
wearable display system. The function of the HMD 1400 is to augment
views of a physical, real-world environment with computer-generated
imagery, and/or to generate the entirely virtual 3D imagery. The
HMD 1400 may include a front body 1402 and a band 1404. The front
body 1402 is configured for placement in front of eyes of a user in
a reliable and comfortable manner, and the band 1404 may be
stretched to secure the front body 1402 on the user's head. A
display system 1480 may be disposed in the front body 1402 for
presenting AR/VR imagery to the user. Sides 1406 of the front body
1402 may be opaque or transparent. The display system 1480, or any
other optical (sub)system of the HMD 1400 may use pancake lenses or
other polarization devices that can be aligned using the alignment
apparatus 100 of FIG. 1, alignment apparatuses 200A to 200H of
FIGS. 2A to 2H, respectively, the alignment system 1100 of FIG. 11,
and/or the alignment system 1200 of FIG. 12.
[0086] In some embodiments, the front body 1402 includes locators
1408 and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) 1410 for tracking
acceleration of the HMD 1400, and position sensors 1412 for
tracking position of the HMD 1400. The IMU 1410 is an electronic
device that generates data indicating a position of the HMD 1400
based on measurement signals received from one or more of position
sensors 1412, which generate one or more measurement signals in
response to motion of the HMD 1400. Examples of position sensors
1412 include: one or more accelerometers, one or more gyroscopes,
one or more magnetometers, another suitable type of sensor that
detects motion, a type of sensor used for error correction of the
IMU 1410, or some combination thereof. The position sensors 1412
may be located external to the IMU 1410, internal to the IMU 1410,
or some combination thereof.
[0087] The locators 1408 are traced by an external imaging device
of a virtual reality system, such that the virtual reality system
can track the location and orientation of the entire HMD 1400.
Information generated by the IMU 1410 and the position sensors 1412
may be compared with the position and orientation obtained by
tracking the locators 1408, for improved tracking accuracy of
position and orientation of the HMD 1400. Accurate position and
orientation is important for presenting appropriate virtual scenery
to the user as the latter moves and turns in 3D space.
[0088] The HMD 1400 may further include a depth camera assembly
(DCA) 1411, which captures data describing depth information of a
local area surrounding some or all of the HMD 1400. To that end,
the DCA 1411 may include a laser radar (LIDAR), or a similar
device. The depth information may be compared with the information
from the IMU 1410, for better accuracy of determination of position
and orientation of the HMD 1400 in 3D space.
[0089] The HMD 1400 may further include an eye tracking system 1411
for determining orientation and position of user's eyes in real
time. The obtained position and orientation of the eyes also allows
the HMD 1400 to determine the gaze direction of the user and to
adjust the image generated by the display system 1480 accordingly.
In one embodiment, the vergence, that is, the convergence angle of
the user's eyes gaze, is determined. The determined gaze direction
and vergence angle may also be used for real-time compensation of
visual artifacts dependent on the angle of view and eye position.
Furthermore, the determined vergence and gaze angles may be used
for interaction with the user, highlighting objects, bringing
objects to the foreground, creating additional objects or pointers,
etc. An audio system may also be provided, including e.g. a set of
small speakers built into the front body 1402.
[0090] The hardware used to implement the various illustrative
logics, logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in
connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implemented or
performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal
processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC),
a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic
device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware
components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the
functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a
microprocessor, but, in the alternative, the processor may be any
conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state
machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of
computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a
microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more
microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such
configuration. Alternatively, some steps or methods may be
performed by circuitry that is specific to a given function.
[0091] The present disclosure is not to be limited in scope by the
specific embodiments described herein. Indeed, other various
embodiments and modifications, in addition to those described
herein, will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from
the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Thus, such
other embodiments and modifications are intended to fall within the
scope of the present disclosure. Further, although the present
disclosure has been described herein in the context of a particular
implementation in a particular environment for a particular
purpose, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that its
usefulness is not limited thereto and that the present disclosure
may be beneficially implemented in any number of environments for
any number of purposes. Accordingly, the claims set forth below
should be construed in view of the full breadth and spirit of the
present disclosure as described herein.
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