Photonic integrated circuit enabled light engines for augmented reality glasses

However, conventional implementations rely on complex assemblies of discrete components that are difficult to miniaturize while simultaneously increasing resolution and frame rate. Here, we introduce a compact LBS light-engine architecture enabled by a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) operating in an inline double-pass configuration and validate the approach with proof-of-concept prototypes.

The PIC incorporates a thinned bridge positioned in the optical path of a lens and a scanning microelectromechanical-systems (MEMS) mirror. Multiple beams emitted from on-chip silicon nitride nanophotonic waveguides enable parallel addressing of the field of view, providing a route to higher resolution and frame rates at fixed MEMS-mirror performance while also expanding the field of view for a given mirror-deflection range.