Optical path

Materials science

Augmented reality

Computer science

Cholesteric liquid crystal

Physical chemistry

Polarization (electrochemistry)

Physics

Microstrip

Optics

Stereo display

Circular polarization

Chemistry

Liquid crystal

Birefringence

Liquid-crystal display

Optoelectronics

Polarizer

Computer vision

Optics Express

To address the accommodation-convergence conflict problem in conventional augmented reality (AR) head-mounted displays, we propose a compact multi-plane display design based on cholesteric liquid crystal (CLC) reflective films and a polarization switch. Because of the polarization selectivity of CLC films, circularly-polarized light with different handedness is reflected by different CLC films, resulting in different optical path lengths and different image depths by the lens. A flicker-free dual-plane prototype with correct focus cues and relatively low operating voltage has been implemented. Moreover, a multi-plane AR display scheme with more than 2 depth planes is proposed by stacking multiple CLC films and polarization switches together.

Multi-plane augmented reality display based on cholesteric liquid crystal reflective films