Patent attributes
A light-combining optical imager includes a spatially-curved waveguide-body complemented with at least two and preferably at least three holographic layers disposed on the surface(s) of the waveguide-body to couple light into the waveguide-body, optionally redirect its propagation inside the waveguide-body, and outcouple light from the waveguide body to form an optical image with reduced aberrations and—when desired—while expanding the pupil size of the imager upon propagation of light through the waveguide-body to achieve a one-to-one optical conjugation between an object and an image. At least one of the holographic layers includes potions having different diffraction efficiencies. At least one of the holographic layers is optionally configured to operate as a non-zero optical power lens element. Spatial separations between the holographic layers judiciously relate to dimensions of the portions of the holographic layers to achieve the desired result.
