US Patent 11586024 Peripheral see-through pancake lens assembly and display device with same

An optical assembly includes at least one substrate that provides a first curved surface and a second surface. The optical assembly also includes a beam splitter on the first curved surface, a reflector on the second surface, and an optical retarder disposed between the beam splitter and the reflector. The optical assembly is configured to receive first light at the first curved surface and reflect the first light at the reflector and subsequently, at the beam splitter before outputting the first light from the reflector. The first light is transmitted through the optical assembly at a first optical power. The optical assembly is also configured to transmit second light at a second optical power that is less than the first optical power. The second light is transmitted through peripheral portions of the beam splitter and reflector without reflection at the reflector.