Design and Fabrication of a Low-cost Liquid Optical Waveguide for Augmented Reality

TL;DR

This paper presents a novel, low-cost liquid optical waveguide fabrication method for augmented reality, utilizing 3D printing and silicone oil to simplify production and enable mass manufacturing.

Contribution

The study introduces a cost-effective, simplified fabrication process for AR waveguides using Polyjet 3D printing and silicone oil, eliminating complex traditional steps.

Findings

Successful prototype demonstrating virtual and real-world integration

Optical simulations confirming design feasibility

Cost reduction compared to traditional manufacturing methods

Abstract

The complexities of fabrication techniques and the demand for high precision have posed significant challenges in the mass production of augmented reality (AR) waveguide combiners. Leveraging the capabilities of Polyjet 3D printing techniques, we have developed a cost-effective method for fabricating liquid geometric waveguide combiners for AR applications, using silicone oil as the medium. During the design phase, we optimized the structure of the waveguide combiner to facilitate easier fabrication. Our proposed method simplifies the production process by removing the need for complicated steps like dicing, layer bonding, and polishing, which are usually involved in traditional manufacturing techniques. We conducted optical simulations and developed a prototype using our patented fabrication method, which successfully demonstrated the integration of virtual images with the real-world environment, thereby confirming its feasibility and potential for cost-effective mass production.