Large-size PVG-based waveguide simulation and uniformity optimization for AR-HUD

Polarization volume grating (PVG), a kind of diffractive optical element, is applied widely for augmented reality (AR) near-eye display (NED) lately. However, PVG-based AR head-up display (AR-HUD) requires a large-size exit pupil and uniform efficiency, and there is presently no systematic simulation method for this type of application. Here, we introduce a unique simulation analysis method via the large-size PVG-based waveguide technology for AR-HUD. Through the self-built particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm, on the waveguide structure of 290 mm × 160 mm × 3 mm, with an eyerelief distance of 600 mm, the binocular field of view uniformity reaches 35.37% at an eye box of 100 mm × 50 mm, and the monocular uniformity can reach 31.65% and 32.48% respectively. The design scheme in this paper provides guidance for the large-size diffractive waveguide display for AR-HUD.