Changwon Jang

Full-color lens-array holographic optical element for three-dimensional optical see-through augmented reality

A novel system of optical see-through augmented reality (AR) is proposed by making use of a holographic optical element (HOE) with full-color and lens-array functions. The full-color lens-array HOE provides see-through property with three-dimensional (3D) virtual images, for it functions as a conventional lens array only for Bragg-matched lights. An HOE recording setup was built, and it recorded a 30 mm × 60 mm sized full-color lens-array HOE by using the techniques of spatial multiplexing for large-area recording and wavelength multiplexing for full-color imaging. The experimental results confirm that the suggested full-color lens-array HOE can provide the full-color 3D virtual images in the optical see-through AR system.

Real-time capturing and 3D visualization method based on integral imaging

We propose a real-time capturing and 3D visualization method based on integral imaging. We applied real-time conversion algorithm to conventional integral imaging pickup system. Gap control method with depth plane adjustment is also applied to improve image quality. Implemented system provides real-time 3D images with ultra high definition resolution in 20 frames per second, and the observer can change depth planes freely. Simulations and experimental results show the validity of proposed system.

Additive light field displays: realization of augmented reality with holographic optical elements

We propose a see-through additive light field display as a novel type of compressive light field display. We utilize holographic optical elements (HOEs) as transparent additive layers. The HOE layers are almost free from diffraction unlike spatial light modulator layers, which makes this additive light field display more advantageous when modifying the number of layers, thickness, and pixel density compared with conventional compressive displays. Meanwhile, the additive light field display maintains advantages of compressive light field displays. The proposed additive light field display shows bright and full-color volumetric images in high definition. In addition, users can view real-world scenes beyond the displays. Hence, we expect that our method can contribute to the realization of augmented reality. Here, we describe implementation of a prototype additive light field display with two additive layers, evaluate the performance of transparent HOE layers, describe several results of display experiments, discuss the diffraction effect of spatial light modulators, and analyze the ability of the additive light field display to express uncorrelated light fields.

Recent progress in see-through three-dimensional displays using holographic optical elements [Invited].

The principles and characteristics of see-through 3D displays are presented. We especially focus on the integral-imaging display system using a holographic optical element (IDHOE), which is able to display 3D images and satisfy the see-through property at the same time. The technique has the advantage of the high transparency and capability of displaying autostereoscopic 3D images. We have analyzed optical properties of IDHOE for both recording and displaying stages. Furthermore, various studies of new applications and system improvements for IDHOE are introduced. Thanks to the characteristics of holographic volume grating, it is possible to implement a full-color lens-array holographic optical element and conjugated reconstruction as well as 2D/3D convertible IDHOE. Studies on the improvements of viewing characteristics including a viewing angle, fill factor, and resolution are also presented. Lastly, essential issues and their possible solutions are discussed as future work.

Two-dimensional and three-dimensional transparent screens based on lens-array holographic optical elements

Two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) transparent screens can be created using lens-array holographic optical elements (HOEs). Lens-array HOEs can be used to perform 2D and 3D imaging for Bragg matched images while maintaining the transparent properties of the images in the background scenes. 2D or 3D imaging on the proposed screen is determined by the relative size of an elemental-lens on the lens-array to a pixel on the projected image. The 2D and 3D displays on the lens-array HOEs are implemented by the diffusion of light on each elemental-lens and by taking advantage of reflection-type integral imaging, respectively. We constructed an HOE recording setup and recorded two lens-array HOEs having different optical specifications, permitting them to function as 2D and 3D transparent screens. Experiments regarding 2D and 3D imaging on the proposed transparent screens are carried out and the viewing characteristics in both cases are discussed. The experimental results show that the proposed screens are capable of providing 2D and 3D images properly while satisfying the see-through properties.

Crosstalk-Reduced Dual-Mode Mobile 3D Display

We propose a novel crosstalk-reduced mobile 3D display system providing high quality 3D images both in portrait mode and landscape mode. We analyze a conventional commercial mobile 3D display system with simulations and experiments. Then we propose a crosstalk-reduced mobile 3D display system. We design a micro lens array film and propose a mapping algorithm for the system. To reduce crosstalk, we adopt the mobile phone with a diamond pentile display panel. We build a demonstration with a parallax barrier film and diamond pentile display. This newly implemented system provides 3D images with a similar quality in both portrait mode and landscape mode. The crosstalk of implemented system is 8.3% in portrait mode and 9.2% in landscape mode.

See-through integral imaging display using a resolution and fill factor-enhanced lens-array holographic optical element

We report on the development of a high-resolution see-through integral imaging system with a resolution and fill factor-enhanced lens-array holographic optical element (HOE). We propose a procedure for fabricating of a lens pitch controllable lens-array HOE. By controlling the recording plane and performing repetitive recordings process, the lens pitch of the lens-array HOE could be substantially reduced, with a high fill factor and the same numerical aperture compared to the reference lens-array. We demonstrated the feasibility by fabricating a lens-array HOE with a 500 micrometer pitch. Since the pixel pitch of the projected image can be easily controlled in projection type integral imaging, the small lens pitch enhances the quality of the displayed 3D image very effectively. The enhancement of visibility of the 3D images is verified in experimental results.

Solution for pseudoscopic problem in integral imaging using phase-conjugated reconstruction of lens-array holographic optical elements.

We propose an optical pseudoscopic to orthoscopic conversion method for integral imaging using a lens-array holographic optical element (LAHOE), which solves the pseudoscopic problem. The LAHOE reconstructs an array of diverging spherical waves when a probe wave with the phase-conjugated condition is imposed on it, while an array of converging spherical waves is reconstructed in ordinary reconstruction. For given pseudoscopic elemental images, the array of the diverging spherical waves integrates the orthoscopic three-dimensional images without a distortion. The principle of the proposed method is verified by the experiments of displaying the integral imaging on the LAHOE using computer generated and optically acquired elemental images.

Three-dimensional/two-dimensional convertible projection screen using see-through integral imaging based on holographic optical element

We propose a 3D/2D convertible screen using a holographic optical element and angular multiplexing method of volume hologram. The proposed screen, named a multiplexed holographic optical element screen (MHOES), is composed of passive optical components, and displaying modes between 3D and 2D modes are converted according to projection directions. In a recording process, the angular multiplexing method by using two reference waves with different incidence angles enables the functions of 3D and 2D screens to be recorded in a single holographic material. Also, in order to avoid the bulky experimental setup due to adopting different projectors for the 3D and 2D modes, the projection part is realized based on a prism. The designed projection part enables the single projector to present 3D on 2D mode, where the 3D and 2D contents are simultaneously displayed in one scene, without active components. The optical characteristics of MHOES are experimentally analyzed, and displaying experiments with a full-color MHOES are presented in order to verify the 3D/2D convertibility and see-through properties.

Analysis and Implementation of Hologram Lenses for See-Through Head-Mounted Display

We introduce an approach to implementation of see-through head-mounted displays using hologram lenses, which are categorized by holographic optical elements. The hologram lenses magnify displayed images and superimpose the magnified images on the real-world simultaneously, which allows system configuration to be compact. Here, we investigate imaging properties and optical issues of hologram lenses using the spectral analysis of light field. Also, the astigmatism of hologram lenses is analyzed and its compensation method is proposed and verified. We conclude by describing display results and a practical application of the proposed method.