SiC diffractive waveguides for augmented reality: single-layer, full-color, rainbow-artifact-free display with vision correction
Boqu Chen, Ce Li, Xiaoxuan Li, Chenting Fang, Yinggang Chen, Ding Zhao, Lu Cai, Kaikai Du, Min Qiu
Abstract
Abstract The speed, dimensions, and immersive quality of communication have been continuously transformed by advances in information technology: from letters to telegraphs, telephones to video calls, and on-screen display to augmented reality (AR) displays. However, as demands for functional integration and high display quality intensify, significant limitations are encountered by conventional high-refractive-index glass-based diffractive waveguides, including bulkiness, weight, and rainbow artifacts in full-color displays. To overcome these challenges, we developed ultra-thin and ultra-light diffractive waveguides using 4H silicon carbide (SiC). These monolithic SiC waveguides are mass-produced via a specialized nanoimprinting (NIL) process on SiC wafers, leveraging the material’s high refractive index, thermal conductivity, and hardness. The resulting single-layer SiC waveguide achieves rainbow-artifact-free full-color displays while weighing just 3.795 g and measuring only 0.75 mm thick. Furthermore, we demonstrate compatibility with mass-produced prescription Fresnel lenses, addressing critical needs for myopia correction. This work advances diffractive waveguide display technology and offers a promising path for the future of information interaction.