A dispersion-driven 3D color near-eye meta-display

This paper presents a novel 3D color near-eye display system driven by optical dispersion, utilizing a metalens with lateral dispersion. Unlike traditional systems, which aim to minimize chromatic dispersion, this approach deliberately harnesses it as a functional mechanism to create 3D virtual images. The system exploits lateral dispersion to convert transverse offsets between colors into angular separations, creating depth perception through virtual images.

The display system integrates a metalens, an electrically controlled display chip, and a beam splitter, offering a compact form with low data and hardware requirements. It achieves an 11° field of view, 22 pixels per degree resolution, and supports 19 distinct image planes, presenting a significant step forward in near-eye 3D displays. The performance of the system is validated through experiments with a prototype, showing its capability to reconstruct multi-color images with depth.

The metalens, fabricated from silicon, focuses red and green light at distinct points, creating lateral dispersion that allows for the synthesis of 3D images. The system enables the perception of color-merged 3D images, with a focus on compactness and minimal complexity compared to conventional 3D displays like holography or light-field systems.

Additionally, the paper discusses the potential for full-color reproduction, the number of image planes that can be supported, and the dynamic capabilities of the system, demonstrating a rotating ball moving along a 3D trajectory. The paper concludes with a discussion on future improvements, such as using larger-aperture metalenses and enhancing image quality, and positions the system as a low-cost, efficient solution for augmented and virtual reality displays.