Flat panel virtual display

Despite much enthusiasm for virtual reality, wearable virtual displays remain too bulky to appeal to the fashion conscious public. It is thought that thinner, lighter wearable displays will overcome this obstacle by returning control of appearance to the fashion designer. The authors describe a new way of making a virtual display which uses slim acrylic waveguides to project an image without bulk. A diffraction grating embossed into the waveguide is used to eject the projected image across the area of the display. Computer simulation, and a prototype display are presented, showing the possible flat form factor achievable.