Table 1 Comparison of different light engines
From: Waveguide-based augmented reality displays: perspectives and challenges
Light engine | Research trend | System efficiency | Formfactor | Resolution density | Frame rate | Contrast ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LCoS | 1. More compact (1 μm pixel size and without PBS) 2. High efficiency 3. High frame rate | Medium (medium etendue) | Small (Himax, Avegant, Magic Leap 2) | High 8500 ppi (compound photonics) | Medium | Medium (~ 500:1) |
DLP | 1. More compact 2. High resolution density | Medium (medium etendue) | Medium | Medium 4700 ppi (Texas instruments) | High (30 kHz, 1-bit) | Medium (~ a few thousands:1) |
OLED-on-silicon | 1. High resolution density 2. High brightness (tandem structure) | Medium (large etendue) | Small (self-emissive) | Medium ~ 4031 ppi (White OLED; Sony) | Medium | High (> 104:1) |
µLED-on-silicon | 1. High resolution density 2. High efficiency (collimation) | Medium (large etendue) | Small (self-emissive) | Medium 6350 ppi (X-cube; Jade Bird Display) 5100 ppi (vertical stack; MIT) | Medium | High (> 104:1) |
LBS | 1. High resolution density 2. High frame rate | High (small etendue) | Small | Low (HoloLens 2) | Low (60–90 Hz) | High (> 104:1) |