Visible Light Optical Phased Array with Liquid-Crystal-Based Phase Tuning

A display for augmented reality (AR) includes an array of optical phased arrays (OPAs) integrated into a transparent substrate. The array of OPAs emit light encoded with four dimensional (4D) light field including 2D spatial coordinates and 2D directional coordinates to create an image of a virtual object on a retina of a viewer. By adjusting the emission directions of light beam emitted by individual OPAs in the display, the depth perception can be adjusted accordingly. The array of OPAs can also be encoded with holographic information, including intensity and phase distribution, of a virtual object to create the image of the virtual object on the retina. The AR display can further incorporate liquid crystal (LC) into the OPAs for modulating the amplitudes and relative phases of light emitted by the OPAs.