Experimental validation of self-focusing image formation for retinal projection display

The augmented reality (AR) industry requires both aesthetic designs and high performances of AR devices. This complex dilemma challenges R&D groups from all over the world to improve existing systems or propose new, breakthrough designs. The unconventional concept of direct retinal projection display may be one. It is based on see-through holographic retinal projection, with the image being formed via the so-called self-focusing effect. In this paper, we describe an experimental validation of this self-focusing effect and introduce a possible approach of self-focusing performance evaluation. Experimental image formation capability is demonstrated and compared with simulation results. Main present limitations of the concept are discussed, such as pixel addressing design and image resolution/sharpness conflict.