Waveguide optics is the optical-engineering approach used in augmented- and mixed-reality displays to channel projected light from a microdisplay into the user’s eye via total internal reflection in a thin transparent substrate. Diffractive, reflective, or holographic gratings couple light in and out, enabling compact, see-through eyewear with a wide eyebox. It is the dominant optical architecture for consumer AR glasses, trading manufacturing complexity for form factor and transparency.
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- Diffractive waveguides use surface-relief or volume holographic gratings for in-coupling, pupil expansion, and out-coupling, while reflective designs use angled mirror arrays. Engineering challenges include chromatic dispersion and rainbow artefacts, limited field of view, and optical efficiency, all balanced against the goal of socially acceptable, glasses-like form factors.