Spatial light modulator displays with diffractive optical elements

An optical device, comprising:

• a first waveguide having a first side and an opposing second side;
• a spatial light modulator configured to project image light, the spatial light modulator positioned on the first side of the first waveguide;
• one or more lenses disposed between the spatial light modulator and the first waveguide;
• a first in-coupler coupled with the first waveguide, the first in-coupler positioned to:
• receive the image light projected by the spatial light modulator and transmitted through the one or more lenses;
• and
• redirect at least a first portion of the image light so that the first portion of the image light enters the first waveguide and undergoes total internal reflection inside the first waveguide;
• a polarization-selective reflector positioned to receive the image light projected by the spatial light modulator from the one or more lenses, the polarization-selective reflector having a polarization-selective reflective surface in an orientation that is non-perpendicular to an optical axis of the spatial light modulator;
• an illumination source positioned to output illumination light toward the polarization-selective reflective surface, wherein the polarization-selective reflector is positioned to receive the illumination light from the illumination source in an orientation that is non-perpendicular to the polarization-selective reflective surface;
• and
• a second reflector, wherein the polarization-selective reflector is positioned to:
• receive the illumination light from the illumination source and provide the illumination light in a first direction toward the second reflector;
• receive the illumination light reflected off the second reflector and provide the illumination light toward the spatial light modulator in a second direction distinct from the first direction;
• receive the image light projected from the spatial light modulator and transmitted through the one or more lenses;
• and
• provide the image light received from the spatial light modulator in a third direction toward the first waveguide, wherein the third direction is distinct from the first direction and the second direction.

An optical device, comprising:

• a first waveguide having a first side and an opposing second side;
• a spatial light modulator configured to project image light, the spatial light modulator positioned on the first side of the first waveguide;
• one or more lenses disposed between the spatial light modulator and the first waveguide;
• a first in-coupler coupled with the first waveguide, the first in-coupler positioned to:
• receive the image light projected by the spatial light modulator and transmitted through the one or more lenses;
• and
• redirect at least a first portion of the image light so that the first portion of the image light enters the first waveguide and undergoes total internal reflection inside the first waveguide;
• a polarization-selective reflector positioned to receive the image light projected by the spatial light modulator from the one or more lenses, the polarization-selective reflector having a polarization-selective reflective surface in an orientation that is non-perpendicular to an optical axis of the spatial light modulator;
• an illumination source positioned to output illumination light toward the polarization-selective reflective surface, wherein the polarization-selective reflector is positioned to receive the illumination light from the illumination source in an orientation that is non-perpendicular to the polarization-selective reflective surface;
• and
• (i) a reflective polarizer positioned between the illumination source and the polarization-selective reflector and (ii) a reflective surface with an aperture, the reflective surface positioned relative to the illumination source so that the illumination light from the illumination source propagates through the aperture toward the reflective polarizer, the reflective polarizer reflects at least a first portion of the illumination light toward the reflective surface, the reflective surface reflects at least a second portion of the illumination light back toward the reflective polarizer, and the reflective polarizer receives the second portion of the illumination light and transmits at least a third portion of the illumination light.