Methods, devices, and systems for illuminating spatial light modulators

A system comprising:

• a light source configured to emit broadband light;
• a first spatial light modulator disposed to receive light from the light source, the first spatial light modulator configured to selectively transmit light therethrough, the first spatial light modulator comprising a plurality of pixels and color filters associated therewith, the first spatial light modulator comprising:
• one or more first regions configured to output light of a first color;
• and
• one or more second regions configured to output light of a second color;
• and
• a second spatial light modulator, said first spatial light modulator in an optical path between said light source and said second spatial light modulator such that light from said light source that is output from said first spatial light modulator illuminates said second spatial light modulator, the second spatial light modulator comprising a plurality of pixels configured to form images using light incident thereon.

An illuminator comprising:

• at least one light source;
• and
• an elongate reflective structure comprising:
• a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite the first sidewall;
• an input aperture configured to receive light from the at least one light source;
• and
• an exit aperture configured to emit light,
• wherein the elongate reflective structure is configured such that light from the at least one light source coupled into the elongate reflective structure through the input aperture propagates towards the exit aperture by multiple reflections from the first sidewall and the second sidewall;
• and
• wherein the light exiting the exit aperture is configured to illuminate a spatial light modulator configured to provide images to an eyepiece in a head mounted display.

A system comprising:

• a light source configured to emit broadband light;
• a switchable color filter disposed to receive light from the light source, the switchable color filter comprising:
• a first wavelength selective filter configured to attenuate transmission of light of a first color, said first wavelength selective filter controlled by an electrical signal;
• and
• a second wavelength selective filter configured to attenuate transmission of light of a second color, said second wavelength selective filter controlled by an electrical signal;
• and
• a spatial light modulator, said switchable color filter disposed in an optical path of said light source and said spatial light modulator such that light from said light source that passes through said switchable color filter illuminates said spatial light modulator, the spatial light modulator comprising a plurality of pixels configured to form images using light incident thereon.

A display device comprising:

• an illumination module comprising:
• at least one color mixing element comprising a first dichroic beam combiner element and a second dichroic beam combiner element;
• a plurality of light emitters comprising:
• a first light emitter configured to emit light of a first color into the at least one color mixing element;
• and
• a second light emitter configured to emit light of a second color into the at least one color mixing element,
• wherein the at least one color mixing element is configured to combine the light of the first color and the light of the second color;
• a waveguide disposed with respect to the illumination module configured to receive at least some of the combined light from the illumination module such that at least some of the received light is guided therein by total internal reflection;
• one or more turning elements disposed relative to the waveguide configured to redirect and eject light out of the waveguide;
• and
• a spatial light modulator disposed with respect to the waveguide configured to receive and modulate light ejected from the waveguide.

A head mounted display system configured to project light to an eye of a user to display augmented reality image content in a vision field of said user, said head-mounted display system comprising:

• a frame configured to be supported on a head of the user;
• an eyepiece disposed on the frame, at least a portion of said eyepiece being transparent and disposed at a location in front of the user's eye when the user wears said head-mounted display such that said transparent portion transmits light from the environment in front of the user to the user's eye to provide a view of the environment in front of the user, said eyepiece comprising one or more waveguides disposed to direct light into the user's eye;
• a light source configured to emit light;
• a polarization sensitive light turning element comprising:
• a first surface parallel to an axis;
• a second surface opposite to the first surface;
• a light input surface between the first and the second surfaces configured to receive light emitted from said light source;
• an end reflector disposed on a side opposite the light input surface, wherein the second surface of said polarization sensitive light turning element is such that light coupled into the polarization sensitive light turning element is reflected by the end reflector, redirected by the second surface towards the first surface, and ejected from the polarization sensitive light turning element;
• and
• a spatial light modulator disposed with respect to said polarization sensitive light turning element to receive said light ejected from said polarization sensitive light turning element and modulate said light,
• wherein said polarization sensitive light turning element and said spatial light modulator are disposed with respect to said eyepiece to direct modulated light into said one or more waveguides of said eyepiece such that said modulated light is directed into the user's eye to form images therein, and
• wherein the end reflector comprises a reflective holographic structure comprising one or more holograms.