Broadband adaptive lens assembly for augmented reality display

A broadband adaptive lens assembly for a display device, comprising:

• a first waveplate lens comprising a liquid crystal (LC) layer formed on a substrate, wherein the LC layer has LC molecules that are arranged such that the first waveplate lens has birefringence (Δn) that varies in a radially outward direction from a central region of the LC layer and configured to diffract light at a diffraction efficiency greater than 90% within a wavelength range spanning at least 450 nm to 630 nm, wherein ones of the LC molecules that are the closest to the substrate have generally the same orientation direction at different locations at the same radius from the central region, and wherein the Δn of the LC layer increases with increasing wavelength within the wavelength range,
• wherein the broadband adaptive lens assembly is configured to be selectively switched between at least two lens states including:
• a first lens state configured to exert a first lens effect according to a first optical power and to alter a polarization of light passing through the broadband adaptive lens assembly;
• and
• a second lens state configured to exert a second lens effect according to a second optical power and to preserve the polarization of the light passing through the broadband adaptive lens assembly.