# US 12,001,091 B2 · Spatially variable liquid crystal diffraction gratings > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,001,091 B2 - Document ID: US12001091B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/154,834 - Filed: 2023-01-15 - Published: 2023-05-18 - Granted: 2024-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2016-11-18 - Assignees: Magic Leap, Inc. - Applicants: Magic Leap, Inc. - Inventors: Chulwoo Oh - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12001091B2 ## CPC - G02B 5/1819: {Plural gratings positioned on the same surface, e.g. array of gratings (plural diffractive elements positioned sequentially along the optical path G02B27/4272)} - G02F 1/133504: {Diffusing, scattering, diffracting elements (associated to illuminating devices G02F1/133606)} - G02B 5/1833: {comprising birefringent materials (birefringent elements per se G02B5/3083)} - G02B 5/1847: {Manufacturing methods} - G02B 27/0172: {characterised by optical features} - G02B 27/4205: {having a diffractive optical element [DOE] contributing to image formation, e.g. whereby modulation transfer function MTF or optical aberrations are relevant} - G02B 27/4272: {having plural diffractive elements positioned sequentially along the optical path} - G02F 1/133524: {Light-guides, e.g. fibre-optic bundles, louvered or jalousie light-guides} - G02F 1/292: {by controlled diffraction or phased-array beam steering (controlled diffraction for optical switching G02F1/31)} - G02B 5/3058: {comprising electrically conductive elements, e.g. wire grids, conductive particles} - G02B 6/34: utilising prism or grating {(G02B6/293 takes precedence)} - G02B 2027/0178: {Eyeglass type (eyeglass details G02C)} - G02F 1/133757: {with different alignment orientations} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - G02F: OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS ## Abstract The present disclosure relates to display systems and, more particularly, to augmented reality display systems. A diffraction grating includes a plurality of different diffracting zones having a periodically repeating lateral dimension corresponding to a grating period adapted for light diffraction. The diffraction grating additionally includes a plurality of different liquid crystal layers corresponding to the different diffracting zones. The different liquid crystal layers have liquid crystal molecules that are aligned differently, such that the different diffracting zones have different optical properties associated with light diffraction. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A diffraction grating comprising: a plurality of contiguous liquid crystal zones extending in a lateral direction that is parallel to a major surface of a substrate, wherein the liquid crystal zones are configured to include a periodically repeating lateral dimension, and wherein the liquid crystal zones are further configured with a thickness and indices of refraction such that the liquid crystal zones diffract light, wherein each of the liquid crystal zones is laterally divided into a first region and a second region comprising liquid crystals, wherein the liquid crystals in the first regions are arranged at a substantially same first alignment orientation, wherein the liquid crystals in different ones of the second regions are arranged at respective different second alignment orientations from one another including different tilt angles measured in a plane perpendicular to the major surface of the substrate, such that the tilt angles of the liquid crystals in the second regions increase or decrease across different ones of the second regions in the lateral direction to provide a gradient in diffraction efficiency along the lateral direction, and wherein the liquid crystals in each particular second region are arranged at a substantially same second alignment orientation within the particular second region. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The diffraction grating of claim 1, wherein the tilt angles of the liquid crystals in the second regions are in a range between about 60 degrees and about 90 degrees. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The diffraction grating of claim 1, wherein the tilt angles of the liquid crystals in the second regions are in a range between about 65 degrees and about 85 degrees. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The diffraction grating of claim 1, wherein the tilt angles of the liquid crystals in the second regions are in a range between about 35 degrees and about 65 degrees. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The diffraction grating of claim 1, wherein the tilt angles of the liquid crystals in the second regions are in a range between about 40 degrees and about 60 degrees. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The diffraction grating of claim 1, wherein the tilt angles of the liquid crystals in the second regions are in a range between about 10 degrees and about 40 degrees. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The diffraction grating of claim 1, wherein the tilt angles of the liquid crystals in the second regions are in a range between about 15 degrees and about 35 degrees. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The diffraction grating of claim 1, wherein the liquid crystals in the second regions are further arranged at the respective second alignment orientations at varying azimuthal angles of rotation about an axis normal to the major surface of the substrate, and wherein the azimuthal angles of the liquid crystals in the second regions increase or decrease in the lateral direction to provide the gradient in diffraction efficiency. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The diffraction grating of claim 8, wherein the azimuthal angles of the liquid crystals in the second regions are in a range between about 75 degrees and about 90 degrees. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The diffraction grating of claim 8, wherein the azimuthal angles of the liquid crystals in the second regions are in a range between about 60 degrees and about 90 degrees. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The diffraction grating of claim 8, wherein the azimuthal angles of the liquid crystals in the second regions are in a range between about 65 degrees and about 85 degrees. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The diffraction grating of claim 8, wherein the azimuthal angles of the liquid crystals in the second regions are in a range between about 30 degrees and about 60 degrees. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The diffraction grating of claim 8, wherein the azimuthal angles of the liquid crystals in the second regions are in a range between about 35 degrees and about 55 degrees. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The diffraction grating of claim 8, wherein the azimuthal angles of the liquid crystals in the second regions are in a range between about 10 degrees and about 40 degrees. ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) The diffraction grating of claim 8, wherein the azimuthal angles of the liquid crystals in the second regions are in a range between about 15 degrees and about 35 degrees. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The diffraction grating of claim 1, wherein each of the second alignment orientations is different than the first alignment orientation. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The diffraction grating of claim 1, wherein the liquid crystal zones have the same thickness. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The diffraction grating of claim 1, wherein a ratio of lateral widths between respective first regions and second regions are substantially the same for different liquid crystal zones. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The diffraction grating of claim 1, wherein a ratio of lateral widths between respective first regions and second regions are different for different liquid crystal zones.