Eyepiece for head-mounted display and method for making the same

An article, comprising:

• a planar waveguide comprising a first surface, the first surface comprising:
• a first plurality of surface gratings;
• a second plurality of surface gratings;
• and
• a smooth portion between the first plurality of surface gratings and the second plurality of surface gratings,
• the smooth portion comprising a first planar region at a first surface height and a second planar region at a second surface height above the first surface height, the first plurality of surface gratings and the second plurality of surface gratings extending above the first surface height, and the second planar region being adjacent either the first plurality of surface gratings or second plurality of surface gratings,
• the second planar region extending over a de-functionalized portion of each of the first plurality of surface gratings or each of the second plurality of surface gratings and the second planar region is at the same height or higher than the first plurality of surface gratings or second plurality of surface gratings, wherein the surface grating of the de-functionalized portion remains but ceases to function as a grating.