Meta-optics-based systems and methods for ocular applications

A method of projecting an image or pattern into an eye with a display system that comprises a source of an image or pattern and a meta-surface, the method comprising:

• forming an image or pattern projected from the source around an interior portion of an eye with the meta-surface, wherein:
• the meta-surface comprises meta-atoms disposed on a substrate, and
• the image or pattern projected into the eye covers a field-of-view of at least 70 degrees around an interior of the eye;
• receiving, with at least one optical element in the display system, optical rays from the meta-surface;
• and
• redirecting the optical rays, by the at least one optical element, to participate in forming the image or pattern, wherein the at least one optical element comprises a meta-optic, a diffractive optical element, a holographic optical elements, a beam splitter, a refractive or reflective optic, or a waveguide.

A method comprising:

• emitting illumination light with an emitter;
• projecting, with a first meta-surface located a first distance from a pupil of an eye, a pattern of the illumination light onto the eye, wherein:
• the first meta-surface comprises a first plurality of meta-atoms disposed on a surface of a first substrate, and;
• the first plurality of meta-atoms comprise:
• a plurality of cylindrical pillars disposed on a substrate, wherein the plurality of cylindrical pillars have at least eight different diameters less than the wavelength of the illumination light used to form the pattern and impart phase delays in a range from at least 50 degrees to 300 degrees to the illumination light;
• imaging, with a second meta-surface located a second distance from the pupil, a region of the eye illuminated by the pattern, wherein the second meta-surface comprises a second plurality of meta-atoms;
• and
• recording an image of the region of the eye.