Holographic displays and methods

Abstract

A holographic display is provided. The display comprises (i) an illumination source configured to emit at least partially coherent light, (ii) a liquid crystal layer comprising an array of elements arranged to be illuminated by the light. The layer is configured such that: (a) when a first electric field is applied across an element of the liquid crystal layer, the light from the element has a first polarisation state, (b) when a second electric field is applied across the element, the light has a second polarisation state, and (c) when a third electric field is applied across the element, the light has a third polarisation state. The display further comprises (iii) a controller configured to control electric fields applied across the elements, and (iv) an output polarising element, configured to: (a) remove a portion of light having the first polarisation state and also transmit a portion of the light having the first polarisation state, (b) remove substantially all of the light having the second polarisation state, and (c) remove a portion of the light having the third polarisation state and also transmit a portion of the light having the third polarisation state. In this display, one of: (1) the second electric field is greater than the first electric field, and the third electric field is greater than the second electric field; and (2) the second electric field is lower than the first electric field, and the third electric field is lower than the second electric field.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.