Compensating thickness variations in substrates for optical devices

Abstract

This disclosure describes techniques for fabrication of waveguides as optical devices or for use in optical devices, with the waveguides customized to have a desired thickness variation. Techniques can employ inkjet-based lithography to compensate for thickness variations in the substrate used to manufacture the optical devices, and/or create custom variations in the thickness to achieve various optical properties in the resulting device. In some implementations, a curvature can also be applied to one or both surfaces of the substrate, to achieve desired optical performance and/or enhance fit of a wearable optical device. The optical devices created using the techniques described herein are suitable for use in virtual reality, augmented reality, and/or other suitable optical applications. The optical devices may be created on flexible (e.g., polymer) or more rigid (e.g., glass) substrates, with the thickness of the substrate being customizable using a jettable and curable polymer resin or photoresist.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.