Angular and spatial light modulation by single digital micromirror device for display applications

A single Digital Micromirror Device with a single illumination source projects multiple, independent patterns into corresponding directions across a nearly-doubled angular extent by time multiplexing and by nanosecond illumination pulse synchronization for a binary patterned programmable blazed grating. The resulting “Angular Spatial Light Modulator” (ASLM) system nearly-doubles the étendue of a DMD-type SLM and creates a multiplication factor for the output pixel count and effective pixel density. We demonstrate an extended FOV display, a light-field projector, and a multi-view display which can be implemented into AR/VR systems. We present an implementation update using the DLP7000 DMD, increasing output pixel count by and effective pixel density orders-of-magnitude beyond traditional SLM systems while achieving an extended field-of-view and/or eye-box size due to the increased étendue.