Three-layer polarisation volume grating with enhanced diffraction efficiency and FOV in AR and VR applications

In the rapidly evolving fields of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), achieving high diffraction efficiency and a wide field of view (FOV) is critical for enhancing visual experience. This paper presents a three-layer Polarisation Volume Grating (TL-PVG) structure designed to address the limitations of single-layer PVGs in AR/VR applications. By stacking multiple PVG layers with different tilt angles, TL-PVG achieves an expanded angular bandwidth and improved diffraction efficiency, enabling brighter and more immersive displays. The proposed TL-PVG structure incorporates polarisation multiplexing to optimise the optical diffraction efficiency by approximately 75%, thereby enhancing image brightness and sharpness. The experimental results demonstrate that TL-PVG significantly outperforms traditional single-layer PVGs, offering a promising solution for waveguide elements in next-generation AR/VR displays. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the fabrication process, optical properties, and applications of TL-PVGs, highlighting their potential to revolutionise the AR/VR technology.