Open AccessMultiple imaging technique for extending depth of focus in retinal displays
Author(s) -
Marc von Waldkirch,
Paul Lukowicz,
Gerhard Tröster
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/opex.12.006350
Subject(s) - computer science , focus (optics) , optics , schematic , coherence (philosophical gambling strategy) , image quality , projection (relational algebra) , artificial intelligence , depth of focus (tectonics) , computer vision , contrast (vision) , optical coherence tomography , retinal , integral imaging , image (mathematics) , physics , algorithm , geology , paleontology , subduction , quantum mechanics , electronic engineering , tectonics , engineering , biochemistry , chemistry
Limited depth of focus is among the main problems of todays see-through head-mounted displays. In this paper we propose and evaluate a new solution to this problem: the use of the coherent multiple imaging technique in a retinal projection display by incorporating an appropriate phase-only mask. The evaluation is based on a schematic eye model and on the partial coherence simulation tool SPLAT which allows us to calculate the projected retinal images of a text target. Objective image quality criteria demonstrate that this approach is promising provided that partially coherent illumination light is used. In this case, psychometric measurements reveal that the depth of focus for reading text can be extended by a factor of up to 3.2. For fully coherent and incoherent illumination, however, the retinal images suffer from structural and contrast degradation effects, respectively.