On May 23rd 2024, Optica Corporate member Swave Photonics, “the true holographic display company”, scored a world’s first at the imec #ITF2024 conference. On the imec.xpand booth, they demonstrated a prototype of the first true colour 3D holographic display technology using phase change materials. Using chip-based Holographic eXtended Reality (HXR) technology, the prototype uses the world’s smallest pixel to steer light and sculpt high-resolution images for full spatial colour. As Theodore Marescaux, Founder, and Mike Noonen, CEO, were able to show us in Antwerp, Swave can now deliver full spatial colour by arranging colour filters in a specific pattern on a single panel, eliminating the need for three panels or fast-switching speeds. Full spatial colour advantages include reduced visual artefacts, longer battery life and a more natural visual experience.
Spatial colour versus current colour displays
Swave’s spatial colour approach allows the human eye to perceive images naturally and is easier for the brain to process. It divides the panel into subpixel colour regions with a unique pattern that is designed to simultaneously eliminate eye motion artefacts and optimize static image quality with a pixel pitch of less than 300nm.
Traditional displays currently utilize either three panels or time sequential approaches to form full-colour images. Three-panel displays are expensive and bulky, and it is difficult to maintain optical alignment. Time sequential displays flash sequences of red, green and blue in succession to give the impression of full color. This requires a rapid frame rate and increases power consumption.
Swave’s early-stage prototype holographic images were monochrome, allowing them to demonstrate proof of concept on this breakthrough technology. However, the next step of developing HXR in full colour is extremely challenging. Achieving simultaneous colour brings them one step closer to recognizing the vision of reality-first augmented reality (AR) informed by AI in a compact form factor.
Colour HXR for compact smartglasses
The first application for Swave’s colour HXR display technology will be energy-efficient and lightweight smart glasses. Spatial colour is advantageous for indoor and outdoor use, making it the ideal colour display for everyday wear. As Theo explains in the video, this year, 2024 is proof of concept, with volume production expected by 2026. That's fast development. Since being founded in 2022, the company has spun out from imec and utilizes their CMOS chip technology for manufacturing.
15 июн 2024
