An important chain link in modeling of three dimensional data (3D data), 3D prototyping, CAD-CAM, computerintegrated manufacturing (CIM), PC gaming, global 3D teleconferencing, future e-commerce, product advertisement and mobile infotainment is the visualization of 3D data and 3D objects. On the one hand, there is an increasing demand for 3D displays providing natural three dimensional viewing experience, but on the other hand there is a lack of available 3D displays capable of generating all depth cues. Available state of the art 3D displays can provide only a few depth cues and a very limited 3D experience. This is due to the inherent physical limits of the different approaches used.

Holographic displays, for instance based on space bandwidth limited wave segment reconstruction, can provide all depth cues and a large viewing volume. They can provide satisfying 3D visualization. But still they are not available. Thick hologram gratings ¹, which also can be referred to as Bragg diffraction based volume gratings, are key components, which enable small form factor holographic 3D displays. Manufacturing large, display size Bragg diffraction based volume gratings is challenging. Collimators are key components within interference lithographic exposure setups. Using off-axis parabolic mirrors (OAPM) as collimating optical elements enables the generation of exact plane waves by using a single reflective surface. Thus, off-axis parabolic mirrors are preferred in order to realize the collimation of large wave fronts. The surface roughness has to be very low. The relationship between holographic 3D displays and specific requirements, which have to be taken into account when manufacturing off-axis parabolic mirrors, will be presented.

Date Published: 30 June 2016
PDF: 6 pages
Proc. SPIE 10009, Third European Seminar on Precision Optics Manufacturing, 1000912 (30 June 2016); doi: 10.1117/12.2245183

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 10009:
Third European Seminar on Precision Optics Manufacturing
Rolf Rascher; Oliver Fähnle; Christine Wünsche; Christian Schopf, Editor(s)