This review considers the modern industrial applications of augmented reality headsets. It draws upon a synthesis of information from open sources and press releases of companies, as well as the first-hand experiences of industry representatives. Furthermore, the research incorporates insights from both profile events and in-depth discussions with skilled professionals. A specific focus is placed on the ergonomic characteristics of headsets: image quality, user-friendliness, etc. To provide an objective evaluation of the various headsets, a metric has been proposed which is dependent on the specific application case. This enables a comprehensive comparison of the various devices in terms of their quantitative characteristics, which is of particular importance for the formation of a rapidly developing industry.

This work presents an augmented reality display consisting of two freeform lenses. The first lens is composed of two aspherical polished surfaces and one plane surface, while the second lens acts as a compensator to allow distortion-free viewing of the surrounding area. One benefit of this design is the large size of the exit pupil, reaching up to 12 mm, and the low distortion value of 1.63 %. The optics has a thickness of 22 mm and is compatible with 0.49-in. diagonal displays. The field of view is limited to 28°, which is sufficient for various augmented reality applications.

Optically Variable Devices (OVDs) are widely used as security features in anti-counterfeiting efforts. OVDs enable the display of color dynamic effects that are easily interpreted by the user. However, obtaining these elements over large areas poses certain challenges in terms of efficiency. The paper presents a modified approach for manufacturing plasmonic type OVDs through dot-matrix technology, which is a standard origination step of security holograms. By adjusting the spatial filters in the optical scheme, it is possible to double the resolution of the recorded quasi-sinusoidal diffraction gratings. The experiments confirm the creation of diffraction gratings with frequencies from 1600 to 3500 lines per mm, which facilitates the production of plasmonic zero-order spectral filters. The paper shows how the transmission characteristics of the studied elements are affected by the geometric parameters of the diffraction grating, silver layer thickness, angle of incidence, and polarization of light. The results have shown that using the proposed method it is possible to obtain 1D or 2D structural color OVD-image on a large area - several square centimeters and more. High speed recording of such elements is provided: the exposure time was from 120 to 400 ms depending on the grating resolution for a 0.05 mm2 frame, the total printing time for the size of the 25×25 mm2 OVD was about 2.5 hours for a 1D element, and less than 3.5 hours for a 2D element. Thus, the proposed method and the OVD elements produced by it can be useful to designers of optical security elements as a simpler and faster alternative to electron-beam lithographic technologies.

The paper analyzes the image quality in augmented reality display based on holographic waveguides. Brightness, brightness non-uniformity, image noise, etc., depend on the parameters of the waveguide substrate, the configuration, and the relief shape of diffraction optical elements. The optimal structure of holographic waveguides obtained by analog holography has been studied. The presented recommendations to achieve the best image quality are based on experimental results for different configurations of holographic waveguides.

“My main goal was to point out new phenomena and spread the ideas, which will become the starting points for new research” [...]

In this research, studies were conducted on the possibility of providing thermal compensation of the information display device circuit based on a holographic waveguide when the wavelength of the radiation source ch as a result of changes in ambient temperature. A variant of implementing the waveguide structure in terms of the geometry of the diffraction gratings arrangement is proposed, its main parameters (grating period, thickness, refractive index) and the dependencies between them affecting the quality of the reproduced image are determined.

In this article analysis the possibility of using ion-plasma technology for etching the diffractive optical elements (DOE) directly in the glass, not in a layer of photosensitive material is described. Experimental samples on the light guide substrates for displays and signs-symbolic information indicators are obtained, as well as their basic parameters, such as the depth and shape of the surface topography and the diffraction efficiency are investigated. The experimental results showed the fundamental possibility of manufacturing the DOEs directly on the glass for the display of information systems.

A combination of holographic and diffractive optical elements (HOE-DOEs) for multicolor signs-symbolic information display system, screens and indicators is described. These elements combine the functions of high-efficiency four-level diffractive optical elements with spectral plasmon filters having a variable bandwidth dependent on the angle of incidence. The main parameters of such HOE-DOEs were determined using the Fourier modes method. The theoretical results show that a four-level diffraction grating and a plasmon filter can be combined based on their spectral-angular characteristics, opening up the possibility for their use in display systems.

Combined diffractive optical elements, which perform the functions of deflection, focusing or transformation of wave fronts and together with the spectral-angular selection of the incident polychromatic radiation, obtained on a single substrate, the method of their design and fabrication are described. The combination of four-level diffraction grating with plasmon meander diffraction grating as a spectral filter that have a bandwidth that varies with the angle of incidence are investigated for use in virtual displays and indicators.

The holographic optical elements (HOE) for holographic indicators and methods of their production on the photosensitive materials are described. A distinctive feature of this optical scheme is the zone record of diffraction gratings and HOE, i.e., grating is divided into separate fragments that stitching at the recording process with a high-precision motion system of the plate.