Modeling and optimization of optical designs with composite holographic elements

Subject of study. Optical designs based on composite holographic elements composed of several zones with independently optimized parameters are investigated in this study. Aim of study. Generalized methods for the design and modeling of schemes for the determination of the parameters of the composite hologram and the characteristics of the optical design obtained using this hologram are considered. Method. The methods are based on using the Welford equation and Kogelnik's theory for the simultaneous calculation of aberrations and diffraction efficiency in several zones. Main results. An optical design of an augmented reality holographic display of the waveguide type operating in the range of 480–620 nm with a field of view of 8∘×6∘ and an exit pupil of 8 mm is presented as a test case. An increase in the minimum diffraction efficiency over the field of view by 13.8% and a reduction in the angular size of the spot diagram by 0.4′ owing to the use of the proposed methods are demonstrated for a holographic element divided into four zones. The visual effect of using such an element in the display scheme is also demonstrated. Practical significance. The obtained results enable new optical systems with enhanced and more uniform brightness and spatial resolution of the formed image, increased field of view, and extended operating spectral range to be designed.