SiC diffractive waveguides for augmented reality: single-layer, full-color, rainbow-artifact-free display with vision correction

Abstract The speed, dimensions, and immersive quality of communication have been continuously transformed by advances in information technology: from letters to telegraphs, telephones to video calls, and on-screen display to augmented reality (AR) displays. However, as demands for functional integration and high display quality intensify, significant limitations are encountered by conventional high-refractive-index glass-based diffractive waveguides, including bulkiness, weight, and rainbow artifacts in full-color displays. To overcome these challenges, we developed ultra-thin and ultra-light diffractive waveguides using 4H silicon carbide (SiC). These monolithic SiC waveguides are mass-produced via a specialized nanoimprinting (NIL) process on SiC wafers, leveraging the material’s high refractive index, thermal conductivity, and hardness. The resulting single-layer SiC waveguide achieves rainbow-artifact-free full-color displays while weighing just 3.795 g and measuring only 0.75 mm thick. Furthermore, we demonstrate compatibility with mass-produced prescription Fresnel lenses, addressing critical needs for myopia correction. This work advances diffractive waveguide display technology and offers a promising path for the future of information interaction.