See-through integral imaging display using a resolution and fill factor-enhanced lens-array holographic optical element

We report on the development of a high-resolution see-through integral imaging system with a resolution and fill factor-enhanced lens-array holographic optical element (HOE). We propose a procedure for fabricating of a lens pitch controllable lens-array HOE. By controlling the recording plane and performing repetitive recordings process, the lens pitch of the lens-array HOE could be substantially reduced, with a high fill factor and the same numerical aperture compared to the reference lens-array. We demonstrated the feasibility by fabricating a lens-array HOE with a 500 micrometer pitch. Since the pixel pitch of the projected image can be easily controlled in projection type integral imaging, the small lens pitch enhances the quality of the displayed 3D image very effectively. The enhancement of visibility of the 3D images is verified in experimental results. (C)2014 Optical Society of America