Light field display: Difference between revisions
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'''Light field display''' ('''LFD''') is an advanced display technology designed to reproduce a [[light field]], the distribution of light rays in [[3D space]], including their intensity and direction.<ref name="WetzsteinPlenoptic">Wetzstein G. (2020). “Computational Displays: Achieving the Full Plenoptic Function.” ACM SIGGRAPH 2020 Courses. ACM Digital Library. doi:10.1145/3386569.3409414. Available: https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3386569.3409414 (accessed 3 May 2025).</ref> Unlike conventional 2D displays or [[stereoscopic display|stereoscopic 3D]] systems that present flat images or fixed viewpoints requiring glasses, light field displays aim to recreate how light naturally propagates from a real scene.<ref name="WetzsteinTensor">Wetzstein, G., Lanman, D., Hirsch, M., & Raskar, R. (2012). Tensor displays: Compressive light field synthesis using multilayer displays with directional backlighting. ACM Transactions on Graphics, 31(4), Article 80. doi:10.1145/2185520.2185576</ref> This allows viewers to perceive genuine [[depth]], [[parallax]] (both horizontal and vertical), and perspective changes without special eyewear. (in many implementations).<ref name="LeiaVerge">Hollister, S. (2024, January 19). Leia is building a 3D empire on the back of the worst phone we've ever reviewed. The Verge. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/24036574/leia-glasses-free-3d-ces-2024</ref> | '''Light field display''' ('''LFD''') is an advanced display technology designed to reproduce a [[light field]], the distribution of light rays in [[3D space]], including their intensity and direction.<ref name="WetzsteinPlenoptic">Wetzstein G. (2020). “Computational Displays: Achieving the Full Plenoptic Function.” ACM SIGGRAPH 2020 Courses. ACM Digital Library. doi:10.1145/3386569.3409414. Available: https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3386569.3409414 (accessed 3 May 2025).</ref> Unlike conventional 2D displays or [[stereoscopic display|stereoscopic 3D]] systems that present flat images or fixed viewpoints requiring glasses, light field displays aim to recreate how light naturally propagates from a real scene.<ref name="WetzsteinTensor">Wetzstein, G., Lanman, D., Hirsch, M., & Raskar, R. (2012). Tensor displays: Compressive light field synthesis using multilayer displays with directional backlighting. ACM Transactions on Graphics, 31(4), Article 80. doi:10.1145/2185520.2185576</ref> This allows viewers to perceive genuine [[depth]], [[parallax]] (both horizontal and vertical), and perspective changes without special eyewear. (in many implementations).<ref name="LeiaVerge">Hollister, S. (2024, January 19). Leia is building a 3D empire on the back of the worst phone we've ever reviewed. The Verge. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/24036574/leia-glasses-free-3d-ces-2024</ref> | ||
This method of display is crucial for the future of [[virtual reality]] (VR) and [[augmented reality]] (AR), because it | This method of display is crucial for the future of [[virtual reality]] (VR) and [[augmented reality]] (AR), because it solves the [[vergence-accommodation conflict]] (VAC).<ref name="WiredVAC">Zhang, S. (2015, August 11). The Obscure Neuroscience Problem That's Plaguing VR. WIRED. Retrieved from https://www.wired.com/2015/08/obscure-neuroscience-problem-thats-plaguing-vr</ref><ref name="VACReview">Y. Zhou, J. Zhang, F. Fang, “Vergence-accommodation conflict in optical see-through display: Review and prospect,” *Results in Optics*, vol. 5, p. 100160, 2021, doi:10.1016/j.rio.2021.100160.</ref> It provides correct [[focal cues]] that match the [[vergence]] information, giving a more realistic 3D image that is more visually comfortable, reducing eye strain and [[Virtual Reality Sickness|simulator sickness]] often associated with current [[head-mounted display]]s (HMDs).<ref name="CrealWebsite">CREAL. Light-field: Seeing Virtual Worlds Naturally. Retrieved from https://creal.com/technology/</ref> | ||
== Definition and Principles == | == Definition and Principles == | ||
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== Types of Light Field Displays == | == Types of Light Field Displays == | ||
* '''Near-Eye Light Field Displays:''' Integrated into VR/AR [[Head-mounted display|HMDs]]. Primarily focused on solving the VAC for comfortable, realistic close-up interactions.<ref name="CrealWebsite"/><ref name="Lanman2020NearEyeCourse"/> Examples include research prototypes from NVIDIA<ref name="NvidiaNELD"/> and academic groups,<ref name="Huang2015Stereoscope">Huang, F. C., Chen, K., & Wetzstein, G. (2015). The light field stereoscope: immersive computer graphics via factored near-eye light field displays with focus cues. ACM Transactions on Graphics, 34(4), Article 60. doi:10.1145/2766943</ref> and commercial modules from companies like [[CREAL]].<ref name="CrealRoadToVR"/> Often utilize MLAs, stacked LCDs, or waveguide/diffractive approaches.<ref name="Lanman2020NearEyeCourse"/><ref name="CrealRoadToVR"/> | * '''Near-Eye Light Field Displays:''' Integrated into VR/AR [[Head-mounted display|HMDs]]. Primarily focused on solving the VAC for comfortable, realistic close-up interactions.<ref name="CrealWebsite"/><ref name="Lanman2020NearEyeCourse"/> Examples include research prototypes from NVIDIA<ref name="NvidiaNELD"/> and academic groups,<ref name="Huang2015Stereoscope">Huang, F. C., Chen, K., & Wetzstein, G. (2015). The light field stereoscope: immersive computer graphics via factored near-eye light field displays with focus cues. ACM Transactions on Graphics, 34(4), Article 60. doi:10.1145/2766943</ref> and commercial modules from companies like [[CREAL]].<ref name="CrealRoadToVR"/> Often utilize MLAs, stacked LCDs, or waveguide/diffractive approaches.<ref name="Lanman2020NearEyeCourse"/><ref name="CrealRoadToVR"/> | ||
* '''Large Format / Tiled Displays:''' Aimed at creating large-scale, immersive | * '''Large Format / Tiled Displays:''' Aimed at creating large-scale, immersive 3D experiences without glasses for public venues, command centers, or collaborative environments.<ref name="ForbesLightField"/><ref name="LightFieldLabSolidLightPR"> | ||
Light Field Lab Press Release (2021, Oct 7). *Light Field Lab Unveils SolidLight™ – The Highest Resolution Holographic Display Platform Ever Designed.* | Light Field Lab Press Release (2021, Oct 7). *Light Field Lab Unveils SolidLight™ – The Highest Resolution Holographic Display Platform Ever Designed.* | ||
https://www.lightfieldlab.com/press-release-oct-2021 (accessed 3 May 2025). | https://www.lightfieldlab.com/press-release-oct-2021 (accessed 3 May 2025). | ||
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! Key Trade-offs | ! Key Trade-offs | ||
|- | |- | ||
| ''' | | '''Light Field Display''' | ||
| No (often) | | No (often) | ||
| Yes | | Yes | ||
| Yes | | Yes | ||
| | | | ||
| Spatio-angular resolution trade-off, computation needs | | Spatio-angular resolution trade-off, computation needs | ||
|- | |- | ||
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* '''Form Factor and Miniaturization:''' Integrating complex optics and electronics into thin, lightweight, and power-efficient near-eye devices remains difficult.<ref name="Lanman2020NearEyeCourse"/><ref name="CrealRoadToVR"/> | * '''Form Factor and Miniaturization:''' Integrating complex optics and electronics into thin, lightweight, and power-efficient near-eye devices remains difficult.<ref name="Lanman2020NearEyeCourse"/><ref name="CrealRoadToVR"/> | ||
* '''Limited Field of View (FoV):''' Achieving wide FoV comparable to traditional VR headsets while maintaining high angular resolution is challenging.<ref name="Lanman2020NearEyeCourse"/> | * '''Limited Field of View (FoV):''' Achieving wide FoV comparable to traditional VR headsets while maintaining high angular resolution is challenging.<ref name="Lanman2020NearEyeCourse"/> | ||
* '''Content Ecosystem:''' The workflow for creating, distributing, and viewing native light field content is still developing compared to standard 2D or stereoscopic 3D, due to no consumer lightfield hardware. | * '''Content Ecosystem:''' The workflow for creating, distributing, and viewing native light field content is still developing compared to standard 2D or stereoscopic 3D, due to no consumer lightfield hardware. | ||
== Key Players and Commercial Landscape == | == Key Players and Commercial Landscape == | ||
Several companies and research groups are active in LFD development: | Several companies and research groups are active in LFD development: | ||
* '''[[CREAL]]:''' Swiss startup focused on compact near-eye LFD modules for AR/VR glasses aiming to solve VAC.<ref name="CrealRoadToVR"/> | * '''[[CREAL]]:''' Swiss startup focused on compact near-eye LFD modules for AR/VR glasses aiming to solve VAC.<ref name="CrealRoadToVR"/> | ||
* '''[[Light Field Lab]]:''' Developing large-scale, modular | * '''[[Light Field Lab]]:''' Developing large-scale, modular LFD panels (branded as SolidLight) based on [[Waveguide (optics)|waveguide]] technology.<ref name="LightFieldLabTech"/><ref name="LightFieldLabSolidLightPR"/> | ||
* '''[[Sony]]:''' Produces the Spatial Reality Display (ELF-SR series), a high-fidelity desktop LFD using eye-tracking.<ref name="SonyELFSR2"/> | * '''[[Sony]]:''' Produces the Spatial Reality Display (ELF-SR series), a high-fidelity desktop LFD using eye-tracking.<ref name="SonyELFSR2"/> | ||
* '''[[Avegant]]:''' Develops light field light engines, particularly for AR, focusing on VAC resolution.<ref name="AvegantPR">PR Newswire (2017, March 15). Avegant Introduces Light Field Technology for Mixed Reality. Retrieved from https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/avegant-introduces-light-field-technology-for-mixed-reality-300423855.html</ref> | * '''[[Avegant]]:''' Develops light field light engines, particularly for AR, focusing on VAC resolution.<ref name="AvegantPR">PR Newswire (2017, March 15). Avegant Introduces Light Field Technology for Mixed Reality. Retrieved from https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/avegant-introduces-light-field-technology-for-mixed-reality-300423855.html</ref> | ||