Fast‐switchable polarization‐dependent bifocal lenses for AR displays

Abstract Polarization‐dependent bifocal Pancharatnam‐Berry phase lenses are proposed to integrate designable bifocal functionality into a single compact device. These lenses are fabricated using photoalignment techniques with a patterned light field generated by a spatial light modulator and are designed in both longitudinal and transverse configurations to address critical challenges in AR displays. The longitudinal configuration resolves the vergence‐accommodation conflict by enabling multi‐plane displays, while the transverse configuration extends the field‐of‐view (FOV) through dual horizontal FOVs. A key innovation in this system is the incorporation of an electrically suppressed helix ferroelectric liquid crystal (ESHFLC) polarization rotator, which enables rapid switching between dual depths or FOVs with a response time of 35 μs. The performance of the designed flat lenses and ESHFLC polarization rotator is thoroughly characterized. As a proof of concept, the integrated system is successfully demonstrated for AR display applications, showcasing dual‐depth imaging and extended FOV capabilities. This compact and efficient solution addresses key challenges in AR displays, enabling true 3D multi‐plane displays and extending the FOV for next‐generation AR systems.