Laser Scanning Based Depth Sensing and Displaying for Augmented Reality
ABSTRACT
Fashionable Augmented Reality Smartglasses require ultra-compact high-performance display solutions of high brightness and extremely low power consumption. Laser Beam Scanning (LBS) offers some advantages over other microdisplay technologies, particularly with respect to brightness, contrast, size, weight, and power consumption. A biaxial piezoelectric MEMS scanning mirror that is operated in resonance in a miniature vacuum environment consequently minimizes power consumption and also allows reducing projector size to a minimum. MEMS mirror-based laser scanning is not only the key to stylish AR smartglasses it also enables building extremely compact depth-sensing cameras that are the basis for enabling interactivity –not only in the Metaverse.
BIOGRAPHY
Ulrich Hofmann studied Physics at the University of Marburg and received his PhD in electrical engineering from the University of Kiel. In 1994 he joined the MEMS department of Fraunhofer ISIT in Itzehoeand initiated ISIT's MEMS mirror technology development in 1995. Among other contributions, Ulrich Hofmann and his team developed MEMS mirrors for Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopes for optical biopsy in Minimal Invasive Surgery, for all Optical Cross-Connects (OXCs) in the telecom industry, for automotive dashboard & head-up displays, for pico projectors in the consumer industry, for automotive LiDAR sensors, for automotive lighting, for Laser Material Processing, and for Augmented Reality. Following the intention to commercialize the technology that he and his team had developed over more than two decades Ulrich decided to found his own company OQmented as a spin-off of Fraunhofer ISITin April 2018. OQmented is a supplier of MEMS mirror-based laser scanning projection displays and LiDAR depth cameras for Augmented Reality glasses. Besides being a founder Ulrich is also one of the two managing directors (CEOs) of OQmented.