High-resolution optical see-through multi-focalplane head-mounted display using freeform optics

Conventional stereoscopic displays force an unnatural decoupling of the accommodation and convergence cues, which may contribute to various visual artifacts and have adverse effects on depth perception accuracy. In this paper, we present the design and implementation of a high-resolution optical see-through multi-focal-plane head-mounted display enabled by state-of-the-art freeform optics. The prototype system is capable of rendering nearly-correct focus cues for a large volume of 3D space, extending into a depth range from 0 to 3 diopters. The freeform optics, consisting of a freeform prism eyepiece and a freeform lens, demonstrates an angular resolution of 1.8 arcminutes across a 40-degree diagonal field of view in the virtual display path while providing a 0.5 arcminutes angular resolution to the see-through view.