k-Domain Layout Visualization ("The Magic Circle")

Lightguide devices for augmented- and mixed-reality applications must fulfill two simultaneous functions: they must allow the light scattered by the environment to pass through (i.e. be transparent) and at the same time transport the artificial image to be superimposed from the emitter to the eye of the user. This is most often realized with transparent lightguides in which light can be guided under TIR in combination with different types of grating structures on the surfaces to couple light in and out.

In VirtualLab Fusion, the k-Layout Visualization tool provides a powerful illustration method in the k domain to analyze the guiding and coupling conditions of a specific lightguide layout.