Hybrid diffractive-refractive ultra-wide-angle eyepieces

Summary Two kinds of hybrid diffractive-refractive ultra-wide-angle (70°) eyepieces are designed which are with considerably reduced apparent size and weight and with comparable or improved aberrations as compared with the conventional refractive countertype. The designing strategy including the consideration and the steps of the optimization, the most important specification of the diffractive efficiency, and the manufacture issues is presented. The structures and the performance merits of the designed systems are given in a comparison of the traditional Scidmore eyepiece. The designed eyepieces have potential applications in various kinds of modern head-mounted displays.