Research on a domestic 3D visualization module for diffractive waveguide simulation based on ray-field tracing

Diffractive waveguides have emerged as a particularly promising solution for augmented reality (AR) near-eye display technologies. These waveguides are characterized by their light weight, wide field of view, and large eyebox. However, most commercially available AR waveguide simulation software has been developed by foreign companies, and there has been little advancement in domestic 3D visualization software for optical waveguide design and simulation. The present study is, to the best of our knowledge, the first to develop 3D visualization module for optical waveguide design and simulation based on ray-field tracing. Using this module, a two-dimensional exit-pupil-expansion diffractive waveguide has been designed, and a systematic design workflow is demonstrated. The workflow integrates k-domain analysis, automated layout generation of grating regions within the optical waveguide, waveguide optimization, and ray-field tracing simulations, thereby establishing a cohesive methodology for device development. The module extends beyond single-waveguide simulations to system-level analyses of near-eye displays, including micro-displays, micro-projectors, and human eye models. By bridging the microscopic and macroscopic scales, it enables holistic performance evaluation of AR optical systems, highlighting their capabilities and technical advantages. This module provides a robust and efficient platform for domestic optical engineers to advance the design and simulation of optical waveguides, thereby accelerating the industrialization and technological advancement of AR optics in China.