Image displaying apparatus and optical Apparatus

Abstract

The image displaying apparatus includes an image production apparatus, a first light conduction section and a second light conduction section. The first light conduction section includes a first light conduction plate which propagates part of incident light thereto by total reflection in the inside thereof and emits the propagated light, and a reflection type volume hologram diffraction grating disposed on the first light conduction plate. The second light conduction section includes a second light conduction plate, a first deflection section and a second deflection section.

1 . An image displaying apparatus, comprising:
 (A) an image production apparatus;   (B) first light conduction means for receiving, conducting and emitting a light emitted from said image production apparatus; and   (C) second light conduction means for receiving and conducting light emitted from said first light conduction means and then emitting the light toward the pupil of an observer;   said first light conduction means including
 (B-1) a first light conduction plate for propagating part of the incident light by total reflection in the inside thereof and emitting the light therefrom, and 
 (B-2) a reflection type volume hologram diffraction grating disposed on said first light conduction plate, 
   said second light conduction means including
 (C-1) a second light conduction plate configured to propagate incoming light in the inside thereof by total reflection and then emit the light, 
 (C-2) first deflection means disposed in said second light conduction plate and adapted to deflect light incident to said second light conduction plate such that the light introduced to said second light conduction plate is totally reflected in the inside of said second light conduction plate, and 
 (C-3) second deflection means disposed in said second light conduction plate and adapted to deflect the light propagated in the inside of said second light conduction plate by total reflection over a plural number of times in order to emit the light propagated in the inside of said second light conduction plate by total reflection from said second light conduction plate. 
   
     
     
         2 . The image displaying apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said image production apparatus includes:
 (A-1) an image formation apparatus having a plurality of pixels arrayed in a two-dimensional matrix; and   (A-2) a collimate optical system for converting light emitted from the pixels of said image formation apparatus into parallel light, and   a light flux of the parallel light obtained by the conversion by said collimate optical system is introduced to said first light conduction means.   
     
     
         3 . The image displaying apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said image production apparatus includes:
 (A-1) a light source;   (A-2) a collimate optical system for converting light emitted from said light source into parallel light;   (A-3) scanning means for scanning the parallel light emitted from said collimate optical system; and   (A-4) a relay optical system for relaying the parallel light scanned by said scanning means, and   a light flux of the parallel light obtained by the conversion by said relay optical system is introduced to said first light conduction means.   
     
     
         4 . The image displaying apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein, where the light propagation direction by the total reflection in the inside of said second light conduction plate is represented as Y direction and the thicknesswise direction of said second light conduction plate is represented as X direction, the light propagation direction by the total reflection in the inside of said first light conduction plate is a Z direction and the thicknesswise direction of said first light conduction plate is the X direction, and
 the beam diameter along the Z direction of the light emitted from said first light conduction plate is greater than the beam diameter along the'Z direction of the light incident to said first light conduction plate.   
     
     
         5 . The image displaying apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said reflection type volume hologram diffraction grating is disposed on a face of said first light conduction plate opposing to said second light conduction plate, and
 part of the light incident to said first light conduction plate is diffracted by said reflection type volume hologram diffraction grating, totally reflected once in the inside of said first light conduction plate, totally reflected once on the surface of said reflection type volume hologram diffraction grating, diffracted by said reflection type volume hologram diffraction grating and then emitted from said first light conduction plate while   the remaining part of the light incident to said first light conduction plate is emitted from said first light conduction plate after passing through said first light conduction plate and said reflection type volume hologram diffraction grating.   
     
     
         6 . The image displaying apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said first light conduction means has a structure wherein said first light conduction plate, said reflection type volume hologram diffraction grating and a transparent parallel flat plate are laminated in order from the light incidence side. 
     
     
         7 . The image displaying apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said first deflection means is configured from a diffraction grating element. 
     
     
         8 . The image displaying apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said first deflection means is configured from a reflection type volume hologram diffraction grating, and
 where the light propagation direction by the total reflection in the inside of said second light conduction plate is represented a Y direction and the thicknesswise direction of said second light conduction plate is represented as X direction, the diffraction direction by said reflection type volume hologram diffraction grating which configures said first deflection means is the Y direction and the diffraction direction by said reflection type volume hologram diffraction grating which configures said first light conduction means is a Z direction.   
     
     
         9 . The image displaying apparatus according to  claim 8 , further comprising
 a phase difference plate disposed between the first light conduction plate and the second light conduction plate and configured to vary a phase difference of polarization components outputted from said first light conduction plate.   
     
     
         10 . The image displaying apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the polarization components of the light passing through said phase difference plate are in parallel to the Z direction. 
     
     
         11 . The image displaying apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said first deflection means diffracts the light incident to said second light conduction plate, and
 said second deflection means diffracts the light propagated in the inside of the second light conduction plate by total reflection over a plural number of times.   
     
     
         12 . The image displaying apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein said first deflection means and said second deflection means are individually configured from a diffraction grating element. 
     
     
         13 . The image displaying apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said diffraction grating element is configured from a reflection type diffraction grating element. 
     
     
         14 . The image displaying apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said diffraction grating element is configured from a transmission type diffraction grating element. 
     
     
         15 . The image displaying apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein one of the diffraction grating elements is configured from a reflection type diffraction grating element and the other one of the diffraction grating elements is configured from a transmission type diffraction grating element. 
     
     
         16 . The image displaying apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said first deflection means reflects the light incident to said second light conduction plate; and
 said second deflection means transmits and reflects the light propagated in the inside of said second light conduction plate by total reflection over a plural number of times.   
     
     
         17 . The image displaying apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein said first deflection means functions as a reflecting mirror, and
 said second deflection means functions as a half-mirror.   
     
     
         18 . An optical apparatus, comprising:
 first light conduction means for receiving, conducting and emitting a light flux; and   second light conduction means for receiving and conducting the light flux emitted from said first light conduction means and then emitting the light,   said first light conduction means including
 (a-1) a first light conduction plate for propagating part of the incident light by total reflection in the inside thereof and emitting the light therefrom, and 
 (a-2) a reflection type volume hologram diffraction grating disposed on said first light conduction plate, 
   said second light conduction means including
 (b-1) a second light conduction plate configured to propagate incoming light in the inside thereof by total reflection and then emit the light, 
 (b-2) first deflection means disposed in said second light conduction plate for deflecting light incident to said second light conduction plate such that the light introduced to said second light conduction plate is totally reflected in the inside of said second light conduction plate, and 
 (b-3) second deflection means disposed in said second light conduction plate for deflecting the light propagated in the inside of said second light conduction plate by total reflection over a plural number of times in order to emit the light propagated in the inside of said second light conduction plate by total reflection from said second light conduction plate. 
   
     
     
         19 . An image displaying apparatus, comprising:
 (A) an image production apparatus; and   (B) light conduction means for receiving and conducting light outputted from said image production apparatus and then emitting the light toward the pupil of an observer,   said light conduction means including
 (B-1) a light conduction plate for propagating the incident light by total reflection in the inside thereof and emitting the light therefrom, 
 (B-2) first deflection means disposed in said light conduction plate and adapted to deflect the light incident to said light conduction plate so that the light incident to said light conduction plate is totally reflected in the inside of said light conduction plate, and 
 (B-3) second deflection means disposed in said light conduction plate and adapted to deflect the light propagated in the inside of said light conduction plate by total reflection over a plural number of times in order to emit the light propagated in the inside of said light conduction plate by total reflection from said light conduction plate, 
   said image displaying apparatus further comprising   beam expansion means for expanding, where an entering direction of the light into said light conduction plate and a propagation direction of the light in said light conduction plate are defined as an X direction and a Y direction, respectively, the light emitted from said image production apparatus along a Z direction and emitting the expanded light to said light conduction means.   
     
     
         20 . The image displaying apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein said beam expansion means is configured from a first reflecting mirror and a second reflecting mirror,
 said first reflecting mirror is positioned on the opposite side to said image production apparatus with said light conduction means sandwiched therebetween, and   said second reflecting mirror is positioned adjacent said image production apparatus with respect to said light conduction means.   
     
     
         21 . The image displaying apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein part of the light outputted from said image production apparatus repetitively undergoes, in order by a predetermined number of times, passage through said light conduction plate and said first deflection means, reflection by said first reflecting mirror, passage through said light conduction plate and said first deflection means, reflection by said second reflecting mirror, and passage of part of the light through said light conduction plate and said first deflection means. 
     
     
         22 . The image displaying apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein each of light reflecting faces of said first and second light conduction plates which configure said beam expansion section has a plurality of convex and concave portions which extend in planes parallel to a plane defined by an X axis and a Z axis and have a shape of a combination of adjacent sides to the right angle of a right-angled triangle along the Y direction when it is assumed to cut said concave and convex portions in planes defined by normal lines to said first reflecting mirror and said second reflecting mirror and a Y axis. 
     
     
         23 . The image displaying apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein said beam expansion means is configured from a half-mirror and a reflecting mirror, and
 said half-mirror and said reflecting mirror are positioned adjacent said image production apparatus with respect to said light conduction means.   
     
     
         24 . The image displaying apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein part of the light emitted from said image production apparatus passes through said half-mirror and introduced into said light conduction plate and the remaining part of the light is reflected on said half-mirror and introduced into said reflecting mirror, and part of the light reflected on said reflecting mirror passes through said half-mirror and introduced into said light conduction plate while the remaining part of the light is reflected on said half-mirror and introduced into said reflecting mirror,
 the passage and reflection actions being repetitively carried out by a predetermined number of times.   
     
     
         25 . An optical apparatus, comprising:
 light conduction means for receiving, conducting and emitting a light flux,   said light conduction means including
 a light conduction plate for propagating the incident light by total reflection in the inside thereof and emitting the light therefrom, 
 first deflection means disposed in said light conduction plate for deflecting the light incident to said light conduction plate so that the light incident to said light conduction plate is totally reflected in the inside of said light conduction plate, and 
 second deflection means disposed in said light conduction plate for deflecting the light propagated in the inside of said light conduction plate by total reflection over a plural number of times in order to emit the light propagated in the inside of said light conduction plate by total reflection from said light conduction plate, 
   said optical apparatus further comprising   beam expansion means for expanding, where an entering direction of the light flux into said light conduction plate and a propagation direction of the light in said light conduction plate are defined as an X direction and a Y direction, respectively, the light flux along a Z direction and emitting the expanded light to said light conduction means.   
     
     
         26 . An image displaying apparatus, comprising:
 (A) an image production apparatus;   (B) first light conduction means for receiving, conducting and emitting a light emitted from said image production apparatus; and   (C) second light conduction means for receiving and conducting light emitted from said first light conduction means and then emitting the light toward the pupil of an observer,   said first light conduction means including
 (B-1) a first light conduction plate for propagating part of the incident light by total reflection in the inside thereof and emitting the light therefrom, and 
 (B-2) a reflection type volume hologram diffraction grating disposed on said first light conduction plate, 
   said second light conduction means including
 (C-1) a second light conduction plate configured to propagate incoming light in the inside thereof by total reflection and then emit the light, 
 (C-2) first deflection means disposed in said second light conduction plate and adapted to deflect light incident to said second light conduction plate, and 
 (C-3) second deflection means disposed in said second light conduction plate and adapted to deflect the light propagated in the inside of the second light conduction plate by total reflection. 
   
     
     
         27 . The image displaying apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein said reflection type volume hologram diffraction grating is disposed on the face of said first light conduction plate opposing to said second light conduction plate. 
     
     
         28 . An image displaying apparatus, comprising:
 (A) an image production apparatus; and   (B) light conduction means for receiving and conducting light outputted from said image production apparatus and then emitting the light toward the pupil of an observer,   said light conduction means including
 (B-1) a light conduction plate for propagating the incident light by total reflection in the inside thereof and emitting the light therefrom, 
 (B-2) first deflection means disposed in said light conduction plate and adapted to deflect light incident to said light conduction plate, and 
 (B-3) second deflection means disposed in said light conduction plate and adapted to deflect the light propagated in the inside of said light conduction plate by total reflection over a plural number of times, 
   said image displaying apparatus further comprising   beam expansion means for expanding, where an entering direction of the light into said light conduction plate and a propagation direction of the light in said light conduction plate are defined as a first direction and a second direction, respectively, the light emitted from said image production apparatus along a third direction different from the first direction and the second direction and emitting the expanded light to said light conduction means.   
     
     
         29 . The image displaying apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein said beam expansion means is configured from at least two reflecting mirrors positioned with said light conduction means sandwiched therebetween. 
     
     
         30 . An optical apparatus, comprising:
 a first light conduction section configured to receive, conduct and emit a light flux; and   a second light conduction section configured to receive and conduct a light flux emitted from said first light conduction section and then emit the light,   said first light conduction section including
 (a-1) a first light conduction plate for propagating part of the incident light by total reflection in the inside thereof and emitting the light therefrom, and 
 (a-2) a reflection type volume hologram diffraction grating disposed on said first light conduction plate, 
   said second light conduction section including
 (b-1) a second light conduction plate adapted to propagate incoming light in the inside thereof by total reflection and then emit the light, 
 (b-2) a first deflection section disposed in said second light conduction plate for deflecting light incident to said second light conduction plate such that the light introduced to said second light conduction plate is totally reflected in the inside of said second light conduction plate, and 
 (b-3) a second deflection section disposed in said second light conduction plate for deflecting the light propagated in the inside of said second light conduction plate by total reflection over a plural number of times in order to emit the light propagated in the inside of said second light conduction plate by total reflection from said second light conduction plate. 
   
     
     
         31 . An optical apparatus, comprising:
 a light conduction section configured to receive, conduct and emit a light flux,   said light conduction section including
 a light conduction plate for propagating the incident light by total reflection in the inside thereof and emitting the light therefrom, 
 a first deflection section disposed in said light conduction plate for deflecting the light incident to said light conduction plate so that the light incident to said light conduction plate is totally reflected in the inside of said light conduction plate, and 
 a second deflection section disposed in said light conduction plate for deflecting the light propagated in the inside of said light conduction plate by total reflection over a plural number of times in order to emit the light propagated in the inside of said light conduction plate by total reflection from said light conduction plate, 
   said optical apparatus further comprising   a beam expansion section configured to expand, where an entering direction of the light flux into said light conduction plate and a propagation direction of the light in said light conduction plate are defined as an X direction and a Y direction, respectively, the light flux along a Z direction and emit the expanded light to said light conduction section.