Optics 101

Looking Into The Diverse Area Of Wearable Optics

The realization of advanced optical fibers and thinner optical lenses has enabled there to be a surge in wearable optics. Wearable optics come in many different forms, from the low-tech aesthetics by integrating optical fibers with clothing, to newly created advanced optical sensors and creating high-tech applications, such as integrating advanced optical components into augmented reality (AR) headsets.

In this article, we look at the full spectrum of wearable optics, from the low-tech to the high-tech applications.

© alphaspirit/Shutterstock.com

Aesthetic Wearables

Whilst it is not a high-tech application of optical technology, optical fibers have been implanted into various types of clothing in recent years. The purpose of the implantation being purely to enhance the aesthetics of garments, particularly in dresses and coats.

Despite their fashion appeal, the realisation of these garments does rely on optics to achieve the desired effect. Given the nature of the market of these optical fibers, they are often made of plastic rather than the glass (as usually seen with complex communication technologies). However, they still transmit light along the fiber using the same internal reflection principles.

There are a few different types of optical fiber employed in low end wearables, and these include end emitting fibers and side emitting fibers, among other less common optical fiber variants. End emitting fibers have been around for a long time and light can be seen at the tip (end) of each fiber, whereas side emitting fibers are a newer (and much thicker) fiber optical variant where the light is emitted at all points along the optical fiber (due to a thinner cladding that enables some light to escape).

Wearable Optical Sensors

Some big news emerged in the optical sector in 2017 regarding a new type of optical sensor that can be used on humans to capture bodily motions. It has since seen a lot of investment and it appears that a lot more research is going to be going into this kind of research to develop new optical sensing tools that can provide real-time monitoring, more advanced gaming systems and build robots that have a lighter touch.

This area is now possible thanks to researchers from China who created the fiber optic sensor from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The structural nature of the fiber enables it to be stood up and detect strain (and thus body movements) by elongating itself. It can also return to its original conformation so that it can be reused.

So how does it measure strain? As the fiber is an optical fiber, there is a given amount of light that passes through the fiber. The fiber is also doped with a dye, Rhodamine B, which has a light wavelength-dependent absorption and will absorb a given amount of light in the fibers natural state. Therefore, it can be used to sense changes in the amount of light passing by the walls of the fiber. When the fiber is stretched under movement, the diameter of the fiber becomes thinner and the dye absorbs more light. Similarly, if the fiber compressed, then the diameter of the fiber will increase and the light absorption will be less. Thus, it can be used to detect compression and stretching movements to determine the movement of the user.

Wearable Optics and Augmented Reality (AR)

This is a new area, and given the potential for this kind of technology, it is an area currently dominated by a series of patents. Advanced optics, such as waveguides, diffraction gratings, vector gratings and pico projectors, can be used to project images into the field of view of the user, and the user can often issue commands based off to real-world data and data within the augmented world itself. Recent advances have been able to tailor the amount of information projected by the AR headsets as to not overload the user with too many objects and information. However, when required, AR headsets that use advanced optics can have commands issued by voice and touch, as well as provide a visible environment that can be navigated.

Because AR headsets use lenses, they are even adaptable to users with impaired vision by tailoring the orientation of the lens. The world where AR and optics meets also extends to wearable contact lenses, i.e. the ability to put a usable computer in to your eye. Whilst they do rely on more than just optics, various optical components and optical sensors do play a big part in AR/VR headsets.

Sources:

  1. Instructables: https://www.instructables.com/id/The-Beginners-Guide-to-Fiber-Optics/
  2. Optical Society of America: https://www.osa.org/en-us/about_osa/newsroom/news_releases/2017/in_a_first_for_wearable_optics_researchers_develo/
  3. Optics and Photonics: https://www.osa-opn.org/home/newsroom/2017/october/optical_strain_sensor_for_wearable_tech/
  4. Photonics Media: https://www.photonics.com/Articles/Optics_Transforming_AR_Wearables_and_Beyond/a62813
  5. Laser Focus World: https://www.laserfocusworld.com/articles/print/volume-54/issue-02/features/photonics-applied-wearable-photonic-technology-photonics-gets-up-close-and-personal-advancing-wearable-technology-with-light.html
  6. “Imaging the rainbow”- Zentgraf T., Nature Nanotechnology, 2018, DOI: 10.1038/s41565-018-0062-x
  7. “Recent advances in planar optics: from plasmonic to dielectric metasurfaces”- Genevet P. et al, Optica, 2017, DOI: 10.1364/OPTICA.4.000139
  8. “Flat optics with dielectric metasurfaces”- Arabi A. et al, Proceedings Volume 10541, Photonic and Phononic Properties of Engineered Nanostructures VIII, 2018, DOI: 10.1117/12.2297706
  9. “Polarization-Sensitive Structural Colors with Hue-and Saturation Tuning Based on All-Dielectric Nanopixels”- Yang B. et al, Advanced Optical Materials, 2018, DOI: 10.1002/adom.201701009
  10. “DigiLens switchable Bragg grating waveguide optics for augmented reality applications”- Waldern J. D et al, Proceedings Volume 10676, Digital Optics for Immersive Displays, 2018, DOI: 10.1117/12.2315719

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the author expressed in their private capacity and do not necessarily represent the views of AZoM.com Limited T/A AZoNetwork the owner and operator of this website. This disclaimer forms part of the Terms and conditions of use of this website.

Liam Critchley

Written by

Liam Critchley

Liam Critchley is a writer and journalist who specializes in Chemistry and Nanotechnology, with a MChem in Chemistry and Nanotechnology and M.Sc. Research in Chemical Engineering.

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    Critchley, Liam. (2018, August 09). Looking Into The Diverse Area Of Wearable Optics. AZoOptics. Retrieved on October 12, 2024 from https://www.azooptics.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=1407.

  • MLA

    Critchley, Liam. "Looking Into The Diverse Area Of Wearable Optics". AZoOptics. 12 October 2024. <https://www.azooptics.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=1407>.

  • Chicago

    Critchley, Liam. "Looking Into The Diverse Area Of Wearable Optics". AZoOptics. https://www.azooptics.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=1407. (accessed October 12, 2024).

  • Harvard

    Critchley, Liam. 2018. Looking Into The Diverse Area Of Wearable Optics. AZoOptics, viewed 12 October 2024, https://www.azooptics.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=1407.

Tell Us What You Think

Do you have a review, update or anything you would like to add to this article?

Leave your feedback
Your comment type
Submit

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.