Digital Precompensation for Luminance Nonuniformities in Augmented Reality Head Mounted Displays

The luminance nonuniformity on augmented reality head mounted displays (AR HMDs) presents a significant challenge for usage in medical applications, such as surgery planning and interoperative procedures. Digital precompensation for the luminance nonuniformity, also known as flat-field corrections, presents a potential solution by sacrificing maximum display luminance for increased luminance and color uniformity. Here, we present results for an absolute luminance precompensation method that increase the luminance uniformity on the Microsoft HoloLens 2. The flat-field correction method was tested at different locations in the eyebox of the HMD and at different angular locations in the field of view. The results demonstrate that the luminance nonuniformity depends on the interpupillary distance (IPD) of the user and a unique flat-field correction should be applied based on the IPD of the user for optimal luminance uniformity.