Simulation approach of display uniformity in a backlight illuminated lens array

The relative retinal illumination (RRI) distribution of a display system consisting of arrayed backlight units, focusing lenses and viewing screen is simulated with Monte Carlo ray tracing method. A random scattering model is applied to describe the optical seam effect in the vicinity of the stitching. RRI distribution on the screen viewed at different locations for an directional backlight display system is simulated, giving rise to a quantitative description of display inhomogeneity on the screen. The method to achieve a uniform RRI distribution on the screen is proposed. The numerical simulation is tested with experimental verification and good agreement is obtained. The simulation, experiment and measurement can be applied as design guidelines for autostereoscopic display, integrated imaging display and other novel backlight illuminated optical systems.