US Patent 11467332 Display with switchable retarder array

A display device includes a waveguide, an array of tunable retarders in contact with the waveguide, and a polarization selective optical element. A respective tunable retarder of the array of tunable retarders receives light from the waveguide. The respective tunable retarder has a first state, which causes the respective tunable retarder to direct light having a first polarization in a first direction and a second state, which causes the respective tunable retarder to direct light having a second polarization that is distinct from the second polarization in the first direction. The polarization selective optical element is located adjacent to the array of tunable retarders so that the light having the second polarization propagates from the polarization selective optical element in a second direction and the light having the second polarization propagates from the polarization selective optical element in a third direction distinct from the second direction.