Phil Greenhalgh (WaveOptics) on the Art and Science of Designing Waveguide Optics for Wearable Displays

The Guest

Phil Greenhalgh is the Chief Technical Officer at WaveOptics, a leading designer and manufacturer of diffractive waveguide optics. This is a key optical component many in this industry believe can deliver the sort of form factor that can enable the mass adoption of AR smartglasses.

After more than a decade as a professor of Electronic Engineering, Phil shifted his focus to the commercial world. He’s co-founded two technology companies, one of which was acquired by DAQRI for its expertise in Augmented Reality electronics and optics. He then served as the SVP of Engineering responsible for DAQRI’s research and development.

For the last year and a half, Phil has been the CTO of WaveOptics, focused on material sciences, and developing waveguides and projector systems with higher fields of view.

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Phil Greenhalgh

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WaveOptics

The Conversation

In this conversation, Phil shares his perspective on the importance of waveguides in creating eye-glass-thin smartglasses, and what sets the WaveOptics’ approach apart. 

He talks about his background as an educator and some experiences as an entrepreneur. We also get into the science of combiner optics and the many technical trade-offs necessary to make a great experience in a head-worn device.

We go on to talk about his perspective on microdisplays that fit well with waveguide optics as well as his broader perspective on the market. He also gets into some of the successes and lessons learned at DAQRI.

Phil starts by sharing some exploits he had as an amateur pilot.