Technology, Process and Cost
Microsoft – Holographic Lens from Hololens 2
By Yole SystemPlus —
See-through holographic display for mixed reality smartglasses.
Overview/Introduction
Company Profile
Physical Analysis
- Summary of the Physical Analysis
- Hololens 2
- Display Module
- Module Views
- Module Opening
- Module Disassembly and Main Block Identification
- Module Cross-Section
- Micromirrors and Lasers
- Fast Micromirror – PM58A from STMicroelectronics
- Slow Micromirror – PM59A from STMicroelectronics
- RGB Laser Module
- See-Through Holographic Lenses
- Display Lens Overview and Dimensions
- Display Lens Process and Cross-Section
- Display Lens Top Glass, Cross-Section and Gratings
- Display Lens Bottom Glass, Cross-Section and Gratings
- Lens Process Characteristic
Manufacturing Process Flow
- Display Lens Process Flow
- Replication Tool
- Slanted Grating
- Display Lens Fabrication Unit
Cost Analysis
- Summary of the Cost Analysis
- Yield Explanations and Hypotheses
- Display Lens
- Master and Replication Tool Cost
- Display Lens Wafer Cost
- Display Lens Wafer Step Cost
- Display Lens Wafer and Die Cost
- RGB Display Lens Cost and Price
Estimated Price Analysis
This reverse costing study has been conducted to provide insights into technology data and manufacturing cost of the holographic lens from the Microsoft Hololens 2. The Hololens 2 is the latest generation of augmented/mixed reality from Microsoft. The system allows an immersive experience.
The see-through display module includes:
- a red/green/blue (RGB) laser module to generate the pictures
- two MEMS micromirrors from STMicroelectronics to project the picture onto the display
- four mirrors and one lens
- the holographic lens.
The frame with the mirrors and lens, the two MEMS micromirrors and the RGB laser modules are disassembled and analyzed in this report to understand the light path.
This report is focused on the holographic lens. The display is an assembly of two waveguides. Each waveguide is manufactured with a grating on the two sides of the glass substrate. The gratings are made with nano-imprint lithography. For the more complex slanted grating, additional plasma etching is performed.
This report is an exhaustive analysis of the see-through display, including a partial technical analysis of the laser module, the two MEMS micromirrors, the lens and the mirrors. A complete physical analysis with scanning electron microscope (SEM) pictures, cross-sections, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis to identify the material shows all the technical characteristics of the main component of the holographic display lens. Along with the complete technical analysis of the waveguide display lens, this report analyses the cost for the holographic display lens. The other electronic, optic and housing parts are detailed in the reverse-costing.com/teardowns/microsoft_hololens_2/#dismantling website. Other details on the optical parts and the assembly are described on that website. The cost estimation of assembly of the electronic and the optic are also performed on that website.
Complete teardown with :
- Detailed photos
- Precise measurements
- Materials analysis
- Manufacturing process flow
- Supply chain evaluation
- Manufacturing cost analysis
- Explanation of device operation
- Estimated sales price
