Microdisplay Technical Report for XR Devices

Introduction

The XR (MR/VR/AR) market will accelerate further as AI Smart search makes application content richer and product experience more tangible. In preparation for the blooming of the future metaverse market, major IT companies such as Apple, Meta, Google, Samsung, TCL, and Xiaomi are focusing their capabilities on developing technologies and products that can provide value to customers. This year, Apple announced the Vision Pro MR device, a new augmented reality platform, integrating sensor technology and a new OS to open the era of spatial computing based on the Spatial Operation System. Meta is continuing its efforts to evolve the technology of VR devices such as Gear VR, Quest, Quest 2, and Quest Pro, and recently announced a new product, VR Holocake.

Through XR industry trend analysis, the type, number, and ratio of displays for XR devices were analyzed, the product development trends and issues of micro-display were analyzed, and the technology development status was identified. According to research, among microdisplay devices, LCDs account for 38% of the total with 97 types, OLEDs account for 23% with 57 types, Micro-OLEDs account for 23% with 36 types, and micro-LEDs account for only 2%., more compact Micro-OLED will become the mainstream product for the time being. In the mid to long term, LCoS and OLEDoS are expected to be the main technologies for VR/MR headsets, and OLEDoS and LEDoS for AR glasses.

The Micro-OLED industry is continuously making efforts to increase luminance and resolution. In the future, Microdisplay without the Screen Door Effect is required to develop a display with a resolution of 4,000 ppi and a luminance of 10,000 nit or more. To produce high-resolution RGB micro-OLED, the development of color patterning technology using photolithography, high-definition fine metal mask (FMM), and technology using silicon fine shadow mask instead of metal are being reported. The content was analyzed by reflecting relevant patents and expert opinions.

XR devices require high-brightness micro displays due to large losses in the optical system, and micro-LEDs capable of high brightness are receiving a lot of attention. Micro-LED is very sensitive to current, so it is difficult to secure uniformity even on a 12-inch wafer, and it is difficult to secure yield with current equipment to transfer the micro-LED to the driving substrate and connect it to the electrode. Survey statistics show that micro-LED has not yet reached the desired level in terms of technology and cost. However, micro-LED enables miniaturization, weight reduction, and high brightness of AR devices, and has great potential for future market demand for application products ranging from small to large, so development enthusiasm is increasing as the number of development products has increased in recent years. Companies in Taiwan and China have recently been making efforts to become leaders. Accordingly, the development of key technologies such as micro-LED-related high-efficiency Red Micro-LED chips, full color, and monolithic devices is in progress.

The “Microdisplay Technology Report for XR Devices” will be a useful guideline for companies and researchers working in the display industry to easily identify research trends and development directions by closely analyzing XR industry trends and technologies and challenges needed to manufacture microdisplays for high-performance XR devices.