Local pupil swim in Virtual‐ and Augmented‐Reality: Root cause and perception model

The optics between display and human eye in a typical VR/AR headmounted display (HMD) can introduce a common visual defect ‐ local pupil swim (also called local ripples or “orange peel” effect), where virtual content distorts locally with head movement. Compact optical design (such as pancake optics) is increasingly sensitive in design and manufacturing tolerance to this perceptual effect. This work provides a method to root cause and quantify the impact based on perceptual modeling, optics simulation, and measurement. The optics between display and human eye in a typical VR/AR HMD can introduce a common visual defect—local pupil swim (also called local ripples or “orange peel” effect), where virtual content distorts locally with head movement. In a lens with surface defect, the image on the retina unexpectedly moves with head movement creating a sensation of ripples.