Waveguide edge having reduced reflectivity

Abstract

An augmented reality system can include a waveguide having an edge surface that extends between opposing light-guiding surfaces. The waveguide can guide light toward the edge surface. The waveguide can include a reflectivity-reducing film, such as an absorptive film or a photovoltaic film, disposed on the edge surface. To form the reflectivity-reducing film, curable material can be disposed onto a dissolvable film. The curable material can be cured while disposed on the dissolvable film such that the cured material forms a reflectivity-reducing structure on the dissolvable film. The dissolvable film can be dissolved such that the reflectivity-reducing structure remains intact as a reflectivity-reducing film that can be adhered to the edge surface, such as with a primer layer. The edge surface can include nanostructures, sized smaller than half a wavelength of the guided light, that can reduce a reflectivity of the edge surface.