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Waveguides

A lab technician holds up a transparent waveguide in his gloved hand.

Our industry-leading waveguide technology delivers precise digital content overlayed on top of the physical world.

Two waveguides showcase Magic Leap AR technology precision for lightweight AR glasses and immersive experiences.

Waveguides

The heart of the optics stack

Two waveguides showcase Magic Leap AR technology precision for lightweight AR glasses and immersive experiences.

Protected between two ultra-thin lenses, the waveguide is a transparent display that controls light in such a way that we can overlay digital content on top of the physical world. We have the expertise and capabilities for fields of view from 20° to 70°.

Over the past 10 years, we’ve developed innovative ways to design thinner, more efficient, and powerful waveguide solutions. Our patented nano-imprint process has resulted in lighter waveguides with outstanding visual comfort and versatility.

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Waveguide Innovation

Custom design and development

A Magic Leap engineer wearing personal protective gear makes adjustments to custom machinery for waveguide materials production.

We use high-performance materials and custom machinery to develop industry-leading waveguides.

From ideation and rigorous testing to finalized prototypes, our design process is focused on human comfort, wearability, and scalability.

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A Magic Leap engineer wearing personal protective gear makes adjustments to custom machinery for waveguide materials production.

Waveguide Design

Simulation-Driven Design

Our engineers use custom optical simulation tools to shape waveguide development and refine performance across field of view (FOV), brightness and image fidelity.

Prototyping

In-house master design, sub-master creation and imprinting enable faster iteration cycles, reducing time between concept, build, and evaluation.

Material Science Expertise

We tailor high-index materials and resins to optical, mechanical, and process constraints to unlock wider FOVs, thinner optics, and scalable nanoscale patterning.

Human-Centered Metrics

Vision science guides our approach as we optimize for clarity, uniformity, and long-term visual comfort.

Field of View

Form and function

We have the technology, experience, and intellectual property to flex device FOV from 20° to 70°, depending on the form factor.

Our advanced optics technologies and eyepiece designs enable precise content placement so users have the best experience, with minimal distraction and visual fatigue.

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Production-Ready

Redefining waveguide fabrication

Two glass waveguide wafers during inspection inside a custom lithography machine.

Our proprietary Jet and Flash Imprint Lithography (JFIL) unlocks single-step patterning with precise depth gradation to deliver scalable, high-yield manufacturing for waveguides. Unlike conventional lithography and multi-cycle 2D etching, JFIL creates complex 3D structures in one step, combining speed with precision. With cross-disciplinary expertise spanning fabrication, materials, and process engineering, we streamline production without sacrificing optical precision.

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Two glass waveguide wafers during inspection inside a custom lithography machine.

Manufacturing Insights

Single-Step Imprinting

Our proprietary JFIL process imprints complex nanoscale features and gradation patterns in one step.

Production-Grade Materials

We co-develop imprint materials to balance optical clarity, durability, and manufacturability.

Metrology and Testing

Our expert technicians use integrated test and inspection tools to validate pattern accuracy, optical performance, and yield across wafers.

Manufacturing at Scale

We help partners scale from samples and pilot runs to production all while delivering cost-efficient, high-performance optics for next-gen AR.
In a large lab, two engineers perform key fabrication and metrology steps in front of a custom lithography machine.

Speed and Precision

Proprietary waveguide processes, powerful results

In a large lab, two engineers perform key fabrication and metrology steps in front of a custom lithography machine.

Backed by our proprietary Lithoflex platform and benchmarked by our TRUE KPI system: Transmission, Reflectivity, Uniformity, Efficiency, this process sets the standard for scalable, high-quality optics manufacturing.

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TRUE KPIs

A pair of geometric shapes representing waveguide lenses and a line connecting a circle representing the human viewer.

Transmission

Transmission measures how much light passes through the lenses from the physical world. The better the value, the crisper and brighter the world looks.
Two pairs of geometric shapes representing waveguides and how custom coatings improve them.

Reflectivity

Custom coatings counteract high-index reflections, giving our lenses a natural look from the outside. The coatings improve user comfort and increase social acceptance.
Geometric shapes representing waveguides are encased in a series of concentric squares representing engineering and testing.

Uniformity

Carefully engineered waveguide structures ensure our displays are bright with consistent color. Virtual content looks vivid and smooth even as users change environments.
A pair of geometric shapes representing waveguides float inside a cylinder with amplification waves radiating off it, emphasizing engineering for efficiency.

Efficiency

Engineered for performance, our waveguides deliver vivid AR content while optimizing power use — balancing brightness with extended battery life.

Research and Development

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A link card element: A wafer being reviewed after the lithography process.
Research and Development

High Fidelity Visuals: Sharp content for any dimension

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A link card element: Using the Spectator app there is an AR overlay of the Earth with a click showing planes in a flight pattern in various cities.
High Fidelity Visuals: Sharp content for any dimension