Introduction to Augmented Reality
Augmented reality (AR) is a technology that enhances the actual world by adding virtual information and objects to it. According to Azuma [1], AR has been around for several many years and has been utilized in various fields corresponding to gaming, education, and healthcare. In recent years, AR has turn into more popular with the event of AR glasses and head-mounted displays.
History of Augmented Reality
The concept of AR was first introduced by Sutherland [9] in 1965, who described the thought of an "ultimate display" that might simulate any environment or object. Since then, AR has evolved significantly, with the event of recent technologies corresponding to holographic displays [10-12] and waveguide combiners [6, 7].
Holographic Displays
Holographic displays are a style of AR display that uses holography to create a three-dimensional image. According to Maimone [13], holographic displays have the potential to revolutionize the sphere of AR by providing a more immersive and interactive experience. Researchers have been working on developing recent technologies corresponding to metasurfaces [14-18] and nanophotonics [19, 20] to enhance the performance of holographic displays.
Metasurfaces and Nanophotonics
Metasurfaces are a style of ultra-thin optical material that will be used to create holographic displays. According to Li [15], metasurfaces have the potential to revolutionize the sphere of optics by providing a more compact and efficient solution to manipulate light. Nanophotonics is one other field that has been used to enhance the performance of holographic displays. According to Kress [7], nanophotonics will be used to create ultra-thin optical devices that will be utilized in AR displays.
Applications of Augmented Reality
AR has many applications in various fields corresponding to gaming, education, and healthcare. According to Xiong [2], AR will be used to create interactive and immersive games that may enhance the gaming experience. AR may also be utilized in education to create interactive and interesting learning experiences. In healthcare, AR will be used to create interactive and immersive training simulations for medical professionals.
Challenges and Limitations
Despite the numerous benefits of AR, there are still several challenges and limitations that must be addressed. According to Kooi [4], considered one of the main challenges of AR is the visual comfort of the user. AR displays could cause eye strain and visual discomfort if not designed properly. Another challenge is the fee and accessibility of AR technology. According to Shibata [5], AR technology remains to be relatively expensive and never accessible to many individuals.
Future Directions
The way forward for AR looks promising, with many recent technologies and innovations being developed. According to Chang [3], considered one of the long run directions of AR is the event of more advanced and complicated displays. Another future direction is the combination of AR with other technologies corresponding to artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things.
Conclusion
In conclusion, AR is a rapidly evolving field that has the potential to revolutionize many features of our lives. With the event of recent technologies corresponding to metasurfaces and nanophotonics, AR displays have gotten more advanced and complicated. However, there are still several challenges and limitations that must be addressed, corresponding to visual comfort and price. Despite these challenges, the long run of AR looks promising, with many recent innovations and technologies being developed. As researchers proceed to push the boundaries of what is feasible with AR, we will expect to see more advanced and complicated AR displays in the long run.
