Corning Expands High-Index Glass Portfolio to Help Accelerate Mass Adoption of Augmented Reality Technology

January 24, 2022 11:00 ET --
Corning Incorporated (NYSE: GLW) announced today the launch of a new glass composition to advance the development of augmented and mixed reality (AR/MR) diffractive waveguides for wearable devices. Optical advancements inherent in the glass take the augmented reality experience to the next level through larger, clearer digital content that creates more engaging and immersive user experiences.

Corning’s Advanced Optics business efficiently delivers high-quality glass that has been designed, measured, and cut to meet precise customer needs with unique end-to-end solutions, enabling advancements in the AR/MR market for nearly a decade. The new 2.0 high-index glass joins the company’s AR/MR portfolio, which also includes high-index compositions of 1.8 and 1.9.

Corning Advanced Optics’ new 2.0 high-refractive index glass will enable a wider field of view (FOV) and enhanced optical clarity, including best-in-class light transmission for blue wavelength in AR/MR wearable devices. Compared with glass compositions with lower refractive index values, OEMs can achieve a greater FOV with fewer pieces of glass, allowing for lighter, sleeker, and more cost-effective headset designs. Corning’s 2.0 glass composition, as well as its comprehensive solutions for flatness metrology and precision laser glass cutting, will further enable the AR/MR industry, bringing mass consumer adoption one step closer. Corning’s 2.0 glass is available in wafer diameters of 150 mm, 200 mm, and 300 mm and a range of thicknesses with leading geometric tolerances.

“Our new 2.0 high-index glass illustrates Corning’s commitment to delivering advanced glass solutions for augmented reality applications,” said David Velasquez, vice president and general manager, Corning Advanced Optics. “Our technologies bring the detail below the surface to life. Over the next several years, through new glass compositions, supporting capabilities, and innovative solutions, Corning will help enable the adoption of AR into our daily lives.”

The launch of this new composition builds on Corning’s leadership in glass and ceramic science, optical physics, and its proprietary manufacturing platforms. This expertise enabled the company to be first to market with ultra-flat, high-index glass wafers for top-tier consumer electronic companies pursuing AR/MR waveguide devices.

“These headsets require very precise, very flat glass in the eyepiece for a wide FOV and superior image quality, and our extensive knowledge of glass allows Corning to drive innovation in this application space,” Velasquez continued.

Corning will showcase its new 2.0 glass composition at the SPIE AR | VR | MR event and SPIE Photonics West in San Francisco from January 24-28.

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