AR/VR Waveguides
A complete materials system for diffractive waveguide optics. High-RI cores, low-RI cladding, and NIL-compatible formulations — all PFAS-free, all from a single supplier, all R2R manufacturing compatible.
Waveguide materials system
Core + cladding + grating from one platform
AR/VR waveguides require precise RI contrast between core and cladding layers, combined with nanostructured coupling gratings. Kriya provides all three material layers from a single PFAS-free platform, eliminating multi-supplier complexity.
Waveguide core: RI 1.65-1.85
TiO2 nanocomposite, transparent at visible wavelengths, NIL-compatible UV-curable formulation
Cladding: Low Refractive index
100% solids, range of viscosities, overcoatable without PFAS. Launched 2025.
Coupling gratings: UV-curable 100% solids
High-precision nanostructure replication via NIL. Compatible with R2R manufacturing at production volumes.
| Layer | Refractive index | Kriya material | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air / user-facing surface | 1.00 | No | N/A |
| Kriya LRI cladding (top) | 1.16-1.40 | Yes | 100% solids |
| Kriya HRI waveguide core | 1.65-1.85 | Yes | NIL-grade |
| Coupling grating (nanoimprinted) | 1.65-1.85 | Yes | UV-cure |
| Kriya LRI cladding (bottom) | 1.16-1.40 | Yes | 100% solids |
| Glass substrate | 1.52 | No | N/A |
NIL compatibility
Nanoimprint lithography at R2R scale
Wafer-based costs reduction opportunity. R2R nanoimprint lithography with Kriya’s 100% solids UV-curable materials enables significant cost reduction, making consumer-grade AR glasses economically viable.
100%
Solids content
No solvent. Zero shrinkage on cure. Critical for sub-wavelength grating fidelity.
Range
Viscosities
Tuneable for gravure, slot die, or direct NIL dispensing.
UV
Cure mechanism
Sub-second cure under UV. Compatible with high-speed R2R and sheet-to-sheet NIL.
5
Optical layers available
Multi-layer super-low AR stacks via sequential coating and cure.
R2R cost advantage
From cleanroom to production floor
Wafer-based (incumbent)
- Batch processing in semiconductor fab
- Limited by wafer size (150-300 mm)
- High CAPEX, low throughput
- Multiple suppliers for each layer
- $100+ per optical element
R2R with Kriya (enabled)
- Continuous web processing at high speed
- Low CAPEX relative to semiconductor approach
- Single supplier for all optical layers
- Significant cost reduction at volume
Market context
$4.2B*
AR waveguide market forecast for 2028. Driven by consumer AR glasses entering mass market.
Diffractive
Dominant waveguide architecture for lightweight AR glasses. Requires precise RI control and nanostructures.
PFAS-free
Upcoming EU and US regulations will restrict fluorinated coatings. Kriya is production-ready today.
* Source: industry analyst estimates for AR waveguide market size. Figures cited for contextual reference only.
Designing a waveguide optical system?
We work with photonics equipment manufacturers and NIL technology companies on complete materials systems.