Ambient Light Effects on Virtual Image Quality in AR Glasses

Optical see-through augmented reality (AR) glasses overlay virtual content directly onto the real world. While virtual image quality can be optimized under controlled laboratory conditions, real-world operation introduces an important challenge: the perceived image strongly depends on the luminance, chromaticity and spatial characteristics of the ambient background. External light can reduce image contrast, shift color perception and compress the effective color gamut of the display.

In his presentation, Dr. Sascha Reinhardt will present a systematic analysis of background-induced degradation in optical see-through AR systems. Based on calibrated colorimetric measurements, the influence of varying background luminance and chromaticity on virtual image color, contrast and uniformity is quantified and interpreted within the framework of additive color mixing. The results highlight the trade-off between virtual image visibility and real-world transparency.