Pixel-wise polarization-encoded Lamina display: fast-switching, time-sequential depth decoding for continuous volumetric 3D visualization

Traditional volumetric 3D displays rely on multiple image sequences or high-frame-rate rendering to generate depth volumes. This approach imposes substantial data loads, limits resolution, and introduces dynamic depth crosstalk. To address these challenges, we present a pixel-wise polarization-coded method that encodes volumetric depth information into a single 50 Hz depth-encoded image, reducing data throughput to approximately 1/N. In conjunction with polymer-stabilized cholesteric texture screens, a liquid crystal polarization controller selectively reconstructs these polarization-encoded depths, effectively suppressing inter-plane crosstalk. Furthermore, this method can theoretically support over 256 grayscale levels, enabling smooth depth gradation and high spatial fidelity. Optical validation demonstrates that a single depth-encoded frame surpasses conventional multi-frame volumetric techniques in both computational efficiency and visual clarity. The proposed pixel-wise polarization-coded “Lamina display” architecture thus establishes a robust foundation for scalable and immersive volumetric 3D visualization.