Speckle Suppression in Micro-Projection Systems Using a Vibrating Particle Scattering Surface

Zhao, Yiran; Zheng, Xinyan; Zhou, Shun; Liu, Huachen; Sun, Xueping; Liu, Weiguo

doi:10.3390/photonics13020134

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Open AccessArticle

Speckle Suppression in Micro-Projection Systems Using a Vibrating Particle Scattering Surface

by

Yiran Zhao

,

Xinyan Zheng

,

Shun Zhou

^*,

Huachen Liu

,

Xueping Sun

and

Weiguo Liu

School of Optoelectronic Engineering, Xi’an Technological University, Xi’an 710021, China

^*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Photonics 2026, 13(2), 134; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics13020134

Submission received: 12 December 2025 / Revised: 14 January 2026 / Accepted: 28 January 2026 / Published: 30 January 2026

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Abstract

Laser beams are excellent projection sources due to their high brightness and color purity; however, their high coherence produces speckle noise, which reduces the clarity of images cast by compact projection systems. Existing suppression methods often require complex designs. Here, we propose a simple miniaturized speckle suppression structure (SSS) that consists of a low-absorption particle surface and a micro-vibrating unit. By generating and superimposing different speckle patterns over time, the structure simultaneously reduces both temporal and spatial coherence. A time-varying functional model was developed using a simulation to optimize its dynamic operation. The results of the experimental validation show that at 50 Hz vibration, the speckle contrast decreases from 30.23% to 6.98%, closely matching the simulated prediction of 7.12% and outperforming static configurations by 24%. The results indicate that the SSS is a straightforward, effective solution for enhancing the image quality of compact laser projection displays.

Keywords: miniature laser projection displays; speckle suppression; particle surface; micro-vibrating structure; free-space optical paths

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MDPI and ACS Style

Zhao, Y.; Zheng, X.; Zhou, S.; Liu, H.; Sun, X.; Liu, W. Speckle Suppression in Micro-Projection Systems Using a Vibrating Particle Scattering Surface. Photonics 2026, 13, 134. https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics13020134

AMA Style

Zhao Y, Zheng X, Zhou S, Liu H, Sun X, Liu W. Speckle Suppression in Micro-Projection Systems Using a Vibrating Particle Scattering Surface. Photonics. 2026; 13(2):134. https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics13020134

Chicago/Turabian Style

Zhao, Yiran, Xinyan Zheng, Shun Zhou, Huachen Liu, Xueping Sun, and Weiguo Liu. 2026. "Speckle Suppression in Micro-Projection Systems Using a Vibrating Particle Scattering Surface" Photonics 13, no. 2: 134. https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics13020134

APA Style

Zhao, Y., Zheng, X., Zhou, S., Liu, H., Sun, X., & Liu, W. (2026). Speckle Suppression in Micro-Projection Systems Using a Vibrating Particle Scattering Surface. Photonics, 13(2), 134. https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics13020134

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Speckle Suppression in Micro-Projection Systems Using a Vibrating Particle Scattering Surface

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