An apparatus for use in replicating an image associated with an input-pupil to an output-pupil, the apparatus comprising: a planar optical waveguide including a bulk-substrate , and also including an input-coupler , an intermediate-component and an output-coupler any one of which is either formed in, on or embedded within the bulk-substrate; the input-coupler configured to couple light corresponding to the image associated with the input-pupil into the bulk-substrate of the waveguide and towards the intermediate-component; the intermediate-component configured to perform one of horizontal or vertical pupil expansion and to direct the light corresponding to the image towards the output-coupler; the output-coupler configured to perform the other one of horizontal or vertical pupil expansion and to couple the light corresponding to the image, which travels in the planar optical waveguide from the input-coupler to the output-coupler, out of the waveguide so that the light is output and imaged from the output-pupil; the bulk-substrate including a first major planar surface and a second major planar surface opposite and parallel to the first major planar surface, wherein the input-coupler is formed in, on, or embedded within the first major planar surface; and a birefringent adjacent planar optical component adjacent to the second major planar surface of the bulk-substrate and configured to cause the light that is output from the waveguide by the output-coupler to have a more uniform intensity distribution compared to if the adjacent planar optical component were absent; wherein the birefringent adjacent planar optical component at least partially overlaps the intermediate component and is configured to randomize polarizations of the light traveling within the waveguide, and comprises at least one of a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) coating or substrate, or a coating or substrate that has an index of refraction that is different than an index of refraction of the bulk-substrate. a planar optical waveguide including a bulk-substrate , and also including an input-coupler , an intermediate-component and an output-coupler any one of which is either formed in, on or embedded within the bulk-substrate; the input-coupler configured to couple light corresponding to the image associated with the input-pupil into the bulk-substrate of the waveguide and towards the intermediate-component; the intermediate-component configured to perform one of horizontal or vertical pupil expansion and to direct the light corresponding to the image towards the output-coupler; the output-coupler configured to perform the other one of horizontal or vertical pupil expansion and to couple the light corresponding to the image, which travels in the planar optical waveguide from the input-coupler to the output-coupler, out of the waveguide so that the light is output and imaged from the output-pupil; the bulk-substrate including a first major planar surface and a second major planar surface opposite and parallel to the first major planar surface, wherein the input-coupler is formed in, on, or embedded within the first major planar surface; and a birefringent adjacent planar optical component adjacent to the second major planar surface of the bulk-substrate and configured to cause the light that is output from the waveguide by the output-coupler to have a more uniform intensity distribution compared to if the adjacent planar optical component were absent; wherein the birefringent adjacent planar optical component at least partially overlaps the intermediate component and is configured to randomize polarizations of the light traveling within the waveguide, and comprises at least one of a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) coating or substrate, or a coating or substrate that has an index of refraction that is different than an index of refraction of the bulk-substrate. <EOS>