Patents by Inventor Diane M. Steeves
Diane M. Steeves has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10274650Abstract: Optical lenses, systems, devices and methods for fabricating and manufacturing diffractive waveplate lenses that allow setting the focal length sign of an optical system by positioning the lens with its front or back surface with respect to an incoming circular polarized light beam. Applications for the lenses include optical systems comprising fibers, diode lasers, waveplates, polarizers, and variable lenses, particularly, in the form of a set of polymer films with re-attachable adhesive layers. And providing a flat mirror with concave or convex function due to diffractive waveplate lens coating.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2015Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: Beam Engineering for Advanced Measurements Co.Inventors: Nelson V. Tabirian, Svetlana V. Serak, David E. Roberts, Anna Tabirian, Diane M. Steeves, Brian R. Kimball
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Patent number: 10197715Abstract: Methods of fabricating optical lenses and mirrors, systems and composite structures based on diffractive waveplates, and fields of application of said lenses and mirrors that include imaging systems, astronomy, displays, polarizers, optical communication and other areas of laser and photonics technology. Diffractive lenses and mirrors of shorter focal length and larger size, with more closely spaced grating lines, and with more exacting tolerances on the optical characteristics, can be fabricated than could be fabricated by previous methods.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignees: Beam Engineering for Advanced Measurements Co., The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Nelson V. Tabirian, Svetlana V. Serak, Diane M. Steeves, Brian R. Kimball, David E. Roberts
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Patent number: 10191191Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for diffractive waveplate lens and mirror systems allowing electronically focusing light at different focal planes. The system can be incorporated into a variety of optical schemes for providing electrical control of transmission. In another embodiment, the system comprises diffractive waveplate of different functionality to provide a system for controlling not only focusing but other propagation properties of light including direction, phase profile, and intensity distribution.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2015Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignees: Beam Engineering for Advanced Measurements Co., The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Nelson V. Tabirian, Svetlana V. Serak, Olena Uskova, David E. Roberts, Anna Tabirian, Diane M. Steeves, Brian R. Kimball
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Patent number: 10120112Abstract: Diffractive waveplate lenses, devices, systems and methods of fabricating and manufacturing lenses for correcting spherical and chromatic aberrations of diffractive waveplate lenses and refractive lenses, by using nonlinear patterning of anisotropy axis of birefringent layers comprising the diffractive waveplate lenses, and their combinations and for obtaining polarization-independent functionality of diffractive waveplate lenses.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2015Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignees: Beam Engineering for Advanced Measurements Co., The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Nelson V. Tabirian, David E. Roberts, Diane M. Steeves, Brian R. Kimball
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Patent number: 10036886Abstract: Pointing and positioning system of light beams and images including a plurality of cycloidal diffractive waveplates, each waveplate capable of deviating a generally broadband light beam over a predetermined angle. The lateral translation and deviation angles of the light beams are controlled by controlling the relative distance, rotational position, and the diffraction efficiency of at least one in the plurality of waveplates.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2017Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignees: Beam Engineering for Advanced Measurements Co., The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Nelson V. Tabirian, Sarik R. Nersisyan, Brian R. Kimball, Diane M. Steeves
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Patent number: 10031424Abstract: The objective of the present invention is providing a method for fabricating high quality diffractive waveplates and their arrays that exhibit high diffraction efficiency over large area, the method being capable of inexpensive large volume production. The method uses a polarization converter for converting the polarization of generally non-monochromatic and partially coherent input light beam into a pattern of periodic spatial modulation at the output of said polarization converter. A substrate carrying a photoalignment layer is exposed to said polarization modulation pattern and is coated subsequently with a liquid crystalline material. The high quality diffractive waveplates of the present invention are obtained when the exposure time of said photoalignment layer exceeds by generally an order of magnitude the time period that would be sufficient for producing homogeneous orientation of liquid crystalline materials brought in contact with said photoalignment layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2015Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignees: Beam Engineering for Advanced Measurements Co., The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Nelson V. Tabirian, Sarik R. Nersisyan, Brian R. Kimball, Diane M. Steeves
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Patent number: 9983479Abstract: An apparatus and method for fabricating high quality one- or two-dimensional diffractive waveplates and arrays that exhibit high diffraction efficiency and capable of inexpensive large volume production. A generally non-holographic and aperiodic polarization converter for converting the polarization of a coherent input light beam of a visible wavelength into a pattern of continuous spatial modulation at the output of the polarization converter. A photoresponsive material characterized by an anisotropy axis according to polarization of the light beam is exposed to a polarization modulation pattern and coated subsequently with an anisotropic material overlayer with ability of producing an optical axis orientation according to and under the influence of the anisotropy axis of the photoresponsive material layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2013Date of Patent: May 29, 2018Assignees: Beam Engineering for Advanced Measurements Co., The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Nelson V. Tabirian, Sarik R. Nersisyan, Brian R. Kimball, Diane M. Steeves
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Publication number: 20180120484Abstract: Optical lenses, systems, devices and methods for fabricating and manufacturing diffractive waveplate lenses that allow setting the focal length sign of an optical system by positioning the lens with its front or back surface with respect to an incoming circular polarized light beam. Applications for the lenses include optical systems comprising fibers, diode lasers, waveplates, polarizers, and variable lenses, particularly, in the form of a set of polymer films with re-attachable adhesive layers. And providing a flat mirror with concave or convex function due to diffractive waveplate lens coating.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2015Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: Nelson V. Tabirian, Svetlana V. Serak, David E. Roberts, Anna Tabirian, Diane M. Steeves, Brian R. Kimball
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Publication number: 20180039003Abstract: Diffractive waveplate lenses, devices, systems and methods of fabricating and manufacturing lenses for correcting spherical and chromatic aberrations of diffractive waveplate lenses and refractive lenses, by using nonlinear patterning of anisotropy axis of birefringent layers comprising the diffractive waveplate lenses, and their combinations and for obtaining polarization-independent functionality of diffractive waveplate lenses.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2015Publication date: February 8, 2018Inventors: Nelson V. Tabirian, David E. Roberts, Diane M. Steeves, Brian R. Kimball
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Patent number: 9715048Abstract: Optical systems for controlling with propagation of light beams in lateral and angular space, and through optical apertures. The light beams include laser beams as well as beams with wide spectrum of wavelengths and large divergence angles. The optical systems are based on combination of diffractive waveplates with diffractive properties that can be controlled with the aid of external stimuli such as electrical fields, temperature, optical beams and mechanical means.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2015Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Assignees: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army, Beam Engineering for Advanced Measurements Co.Inventors: Nelson V. Tabirian, Sarik R. Nersisyan, Brian R. Kimball, Diane M. Steeves
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Patent number: 9658512Abstract: A cycloidal diffractive waveplate (50) comprising first and second substrate layers (52, 54), a liquid crystal layer (60C, 60H) provided between the first and second substrate layers, and transparent positive electrodes (56) and transparent negative electrodes (58) provided on the first substrate layer. The liquid crystal layer has a diffractive state (60C) in which the optical axes of the liquid crystal molecules are periodically rotated across a plane of the waveplate and a non-diffractive state (60H) in which the optical axes of the liquid crystal molecules are all orientated in the same direction in the plane of the waveplate. The electrodes (56, 58) are arranged in an alternating series, such that when an electric voltage is applied to the electrodes an electric field is produced in the plane of the waveplate and the liquid crystal layer is switched from the diffractive state to the non-diffractive state. A method of manufacturing the cycloidal diffractive waveplate is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2014Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignees: Beam Engineering for Advanced Materials Co., The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Nelson V. Tabirian, Sarik R. Nersisyan, Brian R. Kimball, Diane M. Steeves
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Publication number: 20170139203Abstract: Pointing and positioning system of light beams and images including a plurality of cycloidal diffractive waveplates, each waveplate capable of deviating a generally broadband light beam over a predetermined angle. The lateral translation and deviation angles of the light beams are controlled by controlling the relative distance, rotational position, and the diffraction efficiency of at least one in the plurality of waveplates.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2017Publication date: May 18, 2017Inventors: Nelson V. Tabirian, Sarik R. Nersisyan, Brian R. Kimball, Diane M. Steeves
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Patent number: 9617205Abstract: A method of fabricating a liquid crystal polymer film includes providing a support substrate having a surface having a shape arranged to define a form of a liquid crystal polymer film to be fabricated; applying a layer of a photoaligning material over the surface of the support substrate, the photoaligning material having an absorption band; exposing the layer of photoaligning material to a light having a linear polarization and the light comprising a wavelength within the absorption band to convert the layer of photoaligning material into a layer of photoaligned material; applying a layer of a polymerizable liquid crystal over the layer of photoaligned material; performing photopolymerization of the layer of polymerizable liquid crystal to form a liquid crystal polymer film; applying a solvent to the layer of photoaligned material, the solvent formulated to dissolve the photoaligned material to thereby release the liquid crystal polymer film from the support substrate; and removing the liquid crystal polymerType: GrantFiled: July 28, 2015Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignees: Beam Engineering for Advanced Measurements Co., The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Nelson V. Tabirian, Sarik R. Nersisyan, Brian R. Kimball, Diane M. Steeves, Rafael O Vergara
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Patent number: 9557456Abstract: Pointing and positioning system of light beams and images including a plurality of cycloidal diffractive waveplates, each waveplate capable of deviating a generally broadband light beam over a predetermined angle. The lateral translation and deviation angles of the light beams are controlled by controlling the relative distance, rotational position, and the diffractive efficiency of a least one in the plurality of waveplates.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2014Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignees: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Army, Beam Engineering for Advanced Measurements Co.Inventors: Nelson V. Tabirian, Sarik R. Nersisyan, Brian R. Kimball, Diane M. Steeves
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Publication number: 20160209560Abstract: Optical lenses, systems, devices and methods for fabricating and manufacturing diffractive waveplate lenses that allow setting the focal length sign of an optical system by positioning the lens with its front or back surface with respect to an incoming circular polarized light beam. Applications for the lenses include optical systems comprising fibers, diode lasers, waveplates, polarizers, and variable lenses, particularly, in the form of a set of polymer films with re-attachable adhesive layers. And providing a flat mirror with concave or convex function due to diffractive waveplate lens coating.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2015Publication date: July 21, 2016Inventors: Nelson V. Tabirian, Svetlana V. Serak, David E. Roberts, Anna Tabirian, Diane M. Steeves, Brian R. Kimball
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Publication number: 20160047955Abstract: Diffractive waveplate lenses, devices, systems and methods of fabricating and manufacturing lenses for correcting spherical and chromatic aberrations of diffractive waveplate lenses and refractive lenses, by using nonlinear patterning of anisotropy axis of birefringent layers comprising the diffractive waveplate lenses, and their combinations and for obtaining polarization-independent functionality of diffractive waveplate lenses.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2015Publication date: February 18, 2016Inventors: Nelson V. Tabirian, David E. Roberts, Diane M. Steeves, Brian R. Kimball
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Publication number: 20160047956Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for diffractive waveplate lens and mirror systems allowing electronically focusing light at different focal planes. The system can be incorporated into a variety of optical schemes for providing electrical control of transmission. In another embodiment, the system comprises diffractive waveplate of different functionality to provide a system for controlling not only focusing but other propagation properties of light including direction, phase profile, and intensity distribution.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2015Publication date: February 18, 2016Inventors: Nelson V. Tabirian, Svetlana V. Serak, Olena Uskova, David E. Roberts, Anna Tabirian, Diane M. Steeves, Brian R. Kimball
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Publication number: 20160033695Abstract: The objective of the present invention is providing optical systems for controlling with propagation of light beams in lateral and angular space, and through optical apertures. Said light beams include laser beams as well as beams with wide spectrum of wavelengths and large divergence angles. Said optical systems are based on combination of diffractive waveplates with diffractive properties that can be controlled with the aid of external stimuli such as electrical fields, temperature, optical beams and mechanical means.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2015Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: Nelson V. Tabirian, Sarik R. Nersisyan, Brian R. Kimball, Diane M. Steeves
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Publication number: 20160023993Abstract: A method of fabricating a liquid crystal polymer film includes providing a support substrate having a surface having a shape arranged to define a form of a liquid crystal polymer film to be fabricated; applying a layer of a photoaligning material over the surface of the support substrate, the photoaligning material having an absorption band; exposing the layer of photoaligning material to a light having a linear polarization and the light comprising a wavelength within the absorption band to convert the layer of photoaligning material into a layer of photoaligned material; applying a layer of a polymerizable liquid crystal over the layer of photoaligned material; performing photopolymerization of the layer of polymerizable liquid crystal to form a liquid crystal polymer film; applying a solvent to the layer of photoaligned material, the solvent formulated to dissolve the photoaligned material to thereby release the liquid crystal polymer film from the support substrate; and removing the liquid crystal polymerType: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2015Publication date: January 28, 2016Inventors: Nelson V. Tabirian, Sarik R. Nersisyan, Brian R. Kimball, Diane M. Steeves, Rafael O. Vergara
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Publication number: 20160026092Abstract: The objective of the present invention is providing a method for fabricating high quality diffractive waveplates and their arrays that exhibit high diffraction efficiency over large area, the method being capable of inexpensive large volume production. The method uses a polarization converter for converting the polarization of generally non-monochromatic and partially coherent input light beam into a pattern of periodic spatial modulation at the output of said polarization converter. A substrate carrying a photoalignment layer is exposed to said polarization modulation pattern and is coated subsequently with a liquid crystalline material. The high quality diffractive waveplates of the present invention are obtained when the exposure time of said photoalignment layer exceeds by generally an order of magnitude the time period that would be sufficient for producing homogeneous orientation of liquid crystalline materials brought in contact with said photoalignment layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2015Publication date: January 28, 2016Inventors: Nelson V. Tabirian, Sarik R. Nersisyan, Brian R. Kimball, Diane M. Steeves