Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for performing color correction of focal dispersion in high-harmonic lenses. The device comprises a multi-order diffractive engineered surface (MODE) lens comprising a MODE primary lens having height transitions in the front surface that segment it into annular zones and a color corrector comprising a diffractive Fresnel lens (DFL). Polychromatic light passing through the MODE primary lens experiences LCA that is corrected by the color corrector. The color corrector can be configured to correct Type 1 LCA resulting from a combined effect of the DFL and a refractive index change versus wavelength associated with material comprising the device that together produce a change in focus of the polychromatic light, as well as Type 2 LCA resulting from a cyclic variation in focal length versus wavelength caused by the abrupt changes in the height of the front surface of the MODE primary lens at the transitions.

Abstract: An optical device is provided that comprises a multi-order diffractive Fresnel lens (MOD-DFL) and an achromatizing compensation mechanism that reduces refractive dispersion created by the MOD-DFL, thereby reducing the focal range of the MOD-DFL. A method is also provided of using the optical device in an image processing system to obtain images of an object and processing the images to perform image enhancement.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for performing multiwavelength quantitative phase imaging (QPI). The QPI systems and methods are well suited for imaging biological cells. For example, the QPI system can have a relatively simple configuration and can be employed with microscopes for analyzing biological cells without having to modify the hardware (e.g., the auxiliary image pathway) of the microscope. In addition, the QPI systems and methods can be used for other applications, such as lens testing and atmospheric correction of images captured by cell phone cameras, for example.

Abstract: A segmented optical component comprises a multi-order diffractive engineered surface (MODE) lens that is a high-performance ultralightweight optical element that is well suited for use as an efficient large aperture space telescope and other applications. The MODE lens also has the added benefit of reducing the range of focal dispersion versus wavelength, or lateral chromatic dispersion, and off-axis aberration, or zonal field shift (ZFS). The MODE lens can be combined with a DFL. The MODE lens comprises a curved front surface having an M-order diffractive pattern formed therein that segments the MODE lens into Np zones, each comprising a respective zone lens, where Np is greater than or equal to two. Each zone lens operates geometrically as a separate optical element and is separated from an adjacent zone by a transition having a step height.

Abstract: A new diversity concept is provided for achieving accurate phase retrieval with a singleshot acquisition. Multiple irradiance data are obtained by a diffractive grating or CGH designed to generate multiple diffraction orders with different diversity values. The effective filters associated with the individual diffraction orders from the diffractive grating or CGH are calculated. The effective filters are extracted by numerical propagation, and they preferably include both real and imaginary values, which signify both absorption and phase shift versus position in the filter plane. The reconstruction process utilizes accurate knowledge of the effective filters for each diffraction order for high quality reconstruction of the extrinsic phase.

Abstract: An optical device is provided that comprises a multi-order diffractive Fresnel lens (MOD-DFL) and an achromatizing compensation mechanism that reduces refractive dispersion created by the MOD-DFL, thereby reducing the focal range of the MOD-DFL. A method is also provided of using the optical device in an image processing system to obtain images of an object and processing the images to perform image enhancement.

Abstract: An optical device comprising a freeform optical surface having a diffractive pattern formed thereon and a method and system for forming a diffractive pattern on a freeform optical surface are provided. The diffractive pattern can be formed with sufficient precision that the optical device is suitable for use in a telescope used in astrometry for exoplanet sub-micro-arcsecond resolution.

Abstract: A multi-order diffractive Fresnel lens (MOD-DFL) that is suitable for use in a space telescope for studying transiting earth-like planets of distant stars is provided. The MOD-DFL may comprise a MOD-DFL array comprising a plurality of MOD-DFL segments that are secured to a mounting surface of a deployment device, such as a balloon, for example, in a preselected arrangement to form the MOD-DFL. An array telescope may be formed of an array of deployment devices, such as an array of balloons, for example, each having a MOD-DFL secured to a mounting surface of the respective deployment device, an optics system disposed inside of the respective deployment device, and a camera disposed inside of the respective deployment device. Each MOD-DFL comprises a plurality of MOD-DFL segments arranged in a preselected arrangement to form the respective MOD-DFL.

Abstract: An optical system for determining the optical phase of an object of interest located at an input plane of the system. The system may include a variable-focus optical imaging system for creating an image of the object of interest at an output plane of the imaging system. An optical detector may be provided at the output plane for receiving the image of the object. A controller may be operably connected to the vari-focal element to adjust the optical power of the variable-focus optical imaging system. The controller may also be configured to create a plurality of defocused images of the object at the output plane and be connected to the detector to capture each of the plurality of defocused images.

Abstract: Optical systems and methods including interferometric systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the present invention relates to a system comprising at least one light source including a deep ultraviolet light source, a lens device, a beam splitter, and a camera device. The lens device receives first light, directs at least some of that light toward a target location, receives reflected light therefrom, and directs at least some of the reflected light toward a further location, where at least part of a light path between the deep ultraviolet light source and the target location is other than at a high vacuum. The camera device is positioned at either the further location or an additional location, whereby an image is generated by the camera device based upon at least a portion of the reflected light. Also encompassed herein are interferometric lithography and optical microscopy systems.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining an optical property of a set of cells is described. The apparatus may include a light source for providing a light signal, a light-conditioning unit configured to condition the light signal, and a diffractive structure. The diffractive structure may be configured to receive the conditioned light signal and produce diffracted light having plasmon-resonance properties and an angular spectrum. The angular spectrum may correspond to the set of cells when the set of cells are within a threshold distance from the diffractive structure. The apparatus further includes a light-collecting unit for collecting the diffracted light.

Abstract: Optical systems and methods including interferometric systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the present invention relates to a system comprising at least one light source including a deep ultraviolet light source, a lens device, a beam splitter, and a camera device. The lens device receives first light, directs at least some of that light toward a target location, receives reflected light therefrom, and directs at least some of the reflected light toward a further location, where at least part of a light path between the deep ultraviolet light source and the target location is other than at a high vacuum. The camera device is positioned at either the further location or an additional location, whereby an image is generated by the camera device based upon at least a portion of the reflected light. Also encompassed herein are interferometric lithography and optical microscopy systems.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing optical microscopy are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus includes a deep ultraviolet light source configured to generate light having a wavelength within a window in the deep ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum within which a local minimum in the absorption coefficient of Oxygen occurs. Further, the apparatus includes a lens device that receives at least a first portion of the generated light, directs at least some of the first portion of the generated light toward a location, receives reflected light from the location, and directs at least some of the reflected light toward a further location. Additionally, the apparatus includes a camera device that is positioned at one of the further location and an additional location, where the camera device receives at least a second portion of the reflected light, whereby an image is generated by the camera device.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining an optical property of a set of cells is described. The apparatus may include a light source for providing a light signal, a light-conditioning unit configured to condition the light signal, and a diffractive structure. The diffractive structure may be configured to receive the conditioned light signal and produce diffracted light having plasmon-resonance properties and an angular spectrum. The angular spectrum may correspond to the set of cells when the set of cells are within a threshold distance from the diffractive structure. The apparatus further includes a light-collecting unit for collecting the diffracted light.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for performing spectroscopy and optical microscopy are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, a Raman spectrometer includes a vacuum ultraviolet light source configured to generate light having a wavelength within a window in the vacuum ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum within which a local minimum in the absorption coefficient of Oxygen occurs. The spectrometer also includes a lens device that receives a first portion of the generated light, directs at least some of the first portion of the generated light toward a target location, receives reflected light from the target location, and directs the reflected light toward a further location. The spectrometer further includes a dispersive device that receives at least some of the reflected light and outputs dispersed light produced based thereupon, and a camera module that is positioned at additional location, where the camera module receives at least some of the dispersed light.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for performing spectroscopy and optical microscopy are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, a Raman spectrometer includes a vacuum ultraviolet light source configured to generate light having a wavelength within a window in the vacuum ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum within which a local minimum in the absorption coefficient of Oxygen occurs. The spectrometer also includes a lens device that receives a first portion of the generated light, directs at least some of the first portion of the generated light toward a target location, receives reflected light from the target location, and directs the reflected light toward a further location. The spectrometer further includes a dispersive device that receives at least some of the reflected light and outputs dispersed light produced based thereupon, and a camera module that is positioned at additional location, where the camera module receives at least some of the dispersed light.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing optical microscopy are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus includes a deep ultraviolet light source configured to generate light having a wavelength within a window in the deep ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum within which a local minimum in the absorption coefficient of Oxygen occurs. Further, the apparatus includes a lens device that receives at least a first portion of the generated light, directs at least some of the first portion of the generated light toward a location, receives reflected light from the location, and directs at least some of the reflected light toward a further location. Additionally, the apparatus includes a camera device that is positioned at one of the further location and an additional location, where the camera device receives at least a second portion of the reflected light, whereby an image is generated by the camera device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reproducing signals from a multi-layer structured recording object wherein a linearly polarized laser beam illuminate the multi-layer structured object, such as a phase change recording medium via an objective lens system having an effective numerical aperture greater than 0.6. A light beam reflective from the object is passed to a filtering mask disposed to receive the reflected light beam. The filtering mask includes a first area that has a first transmissivity and a second area having a second transmissivity different than the first transmissivity. The reflected laser beam passed through the filtering mask is detected to reproduce signals from the recording medium.

Abstract: A modulated light beam, as received from a magnetooptic record medium, carries information in the form of linear polarization rotations having P and S components, herein also referred to as light-phase modulated light. A phase-to-intensity converter optically rotates one of the component linear polarization to be aligned with the linear polarization of the other component. The rotated component and the other component are then combined along a common optical path for interferometrically generating a single intensity-modulated light beam. The intensity-modulated light beam is then detected with an output electrical signal indicative of the information carried by the P and S components. In one form, the phase-to-intensity converter includes generating two intensity-modulated light beams using interferometric techniques, separately detecting the intensity modulator light beams and combining same electrically in a differential amplifier.