Abstract: An optical spike is generated at an arbitrarily selected location within an arbitrary optical link. The optical spike is generated by deriving a spike signal having a plurality of components, and launching the spike signal into the a transmitter end of the optical link. An initial phase relationship between the components is selected such that the involved signal components will be phase aligned at the selected location. In order to achieve this operation, the initial phase relationship between the components may be selected to offset dispersion induced phase changes between the transmitter end of the link and the selected location. One or more optical spikes can be generated at respective arbitrarily selected locations within the link, and may be used for performance monitoring, system control, or other purposes.

Abstract: A light control device includes a substrate, a first reflective layer, a light modulating film in which the refractive index varies according to an applied electric field, a transparent electrode, and a second reflective layer having a reflection characteristic such that the reflection band and transmission band exhibit a steep switching pattern at a specified wavelength. The device is configured such that the specified wavelength and the resonant wavelength of a Fabry-Perot resonator defined by the first reflective layer, the light modulating film, the transparent electrode, and the second reflective layer are substantially the same. The reflection-type light control device has improved light utilization efficiency.

Abstract: A projection system including at least a laser light source, an image generator, a projection lens assembly, and a despeckling device. The image image generator modulates laser light from the laser light source to form a projection image. The projection lens assembly is positioned downstream of the image generator and projects the projection image. The despeckling device limits laser speckle of the projected projection image.

Abstract: An optical modulation device is disclosed which can suppress production of a cause of degradation such as a void or hillock on a light illumination surface thereof and can be incorporated in an image display apparatus of a small size and a high luminance to improve the reliability of the same. The optical modulation device includes first and second surface elements movable relative to each other to form different diffraction gratings to modulate light inputted thereto. Each of the first and second surface elements has a light illumination surface made of an AlCu alloy material. The optical modulation device has an airtight sealed space in which surrounding gas for the first and second surface elements is encapsulated. The surrounding gas contains hydrogen gas or helium gas or both of hydrogen gas and helium gas.

Abstract: Light beam splitting and combining system integrate some optic elements into the interfaces of two sets of prisms. Films for reducing stray color beams are coated the interfaces. Two sides of bigger prisms are faced to each other. Another side of each bigger prism is attached to the hypotenuse side of one small prism. A dichroic mirror and PBS are coated on those interfaces. Modulators are parallel to and positioned on the sides of the small prisms and a third side of one bigger prism. Such a system may be applied to a projector.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a thin-film interference filter structure having a generally wavelength-dependent resonant response to incident optical energy in a predetermined range of wavelengths. The thin-film interference filter structure includes a thermally tunable layer having a thermally tunable optical characteristic such that a range of wavelength-dependent resonant optical responses of the thermally tunable layer are induced by a corresponding range of thermal conditions of the thermally tunable layer. The thin-film interference filter structure is configured to (1) receive a spatially varying pattern of thermal energy at the thermally tunable layer to impart a corresponding spatially varying pattern to the thermally tunable characteristic of the thermally tunable layer, and (2) receive the incident optical energy into the thermally tunable layer and output optical energy having spatial modulation corresponding to the spatially varying pattern of the thermally tunable characteristic.

Abstract: A transmission type spatial light modulatoris equipped with a minute transparent optical member for deflecting light in a direction different from an incident direction of incident light and emitting the light, a support member for supporting the minute transparent optical member at a midair position so that the light emission face can be inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to a travel direction of incident light L1, and a driving member for obliquely displacing the minute transparent optical member by an electrical mechanical operation to vary the emission direction of light from the minute transparent optical member.

Abstract: The optically-switched optical network comprises information signal channels allocated for optically transmitting one or more information signals; routing signal channels allocated for optically transmitting routing signals in parallel with the information signals; and switching nodes each operable in responsive to at least one of the routing signals to switch a multi-wavelength optical signal comprising the one or more information signals and the routing signals to another of the switching nodes.

Abstract: An optical modulator has: a waveguide on which propagation light is incident; a metal layer located adjacent to the waveguide and having a periodic structure which periodically extends along at least in a propagation direction of the waveguide; and a dielectric layer located adjacent to a surface of the metal layer which is opposite a surface to which the waveguide is adjacent, the dielectric layer having an electrooptical effect.

Abstract: An addressable array of lenses is disclosed. Two electrical connections per row address specific lenses within that row. Carriages support individual lenses, thus forming resonant units with frequencies unique within each row. A voltage, having the same frequency as a selected resonant unit is applied. The selected lens produces a resonating image. Testing has verified proper resonance addressing within a 5-by-5 array of microlenses. The array can be applied to a Shack-Hartmann (SH) sensor. To compensate for errant images formed outside of their image area, resonating images are identified by a processor. The array thus improves the dynamic range of the wavefront aberration that can be measured by an SH sensor. The inventors currently estimate the improvement over conventional designs to be about a factor of 30.

Abstract: A stereoscopic display device is provided. The stereoscopic display device includes an optical waveguide member and a first main surface and a second main surface. The first and second main surfaces face each other. A first light path changing member is provided on at least one of the first and second main surfaces, and is operative to change the path of light guided by the optical waveguide member. A second light path changing member is provided on at least one of the first and second main surfaces, and is operative to change the path of the light guided by the optical waveguide member. A reflector body is disposed so as to face the second main surface and reflects the light emitted from the second light path changing member to the first main surface.

Abstract: A method for aligning multiple substrates. The method includes providing a handle substrate, providing a spacer substrate, and forming a plurality of first alignment marks on a first surface of the handle substrate. The method also includes forming a plurality of self-limiting alignment marks on a first surface of the spacer substrate and forming a plurality of openings in the spacer substrate, each of the plurality of openings surrounded by standoff regions. The method further includes aligning the first surface of the handle substrate and the first surface of the spacer substrate using the first alignment marks and the self-limiting alignment marks and bonding the handle substrate to the spacer substrate to form a composite substrate structure. In a specific embodiment, the plurality of self-limiting alignment marks and the plurality of openings are formed using an anisotropic wet etching process that preferentially etches the spacer substrate.

Abstract: A display panel includes an array of interferometric modulators arranged over a transparent substrate and a transparent electrical device arranged between the array of interferometric modulators and the transparent substrate. The transparent electrical device may be electrically connected to the array of interferometric modulators or to other parts of the display panel. Examples of suitable transparent electrical devices include capacitors, resistors, inductors and filters. The use of such transparent electrical devices may provide various advantages, such as increased design flexibility, by allowing the electrical devices to be included in various parts of the array, including the viewing regions.

Abstract: In an optical modulation device (10) having an electrical/optical interaction region (11), an electrical signal line (3) is connected to an electrical signal input terminal (2a), another electrical signal line (4a) is connected to an electrical signal output terminal (2b), and a reflection control circuit (5) is connected to the other electrical signal line (4a). This reflection control circuit (5) is an impedance element which positively reflects an output electrical signal from the interaction region (11) of the optical modulation device (10). This makes it possible to raise the upper-limiting frequency at which the E/O (Electrical-to-Optical) response characteristic can be improved, and improve the flatness of the frequency characteristic of the E/O response without deteriorating the absolute value of the E/O response.

Abstract: A one-dimensional illumination apparatus includes: a light source including a plurality of laser devices arrayed one-dimensionally; a wavefront dividing unit including one or more cylindrical lens arrays for dividing a wavefront of light emitted from the light source and superimposing divided wavefronts; a waveform superimposing unit for introducing light from the wavefront dividing unit to an object and superimposing divided wavefronts; and a polarization converting unit for rotating a plane of polarization of one laser beam of a pair of adjacent laser beams divided by the wavefront dividing unit. The polarization converting unit is located right in front of or right behind an optical element through which laser light from the light source finally passes in the wavefront dividing unit.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator comprises an integrated optical compensation structure, e.g., an optical compensation structure arranged between a substrate and a plurality of individually addressable light-modulating elements, or an optical compensation structure located on the opposite side of the light-modulating elements from the substrate. The individually addressable light-modulating elements are configured to modulate light transmitted through or reflected from the transparent substrate. Methods for making such spatial light modulators involve fabricating an optical compensation structure over a substrate and fabricating a plurality of individually addressable light-modulating elements over the optical compensation structure. The optical compensation structure may be a passive optical compensation structure.

Abstract: An exemplary focusing mechanism (100) for focusing a lens module includes a testing apparatus (10) and a processor (20), the testing apparatus includes a first testing chart (12) and a second testing chart (14), the first testing chart and the second testing chart are movably placed in an incident light path of the lens module, the processor is connected to the testing apparatus. Two exemplary focusing methods for focusing a lens module are also provided, each method using the focusing system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for demultiplexing multiple wavelengths of light. In one embodiment, an optical signal having a plurality of wavelengths is provided to an optical-to-electrical (OE) circuit configured to convert optical signals into electrical signals. The optical signal may include a plurality of wavelengths. The OE circuit converts the optical signal into a first electrical signal. The first electrical signal is received by a demodulating circuit, which also receives a demodulating signal. The demodulating circuit combines both the first electrical signal and the demodulating signal in order to produce a second electrical signal. Both the second electrical signal and the demodulating signal correspond to one of the wavelengths in the optical signal.

Abstract: Described are an optical transmitter and a method for generating a single sideband optical signal. The method includes generating a data signal at a first power level and at a second power level with a predetermined ratio being defined between the power levels. The data signal at the first power level is applied to a phase module disposed in a laser cavity of a semiconductor laser to generate a frequency modulated laser signal having a double sideband. The intensity of the frequency modulated laser signal is modulated in response to the data signal at the second power level to yield the single sideband optical signal. Optical transmitters implementing the method have an increased manufacturing yield and reliability, a lower fabrication cost and a decreased size compared to other optical single sideband optical transmitters.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an optical interferometer are provided. The method includes setting a thermoelectric cooler (TEC) temperature of the optical interferometer to a room temperature, obtaining an optimal temperature using a difference between two output powers of the optical interferometer based on eye opening of the two output powers and applying an optimal heat voltage generating the optimal temperature to a delay adjuster of the optical interferometer, and performing dithering at the optimal temperature to stabilize the optimal heat voltage.

Abstract: Micro-displays used for front or rear projection systems as well as near-eye viewing systems may be enhanced using embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, the invention may include an array of micromechanical optical modulators, an electronic control system for operating the optical modulators in accordance with a received video signal, and an overlayer for the array of modulators to modify the fill factor for incident light on the array of modulators, the incident light corresponding to at least one color constituent of a video signal.

Abstract: An optical modulator is overdriven to increase its nonlinearity and therefore improve its response as it pertains to differential phase shift keyed (DPSK) transmission and a method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the MZM includes an MZM drive circuit coupled to the electrodes and configured to deliver to the electrode a DPSK drive signal bearing digital data and having a voltage that exceeds a normal drive voltage of the MZM by at least about 20%.

Abstract: Techniques for reconfiguring spectral features stored in a medium based on a two-state atomic system with transition dipole moment ? includes causing a chirp to pass into the medium. The chirp includes a monochromatic frequency that varies in time by a chirp rate ? over a frequency band BR during a time interval TR. The amplitude AR of the chirp is constant over BR and equal to AR=(hbar/??)?{square root over ((? ln [2/?]))}, The term hbar is reduced Plank's constant, ln is a natural logarithm function, and ? is a ratio of a circumference of a circle to a diameter of the circle. For ?<<1, the atomic-state populations in the two states are inverted. For ?=1, prior atomic-state populations are erased, with final populations equal in the two states, regardless of populations before erasure.

Abstract: An optical pulse-shaper includes a prism, a delay line having positive optical power and a reflective spatial light modulator. In one arrangement the delay line has a selectively variable optical path length for accommodating pulses of different spectral bandwidth and positive optical power is provided by a concave mirror. In another arrangement, the delay line includes a zoom-mirror arranged to provide selectively variable optical power for accommodating pulses of different spectral bandwidth.

Abstract: A beam modulator (14) for modulating a beam (20) includes a modulator element (26) and a housing assembly (24). The modulator element (26) is positioned in the path of the beam (20). The housing assembly (24) retains the modulator element (26). Additionally, the housing assembly (24) defines a resonant cavity (328) with the modulator element (26) positioned therein. The housing assembly (24) includes a size adjuster (30) that can be moved to selectively adjust the size of the resonant cavity (328). As a result thereof, in certain embodiments, the resonant frequency of the beam modulator (14) can be easily tuned over a relatively large frequency range.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for testing the electrical characteristics of reflective displays, including interferometric modulator displays. In one embodiment, a controlled voltage is applied to conductive leads in the display and the resulting current is measured. The voltage may be controlled so as to ensure that interferometric modulators do not actuate during the resistance measurements. Also disclosed are methods for conditioning interferometric modulator display by applying a voltage waveform that causes actuation of interferometric modulators in the display.

Abstract: A method for communicating with a vehicle has a generator for producing a data stream that can indicate, street sign information, house number, lead vehicle information, traffic information, oncoming vehicle information, juxtaposed vehicle information, a voice channel, etc. vehicle information can indicate braking, low beam requests, direct or indirect traffic flow information, adjacency, partial adjacency, or presence of nearby vehicles, etc. This signal is generated by at least one of: the sign, house number, oncoming vehicle, lead vehicle, operator of the lead vehicle, operator of the oncoming vehicle, operator of the juxtaposed vehicle, a traffic control system. A device for generating such data streams is discussed, as well as, a device for receiving such data streams. Information pertinent to the people in the vehicles or operation of the vehicle can be modulated on the link.

Abstract: A method for communicating with a vehicle has a generator for producing a data stream that can indicate, street sign information, house number, lead vehicle information, traffic information, oncoming vehicle information, juxtaposed vehicle information, a voice channel, etc. vehicle information can indicate braking, low beam requests, direct or indirect traffic flow information, adjacency, partial adjacency, or presence of nearby vehicles, etc. This signal is generated by at least one of: the sign, house number, oncoming vehicle, lead vehicle, operator of the lead vehicle, operator of the oncoming vehicle, operator of the juxtaposed vehicle, a traffic control system. A device for generating such data streams is discussed, as well as, a device for receiving such data streams. Information pertinent to the people in the vehicles or operation of the vehicle can be modulated on the link.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a novel arrangement of optical devices for the rapid patterning of laser profiles used for desorption and/or ionization sources in analytical mass spectrometry. Specifically, the new optical arrangement provides for a user-defined laser pattern at the sample target that can be quickly changed (on a microsecond timescale) to different dimensions (or shapes) for subsequent laser firings.

Abstract: A modulator for a projection system includes a surface having a number of pixels defined thereon corresponding to pixels of the projection system. The pixel areas have shapes that counter a distortion of a lens of the projection system, such that distortion effects of the lens are reduced, and/or the side profile of the surface matches a field curvature of the lens of the projection system, such that field curvature effects of the lens are reduced.

Abstract: The invention provides a display method for displaying an image by deposition of metal fine particles. The display method includes at least depositing metal fine particles, from an electrolytic solution that has at least a metal ion of the metal particles and that is provided between a pair of substrates having at least one translucent substrate, onto a surface of any one of the pair of substrates by imparting one stimulus. A concentration of the metal ion of the metal fine particles in the electrolytic solution after imparting the stimulus is about 200 mmol/l or less. The invention further provides a display device which uses the display method.

Abstract: An Interferometric Modulator (IMod) is a microelectromechanical device for modulating light using interference. The colors of these devices may be determined in a spatial fashion, and their inherent color shift may be compensated for using several optical compensation mechanisms. Brightness, addressing, and driving of IMods may be accomplished in a variety of ways with appropriate packaging, and peripheral electronics which can be attached and/or fabricated using one of many techniques. The devices may be used in both embedded and directly perceived applications, the latter providing multiple viewing modes as well as a multitude of product concepts ranging in size from microscopic to architectural in scope.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes mechanisms for light modulation, light imaging, light deflecting, and light scanning. The light modulation mechanism includes at least one light modulation device including light modulation elements, and is configured to emit modulated light. The light modulation elements are arranged in a single-dimension formation in a first direction orthogonal to a light axis of the modulated light. The light imaging mechanism transfers the modulated light as light of an object to form an image of the object on an image screen. The light deflecting mechanism deflects the light of the object in a direction orthogonal to the first direction and the axis of the light. The light scanning mechanism is disposed on a passage of the deflected light to scan that light.

Abstract: A two-dimensional image formation apparatus according to the present invention is provided with laser sources (1a)˜(1c), diffusers (6a)˜(6c) for diffusing light, illumination optical systems for irradiating the diffusers (6a)˜(6c) with lights emitted from the laser sources (1a)˜(1c), diffuser vibration units (13a)˜(13c) for vibrating the diffusers (6a)˜(6c), and spatial light modulators (7a)˜(7c) disposed near the diffusers (6a)˜(6c), for modulating the lights emitted from the laser sources (1a)˜(1c) and diffused by the diffusers (6a)˜(6c), wherein the diffusers (6a)˜(6c) are vibrated by the diffuser vibration units (13a)˜(13c) at a velocity that satisfies a relationship, V>d×30 (millimeters/sec), which is established between the grain size d of the diffusers and the vibration speed V of the diffusers, whereby speckle noise existing in an image projected on a screen (11) can be effectively reduced.

Abstract: An optical modulator used for optically modulating electromagnetic energy. The optical modulator comprises a substrate and three substantially planar reflectors arranged substantially mutually orthogonal to each other. The planar reflectors comprise a base reflector disposed substantially in the plane of the substrate and first and second side reflectors operably coupled to the base reflector. The optical modulator further comprises a pair of electrically conductive traces operably connected to the base reflector, an electrically conductive pad operably connected to each of the conductive traces, at least one material layer deposited on the base reflector by which its reflection properties may be altered or modulated with an applied voltage, and a biasing source operably coupled to said conductive pads for providing a modulated voltage to the base reflector.

Abstract: New aerogels are disclosed which comprise silica and at least one organic polymer having polar functional groups. Also disclosed are methods for making such aerogels and for making them as substantially transparent objects. In addition, gas detectors, liquid and gas absorbing objects, and optical devices made using these aerogels are disclosed. The present invention concerns optical elements which are substantially transparent and exhibit low refractive indices. The invention further relates to detectors of reactive and absorbate gases based on the physical changes exhibited by the aerogels upon reacting with or absorbing such gases. The present invention further concerns printable objects comprising these aerogels, specifically when the print media are imaged by the absorption of liquid and the spatial localization of pigments or dyes. The invention further concerns reactive gas absorbers comprising these aerogels and the catalytic function the aerogels serve to catalyze subsequent chemical reaction.

Abstract: An optical resonant modulator includes an optical ring resonator and an optical loop that is coupled to the optical ring resonator by two couplers. The optical ring resonator can have a hybrid design in which the ring resonator is formed on an electro-optically passive material and the optical loop is formed on an electro-optically active material. An amplification section can be inserted between the electro-optically passive and the electro-optically active sections. In analog applications, an optical resonator includes a Mach Zehnder interferometer section having an input and an output, with a feedback path coupling the output to the input. Applications of the optical modulator of the invention, and a method for modulating an optical signal also are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of forming an inorganic alignment film on a base substrate is provided comprising forming a film made substantially of an inorganic material on the base substrate, and irradiating ion beams onto the surface of the film from a direction inclined at a predetermined angle ?b with respect to the direction vertical to the surface. By irradiating the ion beams onto the film, concave portions having a predetermined directivity are formed on the film. The predetermined angle ?b is preferably 2° or more.

Abstract: An optical signal demodulator for demodulating an M-ary phase shift key (PSK) optical signal comprises a plurality of interferometers arranged such that the optical signal is divided between the interferometers. Each interferometer comprises a plurality of interferometer arms, each arm for transmitting a portion of the signal between an input and an output of the interferometer, the interferometer including an optical delay in one arm relative to another arm thereof. The optical delay between arms of an interferometer may be provided by an optical path length difference between the arms. The optical delay between arms of an interferometer may be different for one interferometer to that of another interferometer.

Abstract: A process for making photonic crystal circuit and a photonic crystal circuit consisting of regularly-distributed holes in a high index dielectric material, and controllably-placed defects within this lattice, creating waveguides, cavities, etc. for photonic devices. The process is based upon the discovery that some positive ultraviolet (UV) photoresists are electron beam sensitive and behave like negative electron beam photoresists. This permits creation of photonic crystal circuits using a combination of electron beam and UV exposures. As a result, the process combines the best features of the two exposure methods: the high speed of UV exposure and the high resolution and control of the electron beam exposure. The process also eliminates the need for expensive photomasks.

Abstract: A modulator has a transparent substrate with a first surface. At least one interferometric modulator element resides on the first surface. At least one thin film circuit component electrically connected to the element resides on the surface. When more than one interferometric element resides on the first surface, there is at least one thin film circuit component corresponding to each element residing on the first surface.

Abstract: A superconductor-based modulator includes a superconductor coupled to a cold reservoir to receive extreme ultra-violet (EUV) light beams. The light beams are modulated by altering transmission and reflection properties of the superconductor. Magnetic field, temperature, or a combination of both, may be used to control the superconducting properties of the superconductor. The modulator may perform temporal, spatial, and grey-scale modulations. The surface of the superconductor may be patterned with heat or infrared radiation to facilitate light focusing.

Abstract: A light guide plate that eliminates haze while obtaining a desired uniformity of luminance to enhance light efficiency. The light guide plate can be used with a backlight unit using the light guide plate and an LCD using the backlight unit. The light guide plate includes an incidence face to allow light emitted from a light source to be incident to the light guide plate, an outgoing face to allow the incident light to exit the light guide plate, a backside face opposite to the outgoing face, and mirror patterns provided at the outgoing face or backside face, and adapted to increase an exiting rate of the light at a low luminance region defined in a vicinity of the light source.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a spatial light modulator. The method includes forming cavities in a first substrate and fabricating electrodes on a second substrate. The method also includes bonding the first substrate to the second substrate and forming a mirror plate from a portion of the first substrate. The mirror plate has an upper surface and a lower surface. The method further includes forming a hinge coupled to the mirror plate and forming a reflective surface coupled to the upper surface of the mirror plate.

Abstract: Methods for preparing optical filter nanocomposites from nanopowders. Both low-loaded and highly-loaded nanocomposites are included. Nanoscale coated and un-coated fillers may be used. Nanocomposite filter layers may be prepared on substrates. Gradient nanocomposites for filters are discussed.

Abstract: An optical modulator having a junction layer is disclosed. An optical modulator may be provided which includes a substrate, an insulation layer positioned on the substrate, a ribbon layer positioned with an intermediate portion spaced apart from the insulation layer by a predetermined distance, a protective layer positioned on both ends of the ribbon layer, a junction layer positioned on the protective layer which has an adhesive property and which prevents the diffusion of gas, and a piezoelectric element joined with the protective layer by way of the junction layer interposed in-between which moves the intermediate portion of the ribbon layer toward and away from the substrate. In certain embodiments of the invention, the light diffraction property and reliability of the overall optical modulator can be maximized, by positioning a junction layer, having improved adhesion and capable of preventing the diffusion of oxygen, on the lower surface of the piezoelectric elements.

Abstract: An interference modulator (Imod) incorporates anti-reflection coatings and/or micro-fabricated supplemental lighting sources. An efficient drive scheme is provided for matrix addressed arrays of IMods or other micromechanical devices. An improved color scheme provides greater flexibility. Electronic hardware can be field reconfigured to accommodate different display formats and/or application functions. An IMod's electromechanical behavior can be decoupled from its optical behavior. An improved actuation means is provided, some one of which may be hidden from view. An IMod or IMod array is fabricated and used in conjunction with a MEMS switch or switch array. An IMod can be used for optical switching and modulation. Some IMods incorporate 2-D and 3-D photonic structures. A variety of applications for the modulation of light are discussed. A MEMS manufacturing and packaging approach is provided based on a continuous web fed process.

Abstract: A photopolymerisable system is disclosed which can be polymerised by exposure to UV light, for example, to form a solid, light-transmitting sheet material having volume refractive index variations defining an optical diffuser or a hologram, for example. The system includes a silicone monomer, prepolymer, macromonomer or co-monomer capable of undergoing free radical initiated polymerization and further includes a photoinitiator.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to a spatial light modulator (SLM) for modulating light incident thereon. The SLM includes a plurality of pixels, each pixel including a plurality of phase shift elements. The SLM also includes a transform filter adapted to control the imaging system to resolve each pixel but not each phase shift element in each pixel. The plurality of pixels are controlled to independently modulate phase and magnitude of light reflected therefrom. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A three-dimensional imaging resonator and method therefor provides improved surface height measurement capability in optical measuring systems. A resonator including a surface of interest in a resonant image path is coupled to an external multi-pixel detector that detects an image of intensity of light reflected from or transmitted through the resonator. An imaging system is included in the resonator to image a region of a surface of interest on another reflector forming part of the resonator. By changing an effective cavity length of the resonator, the image is “scanned” in a direction perpendicular to the other reflector and a processing system stores information corresponding to resonance peaks to achieve a mapping of feature height above the surface of interest. The resonator effective cavity length can be changed by sweeping the illumination wavelength or by mechanically or otherwise altering the optical length of the resonator.