Abstract: An image display device includes an image forming device, collimating optical system, and optical device, with the optical device including a light guide plate, first diffraction grating member and second diffraction grating member which are made up of a volume hologram diffraction grating, and with central light emitted from the pixel of the center of the image forming device and passed through the center of the collimating optical system being input to the light guide plate from the near side of the second diffraction grating member with a certain angle. Thus, the image display device capable of preventing occurrence of color irregularities, despite the simple configuration, can be provided.

Abstract: A virtual image display device with an optical waveguide to guide, by internal total reflection, parallel pencil groups meeting a condition of internal total reflection, a first reflection volume hologram grating to diffract and reflect the parallel pencil groups incident upon the optical waveguide from outside and traveling in different directions as they are so as to meet the condition of internal total reflection inside the optical waveguide and a second reflection volume hologram grating to project the parallel pencil groups guided by internal total reflection inside the optical waveguide as they are from the optical waveguide by diffraction and reflection thereof so as to depart from the condition of internal total reflection inside the optical waveguide.

Abstract: A virtual image display device which displays a two-dimensional image for viewing a virtual image in a magnified form by a virtual optical system. The virtual image display device includes an optical waveguide to guide, by internal total reflection, parallel pencil groups meeting a condition of internal total reflection, a first reflection volume hologram grating to diffract and reflect the parallel pencil groups incident upon the optical waveguide from outside and traveling in different directions as they are so as to meet the condition of internal total reflection inside the optical waveguide and a second reflection volume hologram grating to project the parallel pencil groups guided by internal total reflection inside the optical waveguide as they are from the optical waveguide by diffraction and reflection thereof so as to depart from the condition of internal total reflection inside the optical waveguide.

Abstract: A virtual image display device is provided which displays a two-dimensional image for viewing a virtual image in a magnified form by a virtual optical system. The virtual image display device includes an optical waveguide (13) to guide, by internal total reflection, parallel pencil groups meeting a condition of internal total reflection, a first reflection volume hologram grating (14) to diffract and reflect the parallel pencil groups incident upon the optical waveguide from outside and traveling in different directions as they are so as to meet the condition of internal total reflection inside the optical waveguide and a second reflection volume hologram grating (15) to project the parallel pencil groups guided by internal total reflection inside the optical waveguide as they are from the optical waveguide by diffraction and reflection thereof so as to depart from the condition of internal total reflection inside the optical waveguide.

Abstract: A medium 1, that is a laminated holographic medium of the present invention is composed of two or more core layers 2; 3 or more cladding layers 3 set so as to bind the core layers 2; one or more diffraction grating layers 4 storing information data and set at a boundary between a portion of the core layers 2 and the cladding layers 3 binding the core layers 2 or set inside the core layers 2; and one or more recording layers 42 storing information data as forms or a refractive index distribution and set at a boundary between a portion of the core layers 2 and the cladding layers 3 binding the core layers 2 or inside the core layers 2 through or without a gap layer.

Abstract: A device that provides light beam switching, agile steering of the light beam over a range of angles, and generation of arbitrary wavefront shapes with high spatial and temporal resolution. The agile device can include a volume diffractive structure comprising Bragg planes having one refractive index and the Bragg planes separated by regions containing an active optical medium. Electrodes (which may be the Bragg planes themselves, or may be arrayed adjacent to the active optical medium) are used to control the electric field intensity and direction across the structure, and thereby control the diffraction efficiency of the structure and the local phase delay imposed on a diffracted wavefront. Means are provided for addressing the many thousands of electrodes required for precise and rapid wavefront control. Applications include free-space atmospheric optical communications, near-eye displays, direct-view 3D displays, optical switching, and a host of other applications.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a slider mounted on an arm, a first waveguide including a first core guiding layer, a second waveguide mounted on the slider and including a second core guiding layer having a thickness smaller than the thickness of the first core guiding layer, and a coupler for coupling light from the first core guiding layer to the second core guiding layer.

Abstract: An optical device comprises a light source unit comprising a plurality of light sources, a light mixing unit that is formed on the light source unit and comprises a light guiding part guiding light emitted from each light source, and a light mixing part mixing the guided light. A supporter supports the light mixing unit to be spaced from the light source unit. A small-sized optical device is provided having an enhanced light efficiency and a projection system having the same.

Abstract: An organic electro luminescent display with auxiliary layers on a cathode contact and an encapsulating junction region to easily remove polymer organic layers of the junction. The organic electro luminescent display has the first electrode formed on a lower insulating substrate, a pixel defining layer formed to make some portions of the first electrode opened over the entire surface of the lower insulating substrate, an organic emission layer formed on an opening of the first electrode, the second electrode formed on the organic emission layer, an upper substrate for encapsulating the first electrode, the organic emission layer and the second electrode, and auxiliary layers formed on the cathode contact and the encapsulating junction region of the lower insulating substrate.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus and method for a display device designed such that light is incident on a hologram or hologram pattern at an angle for which diffraction efficiency is the highest. The illumination apparatus includes at least one point light source which emits light and a light guide plate (LGP) which has the at least one point light source disposed on a side thereof and a hologram pattern on a top surface which permits the light incident from the point light source to exit from the top surface. The side of the LGP facing the point light source is inclined such that the light is incident obliquely on the hologram pattern at an altitude angle which provides high diffraction efficiency.

Abstract: Light guides of various shapes are configured to adjust the angle of the individual light rays in a bundle of light within the light guide so that the angle of the respective rays are adjusted towards an acceptance angle of a hologram embedded within the light guide. The hologram embedded in the light guide is configured to eject individual rays towards the display elements when the respective rays are within a range of acceptance angles.

Abstract: A projector capable of adjusting brightness and brightness uniformity includes a light module, a light pipe, a first lens module, a second lens module and an image module. The light module generates a light ray. The light pipe includes an entrance and an exit. The light ray is converged onto the entrance of the light pipe and outputted through the exit of the light pipe. The first lens module has a first focal surface, which overlaps the exit of the light pipe, and receives the light ray outputted through the exit of the light pipe. The second lens module has a second focal surface and receives the light ray outputted through the first lens module. The image module is disposed on the second focal surface of the second lens module and receives the light ray outputted through the second lens module.

Abstract: Disclosed is an illumination unit comprising a strip-type optical wave guide and an imaging means, and providing a very high light efficiency with a reduced number of primary light sources. The illumination unit enables the production of a coherent plane wave field having a temporal and spatial coherence required for holographic reconstructions. The strip-type optical wave guide contains extraction elements for extracting injected coherent light guided into an observer plane by imaging elements via a controllable light modulation means. During the injection of light, the extraction elements form a grid of secondary light sources which are arranged in the front focal plane of the imaging elements and carry out the spatial coherence in at least one dimension. A secondary light source and an imaging element are associated with each other in order to guide the extracted light through the controllable light modulation means in a collimated manner.

Abstract: A heads-up display comprises a monochrome display device for generating an image and an optical device for generating a virtual image from the image of the display device. The monochrome display device comprises a display and a backlight for illuminating the display from its backside. The backlight comprises a first light source emitting light of a first color, a second light source emitting light of a second color, a first light guide coupled to the first light source, and a second light guide coupled to the second light source. The first and second light guides are disposed in such close juxtaposition behind the display so that they illuminate together the entire backside of the display and illuminate a first region of the display associated with the first light guide with the first color and a second region of the display associated with the second light guide with the second color.

Abstract: An exit pupil extender with one input optical element and two exit optical elements disposed on different sides of the input optical element. The exit pupil extender also comprises two intermediate diffractive optical couplers, each disposed between the input optical element and one exit optical element. The couplers serve as exit pupil extending components. The grating lines of the couplers are at substantially a 60-degree angle from that of the optical elements in order to optimize the exit pupil extending efficiency. This invention further describes a general diffractive optics method that uses a plurality of diffractive elements on an optical substrate for expanding the exit pupil of a display of an electronic device for viewing. The system can support a broad range of rotations angles (e.g., 0<?<70°) and corresponding conical angles and remains geometrically accurate.

Abstract: Systems for highly efficient, in-vivo collection of modulated infra-red light are presented. Specifically, these devices are arranged in an important format with a view to integration with a wristwatch or other wearable device. An optical aperture of large surface area, specially distributed in an annular ring, receives radiation having been modulated in a tissue test site by blood flow. Radiation received about the annular aperture is redirected by a blazed grating or similar optical element at near perpendicular angles, into a radially distributed, condensing light pipe array and further toward a common axis. Radiation converges on the axis, thus increasing the energy density of the collected signal, before it is further directed via a conic element to a detector such as a photodiode. In some versions, these highly specialized optical paths may be formed into a single element of inexpensive plastic or other rigid substrate.

Abstract: A method of designing a backlight light guide for an autostereoscopic 3D display includes specifying a backlight having a light guide thickness and extractor angle and a light transmission surface having a predetermined width value and a predetermined length value. Then, the method includes selecting a plurality of design parameter value pairs, where each parameter value pairs includes a light guide thickness value and a prism angle value, and each design parameter value pair is different from each other. Then the method includes executing an ray tracing optical model on the light guide for each parameter value pair to calculate output data for each parameter value pair, the output data including a single pass light extraction efficiency value, an average minimum light angle value emitted from the second surface, and a maximum flux/minimum flux value emitted from the second surface; and selecting a parameter value pair based on the output data to manufacture the light guide for an autostereoscopic 3D display.

Abstract: A diffractive coupling element based on a computer-generated hologram is used in an optical coupling system of a transmitter to control the launch of laser light from a laser light source onto an end of an optical fiber. The diffractive coupling element controls the launch of the laser light such that a desired optical intensity distribution pattern is provided that substantially avoids the center and edge refractive index defects contained in the optical fiber.

Abstract: A display system (100, 200, 300, 350, 400, 450) for displaying an image is described. The display system (100, 200, 300, 350, 400, 450) typically comprises one or a plurality of individual light sources (102) and a light collecting stage (110, 210, 310, 410) which comprises a separate light collecting sub-system associated with each light source (102), or group of light sources (102). The display system (100, 200, 300, 350, 400, 450) typically comprises at least one light modulator (120) which is operable to modulate light received from the light collecting stage (110, 210, 310, 410) according to an image which is to be displayed. Finally a projection stage (130) is provided for projecting the image, typically on a projection screen. The present invention also relates to a corresponding method. The present invention is especially useful with light sources having a packaging around the light emitting surface such that the light sources cannot be physically placed adjacent to each other.

Abstract: A tunable wavelength filter device that includes a light wave circuit having an input light wave path, an output light wave path, and a plurality of reflector elements between the input light wave path and the output light wave path that separate one or more wavelengths of an inputted light wave spectrum. A tuner component is positioned on the light wave circuit between the input light wave path and the output light wave path. The tuner component has an index of refraction that is chosen so as to alter the path of the light wave so that the resulting wavelength of the light wave that is output from the device is the desired wavelength.

Abstract: A chirped grating is made in a thin film layer or a glass layer for producing a holographic optical element within the layer well suited for use as an optical coupler for coupling side fired laser light into optical fibers for laser light pumping of optical fibers with the grating made in the layer by generating interference fringes burned into the layer with interference fringes created from interfering a reference laser beam with a plurality of convergent laser beams from respective lenses of an array of lenses.

Abstract: In a holographic information recording and reproducing apparatus, an optical fiber guides a reference beam toward a recording medium for holographic recording, and a precision rotator is turned, so that the reference beam is incident on the recording medium at different angles and interferes with a data-carrying signal beam to complete the recording of holographic information on the recording medium. To reproduce the holographic information, the optical fiber guides a reading beam, and the reading beam is incident on the recording medium at an angle the same as the reference beam for the recording to reproduce the holographic information stored on the recording medium. With the optical fiber and the precision rotator, a simplified light path system and a wide range of incident angles for the reference and reading beams may be achieved, and the transmissive, reflective, and 90-degree holographic storage techniques may be integrated in one single apparatus.

Abstract: A positioning device for positioning an integration rod module disposed in an optical path between a light source device and a projection lens within a projection apparatus includes a flexible element having a fixing plate section mounted securely on an inner surface of a casing interconnecting the light source device and the projection lens and enclosing the integration rod module, and a first distal plate section extending integrally from one end of the fixing plate section toward a rod cover mounted on the casing for resiliently urging a holder of the rod module to press against the inner surface of the casing at a position opposite to the flexible element. A stop member is disposed securely on the holder adjacent to the rod cover to facilitate abutment of the first distal plate section of the flexible element against the holder to enhance retention of the rod module within the casing.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for producing a hologram of an object uses light, having photon packets, to illuminate the object and to serve as a reference light. Each photon packet includes a plurality of photons correlated in a quantum-mechanical manner and jointly form a multi-photon Fock state. Some of the photon packets may be used for illuminating the object, and some may be used as a reference light. Photon packets arriving from the object may be made to interfere with the reference light in an interference field, and the brightness distribution in the interference field or a part thereof may be registered by a detector. A light source emitting a plurality of mutually coherent rays of photon packets may be used for generating the packets, some of the rays being used for illuminating the object, and some of the rays being used as a reference light or for forming same.

Abstract: Providing a zoom lens system with a vibration reduction function, a high zoom ratio, and a wide angle of view, an imaging apparatus, a method for vibration reduction, and a method for varying a focal length. The system includes, in order from an object, a first lens group having positive power, a second lens group having negative power, a third lens group having positive power, and a fourth lens group having positive power. Upon zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end, a distance between the first and the second lens groups increases, a distance between the second and the third lens groups decreases, and a distance between the third and the fourth lens groups varies. The third lens group consists of a front group and a rear group. Vibration reduction is carried out by moving only the rear group perpendicularly to the optical axis. Given conditions are satisfied.

Abstract: Low loss, reliable variable optical attenuators and 1×2 switches and polarization insensitive low loss, reliable variable optical attenuators and 1×2 optical switches are described. In one embodiment, a system of the present invention includes a polarization separating sub-system a polarization recombining sub-system and one or more switchable volume diffraction gratings to provide polarization insensitive low loss, reliable variable optical attenuators and 1×2 optical switches.

Abstract: An optical device including an optical waveguide upon which a group of parallel light beams different in traveling direction from each other are incident and from which the group of parallel light beams go out after propagated by repeated total reflection through it. The optical waveguide includes a first reflection-type volume hologram grating, and a second reflection-type volume hologram grating. The pitches of interference fringes on the hologram surfaces of the first and second reflection-type volume hologram gratings are equal to each other. In at least the second reflection-type volume hologram grating, the angle formed between the interference fringes and hologram surfaces are varied continuously or stepwise within the hologram in relation to the main incident light beam so as to meet the Bragg condition. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the unevenness of color and brightness due to angles of view.

Abstract: A backlight unit for a flat panel display and a flat panel display apparatus having the same. The backlight unit for a flat panel display includes a light source emitting light, a light guide panel having an incident surface facing the light source and totally reflecting light incident through the incident surface toward the flat panel display, a holographic pattern that is formed at at least one of an exit surface of the light guide panel or the opposing surface with a predetermined grating period and diffracts light incident into the light guide panel and a dot pattern containing a plurality of particles dispersed on the holographic pattern at intervals shorter than the grating period and scattering incident light.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reference beam coupler for an apparatus for reading from and/or writing to holographic storage media, to a multiplexing scheme using the reference beam coupler, and to an apparatus for reading from and/or writing to holographic storage media using such reference beam coupler or multiplexing scheme. According to the invention, the reference beam coupler has: a substrate; one or more optical fibers passing through the substrate for coupling one or more reference beams; and a reflective area on the substrate for reflecting an object beam, which serves as a Fourier filter for the object beam.

Abstract: A virtual image display device is provided which displays a two-dimensional image for viewing a virtual image in a magnified form by a virtual optical system. The virtual image display device includes an optical waveguide (13) to guide, by internal total reflection, parallel pencil groups meeting a condition of internal total reflection, a first reflection volume hologram grating (14) to diffract and reflect the parallel pencil groups incident upon the optical waveguide from outside and traveling in different directions as they are so as to meet the condition of internal total reflection inside the optical waveguide and a second reflection volume hologram grating (15) to project the parallel pencil groups guided by internal total reflection inside the optical waveguide as they are from the optical waveguide by diffraction and reflection thereof so as to depart from the condition of internal total reflection inside the optical waveguide.

Abstract: An image display device includes an image processing unit, a light source assembly, an optical modulator assembly, and a projection lens assembly. The image processing unit is configured to receive a video signal and generate image data and control signals. The light source assembly and optical modulator assembly are each controlled by the control signals such that the light source assembly generates illumination in a spatial distribution pattern that is coupled to optical modular assembly via a homogenizing device. The projection lens assembly is configured to project an image from the optical modulator assembly onto a viewing surface. The optical modular assembly is configured to maximize the amount of illumination coupled from the light source assembly, and includes at least one optical modulator surface configured to have a substantially 1:1 aspect ratio.

Abstract: A planar optical waveguide has a set of diffractive elements and confines propagating optical signals in at least one transverse spatial dimension. Each diffractive element set routes, between input and output ports, a corresponding diffracted portion of an input optical signal propagating in the planar optical waveguide that is diffracted by the diffractive element set. The input optical signal is successively incident on the diffractive elements.

Abstract: Provided is a black matrix light guide screen display. In a particular embodiment, provided are a plurality of aligned light guides, each having an input end, a midsection and a magnifying output end. A black matrix material is disposed adjacent to the light guides proximate to the magnifying output ends. The plurality of aligned light guides are arranged into a plurality of light guide layers, each layer one light guide thick. The magnifying output ends of each layer are aligned in substantially contiguous parallel contact with interposed black spacers to provide substantially the same magnification vertically and horizontally.

Abstract: An optical apparatus comprises a planar optical waveguide having at least two reflectors. The planar optical waveguide substantially confines in at least one transverse spatial dimension optical signals propagating therein, and the reflectors define an optical resonator that supports at least one resonant optical cavity mode. At least one of the reflectors comprises a set of diffractive elements arranged: so that an optical signal in one of the resonant optical cavity modes is successively incident on the diffractive elements; so as to exhibit a positional variation in amplitude, optical separation, or spatial phase; and so as to apply a transfer function to the optical signal successively incident on the diffractive elements. The transfer function is determined at least in part by said positional variation in amplitude, optical separation, or spatial phase exhibited by the diffractive elements.

Abstract: An optical apparatus comprises a planar optical waveguide and at least one set of diffractive elements formed in or on the waveguide. The waveguide is arranged to confine propagating optical signals in at least one transverse dimension. The diffractive element set collectively exhibits a positional variation in diffractive amplitude, optical separation, or spatial phase over some portion of the set. The diffractive element set is collectively arranged to route, as an output optical signal, between corresponding input and output optical ports, a corresponding diffracted portion of an input optical signal. The diffractive element set is collectively arranged so that the input optical signal or the output optical signal is successively incident on the diffractive elements.

Abstract: Provided is a method of making a self-aligned light guide screen. More specifically, in a particular embodiment, fabrication may commence by providing a first ribbon section of light guides with at least one self alignment feature. A second ribbon section of light guides is provided with at least one self alignment feature configured to mate with the at least one self alignment feature of the first ribbon section. The ribbon sections are then stacked, the alignment features aligning the first and second ribbon sections.

Abstract: Transmission and reflection type holograms may be formed utilizing a novel polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material and its unique switching characteristics to form optical elements. Applications for these switchable holograms include communications switches and switchable transmission, and reflection red, green, and blue lenses. The PDLC material of the present invention offers all of the features of holographic photopolymers with the added advantage that the hologram can be switched on and off with the application of an electric field. The material is a mixture of a polymerizable monomer and liquid crystal, along with other ingredients, including a photoinitiator dye. Upon irradiation, the liquid crystal separates as a distinct phase of nanometer-size droplets aligned in periodic channels forming the hologram. The material is called a holographic polymer-dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC).

Abstract: A hologram recording medium in which data is recorded at a high density, the input of a reference beam to an area to which data is not to be recorded of a recording layer is prevented when recording data to the hologram recording medium, and an amount of noise when reproducing the data from the hologram recording medium is reduced. The hologram recording medium includes a light velocity restriction member restricting an incidence area of a hologram recording layer, thus restricting the incidence of a reference beam onto the hologram recording layer, preventing the incidence of the reference beam onto an area to which data is not to be recorded of the hologram recording layer when recording data and reproducing the amount of noise when reproducing data.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are contemplated for receiving from an input, an optical signal in a volume hologram comprising a transfer function that may comprise temporal or spectral information, and spatial transformation information; diffracting the optical signal; and transmitting the diffracted optical signal to an output. A plurality of inputs and outputs may be coupled to the volume hologram. The transformation may be a linear superposition of transforms, with each transform acting on an input signal or on a component of an input signal. Each transform may act to focus one or more input signals to one or more output ports. A volume hologram may be made by various techniques, and from various materials. A transform function may be calculated by simulating the collision of a design input signal with a design output signal.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to achieve a high intensity, a compact structure, a cost reduction and a heat radiation of a liquid crystal panel, in a projection type video display apparatus employing a combination of LED light sources and a light pipe. The light pipe is formed in a hollow type so as to be utilized as a cooling wind path. Further, a permeable or reflective baffle plate is provided within the light pipe. Further, the light pipe is formed by coating a mirror on an inner surface of an optical case integrally formed by fixing optical parts. Further, a dichroic mirror is arranged in an LED light source outgoing surface.

Abstract: An exit pupil extender wherein the relative amount of different color components in the exit beam is more consistent with that of the input beam. In order to compensate for the uneven amount in the diffracted color components in the exit beam, the exit pupil extender, comprises a plurality of layers having additional diffraction gratings so as to increase the amount of diffracted light for those color components with a lower amount. Additionally, color filters disposed between layers to reduce the diffracted light components with a higher amount.

Abstract: An optical image reader includes a transparent light guide plate having an object placement surface, an illumination light source for emitting light to an end face of the plate, a holographic diffraction grating element disposed at a surface of the plate opposite to the object placement surface via a low refraction index layer, a sensor unit disposed near an end face of the diffraction grating element via a light-condensing optical system, and a control circuit connected to the diffraction grating element and sensor unit. The control circuit performs controlling so that linear areas to which an electrical field is applied are successively selected in the extension direction of the object placement surface, successively receives electrical signals output in linear area units from the sensor unit, converts them into pieces of linear image information, and joins these pieces of linear image information to produce a two-dimensional image.

Abstract: A slab optical waveguide confines in one transverse dimension optical signals propagating in two dimensions therein, and has a set of diffractive elements collectively arranged so as to exhibit positional variation in amplitude, optical separation, or spatial phase. The diffractive elements are collectively arranged so as to apply a transfer function to an input optical signal to produce an output optical signal. The transfer function is determined at least in part by said positional variation in amplitude, optical separation, or spatial phase. The waveguide and diffractive elements are arranged so as to confine only one of the input and output optical signals to propagate in the waveguide so that the optical signal thus confined is successively incident on the diffractive elements, while the other optical signal propagates unconfined by the waveguide in a direction having a substantial component along the confined dimension of the waveguide.

Abstract: An optical wavelength grating coupler incorporating one or more distributed Bragg reflectors (DBR) or other reflective elements to enhance the coupling efficiency thereof. The grating coupler has a grating comprising a plurality of scattering elements adapted to scatter light along a portion of an optical path, and the one or more DBRs are positioned with respect to the grating such that light passing through the grating towards the substrate of the grating coupler is reflected back by DBRs toward the grating. The DBR comprises a multilayer stack of various materials and may be formed on the substrate of the grating coupler. The grating coupler may include a gas-filled cavity, where the cavity is formed by a conventional etching process and is used to reflect light toward the grating. The grating coupler may also incorporate an anti-reflection coating to reduce reflective loss on the surface of the grating.

Abstract: A planar integrated circuit includes a semiconductor substrate having a substrate surface and a trench in the substrate, a waveguide medium in the trench having a top surface and a light propagation axis, the trench having a sufficient depth for the waveguide medium to be at or below said substrate surface, and at least one Schottky barrier electrode formed on the top surface of said waveguide medium and defining a Schottky barrier detector consisting of the electrode and the portion of the waveguide medium underlying the Schottky barrier electrode, at least the underlying portion of the waveguide medium being a semiconductor and defining an electrode-semiconductor interface parallel to the light propagation axis so that light of a predetermined wavelength from said waveguide medium propagates along the interface as a plasmon-polariton wave.

Abstract: An optical apparatus comprises a planar optical waveguide having at least two sets of diffractive elements. The planar optical waveguide substantially confines in at least one transverse spatial dimension optical signals propagating therein. The two diffractive element sets define an optical resonator that supports at least one resonant optical cavity mode. An optical signal in one of the resonant optical cavity modes is successively incident on the diffractive elements of each of the diffractive element sets.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for optical packet decoding, waveform generation, and wavelength multiplexing/demultiplexing using a programmed holographic structure. A configurable programmed holographic structure is disclosed. A configurable programmed holographic structure may be dynamically re-configured through the application of control mechanisms which alter operative holographic structures.

Abstract: A method for optical coupling comprises: includes providing a holographic recording media fixed relative to at least two optical elements; creating a hologram by transmitting light from each of the optical elements to the recording media; and transmitting light from a sending element of the optical elements through the recording media to a receiving element of the optical elements. Other variations include a system comprising at least two optical elements situated on one side of the recording media and an optical detector situated on an opposite side for detecting light transmitted through the opposite side; and a system comprising at least three optical elements situated on one side of the recording media, a beam splitter, and optical pump/control beams configured for transmitting an optical pump/control beam to the beam splitter and the opposite side so as to control transmission of an optical signal.

Abstract: A reconfigurable optical add/drop module (ROADM) for dynamically adding or dropping various wavelengths of an optical signal without having to physically replace the module with a wavelength-specific add/drop module, and corresponding methods. A multiplexed optical signal in an optical network enters the reconfigurable optical add/drop module. Filters on the module separate various wavelengths of the optical signal along the module's various waveguides and a reconfigurable switching matrix directs the various wavelengths of the optical signal to be added, dropped and/or combined with other wavelengths.

Abstract: A slab optical waveguide confines in one transverse dimension optical signals propagating in two dimensions therein, and has a set of diffractive elements collectively arranged so as to exhibit positional variation in amplitude, optical separation, or spatial phase. The diffractive elements are collectively arranged so as to apply a transfer function to an input optical signal to produce an output optical signal. The transfer function is determined at least in part by said positional variation in amplitude, optical separation, or spatial phase. The waveguide and diffractive elements are arranged so as to confine only one of the input and output optical signals to propagate in the waveguide so that the optical signal thus confined is successively incident on the diffractive elements, while the other optical signal propagates unconfined by the waveguide in a direction having a substantial component along the confined dimension of the waveguide.