Reflection Grating (e.g., Retrodirective) Patents (Class 359/572)
  • Patent number: 11740469
    Abstract: A method, includes providing a wafer including a first surface grating extending over a first area of a surface of the wafer and a second surface grating extending over a second area of the surface of the wafer; de-functionalizing a portion of the surface grating in at least one of the first surface grating area and the second surface grating area; and singulating an eyepiece from the wafer, the eyepiece including a portion of the first surface grating area and a portion of the second surface grating area. The first surface grating in the eyepiece corresponds to an input coupling grating for a head-mounted display and the second surface grating corresponds to a pupil expander grating for the head-mounted display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Chieh Chang, Christophe Peroz, Ryan Jason Ong, Ling Li, Sharad D. Bhagat, Samarth Bhargava
  • Patent number: 11693167
    Abstract: A system configuration that significantly improves the laser damage threshold of multi-layer dielectric gratings for lasers applications includes three main sections: 1) a laser module, 2) a TM polarization module, and 3) a multi-layer dielectric grating optimized for high efficiency operation with transverse magnetic polarized laser light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
    Inventors: Hoang T. Nguyen, Jerald A. Britten
  • Patent number: 11687004
    Abstract: A system and method for patterning of a substrate at sub-micron length scales using interference lithography that includes a substrate; a chuck that promotes substrate motion; at least two EM beams; a beam phase controller, wherein the phase controller modifies phases of the EM beams with respect to each other creating an interference pattern; a displacement sensor that measures the substrate displacement; and a feedback control mechanism configured to monitor and synchronize the substrate motion with the interference pattern using the beam phase controller and the displacement sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Photia Incorporated
    Inventor: Joseph Bernhardt Geddes, III
  • Patent number: 11425299
    Abstract: A camera module includes: an image sensor including multiple photosensitive pixels; a diffraction structure covering a part of the multiple photosensitive pixels and configured to disperse incident rays irradiating to the part of the multiple photosensitive pixels into diffraction rays with different phases incident to one or more of the part of the multiple photosensitive pixels; and a signal processor acquiring a first sensing signal corresponding to a photosensitive pixel that does not receive the diffraction rays for generating a 2D image, and acquiring a second sensing signal corresponding to the diffraction rays for generating 3D information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kun Ma
  • Patent number: 11372245
    Abstract: A waveguide apparatus for conveying a virtual image has first and second parallel planar surfaces. A first in-coupling diffractive optic on the first planar surface directs a first subset of image-bearing light beams into the waveguide and a second in-coupling diffractive optic on second planar surface directs a second subset of the image-bearing light beams into the waveguide. The first and second in-coupling diffractive optics are offset with respect to each other along the first and second parallel planar surfaces to independently direct the respective first and second subsets of the image-bearing light beams into the waveguide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Vuzix Corporation
    Inventor: Robert J. Schultz
  • Patent number: 11360306
    Abstract: An optical system comprises an optically transmissive substrate comprising a metasurface which comprises a grating comprising a plurality of unit cells. Each unit cell comprises a laterally-elongated first nanobeam having a first width; and a laterally-elongated second nanobeam spaced apart from the first nanobeam by a gap, the second nanobeam having a second width larger than the first width. A pitch of the unit cells is 10 nm to 1 ?m. The heights of the first and the second nanobeams are: 10 nm to 450 nm where a refractive index of the substrate is more than 3.3; and 10 nm to 1 ?m where the refractive index is 3.3 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Dianmin Lin, Mauro Melli, Pierre St. Hilaire, Christophe Peroz, Evgeni Poliakov
  • Patent number: 11340457
    Abstract: A display device for representing two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional objects or scenes, having at least one spatial light modulation device having pixels for modulating light, at least one optical system, and at least one light guiding device. Light beams originating from the individual pixels of the spatial light modulation device are incident on the at least one light guiding device at different angles on average in relation to the surface of the at least one light guiding device and can be coupled therein, whereby a coupling angular spectrum is definable. The light beams propagating in the at least one light guiding device can be coupled out of the at least one light guiding device at different angles on average in relation to an observer region, whereby a decoupling angular spectrum is definable. The decoupling angular spectrum is enlarged in comparison to the coupling angular spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: SEEREAL TECHNOLOGIES S.A.
    Inventors: Norbert Leister, Bo Kroll, Gerald Futterer
  • Patent number: 11320662
    Abstract: A light deflection film and a display device using the same are provided. The display device includes a display panel and a light deflection film. The light deflection film is disposed on the display panel and includes a first layer, a second layer and a light deflection structure formed at an interface between the first layer and the second layer. The first layer has a first refractive index. The second layer is formed on the first layer and has a second refractive index. The first layer of the light deflection film is located between the second layer and the display panel, and the first refractive index is larger than the second refractive index.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: CM VISUAL TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hsin-Wen Chang, Kuo-Chang Yu
  • Patent number: 11314092
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for light guide based wearable heads-up displays (“WHUD”) are described. Display uniformity may be improved via incoupler double bounce uniformity or eyebox mapping. Grating cosmetic effects may be reduced. FOV may be enhanced by multiple EPEs. Bandwidth may be increased by laser wavelength offsets. The couplers may be a single contiguous photopolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Paul Bodiya, Shreyas Potnis
  • Patent number: 11247505
    Abstract: There is provided an optical structure having a quantization phase difference structure on one surface of a quantization phase difference structure layer, wherein in the quantization phase difference structure, a plurality of quantization projecting portions in a constant size and a plurality of quantization recessed portions in a constant size are aligned, wherein a multiple diffraction region has the quantization phase difference structure where ribbed projecting portions, in which the quantization projecting portions are aligned in one direction, are arranged adjacent to and alternately with groove-like recessed portions, in which the quantization recessed portions are aligned parallel to the ribbed projecting portions, and wherein the multiple diffraction region is a quantization phase difference structure configured to reproduce a plurality of reproduction points discrete in one direction and arranged regularly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akihito Kagotani, Kazuhiro Yashiki
  • Patent number: 11198316
    Abstract: A document, product, or package, such as a banknote, passport or the like comprises structures having dichroic effects that change color with viewing angle in both transmission and reflection. Such structures can be useful as security features that counter the ability to effectively use counterfeit documents, products, packages, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: WAVEFRONT TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Roger Winston Phillips, Christopher Chapman Rich, Joel Mikael Petersen
  • Patent number: 11194084
    Abstract: An optical assembly for optical aperture expansion combines facet reflective technology with diffractive technology. At least two diffractive components having opposite optical power (matching) are used, so that chromatic dispersion introduced by the first diffractive component will then be cancelled by the second diffractive component. The two diffractive components are used in combination with a reflective optical component to achieve more efficient aperture expansion (for near eye display), reducing distortions and noise, while also reducing design constraints on the system and individual components, as compared to conventional techniques. The assembly eliminates and/or reduces the need for polarization management, while enabling wider field of view. In addition, embodiments can have reduced nonuniformity, as compared to conventional single technology implementations, since the distortion patterns of the two technologies do not correlate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Lumus Ltd.
    Inventor: Yochay Danziger
  • Patent number: 11092808
    Abstract: An optical structure includes an input grating and a multilayer waveplate. The input grating is configured to incouple a first spectrum of received image light into a waveguide. The multilayer waveplate is configured to reflect the first spectrum of the image light incoupled by the input grating in the second polarization orientation and reflect a second spectrum of the image light incoupled by the input grating by diffraction in the first polarization orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Wai Sze Tiffany Lam, Yijing Fu
  • Patent number: 10942355
    Abstract: The disclosed projector device may include (1) a first monochromatic emitter array having a plurality of emitters of a first color disposed in a two-dimensional configuration and (2) a second monochromatic emitter array having a plurality of emitters of a second color disposed in a two-dimensional configuration. The first and second monochromatic emitter arrays may be configured to emit images of the first and second colors into a waveguide configuration, and the first color may be different than the second color. Associated display systems and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Daniel Trail, James Ronald Bonar, Gareth Valentine
  • Patent number: 10921633
    Abstract: A display panel and a display device. The display panel includes a light guide plate including a light incident surface and a light emergent surface; the light incident surface is one end surface of the light guide plate; an opposite substrate opposite to the light guide plate; a liquid crystal layer between light guide plate and opposite substrate; a light source located on the light incident surface of light guide plate; a light shielding layer at the side, facing liquid crystal layer, of the opposite substrate; the light shielding layer including light shielding regions, light transmitting regions; light converging elements located on light emergent surface of light guide plate, the light converging elements corresponding to one light shielding region; a transparent conductive structure between light guide plate and opposite substrate and configured to make liquid crystal layer be equivalent to a diffraction grating structure under control of electric signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiandong Meng, Jifeng Tan, Xiaochuan Chen, Wei Wang, Xianqin Meng
  • Patent number: 10895753
    Abstract: A structured light generation device includes a laser light source module and a diffractive optical element. After a non-collimated light beam from the laser light source module is received by a diffraction layer of the diffractive optical element, the non-collimated light beam is modulated as an optical information-bearing light. Since no collimator is between the laser light source module and the diffractive optical element, the spacing distance between the laser light source module and the diffractive optical element is shortened. Consequently, the overall structured light generation device is slim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: AHEAD OPTOELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Jyh-Long Chern, Chih-Ming Yen
  • Patent number: 10768348
    Abstract: An optical display device (600, 700) is disclosed. A diffractive optical element (618, 718) is mounted on a substrate (611, 711). The diffractive optical element comprises a blazed grating (619, 719) and a remnant layer (617, 717) which is formed of the same polymer-based material as the blazed grating. The remnant layer (617, 717) is positioned adjacent the substrate (611, 711) and a refractive index mismatch is provided between the two. The depth of the remnant layer is selected so that light diffracted by the grating and light reflected by the interface re-combine and interfere constructively for selected angles of incidence in order to undergo thin-film interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Wave Optics Ltd
    Inventor: Salim Valera
  • Patent number: 10753798
    Abstract: The invention relates to a compact wideband vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) and soft X-ray grazing incidence spectrometer based on a plane amplitude diffraction grating. The spectrometer enables simultaneous detection of a VUV spectrum in a positive first order of diffraction and a negative first order of diffraction. The technical result of the invention is that of recording a spectrum in a wide spectral range (3-200 nm) with a moderate spectral resolution (?/??˜15-30) and with a significantly higher spectral resolution (?/??˜100-200) in a narrow soft X-ray or extreme ultraviolet range with the possibility of measuring the absolute radiation output in these regions of the spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: RnD-ISAN, Ltd
    Inventors: Dmitriy Borisovich Abramenko, Vladimir Mikhailovich Krivtsun, Aleksander Petrovich Shevelko, Oleg Feliksovich Yakushev
  • Patent number: 10754167
    Abstract: A structured-light projector includes a light source that emits an emitted light with a predetermined pattern; and a diffractive optical element (DOE) that directly receives the emitted light and generates a plurality of light tiles, which are randomly or regularly disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Himax Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Cheng-Hung Chi, Ming-Shu Hsiao
  • Patent number: 10594106
    Abstract: Grating pair architectures used for short pulse stretching, compression and pulse shaping are enabled for use at arbitrary use angles without inducing spatial frequency chirp. These symmetric out-of-plane diffractive grating arrangements are capable of adding or removing spatial, temporal and angular chirp at any incidence angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Emily F. Link, David A. Alessi, Leon C. Haefner, Jerald A. Britten
  • Patent number: 10520740
    Abstract: A diamond-shaped lens system includes: a half diamond-shaped lens including refractive material and having a first surface, a second surface and a third surface for refracting incident light beams from an object having a width of X, from the first surface towards the second surface; a first reflective material positioned at the second surface of the half diamond-shaped lens for reflecting the refracted light beams at a first angle toward the third surface; a second reflective material positioned at the third surface of the half diamond-shaped lens for reflecting the light beams reflected from the first reflective material toward the first surface to exit the first surface at a second angle toward the third surface to form an image of the object with a width Y; and; an apparatus for processing the image of the object to reduce chromatic aberrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: SPECTRUM OPTIX INC.
    Inventors: John Daugela, Darcy Daugela
  • Patent number: 10509231
    Abstract: A waveguide display includes a light source assembly, an output waveguide, and a controller. The light source assembly emits an image light that propagates along an input wave vector. The output waveguide includes a waveguide body with two opposite surfaces. The output waveguide includes a first grating receiving an image light propagating along the input wave vector, a second grating, and a third grating positioned opposite to the second grating and outputting an expanded image light with wave vectors matching the input wave vector. The controller controls the illumination of the light source assembly to form a two-dimensional image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hee Yoon Lee, Wanli Chi, Pasi Saarikko
  • Patent number: 10451479
    Abstract: Increased sensitivity of spectrometers through reducing noise in independent voltage signals via a differential voltage analyzer utilizing a reference wavelength from a wavelength region in which the optical absorption of the sample is negligible. In an embodiment, a grating permits selection of a reference wavelength. In another embodiment, filters permit selection of a reference wavelength. In yet another embodiment, both a grating and a filter permit selection of a reference wavelength. In an aspect, the differential voltage analyzer reduces noise by minimizing a differential voltage between the independent voltage signals and the reference voltage signal by adjusting the value of a cancellation coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: The Curators of the University of Missouri
    Inventor: Zhi Xu
  • Patent number: 10444510
    Abstract: A waveguide display includes a light source assembly, an output waveguide, and a controller. The light source assembly emits an image light that propagates along an input wave vector. The output waveguide includes a waveguide body with two opposite surfaces. The output waveguide includes a first grating receiving an image light propagating along the input wave vector, a second grating, and a third grating positioned opposite to the second grating and outputting an expanded image light with wave vectors matching the input wave vector. The controller controls the illumination of the light source assembly to form a two-dimensional image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hee Yoon Lee, Wanli Chi, Pasi Saarikko
  • Patent number: 10365489
    Abstract: A semi-transmissive reflection sheet is provided, including a first optical shape layer including unit optical shapes, and a second optical shape layer laminated on the first optical shape layer from a side of a surface formed by the unit optical shapes. The unit optical shape has a first surface that is inclined with respect to a light emergent side surface of the second optical shape layer. The light emergent side surface is opposed to the first optical shape layer. The unit optical shape also has a second surface that is not parallel to the light emergent side surface. A reflection layer that reflects at least a part of image light traveling in the semi-transmissive reflection sheet is provided on the first surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sekiguchi, Masahiro Goto, Kazunobu Ogawa
  • Patent number: 10162181
    Abstract: Introduced here is a display device that comprises a light emitter and a diffractive optical element (DOE) that is optically coupled to receive light from the light emitter and to convey the light along an optical path. The DOE may have an input surface and an output surface parallel to the input surface, where the input surface and the output surface each have a central region and a peripheral region. The DOE further may have optical characteristics such that light exiting the DOE in the peripheral region of the output surface has greater brightness than light exiting the DOE in the central region of the output surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: James Randolph Webster, Jeb Wu, Steven John Robbins, Tuomas Heikki Sakari Vallius, Yarn Chee Poon
  • Patent number: 10007233
    Abstract: A decorative element (2), in particular in the form of a transfer film, a laminating film or a security thread, as well as a security document with a decorative element and a method for producing same is described. The decorative element (2) has a microstructure (4) which generates an optical effect in incident light and/or with light passing through. In a first area (32), the microstructure (4) has a base surface (40) and several base elements (41) which have in each case an element surface raised or lowered compared with the base surface (40) and a flank arranged between the element surface and the base surface (40). The base surface (40) of the microstructure defines a base plane spanned by coordinate axes x and y. The element surfaces of the base elements (41) in each case run substantially parallel to the base plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: OVD Kinegram AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schilling, Sebastian Mader, Rene Staub, Wayne Robert Tompkin, Harald Walter
  • Patent number: 9958300
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for fast sweeping a spectral bandwidth in order to distinguish among signals received from effectively wavelength division multiplexed (WDMed) and time division multiplexed (TDMed) optical components on a single fiber. For some embodiments, a method for interrogating optical elements having characteristic wavelengths spanning a sweep range is provided. The method generally includes introducing a pulse of light, by an optical source, into an optical waveguide to interrogate at least a first set of optical elements having different characteristic wavelengths by performing a sweep of wavelengths over a period of the pulse, wherein the period is less than a round-trip time for light reflected from an optical element closest to the optical source to reach a receiver and processing the reflected light to determine a parameter based on the times at which signals are received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Domino Taverner
  • Patent number: 9953851
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to apparatus and methods of thermal processing. More specifically, apparatus and methods described herein relate to laser thermal treatment of semiconductor substrates by increasing the uniformity of energy distribution in an image at a surface of a substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Jiping Li, Aaron Muir Hunter, Bruce E. Adams, Kim Vellore, Samuel C. Howells, Stephen Moffatt
  • Patent number: 9733402
    Abstract: A sub-pixel unit for a reflective display includes a color filter including a tunable high contrast grating. The tunable high contrast grating reflects light within a first range of wavelengths, and the sub-pixel unit can exist in a first state and a second state, the first state reflecting at least one of (i) light within a different range of wavelengths, and (ii) light of a different intensity level, than the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventors: He Liu, Yuhan Yao, Wei Wu
  • Patent number: 9698281
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming at least one sacrificial layer on a substrate during a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process. An absorber layer is deposited on top of the at least one sacrificial layer. A portion of the at least one sacrificial layer beneath the absorber layer is removed to form a gap over which a portion of the absorber layer is suspended. The sacrificial layer can be an oxide of the CMOS process with the oxide being removed to form the gap using a selective hydrofluoric acid vapor dry etch release process. The sacrificial layer can also be a polymer layer with the polymer layer being removed to form the gap using an O2 plasma etching process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Gary Yama, Ando Feyh, Ashwin Samarao, Fabian Purkl, Gary O'Brien
  • Patent number: 9684148
    Abstract: A primary mirror mount assembly includes a body including a mirror surface and a mount surface, with the mount surface having at least one feature formed therein. The mount assembly further includes a hub configured to be secured to the body. The hub includes at least one corresponding mating feature configured to receive the at least one feature of the mount surface of the body therein. The at least one feature and the at least one corresponding mating feature are configured to be welded together. A method of assembling a primary mirror mount assembly is further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Lyale F. Marr, Randy W. White, Richard L. Scott, James L. Dean
  • Patent number: 9134468
    Abstract: An optical authentication component visible in reflection having a structure imprinted on a substrate of index n0, a thin layer, made of a dielectric material having a refractive index n1, deposited on the structure, and a layer made of a material having an index n2 similar to n0, encapsulating the structure coated with the thin layer, is disclosed. The structure has a first pattern modulated by a second pattern, the first pattern is a bas-relief with an array of facets, having shapes which are defined to simulate an image in relief of an object in relief, and the second pattern is a periodic grating that modulates the first pattern which produces, after the thin layer has been deposited and the structure has been encapsulated, a first color at a first viewing angle and a different second color at a second viewing angle, obtained by azimuthal rotation of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Hologram.Industries
    Inventors: Alexandre Noizet, Valery Petiton
  • Patent number: 9087698
    Abstract: A treatment system comprises an energy source that generates a energy beam that is emitted along an energy beam pathway. A beam section shaper is positioned along the energy beam pathway that receives an incident energy beam and modifies a section shape thereof to output a shape-modified energy beam. A beam intensity shaper is positioned along the energy beam pathway that receives an incident energy beam having a first intensity profile and outputs an intensity-modified energy beam having a second intensity profile, wherein the first intensity profile has a relative maximum average intensity at a center region thereof and wherein the second intensity profile has a relative minimum average intensity at a center region thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sanghyun Kim, Chalykh Roman, Jongju Park, Donggun Lee, Seongsue Kim
  • Patent number: 9030742
    Abstract: Optical components and systems comprising combined optical filters and diffraction gratings are generally described. In certain embodiments, an optical filter is in contact with a diffraction grating. In certain embodiments, the optical filter and the diffraction grating can be used to diffract and direct a first portion of electromagnetic radiation incident upon the grating and filter toward a receiver while filtering a second portion of the electromagnetic radiation incident upon the grating and filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Optometrics Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Ventola, Zbynek Ryzi
  • Publication number: 20150124323
    Abstract: A higher forgery prevention effect is realized. A display includes a first interface section provided with a relief-type diffraction grating constituted by a plurality of grooves, and a second interface section provided with a plurality of recesses or projections arranged two-dimensionally at a center-to-center distance smaller than the minimum center-to-center distance of the plural grooves, and each having a forward tapered shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Toshiki TODA, Akira NAGANO, Shingo MARUYAMA
  • Publication number: 20150109672
    Abstract: A reflective diffraction grating includes a substrate and a reflection-enhancing interference layer system. The reflection-enhancing interference layer system has alternating low refractive index dielectric layers having a refractive index n1 and high refractive index dielectric layers having a refractive index n2>n1. The reflective diffraction grating also includes a grating containing a grating structure, which is formed in the topmost low refractive index layer on a side of the interference layer system facing away from the substrate, and a cover layer, which conformally covers the grating structure. The cover layer has a refractive index n3>n1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventors: Frank Fuchs, Uwe D. Zeitner
  • Patent number: 9013794
    Abstract: A dispersive optical device with a three-dimensional photonic crystal. The object is to obtain a device having a high damage threshold on the whole and the making of which is facilitated and guaranteeing optimum optical properties. This object is achieved by using a device in silica including a three-dimensional photonic crystal and a diffraction grating. This device may notably be used in a compressor system for a short pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignees: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Jerome Neauport, Nicolas Bonod
  • Publication number: 20150103405
    Abstract: It is described a method for the production of a fully or partially reflective stretchable and deformable optical element, comprising the implantation in at least one surface of an elastomeric support, by a technique of “Cluster Beam Implantation”, of neutral nanoclusters of a material selected among one or more metals, their alloys, their oxides or mixtures thereof, thus obtaining in said support a nanocomposite layer, possibly emerging at the surface of said element, and said implantation taking place by: uniformly implanting said nanoclusters in a surface of said elastomeric support, wherein said surface has a molded profile essentially corresponding to the profile of the optical element to be produced; or selectively implanting said nanoclusters in a flat surface of said elastomeric support; or uniformly implanting a first layer of said nanoclusters in a surface of said elastomeric support, and then selectively implanting a second layer of said nanoclusters onto the first nanoclusters layer thus obtain
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Gabriele Corbelli, Cristian Ghisleri, Luca Ravagnan, Paolo Milani
  • Patent number: 8970956
    Abstract: Methods of forming microelectronic structures are described. Embodiments of those methods may include forming a photomask on a (110) silicon wafer substrate, wherein the photomask comprises a periodic array of parallelogram openings, and then performing a timed wet etch on the (110) silicon wafer substrate to form a diffraction grating structure that is etched into the (110) silicon wafer substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Yun-Chung Na, John Heck, Haisheng Rong
  • Patent number: 8965152
    Abstract: A projection display 210 arranged to display an image to an observer 212 use waveguide techniques to generate a display defining a large exit pupil at the point of the observer 212 and a large field of view, while using a small image-providing light source device. The projection display 210 uses two parallel waveguides 214, 216 made from a light transmissive material. One waveguide 214 stretches the horizontal pupil of the final display and the other waveguide 216 stretches the vertical pupil of the final display and acts as a combiner through which the observer 212 views an outside world scene 220 and the image overlaid on the scene 220. In a color display, each primary color is transmitted within a separate channel R, G, B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Bae Systems PLC
    Inventor: Michael David Simmonds
  • Publication number: 20150029589
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical device for reflective diffraction with high diffraction efficiency and high laser flux resistance. The device includes a protective structure having at least one mixture layer produced by a uniform mixture of a first material and of a second material, where both of these are dielectric, and wherein said first material has an optical index lower than that of the said second material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Commissariat à I'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives
    Inventors: Jérôme Neauport, Eric Lavastre, Laurent Gallais, Nicolas Bonod
  • Publication number: 20150029588
    Abstract: Techniques to control light wavefronts are described herein. A plurality of sub-wavelength grating (SWG) layers includes a SWG layer. The SWG layer is arranged to control a light wavefront.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Marco Fiorentino, David A. Fattal, Raymond G. Beausoleil
  • Publication number: 20150022893
    Abstract: A diffraction grating includes a grating area having, in a direction running parallel to a substrate, a periodic arrangement of first areas with a first grating material and second areas with a second grating material. The first grating material and the second grating material are solid materials with different indices of refraction. A reflection-reducing or reflection-increasing layer system having at least two layers with different indices refraction. The reflection-reducing or reflection-increasing layer system is arranged on one side of the grating area facing away from the substrate, and an additional layer system having at least two layers with different indices of refraction is arranged between the substrate and the grating area. A method for producing the diffraction grating is also specified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Frank Fuchs, Uwe D. Zeitner, Ernst-Bernhard Kley
  • Patent number: 8934171
    Abstract: A planar optical system for wide field-of-view polychromatic imaging includes a planar waveguide including two plane parallel faces, an entry coupler including a first diffraction grating, and an exit coupler including a second diffraction grating. The diffraction gratings are low line density diffraction gratings that have a pitch greater than the wavelength of use such that the grating is adapted to couple an entry beam having a mean angle of incidence i0 ranging between 30 to 60 degrees into the waveguide by positive first order (+1) diffraction, the coupled beam defining an internal angle of incidence greater than the angle of total internal reflection and less than ?=80 degrees, and the second grating is adapted to receive the coupled beam and to diffract it out of the waveguide by negative first order (?1) diffraction at a mean exit angle i1 ranging between 30 to 60 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Horiba Jobin Yvon SAS
    Inventor: Frédéric Desserouer
  • Publication number: 20140334004
    Abstract: Optical components and systems comprising combined optical filters and diffraction gratings are generally described. In certain embodiments, an optical filter is in contact with a diffraction grating. In certain embodiments, the optical filter and the diffraction grating can be used to diffract and direct a first portion of electromagnetic radiation incident upon the grating and filter toward a receiver while filtering a second portion of the electromagnetic radiation incident upon the grating and filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Optometrics Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Ventola, Zbynek Ryzi
  • Publication number: 20140334003
    Abstract: Optical components and systems comprising combined optical filters and diffraction gratings are generally described. In certain embodiments, an optical filter is in contact with a diffraction grating. In certain embodiments, the optical filter and the diffraction grating can be used to diffract and direct a first portion of electromagnetic radiation incident upon the grating and filter toward a receiver while filtering a second portion of the electromagnetic radiation incident upon the grating and filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Optometrics Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Ventola, Zbynek Ryzi
  • Patent number: 8870383
    Abstract: An optical member includes: a total reflection mirror including a reflection surface for reflecting a laser beam; a filter including a partially transmissive surface for passing therethrough a part of the laser beam and reflecting the remaining part of the laser beam, the partially transmissive surface being located so as to be opposed to the reflection surface ; and a diffraction grating into which the laser beam enters, for diffracting the incident laser beam to enter the total reflection mirror or the partially transmissive filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Tsuguhiro Korenaga
  • Patent number: 8861086
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a device called a “G-Fresnel” device that performs the functions of both a linear grating and a Fresnel lens. We have fabricated the G-Fresnel device by using PDMS based soft lithography. Three-dimensional surface profilometry has been performed to examine the device quality. We have also conducted optical characterizations to confirm its dual focusing and dispersing properties. The G-Fresnel device can be useful for the development of miniature optical spectrometers as well as emerging optofluidic applications. Embodiments of compact spectrometers using diffractive optical elements are also provided. Theoretical simulation shows that a spectral resolution of approximately 1 nm can be potentially achieved with a millimeter-sized G-Fresnel. A proof-of-concept G-Fresnel-based spectrometer with subnanometer spectral resolution is experimentally demonstrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Zhiwen Liu, Chuan Yang, Kebin Shi, Perry Edwards
  • Patent number: 8861067
    Abstract: A method for modulating light using a micro-electro-mechanical structure includes providing a plurality of deformable mirror elements (30) having an L-shaped cross section. Each of the deformable mirror elements is comprised of a pedestal (32) and an elongated ribbon (33). Each of the ribbons has a reflective surface (35). A beam of light is directed on the deformable mirror elements. The deformable mirror elements is flexed about an axis parallel to a long dimension of the ribbons to vary a curvature of at least one of the reflective ribbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: Nissim Pilossof