Abstract: A dynamic diffractive optical transform. An electric field pattern is created across a body of material, the material being characterized in that it has an optical transmission property which varies in response to of an electric potential applied across a portion thereof. The electric field pattern is created such that the resulting profile of the transmission property is an arbitrary shape which produces a desired diffraction pattern that may not be physically realizable in conventional refractive optics or is a Fresnel lens-like construct derived from a refractive optical element. This is done by selectively applying electric potentials to transparent electrode pairs having liquid crystal material therebetween and preferably relatively small proportions in relation to the relevant wavelength of light, so as to create variations in phase delay that are aperiodic, have other than fifty percent spatial duty factor or have multiple levels of phase delay.

Abstract: A cavity thickness compensated etalon filter. A tuning medium is placed in a Fabry-Perot etalon cavity. The index of refraction of the tuning medium varies as a function of voltage applied across the medium. The etalon is formed of two generally flat substrates disposed substantially parallel to one another. Each substrate has a layer of conductive material within the cavity adjacent the substrate. Each substrate also has a layer of reflective material within the cavity adjacent the substrate. At least one layer of reflective material is only partially reflective so as to enable light to pass into and out of the cavity. Liquid crystal material may be used as a tuning medium in the cavity. In the case of liquid crystal material, the etalon also comprises an alignment layer disposed within the cavity adjacent each substrate to pre-order the liquid crystal material.

Abstract: A fixture for angularly aligning an optical device. A monolithic structure is provided having a first adjustment member for holding an optical device and tilting the device in one direction, a second adjustment member attached to the first adjustment member for tilting the optical device in a direction orthogonal to the direction of tilt provided by the first adjustment member, and a base for holding the first and second adjustment members. The first adjustment member is attached to the second adjustment member by a flexible connection having a tilt axis in a first lateral direction and the second adjustment member is attached to the base by a connection having a tilt axis in a lateral direction orthogonal to the lateral direction of the first connection.