Abstract: Hollow optical elements that derive optical power from compound-curved reflective surfaces to produce a desired composite optical power. The reflective surfaces in combination with polarization control, can produce a triple-pass arrangement that determines the optical power. Two functional films, one or both of which are formed (e.g., thermoformed), can be joined at the perimeter to form units that are mechanically robust and therefore preserve optical performance under mechanical load. The air-spaced cavity formed between the two layers is free of birefringence concerns, where polarization control is crucial to contrast. These optical elements can be installed in frames or headsets to form lightweight wearable magnifiers, wide-angle collimators, tele-photo lenses, or for any application requiring optical power.

Abstract: A compound retarder that creates independent control of Re and Rth. This can be done by forming a three-layer compound retarder, including a pair of matched ?A-plates, combined with single +A-plate. The +A-plate is typically an MD-stretched film, with retardation that is specific to the in-plane requirements (Re) of the application. The pair of ?A-plates have their optic axes crossed, such that Re=0, with an optic axis aligned parallel to the +A-plate. A single retardation value for the ?A-plate can produce improved field-of-view performance over a broad range of Revalues, making it a very practical means of universal compensation. While Rthis typically associated with a single retarder, retarder stacks with a diverse range of optic-axis orientations can be considered to have a compound (or composite) Rth value (RthC). The three-layer compound retarder has the practical benefit of enabling field-of-view compensation across a broad range of normal-incidence polarization transformations.

Abstract: Hollow optical elements that derive optical power from compound-curved reflective surfaces to produce a desired composite optical power. The reflective surfaces in combination with polarization control, can produce a triple-pass arrangement that determines the optical power. Two functional films, one or both of which are formed (e.g., thermoformed), can be joined at the perimeter to form units that are mechanically robust and therefore preserve optical performance under mechanical load. The air-spaced cavity formed between the two layers is free of birefringence concerns, where polarization control is crucial to contrast. These optical elements can be installed in frames or headsets to form lightweight wearable magnifiers, wide-angle collimators, tele-photo lenses, or for any application requiring optical power. They may be most appropriate for applications where light efficiency is not critical, such as well-lit environments, where the insertion-loss of 1 to 2 stops is not problematic.

Abstract: A liquid-crystal based color switch for use with an image sensor having sub-diffraction-limited (SDL) pixels. The color switch may switch between a first mode where green light is passed (and blue and red light is blocked) and a second mode where blue and red light is passed (and green light is blocked). The color switch may include an achromatic switch (such as a liquid crystal switch) and retarder stack filter that are both sandwiched between a first and a second polarizer. The SDL pixels may be distributed so that green subpixels are never adjacent to other green subpixels in the same row or column, so that red subpixels are always adjacent to green subpixels in the same row or column, and so that blue subpixels are always adjacent to green subpixels in the same row or column.

Abstract: An eyewear lens is described that provides polarization filtering and spectral filtering using polarization interference. The lens produces enhanced saturation and colorfulness, increasing enjoyment when observing commonly encountered imagery. The lens can be configured to optimize accuracy/efficiency when performing a task involving colored imagery, and can improve performance in sports. The lens can further be helpful for color discrimination by those with certain types of color vision deficiency.