Abstract: An optical element is disposed between cover glasses, and an optical coupling liquid is injected between the optical element and the cover glasses to form an optical package. An adhesive provides a liquid tight seal between the cover glasses. The optical element is a retarder, filter, polarizing film, or other optical element. Spacers are placed between the optical element and cover glasses to maintain space between the optical element and the cover glasses and assist in distribution of the optical coupling liquid. Applications include prism assemblies and other optical products. The invention may also be applied to joining optical components with liquid joints. For example, an optical switch includes a controllable retarder in a liquid filled joint.

Abstract: Pathlength matched optical devices (such as beam splitters) are produced by viewing optical paths through the optical devices and adjusting relative positions of optical components of the optical devices until the viewed optical paths are equivalent. The optical paths begin at markings at different locations on the optical device. The optical pathlengths are equivalent when both markings are in focus in a limited field of view camera or lens. In a beam splitting cube constructed of two prisms, markings located at precisely similar locations on different prisms are pathlength matched when coincident as viewed at a reference face of the cube. The prisms are abutted at their diagonals and are adjusted by sliding the prisms along the diagonals to the pathlength matched position. Optical adhesive between the prisms is cured after fixing the prisms at the pathlength matched position.

Abstract: A device package has a bezel attached to a carrier. The bezel extends toward a surface of an optical component to which a device mounted in the carrier is attached. The bezel extends in a direction and to a distance that allows the bezel to act as a guide for a dislodging tool. The dislodging tool is guided to an interface where an adhesive attaches the device to the optical component. Preferably, the device is a microdisplay attached to a prism assembly. The bezel may also be used to attach the device package to the optical component with either an air gap or a liquid coupling the microdisplay (and/or an optical stack) and the optical component. An air bladder, air bubble, or tube device is included in the liquid coupling to accommodate expansion of the liquid.