Abstract: A mold apparatus is arranged to produce molded optical elements. The apparatus includes a first mold unit for defining mold cavities and flow passageways, and a second mold unit having a patterned surface for sealing against the first unit. The patterned mold surface may be formed with a plurality of optical patterns, and mold pins may be used to complete the mold cavities. The patterned surface may be formed on a flat metal puck. The puck may be replaced by another puck insert so that the apparatus can be used to produce products having different optical characteristics. Other parts of the apparatus may be changed out to produce molded optical elements of various sizes and shapes. A variety of techniques are described for forming micro-refractive, diffractive and/or other patterns in the metal puck surface.

Abstract: A master wafer is replicated by creating a mold by plating a nickel electroform on a surface of a silicon wafer. Thereafter, a child wafer is prepared with a layer of photoresist or similar material that is compatible with plasma-etching techniques. Thereafter, the mold shape is transferred to the photoresist through compression molding, thereafter the child wafer is etched.

Abstract: An autostereoscopic display and method of displaying multidimensional images involves a first lenticular array preferably of cylindrical lenses positioned between a viewer and a pixel array, and a second lenticular array also preferably of cylindrical lenses positioned between the first lenticular array and the viewer. The pixel array includes several pixel groups that project images through corresponding groups of first lenses within the first lenticular array. A pitch of the lenses within the second lenticular array differs from a pitch of the lenses in the first lens groups within the first lenticular array. The display can be manufactured or retrofit with the first and second lenticular arrays.

Abstract: A deformable mirror includes a vertical comb actuator having a reflective surface attached thereto. The vertical comb drive includes stationary elements interspersed with moving elements. When a potential difference is provided between these elements, the moving elements are pulled downward, thereby deforming the reflective surface. The vertical comb drive typically includes a plurality of actuators, which are individually electrically addressed. Each actuator may be an array of interspersed elements or a cavity and corresponding tooth. Springs support the moving elements and bias the reflective surface in an original position. The vertical comb drive provides a large stroke and substantially linear voltage-versus-displacement curve throughout the stroke.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling light includes a non-transparent surface for blocking incident light, an array of first lenses for focusing the incident light upon the non-transparent surface, an array of shutters corresponding to the array of first lenses and positioned on the non-transparent surface for controlling passage of the incident light through the non-transparent surface, and an array of second lenses corresponding to the array of shutters for collimating the incident light passing through the shutters. The shutters are separated from the first lenses by a distance equal to a focal distance of the first lenses such that the incident light is focused by the first lenses onto the shutters. As such, the shutters may be opened and closed to control the intensity of the incident light passing therethrough.

Abstract: A structure and method for circularizing and collimating incident light involves a substrate having first and second opposing surfaces, a first anamorphic surface positioned on the first surface and a second anamorphic microlens positioned on the second surface, the first and second surfaces being separated by a distance defined by the distance required for the first anamorphic microlens to circularize the incident light. A single microlens structure used to circularize and collimate incident light is manufactured by identifying aligned portions on opposing surfaces of a substrate, and forming microlenses on each of the aligned portions of the opposing substrate surfaces identified. The microlenses formed on the opposing substrate surfaces are fabricated from a high-index material such as GaP.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling light includes a non-transparent surface for blocking incident light, an array of first lenses for focusing the incident light upon the non-transparent surface, an array of shutters corresponding to the array of first lenses and positioned on the non-transparent surface for controlling passage of the incident light through the non-transparent surface, and an array of second lenses corresponding to the array of shutters for collimating the incident light passing through the shutters. The shutters are separated from the first lenses by a distance equal to a focal distance of the first lenses such that the incident light is focused by the first lenses onto the shutters. As such, the shutters may be opened and closed to control the intensity of the incident light passing therethrough.

Abstract: A system and method for achieving alignment of a mask and substrate focuses a first image (e.g., a reticle) on a first position of a first substrate surface, and determines whether the first position is aligned with a second position on an opposing second substrate surface based on a second image formed based on light from a micro-optical device located on the second surface which collects light from a first image focused thereon. To determine whether the first and second positions are aligned, the first image and the second image are projected on an image plane and compared, the first and second positions being aligned when the first image and the second image are coincident on the image plane. A mask and/or alignment pattern may be formed on the opposing substrate surfaces, and used to generate aligned optics on those surfaces. As such, precise alignment between optics on opposing surfaces of a substrate can be achieved.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling light includes a non-transparent surface for blocking incident light, an array of first lenses for focusing the incident light upon the non-transparent surface, an array of shutters corresponding to the array of first lenses and positioned on the non-transparent surface for controlling passage of the incident light through the non-transparent surface, and an array of second lenses corresponding to the array of shutters for collimating the incident light passing through the shutters. The shutters are separated from the first lenses by a distance equal to a focal distance of the first lenses such that the incident light is focused by the first lenses onto the shutters. As such, the shutters may be opened and closed to control the intensity of the incident light passing therethrough.

Abstract: A compact wavefront sensor includes an array of microlenses supported above a microchip. The microchip includes an array of gratings and photodetectors, which correspond to a particular microlens. Light incident on a grating will be diffracted back towards the array of microlenses, where it is focussed onto a corresponding photodetector. The photodetector receives light from gratings adjacent thereto, and detects a resulting interference therebetween. The detected interference is then used to reconstruct the wavefront. The detected interference can also be used to correct wavefronts by controlling a modulating element reflecting the wavefront.