Abstract: An infrared filter includes an optical filter stack disposed on a first surface of a substrate, the optical filter stack includes a plurality of dielectric layers and a plurality of metal layers alternating with the dielectric layers. and a transmission-enhancing coating. The infrared filter obtains an average transmission greater than or equal to 75% between 400 nm and 600 nm.

Abstract: An anti-aliasing filter includes a polymeric double-refraction plate (“DRP”). The DRP of the anti-aliasing filter has at least a first liquid photo-polymerization (“LPP”) layer disposed on the substrate, or on an intervening layer(s) disposed on the substrate, and a first liquid-crystal polymer (“LCP”) layer is disposed on the first LPP layer, the first DRP having a thickness selected so as to provide a selected separation of oridinary and extraordinary light rays.

Abstract: A method of applying a polymer coating uses a nebulized aerosol of solubilized polymer solution having high-viscosity droplets and low-viscosity droplets to form a textured antireflective surface. Air or other gas is used to direct the nebulized aerosol toward the surface of an object. In some embodiments, heated or dried air, such as from an air curtain, is used to promote the formation of high-viscosity droplets. In a particular embodiment, multiple ultrasonic nebulizers are used in combination with synchronized air jets to apply a uniform polymer coating onto a glass panel used in a large-format display system. Dye is optionally added to the solubilized polymer solution to provide a notch filter at 585 nm and/or infrared filter.

Abstract: An transmissive panel includes a polymer coating with a textured antireflective surface. Texturing of the surface is achieved in a variety of fashions. In some embodiments the polymer coating is embossed after application to the panel. In other embodiments, the polymer coating is solvent-based and develops a textured surface as a result differential shrinkage. In yet other embodiments, an aerosol of solvent-based polymer precursor is applied to the surface as a combination of high-viscosity droplets and low-viscosity droplets, portions of high-viscosity droplets extending above a film of polymer formed from low-viscosity droplets to provide a textured antireflective surface.

Abstract: An image display system uses a polarizing beam splitter to direct light from a lamp to multiple spatial light modulators. The spatial light modulators (“SLM”) each generate an image portion, which are stitched together on a display screen to obtain a high resolution image. In a particular embodiment, image portions from two conventional SLMs, each controlling about two million pixels, are stitched together to form an image having about four million pixels. In another embodiment, two lamps are used with four SLMs to produce a resultant image having about eight million pixels.

Abstract: An optical component array allowing expansion of the occupied bandwidth on an existing optical transmission network without disrupting signal traffic. Wavelength selective filters (16, 30; 20, 34) and optical components, such as amplifiers (18, 32) are arrayed for use with a wavelength division multiplexed optical transmission system to transmit a selected portion of a transmission spectrum to an amplifier path and reflect the remainder of the spectrum. Wavelength selective filters and associated amplifiers are arranged in a cascade configuration with a bypass path (35, 37). Additional wavelength selective filters and amplifiers can be added in the bypass path without disrupting existing signal traffic, and such additions can provide for a remaining bypass path, thus allowing further expansion. This configuration provides an expandable amplifier array with a low initial cost.

Abstract: An optical thin film stack provides reflection of essentially all light except for a selected amount of transmission over a selected wavelength range. Reflecting, rather than absorbing, unwanted light avoids heating caused by light absorption and allows productive use of the non-transmitted light in some applications. In some embodiments, reflector designs are “stacked” on an optical substrate to provide serial optical reflectors. Stacking dichroic filters provides reduced sensitivity to cone angle and manufacturing advantages.

Abstract: An optical thin film stack for a dark aperture is deposited using thermal ion-assisted deposition (“IAD”). The IAD provides an energetic deposition of chromium and chromium oxide that results in a dark mirror optical thin film stack with superior etch properties. Edge definition is improved, and the edge profile is controllable by the selection of IAD parameters. An in situ IAD cleaning process can be used to clean the substrate sufficiently so that an intermediate adhesion layer of chromium is not required.

Abstract: A polarization conversion system uses patterned half-wave retarder material and a polarizing beam splitter. The retarder material is applied to a surface of the polarizing beam splitter or other substrate before patterning. Patterning is accomplished by exposing the retarder material to oriented light, and may be done using an optical mask, or may be done through the polarization beam splitter. Selected areas of the patterned retarder layer produce no net rotation of light from the polarizing beam splitter, while other areas rotate light ninety degrees, thus providing polarization conversion.

Abstract: An optical thin film stack for a dark aperture is deposited using thermal ion-assisted deposition (“IAD”). The IAD provides an energetic deposition of chromium and chromium oxide that results in a dark mirror optical thin film stack with superior etch properties. Edge definition is improved, and the edge profile is controllable by the selection of IAD parameters. An in situ IAD cleaning process can be used to clean the substrate sufficiently so that an intermediate adhesion layer of chromium is not required.

Abstract: An optical switch is fabricated using micro-electro-mechanical system (“MEMS”) techniques. A thin mirror is fabricated in the major plane of the substrate and rotates about an axis perpendicular to the major plane to move into and out of an optical beam path. The mirror surface is open for chemical polishing and deposition, resulting in a high-quality mirror. In one embodiment, the backside of the mirror is patterned with reinforcing ribs. In another embodiment, a two-sided mirror is fabricated.

Abstract: A recirculating light polarizer utilizes a reflective polarizer on the exit face of a light integrator, such as a light pipe or light tunnel. Light is provided to the light integrator and light of one polarization is transmitted through the polarizer, the remaining light being reflected back into the integrator. The back-reflected light accumulates polarization shift before it eventually is reflected back to the polarizer. The reflected light is further homogenized on its trip back to the polarizer. This process is typically repeated several times to enhance the light output from the light pipe assembly, with some light being lost in each cycle due to various loss mechanisms. A polarization state modifier, such as a retarder plate or phase-shifting coatings, may be included in the recirculating light path to enhance polarization shift.

Abstract: An optical component array that has essentially equal path loss for each channel routed through a switching node in a re-insertion configuration and the bypass channels. An array input carrying a plurality of optical channels is coupled to a first node input. Consistent, low transmission loss through a switching node is achieved by a single fiber-beam-fiber transition. The low transmission loss is summed with other array losses to be within 3 dB of the insertion loss of a bypass path. In a particular configuration, a routing array with three switching nodes is loss-balanced to the bypass path. In another embodiment, a multi-channel filter stub in the bypass path improves residual signal suppression when a node is switched to an add/drop configuration.

Abstract: An optical spectrometer uses a tapered Fabry-Perot type variable optical filter in conjunction with an optical detector array. The filter can be a long-pass, short-pass, or narrow bandpass filter. The stability of the variable optical filter allows high resolution, depending on the number and spacing of the detectors used. In a further embodiment, signal-processing techniques are used to enhance the resolution of the spectrometer beyond the measured response.

Abstract: An optical cross-connect is fabricated on a substrate using individual MEMs dice with mirrors that rotate into and out of an optical beam path. Each die can be aligned to a single (input-output) pair of collimators in a fiber-optic switching system. An individually accessible magnetic drive on each die provides low power consumption when re-configuring the array in addition to fast switching speeds. The state of each die can be electronically sensed to verify proper array configuration and operation of each die.

Abstract: Particles are encapsulated with a layer or sequence of layers. The particles can be flakes and the layers can form an optical interference stack for use as an optically variable pigment, among other purposes. In a particular embodiment a highly reflective metal layer is deposited around a glass flake with specular surfaces. The particles can be produced using a variety of deposition systems. In a particular embodiment, a downstream plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition system achieves high deposition rates while avoiding contamination of the plasma source with deposition products.

Abstract: An electrostatic comb drive suitable for micro-electro-mechanical systems (“MEMS”) application uses shaped fingers to achieve bi-directional actuation from a unipolar actuation pulse. The finger shape also provides auto-braking of the movable member of the drive using a simple actuating pulse. In a further embodiment, an end stop inhibits overshoot and a back spring pushes the movable portion of the device back toward an operating position. In yet a further embodiment, a Vernier scale is provided on the movable portion of the drive relative to the fixed portion of the drive to indicate relative shift of these portions after the device is fabricated.

Abstract: An index-matching coating is applied directly to a low-emissivity (“lowE”) thin-film coating. Nodules growing from a site in the lowE coating are removed to avoid propagation of defects through the layers of the index-matching coating. A tempering step in an oxygen-containing atmosphere produces compressive stress in the lowE coating and hardens the coating. The compressive stress facilitates removal of the nodules and the hardening allows mechanical cleaning of the lowE coating prior to the index-matching coating, further removing nodules. Magnesium-fluoride is used as the final layer of the index-matching coating in one embodiment to improve abrasion resistance. The resulting glass panel may be used as a display panel in a plasma display or an organic light-emitting diode display, for example.

Abstract: An index-matching coating is applied directly to a low-emissivity (“lowE”) thin-film coating. Nodules growing from a site in the lowE coating are removed to avoid propagation of defects through the layers of the index-matching coating. A tempering step in an oxygen-containing atmosphere produces compressive stress in the lowE coating and hardens the coating. The compressive stress facilitates removal of the nodules and the hardening allows mechanical cleaning of the lowE coating prior to the index-matching coating, further removing nodules. Magnesium-fluoride is used as the final layer of the index-matching coating in one embodiment to improve abrasion resistance. The resulting glass panel may be used as a display panel in a plasma display or an organic light-emitting diode display, for example.

Abstract: A light integrator is mounted in a housing or cover that allows aligning the light integrator relative to a color wheel or other sequential color element. In some embodiments, a plate is attached to one end of a light rod and supports the light rod in the cover in a cantilever fashion or in combination with other support. The light rod is aligned to a light source, such as a lamp, and then the color wheel is aligned to the output of the light rod without altering the relationship between the light rod and the lamp.