Abstract: An optical switch including: (a) a light transmissive substrate, and (b) a two-dimensional array, disposed on the light transmissive substrate, the two-dimensional array having rows and columns of reflective shutter assembly elements, each of the reflective shutter assembly elements including: (i) a reflective shutter, and an output diffractive optical element.

Abstract: An optical device for enlarging an eye box, the optical device comprising: (a) a first optical expander being carried by, or formed in, a first light-transmissive substrate engaging a first plane; and (b) a second optical expander being carried by, or formed in, a second light-transmissive substrate engaging a second plane being spaced apart from the first plane. The first and the second optical expanders designed and configured such that light passing through the first optical expander is expanded in a first dimension, enters the second light-transmissive substrate through the second optical expander, and exits from the second light-transmissive substrate, expanded in a second dimension, hence enlarging an eye box of the optical device in both the first and the second dimensions.

Abstract: A diffractive optical element for guiding a light having a color spectrum characterized by a plurality of wavelengths longer than a shortest wavelength, &lgr;B, and shorter than a longest wavelength, &lgr;R, the light striking the diffractive optical element at an angle greater than a first field-of-view angle, &agr;−FOV, and smaller than a second field-of-view angle, &agr;+FOV. The diffractive optical element comprising a linear grating being formed in a light-transmissive substrate. The linear grating is characterized by a pitch, d, selected so as to allow total internal reflection of a light having wavelength of &lgr;B and a striking angle of &agr;−FOV. The light-transmissive substrate is characterized by an index of refraction, ns, larger than a minimal index of refraction, nMIN, which is selected so as to allow total internal reflection of a light having wavelength of &lgr;R and a striking angle of &agr;+FOV.

Abstract: A diffractive optical element for guiding a light having a color spectrum characterized by a plurality of wavelengths longer than a shortest wavelength, &lgr;B, and shorter than a longest wavelength, &lgr;R, the light striking the diffractive optical element at an angle greater than a first field-of-view angle, &agr;−FOV, and smaller than a second field-of-view angle, &agr;+FOV. The diffractive optical element comprising a linear grating being formed in a light-transmissive substrate. The linear grating is characterized by a pitch, d, selected so as to allow total internal reflection of a light having wavelength of &lgr;B and a striking angle of &agr;−FOV. The light-transmissive substrate is characterized by an index of refraction, ns, larger than a minimal index of refraction, nMIN, which is selected so as to allow total internal reflection of a light having wavelength of &lgr;R and a striking angle of &agr;+FOV.

Abstract: An optical system for alternative or simultaneous direction of light from two scenes to the eye of a viewer comprising (a) a first lens (42) having a first focal length; (b) a second lens (44) having a second focal length, the first and second lenses being positioned aside one another in front of one of the eyes of the viewer, such that a single light beam from any of the scenes (48, 50) passes only through one of the first and second lenses; and (c) an optical arrangement for directing incident light originating from the first scene and passing through the first lens into the eye of the viewer, and at the same time, for directing incident light originating from the second scene and passing through the second lens into the eye of the viewer, the optical arrangement being positioned between the first and second lenses and the eye of the viewer.

Abstract: An optical device for enlarging an eye box, the optical device comprising: (a) a first optical expander being carried by, or formed in, a first light-transmissive substrate engaging a first plane; and (b) a second optical expander being carried by, or formed in, a second light-transmissive substrate engaging a second plane being spaced apart from the first plane. The first and the second optical expanders designed and configured such that light passing through the first optical expander is expanded in a first dimension, enters the second light-transmissive substrate through the second optical expander, and exits from the second light-transmissive substrate, expanded in a second dimension, hence enlarging an eye box of the optical device in both the first and the second dimensions.