Abstract: A multilayer Laue lens (MLL) that can be operated over a large range of wavelengths which is achieved by providing a lens blank comprising a substrate element extending in a plane defined by orthogonal axes x, y, z, with a layered structure deposited on the upper surface with at least two different materials that are layered upon one another in an alternating manner, wherein the y-extension of the layered structure is constant along the x-axis and varies along the z-axis within a ramp section where the y-extension of the layered structure increases from a starting point, where first particles of material of the layered structure are deposited on the upper surface of the substrate element, to a saturation point, where a maximum y-extension of the layered structure is reached; and slicing a lens out of the lens blank.

Abstract: A holographic display system for a portable electronic device. The display system includes a case configured to receive the portable electronic device and a projector coupled to the case by a first hinge element. The projector includes a projector screen for generating images. A reflective element is coupled to the projector by a second hinge element. The reflective element is oriented to reflect light from the images in order to create holographic images perceptible to a user of the portable electronic device. The case may include a connector for receiving, from the portable electronic device, a video signal defining the images. The holographic display system may further include a substantially transparent touch screen attached to the first hinge element.

Abstract: A system and method for generating reflective dark field illumination in an imaging system that includes a set of elementary illuminators, each of the set of elementary illuminators including a light source, a lens assembly and an illuminator aperture; and a bright field/dark field (BD) lens. The set of elementary illuminators are positioned in a ring-like shape to direct light towards a port of the BD lens. Depending on an application of the imaging system, a lens assembly focal distance and a distance between a light source and a lens assembly are determined based on the application.

Abstract: An apparatus (e.g., a multi-spectral optical filter array, an optical wafer, an optical component) has an aperture mask printed directly thereon, the aperture mask including a positive or negative photoresist. The apparatus includes a substrate having the aperture mask printed on at least one of a light entrance surface or a light exit surface of the substrate so as to provide an aperture over a portion of the substrate. The photoresist from which the aperture mask is formed is photo-definable or non-photo-definable, and is deposited/printed to form the aperture mask on the substrate.

Abstract: In a method for operating a microscope, a lens unit transmits a first image laser to an object, and acquire a first scan image on the basis of a first reflection signal reflected from a first area included in the object. An ultrasound conversion unit transmits an ultrasound signal to the first area and focuses same so as to form air bubbles in the first area. The lens unit transmits a second image laser to the object, and can acquire a second scan image on the basis of a second reflection signal reflected from the second area included in the object. The ultrasound conversion unit transmits an ultrasound signal to the first area included in the object and focuses same so as to form air bubbles in the first area, thereby enabling an increase in the imageable depth of a microscope.

Abstract: Provide is an ultraviolet ray transmissive filter in which a crystal structure of a hafnium oxide layer is controlled to improve the light resistance of an optical interference film, and which can suppress reduction of the transmissivity in a transmission band even under long-term irradiation with ultraviolet rays. The optical interference film includes the hafnium oxide layer, and in the crystal structure of the hafnium oxide layer, spectral peak intensities from X-ray diffraction which are derived from the orthorhombic crystal structure and a tetragonal crystal structure are lower than a spectral peak intensity from X-ray diffraction which is derived from the monoclinic crystal structure.

Abstract: Methods for visualizing oral biofilm growth and methods for identifying compounds that modulate biofilm growth are provided. Biofilm samples are stained with fluorescent dyes and viewed with a confocal laser scanning microscope. Biofilm samples are in a container with a cover slip configured for viewing the biofilm sample with the confocal laser scanning microscope and the coverslip has a thickness variation of 0.02 mm or less.

Abstract: Systems and methods for improving night vision systems are presented. Broadband multi-level diffractive lenses are used in place of either or both of the objective and eyepiece of traditional night vision systems. By using one or more broadband multi-level diffractive lenses, the size, weight, and weight distribution may be reduced or modified.

Abstract: Exemplary systems are for imaging of samples, for example using an array of micro optical elements. In some embodiments, an optical chip including an array of micro optical elements moves relative to an imaging window and a detector in order to scan over a sample to produce an image. A focal plane can reside within a sample or on its surface during imaging. In some embodiments, detecting optics are used to detect back-emitted light collected by an array of micro optical elements that is generated by an illumination beam impinging on a sample. In some embodiments, an imaging system has a large field of view and a large optical chip such that an entire surface of a sample can be imaged quickly. In some embodiments, a sample is accessible by a user during imaging due to the sample being exposed.

Abstract: Provided is a method of generating a computer-generated hologram (CGH), the method including obtaining complex data including amplitude data of object data and phase data of the object data corresponding to a spatial light modulator (SLM) plane by propagating the object data from an image plane to the SLM plane, encoding the complex data into encoded amplitude data, and generating a CGH based on the object data including the encoded amplitude data.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a plurality of lenses including a first lens affixed to an optics mount holder which is adjustably affixed to an alignment channel part. The optical axis of the first lens passes through a hollow area of the alignment channel part. The lens is mounted on the optics mount holder which is adjustably affixed to one end of the alignment channel part with a plurality of adjustable fasteners. A method is provided for aligning the optical apparatus.

Abstract: An endoscope includes a plurality of illuminating optical systems, an objective optical system, and an optical-path splitting member. The optical-path splitting member has an optical element which forms a first optical path and a second optical path, and an optical-path length of the first optical path differs from an optical-path length of the second optical path. Illumination light is irradiated to an object from the plurality of illuminating optical systems. The objective optical system has an object-side incidence surface which is located nearest to the object, and each of the plurality of illuminating optical systems has an object-side emergence surface which is located nearest to the object. Each of the object-side emergence surfaces is located on an image side of the object-side incidence surface, and following conditional expression (1) is satisfied: 2.0<Dmin/OPLdiff<50??(1).

Abstract: An image generation device includes: a spatial light modulator; a source of light; a beam deflector; an illumination waveguide and an image transport waveguide, each waveguide containing at least one switchable grating; and a coupler for directing scanned light into a first set of TIR paths in said illumination waveguide. A switchable grating in the illumination waveguide diffracts light onto said SLM, a switchable grating in said image transport waveguide diffracting image-modulated from the SLM into a waveguide path.

Abstract: Disclosed are optical trains for imaging systems. More particularly described are imaging systems configured to limit optical aberrations. Also disclosed are methods of limiting optical aberrations in imaging systems.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for capturing an image having a detection beam path for guiding detection radiation from a sample to a detector having a plurality of detector elements. The detector has no more than ten and, preferably, four or five detector elements; and an evaluation unit, which is configured to carry out an evaluation in accordance with the Airyscan method on the image data captured by means of the detector and which generates a high-resolution image.

Abstract: An optical filter includes a plurality of optical channels that each have a Fano resonance characteristic. A first optical channel, of the plurality of optical channels, is configured to pass a first portion of a first set of light beams (that are associated with a first wavelength range) and reflect a second portion of the first set of light beams when the first set of light beams falls incident on a particular surface of the first optical channel. A second optical channel, of the plurality of optical channels, is configured to pass a first portion of a second set of light beams (that are associated with a second wavelength range) and reflect a second portion of the second set of light beams when the second set of light beams falls incident on a particular surface of the second optical channel.

Abstract: A light sheet fluorescence microscope includes a light source configured to emit excitation light suitable for inducing fluorescent light emitted from a specimen, a detector configured to detect the fluorescent light from the specimen, and an optical system configured to illuminate the specimen with a light sheet formed from the excitation light, and to guide the fluorescent light from the illuminated specimen to the detector. The optical system includes an objective facing the specimen, the objective being configured to collect the fluorescent light emitted from the specimen. The light source is further configured to emit manipulation light suitable for photomanipulating the specimen. The optical system is further configured to direct the manipulation light through a spatially limited sub-area of an entrance pupil of the objective onto the specimen along a light propagation direction which is different from a light propagation direction of the light sheet.

Abstract: A microscopic transmitted light contrasting method includes illuminating a sample through asymmetrical first and second illumination pupils and imaging the sample through asymmetrical first and second detection pupil in order to generate, respectively, first and second partial images. The first illumination pupil and the first detection pupil, as well as the second illumination pupil and the second detection pupil, are arranged pivoted in relation to one another and partially overlapping in projection on a plane perpendicular to an optical axis in such a way that first and third regions of an angular space are in a bright field and second and fourth regions of the angular space are in a dark field, and the first and second partial images each have a bright and a dark field component. An image of the sample is generated from the first and second partial images.

Abstract: A light source unit includes: a housing; a semiconductor laser that is disposed in the housing and that radiates excitation light; a first condenser optical system that condenses the excitation light; a dichroic mirror that selectively reflects the excitation light; a second condenser optical system that condenses the excitation light; a wavelength conversion member that performs wavelength conversion of the excitation light and emits wavelength-converted light; an emission section that outputs the wavelength-converted light transmitted through the second condenser optical system and the dichroic mirror; and a light blocking section that is disposed between an inner surface of the housing, the inner surface being in a traveling direction of the excitation light toward a reflection surface of the dichroic mirror, and a back surface, the back surface being an opposite side of the reflection surface, or is disposed on the inner surface of the housing.

Abstract: A waveguide display includes light sources, a source waveguide, an output waveguide, and a controller. Light from each of the light sources is coupled into the source waveguide. The source waveguide includes gratings with a constant period determined based on the conditions for total internal reflection and first order diffraction of the received image light. The emitted image light is coupled into the output waveguide at several entrance locations. The output waveguide outputs expanded image lights at a location offset from the entrance location, and the location/direction of the emitted expanded image light is based in part on the orientation of the light sources. Each of the expanded image light is associated with a field of view of the expanded image light emitted by the output waveguide.