Abstract: A holographic element (HOE) with multiple apertures formed in a single substrate for use an optical communication system. The multi-aperture HOE can be use instead of an optics unit having one or more separate optical elements for each aperture needed by an optical transmitter, receiver or transceiver. The single substrate reduces complexity and cost relative to conventional system that the use separate optical elements to implement the optics unit.

Abstract: Multilayer-film mirrors are disclosed that include multiple units of Mo and Si layers formed on the surface of a mirror substrate and that exhibit reduced internal stress and hence improved imaging properties. Hence, the mirrors are especially suitable for use in X-ray optical systems such as used in X-ray lithography systems. In an exemplary mirror, a molybdenum oxide layer is formed on at least one Mo layer at the interface surface between the Mo layer and an adjacent Si layer. The molybdenum oxide layer is formed by irradiation with oxygen ions, or by forming at least a portion of the Mo layer in an atmosphere including oxygen.

Abstract: A lamellar volume grating operating in reflection and transmission and providing a substantially wavelength- and polarization-independent diffraction efficiency is disclosed. The lamellar grating has an approximately rectangular grating profile with a height-to-width ratio of the grooves or “teeth” advantageously greater than 2. The grating operates preferably in first order and can be implemented as an immersion grating. In particular, the lamellar volume grating described herein can be employed in an optical multiplexer/demultiplexer arrangement with small overall dimensions.

Abstract: An apparatus for a free space optical communication system includes an element having a front surface and a back surface. A holographic optical element (HOE) is disposed to receive a light signal from the free space optical communication system, and to angularly direct the light signal, having a certain wavelength, towards one of the surfaces of the element to allow the light signal to propagate between the front and back surfaces of the element via total internal reflection. The internally reflected light signal eventually converges and is received at an optical detector circuit. At the same time, light having other wavelengths, including visible background light, passes through the HOE, thereby giving the apparatus an appearance of being transparent and unobtrusive.

Abstract: A holographic optical element comprising at least two sets of regions, the regions of each set being different from the regions of the other set(s) and being interleaved or overlapping with the regions of the other set(s) and being constructed such that light incident on each set of regions is directed to a respective one of a plurality of viewing zones. The holographic optical element is typically incorporated in a display device such as a stereoscopic display device.

Abstract: Internal drum recording apparatus provided with a rotating deflecting element, comprising two (or more) beams of different wavelengths, which are simultaneously operatable, and optical elements for bringing the two or more beams to a common optical path before they reach the rotating deflecting element. The deflecting element may have dispersing properties such that beams of different wavelengths will leave it at slightly different angles. The beams of different wavelengths may be generated by laser diodes or tunable laser diodes. The apparatus may further comprise a beam combiner to combine the beams generated by the light sources.

Abstract: The use of a holographic video screen which appears black, gray or colored in ambient light as the display surface in a vehicle, wherein a driver can view the screen while driving without taking his eyes of the road. Additionally, the display system containing such a video screen permits the projection and viewing of multiple images on a single screen.

Abstract: The invention provides a hologram plate which is used with the double-focus replication process, and which is integrated with a spacer to impart marring resistance thereto, and is integrated with a light absorbing layer to allow zero-order light and first-order light to have substantially the same intensity. This hologram plate 42 comprises an array of collective element holograms for diffracting parallel light incident thereon at a specific wavelength and a specific incident angle in such a way that the light is converged onto a specific focal length position. The hologram plate 42 is a multilayer structure made up of a first transparent substrate 31, a hologram layer 32, an adhesive layer 33 and a second transparent substrate 41. The second transparent substrate 42 defines a surface in contact with a hologram photosensitive material 53 during hologram replication.

Abstract: A partially collimated light beam (2) is sent through a substrate matrix of a plurality of nested individual joined geometrically shaped cells (301) wherein each of the cells is further comprised of subcells (502) contains containing a patterned volume holographic diffuser (302) which produces a transmitted diffused light beam (305) from each of the cells and then superimposes each transmitted diffused light beam from each of the cells to produce a combined resultant diffused light beam. The combined resultant diffused light beam has an angular luminance distribution profile curve (83) with sharply vertical profile slopes (81) at halfpeak points (20) and a substantially flat and wide peak (84), this resultant diffused light beam advantageously produces a uniform resultant luminance over a wide range of view angles with a predetermined beam spread and beam deflection angle at said predetermined viewer head box location (100).

Abstract: An observation optical system includes an image display element, a relay optical system having a plurality of lenses 4 and a first reflection-type volume hologram element (HOE), and an eyepiece optical system having a second reflection-type HOE. The observation optical system is arranged along the face to the side head of the observer. The first reflection-type HOE has a power and is configured to compensate for chromatic aberrations. The plurality of lenses is configured to compensate for decentered aberrations and chromatic aberrations. The second reflection-type HOE is a configured to exert power on bundles of rays and to compensate for chromatic aberrations. A light-transmitting plate is sandwiched between the first reflection-type HOE and the second refection-type HOE.

Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an exterior mirror assembly, which includes a fixed portion and a movable portion that is movable about the fixed portion for breakaway motion, and a turn signal indicator module. The turn signal indicator module includes a plurality of light emitting diodes. At least a portion of the light pattern projected from the module projects rearwardly of the vehicle, but does not directly intercept the driver of the vehicle. The turn signal indicator module is fixedly included in the exterior mirror assembly separate from the mirror assembly's reflective element, which is adjustable within the movable portion.

Abstract: A thermally stabilized optical filter device includes a multilayer optical bandpass filter on a transparent substrate, with the transparent substrate being composed of a material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion. An encasement surrounds the transparent substrate such that the bandpass filter is exposed for transmission of predetermined optical wavelengths there through. The encasement is composed of a material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion that is different than the first coefficient of thermal expansion. The encasement provides thermal stability to the optical properties of the bandpass filter by compensating for changes in the filter that occur with temperature variations. In another embodiment, a collet assembly provides means for selectively compressing a filter chip to tune the filter response.

Abstract: A viewing optical system for display devices or an image pickup optical system, which can be used with high efficiency at a plurality of wavelengths and enables bright images to be viewed with satisfactory color reproducibility and well-corrected aberrations. The optical system comprises a first prism, a second prism and a volume hologram element disposed between them and cemented to them. The hologram element comprises a first volume hologram optimized in such a way as to effect diffraction at least at a first wavelength and a second hologram optimized in such a way as to effect diffraction at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. The first and second holograms are identical with each other in terms of the shape and spacing of interference fringes on their surfaces but different from each other in terms of the spacing and tilt of interference fringes in their hologram media.

Abstract: An adaptive optical waveguide router in which routing paths may be dynamically created by the use of a scanning system. The optical router interconnects at least one optical input to a at least optical output. The optical waveguide layer employed is substantially comprised of a photosensitive material which has a change in index of refraction at one optical wavelength when exposed to a different optical wavelength and which, in some way, may be restored to it's original state. One such material is Bacteriorhodopsin which shows a photocycle in the visible region of the optical spectrum. The scanning system, in response to routing information, traces a routing path(s) between an input(s) and a selected output(s) which alters the index of refraction in the path(s) traced in the photorefractive material. An optical input signal then propagates along the traced path between the selected input(s) and the selected output(s).

Abstract: An optical disk has a holographic security label applied in a recessed portion of the disk. An associated method of applying a holographic label to a recessed portion of an optical disk is also described.

Abstract: An optical sampler based on stable, non-absorbing optical hard limiters includes an optical feedback loop for storing an optical signal in optical form. The optical feedback loop includes appropriate components for amplifying/reproducing the stored optical signal. The optical sampler outputs the stored optical signal.

Abstract: A lens system includes a lens, a grating and a non-periodic phase structure. The lens system is a-thermalised by a compensation of the temperature-dependence of the spherical aberration of the lens by the temperature-dependence of the spherical aberration of the non-periodic phase structure and the grating. The lens system is also a-spherochromatised by a compensation of the wavelength-dependence of the spherical aberration of the grating by the wavelength-dependence of the spherical aberration of the non-periodic phase structure.

Abstract: A viewing optical system for display apparatus, includes an ocular optical member for leading an observation image formed by an observation image forming member to an exit pupil has a first prism member and a second prism member. The first prism member has a first entrance surface, a reflecting surface and a first exit surface disposed to face each other across a first prism medium. The second prism member has a second entrance surface and a second exit surface disposed to face each other across a second prism medium. The first and second prism members are cemented together with a holographic element interposed between the first exit surface and the second entrance surface. The reflecting surface has a positive power. The first exit surface and the second entrance surface are each formed from a plane or cylindrical surface. The holographic element also has a plane of cylindrical surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for producing colored light and an image generating apparatus including such a device. The device includes a switchable light-directing apparatus configured to receive light and a first control circuit coupled to the switchable light-directing apparatus. The first control circuit provides control signals to the switchable light-directing apparatus. In response to the switchable light-directing apparatus receiving a control signal, the switchable light-directing apparatus directs a first portion of the received light to a first region of a plane. Additionally, the switchable light-directing apparatus directs a second portion of the received light to a second region of the plane, and directs a third portion of the received light to a third region of the plane. The second region is positioned between the first and third regions of the plane.

Abstract: A MEM s scanning device has a variable resonant frequency. In one embodiment, the MEMs device includes a flexible arm that extends from a oscillatory body. An electrical field applies a force to the flexible arm, thereby bending the flexible arm to shift the moment of inertia of the oscillatory body and a secondary mass carried by the flexible arm. The shifted moment of inertia changes the resonant frequency of the MEMs device. In another embodiment, an absorptive material forms a portion of a torsional arm that supports the oscillatory body. The mechanical properties of the absorptive material can be varied by varying the concentration of a gas surrounding the absorptive material. The varied mechanical properties change the resonant frequency of the scanning device. A display apparatus includes the scanning device and the scanning device scans about two or more axes, typically in a raster pattern.