Abstract: An optical apparatus and method of using same. The optical apparatus includes a vortex optical isolator including an axis. The vortex optical isolator includes a first amplitude mask defining a first limiting aperture and aligned with the axis. The first limiting aperture includes a first radius. The vortex optical isolator includes a first lens aligned with the axis. The vortex optical isolator includes a vortex phase mask aligned with the axis. The vortex optical isolator includes a second lens aligned with the axis. The vortex optical isolator includes a second amplitude mask defining a second limiting aperture aligned with the axis. The second limiting aperture includes a second radius sufficiently smaller than the first radius so as to block reverse light traveling through the optical apparatus. The apparatus includes a standard light source configured to transmit forward light through the vortex optical isolator.

Abstract: An optical apparatus and method of using same. The optical apparatus includes a vortex optical isolator including an axis. The vortex optical isolator includes a first amplitude mask defining a first limiting aperture and aligned with the axis. The first limiting aperture includes a first radius. The vortex optical isolator includes a first lens aligned with the axis. The vortex optical isolator includes a vortex phase mask aligned with the axis. The vortex optical isolator includes a second lens aligned with the axis. The vortex optical isolator includes a second amplitude mask defining a second limiting aperture aligned with the axis. The second limiting aperture includes a second radius sufficiently smaller than the first radius so as to block reverse light traveling through the optical apparatus. The apparatus includes a standard light source configured to transmit forward light through the vortex optical isolator.

Abstract: An apparatus for illuminating or masking an object and a method of using same. The apparatus includes a spatial light modulator transmitting, a structured pulsed laser beam from a pupil plane to at least one image plane in a field of view. The apparatus further includes a lidar detector receiving reflected laser beam reflected from the at least one image plane. For example, the lidar detector detects range, position, and/or time data for at least one object of interest or at least one object of disinterest. Using the detected data, the spatial light modulator illuminates object of interest or masks an object of disinterest, depending on a user's application.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an optical communications receiver receiving a turbulence-distorted, optical signal. The turbulence-distorted, optical signal includes a plurality of fundamental modes encoded via a combinatorial multiplexings dictionary. The received optical signal includes a plurality of two-dimensional images. Each two-dimensional image of the plurality of two-dimensional images respectively represents received fundamental modes of the plurality of fundamental modes. The receiver includes a neural network trained to assign to each two-dimensional image of the plurality of two-dimensional images at least one respective active fundamental mode of the plurality of fundamental modes and a corresponding accuracy probability based on the dictionary.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an optical communications receiver receiving a turbulence-distorted, optical signal. The turbulence-distorted, optical signal includes a plurality of fundamental modes encoded via a combinatorial multiplexings dictionary. The received optical signal includes a plurality of two-dimensional images. Each two-dimensional image of the plurality of two-dimensional images respectively represents received fundamental modes of the plurality of fundamental modes. The receiver includes a neural network trained to assign to each two-dimensional image of the plurality of two-dimensional images at least one respective active fundamental mode of the plurality of fundamental modes and a corresponding accuracy probability based on the dictionary.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simultaneous spatial light modulator beam steering and system aberration correction. The apparatus includes a spatial light modulator, a wide-field optical system, the wide-field optical system including at least one optical system aberration; and a camera. The wide-field optical system collimates a light beam toward the camera. The camera communicates with the spatial light modulator via a feedback loop that pre-corrects for the at least one optical system aberration.

Abstract: An apparatus for illuminating or masking an object and a method of using same. The apparatus includes a spatial light modulator transmitting, a structured pulsed laser beam from a pupil plane to at least one image plane in a field of view. The apparatus further includes a lidar detector receiving reflected laser beam reflected from the at least one image plane. For example, the lidar detector detects range, position, and/or time data for at least one object of interest or at least one object of disinterest. Using the detected data, the spatial light modulator illuminates object of interest or masks an object of disinterest, depending on a user's application.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simultaneous spatial light modulator beam steering and system aberration correction. The apparatus includes a spatial light modulator, a wide-field optical system, the wide-field optical system including at least one optical system aberration; and a camera. The wide-field optical system collimates a light beam toward the camera. The camera communicates with the spatial light modulator via a feedback loop that pre-corrects for the at least one optical system aberration.