Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reducing speckling in liquid crystal displays with coherent illumination. The method consists of providing a liquid-crystal display illuminated, e.g., with a laser light, in which the image is formed by passing the light through the light redirecting holographic elements arranged in a matrix pattern, then changing the direction of the beams emitted from the holographic elements by passing the emitted beams through the polarization-changing liquid crystal elements, and converting the image-carrying beams produced by the liquid crystal elements into a visible image by passing them to a viewer through a polarization analyzer.

Abstract: Proposed is a speckle-reduced laser illumination device that may be used in optical microscopy, machine vision systems with laser illumination, fine optical metrology, etc. The device comprises a net of planar ridge waveguides formed into an arbitrary configuration and having a plurality of holograms with holographic elements formed into a predetermined organization defined by the shape of a given light spot or light field which is to be formed by light beams emitted from holograms on the surface of an object or in a space and at a distance from the planar ridge waveguide. Speckling is reduced due to the fact that at least a part or all of the holograms are spaced from each other at distances equal to or greater than the coherence length. The geometry and organization of the holographic elements allow position control of the light spot and beam converging and diverging.

Abstract: Proposed is a method of laser illumination with reduced speckling for in optical microscopy, machine vision systems with laser illumination, fine optical metrology, etc. The method comprises forming a net of planar ridge waveguides into an arbitrary configuration and providing them with a plurality of holograms having holographic elements formed into a predetermined organization defined by the shape of a given light spot or light field which is to be formed by light beams emitted from the holograms on the surface of the object or in a space at a distance from the planar ridge waveguide. Speckling is reduced by locating at least a part or all of the holograms at distances from each other that are equal to or greater than the coherence length. The geometry and organization of the holographic elements allows controlling position, focusing and defocusing of the beam.

Abstract: This invention relates to autostereoscopic display assemblies, in particular for hand-held devices such as tablets, i-Pads, mobile phones, etc., wherein a stereoscopic effect is achieved by forming light beams are emitted from the display at different angles and with different polarization. The display assembly comprises a sandwiched structure consisting of a light-guide panel and a modified liquid-crystal display that is applied onto the light-guide panel. The panel has on its outer surface a net of light waveguides for delivery of light from the light source and for uniform distribution of light over the entire surface of the display. The different polarizations and angular directions of the beams perceived differently by a viewer's left and right eyes are achieved by providing the light-distribution waveguides with holograms of two different types.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid-crystal display with coherent illumination. The display has a multilayered matrix structure comprising a matrix of micromirrors, lightguide panel with a matrix of holographic elements, a liquid-crystal matrix containing a plurality of liquid-crystal cells and a polarization analyzer. The micromirrors perform reciprocating linear or tilting movements. Therefore, in each current moment, the speckle pattern of the image shifts relative to the preceding pattern so that in each current moment the viewer sees an image in different micropositions, which are perceptible by the human eye as a quasistationary pattern. As a result, the speckle pattern seen by the viewer is smoothened.

Abstract: Proposed is a speckle-reduced laser illumination device that may be used in optical microscopy, machine vision systems with laser illumination, fine optical metrology, etc. The device comprises a net of planar ridge waveguides formed into an arbitrary configuration and having a plurality of holograms with holographic elements formed into a predetermined organization defined by the shape of a given light spot or light field which is to be formed by light beams emitted from holograms on the surface of an object or in a space and at a distance from the planar ridge waveguide. Speckling is reduced due to the fact that at least a part or all of the holograms are spaced from each other at distances equal to or greater than the coherence length. The geometry and organization of the holographic elements allow position control of the light spot and beam converging and diverging.

Abstract: Proposed is a method of laser illumination with reduced speckling for in optical microscopy, machine vision systems with laser illumination, fine optical metrology, etc. The method comprises forming a net of planar ridge waveguides into an arbitrary configuration and providing them with a plurality of holograms having holographic elements formed into a predetermined organization defined by the shape of a given light spot or light field which is to be formed by light beams emitted from the holograms on the surface of the object or in a space at a distance from the planar ridge waveguide. Speckling is reduced by locating at least a part or all of the holograms at distances from each other that are equal to or greater than the coherence length. The geometry and organization of the holographic elements allows controlling position, focusing and defocusing of the beam.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for reducing speckling in liquid crystal displays with coherent illumination. The method consists of providing a liquid-crystal display illuminated, e.g., with a laser light, in which the image is formed by passing the light through the light redirecting holographic elements arranged in a matrix pattern, then changing the direction of the beams emitted from the holographic elements by passing the emitted beams through the polarization-changing liquid crystal elements, and converting the image-carrying beams produced by the liquid crystal elements into a visible image by passing them to a viewer through a polarization analyzer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid-crystal display with coherent illumination. The display has a multilayered matrix structure comprising a matrix of micromirrors, lightguide panel with a matrix of holographic elements, a liquid-crystal matrix containing a plurality of liquid-crystal cells and a polarization analyzer. The micromirrors perform reciprocating linear or tilting movements. Therefore, in each current moment, the speckle pattern of the image shifts relative to the preceding pattern so that in each current moment the viewer sees an image in different micropositions, which are perceptible by the human eye as a quasistationary pattern. As a result, the speckle pattern seen by the viewer is smoothened.

Abstract: The frontlight illumination system is intended for enhancing illumination of a reflective display having pixels arranged in a matrix pattern and using monochromatic laser lights as light sources. The unit contains a network of light-distributing planar ridge waveguides with holograms arranged in a matrix pattern that corresponds to the matrix pattern of the reflective display. The light-distributing holograms of the system are formed on opposite sides of each core of respective light-distributing planar ridge waveguides. Neighboring holograms located on opposite sides of the core are combined into pairs and are arranged on each core in positions at which they interact with a predetermined phase shift that doubles the intensity of light directed to the reflective display and extinguishes light directed to the external surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light-guide panel for an LCD with a laser backlight. The panel comprises a laser light source and a main ridge waveguide with a plurality of first holograms that change the direction of the laser light that propagates along the main ridge waveguide to the direction perpendicular to the latter. The first holograms are associated with thee light of predetermined wavelengths and are optically connected to respective transverse waveguides that lie in the same plane but are perpendicular to the main ridge waveguide. Each transverse ridge waveguide has a plurality of second holograms designed so that they change the direction of laser light that propagates along the transverse ridge waveguide in the direction at an angle to the plane of the LGP substrate. This angle should be close to 90° and may be obtained in the range of 70° to 85°.

Abstract: The frontlight illumination system is intended for enhancing illumination of a reflective display having pixels arranged in a matrix pattern and using monochromatic laser lights as light sources. The unit contains a network of light-distributing planar ridge waveguides with holograms arranged in a matrix pattern that corresponds to the matrix pattern of the reflective display. The light-distributing holograms of the system are formed on opposite sides of each core of respective light-distributing planar ridge waveguides. Neighboring holograms located on opposite sides of the core are combined into pairs and are arranged on each core in positions at which they interact with a predetermined phase shift that doubles the intensity of light directed to the reflective display and extinguishes light directed to the external surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to autostereoscopic display assemblies, in particular for hand-held devices such as tablets, i-Pads, mobile phones, etc., wherein a stereoscopic effect is achieved by forming light beams are emitted from the display at different angles and with different polarization. The display assembly comprises a sandwiched structure consisting of a light-guide panel and a modified liquid-crystal display that is applied onto the light-guide panel. The panel has on its outer surface a net of light waveguides for delivery of light from the light source and for uniform distribution of light over the entire surface of the display. The different polarizations and angular directions of the beams perceived differently by a viewer's left and right eyes are achieved by providing the light-distribution waveguides with holograms of two different types.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light-guide panel for an LCD with a laser backlight. The panel comprises a laser light source and a main ridge waveguide with a plurality of first holograms that change the direction of the laser light that propagates along the main ridge waveguide to the direction perpendicular to the latter. The first holograms are associated with thee light of predetermined wavelengths and are optically connected to respective transverse waveguides that lie in the same plane but are perpendicular to the main ridge waveguide. Each transverse ridge waveguide has a plurality of second holograms designed so that they change the direction of laser light that propagates along the transverse ridge waveguide in the direction at an angle to the plane of the LGP substrate. This angle should be close to 90° and may be obtained in the range of 70° to 85°.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for remotely monitoring properties of gases and plasmas, and surface and sub-surface properties of materials, is disclosed. A laser beam is focused at a desired region within a gas, plasma, or material (e.g., solid or liquid) to be analyzed, generating an ionized sample region or a localized, enhanced free carrier region. A beam of microwave radiation is directed toward the ionized sample region or the free carrier region, and the microwave radiation is scattered. The scattered microwave radiation is received by a microwave receiver, and is processed by a microwave detection system to determine properties of the gas, plasma, or material, including surface and sub-surface properties.

Abstract: A MUX, DEMUX or integrated combination MUX/DEMUX utilizing a discrete dispersion device (herein referred to as “D3” device), which includes at least one input port, at least one output port and an optical planar waveguide comprising a synergetic photonic bandgap quasi-crystal (“PBQC”) for guiding and supporting optical signals in a work bandwidth. The D3 device achieves a flat-top response for each channel, high channel isolation and background noise suppression.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photonic multi-bandgap structure, herein also referred to as photonic bandgap quasi-crystal (“PBQC”), that can direct light, having wavelength components within a selected passband (&Dgr;&lgr;), from an input port, to a predefined output port, while providing an integrating element for Planar Lightwave Circuits. A photonic bandgap quasi-crystal of the invention combines in a planar waveguide spectrally selective properties of gratings, focusing properties of elliptical mirrors, superposition properties of thick holograms, photonic bandgaps of periodic structures, and flexibility of binary lithography. A photonic structure of the invention can be utilized, for example, as an integrating spectrally sensitive element in a variety of optical devices that can include, but are not limited to, optical switches, optical multiplexer/demultiplexers, multi-wavelength lasers, and channel monitors in Wavelength Division Mulitplexing (WDM) telecommunications system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photonic multi-bandgap structure, herein also referred to as photonic bandgap quasi-crystal (“PBQC”), that can direct light, having wavelength components within a selected passband (&Dgr;&lgr;), from an input port, to a predefined output port, while providing an integrating element for Planar Lightwave Circuts. A photonic bandgap quasi-crystal of the invention combines in a planar waveguide spectrally selective properties of gratings, focusing properties of elliptical mirrors, superposition properties of thick holograms, photonic bandgaps of periodic structures, and flexibility of binary lithography. A photonic structure of the invention can be utilized, for example, as an integrating spectrally sensitive element in a variety of optical devices that can include, but are not limited to, optical switches, optical multiplexer/demultiplexers, multi-wavelength lasers, and channel monitors in Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) telecommunications system.