Abstract: A wave-forming system includes a channel having a water inlet and a water outlet for directing water from the water inlet and the water outlet. The channel has a side wall and a bottom surface profile that slopes downward toward the water outlet and the side wall. The system also includes a back pressure barrier positioned in the water outlet to introduce a back pressure to the water flow inside the channel to continuously form waves across the channel.

Abstract: A wave-forming system includes a channel having a water inlet and a water outlet for directing water from the water inlet and the water outlet. The channel has a side wall and a bottom surface profile that slopes downward toward the water outlet and the side wall. The system also includes a back pressure barrier positioned in the water outlet to introduce a back pressure to the water flow inside the channel to continuously form waves across the channel.

Abstract: An illumination system for transforming at least one laser light beam having a non-uniform distribution in a first axis and a second axis to a beam having a substantially uniform distribution in the first axis while preserving the non-uniform distribution in the second axis. The transformed beam may be imaged as a line image onto a one-dimensional light modulation device. The illumination system may comprise a light tunnel having two sides that interact with the at least one laser light beam in the first axis and two sides that do not interact with the light in the second axis.

Abstract: An optical assembly for reducing the etendue of a diode laser light source having a plurality of laser light emitters. The optical assembly comprises a first optical device for collimating beams of light emitted from the emitters of the diode laser. A second optical device spatially shifts a portion of the collimated light beams emitted from the diode laser to thereby reduce gaps or dark space between the beams. A third optical device focuses all of the light beams onto a surface, such as a surface of a light modulation surface.

Abstract: A wide angle display system includes a linear array projector, a curved display surface, and an n-sides scanning mirror. The projector is configured to project an image along an optical axis to the scanning mirror. The scanning mirror continuously rotates about a rotational axis at a speed 1/n the refresh rate, so as to reflect and scan the image onto the display surface.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a high-resolution image using a scanned-column projector is disclosed. The method includes the operation of generating a time-varying line image. A further operation includes collimating the time-varying line image in at least one plane. An additional operation involves scanning the collimated time-varying line image using a scan mirror. A further operation includes projecting the scanned collimated time-varying line image onto a surface. The scanned collimated time-varying line image is projected with at least one imaging element.

Abstract: An optical element mount, including an outer body and an inner positionable body positionable with respect to the outer body in X, Y, and Z directions, and rotatable about at least X and Y axes and configured to carry the optical element, and adjustment members carried by and supported by the outer body and selectively moveable with respect to the outer body and at least one biasing element configured to bias the inner positionable body against the adjustment members; whereby the inner positionable body can be adjusted in position in three axes and in tilt about at least two axes.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for reducing laser speckle and interference patterns in a laser projector display when using a laser projector having a spatial light modulator (SLM) with a defined pixel rate. The method can include the operation of polarizing a laser output of a continuous wave laser such that the laser output is s-polarized with respect to a beam combiner. The s-polarized laser output can be divided into a first laser beam and a second laser beam. A phase of the second laser beam can be modulated with an amplitude sufficient to create a phase delay of approximately half a wavelength of the laser output and at a frequency at least twice that of the SLM's pixel rate.

Abstract: A tunable fiber optic component providing environmental isolation, thermal tuning, and mechanical tuning and a method of tuning a fiber optic component using application of substantially simultaneous varying of temperature and mechanical strain is disclosed. A method of using a tunable fiber optic component, for example, a distributed feedback fiber laser, to compensate variations in an optical system, and a method of making a tunable fiber optic component are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tunable fiber optic component providing environmental isolation, thermal tuning, and mechanical tuning and a method of tuning a fiber optic component using application of substantially simultaneous varying of temperature and mechanical strain is disclosed. A method of using a tunable fiber optic component, for example, a distributed feedback fiber laser, to compensate variations in an optical system, and a method of making a tunable fiber optic component are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tunable fiber optic component providing environmental isolation, thermal tuning, and mechanical tuning and a method of tuning a fiber optic component using application of substantially simultaneous varying of temperature and mechanical strain is disclosed. A method of using a tunable fiber optic component, for example, a distributed feedback fiber laser, to compensate variations in an optical system, and a method of making a tunable fiber optic component are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tunable fiber optic component providing environmental isolation, thermal tuning, and mechanical tuning and a method of tuning a fiber optic component using application of substantially simultaneous varying of temperature and mechanical strain is disclosed. A method of using a tunable fiber optic component, for example, a distributed feedback fiber laser, to compensate variations in an optical system, and a method of making a tunable fiber optic component are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the wavelength and dominant mode of a laser fiber prior to installation in a laser assembly includes the steps of linearly stretching the laser fiber so as to modify its output wavelength, axially twisting the laser fiber so as to modify its dominant mode, and affixing the laser fiber to a laser assembly in its linearly stretched and axially twisted condition. The laser assembly includes a dynamic tuning mechanism for wavelength adjustment during use. The twisted and stretched fiber has an unadjusted wavelength and dominant mode that are within a selected range before adjustment by the dynamic tuning mechanism.

Abstract: A panoramic display system includes a curved projection screen, a panoramic projector, and a substantially conically shaped barrier. The projector is configured to project an image onto the projection screen from a projection point located substantially above the projection screen. The conical barrier has a base disposed toward the bottom of the projection screen, and an apex region disposed toward the projection point. The barrier blocks scattered light from reflecting from portions of the curved screen to other portions thereof.

Abstract: A wide angle display system includes a linear array projector, a curved display surface, and a two-sided, substantially planar scanning mirror. The projector is configured to project an image along an optical axis to the scanning mirror. The scanning mirror continuously rotates about an axis substantially in the plane of the mirror, so as to reflect and scan the image onto the display surface.

Abstract: A microscopic optical structure controller for providing singular control of individual microscopic optical structures of a microelectromechanical optical device by a multiplexed stream of individual pixel values generated by a pixel value source. The microscopic optical structure controller includes at least one interconnect coupled to the pixel value source for receiving the multiplexed stream of individual pixel values and at least one mapper communicating with the interconnect for extracting individual pixel values from the multiplexed stream and applying the individual pixel values to one or more individual microscopic optical structures according to a configurable mapping. A method and a driver for providing singular control of individual microscopic optical structures of a microelectromechanical optical device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the wavelength and dominant mode of a laser fiber prior to installation in a laser assembly includes the steps of linearly stretching the laser fiber so as to modify its output wavelength, axially twisting the laser fiber so as to modify its dominant mode, and affixing the laser fiber to a laser assembly in its linearly stretched and axially twisted condition. The laser assembly includes a dynamic tuning mechanism for wavelength adjustment during use. The twisted and stretched fiber has an unadjusted wavelength and dominant mode that are within a selected range before adjustment by the dynamic tuning mechanism.

Abstract: A system and method for polishing an optical fiber with a polishing lap. The system comprises a substrate, an optical fiber disposed on the substrate so as to be outwardly curved, and an electrical conductor disposed over the outward curve of the optical fiber. A voltage source is connected to the electrical conductor, and the polishing lap is configured to initially abrade the electrical conductor to cause severance thereof. The position of the polishing lap when the electrical conductor is severed represents a reference point approximately indicating the surface of the optical fiber. A detector connected to the electrical conductor detects a change in voltage therein, indicating severance of the electrical conductor, and subsequently monitors the polishing depth relative to the reference point.

Abstract: A multimode optical coupler comprising a first optical fiber having a polished face on its side, and a second optical fiber having an end which is polished at an angle. The angled polished end of the second optical fiber is disposed in mating alignment with the polished face of the first optical fiber, and light energy propagating through the second fiber can pass into the first fiber. A series of such couplers may be interconnected in a network so as to combine the energy of many light sources for a desired power level in a single optical fiber.

Abstract: A system and method for polishing an optical fiber with a polishing lap. The system comprises a substrate, an optical fiber disposed on the substrate so as to be outwardly curved, and an electrical conductor disposed over the outward curve of the optical fiber. A voltage source is connected to the electrical conductor, and the polishing lap is configured to initially abrade the electrical conductor to cause severance thereof. The position of the polishing lap when the electrical conductor is severed represents a reference point approximately indicating the surface of the optical fiber. A detector connected to the electrical conductor detects a change in voltage therein, indicating severance of the electrical conductor, and subsequently monitors the polishing depth relative to the reference point.