Abstract: An apparatus for intraoral scanning includes an elongate handheld wand that has a probe. One or more light projectors and two or more cameras are disposed within the probe. The light projectors each has a pattern generating optical element, which may use diffraction or refraction to form a light pattern. Each camera may be configured to focus between 1 mm and 30 mm from a lens that is farthest from the camera sensor. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for intraoral scanning comprises an elongate handheld wand comprising a probe at a distal end, one or more light projectors, and two or more cameras. Each light projector comprises at least one light source configured to generate light and a pattern generating optical element configured to generate a pattern of light when the light is transmitted through the pattern generating optical element. Each camera comprises a camera sensor and one or more lenses and is configured to capture a plurality of images that depict at least a portion of the projected pattern of light on an intraoral surface, wherein each camera is configured to focus at an object focal plane that is located between about 1 mm and about 30 mm from a lens of the one or more lenses that is farthest from the camera sensor.

Abstract: A system for imaging through a scattering medium may include a spatial and temporal coherent light source for generating an illumination beam to illuminate an object to be imaged through a scattering medium, so as to project an array of spots on the object; an imaging sensor for capturing an image of the object; a first optical setup to capture light transmitted through or reflected off the object and focus the captured light onto a diffractive optical element (DOE) configured to transmit ballistic photons of the captured light arriving from the object while blocking scattered photons; and a second optical setup for capturing light transmitted by the DOE and focus that light onto an imaging plane of the imaging sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for intraoral scanning includes an elongate handheld wand that has a probe. One or more light projectors and two or more cameras are disposed within the probe. The light projectors each has a pattern generating optical element, which may use diffraction or refraction to form a light pattern. Each camera may be configured to focus between 1 mm and 30 mm from a lens that is farthest from the camera sensor. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for intraoral scanning comprises an elongate handheld wand comprising a probe at a distal end, one or more light projectors, and two or more cameras. Each light projector comprises at least one light source configured to generate light and a pattern generating optical element configured to generate a pattern of light when the light is transmitted through the pattern generating optical element. Each camera comprises a camera sensor and one or more lenses and is configured to capture a plurality of images that depict at least a portion of the projected pattern of light on an intraoral surface, wherein each camera is configured to focus at an object focal plane that is located between about 1 mm and about 30 mm from a lens of the one or more lenses that is farthest from the camera sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for intraoral scanning includes an elongate handheld wand comprising a probe at a distal end of the handheld wand, one or more light projectors coupled to the handheld wand, and one or more cameras coupled to the handheld wand. Each camera comprises a camera sensor and objective optics comprising one or more lenses. Each camera is configured to focus at an object focal plane that is located between 1 mm and 30 mm from the lens that is farthest from the camera sensor. The apparatus further includes a fluorescent transparent film deposited on a surface selected from the group consisting of: a window of the probe through which light exits and enters the probe, and a transparent surface that is not integral to the probe.

Abstract: An apparatus for intraoral scanning includes an elongate handheld wand that has a probe. One or more light projectors and two or more cameras are disposed within the probe. The light projectors each has a pattern generating optical element, which may use diffraction or refraction to form a light pattern. Each camera may be configured to focus between 1 mm and 30 mm from a lens that is farthest from the camera sensor. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A display backlight can include a light source and a parabolic waveguide. The parabolic waveguide can have a light inlet to receive the light from the light source, a parabolic reflective surface adapted to change a direction of the light emitted from the light source by a predetermined angle, and a light outlet configured to emit the light at the predetermined angle.

Abstract: A display backlight can include a light source and a parabolic waveguide. The parabolic waveguide can have a light inlet to receive the light from the light source, a parabolic reflective surface adapted to change a direction of the light emitted from the light source by a predetermined angle, and a light outlet configured to emit the light at the predetermined angle.

Abstract: A device for use in optical signal control is presented. The device comprises an amplification waveguide, including a pumpable medium, and a reference and a control inputs and an output selectively allowing transmission of light respectively into and out of said amplification waveguide. The reference input, the amplification waveguide and the output define together a transmission scheme for reference light through the pumpable medium. The control input and the amplification waveguide define a depletion scheme for the pumpable medium and control light. The device thus allows for controlling an output signal, formed by the transmission of the reference light, by controllable depletion of the pumpable medium.

Abstract: A system is presented for collecting and concentrating light from a moving light source (e.g. the Sun). The system comprises at least one anamorphic optical element, defining an optical axis and a projection region and having a predetermined effective aperture which defines primary and secondary axes. The effective aperture is configured for collection of optical radiation arriving from a predetermined solid collection angle defining a first range of angles with respect to a plane spanned by said optical and primary axes. The anamorphic optical element is configured such that light passing through said effective aperture within a predetermined first range of angles within said predetermined solid collection angle is concentrated onto at least a part of said projection region. At least one receiver aperture is defined by at least a part of said projection region.

Abstract: A device for use in optical signal control is presented. The device comprises an amplification waveguide, including a pumpable medium, and a reference and a control inputs and an output selectively allowing transmission of light respectively into and out of said amplification waveguide. The reference input, the amplification waveguide and the output define together a transmission scheme for reference light through the pumpable medium. The control input and the amplification waveguide define a depletion scheme for the pumpable medium and control light. The device thus allows for controlling an output signal, formed by the transmission of the reference light, by controllable depletion of the pumpable medium.

Abstract: A novel method for fabricating a micro-optics structure, having at least one lenslet array, is presented. A writing mask is provided being configured in accordance with an arrangement of the lenslet array to be manufactured. The writing mask is applied to a structure formed by a photosensitive layer of a predetermined thickness carried by a substrate, and the photosensitive layer is exposed through the writing mask using a predetermined spectral range of the exposure and a predetermined distance between the mask and said photosensitive layer, to thereby pattern the photosensitive layer through a diffractive optical element of said mask. The so-obtained pattern is in the form of optical nonhomogeneities in the photosensitive layer material, defining the lenslet array within the photosensitive layer.