Abstract: A method of fabricating a variable diameter fiber includes providing a fiber optic cable, focusing a laser beam at a predetermined location inside the fiber optic cable, and creating a damage site at the predetermined location. The method also includes focusing the laser beam at a series of additional predetermined locations inside the fiber optic cable and creating a plurality of additional damage sites at the additional predetermined locations. The damage site and the additional damage sites define a variable diameter profile. The method further includes exposing the fiber optic cable to an etchant solution, preferentially etching the damage site and the plurality of additional damage sites, and separating a portion of the fiber optic cable to release the variable diameter fiber.

Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of fiber scanning systems and methods of scanning optical fibers. The disclosed systems and methods advantageously provide an improvement to the scanning range, the oscillation amplitude, and/or the maximum pointing angle for an optical fiber in a fiber scanning system by inducing a buckling of a portion of the optical fiber.

Abstract: An eye tracking system includes a pair of glasses including two frames and a light scanning projector coupled to the pair of glasses and operable to scan a beam of light. The eye tracking system also includes an eyepiece mounted in one of the two frames and optically coupled to the light scanning projector. The eyepiece includes an exit pupil expander operable to direct at least a portion of the beam of light towards an eye of a user. The eye tracking system further includes one or more photodetectors coupled to the pair of glasses and a processor coupled to the light scanning projector and the one or more photodetectors.

Abstract: A waveguide display includes a first diffractive input waveguide operable to receive input data from a first projector and diffract image data associated with the first projector at a first angular offset and a second diffractive input waveguide operable to receive input data from a second projector and diffract image data associated with the second projector at a second angular offset. The waveguide display also includes a diffractive output waveguide optically coupled to the first diffractive input waveguide and the second diffractive input waveguide. The diffractive output waveguide receives the image data associated with the first projector and image data associated with the second projector and is operable to direct image data associated with the first projector toward a first field of view and direct image data associated with the second projector toward a second field of view.

Abstract: A multi-element fiber scanner for scanning electromagnetic imaging radiation includes a base having a base plane and a longitudinal axis orthogonal to the base plane and a fiber link passing through the base in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The fiber link is operatively coupled to at least one electromagnetic radiation source. The multi-element fiber scanner also includes a retention collar disposed a predetermined distance along the longitudinal axis from the base and a first set and a second set of piezoelectric tubes. First and second piezoelectric tubes of the first set are joined to the base and extends from the base and first and second piezoelectric tubes of the second set are joined to the retention collar and extend from the retention collar.

Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of fiber scanning systems and methods of scanning optical fibers. The disclosed systems and methods advantageously provide an improvement to the scanning range, the oscillation amplitude, and/or the maximum pointing angle for an optical fiber in a fiber scanning system by inducing a buckling of a portion of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A fiber optic element of a fiber scanning system includes a motion actuator having longitudinal side members, an internal orifice, a first support region, a central region, and a second support region. The fiber optic element also includes a first fiber optic cable passing through the internal orifice and having a first fiber joint as well as a second fiber optic cable passing through the internal orifice. The second fiber optic cable has a second fiber joint disposed in the central region and spliced to the first fiber joint, a second coupling region, a light delivery region, and a light emission tip. The light delivery region is characterized by a first diameter and the light emission tip is characterized by a second diameter less than the first diameter.

Abstract: A multi-element fiber scanner for scanning electromagnetic imaging radiation includes a base having a base plane and a longitudinal axis orthogonal to the base plane and a first fiber link passing through the base in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The first fiber link is operatively coupled to at least one electromagnetic radiation source. The multi-element fiber scanner also includes a plurality of additional links joined to the base and extending from the base and a retention collar disposed a predetermined distance along the longitudinal axis from the base. The first fiber link and the plurality of fiber links are joined to the retention collar.

Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of fiber scanning systems and methods of scanning optical fibers. The disclosed systems and methods advantageously provide an improvement to the scanning range, the oscillation amplitude, and/or the maximum pointing angle for an optical fiber in a fiber scanning system by inducing a buckling of a portion of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A waveguide display disposed in glasses includes a first pupil expander assembly operable to project a first image defined by a first field of view and a second pupil expander assembly disposed adjacent the first pupil expander assembly and operable to project a second image defined by a second field of view different from the first field of view.

Abstract: Embodiments of optical scanners, optical projection systems, and methods of scanning optical waveguides and projecting images are described. The disclosed devices, systems and methods advantageously provide an improvement to the compactness, robustness, simplicity, and reliability of optical scanners and optical projection systems by implementing a thermally driven actuator for inducing oscillations of a cantilever within the optical scanners and optical projection systems. The stability and accuracy of optical scanners and optical projection systems are further enhanced using capacitive sensing, feedback, and phase correction techniques described herein.

Abstract: A fiber optic element of a fiber scanning system includes a motion actuator having longitudinal side members, an internal orifice, a first support region, a central region, and a second support region. The fiber optic element also includes a first fiber optic cable passing through the internal orifice and having a first fiber joint as well as a second fiber optic cable passing through the internal orifice. The second fiber optic cable has a second fiber joint disposed in the central region and spliced to the first fiber joint, a second coupling region, a light delivery region, and a light emission tip. The light delivery region is characterized by a first diameter and the light emission tip is characterized by a second diameter less than the first diameter.

Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of fiber scanning systems and methods of scanning optical fibers. The disclosed systems and methods advantageously provide an improvement to the scanning range, the oscillation amplitude, and/or the maximum pointing angle for an optical fiber in a fiber scanning system by inducing a buckling of a portion of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A fiber scanning projector includes a piezoelectric element and a scanning fiber mechanically coupled to the piezoelectric element. The fiber scanning projector also includes an optical assembly section operable to receive light from the scanning fiber. The optical assembly section includes a prism element, a collimating element coupled to the prism element at an interface, a quarter wave plate, and a polarizing beam splitter disposed at the interface.

Abstract: An eye tracking system includes a pair of glasses including two frames and a light scanning projector coupled to the pair of glasses and operable to scan a beam of light. The eye tracking system also includes an eyepiece mounted in one of the two frames and optically coupled to the light scanning projector. The eyepiece includes an exit pupil expander operable to direct at least a portion of the beam of light towards an eye of a user. The eye tracking system further includes one or more photodetectors coupled to the pair of glasses and a processor coupled to the light scanning projector and the one or more photodetectors.

Abstract: A waveguide display disposed in glasses includes a first pupil expander assembly operable to project a first image defined by a first field of view and a second pupil expander assembly disposed adjacent the first pupil expander assembly and operable to project a second image defined by a second field of view different from the first field of view.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a variable diameter fiber includes providing a fiber optic cable, focusing a laser beam at a predetermined location inside the fiber optic cable, and creating a damage site at the predetermined location. The method also includes focusing the laser beam at a series of additional predetermined locations inside the fiber optic cable and creating a plurality of additional damage sites at the additional predetermined locations. The damage site and the additional damage sites define a variable diameter profile. The method further includes exposing the fiber optic cable to an etchant solution, preferentially etching the damage site and the plurality of additional damage sites, and separating a portion of the fiber optic cable to release the variable diameter fiber.

Abstract: A multi-element fiber scanner for scanning electromagnetic imaging radiation includes a base having a base plane and a longitudinal axis orthogonal to the base plane and a first fiber link passing through the base in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The first fiber link is operatively coupled to at least one electromagnetic radiation source. The multi-element fiber scanner also includes a plurality of additional links joined to the base and extending from the base and a retention collar disposed a predetermined distance along the longitudinal axis from the base. The first fiber link and the plurality of fiber links are joined to the retention collar.

Abstract: A fiber optic element of a fiber scanning system includes a motion actuator having longitudinal side members, an internal orifice, a first support region, a central region, and a second support region. The fiber optic element also includes a first fiber optic cable passing through the internal orifice and having a first fiber joint as well as a second fiber optic cable passing through the internal orifice. The second fiber optic cable has a second fiber joint disposed in the central region and spliced to the first fiber joint, a second coupling region, a light delivery region, and a light emission tip. The light delivery region is characterized by a first diameter and the light emission tip is characterized by a second diameter less than the first diameter.

Abstract: A multi-cladding optical fiber includes a core that conveys visible light used by a scanner for imaging a site within a patient's body, and an inner cladding that conveys high-power light, such as infrared light, used for providing therapy to site. The distal end of multi-cladding optical fiber is driven to scan the site when imaging or rendering therapy using an actuator. High-power light is coupled into inner cladding at proximal end of optical fiber using several different techniques. Some techniques use an axicon to direct the high-power light into the inner cladding, while visible light is coupled directly into the core. Another technique uses a multimode optical fiber in a coupling relationship with the multi-cladding optical fiber, to transfer high-power light from a core of the multimode fiber into the inner cladding of the multi-cladding optical fiber.