Abstract: Fizeau interferometers, in-flight metrology systems and methods of testing optical systems are described. Collimated or near collimated light is directed to interact with at least one diffractive focusing element of an optical system. The collimated or near collimated light is modified by the diffractive focusing element to form first diffracted light. The first diffracted light is directed to an image surface of the diffractive focusing element. A portion of light directed from the image surface is reflected by the diffractive focusing element back to the image surface as second diffracted light. The second diffracted light has a different diffraction order than the first diffracted light. The second diffracted light is detected to characterize the optical system.

Abstract: An apparatus for testing an optical surface comprising an array of holograms. The array includes a plurality of individual holograms arranged in an M×N format, in which M is the number of rows and N is the number of columns in the array. The array of holograms is positioned between the optical surface and a wavefront sensor. The array of holograms reflects a reference beam back to the wavefront sensor, and transmits a test beam to the optical surface. The array of holograms also receives the test beam reflected from the optical surface and transfers the test beam back to the wavefront sensor.

Abstract: The present invention includes a head mounted display (HMD) worn by a user. The HMD includes a display projecting an image through an optical lens. The HMD also includes a one-dimensional retro reflective array receiving the image through the optical lens at a first angle with respect to the display and deflecting the image at a second angle different than the first angle with respect to the display. The one-dimensional retro reflective array reflects the image in order to project the image onto an eye of the user.

Abstract: A method of minimizing fringe print-through in a phase-shifting interferometer, includes the steps of: (a) determining multiple transfer functions of pixels in the phase-shifting interferometer; (b) computing a crosstalk term for each transfer function; and (c) displaying, to a user, a phase-difference map using the crosstalk terms computed in step (b). Determining a transfer function in step (a) includes measuring intensities of a reference beam and a test beam at the pixels, and measuring an optical path difference between the reference beam and the test beam at the pixels. Computing crosstalk terms in step (b) includes computing an N-dimensional vector, where N corresponds to the number of transfer functions, and the N-dimensional vector is obtained by minimizing a variance of a modulation function in phase shifted images.

Abstract: An optical testing system includes a computer generated hologram (CGH) and an imaging element (IE). Both are disposed in a path of light traveling between a wavefront measuring system (WMS) and an object under test. The CGH is located a first distance from the WMS and the IE is located a second distance from the WMS. The IE is further away from the WMS, than the CGH is from the WMS, along the path of light. The center of curvature (CoC) of the object under test is also disposed in the path of light, in which the CoC is located a third distance from the WMS. The third distance is larger than the second distance, along the path of light. The IE forms an image of the object under test at the CGH; and the CGH is configured to provide a null wavefront for the image of the object under test at the CGH. The null wavefront is received by the WMS. Moreover, the IE of the optical testing system may include an imaging lens having a planar surface facing away from the CGH and a convex surface facing toward the CGH.

Abstract: A device for calibrating a wavefront measuring system (WMS) includes a computer generated hologram (CGH) disposed in an axial path of light traveling to or from the WMS, and an imaging lens disposed in the axial path between the WMS and the CGH. An entrance port of the WMS is configured to form a pupil image of a device under test, where a center of curvature (CoC) of the device under test is located along the axial path between the pupil image and the device under test. The CGH is located along the axial path at the CoC, when the imaging lens is inserted between the CoC and the WMS.

Abstract: An optical surface substrate. The optical substrate features a three-dimensional surface. The optical substrate is defined by a first surface structure function modulated by a second surface structure function, the first surface structure function producing at least one specular component from a first input beam of light. The second surface structure function has a geometry with at least pseudo-random characteristics to modulate the first surface structure function such that the surface of the optical substrate produces specular and diffuse light from the first input beam of light. The optical substrate is suitable for use in a variety of applications, including brightness enhancement and projection devices.

Abstract: An optical display system is disclosed. The system has an optical light source, a first microstructured optical component having a plurality of first microstructures, and having a nominal first microstructure pitch, P1; and a second microstructure optical component, arranged relative to the first microstructured optical component, having a plurality of second microstructures and having a second nominal microstructure pitch, P2. P2/P1 has a value closer to the mid-point between consecutive integers than to either one of the consecutive integers.

Abstract: A system for detecting motion between a first body and a second body includes first and second detector-emitter pairs, disposed on the first body, and configured to transmit and receive first and second optical beams, respectively. At least a first optical rotator is disposed on the second body and configured to receive and reflect at least one of the first and second optical beams. First and second detectors of the detector-emitter pairs are configured to detect the first and second optical beams, respectively. Each of the first and second detectors is configured to detect motion between the first and second bodies in multiple degrees of freedom (DOFs). The first optical rotator includes a V-notch oriented to form an apex of an isosceles triangle with respect to a base of the isosceles triangle formed by the first and second detector-emitter pairs. The V-notch is configured to receive the first optical beam and reflect the first optical beam to both the first and second detectors.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an optical substrate that includes a prism structure modulated along a path in a lateral direction. The path is in the nature of a mathematical function defined over a segment, C, of a coordinate system and characterized by a set of nonrandom, random or pseudorandom parameters selected from the group consisting of amplitude, phase and frequency.

Abstract: There is provided an optical substrate. The optical substrate includes at least one surface. The at least one surface includes at least one optical structure having a shape and dimensions, wherein the shape and dimensions of each optical structure represents in part a modulation of a corresponding idealized structure. The shape and dimensions of each of the at least one optical structure are determined in part by at least one randomly generated component of modulation wherein the modulation of each of the at least one optical structure is limited by a neighboring optical structure comprised by the surface.

Abstract: A method of machining a surface of a workpiece is accomplished by bringing a cutting tool into contact with the surface of the workpiece and for at least one cutting pass, i, causing relative movement between the cutting tool and the surface of the workpiece along a path in the surface of the workpiece. The path is in the nature of a mathematical function defined over a segment, C, of a coordinate system and characterized by a set of nonrandom, random or pseudorandom parameters selected from the group consisting of amplitude, phase and period or frequency.

Abstract: There is provided an optical diffuser sheet. The optical diffuser sheet has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first surface has a plurality of optical structures arranged to diffuse and direct light illuminated onto the first surface. The optical diffuser sheet when illuminated is characterized by an absorption of less than 10% and an absolute hiding power of less than 10%.

Abstract: There is provided an optical plate. The optical plate includes a supporting substrate and an optical diffuser film. The optical diffuser film has a density of light scattering particles to provide light diffusion. The optical diffuser film has a surface facing the supporting substrate, wherein a first portion of the surface facing the supporting substrate contacts the supporting substrate. There exists a gap between a second portion of the surface facing the supporting substrate and the supporting substrate, wherein the ratio of the area of the first portion to the second portion is less than 10%.

Abstract: An optical display system is disclosed. The system has an optical light source, a first microstructured optical component having a plurality of first microstructures, and having a nominal first microstructure pitch, P1; and a second microstructure optical component, arranged relative to the first microstructured optical component, having a plurality of second microstructures and having a second nominal microstructure pitch, P2. P2/P1 has a value closer to the mid-point between consecutive integers than to either one of the consecutive integers.

Abstract: An optical surface substrate. The optical substrate features a three-dimensional surface. The optical substrate is defined by a first surface structure function modulated by a second surface structure function, the first surface structure function producing at least one specular component from a first input beam of light. The second surface structure function has a geometry with at least pseudo-random characteristics to modulate the first surface structure function such that the surface of the optical substrate produces specular and diffuse light from the first input beam of light. The optical substrate is suitable for use in a variety of applications, including brightness enhancement and projection devices.

Abstract: An optical nulling apparatus for testing an optical surface includes an aspheric mirror having a reflecting surface for imaging light near or onto the optical surface under test, where the aspheric mirror is configured to reduce spherical aberration of the optical surface under test. The apparatus includes a light source for emitting light toward the aspheric mirror, the light source longitudinally aligned with the aspheric mirror and the optical surface under test. The aspheric mirror is disposed between the light source and the optical surface under test, and the emitted light is reflected off the reflecting surface of the aspheric mirror and imaged near or onto the optical surface under test. An optical measuring device is disposed between the light source and the aspheric mirror, where light reflected from the optical surface under test enters the optical measuring device.

Abstract: An optical surface substrate. The optical substrate features a three-dimensional surface. The optical substrate is defined by a first surface structure function modulated by a second surface structure function, the first surface structure function producing at least one specular component from a first input beam of light. The second surface structure function has a geometry with at least pseudo-random characteristics to modulate the first surface structure function such that the surface of the optical substrate produces specular and diffuse light from the first input beam of light. The optical substrate is suitable for use in a variety of applications, including brightness enhancement and projection devices.

Abstract: An optical display system is disclosed. The system has an optical light source, a microstructured optical component, and an optical display. The microstructured optical component has a plurality of microstructures, and a nominal microstructure pitch. The optical display is arranged relative to the microstructured optical component and has a plurality of pixels having a pixel pitch, wherein the microstructure pitch is such that an intensity of a Moiré pattern produced by the display due to interaction of light directed by the microstructured optical component from the light source is substantially zero.

Abstract: There is provided an optical substrate. The optical substrate includes at least one surface. The at least one surface includes at least one optical structure having a shape and dimensions, wherein the shape and dimensions of each optical structure represents in part a modulation of a corresponding idealized structure. The shape and dimensions of each of the at least one optical structure are determined in part by at least one randomly generated component of modulation wherein the modulation of each of the at least one optical structure is limited by a neighboring optical structure comprised by the surface.