Abstract: An optical element includes a plurality of stacked birefringent sublayers, such as liquid crystal sublayers, configured to alter a direction of propagation of light passing therethrough according to the Bragg condition. The stacked birefringent sublayers respectively include local optical axes that vary along respective interfaces between adjacent ones of the stacked birefringent sublayers to define respective grating periods. The respective thicknesses of the stacked birefringent sublayers may be less than a wavelength of the light. Related apparatus and methods of operation are also discussed.

Abstract: An optical element includes a plurality of stacked birefringent sublayers, such as liquid crystal sublayers, configured to alter a direction of propagation of light passing therethrough according to the Bragg condition. The stacked birefringent sublayers respectively include local optical axes that vary along respective interfaces between adjacent ones of the stacked birefringent sublayers to define respective grating periods. The respective thicknesses of the stacked birefringent sublayers may be less than a wavelength of the light. Related apparatus and methods of operation are also discussed.

Abstract: Electrically controlled volume phase gratings and electrically controlled Bragg Gratings can provide variable diffraction gratings that can be operated in a transmissive and/or reflective mode. They can be made from electro-optic materials placed directly on glass or semiconductor materials, utilizing conventional Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCOS) processes and equipment. Highly efficient and/or small device form factors may be provided.

Abstract: Electrically controlled volume phase gratings and electrically controlled Bragg Gratings can provide variable diffraction gratings that can be operated in a transmissive and/or reflective mode. They can be made from electro-optic materials placed directly on glass or semiconductor materials, utilizing conventional Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCOS) processes and equipment. Highly efficient and/or small device form factors may be provided.

Abstract: Conventional display technology can be used to display crude computer generated holograms (CGH), and can be extended to moving displays. However, the ones best suited from the standpoint of illumination flexibility, such as the common Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs), switch very slowly. Thus systems with far better dynamic—rapid response requires very complex drive electronics. A non-memory ceramic PLZT, dynamic holographic display medium, provides much faster response time relative to common LCD technology. This system, which is the major embodiment of the present invention, also exhibits good spatial display capability. The system of the present invention, can display Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) Computer Generated Holograms (CHHs); thus allowing the use of FFT based manipulation of images.