Abstract: A photocathode epitaxial structure. The photocathode epitaxial structure includes an improved substrate stack. The improved substrate stack includes a GaAs substrate and one or more additional layers formed on the GaAs substrate. The one or more additional layers are configured to provide an improved substrate stack surface with predetermined characteristics for forming a semiconductor device on the improved substrate stack surface. The photocathode epitaxial structure further includes an InGaAs p-type photocathode formed on the improved substrate stack surface. The InGaAs p-type photocathode has a predetermined percentage of In.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for a night vision system including a transparent overlay display that transmit direct-view light representing an intensified image and emits display light representing a display image. The overlay display includes photodetectors arranged to detect an intensity of the incoming direct-view light, and an intensity of the display light depends on the detected intensity. In some embodiments, the intensity of the display light is spatially modulated using an amplitude or envelope of the intensity that is based on the detected local intensity of the direct-view light. In some embodiments, the intensity of the display light is adjusted to correct for loss of the direct-view light. The intensity of the display light may be controlled using control circuitry that receives signals from the photodetectors, and the control circuitry may be located on the same semiconductor chip as the overlay display.

Abstract: An optical device includes an underlying device configured to output light in a first spectrum. A stacked device is coupled to the underlying device and configured to be coupled in overlapping fashion to an optical output of the underlying device. The stacked device is transparent to light in the first spectrum. The stacked device includes electro-optical circuits including: light emitters and detectors. Each detector is associated with one or more light emitters. Each detector is configured to detect light emitted from the underlying device. The light emitters are configured to output light dependent on light detected by an associated detector. Optical filters are optically coupled to an optical input of the underlying device. Each filter is aligned with a detector to suppress absorption of certain wavelengths of light by the underlying device thereby affecting light detected by the detectors and thus further affecting the light output by the light emitters.

Abstract: One embodiment illustrated herein includes an optical device. The optical device includes a stacked device, formed in a single semiconductor chip, configured to be coupled in an overlapping fashion to an underlying device. The stacked device includes a plurality of optical output pixels. Each of the output pixels includes a plurality of subpixels. Each subpixel is configured to output a color of light. Each pixel is configured to output a plurality of colors of light. The optical device further includes one or more detectors, configured to detect light, interleaved with the subpixels of the pixels. The stacked device comprises a plurality of transparent regions formed in the stacked device between the pixels. The plurality of transparent regions are transparent, according to a first transmission efficiency, to light in a first spectrum. The underlying device emits light in the first spectrum.

Abstract: A nightvision system includes an underlying device that provides output light in a first spectrum. A transparent optical device transmits light in the first spectrum from the underlying device through the transparent optical device. The transparent optical device includes an active area of a semiconductor chip. The active area includes active elements that cause the underlying device to detect light from the underlying device and transparent regions formed in the active area which are transparent to the light in the first spectrum to allow light in the first spectrum to pass through from the underlying device to a user. An image processor processes images produced using light detected by the first plurality of active elements. An autofocus mechanism coupled to the image processor focuses the input light into the underlying device based on image processing performed by the image processor.

Abstract: A nightvision system includes an underlying device that provides output light in a first spectrum. A transparent optical device transmits light in the first spectrum from the underlying device through the transparent optical device. The transparent optical device includes an active area of a semiconductor chip. The active area includes active elements that cause the underlying device to detect light from the underlying device and transparent regions formed in the active area which are transparent to the light in the first spectrum to allow light in the first spectrum to pass through from the underlying device to a user. An image processor processes brightness maps produced using light detected by the first plurality of active elements. A tunable filter array coupled to the image processor filters at least a portion of the input light into the underlying device the underlying device based on brightness map processing.

Abstract: One example illustrated herein includes an optical device including a bridge assembly configured to connect two or more monocular tube assemblies and at least two monocular tube assemblies. Each monocular tube assembly includes a housing, an alignment member attached to the housing, the alignment member providing an indication of an optical axis of the monocular tube assembly, and an interface component that links the housing to the bridge assembly, the interface component comprising an adjustment mechanism that enables adjustment of the monocular tube assembly relative to the bridge assembly, such that the adjustment mechanism can be used in conjunction with the alignment member to align different optical axes. Aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented to allow for field-alignment of the optical device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for a night vision system including a transparent overlay display that transmit direct-view light representing an intensified image and emits display light representing a display image. The overlay display includes photodetectors arranged to detect an intensity the incoming direct-view light, and an intensity of the display light depends on the detected intensity. In some embodiments, the intensity of the display light is spatially modulated using an amplitude or envelope of the intensity that is based on the detected local intensity of the direct-view light. In some embodiments, the intensity of the display light is adjusted to correct for loss of the direct-view light. The intensity of the display light may be controlled using control circuitry that receives signals from the photodetectors, and the control circuitry may be located on the same semiconductor chip as the overlay display.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for a night vision system including a transparent overlay display that transmit direct-view light representing an intensified image and emits display light representing a display image. To reduce the communication bandwidth with an external controller, a frame buffer is provided to locally update pixel values of the display image, at a first frame rate. Because many pixel values remain unchanged from frame to frame, an external controller may change the pixel values stored in the frame buffer as needed, reducing the amount of information that is needed from the external controller to control the display image. Additionally, to reduce the communication bandwidth the display information may be communicated from the external controller using a high-level language. Further, some of the display information may be determined using a local processor, rather than relying on the external controller for the display information.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for a night vision system including a transparent overlay display that transmit direct-view light representing an intensified image and emits display light representing a display image. The transparent overlay display is a borderless display in which the active area extends to at least one edge of the display. Data-handling circuitry is arranged within the active area, rather than being arranged along a border of the display. The data-handling circuitry may be fabricated in the active area of the display by fabricating it below opaque pixel regions that generate the display light. This borderless configuration allows partial overlap with the intensified image by eliminating opaque borders in which the data-handling circuitry is fabricated. This borderless configuration helps to minimize size, weight, and power by reducing the size of the display and eliminating the need for bulky beam splitters.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for a night vision system that integrates functions of detecting an intensified image and transmitting the intensified image superimposed with a heads-up display. The night vision system includes an optical device having a transparent display configured with pixels emitting display light (i.e., the heads-up display), and the transparent display has transmission regions arranged among the pixels for transmitting light representing an intensified image (e.g., luminescent light from a phosphor screen). Light rays passing through the transmission regions also pass through detectors, which detect light outside of the visible spectrum (e.g., UV light). By detecting light outside of the visible spectrum, the detectors detect the intensified image without degrading the image in the visible spectrum that is provided to users.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for a night vision system including a transparent overlay display that transmit direct-view light representing an intensified image and emits display light representing a display image. The night vision system includes an intensifier with a flat exit face, an overlay display that is flat/planar, and planar, diffractive lens. The direct-view light and the display light exit the overlay display with the same phase curvature (e.g., a flat phase curvature). The planar, diffractive lens induces a spherical phase curvature on the light exiting the overlay display. The phase curvature induced by the planar, diffractive lens matches the phase curvature of a legacy intensifier in which the final element is fiberoptic inverting element with a curved exit face. Accordingly, the combination of the intensifier, overlay display, and planar, diffractive lens can replace the legacy intensifier while maintaining the design specifications of the night vision system.

Abstract: An optical system has an underlying device configured to provide output light. A transparent optical device optically coupled to the underlying device transmits light from the underlying device through the transparent optical device to display a scene. The transparent optical device includes detector elements formed in an active area to detect light portraying at least a portion of the scene. The underlying device has transparent regions formed in the active area to allow light to pass through from the underlying device to a user. The optical system further includes an image processor that processes images produced using light detected by the detector elements to identify a specific instance of light in the scene. The image processor causes display elements in the active area of the transparent optical device to display an indicator, in the scene, correlated to the specific instance of light.

Abstract: An optical device includes an underlying device configured output light to an optical output to output an image of objects in an environment to a user. The light is output in a first spectrum. A stacked device is configured to be coupled in an overlapping fashion to an optical output of the underlying device. The stacked device is transparent, according to a first transmission efficiency, to light in the first spectrum. The stacked device includes a plurality of electro-optical circuits including: a plurality of light emitters configured to output light, and a plurality of detectors configured to detect light in the first spectrum from the underlying device that can be used to detect the objects in the image. The light emitters are configured to output light dependent on light detected by the detectors and additional information about characteristics of the objects in the environment.

Abstract: One embodiment illustrated herein includes an optical device. The optical device includes a stacked device, formed in a single semiconductor chip, configured to be coupled in an overlapping fashion to an underlying device. The stacked device includes a plurality of optical output pixels. Each of the output pixels includes a plurality of subpixels. Each subpixel is configured to output a color of light. Each pixel is configured to output a plurality of colors of light. The optical device further includes one or more detectors, configured to detect light, interleaved with the subpixels of the pixels. The stacked device comprises a plurality of transparent regions formed in the stacked device between the pixels. The plurality of transparent regions are transparent, according to a first transmission efficiency, to light in a first spectrum. The underlying device emits light in the first spectrum.

Abstract: An optical device includes an underlying device configured output light in a first spectrum. A stacked device is coupled to the underlying device is configured to be coupled in an overlapping fashion to an optical output of the underlying device. The stacked device is transparent to light in the first spectrum. The stacked device includes electro-optical circuits including: light emitters and detectors. Each detector is associated with one or more light emitters. Each detector is configured to detect light emitted from the underlying device. The light emitters are configured to output light dependent on light detected by an associated detector. Optical filters are optically coupled to an optical input of the underlying device. Each filter is aligned with a detector to suppress absorption of certain wavelengths of light by the underlying device thereby affecting light detected by the detectors and thus further affecting the light output by the light emitters.

Abstract: An optical system has an underlying device configured to provide output light. A transparent optical device optically coupled to the underlying device transmits light from the underlying device through the transparent optical device to display a scene. The transparent optical device includes detector elements formed in an active area to detect light portraying at least a portion of the scene. The underlying device has transparent regions formed in the active area to allow light to pass through from the underlying device to a user. The optical system further includes an image processor that processes images produced using light detected by the detector elements to identify a specific instance of light in the scene. The image processor causes display elements in the active area of the transparent optical device to display an indicator, in the scene, correlated to the specific instance of light.

Abstract: A transparent optical device configured to be used with an underlying device. The underlying device is configured to provide output light. The optical device is configured to transmit light from the underlying device through the optical device. The optical device includes first and second zones. The first zone includes a first plurality of active elements configured to cause the first zone to have a first optical performance capability and a first plurality of transparent regions formed in the first zone allowing light to pass through from the underlying device. The second zone includes a second plurality of active elements configured to cause the second zone to have a second optical performance capability that is different than the first optical performance capability and a second plurality of transparent regions formed in the second zone which allow light in the first spectrum to pass through from the underlying device.

Abstract: An optical device. The optical device includes an underlying device that is sensitive to input light, and provides output light in a first spectrum based on absorbing the input light. The optical device further includes a stacked device, formed in an active area of a single semiconductor chip, coupled in an overlapping fashion to the underlying device. The stacked device includes first and second zones. Each zone has a plurality of active elements having a particular lateral size, where the lateral size is different for each zone. Each zone also has a plurality of transparent regions formed in the stacked device which are transparent to the light in the first spectrum to allow light in the first spectrum to pass through from the underlying device.

Abstract: A nightvision system includes an underlying device that provides output light in a first spectrum. A transparent optical device transmits light in the first spectrum from the underlying device through the transparent optical device. The transparent optical device includes an active area of a semiconductor chip. The active area includes active elements that cause the underlying device to detect light from the underlying device and transparent regions formed in the active area which are transparent to the light in the first spectrum to allow light in the first spectrum to pass through from the underlying device to a user. An image processor processes images produced using light detected by the first plurality of active elements. An autofocus mechanism coupled to the image processor focuses the input light into the underlying device based on image processing performed by the image processor.