Abstract: A backlight unit suitable for use in illuminating a liquid crystal display panel of a display device. The backlight unit comprises a light guide plate, the light guide plate comprising a glass substrate with at least one edge, an intermediate waveguide physically and optically coupled to the at least one edge along a length of the edge, and a light source optically coupled to the intermediate waveguide.

Abstract: A beam-shaping optical system suitable for use with optical coherence tomography includes a sheath defining a central cavity having an inner wall, an optical fiber positioned within a ferrule, the ferrule configured to mate with the inner wall of the sheath, and a beam-shaping insert positioned within the sheath and configured to mate with the inner surface of the sheath. The beam-shaping insert defines a beam-shaping element. The optical fiber is configured to emit an electromagnetic beam toward the beam-shaping element and the beam-shaping element is configured to reflect the electromagnetic beam externally to the beam-shaping insert.

Abstract: A method of laser processing a workpiece, the method comprising focusing a pulsed laser beam into a laser beam focal line directed into the workpiece, the laser beam focal line generating an induced absorption within the material, and the induced absorption producing a defect line along the laser beam focal line within the workpiece, wherein the focal line has length L and a substantially uniform intensity profile such that the peak intensity distribution over at least 85% of the length L of the focal line does not vary by more 40%, and preferably by no more than 30 or 20% from its mean peak intensity.

Abstract: A beam-shaping optical system includes a sheath defining a central cavity having an inner wall, an optical fiber positioned within the cavity and engaged with the inner wall of the sheath, and a beam-shaping insert positioned within the sheath and engaged with the inner wall of the sheath. The beam-shaping insert includes a beam-shaping element with a reflective element aligned with an optical axis of the optical fiber. The optical fiber is configured to emit an electromagnetic beam toward the beam-shaping element and the beam-shaping element is configured to reflect the electromagnetic beam externally to the beam-shaping insert.

Abstract: An optical imaging system (e.g., hyperspectral imaging system) is described herein which includes imaging optics, an uni-axial homogenizer (including a rectangular cross-section light pipe and an astigmatic paraxial optic), and a detector. The uni-axial homogenizer is configured to preserve imaging along one axis while homogenizing (removing all image information) along a second perpendicular axis. In one embodiment, the uni-axial homogenizer is utilized in a spectrograph of a hyperspectral imaging system where the rectangular cross-section light pipe replaces the entrance slit of the spectrograph and the astigmatic paraxial optic is built into the design of the spectrometer's optics.

Abstract: A hyperspectral imaging system, a monolithic Offner spectrometer, and two methods for manufacturing the monolithic Offner spectrometer are described herein. In one embodiment, the monolithic Offner spectrometer comprises a transmissive material which has: (1) an entrance surface which has an opaque material applied thereto, where the opaque material has a portion removed therefrom which forms a slit; (2) a first surface which has a first reflective coating applied thereto to form a first mirror; (3) a second surface which has a second reflective coating applied thereto to form a diffraction grating; (4) a third surface which has a third reflective coating applied thereto to form a second mirror; and (5) an exit surface.

Abstract: Films for display device covers and display device covers comprising the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a display cover for coupling to a display device includes a perimeter portion comprising a first surface and a second surface. A film of polymeric material may be attached to at least one of the first surface or the second surface of the perimeter portion. The film may include a first array of prisms extending from an edge of the perimeter portion to a distance L. The first array of prisms may be offset from and positioned below a surface of the film by an offset spacing dz.

Abstract: A hyperspectral imaging system and a method are described herein for providing a hyperspectral image of an area of a remote object (e.g., scene of interest). In one aspect, the hyperspectral imaging system includes at least one optic, a rotatable disk (which has at least one spiral slit formed therein), a spectrometer, a two-dimensional image sensor, and a controller. In another aspect, the hyperspectral imaging system includes at least one optic, a rotatable disk (which has multiple straight slits formed therein), a spectrometer, a two-dimensional image sensor, and a controller. In yet another aspect, the hyperspectral imaging system includes at least one optic, a rotatable drum (which has a plurality of slits formed on the outer surface thereof and a fold mirror located therein), a spectrometer, a two-dimensional image sensor, and a controller.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to optical elements including a performance-enhancing coating on the surface of a metal or ceramic substrate and to methods for making the optical elements. The optical elements are suitable for use in harsh environments, including salt fog and high humidity environments. The performance-enhancing coating and substrate have similar thermal expansion properties and the performance-enhancing coating has a diamond-turned surface. The performance-enhancing coating may also be polished with a solution of colloidal silica in glycol to an RMS surface roughness less than 30 ?.

Abstract: The hyperspectral detector systems and methods disclosed herein include capturing a context image and a single-column spectral image that falls within the context image. The context and spectral images are then combined to form a fused image. Using the fused image, the spectral image is panned over the scene and within the context image to capture spectral signatures within the scene. The spectral signatures are compared to reference spectral signatures, and the locations of the one or more spectral signatures within the context image are marked. The systems and methods obviate the need to store and process large amounts of spectral data and allow for real-time display of the fused context image and spectral image, along with the marked locations of matched spectral signatures.

Abstract: A hyperspectral imaging system and a method are described herein for providing a hyperspectral image of an area of a remote object. In one aspect, the hyperspectral imaging system includes a fore optic with optics for acquiring and projecting an image from a remote object, a scannable slit mechanism with a plurality of slits for receiving the projected image, where the projected image simultaneously illuminates two or more of the plurality of slits, a spectrometer for receiving and dispersing images passing through the two or more simultaneously-illuminated slits, and a two-dimensional image sensor for recording images received from the spectrometer, where the images received from different slits are recorded on different sets of detection elements of the two-dimensional image sensor.

Abstract: A low density substrate material for reflecting optics. The substrate material is a magnesium alloy or composite material that is capable of being finished by diamond turning to form an optically smooth surface with low root-mean-square roughness. The finish quality of the diamond-turned surface is sufficiently good to permit use of the magnesium material as a substrate for a reflecting optic without further processing. The magnesium substrate material contains at least 80 wt % Mg and may also include Al, Si and/or other elements. The density of the magnesium substrate material is much lower than the density of current Al alloy substrate materials.

Abstract: A backlight unit suitable for use in illuminating a liquid crystal display panel of a display device.

Abstract: A hyperspectral imaging system and a method are described herein for providing a hyperspectral image of an area of a remote object. In one aspect, the hyperspectral imaging system includes a fore optic with optics for acquiring and projecting an image from a remote object, a scannable slit mechanism with a plurality of slits for receiving the projected image, where the projected image simultaneously illuminates two or more of the plurality of slits, a spectrometer for receiving and dispersing images passing through the two or more simultaneously-illuminated slits, and a two-dimensional image sensor for recording images received from the spectrometer, where the images received from different slits are recorded on different sets of detection elements of the two-dimensional image sensor.

Abstract: Hyperspectral detector systems and methods for spectrally analyzing a scene are disclosed. The methods include capturing a context image and a single-column spectral image that falls within the context image. The spectral image is panned over the scene and within the context image to capture spectral signatures within the scene. The spectral signatures are compared to reference spectral signatures, and the locations of the one or more spectral signatures are marked. The systems and methods obviate the need to store and process large amounts of spectral data and allow for real-time display of the fused context image and spectral image, along with the marked locations of matched spectral signatures.

Abstract: A hyperspectral imaging system and a method are described herein for providing a hyperspectral image of an area of a remote object (e.g., scene of interest). In one aspect, the hyperspectral imaging system includes at least one optic, a rotatable disk (which has at least one spiral slit formed therein), a spectrometer, a two-dimensional image sensor, and a controller. In another aspect, the hyperspectral imaging system includes at least one optic, a rotatable disk (which has multiple straight slits formed therein), a spectrometer, a two-dimensional image sensor, and a controller. In yet another aspect, the hyperspectral imaging system includes at least one optic, a rotatable drum (which has a plurality of slits formed on the outer surface thereof and a fold mirror located therein), a spectrometer, a two-dimensional image sensor, and a controller.

Abstract: A hyperspectral imaging system and a method are described herein for providing a hyperspectral image of an area of a remote object (e.g., scene of interest). In one aspect, the hyperspectral imaging system includes at least one optic, a rotatable disk (which has at least one spiral slit formed therein), a spectrometer, a two-dimensional image sensor, and a controller. In another aspect, the hyperspectral imaging system includes at least one optic, a rotatable disk (which has multiple straight slits formed therein), a spectrometer, a two-dimensional image sensor, and a controller. In yet another aspect, the hyperspectral imaging system includes at least one optic, a rotatable drum (which has a plurality of slits formed on the outer surface thereof and a fold mirror located therein), a spectrometer, a two-dimensional image sensor, and a controller.

Abstract: Films for display device covers and display device covers comprising the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a display cover for coupling to a display device includes a perimeter portion comprising a first surface and a second surface. A film of polymeric material may be attached to at least one of the first surface or the second surface of the perimeter portion. The film may include a first array of prisms extending from an edge of the perimeter portion to a distance L. The first array of prisms may be offset from and positioned below a surface of the film by an offset spacing dz.

Abstract: A hyperspectral imaging system, a monolithic Offner spectrometer, and two methods for manufacturing the monolithic Offner spectrometer are described herein. In one embodiment, the monolithic Offner spectrometer comprises a transmissive material which has: (1) an entrance surface which has an opaque material applied thereto, where the opaque material has a portion removed therefrom which forms a slit; (2) a first surface which has a first reflective coating applied thereto to form a first mirror; (3) a second surface which has a second reflective coating applied thereto to form a diffraction grating; (4) a third surface which has a third reflective coating applied thereto to form a second mirror; and (5) an exit surface.

Abstract: An optical imaging system (e.g., hyperspectral imaging system) is described herein which includes imaging optics, an uni-axial homogenizer (including a rectangular cross-section light pipe and an astigmatic paraxial optic), and a detector. The uni-axial homogenizer is configured to preserve imaging along one axis while homogenizing (removing all image information) along a second perpendicular axis. In one embodiment, the uni-axial homogenizer is utilized in a spectrograph of a hyperspectral imaging system where the rectangular cross-section light pipe replaces the entrance slit of the spectrograph and the astigmatic paraxial optic is built into the design of the spectrometer's optics.