Abstract: A spatial light modulator (100) comprises a liquid crystal material (104), first and second electrodes (106, 108) disposed on opposing sides of the liquid crystal material (104), and a diffractive optical element (120) disposed between the electrodes (106, 108) and extending laterally across the modulator (100). The diffractive optical element (120) comprises an array of diffracting formations (122) formed from sub-wavelength structures. The array of diffracting formations (122) defines a phase profile adapted to modify the incident wavefront of light reflected off the second electrode and to apply a position-dependent wavefront correction to the incident wavefront of light.

Abstract: Described herein is a wavelength selective switch (100), comprising an input array (102) of optical fibers. The array (102) comprises two or more columns of fibers that are spatially offset in one or both of a switching dimension or a dispersive dimension of the wavelength selective switch (100). Each column (102A, 102B) of fibers is adapted to project respective optical beams. A switching engine (112) is positioned to receive the optical beams and apply an angular switching to the beams to direct the beams to respective output fibers. The optical beams are encoded at respective angles or polarization states such that each column of optical beams is incident onto a different region of the switching engine (112).

Abstract: Described herein is a wavelength selective switch (100), comprising an input array (102) of optical fibers. The array (102) comprises two or more columns of fibers that are spatially offset in one or both of a switching dimension or a dispersive dimension of the wavelength selective switch (100). Each column (102A, 102B) of fibers is adapted to project respective optical beams. A switching engine (112) is positioned to receive the optical beams and apply an angular switching to the beams to direct the beams to respective output fibers. The optical beams are encoded at respective angles or polarization states such that each column of optical beams is incident onto a different region of the switching engine (112).

Abstract: A spatial light modulator (100) comprises a liquid crystal material (104), first and second electrodes (106, 108) disposed on opposing sides of the liquid crystal material (104), and a diffractive optical element (120) disposed between the electrodes (106, 108) and extending laterally across the modulator (100). The diffractive optical element (120) comprises an array of diffracting formations (122) formed from sub-wavelength structures. The array of diffracting formations (122) defines a phase profile adapted to modify the incident wavefront of light reflected off the second electrode and to apply a position-dependent wavefront correction to the incident wavefront of light.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator (100) comprises a liquid crystal material (104), first and second electrodes (106, 108) disposed on opposing sides of the liquid crystal material (104), and a diffractive optical element (120) disposed between the electrodes (106, 108) and extending laterally across the modulator (100). The diffractive optical element (120) comprises an array of diffracting formations (122) formed from sub-wavelength structures. The array of diffracting formations (122) defines a phase profile adapted to modify the incident wavefront of light reflected off the second electrode and to apply a position-dependent wavefront correction to the incident wavefront of light.

Abstract: Described herein is a wavelength dispersive optical system (10). The system (10) comprises at least one optical input (12, 14, 16) for projecting an input optical beam comprising a plurality of individual wavelength components and at least one optical output (18) for receiving one or more output optical beams. The system (10) also includes a diffractive optical element (DOE) (1) including a substrate (2) and an array of physical diffraction elements (3).

Abstract: A spatial light modulator (100) comprises a liquid crystal material (104), first and second electrodes (106, 108) disposed on opposing sides of the liquid crystal material (104), and a diffractive optical element (120) disposed between the electrodes (106, 108) and extending laterally across the modulator (100). The diffractive optical element (120) comprises an array of diffracting formations (122) formed from sub-wavelength structures. The array of diffracting formations (122) defines a phase profile adapted to modify the incident wavefront of light reflected off the second electrode and to apply a position-dependent wavefront correction to the incident wavefront of light.

Abstract: A liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) device includes a silicon substrate and a pair of electrodes including an upper and a lower electrode. The lower electrode is mounted to the silicon substrate and includes a two dimensional array of pixels extending in both a first and second dimension. LCOS device also includes a liquid crystal layer disposed between the upper and lower electrodes and configured to be driveable into a plurality of electrical states by drive signals provided to the pixels of the lower electrode. The pixels are rectangular in profile having longer sides in the first dimension than in the second dimension. Further, the two dimensional array includes a pixel pitch that is greater in the first dimension than in the second dimension.

Abstract: A liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) device includes a silicon substrate and a pair of electrodes including an upper and a lower electrode. The lower electrode is mounted to the silicon substrate and includes a two dimensional array of pixels extending in both a first and second dimension. LCOS device also includes a liquid crystal layer disposed between the upper and lower electrodes and configured to be driveable into a plurality of electrical states by drive signals provided to the pixels of the lower electrode. The pixels are rectangular in profile having longer sides in the first dimension than in the second dimension. Further, the two dimensional array includes a pixel pitch that is greater in the first dimension than in the second dimension.

Abstract: A liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) device includes a silicon substrate and a pair of electrodes including an upper and a lower electrode. The lower electrode is mounted to the silicon substrate and includes a two dimensional array of pixels extending in both a first and second dimension. LCOS device also includes a liquid crystal layer disposed between the upper and lower electrodes and configured to be driveable into a plurality of electrical states by drive signals provided to the pixels of the lower electrode. The pixels are rectangular in profile having longer sides in the first dimension than in the second dimension. Further, the two dimensional array includes a pixel pitch that is greater in the first dimension than in the second dimension.

Abstract: Described herein is a diffraction grating (1) for use in an optical system. The diffraction grating includes a substrate (2) and an array of elongate diffracting elements (3) arranged in a grating profile across the substrate. The grating profile imparts a predefined phase change to optical beams to at least partially correct the beams for optical aberrations present in the optical system.

Abstract: Described herein is a diffraction grating (1) for use in an optical system. The diffraction grating includes a substrate (2) and an array of elongate diffracting elements (3) arranged in a grating profile across the substrate. The grating profile imparts a predefined phase change to optical beams to at least partially correct the beams for optical aberrations present in the optical system.

Abstract: Described herein is a diffraction grating (1) for use in an optical system. The diffraction grating includes a substrate (2) and an array of elongate diffracting elements (3) arranged in a grating profile across the substrate. The grating profile imparts a predefined phase change to optical beams to at least partially correct the beams for optical aberrations present in the optical system.

Abstract: Through its higher refractive index, a silicon grism can be used to reduce the Described herein are systems and methods for reducing optical aberrations in an optical system to decrease polarization dependent loss. Embodiments are provided particularly to define beam trajectories through an optical switching system which reduce off-axis aberrations. In one embodiment, a silicon grism is provided for reducing the curvature of the focal plane at an LCOS device in a wavelength selective switch (WSS) such that the separated polarization states converge at the LCOS at substantially the same point along the optical axis for all wavelengths. In this embodiment, an axial offset at the LCOS device will not produce large PDL at the coupling fibers. In another embodiment, a coupling lens having an arcuate focusing region is provided to address an offset in the optical beams, such that the separated polarization states couple symmetrically to respective output fibers.

Abstract: Described herein is a diffraction grating (1) for use in an optical system. The diffraction grating includes a substrate (2) and an array of elongate diffracting elements (3) arranged in a grating profile across the substrate. The grating profile imparts a predefined phase change to optical beams to at least partially correct the beams for optical aberrations present in the optical system.