Abstract: A solid-state laser system includes a gain medium having an optical resonator defined therein. The gain medium is co-doped with first and second active elements. The first active element is Er3+ and the second active element is Ho3+ or Dy3+. The solid-state laser system also includes a pump source coupled to the gain medium for pumping the gain medium with pump light.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an optical connection to at least one planar optical waveguide integrated on a planar integrated circuit (PIC) uses a machine vision system or the like to detect one or more positions at which one or more optical connections are to be made to at least one planar optical waveguide located on the PIC. A spatial light modulator (SLM) is used as a programmable photolithographic mask through which the optical connections are written in a volume of photosensitive material using a photolithographic process. The SLM is programmed to expose the photosensitive material to an illumination pattern that defines the optical connections. The programming is based at least in part on the positions that have been detected by the vision system. The optical connections are printed by exposing the photosensitive material to illumination that is modulated by the pattern with which the SLM is programmed.

Abstract: A flexible polymer waveguide array structure serves as a stitch or jumper on an optical printed circuit board (OPCB). The flexible polymer waveguide array structure can be attached to the OPCB so that it can provide a chip-to-OPCB optical connection. The waveguide(s) in the flexible polymer waveguide array structure may be prefabricated before the flexible polymer waveguide array structure is attached to the OPCB. Alternatively, the waveguides may be fabricated after the flexible polymer waveguide array structure has been attached to the OPCB. The waveguide(s) may be subsequently formed using a printing process such as photolithography. As a consequence of forming the waveguide(s) after attachment of the flexible polymer waveguide array to the OPCB, the precision in the lateral alignment that is required when placing the flexible polymer waveguide array structure on the OPCB is generally significantly less than is required when the waveguide(s) are prefabricated.

Abstract: Reflection mode VHOEs are designed and fabricated for use in imaging and other applications that require high diffraction efficiency with minimal chromatic aberrations and astigmatism across the bandwidth. A single VHOE acts as a mirror to reflect light (0th diffraction order) at the specified wavelength(s) and bandwidth with a principal ray at an angle equal to an angle of incidence of broadband light. A composite VHOE includes a complementary pair of input and output VHOEs each configured to diffract light into a non-zero Nth order. The input and output VHOEs are positioned in parallel to and offset from each other such that the filtered Nth order beam exits the composite lens on a path at the angle of incidence and parallel to the broadband light while suppressing the unwanted 0th order beam. The composite lens improves suppression of unwanted wavelengths while still achieving minimal chromatic aberration.

Abstract: Transmission and reflection mode VHOEs are designed and fabricated for use in imaging and other applications. These VHOE provide high diffraction efficiency with minimal chromatic aberrations and astigmatism across the bandwidth. The lens provides optical power within the bandwidth centered relative to several wavelengths to magnify (focus or collimate) input light and is transparent for the rest of the image spectrum. In transmission mode, two VHOE are fabricated in such a way as to introduce compensating adjustments that minimize the astigmatism and chromatic aberrations introduced by the bandwidth of the input light. Two VHOEs are required to provide an on-axis imaging system to magnify light to form an image and reduce the chromatic aberrations across the bandwidth and reduce the astigmatism while maintaining high diffraction efficiency (DE).

Abstract: A flexible polymer waveguide array structure serves as a stitch or jumper on an optical printed circuit board (OPCB). The flexible polymer waveguide array structure can be attached to the OPCB so that it can provide a chip-to-OPCB optical connection. The waveguide(s) in the flexible polymer waveguide array structure may be prefabricated before the flexible polymer waveguide array structure is attached to the OPCB. Alternatively, the waveguides may be fabricated after the flexible polymer waveguide array structure has been attached to the OPCB. The waveguide(s) may be subsequently formed using a printing process such as photolithography. As a consequence of forming the waveguide(s) after attachment of the flexible polymer waveguide array to the OPCB, the precision in the lateral alignment that is required when placing the flexible polymer waveguide array structure on the OPCB is generally significantly less than is required when the waveguide(s) are prefabricated.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an optical connection to at least one planar optical waveguide integrated on a planar integrated circuit (PIC) uses a machine vision system or the like to detect one or more positions at which one or more optical connections are to be made to at least one planar optical waveguide located on the PIC. A spatial light modulator (SLM) is used as a programmable photolithographic mask through which the optical connections are written in a volume of photosensitive material using a photolithographic process. The SLM is programmed to expose the photosensitive material to an illumination pattern that defines the optical connections. The programming is based at least in part on the positions that have been detected by the vision system. The optical connections are printed by exposing the photosensitive material to illumination that is modulated by the pattern with which the SLM is programmed.

Abstract: Transmission and reflection mode VHOEs are designed and fabricated for use in imaging and other applications. These VHOE provide high diffraction efficiency with minimal chromatic aberrations and astigmatism across the bandwidth. The lens provides optical power within the bandwidth centered relative to several wavelengths to magnify (focus or collimate) input light and is transparent for the rest of the image spectrum. In transmission mode, two VHOE are fabricated in such a way as to introduce compensating adjustments that minimize the astigmatism and chromatic aberrations introduced by the bandwidth of the input light. Two VHOEs are required to provide an on-axis imaging system to magnify light to form an image and reduce the chromatic aberrations across the bandwidth and reduce the astigmatism while maintaining high diffraction efficiency (DE).

Abstract: Optical switch based on a micro-minor device such as a DMD configured to simultaneously switch light from N inputs to M outputs with switching times of about 10 microseconds, where N and M are generally greater than one. The minors of the device are oriented according to a pattern calculated based on a Fourier Transform of spatial distribution of M outputs such as to form, in diffraction of light incident on the device, and diffraction light pattern that in the output plane is substantially congruent with the spatial distribution of M outputs. The device can be configured as a modulator of amplitude and/or a modulator of phase of incident light wavefront.

Abstract: A phoropter having a line of sight for a viewer to see through comprises a lens system in the line of sight, wherein a shape or focal length of at least one lens in the lens system is controllable by means of an electrical signal, electrical field or current. Wavefront sensors of the phoropter detect local tilts of light wavefronts emerging from the eye and generate output signals that are used for controlling the shape or focal length of the at least one lens. Holographic or diffractive elements are used to collect light scattered from an eye of the viewer and image the scattered light to the wavefront sensors. Preferably one or more of the holographic or diffractive elements are away from the line of sight of the viewer. To use the phoropter, light is passed to the lens system, and light scattered by the eye is collected by the holographic or diffractive elements and imaged onto the wavefront sensors.

Abstract: Optical switch based on a micro-minor device such as a DMD configured to simultaneously switch light from N inputs to M outputs with switching times of about 10 microseconds, where N and M are generally greater than one. The minors of the device are oriented according to a pattern calculated based on a Fourier Transform of spatial distribution of M outputs such as to form, in diffraction of light incident on the device, and diffraction light pattern that in the output plane is substantially congruent with the spatial distribution of M outputs. The device can be configured as a modulator of amplitude and/or a modulator of phase of incident light wavefront.

Abstract: Optical switch based on a micro-mirror device such as a DMD for simultaneous switching light from N inputs to M outputs with switching times of about 10 microseconds, where N and M are generally greater than one. The mirrors of the device are oriented according to a pattern calculated based on a Fourier Transform of spatial distribution of M outputs such as to form, in diffraction of light incident on the device, an diffraction light pattern that in the output plane is substantially congruent with the spatial distribution of M outputs. The device can be configured as a modulator of amplitude and/or a modulator of phase of incident light wavefront.

Abstract: A variable focal length achromatic lens includes a flat liquid crystal diffractive lens and a pressure-controlled fluidic refractive lens. The diffractive lens is composed of a flat binary Fresnel zone structure and a thin liquid crystal layer, producing high efficiency and millisecond switching times while applying a low ac voltage input. The focusing power of the diffractive lens is adjusted by electrically modifying the sub-zones and re-establishing phase wrapping points. The refractive lens includes a fluid chamber with a flat glass surface and an opposing elastic polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane surface. Inserting fluid volume through a pump system into the clear aperture region alters the membrane curvature and adjusts the refractive lens' focal position. Primary chromatic aberration is remarkably reduced through the coupling of the fluidic and diffractive lenses at a number of selected focal lengths.

Abstract: Optical switch based on a micro-mirror device such as a DMD for simultaneous switching light from N inputs to M outputs with switching times of about 10 microseconds, where N and M are generally greater than one. The mirrors of the device are oriented according to a pattern calculated based on a Fourier Transform of spatial distribution of M outputs such as to form, in diffraction of light incident on the device, an diffraction light pattern that in the output plane is substantially congruent with the spatial distribution of M outputs. The device can be configured as a modulator of amplitude and/or a modulator of phase of incident light wavefront.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods for fabricating polymer nanostructures and nanostructured electrodes are disclosed. Material layers are deposited onto polymer nanostructures to form nanostructured electrodes and devices including the nanostructured electrodes, such as photovoltaic cells, light-emitting diodes, and field-effect transistors. Embodiments of the disclosed methods are suitable for commercial-scale production of large-area nanostructured polymer scaffolds and large-area nanostructured electrodes.

Abstract: Mid-IR supercontinuum laser source in the 3-12 micron region generating at least tens of watts of optical power and based on non-silica optical fiber pumped by a ZBLAN fiber laser generating light at about 2.7 microns. The zero-dispersion wavelength of the non-silica fiber substantially coincides with the lasing wavelength. The proportion of the SC output above 3 microns exceeds 40 percent of the overall power output.

Abstract: Mid-IR supercontinuum laser source in the 3-12 micron region generating at least tens of watts of optical power and based on non-silica optical fiber pumped by a ZBLAN fiber laser generating light at about 2.7 microns. The zero-dispersion wavelength of the non-silica fiber substantially coincides with the lasing wavelength. The proportion of the SC output above 3 microns exceeds 40 percent of the overall power output.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems of recording holograms that reduce the writing time, increase the diffraction efficiency, improve the resolution, or restitute color. These systems are well suited for use with an updateable 3D holographic display using integral holography and photorefractive polymer.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods for fabricating polymer nanostructures and nanostructured electrodes are disclosed. Material layers are deposited onto polymer nanostructures to form nanostructured electrodes and devices including the nanostructured electrodes, such as photovoltaic cells, light-emitting diodes, and field-effect transistors. Embodiments of the disclosed methods are suitable for commercial-scale production of large-area nanostructured polymer scaffolds and large-area nanostructured electrodes.

Abstract: A holographic direct-view display system uses holographic integral imaging techniques that is an auto stereoscopic way to reproduce parallax and occlusion. The display is not resolution limited and is scalable to display life size images if desired. The system can be used to transmit 3D depictions of a scene at video and sub-video rates as well as other information, such as images of documents or computer generated images. The images may be captured, transmitted and displayed in real-time (or near real-time) for telepresence or stored for time-shifted display. The system combines integral holography, a pulsed laser to record the hologram at high speed and a dynamic refreshable holographic material such as a photorefractive polymer as a recording media. The system uses techniques to write, read and erase the updateable hologram that allow the holographic material, hence direct-view display to remain stationary throughout each of the processes for continuous presentation of the hologram to the audience.