Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward systems and methods for steering a light beam within a field of view with better uniformity and/or density than achievable using prior art beam scanners. Beam scanners in accordance with the present disclosure include an optical element that is operatively coupled with doubly resonant tethers that enable motion of the optical element in at least one dimension, thereby enabling the beam scanner to realize scan patterns that are more complex than simple Lissajous curves. In some embodiments, doubly resonant beam scanners can steer a light beam in a Rose pattern, a combined Rose and Lissajous pattern, or more complex patterns.

Abstract: A micromechanical systems (MEMS)-based spatial light modulator (SLM) incorporates a mirror to increase the travel path of light. Light incoming to the MEMS-based SLM is incident on a modulation element of a phased-array. The modulation element reflects the light to a mirror, which reflects the light back to the modulation element. The modulation element reflects the light reflected off the mirror out of the MEMS-based SLM. A dispersive element allows the light to be steered by changing a wavelength of the light.

Abstract: Certain examples are directed to circuitry and methods involving adaptive scanning of a target area, by use of a scanning output controlled by a multiple-axis scanner, within a selected region of interest (RoI) in a field of view (FoV) as a function of a first drive signal having a first set of one or more frequency components and of a second drive signal having a second set of one or more frequency components. One or more aspects of at least the first drive signal is modulated to produce a plurality of drive signals including the modulated first drive signal, and the drive signals at the multiple-axis scanner are used to: control the scanning output, cause the scanning output to traverse the selected RoI more times than other portions of the FoV and spatially sample the target area via a higher concentrations of samples in the RoI.

Abstract: An axially swept light sheet fluorescence microscope has illumination optics capable scanning the focus region of a line beam along an illumination optical axis to illuminate a light sheet in a sample plane, and detection optics capable of collecting fluorescence light from the sample plane and imaging the collected light on a light detector with a rolling shutter. A microcontroller synchronizes the rolling shutter with the scanning of the focus region. The illumination optics performs the axial scanning using a linear phased array of independently controllable electrostatically driven optical elements controlled by the microcontroller.

Abstract: An optical system including a dual-layer microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) device, and methods of fabricating and operating the same are disclosed. Generally, the MEMS device includes a substrate having an upper surface; a top modulating layer including a number of light modulating micro-ribbons, each micro-ribbon supported above and separated from the upper surface of the substrate by spring structures in at least one lower actuating layer; and a mechanism for moving one or more of the micro-ribbons relative to the upper surface and/or each other. The spring structures are operable to enable the light modulating micro-ribbons to move continuously and vertically relative to the upper surface of the substrate while maintaining the micro-ribbons substantially parallel to one another and the upper surface of the substrate. The micro-ribbons can be reflective, transmissive, partially reflective/transmissive, and the device is operable to modulate a phase and/or amplitude of light incident thereon.

Abstract: Improved training of optical neural networks is provided. In one example: 1) we choose input and target vectors, we program those into an input vector generator and a measurement unit, respectively, we turn on the optical input source power, and we monitor the electrical signal representing the cost function. 2) we can then modulate two or more controllable elements inside the optical network at different frequencies and look for the size and sign of the corresponding distinct AC variations in the measured cost function, simultaneously giving us the gradients with respect to each element.

Abstract: Microelectromechanical systems based spatial light modulators (SLMs), and display systems and methods for operating the same are described. Generally, the SLM includes a linear array of a number of electrostatically deflectable ribbons suspended over a surface of a substrate. Each ribbon includes a split-ribbon portion with a plurality of diffractors, each diffractor including a first light reflective surface on a linear portion of the split-ribbon portion and an opening through which a second light reflective surface affixed to the substrate is exposed. The first light reflective surface and the second light reflective surface have equal areas, and when one or more of the ribbons is deflected towards the surface of the substrate a coherent light reflected from the first light reflective surface is brought into constructive or destructive interference with light reflected from the second light reflective surface. The display system can include a projector or a head mounted unit.

Abstract: Optical systems including Microelectromechanical System devices (MEMS) phased-arrays and methods for operating the same to improve contrast are provided. Generally, the system includes a light source, illumination optics, and MEMS phased-arrays operable to receive a light-beam from the illumination optics and to project light onto a far-field scene and to steer an area of illumination over the far-field scene by modulating phases of at least some light of the light-beam received from the illumination optics. The illumination optics are operable to illuminate the MEMS-phased arrays with a light-beam having a Gaussian-profile to minimize side-lobes with respect to a main-lobe in an emission profile of light reflected from the far field scene in response to the projected light. In some embodiments the system is or is included in a Light Detection and Ranging system.

Abstract: Aspects are directed to a MEMS device configurable to receive signals from a first, a second, a third, and a fourth signal source operating at a first, a second, a third, and a fourth frequency, respectively. The MEMS device may be configured to combine the first signal with the second signal generating a first combined signal, and to combine the third signal with the fourth signal generating a second combined signal. The first combined signal may be coupled to the first terminal of the MEMS device while the second combined signal may be coupled to the second terminal of the MEMS device. The first common terminal may be configured to produce an output associated with the second and fourth frequencies. The MEMS device may be further configured to derive from the produced output a signal indicative of nonlinearities or of changes in capacitance related to the MEMS device.

Abstract: Aspects are directed to a MEMS device configurable to receive signals from a first, a second, a third, and a fourth signal source operating at a first, a second, a third, and a fourth frequency, respectively. The MEMS device may be configured to combine the first signal with the second signal generating a first combined signal, and to combine the third signal with the fourth signal generating a second combined signal. The first combined signal may be coupled to the first terminal of the MEMS device while the second combined signal may be coupled to the second terminal of the MEMS device. The first common terminal may be configured to produce an output associated with the second and fourth frequencies. The MEMS device may be further configured to derive from the produced output a signal indicative of nonlinearities or of changes in capacitance related to the MEMS device.

Abstract: A patterned line of optical radiation can be steered in the other two directions (e.g., line patterned in y, steered in x and z) with a 1-D phase shifter array in a Fourier optics configuration. Preferably the patterned line is provided by forming a line focus and modulating it with an array of grating light valve devices in an amplitude modulation configuration. Phase modulation is preferably provided with an array of grating light valve devices in a phase modulation configuration.

Abstract: A fabrication process includes: 1) forming an object by 3D printing; 2) smoothing the object by applying a gel to the object to coat at least a portion of the object with a film of the gel; 3) subjecting the object coated with the film to vacuum; and 4) curing the film to yield the object coated with the cured film.

Abstract: An optical scanner including micro-electromechanical system phased-arrays suitable for use in a LiDAR system, and methods of operating the same are described. Generally, the scanner includes an optical transmitter having first phased-arrays to receive light from a light source, form a swath of illumination in a far field scene and to modulate phases of the light to sweep or steer the swath over the scene in two-dimensions (2D). An optical receiver in the scanner includes second phased-arrays to receive light from the far field scene and direct at least some of the light onto a detector. The second phased-arrays are configured to de-scan the received light by directing light reflected from the far field scene onto the detector while rejecting background light. In one embodiment the second phased-arrays direct light from a slice of the far field scene onto a 1D detector array.

Abstract: An axially swept light sheet fluorescence microscope has illumination optics capable scanning the focus region of a line beam along an illumination optical axis to illuminate a light sheet in a sample plane, and detection optics capable of collecting fluorescence light from the sample plane and imaging the collected light on a light detector with a rolling shutter. A microcontroller synchronizes the rolling shutter with the scanning of the focus region. The illumination optics performs the axial scanning using a linear phased array of independently controllable electrostatically driven optical elements controlled by the microcontroller.

Abstract: A sensor is provided. The sensor includes at least one optical waveguide and an optical reflector. The optical reflector is optically coupled to the at least one optical waveguide and includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to reflect a first portion of light back to the at least one optical waveguide. The second portion is configured to reflect a second portion of light back to the at least one optical waveguide. The reflected second portion of the light differs in phase from the reflected first portion of the light by a phase difference that is not substantially equal to an integer multiple of ? when the second portion of the optical reflector is in an equilibrium position in absence of the perturbation.

Abstract: A system, including a structured illumination stage to provide a spatially modulated imaging field is provided. The system further includes a spatial frequency modulation stage to adjust the frequency of the spatially modulated imaging field, a sample interface stage to direct the spatially modulated imaging field to a sample, and a sensor configured to receive a plurality of fluorescence emission signals from the sample. The system also includes a processor configured to reduce a sample scattering signal and to provide a fluorescence emission signal from a portion of the sample including the spatially modulated imaging field. A method for using the above system to form an image of the sample is also provided.

Abstract: Aspects are directed to a MEMS device configurable to receive signals from a first, a second, a third, and a fourth signal source operating at a first, a second, a third, and a fourth frequency, respectively. The MEMS device may be configured to combine the first signal with the second signal generating a first combined signal, and to combine the third signal with the fourth signal generating a second combined signal. The first combined signal may be coupled to the first terminal of the MEMS device while the second combined signal may be coupled to the second terminal of the MEMS device. The first common terminal may be configured to produce an output associated with the second and fourth frequencies. The MEMS device may be further configured to derive from the produced output a signal indicative of nonlinearities or of changes in capacitance related to the MEMS device.

Abstract: Improved image quality by structured illumination or pivoting illumination and faster image acquisition are both achieved. A line light enters first to fifth virtual pixels of a grating light valve, and first to fifth lights are emitted respectively from the first to fifth virtual pixels. The intensities and phases of the first to fifth 0th-order lights respectively depend on the arrangements of sub-pixels included in the first to fifth virtual pixels. The first to n-th 0th-order lights are extracted respectively from the first to n-th lights, and the first to n-th 0th-order lights are converted respectively into first to fifth light sheets. The first to fifth light sheets are created at a portion to be illuminated. The arrangements of the sub-pixels included in the first to fifth pixels are controlled such that a structured light sheet or pivoting light sheet is created at the portion to be illuminated.

Abstract: A sensor is provided. The sensor includes at least one optical waveguide and an optical reflector. The optical reflector is optically coupled to the at least one optical waveguide and includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is configured to reflect a first portion of light back to the at least one optical waveguide. The second portion is configured to reflect a second portion of light back to the at least one optical waveguide. The reflected second portion of the light differs in phase from the reflected first portion of the light by a phase difference that is not substantially equal to an integer multiple of ? when the second portion of the optical reflector is in an equilibrium position in absence of the perturbation.

Abstract: A fabrication process includes: 1) forming an object by 3D printing; 2) smoothing the object by applying a gel to the object to coat at least a portion of the object with a film of the gel; 3) subjecting the object coated with the film to vacuum; and 4) curing the film to yield the object coated with the cured film.