Abstract: The configuring of a micromirror to suppress a resonance of the micromirror. As part of the configuring process, the micromirror is subjected to multiple actuation frequencies, and the micromirror response is measured in response to at least some of these actuation frequencies. A resonant frequency of the micromirror is then determined using at least some of the measured mechanical responses. Then, depending on this determined resonant frequency of the micromirror, notch filter parameters are selected. There is more than one possibility for notch filter parameters, where the selected possibility depends on the determined resonant frequency. The notch filter is then configured with the selected notch filter parameters.

Abstract: An emissive panel display comprising an array of microLEDs for producing pixels for images in a projection display system is configured with an array of microlenses in which each microlens in the array corresponds to a respective pixel on the panel display. The configuration of the microlenses varies based on their distance in the plane of the panel display from a central projected axis. Microlenses may be configured with surfaces that are optimized to improve optical efficiency. To improve display illumination uniformity, a microlens may be configured to manipulate the emission angular profile for a given pixel over a wide range to match its chief ray angle (CRA), in which the chief ray for the pixel passes through a center of an entrance pupil of projection optics in the display system.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to producing a viewable image using a plurality of individually-addressable vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) arranged into an array. In one example, a display system comprises a light source comprising a plurality of VCSELs arranged into an array comprising one or more first color rows of VCSELs configured to produce a first color, one or more second color rows of VCSELs configured to produce a second color, and one or more third color rows of VCSELs configured to produce a third color. Each VCSEL in a given row has a coordinate that is staggered relative to a coordinate of each of the VCSELs in one or more rows adjacent to the given row. The display system also comprises a scanning system to direct light from at least a portion of the plurality of VCSELs to produce a viewable image.

Abstract: A display system includes a first light source, a second light source, at least one movable mirror, and an attenuator. The first light source is configured to provide a first light in a first optical path. The second light source is configured to provide a second light in a second optical path. A portion of the second optical path overlaps the first optical path in an overlapping portion. The attenuator is positioned in at least the first optical path and configured to attenuate at least the first light. The movable mirror is movable to deflect the overlapping portion.

Abstract: Examples are disclosed that relate to display systems, devices, and methods for producing a viewable image using a plurality of individually-addressable vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) arranged into an array. In one example, a display system comprises a light source comprising a plurality of VCSELs arranged into an array comprising one or more first color rows of VCSELs configured to produce a first color, one or more second color rows of VCSELs configured to produce a second color, and one or more third color rows of VCSELs configured to produce a third color. Each VCSEL in a given row has a coordinate that is staggered relative to a coordinate each of the VCSELs in one or more rows adjacent to the given row. The display system also comprises a scanning system to direct light from at least a portion of the plurality of VCSELs to produce a viewable image.

Abstract: A display system includes a first light source, a second light source, at least one movable mirror, and an attenuator. The first light source is configured to provide a first light in a first optical path. The second light source is configured to provide a second light in a second optical path. A portion of the second optical path overlaps the first optical path in an overlapping portion. The attenuator is positioned in at least the first optical path and configured to attenuate at least the first light. The movable mirror is movable to deflect the overlapping portion.

Abstract: A projection display system includes a visible light source coupled to project a visible image onto a screen. An infrared (IR) light source is coupled to project a non-visible IR image onto the screen. The non-visible IR image on the screen is independent of the visible image on the screen. The visible image and the non-visible IR image are overlapped and are displayed simultaneously on the screen.

Abstract: A tunable multiport optical filter includes various types of arrays of optical ports. The tunable filter also includes a light dispersion element (e.g., a grating) and a reflective beam steering element (e.g., a tilting mirror). An optical signal exits an optical (input) port, is dispersed by the light dispersion element, reflects off the reflective beam steering element back to the light dispersion element, and on to another optical (output) port. The reflective beam steering element can be steered such that a wavelength portion of the dispersed optical signal can be coupled to the optical output port. For example, the input optical signal may be a wavelength division multiplexed signal carrying multiple channels on different wavelengths, and the tunable multiport optical filter directs one of the channels to the output optical port. Additionally, the tunable filter may be incorporated into a device acting as a wavelength reference.

Abstract: A tunable multiport optical filter includes various types of arrays of optical ports. The tunable filter also includes a light dispersion element (e.g., a grating) and a reflective beam steering element (e.g., a tilting mirror). An optical signal exits an optical (input) port, is dispersed by the light dispersion element, reflects off the reflective beam steering element back to the light dispersion element, and on to another optical (output) port. The reflective beam steering element can be steered such that a wavelength portion of the dispersed optical signal can be coupled to the optical output port. For example, the input optical signal may be a wavelength division multiplexed signal carrying multiple channels on different wavelengths, and the tunable multiport optical filter directs one of the channels to the output optical port. Additionally, the tunable filter may be incorporated into a device acting as a wavelength reference.

Abstract: A tunable multiport optical filter includes various types of arrays of optical ports. The tunable filter also includes a light dispersion element (e.g., a grating) and a reflective beam steering element (e.g., a tilting mirror). An optical signal exits an optical (input) port, is dispersed by the light dispersion element, reflects off the reflective beam steering element back to the light dispersion element, and on to another optical (output) port. The reflective beam steering element can be steered such that a wavelength portion of the dispersed optical signal can be coupled to the optical output port. For example, the input optical signal may be a wavelength division multiplexed signal carrying multiple channels on different wavelengths, and the tunable multiport optical filter directs one of the channels to the output optical port. Additionally, the tunable filter may be incorporated into a device acting as a wavelength reference.

Abstract: A projection display system includes a visible light source coupled to project a visible image onto a screen. An infrared (IR) light source is coupled to project a non-visible IR image onto the screen. The non-visible IR image on the screen is independent of the visible image on the screen. The visible image and the non-visible IR image are overlapped and are displayed simultaneously on the screen.

Abstract: A tunable multiport optical filter includes various types of arrays of optical ports. The tunable filter also includes a light dispersion element (e.g., a grating) and a reflective beam steering element (e.g., a tilting mirror). An optical signal exits an optical (input) port, is dispersed by the light dispersion element, reflects off the reflective beam steering element back to the light dispersion element, and on to another optical (output) port. The reflective beam steering element can be steered such that a wavelength portion of the dispersed optical signal can be coupled to the optical output port. For example, the input optical signal may be a wavelength division multiplexed signal carrying multiple channels on different wavelengths, and the tunable multiport optical filter directs one of the channels to the output optical port. Additionally, the tunable filter may be incorporated into a device act as a wavelength reference.

Abstract: A tunable multiport optical filter includes various types of arrays of optical ports. The tunable filter also includes a light dispersion element (e.g., a grating) and a reflective beam steering element (e.g., a tilting mirror). An optical signal exits an optical (input) port, is dispersed by the light dispersion element, reflects off the reflective beam steering element back to the light dispersion element, and on to another optical (output) port. The reflective beam steering element can be steered such that a wavelength portion of the dispersed optical signal can be coupled to the optical output port. For example, the input optical signal may be a wavelength division multiplexed signal carrying multiple channels on different wavelengths, and the tunable multiport optical filter directs one of the channels to the output optical port. Additionally, the tunable filter may be incorporated into a device acting as a wavelength reference.

Abstract: A multicast optical switch includes a free-space optical assembly of discrete splitters, cylindrical optics, and a linear array of reflective switching devices, such as microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) mirrors, to provide low-loss, high-performance multicast switching in a compact configuration. The assembly of optical splitters may include multiple planar lightwave circuit splitters or a multi-reflection beam splitter that includes a linear array of partially reflecting mirrors, each of a different reflectivity.

Abstract: A tunable multiport optical filter includes various types of arrays of optical ports. The tunable filter also includes a light dispersion element (e.g., a grating) and a reflective beam steering element (e.g., a tilting mirror). An optical signal exits an optical (input) port, is dispersed by the light dispersion element, reflects off the reflective beam steering element back to the light dispersion element, and on to another optical (output) port. The reflective beam steering element can be steered such that a wavelength portion of the dispersed optical signal can be coupled to the optical output port. For example, the input optical signal may be a wavelength division multiplexed signal carrying multiple channels on different wavelengths, and the tunable multiport optical filter directs one of the channels to the output optical port. Additionally, the tunable filter may be incorporated into a device act as a wavelength reference.

Abstract: A multicast optical switch includes a free-space optical assembly of discrete splitters, cylindrical optics, and a linear array of reflective switching devices, such as microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) mirrors, to provide low-loss, high-performance multicast switching in a compact configuration. The assembly of optical splitters may include multiple planar lightwave circuit splitters or a multi-reflection beam splitter that includes a linear array of partially reflecting mirrors, each of a different reflectivity.

Abstract: A delay line interferometer is configured with a liquid-crystal (LC) tuning element as a phase modulator for demodulating a phase-modulated input signal. The LC tuning element allows for quickly tuning the phase difference between two optical signals separated from the phase-modulated input signal, so that the two optical signals can be coherently recombined to interfere with each other and produce one or more intensity-modulated optical signals. In some embodiments, the LC tuning element is configured to reduce polarization-dependent frequency shift without the use of additional high-precision optical elements and/or coatings.

Abstract: A delay line interferometer is configured with a liquid-crystal (LC) tuning element as a phase modulator for demodulating a phase-modulated input signal. The LC tuning element allows for quickly tuning the phase difference between two optical signals separated from the phase-modulated input signal, so that the two optical signals can be coherently recombined to interfere with each other and produce one or more intensity-modulated optical signals. In some embodiments, the LC tuning element is configured to reduce polarization-dependent frequency shift without the use of additional high-precision optical elements and/or coatings.

Abstract: An optical device has the structure to perform switching and attenuation of an optical beam with reduced polarization dependent loss (PDL). The optical device includes a birefringent displacer and two liquid crystal (LC) structures. The first LC structure is used to condition s-polarized components of the optical beam and the second LC structure is used to condition p-polarized components of the optical beam. Each LC structure has a separate control electrode so that the s-polarized components of the optical beam and the p-polarized components of the optical beam can be conditioned differently and in such a manner that reduces PDL. The optical device may be configured for processing multiple input light beams, such as the multiple wavelength channels de-multiplexed from a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical signal.

Abstract: An optical device has the structure to perform switching and attenuation of an optical beam with reduced polarization dependent loss (PDL). The optical device includes a birefringent displacer and two liquid crystal (LC) structures. The first LC structure is used to condition s-polarized components of the optical beam and the second LC structure is used to condition p-polarized components of the optical beam. Each LC structure has a separate control electrode so that the s-polarized components of the optical beam and the p-polarized components of the optical beam can be conditioned differently and in such a manner that reduces PDL. The optical device may be configured for processing multiple input light beams, such as the multiple wavelength channels de-multiplexed from a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical signal.