Abstract: Devices, methods and systems related to an adjustable polarization filter assembly are described that can be implemented as part of an eyewear or another viewing device to provide the ability to tune the polarization of light that is received based on user and environmental inputs. One example device includes a first rotatable polarization filter that is configured to change a polarization of the incident light, and a second rotatable polarization filter that is also configured to rotate and modify a polarization of light that is incident thereon. The two filters together, via rotation of the first and the second filters, can block any eigenpolarization state on a Poincaré sphere and transmit an orthogonal polarization state. The described devices provide improved viewing capability in different environmental conditions, such as under water, in haze or fog, in outdoor and indoor environments, and in day and night times.

Abstract: Compound dichroic polarizers (CDPs) include multiple component dichroic polarizers based on different dichroic dyes and oriented to have different eigenpolarization directions. The component dichroic polarizers can be fixed to each other or to a substrate such as an eyeglass lens. Selection of eigenpolarization orientation and spectrum in a CDP permits color encoding of different SOPs.

Abstract: Compound dichroic polarizers (CDPs) include multiple component dichroic polarizers based on different dichroic dyes and oriented to have different eigenpolarization directions. The component dichroic polarizers can be fixed to each other or to a substrate such as an eyeglass lens. Selection of eigenpolarization orientation and spectrum in a CDP permits color encoding of different SOPs.

Abstract: A polarization camera includes a microlement polarizer that is situated in proximity to a focal plane array. The microlement polarizer is selectively scanned with respect to an optical image direct to the focal plane array, and an image processor stores a set of images associated with the scanning. Based on the stored images, a polarization image can be produced and displayed. A periodic microelement polarizer modulates the individual images of the set, and these images can be processed by filtering in the spatial frequency domain to isolate contributions associated with one or a combination of Stokes parameters. After filtering, Stokes parameter based images can be obtained by demodulating and inverse Fourier transforming the filtered frequency domain data.

Abstract: Polarization ray tracing for incoherent light uses a polarization ray trace tensor that can be expressed in local or global coordinates. Ray tracing through a plurality of optical elements or interactions can be performed by cascading polarization ray tracing tensors to obtain a combined polarization ray tracing tensor for the ray path. One or more polarization ray tracing tensors is applied to an input coherence matrix to obtain an output coherence matrix. Polarization ray tracing tensors can be defined based on optical surfaces, Mueller matrices, polarization ray tracing matrices, scattering functions, or other characteristics of optical interfaces and systems.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of determining the near angle scattering of a sample reflective surface comprising the steps of: a) splitting a beam of light having a coherence length of greater than or equal to about 2 meters into a sample beam and a reference beam; b) frequency shifting both the sample beam and the reference beam to produce a fixed beat frequency between the sample beam and the reference beam; c) directing the sample beam through a focusing lens and onto the sample reflective surface, d) reflecting the sample beam from the sample reflective surface through a detection restriction disposed on a movable stage; e) recombining the sample beam with the reference beam to form a recombined beam, followed by f) directing the recombined beam to a detector and performing heterodyne analysis on the recombined beam to measure the near-angle scattering of the sample reflective surface, wherein the position of the detection restriction relative to the sample beam is varied to occlude at least a portion of t

Abstract: A cube corner retro-reflector that includes three mutually perpendicular reflecting planes arranged in a pyramidal configuration, wherein at least one of the reflecting planes has a non-isotropic surface causing a polarization state of a ray exiting the cube corner retro-reflector to be orthogonal or substantively orthogonal to a polarization state of a ray entering the cube corner retro-reflector for all linear polarization orientations.

Abstract: A polarization camera includes a microlement polarizer that is situated in proximity to a focal plane array. The microlement polarizer is selectively scanned with respect to an optical image direct to the focal plane array, and an image processor stores a set of images associated with the scanning. Based on the stored images, a polarization image can be produced and displayed. A periodic microelement polarizer modulates the individual images of the set, and these images can be processed by filtering in the spatial frequency domain to isolate contributions associated with one or a combination of Stokes parameters. After filtering, Stokes parameter based images can be obtained by demodulating and inverse Fourier transforming the filtered frequency domain data.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for identifying features in a sample by analyzing Mueller matrices to calculate an average degree of polarization, a weighted average degree of polarization, a degree of polarization map, a degree of polarization surface. Also, a method, apparatus, and computer program product for identifying features in a sample by analyzing Mueller matrices to calculate depolarization relative to a retardance axis and/or a diattentuation axis, and to calculate a ratio of diattenuation to polarizance or ratios of row and column magnitudes. Also, a method for retinal polarimetry, including a non-depolarizing light tube configured for insertion into the eye.

Abstract: A cube corner retro-reflector that includes three mutually perpendicular reflecting planes arranged in a pyramidal configuration, wherein at least one of the reflecting planes has a non-isotropic surface causing a polarization state of a ray exiting the cube corner retro-reflector to be orthogonal or substantively orthogonal to a polarization state of a ray entering the cube corner retro-reflector for all linear polarization orientations.

Abstract: A radiation source has a radiation-emitter assembly disposed, at least in part, in a first compartment of a housing. A lens system is disposed in a second compartment of the housing so that the lens system is optically coupled to the radiation-emitter assembly. A mirror is disposed in a third compartment of the housing so that the mirror is optically coupled to the lens system. A filter and a conduit are disposed in a fourth compartment of the housing so that the filter and an aperture provided by the conduit are optically coupled to the mirror. Radiation exits the radiation source through the aperture.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for identifying features in a sample by analyzing Mueller matrices to calculate an average degree of polarization, a weighted average degree of polarization, a degree of polarization map, a degree of polarization surface. Also, a method, apparatus, and computer program product for identifying features in a sample by analyzing Mueller matrices to calculate depolarization relative to a retardance axis and/or a diattentuation axis, and to calculate a ratio of diattenuation to polarizance or ratios of row and column magnitudes. Also, a method for retinal polarimetry, including a non-depolarizing light tube configured for insertion into the eye.

Abstract: The invention relates to the monitoring of polarization mode dispersion (PMD) using heterodyne detection for providing PMD compensation in optical networks, and an apparatus for monitoring PMD. In the present invention, a broadband PMD monitor is disclosed based on heterodyne detection with a tunable laser source which can be fed to a compensator such as an add/drop or other wavelength switch and polarization dependent attenuation means. A signal from a local oscillator is combined with an optical signal and the beat frequency amplitude and phase is analyzed for two orthogonal polarization states simultaneously to obtain a state of polarization. By averaging a plurality of polarization states within a channel, PMD can be estimated for compensation.

Abstract: Polarization controlling elements equivalent to quarter and half waveplates are constructed from sequences of variable retarder plates having fixed retardation axes. An endless polarization control algorithm is provided.

Abstract: Polarization controlling elements equivalent to quarter and half waveplates are constructed from sequences of variable retarder plates having fixed retardation axes. An endless polarization control algorithm is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to the monitoring of polarization mode dispersion (PMD) using heterodyne detection for providing PMD compensation in optical networks, and an apparatus for monitoring PMD. In the present invention, a broadband PMD monitor is disclosed based on heterodyne detection with a tunable laser source which can be fed to a compensator such as an add/drop or other wavelength switch and polarization dependent attenuation means. A signal from a local oscillator is combined with an optical signal and the beat frequency amplitude and phase is analyzed for two orthogonal polarization states simultaneously to obtain a state of polarization. By averaging a plurality of polarization states within a channel, PMD can be estimated for compensation.

Abstract: An improved optical scanning spectroscopic method and apparatus is provided that alternately scans the posterior portion of an eye with laser signals emitted by different ones of a plurality of lasers such that a data frame can be constructed that includes interlaced portions formed from signals returning from the posterior portion of the eye in response to illumination by laser signals emitted by different ones of the plurality of lasers. As such, the same data frame includes data attributable to the reflection of laser signals from each of the plurality of lasers even though the subject's eye is not subjected to simultaneous illumination by each of the lasers, thereby protecting the subject's eye.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ophthalmic lenses. In particular, the invention provides ophthalmic lenses with reduced astigmatism. The lenses are composed of a surface and a compensating surface, the surface geometries of which are defined by segments of a size suitable to be defined by a tenth order x,y polynomial with Zernike coefficients.

Abstract: The invention provides progressive addition lenses in which lens unwanted astigmatism is reduced and channel width through the intermediate and near vision zones is increased as compared to conventional progressive addition lenses. This result is achieved by combining a progressive addition surface with a first dioptric add power with at least one optical element that provides additional dioptric add power to the lens.

Abstract: An instrument and method for optical testing of an eyeglass lens, including progressive addition lenses, to obtain image quality measurements includes an illumination system for presenting a beam of light to a test lens, a test lens positioning system for rotating the test lens so that different areas on the lens are illuminated, a zoom lens for focusing the beam at a constant effective focal length, a detection system for recording and measuring image quality of the test lens, and an alignment boom for conveying the zoom lens and the detection system such that the optical axis remains aligned with the beam existing the test lens. The instrument is fully automated and capable of obtaining measurements of the power, astigmatism, prism and modulation transfer function at various locations on the surface of the lens.