Abstract: A front light guide panel including a plurality of embedded surface features is provided. The front light panel is configured to deliver uniform illumination from an artificial light source disposed at one side of the font light panel to an array of display elements located behind the front light guide while allowing for the option of illumination from ambient lighting transmitted through the light guide panel. The surface embedded surface relief features create air pockets within the light guide panel. Light incident on the side surface of the light guide propagates though the light guide until it strikes an air/light material guide interface at one on the air pockets. The light is then turned by total internal reflection through a large angle such that it exits an output face disposed in front of the array of display elements.

Abstract: A semiconductor sensor including a plurality of pixels, each of which includes a fluorescent molecule layer and a photosensitive layer. The fluorescent molecule layer converts light incident on the pixel to surface plasmons. The photosensitive layer generates a light detection signal representative of an intensity of light incident on the pixel in response to the surface plasmons in a region of the sensor which is close enough to the surface of the pixels that electronic crosstalk between the pixels does not occur.

Abstract: A detection system. The detection system includes a substrate, a laser, and a sensor array. The substrate includes a first surface, a second surface conceptually divided into multiple areas, and a third surface. The laser is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation into the substrate and incident subsequently onto second surface areas. The sensor array is configured to capture electromagnetic radiation reflected from the second surface. If a first dielectric, having first dielectric constant, is in contact with some areas, electromagnetic radiation incident thereon experiences total internal reflection and if a second dielectric having second dielectric constant is in contact with other areas, some of the electromagnetic radiation incident thereon is reflected back into the substrate by the second dielectric.

Abstract: A front light guide panel including a plurality of embedded surface features is provided. The front light panel is configured to deliver uniform illumination from an artificial light source disposed at one side of the font light panel to an array of display elements located behind the front light guide while allowing for the option of illumination from ambient lighting transmitted through the light guide panel. The surface embedded surface relief features create air pockets within the light guide panel. Light incident on the side surface of the light guide propagates though the light guide until it strikes an air/light material guide interface at one on the air pockets. The light is then turned by total internal reflection through a large angle such that it exits an output face disposed in front of the array of display elements.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a display device described herein include an optical propagation region, at least one optical loss structure, an optical isolation layer, and a plurality of display elements. The propagation region includes a light guide in which light is guided via total internal reflection and turning features configured to redirect the light out of the propagation region. The loss structure would disrupt the total internal reflection of at least some of the light guided within the propagation region if disposed directly adjacent thereto. The optical isolation layer includes a non-gaseous material between the propagation region and the loss structure, and is configured to increase an amount of light that is totally internal reflected in the propagation region. The plurality of display elements are positioned to receive the light redirected out of the propagation region. The loss structure is positioned between the plurality of display elements and the propagation region.

Abstract: A illumination device comprises a light guide having a first end for receiving light and configured to support propagation of light along the length of the light guide. A turning microstructure is disposed on a first side of the light guide configured to turn light incident on the first side and to direct the light out a second opposite side of the light guide, wherein the turning microstructure comprises a plurality of indentations. A cover is physically coupled to the light guide and disposed over the turning microstructure. An interlayer is between the cover and the light guide, wherein the interlayer physically couples the cover to the light guide. A plurality of open regions is between the interlayer and the plurality of indentations. Various embodiments include methods of coupling the cover to the light guide while preserving open regions between the cover and plurality of indentations.

Abstract: A vertical tri-color sensor having vertically stacked blue, green, and red pixels detects at least blue and green components of incident light by converting the blue and green components to surface plasmons.

Abstract: An integrated illumination apparatus includes a light injection portion having a first end for receiving light from a light source. The light injection portion includes material that supports propagation of said light along the length of the light injection portion. Turning microstructure is disposed on a first side of the light injection. The turning microstructure is configured to turn at least a substantial portion of light incident on the first side and to direct the portion of the light out a second opposite side of the light injection portion. A slit is disposed along the length of the light injection portion. The slit forms an optical interface on the second opposite side of the light injection portion that provides total internal reflection for light propagating along the length of the light injection portion to be guided therein. The optical interface further transmits light turned by said turning microstructure.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to enhancing the brightness of displays that employ illumination systems. In some embodiments, the illumination systems include light guides, diffractive microstructure, and light-turning features. The diffractive microstructure may be configured to receive ambient light at a first angle and produce diffracted light at a second angle greater than the first angle and greater than the critical angle for of light guide. The light is thereby guided within the light guide. The light-turning features may be configured to turn the light guided within the light guide out of a light guide and onto, for example, a spatial light modulator at near normal incidence.

Abstract: A portable device includes a transparent surface; a microlens array having lenslets, each lenslet forming a corresponding image of an object using light received through the transparent surface; a light sensor having pixels, each pixel corresponding uniquely to one of the plurality of lenslets, to detect the formed images of the object; and a controller to use the detected images to determine a motion of the object relative to the transparent surface, and to output the detected motion to a display for use in navigating a cursor and/or a menu on the display according to the determined motion. The portable device can be used in a telephone, personal digital assistant, and/or other handheld devices which control navigation on a display included in the device or external to the device.

Abstract: Surface plasmons are used to increase an energy absorbing efficiency of a semiconductor sensor.

Abstract: Modulator devices are selectably adjustable between at least two states, wherein the transmission and/or reflection of particular wavelengths of light are modified. Certain modulator devices are substantially uniformly adjustable over a wide range of wavelengths, including visible and infrared wavelengths. Other modulator devices are adjustable over visible wavelengths without significantly affecting infrared wavelengths. In addition, the modulator devices may be used in conjunction with fixed thin film reflective structures.

Abstract: A color image sensor has imaging elements each structured to form, at an image plane, an image of a subject having a respective magnification. Ones of the imaging elements forming respective ones of the images with the same magnification in light of mutually different colors constitute a set characterized by the magnification of the images. The sets having mutually-different magnifications. The color image sensor additionally has a light sensor located in the image plane and comprising a region of sensor elements disposed opposite each of the imaging elements. The regions of sensor elements opposite each of the sets of imaging elements are operable to generate, in response to light incident thereon, a respective color image signal representing the image of the subject at the respective magnification.

Abstract: Imaging systems and methods are provided. One exemplary system incorporates multiple lenses that are individually configured to receive visible light from an object to be imaged, and to direct this light upon a corresponding sensor array. Luminance information is then derived from signals generated in one or more of the sensor arrays. When chrominance information is desired, an optical filter is interposed between a lens and the corresponding sensor array. The mosaic pattern contained in the optical filter is tailored to provide advantageous chrominance information. One or more such filters with different mosaic patterns may be employed. The luminance and chrominance information obtained from the sensor arrays are combined to generate an image of the object.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for modifying the spread of a laser beam. The apparatus comprises a laser source operable to generate a laser beam having a flux that exceeds a predetermined value and an optical train operable to modify the beam such that the flux of the beam through a predetermined aperture does not exceed the predetermined value. The optical train may include a focusing lens, a diffractive focusing vortex lens, a beam splitting device, or a two-dimensional diffraction grating.

Abstract: A front light guide panel including a plurality of embedded surface features is provided. The front light panel is configured to deliver uniform illumination from an artificial light source disposed at one side of the font light panel to an array of display elements located behind the front light guide while allowing for the option of illumination from ambient lighting transmitted through the light guide panel. The surface embedded surface relief features create air pockets within the light guide panel. Light incident on the side surface of the light guide propagates though the light guide until it strikes an air/light material guide interface at one on the air pockets. The light is then turned by total internal reflection through a large angle such that it exits an output face disposed in front of the array of display elements.

Abstract: A color image sensor has imaging elements each structured to form, at an image plane, an image of a subject having a respective magnification. Ones of the imaging elements forming respective ones of the images with the same magnification in light of mutually different colors constitute a set characterized by the magnification of the images. The sets having mutually-different magnifications. The color image sensor additionally has a light sensor located in the image plane and comprising a region of sensor elements disposed opposite each of the imaging elements. The regions of sensor elements opposite each of the sets of imaging elements are operable to generate, in response to light incident thereon, a respective color image signal representing the image of the subject at the respective magnification.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for modifying the spread of a laser beam. The apparatus comprises a laser source operable to generate a laser beam having a flux that exceeds a predetermined value and an optical train operable to modify the beam such that the flux of the beam through a predetermined aperture does not exceed the predetermined value. The optical train may include a focusing lens, a diffractive focusing vortex lens, a beam splitting device, or a diffraction grating.

Abstract: A projection optical system for digital lithography. The system includes an Offner imaging system defining an optical axis and having a well-corrected region. The system also includes spatial light modulators circumferentially arranged about the optical axis, such that optical beams emitted thereby propagate through the Offner imaging system within the well-corrected region.

Abstract: A surface plasmon resonance sensor includes a conducting grating having an effective periodicity that varies with an azimuthal angle of a light ray incident on the conducting grating, thereby varying a surface plasmon resonance condition.