Abstract: A shallow semiconductor sensor with a fluorescent molecule layer that eliminates optical and electronic crosstalk.

Abstract: A position detection system. In representative embodiments, the position detection system comprises a support structure having a cavity, a first light source configured to emit light into at least part of the cavity, a second light source configured to emit light into at least part of the cavity, a first image sensor configured to capture at least part of the light emitted into the cavity by the first and second light sources, an article moveable relative to the support structure, a protuberance attached to the article, and a computation circuit configured to receive a signal from the first image sensor. Movement of the support structure moves the protuberance within the cavity. The computation circuit is configured to compute the location of the protuberance from shadows cast by the protuberance onto the first image sensor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an electro-absorption modulator including an optical waveguide and a microwave waveguide. The microwave waveguide is electromagnetically coupled to the optical waveguide. The optical waveguide includes a quantum well region and a substantially sinusoidal structure. The waveguide mode of the optical waveguide is responsive to the substantially sinusoidal structure.

Abstract: Imaging systems and methods are provided. One exemplary system incorporates multiple lenses that are individually configured to receive multi-wavelength light from an object to be imaged. Each lens provides an optimal modulation transfer function (MTF) for an individual wavelength contained in the multi-wavelength light when this individual wavelength of light strikes the lens at a particular incident angle. Associated with each lens is a color filter and a sensor. The color filter receives the multi-wavelength light from the lens, and transmits the individual wavelength of light on to the sensor. The image signals obtained from each of the multiple sensors are combined to generate an image of the object.

Abstract: System and method for scanning light across a light-receiving surface. A system for scanning light across a light-receiving surface to project a scanned line on the light-receiving surface has a light beam generator for generating a plurality of light beams. A scanning mechanism simultaneously scans each light beam of the plurality of light beams across the light-receiving surface to project a different portion of the scanned line on the light-receiving surface. The scanning system can be utilized in a compact laser printer capable of printing at a high rate, and in other scanning applications.

Abstract: Motion of a speckle pattern is employed to provide for navigation in three dimensions. Non-speckle optical navigation methods may also be used to provide for two dimensional surface navigation with speckle being used to provide for navigation in the third dimension.

Abstract: A device and method for emitting light with increased brightness utilizes a lamp having a diffractive grating pattern. The diffractive grating pattern diffracts incident light that originates from a light source toward a light output region of the lamp. The diffraction of the incident light causes more of the light to impinge the light output region of the lamp at desired angles. This reduces the angular distribution of the light emitted from the light output region as output light. The reduction in angular distribution of emitted light results in an increased brightness of the device.

Abstract: A projection optical system for digital lithography includes an Offner imaging system with a defined optical axis. The Offner imaging system has a well-corrected region. The system includes means for shaping an optical beam having an extent too large to fit within the well-corrected region to propagate through the Offner imaging system within the well-corrected region.

Abstract: The color-tunable light emitter has a first electrode and a light-generating layer adjacent the first electrode. The light-generating layer is operable to generate light in a band of wavelengths. The color-tunable light emitter also includes an electro-optical layer, a second electrode adjacent the electro-optical layer and a corrugated metal layer between the light-generating layer and the electro-optical layer. The corrugated metal layer couples a sub-band of the light from the light-generating layer to the electro-optical layer. The sub-band has a center wavelength dependent on a voltage applied to at least one of the electrodes.

Abstract: The color image sensor generates an image signal representing a subject. The color image sensor has a light sensor and imaging elements arranged to form images of the subject in light of different colors on respective regions of the light sensor. The light sensor includes sensor elements and is operable to generate the image signal in response to light incident on it.

Abstract: Speckle based optical navigation is improved by increasing the collection efficiency of the photodetector through the introduction of a lightpipe or reflector technology. For example, the use of elliptical sidewalls and diffraction gratings in conjunction with a lightpipe leads to improvements in collection efficiency.

Abstract: A method of enhancing wavelength tuning performance in an external cavity laser includes emitting light into the cavity of the laser at a range of angles relative to an optical axis of the cavity, and transforming emitted light of narrow beam divergence to light with beam divergence wider than the narrow beam divergence. The method further includes diffractively focusing the light of wider beam divergence.

Abstract: An optical coupler including a substrate, a diffractive optical element defined in the substrate, the diffractive optical element structured to receive incident light diverging from a first location and to focus the incident light at a second location opposite the first location, an electro-optical device mounted on the substrate to one of (a) emit light from and (b) receive light at one of the locations, and an optical waveguide mounted on the substrate to one of (a) receive light at and (b) emit light from the other of the locations.

Abstract: A method of enhancing wavelength tuning performance in an external cavity laser includes providing a diffractive focusing element, emitting light into the cavity of the laser at a range of angles relative to an optical axis of the cavity, and diffractively focusing the light back onto the optical axis at a wavelength-dependent focal distance using the diffractive focusing element. The method further includes confining the diffractive focusing to a high dispersivity portion of the diffractive focusing element. In various embodiments, the confining may include offsetting the diffractive focusing element radially relative to the optical axis, or selectively blocking a portion of the light emitted into the cavity at emission angles less than a threshold emission angle.

Abstract: Tunable cross-coupling evanescent mode optical devices and methods of making the same are described. In one aspect, a tunable optical device includes a first layer, a second layer, a metal layer disposed between the first and second layers, and an electrode. The first layer is supportable of electromagnetic field modes over a range of wavelengths that includes a target wavelength range. The second layer is disposed between the metal layer and the electrode and has an index of refraction that is adjustable over a range of values. The metal layer is disposed between the first and second layers and has at least one corrugated metal film region with a corrugation periodicity enabling cross-coupling of evanescent modes of equal wavelength within the target wavelength range and localized on opposite sides of the metal layer with different respective wavenumbers.

Abstract: A monolithic multi-focal length miniature refractive element comprising a first surface region and a second surface region. The first surface region has a first characteristic radius of curvature. The second surface region has a second radius of curvature that is different from the first characteristic radius of curvature. The first and second surface regions are formed on a single optical element blank. The optical element blank can be a composite of two or more materials.

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: An external cavity laser includes an optical gain medium in the cavity of the external cavity laser. The optical gain medium is capable of emitting light over a range of wavelengths. The external cavity laser further includes a diffractive focusing element including a central radial portion and a peripheral radial portion. The central radial portion has a dispersivity less than a threshold, and the peripheral radial portion has a dispersivity greater than the threshold. The diffractive focusing element is operable to diffractively focus the light back into the optical gain medium at differing wavelength-dependent focal distances. The external cavity laser further includes means for confining the diffractive focusing of the light to the peripheral radial portion of the diffractive focusing element. In various embodiments, the means for confining includes a central obscuration and/or a radial offset of the diffractive focusing element.

Abstract: Tunable cross-coupling evanescent mode optical devices and methods of making the same are described. In one aspect, a tunable optical device includes a first layer, a second layer, a metal layer disposed between the first and second layers, and an electrode. The first layer is supportable of electromagnetic field modes over a range of wavelengths that includes a target wavelength range. The second layer is disposed between the metal layer and the electrode and has an index of refraction that is adjustable over a range of values. The metal layer is disposed between the first and second layers and has at least one corrugated metal film region with a corrugation periodicity enabling cross-coupling of evanescent modes of equal wavelength within the target wavelength range and localized on opposite sides of the metal layer with different respective wavenumbers.

Abstract: A slab optical multiplexer comprises a slab substrate having two substantially flat and parallel surfaces, and internally propagating light beams. The multiplexer further comprises collimating/focusing optical elements and micro-diffractive optical elements each positioned on the surfaces in the light beams. At least one micro-diffractive optical element is positioned simultaneously in two separately incident and intersecting light beams, such that the two separately incident light beams are diffracted into a pair of co-propagating diffracted light beams.