Abstract: An apparatus includes beam shearing optics situated to receive a collimated beam and to shear the collimated beam along a first direction so as to form a plurality of adjacent collimated beam portions, and homogenization optics situated to receive and homogenize the adjacent collimated beam portions along at least the first direction so as to produce a homogenized output beam. A method includes shearing a collimated beam having a beam parameter product (bpp) along an axis so as to form a plurality of sheared collimated beam portions, and arranging the sheared collimated beam portions adjacent to each other so that a line beam having a length and thickness that is formed with the light from the sheared collimated beam portions has a lower bpp associated with the line beam thickness than the bpp of the collimated beam along the axis.

Abstract: Laser module including a meniscus collimating lens. In some embodiments, a monolithic material having an index of at least 2.0 provides a concave lens surface proximal to an emission surface of the laser and a convex lens surface distal from the emission surface. In some embodiments, a perimeter of the collimating lens has a face-flat that may be disposed directly against a reference surface while the concave lens surface is separated from the emission surface. The meniscus lens may advantageously provide reduced angle of ray incidence and require lower asphericity relative to a plano-convex collimating lens.

Abstract: An apparatus includes beam shearing optics situated to receive a collimated beam and to shear the collimated beam along a first direction so as to form a plurality of adjacent collimated beam portions, and homogenization optics situated to receive and homogenize the adjacent collimated beam portions along at least the first direction so as to produce a homogenized output beam. A method includes shearing a collimated beam having a beam parameter product (bpp) along an axis so as to form a plurality of sheared collimated beam portions, and arranging the sheared collimated beam portions adjacent to each other so that a line beam having a length and thickness that is formed with the light from the sheared collimated beam portions has a lower bpp associated with the line beam thickness than the bpp of the collimated beam along the axis.

Abstract: Laser module including a meniscus collimating lens. In some embodiments, a monolithic material having an index of at least 2.0 provides a concave lens surface proximal to an emission surface of the laser and a convex lens surface distal from the emission surface. In some embodiments, a perimeter of the collimating lens has a face-flat that may be disposed directly against a reference surface while the concave lens surface is separated from the emission surface. The meniscus lens may advantageously provide reduced angle of ray incidence and require lower asphericity relative to a plano-convex collimating lens.

Abstract: A diode laser apparatus includes a plurality of spaced apart diode lasers, each of the diode lasers situated and configured to emit a diode laser beam substantially parallel to each other diode laser beam in an emission plane in a first direction, and a plurality of reflectors situated with respect to the diode lasers and configured to receive respective diode laser beams and to reflect the respective diode laser beams substantially parallel and out of the emission plane at a small angle therewith in a second direction such that the reflected diode laser beams are in a stacked configuration.

Abstract: An imaging system for use with an input light beam having power of 2 kW or greater and a predetermined intensity profile across at least on axis transverse to a propagation axis thereof, includes a mask disposed in relation to the input light beam, the mask configured to direct selected portions of the input light beam, and an optical relay disposed in relation to the mask and configured to reflectively direct the selected portions of the input light beam to a target.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a beam generating system configured to generate a light beam of 0.5 kW or greater with a predetermined intensity profile across at least one axis transverse to a propagation axis thereof and to direct the light beam along a beam path, a light modulator configured to receive the light beam and to modulate the light beam into a predetermined illumination pattern, and an optical relay configured to receive the portion of the light beam and reflectively project the beam to a target, wherein the illumination pattern is imaged at the target with substantially time-invariant spatial accuracies of 500 ?m or less in a plane transverse to the propagation axis and 1000 ?m or less parallel to the propagation axis.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an electromagnetic radiation source, a reflector about the source having an aperture and a curved band pass filter at least partially across the aperture.

Abstract: A display system includes a display device and a data processing module. The display device is configured to display an image and has a processing profile associated therewith. The data processing module is remote from and operatively coupled to the display device and is configured to receive input image data for the image to be displayed and generate processed image data from the input image data based on the processing profile of the display device.

Abstract: An image display device includes an image processing unit, a light source assembly, an optical modulator assembly, and a projection lens assembly. The image processing unit is configured to receive a video signal and generate image data and control signals. The light source assembly and optical modulator assembly are each controlled by the control signals such that the light source assembly generates illumination in a spatial distribution pattern that is coupled to optical modular assembly via a homogenizing device. The projection lens assembly is configured to project an image from the optical modulator assembly onto a viewing surface. The optical modular assembly is configured to maximize the amount of illumination coupled from the light source assembly, and includes at least one optical modulator surface configured to have a substantially 1:1 aspect ratio.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an electromagnetic radiation source, a reflector about the source having an aperture and a curved filter at least partially across the aperture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus emits light from multiple light sources and combines the etendue of the light sources such that the etendue is substantially uniformly distributed over an area.

Abstract: A method of testing a coating on a reflector having a first focal point includes placing a mirror at the first focal point of the reflector and angled to orient with an area on the coating. Electromagnetic (EM) radiation is directed to the mirror which then directs the EM radiation on the area. The EM radiation which is reflected from the coating is collected onto a sensor disposed at a second focal point. The intensity of the EM radiation collected on the sensor is detected.

Abstract: An optical relay includes a first lens, a lens module, and a second lens. The first lens is configured to receive modulated light from a first spatial light modulator. The first lens is configured to refract the modulated light into the lens module. The lens module is configured to collimate and focus the modulated light into the second lens. The second lens is configured to refract the modulated light onto a second spatial light modulator.

Abstract: A compact imaging spectrometer with an immersive diffraction grating that compensates optical distortions. The imaging spectrometer comprises an entrance slit for transmitting light, means for receiving the light and directing the light, an immersion grating, and a detector array. The entrance slit, the means for receiving the light, the immersion grating, and the detector array are positioned wherein the entrance slit transmits light to the means for receiving the light and the means for receiving the light directs the light to the immersion grating and the immersion grating receives the light and directs the light to the means for receiving the light, and the means for receiving the light directs the light to the detector array.

Abstract: A projection system comprising an illumination relay, a coupling lens, a modulation device, and a projection lens is provided. The illumination relay is configured to provide an illumination beam to the coupling lens along an illumination path having a first optical axis. The coupling lens is configured to direct the illumination beam onto the modulation device. The modulation device is configured to modulate the illumination beam to form an imaging beam and reflect the imaging beam into the coupling lens. The coupling lens is configured to direct the imaging beam into the projection lens along a projection path having a first optical axis such that the second optical axis is substantially parallel with the first optical axis.

Abstract: An optical relay comprising a first mirror and a second mirror is provided. The first mirror is configured to receive modulated light from a first spatial light modulator and reflect the modulated light onto the second mirror. The second mirror is configured to reflect the modulated light onto the first mirror, and the first mirror is configured to reflect the modulated light onto a second spatial light modulator.

Abstract: A compact imaging spectrometer comprises an entrance slit, a catadioptric lens with a mirrored surface, a grating, and a detector array. The entrance slit directs light to the mirrored surface of the catadioptric lens; the mirrored surface reflects the light back through the lens to the grating. The grating receives the light from the catadioptric lens and diffracts the light to the lens away from the mirrored surface. The lens transmits the light and focuses it onto the detector array.

Abstract: A compact imaging spectrometer with an immersive diffraction grating that compensates optical distortions. The imaging spectrometer comprises an entrance slit for transmitting light, a system for receiving the light and directing the light, an immersion grating, and a detector array. The entrance slit, the system for receiving the light, the immersion grating, and the detector array are positioned wherein the entrance slit transmits light to the system for receiving the light and the system for receiving the light directs the light to the immersion grating and the immersion grating receives the light and directs the light through an optical element to the detector array.

Abstract: An imaging spectrometer comprising an entrance slit for directing light, a lens that receives said light and reflects said light, a grating that defracts said light back onto said lens which focuses said light, and a detector array that receives said focused light. In one embodiment the grating has rulings immersed into a germanium surface.