Abstract: Apparatus and systems may include a pair of coupling lenses to send light to, and to receive light from, a pair of light modulators.

Abstract: One embodiment of an image rotator includes an image reversion structure that rotates an image by a predetermined number of degrees, and securement structure adapted to removably secure the image reversion structure on a projector.

Abstract: A light modulator device includes a top plate and an angled extender coupled to the top plate. The angled extender includes an incident portion and an exit portion that is relatively thicker than the incident portion.

Abstract: A prism includes a first internal reflection interface and a second internal reflection interface. The second internal reflection interface is crossed relative to the first internal reflection interface.

Abstract: A projector has at least first and second micro-displays and at least first and second cross total internal reflection prisms respectively optically coupled to the at least first and second micro-displays. Each of the at least first and second cross total internal reflection prisms has first and second total internal reflection interfaces. A combiner is optically coupled to the at least first and second cross total internal reflection prisms.

Abstract: One embodiment of a projection device includes a modulator that reflects both imaging light and off-state light, and a projection lens including an optical plane, wherein the imaging light and the off-state light are both projected from the modulator to the optical plane.

Abstract: An optical assembly for a projection system includes an objective lens and a retro-focus lens. Then objective lens and retro-focus lens share one or more lens elements. A method of projecting an image comprises directing light from a light source to one or more modulators and projecting a modulated light beam using an optical assembly that includes an objective lens and a retro-focus lens that share one or more lens elements.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided. Light is received at a modulator of a projector. The light is reflected from the modulator, returned to the modulator, and re-reflected from the modulator.

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: A prism assembly is provided. The prism assembly comprises a first prism component having a triangular cross-section along an optical path, a second prism component having a first quadrilateral cross-section along the optical path, a third prism component having a second quadrilateral cross-section along the optical path, a fourth prism component having a pentagon cross-section along the optical path, a first dichroic interface between the first and second prism components and between the third and fourth prism components and configured to reflect a first range of wavelengths of the light, and a second dichroic interface between the first and third prism components and between the second and fourth prism components and configured to reflect a second range of wavelengths of the light.

Abstract: A prism assembly is provided. The prism assembly comprises a first prism component having a triangular cross-section along an optical path, a second prism component having a first quadrilateral cross-section along the optical path, a third prism component having a second quadrilateral cross-section along the optical path, a first dichroic interface between the first and second prism components and along the third prism component and configured to reflect a first range of wavelengths of the light, and a second dichroic interface between the first and third prism components and along the second prism component and configured to reflect a second range of wavelengths of the light.

Abstract: An emitter having a planar light source with a concentrator formed adjacent thereto is herein disclosed.

Abstract: An optically retro-reflecting sphere is disclosed which includes an inner sphere and an outer concentric spherical shell, and can be coupled to a reflective surface. Light entering the optically retro-reflecting sphere from an incident direction is reflected by the sphere generally towards an exit direction, where the exit direction is parallel and opposite to the incident direction. The inner sphere and outer shell have different refractive indices, selected so that the reflected light is reflected with a non-uniform angular distribution about the exit direction.

Abstract: A micro-display has a device chip with a transparent layer overlying one or more micro-electromechanical system devices. A transparent cover overlies the transparent layer. An index-of-refraction-matching medium is interposed between the transparent layer and the transparent cover. An index of refraction of the index-of-refraction-matching medium is substantially equal to an index of refraction of the transparent layer and the transparent cover.

Abstract: Apparatus and systems may include a pair of coupling lenses to send light to, and to receive light from, a pair of light modulators.

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: 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: 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: 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.

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.