Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting aberrations over the entire field of view of an optical system, in which a first part of the apparatus applies different pre-compensating aberrations individually to different portions of the field of view, such that aberrations caused by a second part of the apparatus cancel the aberrations applied by the first part. The first part of the apparatus is temporally, angularly, or spatially multiplexed and the second part of the apparatus is spatially or angularly multiplexed such that ray bundles corresponding to subsets of contiguous pixels in an image source are each subjected to corresponding pre-compensating aberrations and subsequent aberrations, resulting in a substantially non-aberrated performance over the entire field of view of the optical system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for correcting aberrations over the entire field of view of an optical system, in which a first part of the apparatus applies different pre-compensating aberrations individually to different portions of the field of view, such that aberrations caused by a second part of the apparatus cancel the aberrations applied by the first part. The first part of the apparatus is temporally, angularly, or spatially multiplexed and the second part of the apparatus is spatially or angularly multiplexed such that ray bundles corresponding to subsets of contiguous pixels in an image source are each subjected to corresponding pre-compensating aberrations and subsequent aberrations, resulting in a substantially non-aberrated performance over the entire field of view of the optical system.

Abstract: An electrically variable lens comprising a variable Fresnel lens and a variable phase corrector plate. A liquid crystal variable Fresnel lens and liquid crystal phase corrector plate are varied in concert to compensate for wavefront discontinuities that would otherwise be produced by the Fresnel lens. The same principle is also used to provide a device capable of imposing an arbitrary spatial and temporal phase modulation on a wavefront.

Abstract: A device that provides light beam switching, agile steering of the light beam over a range of angles, and generation of arbitrary wavefront shapes with high spatial and temporal resolution. The agile device can include a volume diffractive structure comprising Bragg planes having one refractive index and the Bragg planes separated by regions containing an active optical medium. Electrodes (which may be the Bragg planes themselves, or may be arrayed adjacent to the active optical medium) are used to control the electric field intensity and direction across the structure, and thereby control the diffraction efficiency of the structure and the local phase delay imposed on a diffracted wavefront. Means are provided for addressing the many thousands of electrodes required for precise and rapid wavefront control. Applications include free-space atmospheric optical communications, near-eye displays, direct-view 3D displays, optical switching, and a host of other applications.

Abstract: A video display includes a light signal generator that generates modulated light signals containing video information propagating along an optical guideway. A light-releasing mechanism releases light from the optical guideway in a timed relationship with the modulation of the light signals. A traveling lens propagates in communication with an optical guideway for guiding light released from the optical guideway into selected directions in a timed relationship with a modulation of the light signals.

Abstract: A device that provides light beam switching, agile steering of the light beam over a range of angles, and generation of arbitrary wavefront shapes with high spatial and temporal resolution. The agile device can include a volume diffractive structure comprising Bragg planes having one refractive index and the Bragg planes separated by regions containing an active optical medium. Electrodes (which may be the Bragg planes themselves, or may be arrayed adjacent to the active optical medium) are used to control the electric field intensity and direction across the structure, and thereby control the diffraction efficiency of the structure and the local phase delay imposed on a diffracted wavefront. Means are provided for addressing the many thousands of electrodes required for precise and rapid wavefront control. Applications include free-space atmospheric optical communications, near-eye displays, direct-view 3D displays, optical switching, and a host of other applications.

Abstract: A device that provides light beam switching, agile steering of the light beam over a range of angles, and generation of arbitrary wavefront shapes with high spatial and temporal resolution. The agile device can include a volume diffractive structure comprising Bragg planes having one refractive index and the Bragg planes separated by regions containing an active optical medium. Electrodes (which may be the Bragg planes themselves, or may be arrayed adjacent to the active optical medium) are used to control the electric field intensity and direction across the structure, and thereby control the diffraction efficiency of the structure and the local phase delay imposed on a diffracted wavefront. Means are provided for addressing the many thousands of electrodes required for precise and rapid wavefront control. Applications include free-space atmospheric optical communications, near-eye displays, direct-view 3D displays, optical switching, and a host of other applications.

Abstract: A device that provides light beam switching, agile steering of the light beam over a range of angles, and generation of arbitrary wavefront shapes with high spatial and temporal resolution. The agile device can include a volume diffractive structure comprising Bragg planes having one refractive index and the Bragg planes separated by regions containing an active optical medium. Electrodes (which may be the Bragg planes themselves, or may be arrayed adjacent to the active optical medium) are used to control the electric field intensity and direction across the structure, and thereby control the diffraction efficiency of the structure and the local phase delay imposed on a diffracted wavefront. Means are provided for addressing the many thousands of electrodes required for precise and rapid wavefront control. Applications include free-space atmospheric optical communications, near-eye displays, direct-view 3D displays, optical switching, and a host of other applications.

Abstract: A video display includes a light signal generator that generates modulated light signals containing video information propagating along an optical guideway. A light-releasing mechanism releases light from the optical guideway in a timed relationship with the modulation of the light signals. A traveling lens propagates in communication with an optical guideway for guiding light released from the optical guideway into selected directions in a timed relationship with a modulation of the light signals.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing surface relief holograms wherein an original surface relief hologram in the form of an endless loop or a drum is continuously coated with a radiation-curable resin. After curing, the resin bears a replica of the original hologram and it is continuously drawn off from the original as a sheet or film. The replica film becomes a hot-stamping foil when formed in contact with a carrier film, metallized, and coated with a hot-stamping adhesive.