Abstract: In various embodiments, an electrode precursor material may be flowed into a manifold extrusion die having first and second manifold inlet openings. Further, an electroactive polymer precursor material may be flowed into the manifold extrusion die via a third manifold inlet opening such that the electroactive polymer precursor material is layered between alternating layers of the electrode precursor material from the first and second manifold inlet openings. Moreover, the electrode precursor material and the electroactive polymer precursor material may be extruded through a manifold outlet opening of the manifold extrusion die. Various other methods, systems, apparatuses, and materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: A light-emitting diode includes a first semiconductor region of one of p- or n-conductivity types, a second semiconductor region of the other one of p- or n-conductivity types, forming a p-n junction with the first semiconductor region, and a quantum well layer at the p-n junction between the first and second semiconductor regions. A hyperbolic metamaterial structure is provided in the second semiconductor region. The hyperbolic metamaterial structure is coupled to the quantum well layer for extracting light from the quantum well layer. The hyperbolic metamaterial structure may be patterned to provide an array of nanoantennas to apodize the emitted beam, and to control the polarization state of the emitted beam.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an electroactive device includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and an electroactive element disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electroactive element may include a plurality of voids distributed within the electroactive element. The electroactive device may have a non-uniform electroactive response based at least in part on a non-uniform distribution of voids within the electroactive element. The non-uniform electroactive response may include a non-uniform sensor response or a non-uniform actuation response. Various other methods, systems, apparatuses, and materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical device includes a first polarization selective reflector positioned in a first orientation so that the first polarization selective reflector: receives first light in a first direction; redirects a first portion, of the first light, having a first polarization to a second direction that is non-parallel to the first direction; and receives second light in a third direction and transmit a first portion, of the second light. A second polarization selective reflector positioned in a second orientation non-parallel to the first orientation, and adjacent to the first polarization selective reflector so that the second polarization selective reflector: receives third light in a fourth direction; redirects a first portion, of the third light, having the first polarization to a fifth direction that is non-parallel to the fourth direction; and receives fourth light in a sixth direction and transmit a first portion, of the fourth light having the second polarization.

Abstract: An optical device includes a first polarization selective reflector; a second polarization selective reflector positioned relative to the first polarization selective reflector so that the first polarization selective reflector directs first light having a first nonplanar polarization toward the second polarization selective reflector and the second polarization selective reflector directs at least a portion of the first light toward the first polarization selective reflector as second light. The optical device includes a first reflector positioned relative to the first polarization selective reflector so that the first polarization selective reflector directs at least a portion of the second light having a second nonplanar polarization toward the first reflector as third light.

Abstract: An optical device includes a first polarization selective reflector; a second polarization selective reflector positioned relative to the first polarization selective reflector so that the first polarization selective reflector directs first light toward the second polarization selective reflector and the second polarization selective reflector directs at least a portion of the first light toward the first polarization selective reflector as second light. The optical device includes a first reflector positioned relative to the first polarization selective reflector so that the first polarization selective reflector directs at least a portion of the second light received from the second polarization selective reflector toward the first reflector as third light and the first reflector directs at least a portion of third light toward the first polarization selective reflector.

Abstract: An optical device includes a first polarization selective reflector positioned relative to a spatial light modulator; and a first reflective assembly positioned relative to the first polarization selective reflector so that the first polarization selective reflector receives first light from the spatial light modulator and directs at least a portion of the first light having a first polarization toward the first reflective assembly as second light. The first reflective assembly receives the second light from the first polarization selective reflector and directs at least a portion of the second light toward the first polarization selective reflector as third light having a second polarization. The second polarization is distinct from the first polarization.

Abstract: An optical device includes a first polarization selective reflector; and a second polarization selective reflector positioned relative to the first polarization selective reflector so that the first polarization selective reflector directs first light having a first polarization toward the second polarization selective reflector and the second polarization selective reflector directs second light having a second polarization toward the first polarization selective reflector. A first plane defined by the first polarization selective reflector intersects a second plane defined by the second polarization selective reflector at a first angle.

Abstract: A light-emitting disclosure (LED) and an LED array are disclosed. The LED includes a semiconductor junction for emitting light and an optical surface coupled to the semiconductor junction for outputting at least a portion of the light. The optical surface can include a grating structure configured to increase the portion of the light outputted by the optical surface, and/or a redirecting structure configured to redirect the portion of the light to form an output optical beam.

Abstract: A device may include a primary electrode, a secondary electrode overlapping at least a portion of the primary electrode, and an electroactive polymer element disposed between and abutting the primary electrode and the secondary electrode. The electroactive polymer element may include a nanovoided polymer material whereby resistance to deformation of the electroactive polymer element is non-linear with respect to an amount of deformation of the electroactive polymer element. Various other devices, method, and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: An example device may include a light source, an optical element, and, optionally, an encapsulant layer. A light beam generated by the light source may be received by the optical element and redirected towards an illumination target, such as an eye of a user. The optical element may include a material, for example, with a refractive index of at least approximately 2 at a wavelength of the light beam. The light source may be a semiconductor light source, such as a light-emitting diode or a laser. The optical element may be supported by an emissive surface of the light source. Refraction at an exit surface of the optical element, and/or within a metamaterial layer, may advantageously modify the beam properties, for example, in relation to illuminating a target. In some examples, the light source and optical element may be integrated into a monolithic light source module.

Abstract: An optical element includes a nanovoided polymer layer having a first refractive index in an unactuated state and a second refractive index different than the first refractive index in an actuated state. Compression or expansion of the nanovoided polymer layer, for instance, can be used to reversibly control the size and shape of the nanovoids within the polymer layer and hence tune its refractive index over a range of values, e.g., during operation of the optical element. Various other apparatuses, systems, materials, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a device, such as a transducer, includes a polymer element disposed between electrodes, and a control circuit configured to apply electrical potentials having the same polarity to the electrodes. A separation distance between the electrodes may be increased by an electrostatic repulsion between the electrodes. Various other devices, systems, methods, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: Examples include a device including a nanovoided polymer element having a first surface and a second surface, a first plurality of electrodes disposed on the first surface, a second plurality of electrodes disposed on the second surface, and a control circuit configured to apply an electrical potential between one or more of the first plurality of electrodes and one or more of the second plurality of electrodes to induce a physical deformation of the nanovoided polymer element.

Abstract: A form birefringent optical element includes a structured layer and a dielectric environment disposed over the structured layer. At least one of the structured layer and the dielectric environment includes a nanovoided polymer, the nanovoided polymer having a first refractive index in an unactuated state and a second refractive index different than the first refractive index in an actuated state. Actuation of the nanovoided polymer can be used to reversibly control the form birefringence of the optical element. Various other apparatuses, systems, materials, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A device may include a primary electrode, a secondary electrode overlapping at least a portion of the primary electrode, and an electroactive polymer element disposed between and abutting the primary electrode and the secondary electrode. The electroactive polymer element may include a nanovoided polymer material whereby resistance to deformation of the electroactive polymer element is non-linear with respect to an amount of deformation of the electroactive polymer element. Various other devices, method, and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A light-emitting disclosure (LED) and an LED array are disclosed. The LED includes a semiconductor junction for emitting light and an optical surface coupled to the semiconductor junction for outputting at least a portion of the light. The optical surface can include a grating structure configured to increase the portion of the light outputted by the optical surface, and/or a redirecting structure configured to redirect the portion of the light to form an output optical beam.

Abstract: A light-emitting disclosure (LED) and an LED array are disclosed. The LED includes a semiconductor junction for emitting light and an optical surface coupled to the semiconductor junction for outputting at least a portion of the light. The optical surface can include a grating structure configured to increase the portion of the light outputted by the optical surface, and/or a redirecting structure configured to redirect the portion of the light to form an output optical beam.