Abstract: In a range imaging system, a passive optical system has a set of lenses and an optical mask that varies a point spread function of the set of lenses so as to encode in an optical field arriving from a scene range information for objects in the scene that are at least X meters from the mask, where X is at least 10. A digital light sensor receives the optical field, and an image processor processes signals receive signals from the sensor to decode the range information.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for determining the presence of a first molecule, e.g., a protein, in a sample, wherein the first molecule has specific binding affinity to a second molecule, e.g., a protein. Further, the present invention is directed to a method for determining the presence of a particle, e.g., a viral particle, in sample. Further provided are a system and a computer readable medium configured for determination of the presence of a molecule in a sample.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an optical element, comprises fabricating a three-dimensional mold having a relief pattern complementary to a pattern of the optical element to be fabricated, contacting the relief pattern with a solidifiable transmissive material, and solidifying the material thereby forming a transmissive substrate having the pattern thereupon. The method also comprises contacting the transmissive substrate with one or more substances wherein a difference in refractive indices between the substance(s) and the transmissive substrate is less than about 0.1.

Abstract: An imaging system (200) including a phase-modulating element (202) configured and arranged with optics (100) in an imaging path (300) of the imaging system, to modulate light emitted from an object (150), while the object is in motion with respect to the imaging system, to create a modified point-spread function (PSF); and a processor (700) configured and arranged to generate, on an image plane (500) of the imaging system, a three-dimensional image from the modulated light to provide depth-based characteristics of the object. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: A method for inspecting a three dimensional structure of a microscopic scale of a sample, the method may include obtaining an image of the three dimensional structure; obtaining a reference image of a reference three dimensional structure, the reference three dimensional structure and the three dimensional structure are ideally identical to each other; wherein each one of the image and the reference image was generated using optics that includes a phase mask, wherein the phase mask virtually expands a depth of field of the optics by encoding depth information over a depth range that exceeds the depth of field; generating a difference image that represents a difference between the image and the reference image; determining, based on the difference image, whether there is at least one defect in the three dimensional structure; wherein when determining that there is the at least one defect then providing a depth of the at least one defect.

Abstract: A method for inspecting a three dimensional structure of a microscopic scale of a sample, the method may include obtaining an image of the three dimensional structure; obtaining a reference image of a reference three dimensional structure, the reference three dimensional structure and the three dimensional structure are ideally identical to each other; wherein each one of the image and the reference image was generated using optics that includes a phase mask, wherein the phase mask virtually expands a depth of field of the optics by encoding depth information over a depth range that exceeds the depth of field; generating a difference image that represents a difference between the image and the reference image; determining, based on the difference image, whether there is at least one defect in the three dimensional structure; wherein when determining that there is the at least one defect then providing a depth of the at least one defect

Abstract: An imaging system (200) including a phase-modulating element (202) configured and arranged with optics (100) in an imaging path (300) of the imaging system, to modulate light emitted from an object (150), while the object is in motion with respect to the imaging system, to create a modified point-spread function (PSF); and a processor (700) configured and arranged to generate, on an image plane (500) of the imaging system, a three-dimensional image from the modulated light to provide depth-based characteristics of the object. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: Among other aspects, various embodiments include encoding wavelength-based characteristics, in addition to three-dimensional positions, of a plurality of objects of a plurality of different wavelengths directly in an image of the objects.

Abstract: Various embodiments include an apparatus including a phase mask and circuitry. The phase mask is configured and arranged with optics in an optical path to modify a shape of light, passed from an object. The shape modification characterizes the light as having two lobes with a lateral distance that changes along a line, having a first orientation, as a function of an axial proximity of the object to a focal plane, and with the line having a different orientation depending on whether the object is above or below the focal plane. The circuitry is configured and arranged to generate a three-dimensional image from light detected at the image plane, by using the modified shape to provide depth-based characteristics of the object.

Abstract: Among other aspects, various embodiments include encoding wavelength-based characteristics, in addition to three-dimensional positions, of a plurality of objects of a plurality of different wavelengths directly in an image of the objects.

Abstract: Various embodiments include an apparatus including a phase mask and circuitry. The phase mask is configured and arranged with optics in an optical path to modify a shape of light, passed from an object. The shape modification characterizes the light as having two lobes with a lateral distance that changes along a line, having a first orientation, as a function of an axial proximity of the object to a focal plane, and with the line having a different orientation depending on whether the object is above or below the focal plane. The circuitry is configured and arranged to generate a three-dimensional image from light detected at the image plane, by using the modified shape to provide depth-based characteristics of the object.

Abstract: Among other aspects, various embodiments include encoding wavelength-based characteristics, in addition to three-dimensional positions, of a plurality of objects of a plurality of different wavelengths directly in an image of the objects.

Abstract: Various embodiments include an apparatus including a phase mask and circuitry. The phase mask is configured and arranged with optics in an optical path to modify a shape of light, passed from an object. The shape modification characterizes the light as having two lobes with a lateral distance that changes along a line, having a first orientation, as a function of an axial proximity of the object to a focal plane, and with the line having a different orientation depending on whether the object is above or below the focal plane. The circuitry is configured and arranged to generate a three-dimensional image from light detected at the image plane, by using the modified shape to provide depth-based characteristics of the object.

Abstract: Various embodiments include an apparatus including a phase mask and circuitry. The phase mask is configured and arranged with optics in an optical path to modify a shape of light, passed from an object. The shape modification characterizes the light as having two lobes with a lateral distance that changes along a line, having a first orientation, as a function of an axial proximity of the object to a focal plane, and with the line having a different orientation depending on whether the object is above or below the focal plane. The circuitry is configured and arranged to generate a three-dimensional image from light detected at the image plane, by using the modified shape to provide depth-based characteristics of the object.

Abstract: Among other aspects, various embodiments include encoding wavelength-based characteristics, in addition to three-dimensional positions, of a plurality of objects of a plurality of different wavelengths directly in an image of the objects.

Abstract: A method and system are presented for reconstructing an input field where the latter is sensed by a measurement system. The method comprises: providing measured data corresponding to output field of said measurement system; providing data about sparsity of the input field, and data about effective response function of the measurement system; and processing the measured data based on said known data, the processing comprising: determining a sparse vector as a function of said measured data, said data about the sparsity of the input field, and said data about the effective response function; and using the sparse vector for reconstructing the input information. The invention allows for sub-wavelength resolution in imaging applications, and allows for detection of very short pulses by slow detectors in some other applications.

Abstract: A method and system are presented for reconstructing an input field where the latter is sensed by a measurement system. The method comprises: providing measured data corresponding to output field of said measurement system; providing data about sparsity of the input field, and data about effective response function of the measurement system; and processing the measured data based on said known data, the processing comprising: determining a sparse vector as a function of said measured data, said data about the sparsity of the input field, and said data about the effective response function; and using the sparse vector for reconstructing the input information. The invention allows for sub-wavelength resolution in imaging applications, and allows for detection of very short pulses by slow detectors in some other applications.