Abstract: A spatial light modulator outputs modulated light including: modulated first light when the spatial light modulator receives first light; and modulated second light when the spatial light modulator receives second light. Projection optics project the modulated light onto: a first pixel region when a component or the spatial light modulator has a first position; and a second pixel region when the component or the spatial light modulator has a second position. The first and second pixel regions partially overlap. A pixel shifter moves the component or the spatial light modulator between: the first position when the spatial light modulator outputs the modulated first light; and the second position when the spatial light modulator outputs the modulated second light.

Abstract: Described examples include a projector including a first prism having a dichroic layer. A second prism has a first spatial light modulator on a first surface, and a first light source directed through a second surface of the second prism to the first spatial light modulator. The first spatial light modulator is operable to modulate the first light to provide modulated first light that is reflected off the second surface of the second prism and the dichroic layer to projection optics. A third prism has a second spatial light modulator on a first surface and a second light source directed through a second surface to the second spatial light modulator. The second spatial light modulator is operable to modulate the second light to provide modulated second light that is reflected off the second surface of the third prism and passes through the dichroic layer to the projection optics.

Abstract: A projector includes a semiconductor die including a digital micromirror device; and a first integral optical layer attached to the semiconductor die. The first integral optical layer includes a first optical lens and a first diffractive optical element. A second integral optical layer is attached to the first integral optical layer. The second integral optical layer includes an aperture stop and a second diffractive optical element. A third integral optical layer is attached to the second integral optical layer. The third integral optical layer includes a second optical lens and a light source mount. The semiconductor die, the first integral optical layer, the second integral optical layer and the third integral optical layer are stacked to form an optical path through the first and second diffractive optical elements, reflect off the digital micromirror device, and pass through the first optical lens, the aperture stop and the second lens.

Abstract: Described examples include an optical device, having a light source with a light source output and a light integrator having a light integrator input and a light integrator output, the light integrator input optically coupled to the light source output, and the light integrator configured to provide divergent light at the light integrator output responsive to the light at the light source output. The optical device also has projection optics with an optics input and an optics output, the projection optics configured to project output light at the optics output responsive to modulated light at the optics input, in which a focal point of the optics input matches a divergence of the modulated light and a spatial light modulator optically coupled between the light integrator output and the optics input, the spatial light modulator configured to provide the modulated light responsive to the divergent light.

Abstract: A projector includes a semiconductor die including a digital micromirror device; and a first integral optical layer attached to the semiconductor die. The first integral optical layer includes a first optical lens and a first diffractive optical element. A second integral optical layer is attached to the first integral optical layer. The second integral optical layer includes an aperture stop and a second diffractive optical element. A third integral optical layer is attached to the second integral optical layer. The third integral optical layer includes a second optical lens and a light source mount. The semiconductor die, the first integral optical layer, the second integral optical layer and the third integral optical layer are stacked to form an optical path through the first and second diffractive optical elements, reflect off the digital micromirror device, and pass through the first optical lens, the aperture stop and the second lens.

Abstract: In described examples, a digital light processing color projector includes light emitters configured to collectively emit light at multiple wavelengths, multiple light directing elements forming an illumination path having at least one aperture stop, a micromirror array coupled to a substrate, an aperture located at the aperture stop, and a filter with a selected color transmittance profile located at or near the aperture stop. The light directing elements are configured to direct light towards the micromirror array as illumination light. An aperture width determines a diameter of the illumination light. A micromirror on-state reflects the illumination light as on-state light. The substrate reflects the illumination light as flat-state light. The light directing elements direct on-state light through the aperture to a projector output. The filter filters flat-state light in an overlap region of the on-state light and flat-state light, or an illumination light portion corresponding to overlap region.

Abstract: Described examples include a projector including a first prism having a dichroic layer. A second prism has a first spatial light modulator on a first surface, and a first light source directed through a second surface of the second prism to the first spatial light modulator. The first spatial light modulator is operable to modulate the first light to provide modulated first light that is reflected off the second surface of the second prism and the dichroic layer to projection optics. A third prism has a second spatial light modulator on a first surface and a second light source directed through a second surface to the second spatial light modulator. The second spatial light modulator is operable to modulate the second light to provide modulated second light that is reflected off the second surface of the third prism and passes through the dichroic layer to the projection optics.

Abstract: An embodiment of an apparatus for image projection includes a laser providing a first color light, a plurality of dichroic polarizing beam splitters (DPBSs), a plurality of switchable half-wave plates paired with a respective DPBS and positioned between the laser and the respective DPBS, a quarter-wave plate backed by a mirror and positioned to receive a first beam from a respective DPBS, and a plurality of static phosphor devices that are each positioned to receive either the first beam or the second beam from a respective DPBS and to emit light in a respective color. The emitted light from the phosphor devices and the beam that is reflected from the mirror are directed towards an output by one or more respective DPBSs. A method switches the switchable half-wave plates as necessary to provide separate images in a plurality of colors.

Abstract: A compact optical projection apparatus. An apparatus for light projection includes at least one illumination device; a cover prism including a curved surface positioned to receive illumination light rays and a total internal reflection surface positioned to internally reflect the light rays towards an asymmetric reflector surface positioned opposite the total internal reflection surface, the asymmetric reflector surface configured to reflect the received light rays out of the cover prism at an emitter side of the cover prism; a spatial light modulating the illumination light rays with image data to form image light rays; a reverse total internal reflection (RTIR) prism positioned between the spatial light modulator and the emitter side of the cover prism and further comprising a total internal reflection surface configured to totally internally reflect the image light rays out of the RTIR prism into a light projection device. Additional apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: In described examples, a body includes an opening in a central portion of a surface, a cavity having sides extending from the opening into the body, and a bottom surface within the body supporting a phosphor configured to emit light when energized by incoming light. In a further arrangement, the sides are tapered from the opening to the bottom surface, such that a cross sectional area of the opening is greater than a cross sectional area of the bottom surface.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a light source to generate source light through an optically transmissive medium to an object. A receiver includes a near zone light sensor and a far zone light sensor positioned on a substrate with the light source. The near zone light sensor is positioned on the substrate to, in response to the generated source light, receive reflected source light from the object and the optically transmissive medium. The far zone light sensor is positioned on the substrate to, in response to the source light, receive the reflected source light from the object and to receive a reduced quantity of the reflected source light from the optically transmissive medium compared to the near zone light sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a light source to generate source light through an optically transmissive medium to an object. A receiver includes a near zone light sensor and a far zone light sensor positioned on a substrate with the light source. The near zone light sensor is positioned on the substrate to, in response to the generated source light, receive reflected source light from the object and the optically transmissive medium. The far zone light sensor is positioned on the substrate to, in response to the source light, receive the reflected source light from the object and to receive a reduced quantity of the reflected source light from the optically transmissive medium compared to the near zone light sensor.

Abstract: An embodiment of an apparatus for image projection includes a laser providing a first color light, a plurality of dichroic polarizing beam splitters (DPBSs), a plurality of switchable half-wave plates paired with a respective DPBS and positioned between the laser and the respective DPBS, a quarter-wave plate backed by a mirror and positioned to receive a first beam from a respective DPBS, and a plurality of static phosphor devices that are each positioned to receive either the first beam or the second beam from a respective DPBS and to emit light in a respective color. The emitted light from the phosphor devices and the beam that is reflected from the mirror are directed towards an output by one or more respective DPBSs. A method switches the switchable half-wave plates as necessary to provide separate images in a plurality of colors.

Abstract: A compact optical projection apparatus. An apparatus for light projection includes at least one illumination device; a cover prism including a curved surface positioned to receive illumination light rays and a total internal reflection surface positioned to internally reflect the light rays towards an asymmetric reflector surface positioned opposite the total internal reflection surface, the asymmetric reflector surface configured to reflect the received light rays out of the cover prism at an emitter side of the cover prism; a spatial light modulating the illumination light rays with image data to form image light rays; a reverse total internal reflection (RTIR) prism positioned between the spatial light modulator and the emitter side of the cover prism and further comprising a total internal reflection surface configured to totally internally reflect the image light rays out of the RTIR prism into a light projection device. Additional apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for laser micromachining a material are disclosed. The methods include machining a hole in the material by guiding a laser along a predefined path or applying the laser at a predefined beam angle. A shape of the hole is then characterized. Then, the difference between the shape of the hole and a target shape for the hole is calculated. The predefined path or beam angle of the laser is adjusted based on the difference between the shape of the hole and the target shape for the hole.