Abstract: In some examples, a device may include a backlight unit configured to illuminate a display. In some examples, a light source may direct light into an active photonic circuit. The active photonic circuit may include optical switches controllable to distribute the light to illuminate display zones. An active photonic circuit may include an arrangement of optical switches configured to allow particular zones to be raster scanned, for example, using light distribution and outcoupling further using a passive photonic circuit. The illumination intensity for each zone may be controlled using the optical switches and/or with variation of the light source intensity. In some examples, the illumination intensity for each zone can be varied based on the displayed content, allowing improved contrast ratios. In some examples, all zones may be illuminated simultaneously with a zonal illumination intensity based on displayed content. Other devices, methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: An illumination module includes a LCoS panel, a plurality of light sources configured to generate illuminating light, and a lightguide optically coupled via coupling optics to the plurality of light sources and adapted to direct the illuminating light to the LCoS panel, the lightguide being configured to transmit light of a first polarization state and reflect light of a second polarization state orthogonal to the first polarization state. The plurality of light sources may include a microLED array.

Abstract: The disclosed method may include receiving laser light from a laser light source. The method may also include directing and distributing the laser light onto a laser-based panel display to render pixels having a reduced spatial coherence and a preserved pixel pitch. For example, the pixels may be rendered as a result of an optical path distance between the pixels being greater than a coherent length of the laser light. Alternatively or additionally, the pixels may be rendered as a result of incoherent addition of light from at least one of multiple ports or multiple sources. Alternatively or additionally, the pixels may be rendered as a result of active modulation of the laser light. Alternatively or additionally, the pixels may be rendered as a result of quasi-random placement of outcoupling elements. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed method may include configuring an illuminator to emit a first path of light in a first direction and to emit a second path of light in a second direction. The method may additionally include, configuring a reflector to reflect the first path of light in the second direction. The method may also include configuring the first path of light reflected in the second direction to interfere destructively with the second path of light when a liquid crystal is set to an off state. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A display system may include a display element having an array of pixels, at least one light source, and a photonic integrated circuit (PIC) illumination element overlapping the display element. The PIC illumination element may include at least one in-coupler for in-coupling light from the at least one light source and an array of out-coupling emitters configured to emit light from the PIC illumination element toward the display element. The array of out-coupling emitters may not be aligned pixel-by-pixel with the array of pixels. Various other devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: According to examples, an apparatus for implementing a hermetically-covered photonic integrated circuit on a substrate having an integrated laser diode is described. The apparatus may include a cover wafer, a housing layer including a waveguide, the waveguide including a photonic integrated circuit, a laser die including a laser cavity, and a base substrate. The base substrate may include an emission window to provide a reflective design and to eliminate a need for a polarized beam splitter, a through-wafer via element to electrical coupling to the laser die and one or more pillars to set a height of the laser die relative to the photonic integrated circuit.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sensor for determining a physical characteristic, comprising a linear polarizer, a polarization-sensitive metalens, positioned between the linear polarizer and a photosensor, configured to manipulate light from a scene filtered by the linear polarizer, according to two or more phase profiles to simultaneously produce at least two spatial frequency filtered images on a surface of the photosensor, and processing circuitry configured to receive, from the photosensor, a measurement corresponding to the at least two spatial frequency filtered images, and determine, according to the measurement, a depth associated with at least one feature in the scene.

Abstract: A self-lit display panel includes a photonic integrated circuit payer including an array of waveguides and an array of out-couplers for out-coupling portions of the illuminating light through pixels of the panel. The self-lit display panel may include a transparent electronic circuitry layer backlit by the photonic integrated circuit layer; the two layers may be on a same substrate or on opposed substrates defining a cell filled with an electro-active material. The configuration allows for chief ray engineering, zonal illuminating, and separate illumination with red, green, and blue illuminating light.

Abstract: A self-lit display panel includes a photonic integrated circuit payer including an array of waveguides and an array of out-couplers for out-coupling portions of the illuminating light through pixels of the panel. The self-lit display panel may include a transparent electronic circuitry layer backlit by the photonic integrated circuit layer; the two layers may be on a same substrate or on opposed substrates defining a cell filled with an electro-active material. The configuration allows for chief ray engineering, zonal illuminating, and separate illumination with red, green, and blue illuminating light.

Abstract: A self-lit display panel includes a photonic integrated circuit payer including an array of waveguides and an array of out-couplers for out-coupling portions of the illuminating light through pixels of the panel. The self-lit display panel may include a transparent electronic circuitry layer backlit by the photonic integrated circuit layer; the two layers may be on a same substrate or on opposed substrates defining a cell filled with an electro-active material. The configuration allows for chief ray engineering, zonal illuminating, and separate illumination with red, green, and blue illuminating light.

Abstract: A self-lit display panel includes a photonic integrated circuit payer including an array of waveguides and an array of out-couplers for out-coupling portions of the illuminating light through pixels of the panel. The self-lit display panel may include a transparent electronic circuitry layer backlit by the photonic integrated circuit layer; the two layers may be on a same substrate or on opposed substrates defining a cell filled with an electro-active material. The configuration allows for chief ray engineering, zonal illuminating, and separate illumination with red, green, and blue illuminating light.

Abstract: A self-lit display panel includes a photonic integrated circuit payer including an array of waveguides and an array of out-couplers for out-coupling portions of the illuminating light through pixels of the panel. The self-lit display panel may include a transparent electronic circuitry layer backlit by the photonic integrated circuit layer; the two layers may be on a same substrate or on opposed substrates defining a cell filled with an electro-active material. The configuration allows for chief ray engineering, zonal illuminating, and separate illumination with red, green, and blue illuminating light.

Abstract: A device includes an array of light sources configured to emit light beams, and a metasurface including a plurality of nanostructures and configured to receive and deflect the light beams emitted by the array of light sources. The metasurface includes a plurality of regions. Nanostructures in different regions of the plurality of regions are configured to deflect center light rays (with peak intensity) of the light beams into different directions towards a target, such as display optics of a near-eye display. In some embodiments, nanostructures in each region of the plurality of regions are configured to deflect center light rays of light beams of two or more different colors into a same direction or similar directions towards the target.

Abstract: Disclosed is a depth sensor for determining depth. The depth sensor can include a photosensor, a metalens configured to manipulate light to simultaneously produce at least two images having different focal distances on a surface of the photosensor, and processing circuitry configured to receive, from the photosensor, a measurement of the at least two images having different focal distances. The depth sensor can determine, according to the measurement, a depth associated with at least one feature in the at least two images.

Abstract: The optical imaging apparatus includes a metasurface lens including a substrate and a plurality of nano-structures patterned on a first side of the substrate. The optical imaging apparatus further includes imaging optics disposed in a spaced apart relationship with a second side of the substrate. The second side is opposite the first side on which the nano-structures are patterned. A surface of the imaging optics and the second side of the substrate define a space for accommodating an immersion fluid. The metasurface lens is configured to direct light incident on the plurality of nano-structures towards the imaging optics through the space accommodating the immersion fluid.

Abstract: An optical device comprises a metasurface including a plurality of nanostructures. The nanostructures define a phase profile and a group delay profile at a design wavelength. The phase profile and the group delay profile determine and control the functionalities and the chromatic dispersion of the metasurface.

Abstract: An endoscopic imaging device (e.g., a catheter) comprises a light-transmitting tubing, at least one optical fiber disposed in the light-transmitting tubing, and at least one metalens. The metalens is optically coupled to the optical fiber and is configured to focus light from the optical fiber, through the light-transmitting tubing, and to a target point located outside of the light-transmitting tubing. The metalens includes a plurality of nanostructures. The nanostructures define a phase profile that corrects astigmatism caused by the light-transmitting tubing.

Abstract: An optical imaging apparatus is disclosed. The optical imaging apparatus includes a metasurface lens including a substrate and a plurality of nano-structures patterned on a first side of the substrate. The optical imaging apparatus further includes imaging optics disposed in a spaced apart relationship with a second side of the substrate. The second side is opposite the first side on which the nano-structures are patterned. A surface of the imaging optics and the second side of the substrate define a space for accommodating an immersion fluid. The metasurface lens is configured to direct light incident on the plurality of nano-structures towards the imaging optics through the space accommodating the immersion fluid.

Abstract: An optical device includes a substrate, a reflective layer disposed over the substrate, and a metalens disposed over the reflective layer. The metalens includes a plurality of nanopillars, the plurality of nanopillars together specifying a phase profile such that the metalens has a focal length that is substantially constant over a wavelength range of an incident light of about 490 nm to about 550 nm.

Abstract: An optical device includes a substrate, a reflective layer disposed over the substrate, and a metalens disposed over the reflective layer. The metalens includes a plurality of nanopillars, the plurality of nanopillars together specifying a phase profile such that the metalens has a focal length that is substantially constant over a wavelength range of an incident light of about 490 nm to about 550 nm.