Abstract: Hyperspectral resonant cavity imaging spectrometers and imaging systems incorporating the resonant cavity spectrometers are provided. The spectrometers include an array of photodetectors based on photosensitive semiconductor nanomembranes disposed between two dielectric spacers, each of the dielectric spacers having a thickness gradient along a lateral direction, such that the resonant cavity height differs for different photodetectors in the array.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter provides systems and methods for processing light. An example system can include one or more substrates, and a plurality of meta-units, which are patterned on each of the substrates and configured to modify a phase, an amplitude, or a polarization of the light with a subwavelength resolution. The system can be in a form of a diffractive neural network and be configured to perform target recognition.

Abstract: A solar vapor generator system and method are provided. In some embodiments, the system has near perfect energy conversion efficiency in the process of solar vapor generation below room temperature. Remarkably, when the operation temperature of the system is below that of the surroundings, the total vapor generation will be higher than the upper limit that can be produced by the input solar energy.

Abstract: Hyperspectral resonant cavity imaging spectrometers and imaging systems incorporating the resonant cavity spectrometers are provided. The spectrometers include an array of photodetectors based on photosensitive semiconductor nanomembranes disposed between two dielectric spacers, each of the dielectric spacers having a thickness gradient along a lateral direction, such that the resonant cavity height differs for different photodetectors in the array.

Abstract: An apparatus for measurement of surface relief provides a phase sensitive camera and processing to reconstruct a wavefront profile matching the surface when illuminated with a known light source thereby providing noncontact surface relief measurements.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for passively cooling water vapor to enable efficient condensation, and methods of making such systems. A passive cooler can include a thermally conductive substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, a coating disposed on at least a portion of the first side of the substrate, and a housing having one or more insulative walls. The insulative walls may define a vapor flow channel from an inlet to an outlet of the housing such that the second side of the substrate is exposed to water vapor flowing through the vapor flow channel.

Abstract: A passive cooler of the disclosure includes a thermal emitter having a substrate and a coating disposed on at least a portion of a first side of the substrate. The cooler has a beam guide made from a material having a high absorption to solar wavelengths and high reflectance at mid-infrared wavelengths. The beam guide is configured such that at least a portion of incident light is acted on by the beam guide before reaching the thermal emitter. In some embodiments, the beam guide has a graded optical index.

Abstract: A wavefront sensor system suitable for integration into an integrated circuit light detector may provide for wave angle sensors having varying functional relationships between the wave angle and signal to provide improved dynamic range. These wave angle sensors may be combined with integrated circuit phase angle sensors for a more complete analysis of the waveform.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for passively cooling water vapor to enable efficient condensation, and methods of making such systems. A passive cooler can include a thermally conductive substrate having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, a coating disposed on at least a portion of the first side of the substrate, and a housing having one or more insulative walls. The insulative walls may define a vapor flow channel from an inlet to an outlet of the housing such that the second side of the substrate is exposed to water vapor flowing through the vapor flow channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for measurement of surface relief provides a phase sensitive camera and processing to reconstruct a wavefront profile matching the surface when illuminated with a known light source thereby providing noncontact surface relief measurements.

Abstract: A wavefront sensor system suitable for integration into an integrated circuit light detector may provide for wave angle sensors having varying functional relationships between the wave angle and signal to provide improved dynamic range. These wave angle sensors may be combined with integrated circuit phase angle sensors for a more complete analysis of the waveform.

Abstract: Optoelectronic devices that use very thin single-crystalline inorganic semiconductor films as phonon-absorbing layers in combination with non-lattice optical cavities are provided.

Abstract: A wavefront sensor system suitable for integration into an integrated circuit light detector may provide for wave angle sensors having varying functional relationships between the wave angle and signal to provide improved dynamic range. These wave angle sensors may be combined with integrated circuit phase angle sensors for a more complete analysis of the waveform.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a device is disclosed comprising a macroscopic thermal body and an extraction structure that is electromagnetically-coupled to the thermal emitting area of the thermal body. The macroscopic thermal body having a thermal emitting area, and the extraction structure configured and arranged to facilitate emission from, or receipt to the thermal emitting area that exceeds a theoretical, Stefan-Boltzmann, emission limit for a blackbody having the same thermal emitting area as the thermal body.

Abstract: A wavefront sensor system suitable for integration into an integrated circuit light detector may provide for wave angle sensors having varying functional relationships between the wave angle and signal to provide improved dynamic range. These wave angle sensors may be combined with integrated circuit phase angle sensors for a more complete analysis of the waveform.

Abstract: A solar vapor generator system and method are provided. In some embodiments, the system has near perfect energy conversion efficiency in the process of solar vapor generation below room temperature. Remarkably, when the operation temperature of the system is below that of the surroundings, the total vapor generation will be higher than the upper limit that can be produced by the input solar energy.

Abstract: An optical field sensor is used to make phase measurements over an area of light reflected from an object outside a field of view of the light field sensor. These phase measurements are applied to a machine learning system trained with similar phase measurements from objects outside of a field of view to identify the object within a class of objects subject to the training.

Abstract: An optical field sensor is used to make phase measurements over an area of light reflected from an object outside a field of view of the light field sensor. These phase measurements are applied to a machine learning system trained with similar phase measurements from objects outside of a field of view to identify the object within a class of objects subject to the training.

Abstract: Optoelectronic devices that use very thin single-crystalline inorganic semiconductor films as phonon-absorbing layers in combination with non-lattice optical cavities are provided.

Abstract: A resonator coupled to a system exhibiting a negative phase index of refraction presents a magnified absorption cross-section providing an optical element that can be used for enhancing taggant detection or increasing photodetector efficiency.