Abstract: According to the present invention, a plurality of video image data are converted into individual spatial frequency information using Fourier transformation. The individual spatial frequency information is provided to a plurality of information display unit corresponding to the individual spatial frequency information. The spatial frequency information corresponding to the plurality of video image data is displayed on the plurality of information display unit, light is irradiated onto the plurality of information display unit using a plurality of light sources corresponding to the plurality of information display unit. The spatial frequency information that is displayed by the plurality of information display unit is projected by using diffraction light, and a plurality of video images are synthesized on projection surfaces.

Abstract: An image projecting apparatus enables the formation of a projected image faithful to original image information by reducing degradation in the projected image due to decrease in imaging performance of a projection optical system. Image information is processed by an image processing device, which includes a first and a second image processor. A light modulating device modulates a flux of light emitted by an illumination optical system based on the processed image information. The modulated flux of light is projected on a screen by a projection optical system. If the image information processed by the first image processor in a pixel region is not within a representable modulation range of the light modulating device, the image information is processed by the second image processor.

Abstract: [Object] Provided are a hologram generating device and a hologram generating method that allows the generation of a hologram for reproducing an easily observable three-dimensional image without restrictions on object sizes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for shearless digital hologram acquisition, including an apparatus incorporating an illumination source configured to produce a first beam of light, which is then split by a beamsplitter into a reference beam and an object illumination beam. The reference beam is directed onto a phase-shaping optical element which imparts a phase shift to the reference beam and returns the phase-shifted reference beam on itself to the beamsplitter. The object illumination beam is directed onto an object, and a portion of the beam is reflected back to the beamsplitter, which combines the phase-shifted reference beam and object illumination beam substantially coaxially. The combined beams are passed through a focusing lens which focuses them at a focal plane. A digital recorder is positioned at the focal plane to record the spatially heterodyne hologram formed by the focused phase-shifted reference beam and reflected object illumination beam.

Abstract: An optical information recording device, a reproduction device, and a method enabling include a first spatial light modulator I for generating information light by spatially modulating light from a light source 143 by a plurality of pixels and a second spatial light modulator R for generating reference light by spatially modulating light from a light source by a plurality of pixels. The area I of the information light and the area R of the reference light on the entrance pupil surface of an objective lens 111 are formed such that one area surrounds the other area. The reference light is spatially modulated by the second spatial light modulator R such that interference is not easily generated between the reference lights in the information recording layer 3.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a duplicate hologram recording medium includes: a positioning section configured to place the duplication master and the duplicate hologram recording medium at predetermined relative positions; an angle selective plate arranged between the duplication master and the duplicate hologram recording medium, the angle selective plate having an angle selective film whose transmittance changes in accordance with an incidence angle of a light beam; and a duplicating-reference-beam generating and radiating section generating a duplicating reference beam, and radiating the duplicating reference beam at such an incidence angle that the duplicating reference beam is transmitted through a predetermined region of a recording layer of the duplication master and is reflected by the angle selective film.

Abstract: Provided is an optical information recording method and an optical information recording medium, which can achieve easy duplication in holographic recording. The optical information recording method is for recording information to an optical information recording medium 4 which includes an information recording layer to which information is recorded using holography. In the method, virtual information light 6 composed of information light 2 to which information is added by spatially modulating at least a part of light ray flux emitted from a light source and of recording-specific reference light 3 is generated, and virtual information light 6 and virtual recording-specific reference light 8 are irradiated onto the information recording layer so that information is recorded thereto by interference pattern generated by interference between virtual information light 6 and virtual recording-specific reference light 8.

Abstract: At the time of varying the angle of a scan mirror for varying the angle of incidence of a reference beam on a hologram recording material, the angle of a slit is also varied in conjunction, whereby the beam diameter of the reference beam is varied by the slit so that the irradiation range on the hologram recording material will be constant without being varied according to the variation in the incidence angle of the reference beam. This ensures that the area of irradiation of the hologram recording material with the reference beam can always be kept constant, even when the incidence angle of the reference beam is varied at the time of recording holograms by the angle multiplex recording system.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for measuring amplitude and phase variations in a spatially coherent beam of light. A beam of coherent light is made incident upon a spatial array of phase modulating elements displaying a pixellated first phase distribution. In a measuring region of said spatial array, the phase distribution is changed to a new value while retaining the first phase distribution outside the measuring region, for example by flashing a single pixel. The change in intensity resulting from the change in phase distribution is then determined.

Abstract: A holographic storage and regeneration system includes a holographic recording medium, a light source, a spatial light modulator, and a conjugate servo light guidance portion. The light source generates a signal light and a reference light. The spatial light modulator modulates the incident signal light and makes it incident onto the medium along the incident direction of the signal light. The guidance portion guides a reference light to incident onto the medium in one direction and reflects it in another direction. A reference light and a signal light interfere with each other to produce a holographic interference fringe. The reflected reference light is guided into a first image sensor to be used to analyze the incident angle of the reference light. When the reference light incidents onto the fringe of the medium through the guidance portion in a reverse direction relative to another direction, a conjugate regenerated light is generated.

Abstract: A method and system for micromanipulation of objects of any shape. The method and system creates various forms of holographic optical traps for a variety of commercial purposes. Some alternate forms of traps include a dark form of optical traps, optical vortices with different helical winding numbers and optical traps with variable phase profiles imprinted thereon.

Abstract: A 3D display device with controllable device for tracking visibility regions is disclosed, and includes a controllable device for tracking a visibility region, generated by way of superposition of light source images, in a observer plane of the display device. In preferred embodiments, the cladding of a waveguide comprises at least one material with optical properties of an anisotropic liquid, or at least two materials with optical properties of an isotropic liquid; a matrix arrangement of control electrodes defines multiple positions to be generated for local exit points in the cladding of the waveguide at which the total reflection is locally cancelled; and a system controller modifies positions of the output coupling points for superposing the output-coupled light through the lens array to the visibility region by displacing an output coupling point, or by switching off one output coupling point and switching on another one.

Abstract: There is proposed a hologram recording method that includes: generating signal light by superimposing a periodic intensity distribution or phase distribution on an intensity distribution of light that expresses binary digital data as a light/dark image; Fourier transforming the signal light; illuminating Fourier transformed signal light and reference light simultaneously on an optical recording medium; and recording the signal light as a hologram.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a holographic storage system, and more specifically to a holographic storage system using a phase spatial light modulator. According to the invention a holographic storage system with a phase SLM for imprinting a 2-dimensional phase data pattern onto an object beam includes a common path interferometer for converting the phase data pattern of the object beam into an intensity data pattern.

Abstract: A method and a device produce an individualized hologram from a generated light beam. According to the method, the light beam is individually modulated in a spatial light modulator, a holographic recording material is arranged relative to a holographic master, and the individually modulated light beam is guided in such a manner that at least part of the individually modulated light beam is refracted and/or reflected on the holographic master and an interference pattern representing the individualized hologram is produced in the holographic recording material. The individually modulated light beam is displaced relative to the holographic recording material and the holographic master to scan the entire holographic master. The recording material is arranged so as to rest on a cylindrical drum or a cylindrical drum segment and the drum is rotated about a drum axis of the drum or the drum segment during scanning of the holographic master.

Abstract: A device for producing a two dimensional image includes means for generating coherent light, and means for directing light received from the means for generating coherent light to a plurality of electrically addressable spatial light modulators (EASLM). The device includes means for diffracting the light, wherein the light is simultaneously diffracted by the plurality of EASLM, and means for displaying the two dimensional image. The device further includes means for directing the diffracted light to the means for displaying the two dimensional image, wherein a frame rate of each of the plurality of EASLM is greater than a frame rate of the two dimensional image produced at the means for displaying the two dimensional image.

Abstract: A monocular holographic storage device or system to provide for compact recording and/or reading of data pages in a holographic storage medium. Also provided are methods for carrying out such data storage and/or data recovery using a monocular holographic storage device or system. Further provided are articles including holographic storage media for recording or for reading recorded data using such devices or systems.

Abstract: In known light modulation means, complex phase and amplitude values for modulating light waves are implemented and modulated either separately by two different light modulation means or a light modulation means having two layers of double-refracting materials, leading to increased expenses for material and adjustment. A new device is disclosed that simplifies the modulation of light waves in phase and amplitude in a single light modulation means made of double-refracting material. In a device having regularly disposed, controllable light-modulated elements having a double-refracting material for complex modulation of coherent light waves, and a modulation controller controlling the force-induced alignment of the optical axes of the molecules of the double-refracting material, means are provided for independently aligning the optical axes of the molecules in the light-modulating elements in two dimensions. The alignment can take place by electrical, magnetic, or optical acting means.

Abstract: There is provided a light illuminating apparatus including: a light source allowing light to illuminate a hologram-recording medium having a recording layer, where information is recorded by an interference fringe of a signal light and a reference light, and a cover layer on an upper-layer side thereof; a spatial light-modulator performing spatial light-modulation on the light from the light source to generate the signal light and/or the reference light; and a light illuminating unit allowing the light, which is subject to the spatial light-modulation by the spatial light-modulator, as a recording/reproduced light to illuminate the hologram-recording medium through an objective lens, wherein a focus position of the recording/reproduced light is set so that a distance from a surface of the hologram-recording medium to the focus position of the recording/reproduced light is smaller than a distance from the surface to a lower-layer side surface of the recording layer.

Abstract: An optical pickup apparatus includes: a light source to irradiate light onto a hologram recording medium onto which information is recorded by interference fringes of signal light and reference light; a spatial light modulation portion to generate the reference light by performing a spatial light modulation on the light from the light source; and an optical system to irradiate the reference light onto the hologram recording medium via a relay lens system and an objective lens and guide reproduction light obtained from the hologram recording medium in accordance with the irradiation of the reference light to an image pickup device via the objective lens and the relay lens system, the optical system being provided with, in an optical path between the relay lens system and the image pickup device, an angle permselective device that selectively transmits light with an incidence angle of a predetermined angle or less.

Abstract: Disclosed is a holographic display including a spatial light modulator, and including a position detection and tracking system, such that a viewer's eye positions are tracked, with variable beam deflection to the viewer's eye positions being performed using a microprism array which enables controllable deflection of optical beams.

Abstract: A holographic data storage system that includes a write head that includes a pixellated spatial light modulator and a separate or integral phase mask that varies the phase depending on the location in the phase mask that light passes through. The phase variation can be changed over time in a random, pseudo-random, or predetermined fashion. The spatial light modulator and phase mask can be implemented in a liquid crystal SLM (nematic, ferroelectric, or other), in a DMD SLM, in a magneto-optical SLM, or in any other suitable manner.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator applied to the collinear volume holographic storage system uses a hollow phase modulator to modulate the surrounding portion of an incident light to be a reference light, and the center portion of the incident light is modulated by an amplitude modulator to be a signal light. Thus, the spatial light modulator can enhance the convergence of the point spread function of the system.

Abstract: A reproduction apparatus includes: a wavelength-tunable light source that outputs light illuminating a hologram recording medium such that a wavelength is variable; an optical system that illuminates through an objective lens the hologram recording medium with the reference light generated on the basis of light emitted from the wavelength-tunable light source and that includes a power changing section which changes a zoom power of the reference light incident on the objective lens; a temperature detecting section that detects a temperature of the hologram recording medium; and a control section that, when setting the zoom power of the reference light and the wavelength of the wavelength-tunable light source in response to a result of the temperature detected by the temperature detecting section, performs control such that the zoom power of the reference light and the wavelength of the wavelength-tunable light source satisfy a condition [ ? ? ? m = ? ? ? ? ? W ] .

Abstract: A hologram recorder (A) records holograms in a selected unit recording area (B1) of a hologram recording medium (B) by interference between a recording beam (Lr) which is applied vertically to the unit recording area (B1) and a reference beam (Lr) which is applied obliquely to the unit recording area (B1). The hologram recorder (A) includes a reference beam oblique applier (23A, 23B) for application of the reference beam (Lr) obliquely to the unit recording area (B1) by reflection, and a reference beam swing mechanism (30) for supporting the reference beam oblique applier (23A, 23B) and for swinging the reference beam oblique applier (23A, 23B) about a predetermined rotation axis which is perpendicular to an entering direction of the recording beam (Lw) that makes an entry into the unit recording area.

Abstract: A hologram recorder is provided, in which coherent light from a light source is split into a signal beam and a reference beam, and the signal beam is modulated by a spatial light modulator to be directed to a hologram recording medium, while the reference beam is directed to the hologram recording medium to overlap with the signal beam for recording a hologram on the hologram recording medium. The hologram recorder includes a beam phase modulator provided with a plurality of optical devices (20p, 20p?) each configured to assume one of two modes such as ON mode and OFF mode, the ON mode for causing the reference beam to be passed or reflected in a predetermined direction toward the hologram recording medium, the OFF mode for causing the reference beam to be blocked or directed in another direction other than the predetermined direction. Each optical device (20p, 20p?) provides a phase difference 0 or ?.

Abstract: Provided is a hologram retrieval method and a holographic recording and reproducing apparatus for preventing an increase in SNR, a decrease in retrieval accuracy, or the retrieval itself from being made impossible, which would otherwise occur because of a small size of data used for retrieval. Digital information is recorded on a holographic recording medium as data pages DP formed of a two-dimensional bit map image with each page being multiplexed. The data page DP is divided into a plurality of equal data blocks DB11 to 13, DB21 to DB23, and DB31 to DB33, and each data block DB is provided with a data image that is encoded by an encoding method for providing a certain number of ON pixels within each data block DB. A spatial light modulator allows the to-be-retrieved data image to be encoded by the encoding method and displayed as block information on a retrieval data block associated with the data block, and a signal beam to be thereby modulated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a holographic storage system for reading a hologram stored on a holographic storage medium. The system comprises: storage medium holding means arranged along an optical path of a reference beam; a spatial light modulator (SLM) arranged along said optical path for encoding a reference beam with a code pattern; a detector for detecting an image of the reconstructed hologram; and a servo control unit for determining a misalignment of said reference beam and said storage medium from the detected image and for acting upon said SLM to shift said code pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for displaying hologram of a mobile communication terminal. The present invention can create hologram from two-dimensional image by providing a hologram processing function for a mobile communication terminal and provide the hologram to a user. Further, the mobile communication terminal with the hologram processing function can perform medical diagnosis on a user, and thus can save a life by performing accurate medical diagnosis in emergency through hologram communication with an emergency center.

Abstract: A recording apparatus performing at least recording with respect to a hologram recording medium is disclosed. The recording medium includes: a light emitting means for emitting light to be radiated with respect to the hologram recording medium set at a prescribed position; a spatial light modulation means configured to be able to generate reference light and signal light to be radiated to the hologram recording medium by performing light intensity modulation to incident light in the unit of pixels; a phase modulation means for performing phase modulation to radiated light from the spatial light modulation means; and an optical system configured to guide light emitted from the light emitting means with respect to the hologram recording medium through the spatial modulation means and the phase modulation means.

Abstract: A recording/playback apparatus includes a light-generating and intensity-modulating section for generating signal light and reference light to be shined on a hologram recording medium and a phase modulating section for performing phase modulation on the signal light and the reference light on the basis of a pixel unit by using the first to nth phase modulation levels. For the phase modulation on the reference light, all pixels corresponding to the reference light are divided and set using random phase units, each having a predetermined pixel array pattern having at least two pixels, the number of pixels corresponding to each of the first to nth phase modulation levels in each random phase unit is common to the random phase units, and the array pattern of the pixels corresponding to the first to nth phase modulation levels is random for each random phase unit.

Abstract: A reproduction device includes a light-emitting unit that emits reference light and coherent light, which is generated so as to have uniform light intensity and uniform phase, onto a hologram recording medium on which data is recorded by an interference pattern of signal light and the reference light, and a light-attenuating unit that attenuates the light intensity of the coherent light.

Abstract: In a reproduction apparatus, a modulation control generates reference light by performing a drive control on respective pixels in reference light areas of a spatial light modulator and a phase modulator and also generates DC light added to a reproduction image by performing a drive control in a signal light area of a spatial light modulator to apply a spatial light intensity modulation at a same modulation amount in all pixels and performing a drive control in a signal light area of the phase modulator while setting one part of phase modulation amounts as a phase modulation amount for setting a same phase as a reference phase in the reproduction image obtained from a hologram recording medium in accordance with irradiation of the reference light and setting the other part of the phase modulation amounts as a phase modulation amount different by ? with respect to the one part of the phase modulation amounts.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a hologram mask. The apparatus includes a first object light at least partially transmittable through a first original mask having a light transmitting screening pattern, and a first reference light having a first phase difference between it and the first object light. The first object and reference lights cause interference patterns to be recorded a hologram recording material, as do a second object light at least partially transmittable through a second original mask having a light transmitting screening pattern, and a second reference light having a second phase difference between it and the second object light where the second phase difference is not the same as the first phase difference. The resulting first and second original mask images recorded in the hologram recording material can be simultaneously replayed to produce an exposed pattern approximating an exposed pattern of a non-holographic phase shifting photomask.

Abstract: A display device includes a spatial light modulator and a light generator. The spatial light modulator may have an array of modulating elements with a plurality of image regions. The light generator may be configured to direct a different one of a plurality of substantially stationary light bands onto each of a plurality of the image regions of the array of modulating elements.

Abstract: In order to change the number of light points and light intensities and to move positions of the light points in a real-time manner, an extremely large capacity of a memory is required. In a method according to the present invention, a memory (6) has previously stored therein data indicating a complex amplitude distribution of rays of incident light (L) on a hologram plate (4) and complex amplitude distributions on the hologram plate (4) in a case where the rays are beamed at respective points at which the rays can be beamed. The controller (5) calculates the complex amplitude distribution to be generated on the hologram plate (4) in order to generate a hologram pattern by respectively multiplying, by values indicating degrees of amplitudes of respective rays, complex amplitude distributions of rays of incident light (L) and m light points P1 through Pm to be displayed, and by calculating a sum of the values obtained by the multiplication through performing addition.

Abstract: An apparatus for writing and reading holograms, comprising a spatial light modulator (SLM) operable in phase mode, having a plurality of pixels for generating an object beam that overlaps with a reference beam; a holographic recording medium (HRM) in the path of the object beam; and a first lens element disposed in the path of the object beam between the SLM and the HRM; wherein the HRM is disposed at or near the Fourier transform plane of the first lens element.

Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring degradation of a data storage medium. Multiple reactive elements are provided in the data storage medium. Properties of each one of these elements is determined, prior or subsequent to data being stored in the medium, to generate a baseline map of the medium. Updated properties of at least one of the elements are determined in order to generate an updated map of the medium. A determination can then be made as to whether degradation of the medium has occurred by comparing the baseline map to the updated map.

Abstract: A hologram recording apparatus includes a laser light source for emitting laser light, a light splitter for splitting the laser light emitted from the laser light source into a signal beam and a reference beam, a light modulator for modulating the signal beam split by the light splitter, a phase modulator for phase-modulating the reference beam split by the light splitter, an optical system for collecting the signal beam modulated by the light modulator and the reference beam phase-modulated by the phase modulator onto almost the same collecting position on a hologram recording medium, a collecting-position control mechanism for controlling the collecting position along a surface of the hologram recording medium, and a distance control mechanism for controlling the distance between the phase modulator and the hologram recording medium.

Abstract: A hologram recording apparatus includes a light source for irradiating coherent light, light separator for separating the coherent light into light for reference beam and light for signal beam, optical path changer for changing an optical path of each light separated by the light separator so that the reference beam and the signal beam may be irradiated simultaneously onto an optical recording medium, a spatial light modulator disposed in the optical path of the light for the signal beam for modulating the light for the signal beam in accordance with a supplied recording signal to create signal beam for recording a hologram, and diffused light irradiator for irradiating diffused light simultaneously with the reference beam at least onto an area of the optical recording medium where the reference beam is irradiated.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator applied to the collinear volume holographic storage system uses a hollow phase modulator to modulate the surrounding portion of an incident light to be a reference light, and the center portion of the incident light is modulated by a strength modulator to be a signal light. Thus, the spatial light modulator can enhance the convergence of the point spread function of the system.

Abstract: An optical code division multiple access (OCDMA) system includes an optical transmitter system configured to transmit data from a plurality of users through a shared optical channel by encoding the data from each user with a spreading code assigned to that user. Each spreading code includes a unique sequence of T time chips along a time axis. The data from each user is representable by T symbols. The OCDMA system further includes an optical receiver system configured to demodulate the data from each user by correlating signals received from the transmitter system with the spreading code assigned to that user. When transmitting a data symbol for each user, the transmitter system selects one out of T distinct cyclic shifts of the spreading code assigned to that user, and transmits the selected cyclic shift of the assigned spreading code along the time axis.

Abstract: A recording technique for performing data recording onto a hologram recording medium in accordance with information on phases by performing spatial light phase modulation as spatial light modulation corresponding to recording data, and a reproducing technique for reproducing recorded data by properly reading information on phases recorded as described above are suggested. A signal beam having a phase modulation pattern provided thereto corresponding to recording data and a reference beam having a specific phase modulation pattern provided thereto are applied to the hologram recording medium. Thus, recording data can be recorded onto the hologram recording medium in accordance with information on phases. In addition, at the time of reproduction, a reference beam and a DC beam having the entire phase whose phase difference with respect to a reference phase within the reference beam is ?/2 are applied to the hologram recording medium.

Abstract: A hologram recording and reproduction method is configured such that the number of values which can be implemented per one pixel is increased from two according to a conventional method to three or more to achieve increase of the data recording capacity. While two values are conventionally represented by two different values of “0” and “1” of the amplitude, for example, phases “0” and “?” are combined with the amplitudes “0” and “1” thereby to make it possible to represent three values of “0,” “1” and “?1” (amplitude “1”×phase “?”). In particular, a two-value data train of “0” and “1” is converted into another data train of three values of “0,” “1” and “?1” in accordance with a rule for encoding determined in advance, and the amplitude “0” is allocated to pixels of the value “0”; the amplitude “1” (phase “0”) is allocated to pixels of the value “1”; and the amplitude “1” and the phase “?” are allocated to pixels of the value “?1,” to carry out recording.

Abstract: An optical reproducing method is provided. A diffracted light is generated by irradiating a reference light onto a hologram. A combined light is generated by applying a direct-current component formed by a polarized light having a third polarization component with a first polarization plane having a polarization direction orthogonal to the diffracted light and having the same phase as the diffracted light, and a fourth polarization component with a second polarization plane having an opposite phase to the diffracted light, onto the diffracted light. The combined light is separated into a fifth polarization component including a first polarization component and the third polarization component, and a sixth polarization component including a second polarization component and the fourth polarization component. A first reproduced image is reproduced from the separated fifth polarization component, and a second reproduced image is reproduced from the separated sixth polarization component.

Abstract: There is provided an optical reproduction device that reproduces a hologram that is recorded on an optical recording medium by interference between a signal light and a reference light coaxial to the signal light. The device has: a coherent light source; a light distribution unit distributing light from the light source, to a signal light optical path and a reference light optical path; a spatial light modulator that includes a signal light region and a reference light region, a spatial light modulator, a first irradiation optical system spatially separating light distributed to the reference light optical path and light distributed to the signal light optical path, making optical axes of both lights coincide, and irradiating the both lights onto the spatial light modulator; and a second irradiation optical system irradiating reference light onto the optical recording medium as reading light, and reproducing the hologram.

Abstract: A hologram recording method, which records signal light onto an optical recording medium as a hologram, includes: placing a signal light region, which generates signal light, and a reference light region, which generates reference light, symmetrically with respect to an optical axis of coherent light by displaying, on a spatial light modulator which spatially modulates the incident coherent light, a pattern which divides a modulating region into a plurality of regions; generating signal light and reference light by modulating the incident coherent light by the spatial light modulator; simultaneously and coaxially illuminating, onto a reflecting-type optical recording medium, the signal light and the reference light generated from the signal light region and the reference light region disposed symmetrically to one another; and recording the signal light on the optical recording medium as a hologram.

Abstract: A holographic recording method and apparatus capable of performing phase code multiplex recording without employing a phase spatial light modulator. The holographic recording apparatus 10 performs phase spatial modulation of a reference beam to be projected onto a holographic recording medium by means of a phase code mask 26 in which phase code patterns are recorded in advance as a hologram and which is employed in place of a phase spatial light modulator in a reference optical system 20.

Abstract: An infrared imaging system for imaging infrared radiation from an object onto a detector includes optics configured for producing, with the infrared radiation, transverse ray intercept curves that are substantially straight, sloped lines. A wavefront coding element is configured such that a modulation transfer function of the optics and wavefront coding element, combined, exhibits reduced variation, over a range of spatial frequencies and caused, at least in part, by thermal variation within the imaging system, as compared to a modulation transfer function of the optics alone, without the wavefront coding element. A post processor is configured for generating an improved modulation transfer function, over the range of spatial frequencies, as compared to the modulation transfer function of the optics and the wavefront coding element.

Abstract: A singlet imaging system for imaging an object onto a detector includes a lens configured for producing transverse ray intercept curves which are substantially straight, sloped lines. A wavefront coding element is formed on a surface of the lens and configured such that a modulation transfer function of the lens and wavefront coding element, combined, exhibits reduced variation, over a range of spatial frequencies and caused, at least in part, by aberrations of the lens, as compared to a modulation transfer function of the lens alone, without the wavefront coding element. A post processor is configured for generating an improved modulation transfer function, over the range of spatial frequencies, as compared to the modulation transfer function of the lens and the wavefront coding element.