Abstract: An optical system comprising a substrate and disposed on said substrate a replica layer, characterised in that a functionality selected from the group consisting of grating, volume Bragg grating, holographic, diffractive, non-periodic structure, optical polarizer, micro lens and gradient index lens is incorporated in the substrate. The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an optical system in which elements which previously played a passive part are given an active role in order to thus realise desired properties of the optical system.

Abstract: An illumination apparatus and method for a display device designed such that light is incident on a hologram or hologram pattern at an angle for which diffraction efficiency is the highest. The illumination apparatus includes at least one point light source which emits light and a light guide plate (LGP) which has the at least one point light source disposed on a side thereof and a hologram pattern on a top surface which permits the light incident from the point light source to exit from the top surface. The side of the LGP facing the point light source is inclined such that the light is incident obliquely on the hologram pattern at an altitude angle which provides high diffraction efficiency.

Abstract: An image display device includes: a first face; a laser light source device emitting laser light; and a diffractive optical element on which the laser light emitted from the laser light source device is incident, generating diffracted light from the incident laser light, and illuminating the first face with the diffracted light, the first face is provided at a position on which zero-order light emitted from the diffractive optical element is not incident, and an image is displayed by light via the first face.

Abstract: In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), selected magnetic dipoles in a subject are aligned with a main magnetic field for later manipulation, and signals received after such manipulations are used to create image representations of the subject. One drawback is that even powerful magnetic fields can only align a very small percentage of dipoles in the region of the field. Electromagnetic radiation endowed with orbital angular momentum (OAM) aligns dipoles along the direction of travel of the radiation, but at a much higher percentage; as high as 100% of the dipoles in the region can be aligned. Resultantly, resonance signals emanating from the region are several orders of magnitude stronger than signals emanated using traditional MRI techniques. All electromagnetic radiation, including visible light can be endowed with OAM and used to hyperpolarize a region of interest.

Abstract: A counterfeiting prevention label 1 has a label base 3 including a base sheet 31, and a volume hologram 2 including a volume hologram layer 22 and formed on the base sheet 31. The volume hologram 2 is extended between the upper side 31a and the lower side 31b of the label base 3. The opposite end surfaces of the volume hologram 2 are flush with the end surfaces of the label base 3, respectively. The volume hologram 2 may be placed in a depression 3a formed in the front surface of the label base 3. The volume hologram 2 and the label base 3 are blanked out after transferring the volume hologram 2 from a transfer sheet 10 to the label base 3.

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: The present invention provides an optical system that can reduce the occurrence of aberration, and a scanning retinal display that uses such an optical system. A first diffraction section and the second diffraction section are attached to a light guiding section in a state separated from each other. The first diffraction section diffracts light flux that is incident on it, to be incident on the light guiding section. The light guiding section guides light flux that has been diffracted by the first diffraction section to the second diffraction section using reflection inside the light guiding section. The second diffraction section re-diffracts light flux that has been guided by the light guiding section and output externally of the light guiding section. The first diffraction section, the light guiding section, and the second diffraction section are substantially symmetrical, either side of a virtual plane between the first diffraction section and the second diffraction section.

Abstract: An image display apparatus includes an image forming device having pixels; a collimating optical system collimating light from the image forming device; and an optical device receiving, guiding, and outputting the collimated light as directional rays in different directions. The optical device includes a light-guiding plate; a first optical member reflecting or diffracting the light so as to totally reflect the light inside the light-guiding plate; and a second optical member causing the propagated light to emerge from the light-guiding plate. When a light ray emitted from a pixel located farthest from the center of the image forming device and a light ray emitted from a pixel located at the center of the image forming device pass through a front nodal point of the collimating optical system and are respectively incident on the collimating optical system and the light-guiding plate at angles ?1 and ?2, ?2>?1 is satisfied.

Abstract: A narrowband filter with a wide acceptance angle which utilizes two holographic filter elements connected in series. The filter blocks light outside of a narrow spectral band of interest, while enabling light to be seen over a wide range of angles incident on the filter.

Abstract: This Patent Application describes invention in form of a design of three-dimensional (3D) autostereoscopic displays and other similar electro-optical devices, and also describes a method for reducing crosstalk in said 3D displays and in other similar electro-optical devices, such as in the electro-optical devices that perform optical switching, optical processors, optical data storage, etc. The improvement of the image quality as a result of the decrease of the size of the samples of Holographic/Diffractive Optical Element without increased crosstalk and/or superposition of extraneous images in the image reconstruction is also achieved by the use of the invention described in this Patent Application.

Abstract: A method and system for performing three-dimensional holographic microscopy of an optically trapped structure. The method and system use an inverted optical microscope, a laser source which generates a trapping laser beam wherein the laser beam is focused by an objective lens into a plurality of optical traps. The method and system also use a collimated laser at an imaging wavelength to illuminate the structure created by the optical traps. Imaging light scattered by the optically tapped structure forms holograms that are imaged by a video camera and analyzed by optical formalisms to determine light field to reconstruct 3-D images for analysis and evaluation.

Abstract: A method and system for manipulating object using a three dimensional optical trap configuration. By use of selected hologram on optical strap can be configured as a preselected three dimensional configuration for a variety of complex uses. The system can include various optical train components, such as partially transmissive mirrors and Keplerian telescope components to provide advantageously three dimensional optical traps.

Abstract: A method and system for manipulating object using a three dimensional optical trap configuration. By use of selected hologram on optical strap can be configured as a preselected three dimensional configuration for a variety of complex uses. The system can include various optical train components, such as partially transmissive mirrors and Keplerian telescope components to provide advantageously three dimensional optical traps.

Abstract: There is provided a colour sequential illumination device comprising in series: first and second light sources; a condenser lens; and a grating device. The grating device comprises at least one Bragg grating. The condenser lens directs light from the first and second sources into the grating device at first and second incidence angles respectively. The grating device diffracts light from the first and second sources into a common direction. Desirably, the Bragg gratings are Electrically Switchable Bragg Gratings. In one embodiment of the invention the light sources are Light Emitting Diodes. Alternatively lasers may be used.

Abstract: Methods create images viewable under different selected angles on optical storage devices and other photosensitive surfaces and optical storage devices with super-imposed images. Generally, a photosensitive surface is exposed with multiple diffraction patterns creating super-imposed images. These diffraction patterns create super-imposed images on the photosensitive surfaces, which can be read by either a human or a computer.

Abstract: A laser beam multiplexer capable of easily multiplexing a plurality of laser beams is provided. A laser beam multiplexer includes a multiplexing element having a hollow portion with a sectional elliptical shape, in which the multiplexing element includes: a plurality of light-incident apertures guiding laser beams from outside toward one of two focal points of the hollow portion, a reflective layer arranged on a wall surface of the hollow portion, and multiplexing a plurality of incident laser beams while reflecting the plurality of laser beams, and a light-emitting aperture guiding laser beams multiplexed by the reflective layer toward outside.

Abstract: There is provided an exposure device including: a light-emitting element array at which a plurality of light-emitting elements, that emit light that passes through an optical path of diffused light, are arrayed one-dimensionally or two-dimensionally on a substrate; and a hologram element array at which a plurality of hologram elements are formed at positions, that respectively correspond to the plurality of light-emitting elements, of a hologram recording layer disposed on the substrate, so as to diffract and collect, at an outer side of illumination regions of all of the plurality of light-emitting elements, respective lights that are emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements respectively.

Abstract: A back light unit for a liquid crystal display device for improving uniformity of the light and dispensing with optical sheets. The back light unit includes a light source having a holographic pattern formed on a surface thereof opposite the display device which is to display a picture, and a reflective plate under the light source.

Abstract: An image display device using a one-dimensional hologram is disclosed. The image display device includes a light deflection unit which deflects a parallel light ray and adjusts the incident angle of a reconstructing light in sequence, and a one-dimensional hologram optical modulator which reproduces the entire picture by updating each lineal picture in sequence. A one-dimensional hologram is capable of expressing one lineal picture at one time with single axes data. The one-dimensional hologram is updated in synchronization with the incident reproducing light. The input data for a one-dimensional hologram may be computed by an optical calculation method.

Abstract: A reflective or transmissive hologram may be used to extract light from a waveguide. The hologram may be formed by separately exposing each of a plurality of areas of a holographic medium with object beams and/or reference beams having attributes (e.g., illumination angles) that vary randomly or pseudorandomly over the entire hologram. The areas may be contiguous (e.g., in a tiled pattern) or overlapping. In some embodiments, the spacing and/or orientation of the diffraction gratings may vary from area to area. For example, the spacing and/or orientation of the diffraction gratings may vary randomly or pseudorandomly from area to area. Some parts of the hologram may intentionally be made relatively more or relatively less efficient at extracting light from the waveguide.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a three-dimensionally perceived image from a stereo endoscope by at least one viewer include an autostereoscopic display having a left projector and a right projector that project corresponding left and right images received from corresponding left and right cameras of the stereo endoscope onto a reflective holographic optical element that redirects light from the left projector to a left viewing zone for a left eye and redirects light from the right projector to a right viewing zone for a right eye of a viewer to create a three-dimensionally perceived image without glasses or optical headgear.

Abstract: A light-collecting device is provided, a light-collecting device, including: a first volume hologram recorded in a hologram recording layer by interference of a first spherical wave and a planar wave, the first spherical wave passing through a light path of diffused light which radiates from a light incident point, passes through the hologram recording layer and spreads to a predetermined diameter; and a second volume hologram recorded in the hologram recording layer by interference of a second spherical wave and the planar wave, the second spherical wave passing through a light path of converging light which radiates from the same side as the first spherical wave, passes through the hologram recording layer and converges at an image-forming point distanced from the hologram recording layer by a predetermined distance, the planar wave intersecting with the first spherical wave and the second spherical wave.

Abstract: A virtual image display device is provided which displays a two-dimensional image for viewing a virtual image in a magnified form by a virtual optical system. The virtual image display device includes an optical waveguide (13) to guide, by internal total reflection, parallel pencil groups meeting a condition of internal total reflection, a first reflection volume hologram grating (14) to diffract and reflect the parallel pencil groups incident upon the optical waveguide from outside and traveling in different directions as they are so as to meet the condition of internal total reflection inside the optical waveguide and a second reflection volume hologram grating (15) to project the parallel pencil groups guided by internal total reflection inside the optical waveguide as they are from the optical waveguide by diffraction and reflection thereof so as to depart from the condition of internal total reflection inside the optical waveguide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer generated hologram which forms a light intensity distribution on a predetermined plane by giving a phase distribution to a wavefront of incident light, the hologram comprising a first anisotropic cell and second anisotropic cell configured to change a polarization state of the incident light, and a first isotropic cell and second isotropic cell configured not to change the polarization state of the incident light, wherein a direction of an optic axis of the first anisotropic cell is different from a direction of an optic axis of the second anisotropic cell, and a thickness of the first isotropic cell is different from a thickness of the second isotropic cell.

Abstract: An optical coupling device including: at least a first input port for delivering an optical input signal beam that includes a plurality of wavelength channels; at least a first optical output port for receiving an optical output signal beam; a wavelength dispersion element for spatially separating the plurality of wavelength channels in the optical input signal beam to form a plurality of spatially separated wavelength channel beams; an optical coupling device for independently modifying the phase of each of the spatially separated wavelength channel beams such that, for at least one wavelength channel beam, a selected fraction of the light is coupled to the first output port and a fraction of the light is coupled away from the first output port.

Abstract: An illuminator includes a laser light source that irradiates laser light, a switch element that switches over between exiting optical paths of the laser light entered, and a plurality of diffusion-illuminating elements that allow the laser light entering through the exiting optical path to exit with diffusion. The plurality of diffusion-illuminating elements are to be superimposed together at least in a part of respective ones of exiting light thereby illuminating an illumination area.

Abstract: A method to evaluate a holographic data storage medium, wherein the holographic data storage medium is evaluated by a manufacturer. In certain embodiments, the holographic data storage medium is evaluated by a customer prior to encoding customer information into the storage medium. In certain embodiments, the holographic data storage medium is evaluated by a customer after encoding customer information therein.

Abstract: A display device, generating light flux containing image information and making the light flux incident to one-eye of an image viewer by controlling an angle of divergence of the light flux is provided. The device includes a first lens, a second lens and an angle of divergence control device provided between the first lens and the second lens, the angle of divergence control device being configured to control the angle of divergence of the light flux.

Abstract: The present invention provides a computer generated hologram which forms a light intensity distribution on a predetermined plane by giving a phase distribution to a wavefront of incident light, the hologram comprising a plurality of anisotropic cells each including an anisotropic medium configured to change a polarization state of the incident light, and a plurality of isotropic cells each including an isotropic medium configured not to change a polarization state of the incident light, wherein a linearly polarized light component, in a first direction, of the incident light forms a first light intensity distribution on the predetermined plane, and a linearly polarized light component, in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, of the incident light forms a second light intensity distribution different from the first light intensity distribution on the predetermined plane.

Abstract: A wavelength selective element includes: a base member; light selective regions formed in the base member, in which a predetermined selective wavelength is selected from the laser light emitted from a plurality of light emission elements that emit the laser light; and interference regions, each of which is provided in one of the light selective regions, each of which includes interference fringes having streaks, and including at least a first interference region and a second interference region in which a first distance between streaks of the interference fringes of the first interference region is different from a second distance between streaks of the interference fringes of the second interference region.

Abstract: A hologram optical element having a thin form and a high degree of light transmittance, moreover that provides superior handling ease, as well as a surface light source device employing this hologram optical element. The angle at which light can be bent in this hologram optical element, has low wavelength dependency, and the hologram optical element enables prevention of spectral separation in white light incident from an oblique direction which is bent to a vertical direction and emitted. A transmitting diffraction grating, when light of wavelengths ?1, ?2 and ?3 within the ranges 0.46??1?0.50 ?m (blue light), 0.53??2?0.57 ?m (green light), 0.60??3?0.64 ?m (red light) is incident at angle ?i, the maximum diffraction angle for diffractive efficiency of each wavelength is within the range from ?5 degrees to +5 degrees.

Abstract: In an information system and a method for providing information in correlation with light that is incident on an eye, a pair of spectacles includes a holographic element that is supported in front of the eye of the wearer of the spectacles. An optical scanning detects light that is incident on the eye via the holographic element.

Abstract: A method of making a product containing a hologram which has at least two replay colours when viewed at a given angle, the method comprising the steps of: (i) recording holographic elements at each of at least two different angles in a master; and (ii) copying the master. The principle of the system is demonstrated by creating 2 surface relief objects, A and B on top of a mirror background. When a holographic recording medium is placed on top of this surface relief object and then illuminated with a coherent laser beam, interference patterns are recorded and developed within the polymer which describe the relief patterns (C-E). When the hologram is illuminated with white light and viewed normal to the hologram surface, the separation between the fringes relative to the viewing angle then becomes da and dc for surface relief objects A and B respectively (Figures C and E) and remains the same for the mirror (Figure D).

Abstract: An exit pupil extender with one input optical element and two exit optical elements disposed on different sides of the input optical element. The exit pupil extender also comprises two intermediate diffractive optical couplers, each disposed between the input optical element and one exit optical element. The couplers serve as exit pupil extending components. The grating lines of the couplers are at substantially a 60-degree angle from that of the optical elements in order to optimize the exit pupil extending efficiency. This invention further describes a general diffractive optics method that uses a plurality of diffractive elements on an optical substrate for expanding the exit pupil of a display of an electronic device for viewing. The system can support a broad range of rotations angles (e.g., 0<?<70°) and corresponding conical angles and remains geometrically accurate.

Abstract: An energy-collecting medium including an optically transparent holographic layer is presented. The energy-collecting medium includes a photochemically active dye and an optically transparent polymer material. Also provided is a method for making an optically transparent holographic layer. An energy conversion device including the energy-collecting medium is also provided.

Abstract: In various embodiments described herein, a device comprises an angle turning layer disposed over a light guiding layer that is optically coupled to a photocell. A plurality of surface features is formed on one of the surfaces of the light guiding layer. The surface features can comprise facets that are angled with respect to each other. The angle turning layer can comprise diffractive features that are volume features or surface-relief features. Light incident on the angle turning layer at a first angle is turned towards the light guiding layer at a second angle and subsequently redirected at a third angle by the surface features of the light guiding layer and guided through the light guide by multiple total internal reflections. The guided light is directed towards a photocell.

Abstract: The invention concerns a multi-layer body (7) having a carrier substrate (750) and a transparent layer (720) at least partially arranged in a window (70) or in a transparent region of the carrier substrate (750). The transparent layer (720) has at least a first subregion (71a) and a second subregion (71b) with a varying refractive index, which are arranged in mutually juxtaposed relationship in the layer plane defined by the transparent layer (720), and are at least partially arranged in the window (70) or in the transparent region of the carrier substrate (750). Each of the subregions (71a, 71b) has a plurality of periodically arranged nodes which form an optical-action element and which are formed by a refractive index variation and which are arranged in substantially mutually parallel planes. The planes in the at least first subregion (71a) are not parallel to the planes in the at least second subregion (71b).

Abstract: A virtual image display device is provided which displays a two-dimensional image for viewing a virtual image in a magnified form by a virtual optical system. The virtual image display device includes an optical waveguide (13) to guide, by internal total reflection, parallel pencil groups meeting a condition of internal total reflection, a first reflection volume hologram grating (14) to diffract and reflect the parallel pencil groups incident upon the optical waveguide from outside and traveling in different directions as they are so as to meet the condition of internal total reflection inside the optical waveguide and a second reflection volume hologram grating (15) to project the parallel pencil groups guided by internal total reflection inside the optical waveguide as they are from the optical waveguide by diffraction and reflection thereof so as to depart from the condition of internal total reflection inside the optical waveguide.

Abstract: An apparatus for reading and writing holograms from and to a holographic storage medium is described, which uses an object beam and a reference beam both having a first coherence length and being guided along separate optical branches of an optical setup to be imaged to the holographic storage medium. The apparatus comprises means for reducing the coherence length of the reference beam to a second coherence length for reading out a hologram from the holographic storage medium, wherein the second coherence length is shorter than the first coherence length.

Abstract: A two-dimensional image can be displayed in a desired position, a desired aspect ratio of the display image can be maintained, and such an elemental image array as to maximize an interpolating effect can be produced. A producing method of an elemental image array for three-dimensional image display includes: converting the resolution of the two-dimensional image into substantially the same resolution of a three-dimensional image display device; obtaining multipoint images by shifting the position to sample the two-dimensional image after the resolution conversion at regular intervals in the horizontal direction; and rearranging the multipoint images according to the positional relationship between exit pupils and projecting directions.

Abstract: A rewriteable diffraction grating contains first nanoparticles and second nanoparticles. Each first nanoparticle is configured and arranged to generate one or more charge carriers in response to a write beam. Each second nanoparticle is configured and arranged to substantially alter its response to light from a read beam upon receiving one or more charge carriers from the first nanoparticles. The second nanoparticles are disposed in proximity to the first nanoparticles to permit charge carriers generated by the first nanoparticles to interact with the second nanoparticles.

Abstract: A hologram recording film manufacturing method includes the steps of obtaining a laminated structure by alternately laminating M (where M?2) photosensitive material precursor layers including a photosensitive material and at least one (M?1) resin layer on one another, obtaining M photosensitive material layers, where at least two interference fringes with a desired pitch and a desired slant angle are formed on each of the M photosensitive material layers, from the M photosensitive material precursor layers by irradiating the laminated structure with a reference laser light beam and an object laser light beam, and making the slant angles of the M photosensitive material layers different from each other while retaining the pitch value, which is defined on a face of the photosensitive material layer, by irradiating the laminated structure with an energy ray from the laminated structure's one face side, and heating the laminated structure.

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 polarization converting optical system and a liquid crystal projection apparatus including the polarization conversion optical system are provided. The polarization conversion optical system includes a light incident surface; a light exit surface having first and second light exit regions; a half-wave plate disposed on the first light exit region; and a plurality of polarization separating surfaces, between the light incident surface and the light exit surface, which divide light into first S-polarization and P-polarization components and second S-polarization and P-polarization components, deviating the second S-polarization component and the first P-polarization component in a direction inclined with respect to an optical axis, and emitting the S-polarization components through the first light exit region and emit the P-polarization components through the second light exit region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a security system especially for security documents, wherein a security element is provided in a carrier plane, that under incident light holographically reconstructs a pattern outside the carrier plane, in which concealed information is stored and having a flat transparent verification element which on flat contact with the security element makes the information stored therein visible. The invention further relates to a security element and a verification element for use in the security system and a security document fitted with the security system. The invention additionally relates to an apparatus and a method for reading out the concealed information which is stored holographically in the pattern reconstructed on the security element under incident light.

Abstract: Embodiments of invention are directed to a lighting device for use in accent lighting applications. In one embodiment, the lighting device includes a coherent light source, such as a laser, and a diffractive optical element. The diffractive optical element may be, for example, a holographic optical element. The lighting device may be adapted to retrofit into a pre-existing light fixture. In one application, the lighting device may project a static or movable star field and/or static or movable clouds.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) display device and method using a directional light field is provided. The 3D display device may construct a light field using a direction light generated by a high speed projector and at least one rotating optical device to thereby display a more natural 3D image in a wide region.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided with a display unit and a optical filter. The unit has pixels arranged in a matrix form, which are groped into a first group and second groups to display two-dimensional image information constituting elemental images, the image information being obtained from different directions. The optical filter has a first optical opening opposed to the first pixel group and second optical openings opposed to corresponding one of the second pixel groups. The center of the first pixel group is coincident with the axis of the first opening, each center of the second pixel groups is deviated from corresponding one of the second opening axe, and the deviation is gradually increased depending on a distance between the first and the second pixel group centers. The light rays are directed to a reference plane from the first and second pixel groups through the first and second opening axes.

Abstract: A notch filter system, where multiple filter passes of a light signal may be effected for removing a target spectral component from the light signal, is provided. Advantageously, the notch filter system may be tunable. A cascade notch filter system is provided which includes multiple notch filters arranged in a cascade, each of the filters having spectral filtering characteristics and being disposed in the path of the light signal at an appropriate filter angle so that the target spectral component is filtered out of the light signal as the light signal passes therethrough. A multipass notch filter system is provided which includes a notch filter having spectral filtering characteristics, and an optical assembly for directing the light signal for multiple filter passes through the filter at an appropriate angle, so that the target spectral component is filtered out of the light signal as the light signal passes through the filter.

Abstract: A slab optical waveguide confines in one transverse dimension optical signals propagating in two dimensions therein, and has a set of diffractive elements collectively arranged so as to exhibit positional variation in amplitude, optical separation, or spatial phase. The diffractive elements are collectively arranged so as to apply a transfer function to an input optical signal to produce an output optical signal. The transfer function is determined at least in part by said positional variation in amplitude, optical separation, or spatial phase. The waveguide and diffractive elements are arranged so as to confine only one of the input and output optical signals to propagate in the waveguide so that the optical signal thus confined is successively incident on the diffractive elements, while the other optical signal propagates unconfined by the waveguide in a direction having a substantial component along the confined dimension of the waveguide.