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: The present invention is directed to a method of integrating information, including real-time information, into a virtual thematic environment using a computer system, including accessing the stored information from a database or downloading the real-time information from a source external to the thematic environment; inserting the real-time information into the thematic environment; and displaying the information to a user within the thematic environment. In one embodiment, the computer system is connected to a holographic projection system such that the images from the thematic environment can be projected as holographic projections.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a master for producing a hologram device. A first master is produced with a compensating angle. The second master is produced from the first master with an index matching material to reduce the interference pattern caused by internal reflections within the holographic plate of the master. The hologram device has a relatively narrow angle of reconstruction to provide visibility from a nearly perpendicular light source such as the headlight of an on-coming vehicle.

Abstract: A collimator can be made of a compound holographic optical element made of three holographic optical elements. The first reflection holographic optical element will have recorded within it continuous lens configured to receive light from a diffuse light beam and diffract the received light as a first collimated light beam. The second reflection holographic optical element will have recorded within it a regular hologram that is configured to permit the light from the diffuse light source to transmit through it to reach the first reflection holographic element, the second reflection holographic element having within it a second holographically reflective structure configured to receive the first collimated light beam and diffract the first collimated light beam as a second collimated light beam. The third transmission holographic optical element is configured to receive the second collimated light beam and diffract it as a third holographic light beam.

Abstract: An image display device includes an image forming device, collimating optical system, and optical device, with the optical device including a light guide plate, first diffraction grating member and second diffraction grating member which are made up of a volume hologram diffraction grating, and with central light emitted from the pixel of the center of the image forming device and passed through the center of the collimating optical system being input to the light guide plate from the near side of the second diffraction grating member with a certain angle. Thus, the image display device capable of preventing occurrence of color irregularities, despite the simple configuration, can be provided.

Abstract: A virtual image display device with an optical waveguide to guide, by internal total reflection, parallel pencil groups meeting a condition of internal total reflection, a first reflection volume hologram grating 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 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: A system and method for providing extended field of view. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to provide extended field of view for a user of a personal display system. The system may include an image source coupled to relay optics, to redirecting unit and to reflecting unit, and may optionally be mounted in a helmet.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including a display device that includes an overlying holographic film. In one aspect, the holographic film includes a hologram that is configured to turn light incident on the film. The light is turned towards the display device at desired angles. The display can be formed of interferometric modulators and the turned light can be reflected off the display, and towards a viewer, to form an image. For light that is incident on the film at angles outside of a view cone, the holographic film is provided with holographic light turning features that turn this light so that it is reflected off the display at angles within a view cone of the display.

Abstract: A solar light concentration plate comprises a plurality of holograms diffracting incident light wherein each of the plurality of the holograms has a thickness, at least one intermediate light guide plate disposed between the plurality of the holograms, and a pair of external light guide plates disposed on outer surfaces of outermost holograms of the plurality of the holograms, wherein at least one of the pair of the external light guide plates has an inner surface and an outer surface inclined relative to the inner surface.

Abstract: An autostereoscopic projection arrangement, comprising at least one projector and at least one filter array, in which arrangement bits of partial information from views of a scene or object are projected by the projector/projectors onto a projection screen, where these bits of partial information are rendered on image rendering elements and, having passed one or several of the filter arrays are made visible to at least one observer, and in which, as regards the propagation direction of the bits of partial information, the image rendering elements correspond with correlated filter elements in such a way that an observer will see predominantly bits of partial information from a first selection of views with one eye and predominantly bits of partial information from a second selection of views with the other eye, and thus will have a spatial impression.

Abstract: An image display according to an embodiment includes a first image-displaying portion that displays first information about a certain object as a first image of object color, and a second image-displaying portion that displays second information about the object as a second image of structural color provided by a relief structure, the relief structure including at least one structure selected from the group consisting of diffraction grating, hologram, and light-scattering structure having an anisotropic light-scattering property. According to an example, the object is a person, and the first image includes a facial image of the person. A labeled article according to another embodiment includes the image display, and a substrate supporting the image display.

Abstract: The invention disclosed here teaches methods to fabricate and utilize a non-dispersive holographic wavelength blocker. The invention enables the observation of the Raman signal near the excitation wavelength (˜9 cm?1) with the compactness of standard thin film/holographic notch filter. The novelty is contacting several individual volume holographic blocking notch filter (VHBF) to form one high optical density blocking filter without creating spurious multiple diffractions that degrade the filter performance. Such ultra-narrow-band VHBF can be used in existing compact Raman instruments and thus will help bring high-end research to a greater number of users at a lower cost.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus to illuminate displays. In one aspect, an illumination device with a light guide can include both faceted and holographic light turning features. The holographic light turning features can be provided between the facets. The facets can eject light out of the light guide. The holographic light turning features also can eject light out of the light guide, or can collimate the light so that it propagates more nearly parallel to the major surfaces of the light guide, or both eject and collimate light. The ejected light can be used to illuminate a display.

Abstract: A method and system for preparing and using three dimensional optical ring traps. The method and system includes applying a single phase hologram to be able to independently control shape and force profile of an optical trap but without employing orbital angular momentum for the control parameter of an optical ring trap to manipulate an object.

Abstract: A system and method for creating extended optical traps for applying optical forces to a material to be manipulated for a commercial application. The system and method include applying a hologram of appropriate characteristics to a beam of light wherein the hologram characteristics include a transverse optical component to apply optical forces transverse to an optical axis of the system. A shape phase component achieves this transverse optical component and also intensity gradient components can be applied via the hologram to provide programmable extended optical traps for a selectable commercial application.

Abstract: A holographic effect generating structure (HEGS), either stand alone or integrated with a security diffractive image, generates a holographic optically varying image by a process of diffraction of light, this image under white light illumination generates a smoothly and continuously variable structureless optically variable apparent motion effect which moves along a pre-determined track within pre-determined limits, the device characterized that it generates 3 planes of images under white light illumination—an image plane image located at or near the image plane corresponding to the real plane of the device which defines the predetermined movement track of the apparent motion effect and its bounds, a second virtual image plane situated away from the image plane of the device forming a virtual viewing zone corresponding at which an observer would be positioned to observe the visual effect and a third image plane, which defines a region where all the light rays from the image plane artwork to the viewing zone p

Abstract: An image display device includes a light source, a diffractive optical element adapted to diffract a light beam emitted from the light source, and a light modulation element adapted to modulate a diffracted light beam obtained by the diffractive optical element, and a diffraction characteristic of the diffractive optical element is controlled based on a diffractive optical element control signal provided to the image display device.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a diffractive photo-mask comprising a body element, a plurality of interference/image-forming hologram gratings, and a zero-order beam blocking element. The plurality of interference/image-forming hologram gratings can be located on or in the body element. The plurality of interference/image-forming hologram gratings are configured to diffract a light beam to produce one or more functional elements surrounded by a high-spatial-frequency periodic optical-intensity distribution at a substrate plane when the light beam is incident upon the diffractive photo-mask.

Abstract: A dual-view liquid crystal display device includes a display panel to display images; and a switching panel including first and second regions, the first and second regions controlled to represent a single image or different images displayed on the display panel, wherein a line width of the first region is adjustable. And, a method for driving a dual-view display device includes dividing the images displayed on the display panel in different directions by controlling a switching panel that includes first and second regions; and adjusting a line width of the first region in accordance with a viewing angle of a user.

Abstract: A zoetrope configured for user interaction. The zoetrope includes an object support that pivotally supports a holographic disc or other projection element containing a plurality of images. A positioning mechanism rotates the holographic disc at a predetermined speed or positions the projection element in numerous positions. The disc or projection element is illuminated by an illumination source in such a manner as to selectively make the images contained therein be projected in a sequence that provides a projected object that may be animated in an interactive manner based on user input such as voice input. The zoetrope may read out holographic images in response to a user's voice input to project a 3D object that appears to be speaking the words or song input by the user such as by illuminating the disc once per revolution in a particular angular orientation associated with a desired one of the holographic images.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a circuit includes a photodetector (PD) array including a plurality of electrically isolated PD sections. Additionally, the circuit includes a switching matrix that includes a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs, and that can be selectively configured in a plurality of different switch configurations. Each of the electrically isolated PD sections is adapted to detect light (if any) and provide an electrical output signal, indicative of the light detected by the PD section (if any), to a different one of the inputs of the switching matrix. The switching matrix is adapted to combine the electrical output signals provided by the electrically isolated PD sections in a plurality of different manners, in dependence on which of the plurality of different switch configurations is selected.

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: Coherent light from laser 210 is magnified, made into a parallel light flux LL and irradiated on the hologram recording medium 220 in which a hologram image of a scatter plate is recorded. A hologram reproduction real image 235 of the scatter plate is generated using the parallel light flux LL as illumination light for reproduction. The spatial light modulator 240 consisting of a liquid crystal display, etc., is disposed so as to overlap on the position of the hologram reproduction real image 235, and a modulated image is obtained on the surface of the reproduction real image 235 of the scatter plate. The modulated image is projected onto the screen 260 by the projection optical system 250. The distribution angle of incident light ? incident into one point Q1 on the screen 260 is made into 0.4 degrees or more, the hologram recording medium 220 is caused to cyclically make a motion in the XY-plane by a motor 225, and the linear speed of light scanning on the screen 260 is made into 200 mm or more per second.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical reflection system with a reflection element for reflecting reconstruction light waves, an entry-side focal point, from which the reconstruction light waves come when they hit the reflection element, and an exit-side focal point, to which the reconstruction light waves propagate after being reflected from the reflection element. The invention further relates to a tracking system and a holographic projection system with such optical reflection system, and a corresponding holographic projection method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light guide with at least one photorefractive area, wherein a volume hologram is formed in the photorefractive area in such a way that light coupled into the light guide can be decoupled by the volume hologram at a predetermined angle and/or with a predetermined focus.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system that provides a holographic layer as a micro-lens array and/or a color filter array in an imager. The method of writing the holographic layer results in overlapping areas in the hologram for corresponding adjacent pixels in the imager which increases collection of light at the pixels, thereby increasing quantum efficiency.

Abstract: A holographic mirror 10 for re-directing an optical signal that includes a base 14 having an outer surface 16, and a plurality of discrete nano-structures 12 formed into the outer surface of the base. Each nano-structure has an out-of-plane dimension 20 that is within an order of magnitude of one or both in-plane dimensions 22. The plurality of nano-structures are configured in a repeating pattern with a predetermined spacing 18 between nano-structures for re-directing an optical signal.

Abstract: An adjustable holder (1) for a concave holographic grating (2) for enabling the correct positioning of the grating vis-à-vis a light entrance port (15) and a light exit port (20), characterized in, that it comprises a grating hinge (10) fixed to said grating, said grating hinge (10) enabling rotational adjustment of the grating position with respect to said holder (1) , the centre point of the rotational adjustment being located at the vertex of said grating (2).

Abstract: Methods and devices for optical beam steering are disclosed including coupling a laser light into an apparatus comprising a first substrate; an array of air core photonic crystal waveguides; columnar members etched around each air core waveguide; a pair of metal electrodes around the columnar members; a trench around the pair of metal electrodes surrounding each air core photonic crystal waveguide; a second substrate coupled to the first substrate comprising electrical interconnection lines; and a holographic fanout array comprising a third substrate; a photopolymer film coated on the third substrate; a hologram written in the photopolymer film configured to couple the laser light into the third substrate; and an array of holograms recorded in the photopolymer film configured to couple a portion of the laser light into the waveguides; and passing a current through the electrodes to induce a refractive index change in the first substrate to control the phase of the portion of the laser light that passes throug

Abstract: The invention disclosed here teaches methods to fabricate and utilize a non-dispersive holographic wavelength blocker. The invention enables the observation of the Raman signal near the excitation wavelength (˜9 cm?1) with the compactness of standard thin film/holographic notch filter. The novelty is contacting several individual volume holographic blocking notch filter (VHBF) to form one high optical density blocking filter without creating spurious multiple diffractions that degrade the filter performance. Such ultra-narrow-band VHBF can be used in existing compact Raman instruments and thus will help bring high-end research to a greater number of users at a lower cost.

Abstract: A hologram disc reading and writing apparatus including a signal light source module, a beam splitter, a reference/reading light source, a reflector, and an optical reading head and a hologram disc reading apparatus are provided. A signal light beam emitted from the signal light source module is transmitted to a data region of a hologram disc through the beam splitter. The reference/reading light source, the signal light source module, and the optical reading head are disposed at the same side of the hologram disc. The reflector is disposed at the other side. A spherical wave light beam emitted from the reference/reading light source is transmitted through the data region and reflected by the reflector to form a phase conjugate light beam transmitted to and through the data region. The phase conjugate light beam is transformed to a data light beam transmitted to the optical reading head through the beam splitter.

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: 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: 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, comprising an anisotropic layer whose refractive index with respect to linearly polarized light in a first direction is different from a refractive index of the anisotropic layer with respect to linearly polarized light in a second direction perpendicular to the linearly polarized light in the first direction, and an isotropic layer whose refractive index with respect to the linearly polarized light in the first direction is equal to a refractive index of the isotropic layer with respect to the linearly polarized light in the second direction.

Abstract: A virtual image display device 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 to guide, by internal total reflection, parallel pencil groups meeting a condition of internal total reflection, a first reflection volume hologram grating 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 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 optical-pickup hologram element has six regions on an x-y plane, divided as follows: the first region with a first line (an x-axis) and a second line that connects points (?xa, 0) and (?xb, yb); the second region with the first and second lines and a third line connecting points (xa, 0) and (xb, yb); the third region with the first and third lines; the fourth region with the first line and a fourth line connecting the point (xa, 0) and a point (xb, ?yb); the fifth region with the first and fourth lines and a fifth line connecting the point (?xa, 0) and a point (?xb, ?yb); and the sixth region with the first and fifth lines (xa<xb and ?xb<?xa). The second and fifth, and the other regions are given astigmatism at different angles to the second line.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an optical system of an illumination device of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, including at least one first light-conductance-increasing element having a plurality of diffractively or refractively beam-deflecting structures extending in a common first preferred direction the light-conductance-increasing element having an optically uniaxial crystal material in such a way that the optical crystal axis of the crystal material is substantially parallel or substantially perpendicular to the first preferred direction.

Abstract: In various embodiments described herein, a display device includes a front illumination device that comprises a light guide disposed forward of an array of display elements, such as an array of interferometric modulators, to distribute light across the array of display elements. The light guide may include a turning film to deliver uniform illumination from a light source to the array of display elements. For many portable display applications, the light guide comprises the substrate used in fabricating the display elements. The display device may include additional films as well. The light guide, for example, may include a diffuser and/or an optical isolation layer to further enhance the optical characteristics of the display.

Abstract: A device that provides light beam switching, agile steering of the light beam over a range of angles, and generation of arbitrary wavefront shapes with high spatial and temporal resolution. The agile device can include a volume diffractive structure comprising Bragg planes having one refractive index and the Bragg planes separated by regions containing an active optical medium. Electrodes (which may be the Bragg planes themselves, or may be arrayed adjacent to the active optical medium) are used to control the electric field intensity and direction across the structure, and thereby control the diffraction efficiency of the structure and the local phase delay imposed on a diffracted wavefront. Means are provided for addressing the many thousands of electrodes required for precise and rapid wavefront control. Applications include free-space atmospheric optical communications, near-eye displays, direct-view 3D displays, optical switching, and a host of other applications.

Abstract: An illumination device for uniformly illuminating an image generating micro-display that includes a coherent light source, a beam shaping and speckle reduction device located on an optical path between said coherent light source and said image generating micro-display, wherein the beam shaping and speckle reduction device includes a dynamic diffractive optical element, and a processor which is configured to control said dynamic diffractive optical element so that a sequence of different hologram patterns is generated on said dynamic diffractive optical element, the different hologram patterns being uncorrelated to each other.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to an optical beam steering apparatus and a method of manufacturing an optical beam steering apparatus, and more particularly to an optical add drop multiplexer (OADM) such as a reconfigurable OADM (ROADM) comprising the optical beam steering apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a slab and a plurality of optical elements in or on a first surface of said slab, the plurality of optical elements including at least one liquid crystal on silicon element, the apparatus being arranged such that at least one optical beam can propagate freely in the slab from one of said plurality of optical elements to another one of said plurality of optical elements via a reflection from a second surface of the optical beam steering apparatus.

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 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: To provide a method for manufacturing a holographic recording medium and a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, by which effects of distortion or irregularities of the surface of an exposure object can be reduced. The method includes the steps of: splitting a laser beam emitted from a laser oscillator into a first laser beam and a second laser beam, and forming a fringe pattern in a holographic recording medium by illuminating the holographic recording medium with the first laser beam through a mask and illuminating the holographic recording medium with the second laser beam. The mask is a substrate having a light-shielding film formed over its surface.

Abstract: An identification plate, in which at least one security sign is arranged within the contours of a cover layer. As a result, the security sign is embedded in the cover layer and thus becomes an integral component of the identification plate. Such a security sign can no longer be removed from the identification plate. The identification plate according to the invention thus offers as much protection against manipulation as possible.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a projection display system includes a spatial light modulator and a volume illumination hologram. The spatial light modulator comprises a digital micromirror device, and the projection system includes a laser light source to produce a sequence of collimated, colored, light beams for the illumination hologram. Waste light produced by the spatial light modulator is transmitted to the illumination hologram, and the illumination hologram emits waste light from at least one of its edges. Waste light emitted from an edge of the illumination hologram is absorbed by a light sensor to control the intensity of the light beams. A projection focusing element is mounted proximate a side of the illumination hologram to focus the image beam from the spatial light modulator for viewing. A projection hologram is interposed between the side of the illumination hologram and the projection focusing element to manage waste light.

Abstract: A multicolor hologram (e.g., a two-color hologram) is replicated (copied) into a photosensitive layer by masking to produce a copy (replicate) of the hologram in a manner such that the copy is an accurate and true replication of the hologram (e.g., master hologram) and the copy is characterized to possess a high brightness level and color fidelity comparable to that of the multicolor hologram that was replicated. Both flood and scan modes can be employed in the replication.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide an image combiner and an image display device which can easily have a wide field of view and reduce a thickness of a substrate while reducing loss of light intensity by means of a PBS. An image combiner includes a substrate transparent to visible light; and a polarization beam splitter installed in the substrate to reflect a light flux introduced into the substrate from an image-display element and to make the light flux incident on an exit pupil outside the substrate. An exit angle ?0 at which a principal ray of the light flux emitted from a center of a display surface of the image-display element is emitted from a surface of the substrate toward a center of the exit pupil satisfies a condition of 3°??0.

Abstract: A beam multiplier operates on lighting assemblies using light emitting diodes (LED) to make their appearance and their illumination field more uniform. It uses holographic structures to multiply the number of light beams emitted by the LEDs. Fixed or switched holographic structures can be used in the construction of beam multipliers. Beam multipliers with electrically switched holographic structures fabricated of liquid crystal materials provide lighting assemblies with selectable static or dynamic modes of operation such as beam widening and sharpening modes, color changing modes and scanning modes.

Abstract: A beam multiplier operates on lighting assemblies using light emitting diodes (LED) to make their appearance and their illumination field of regard more uniform. It uses holographic gratings to multiply the number of light beams emitted by the LEDs. Fixed or switched holographic gratings can be used in the construction of beam multipliers. Beam multipliers with electrically switched holographic gratings fabricated of liquid crystal materials provide lighting assemblies with selectable static or dynamic modes of operation such as beam widening and sharpening modes, color changing modes and scanning modes.