Abstract: A method of manufacturing electrically tintable window glass with a variety of sizes and functionalities is described. The method comprises: (a) providing a large format glass substrate; (b) fabricating a plurality of electrically tintable thin film devices on the large format glass substrate; (c) cutting the large format glass substrate into a plurality of electrically tintable pieces, each electrically tintable piece including one of the plurality of electrically tintable thin film devices; (d) providing a plurality of window glass pieces; (e) matching each one of the plurality of electrically tintable pieces with a corresponding one of the plurality of window glass pieces; and (f) laminating each of the matched electrically tintable pieces and window glass pieces. The lamination may result in the electrically tintable device either being sandwiched between the glass substrate and the window glass piece or on the surface of the laminated pieces. The electrically tintable device is an electrochromic device.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a modulated pulsed radiation beam (20) has a radiation source (16) for providing a pulsed radiation beam (10) at a constant pulse repetition frequency and a number of beam intensity modulators (18a-18e). A beam-deflecting element (12) in the path of the pulsed radiation beam and rotatable about an axis redirects the pulsed radiation beam cyclically towards each of the plurality of beam intensity modulators in turn. A beam-recombining element rotatable about the axis in synchronization with the beam-deflecting element combines modulated light, from each of the beam intensity modulators in order to form the modulated pulsed radiation beam at the constant pulse repetition frequency. At least one beam-pointing correction apparatus optically conjugates the beam-deflecting element and the beam recombining element at least one rotational position about the axis.

Abstract: A wavelength-selective switch with a switch unit having a lens array, a first lens and a beam expander, and a branching unit having a second lens, a diffraction grating, a third lens and a mirror, in which the switch unit and the branching unit are accommodated in independent casings, and a confocal point of the light transmitted through the first lens and the light transmitted through the second lens are arranged on a connecting surface of the casing of the switch unit and the casing of the branching unit.

Abstract: A photoelastic modulator excited by a plurality of piezoelectric transducers affixed to the surface of a photoelastic bar for generating elastic waves in a plurality of cells each bounded by piezoelectric node drivers between which an antinode driver is disposed, is described. The standing elastic wave in each cell can be made independent of those in the neighboring cells by controlling the phase and amplitude of the drivers. The resulting elastic waves generate birefringence along the optical axis of the bar such that a linearly polarized optical wave propagating along the axis and having an initial phase, experiences a retardation of the phase as it passes through each cell. The cells may be controlled such that the phase of each standing wave does not change between cells and the phase retardation of the optical wave increases monotonically as the optical wave propagates through the bar, thereby, in theory, permitting an arbitrarily large retardation to be generated.

Abstract: System including enclosure having smart glass panels and related method.

Abstract: A method and system providing dynamic contrast control in scanning line color display systems, and particularly a method and system comprising at least two modulator units is disclosed. One modulator unit is for modulating pixel information in a line to be displayed while the other one provides illumination intensity control over different pixel areas or clusters of pixels of said same line to be displayed by using a tunable diffractive grating element (TDG) in the illumination path to provide image source dependent active brightness level control, i.e. ‘dynamic contrast’, as well as a shutter function for pixels off transition periods.

Abstract: Conventional dispersion compensators were not sufficient to satisfy a demand to set a different dispersion value for each WDM wavelength in a ring-mesh type network that utilizes wavelength selective switches or the like. The devices were insufficiently reduced in size and power consumption and used with difficulty to change dispersion characteristics for each wavelength flexibly in a simple manner. A dispersion compensator of the present invention uses general-purpose optical components including a spatial light modulator for providing discrete phases to set appropriately the relationship between the focusing beam radius and the spatial light modulator pixel, thereby providing various dispersion compensation characteristics.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to phase-sensitive calibration of an SLM system. In particular, it relates to selecting among local calibrations when there is more than one calibration that satisfies a calibration intensity criteria. It utilizes information available before Fourier filtering, from non-zeroth order diffraction components to counter drift among alternative local calibrations.

Abstract: An optical modulator is provided which includes: an optical splitting part that splits an input light wave into two light waves; two optical waveguides that propagate the two light waves into which the input light wave is split, respectively; a first SSB modulating part that is provided in one of the two optical waveguides and modulates a light wave, which propagates into the first SSB modulating part, with a carrier frequency so that the light wave is converted into a different light wave having a single side band; a second SSB modulating part that is provided in the other of the two optical waveguides and modulates a light wave, which propagates into the second SSB modulating part, with a data signal in order to generate a signal light wave having a different single side band; and an optical combining part that combines the light wave modulated by the first SSB modulating part with the signal light wave generated by the second SSB modulating part.

Abstract: Provided is a display element which is drivable with simple components and at a relatively low voltage and exhibits high display contrast, enhanced white display reflectance, superior response speed and reduced image unevenness. The display element includes opposing electrodes having therebetween an electrolyte containing silver or a compound having silver in the chemical structure, wherein the opposing electrodes are driven by a drive circuit disposed for each of pixels so that the silver is dissolved and deposited and the opposing electrodes are provided on a plane separate from the drive circuit.

Abstract: A display assembly comprises a backplane assembly comprising a plurality of spaced backplane areas, each backplane area comprising a plurality of electrodes, the backplane areas being separated by gutter areas free from electrodes; an adhesive layer overlying the plurality of spaced backplane areas; and a layer of a solid electro-optic medium overlying the adhesive layer in the plurality of spaced backplane areas. The display sub-assembly can be produced via a single lamination and severed to form a plurality of separate electro-optic displays. Processes for producing the display assembly are also described.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle having an aperture in the vehicle body in which a glazing, comprising a switchable film laminated between at least two plies of an interlayer material is fitted is disclosed. The plies of interlayer material are laminated between a first ply of glazing material, preferably glass,facing out of the vehicle and a second ply of glazing material, preferably glass, facing into the vehicle. The switchable film comprises first and second electrodes, both in electrical connection with a power supply. The first electrode is capacitively connected to electrical ground on the vehicle body.

Abstract: Systems and methods for illuminating interferometric modulator reflective displays are disclosed. One embodiment includes a display including a plurality of interferometric modulators configured to reflect a spectrum of radiation having a reflectance response peak at one or more wavelengths. A plurality of quantum dots are configured to emit radiation having a peak wavelength substantially at said one or more wavelengths, and the display is configured such that light emitted from the quantum dots irradiates the plurality of interferometric modulators.

Abstract: A system is used to perform fast and slow applications, for example fast application can be pulse trimming. The system includes a radiation source, an electro-optical modulator, and a beam splitter. The radiation source is configured to generate a polarized beam of radiation. The electro-optical modulator, formed of crystalline quartz, is configured to modulate the beam of radiation. The beam splitter is configured to direct a first portion of the beam to a beam dump and to form an output beam from a second portion of the beam.

Abstract: The invention relates to a flexible display (40) comprising a frontplane (42), positioned on top of the backplane (44). Preferably, the frontplane (44) is laminated on top of the backplane (42). The flexible display (40) further comprises a bonding area (48). In accordance to the invention the frontplane (44) extends over an area (46) substantially corresponding with the bonding area (48). Preferably, the frontplane in the region of the bonding are (48) is provided with spacings (47) for arrangement of suitable electrical contacts for enabling a connectivity to the array of electronic pixels and/or to the array of electro-optic elements. The spacings (47) may be of any suitable shape being arranged individually or being interconnected with each-other to form a sole spacing on top of the bonding area (48).

Abstract: An optical beam processing device with two serially disposed birefringent elements, each element having its own direction of orientation. At least one element is pixelated with electrodes activated by control signals. The directions of orientation of the elements are aligned such that the phase shift imparted to the beam by an unactivated pixel of one element, cancels the phase shift imparted to the beam by the other element, such that the beam traversing that pixel undergoes zero phase shift. An appropriate control signal adds a phase shift to the beam passing through that pixel, so as to generate an overall phase shift through the device for any desired wavelength, which could not be readily achieved by either of the elements alone. The resulting device is thus able to provide switchable phase shifts of exactly zero and pi, for different wavelengths, generally unattainable by a single element device.

Abstract: A method of forming a multijunction solar cell including an upper subcell, a middle subcell, and a lower subcell, including providing first substrate for the epitaxial growth of semiconductor material; forming a first solar subcell on the substrate having a first band gap; forming a second solar subcell over the first solar subcell having a second band gap smaller than the first band gap; forming a grading interlayer over the second subcell, the grading interlayer having a third band gap greater than the second band gap; and forming a third solar subcell over the grading interlayer having a fourth band gap smaller than the second band gap such that the third subcell is lattice mis-matched with respect to the second subcell, wherein at least one of the bases of a solar subcell has an exponentially doped profile.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a controller coupled to an optical modulator to receive a dither signal, determine a difference between the dither signal and a previous dither signal, determine a derivative of the difference with respect to a bias voltage difference between first and second bias voltages, and control a bias voltage for the optical modulator based on the derivative. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A degree of polarization control device includes: a calcium fluoride crystal substrate for transmitting a laser beam; a polarization monitor for measuring the degree of polarization of a laser beam transmitted through the calcium fluoride crystal substrate; and a controller for controlling the rotation angle of the calcium fluoride crystal substrate according to the degree of polarization measured by the polarization monitor; the calcium fluoride crystal substrate being formed by a flat plate having a laser beam entering surface and a laser beam exiting surface running in parallel with the (111) crystal face, the Brewster angle being selected for the incident angle, the rotation angle around the [111] axis operating as a central axis being controlled by the controller.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surface plasmon energy converter device which includes a first layer having a first layer dielectric constant. A plurality of nanofeatures is disposed in or on the first layer. A second layer has a second layer dielectric constant which differs from the first layer dielectric constant. The surface plasmon energy converter device is configured to respond to an incident electromagnetic radiation having a first wavelength by radiating away from the surface plasmon wavelength converter device an electromagnetic radiation having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. The invention also relates to a surface plasmon energy converter device which has a first layer having a first plurality of nanofeatures disposed on a first layer surface, a second layer having a second plurality of nanofeatures disposed on a second layer surface. The invention also relates to a surface plasmon energy converter device for generating electricity.

Abstract: Provided are a speckle removing light source capable of removing speckle by using laser light whose wavelength is temporally changed and a lighting apparatus for producing an image from which the speckle is removed. Included are a light source for outputting laser light, and a light frequency modulator for temporally changing a wavelength of the laser light. The light frequency modulator has a predetermined period set for changing the wavelength of the laser light. Also, provided is a lighting apparatus, including a spatial light modulator illuminated with the laser light outputted from the speckle removing light source to produce an image. The spatial light modulator has a period set for producing the image, which is longer than the period for changing the wavelength of the laser light by the light frequency modulator.

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 system and method for generating an optical return-to-zero signal. The system includes a bit separator configured to receive an electrical non-return-to-zero signal and generate a first signal and a second signal, and a driver configured to receive the first signal and the second signal and generate a driving signal. The driving signal is associated with a difference between the first signal and the second signal. Additionally, the system includes a light source configured to generate a light, and an electro-optical modulator configured to receive the light and the driving signal, modulate the light with the driving signal, and generate an optical signal. The electrical non-return-to-zero signal includes a first plurality of bits and a second plurality of bits. The first signal includes the first plurality of bits, and the second signal includes the second plurality of bits. The optical signal is an optical return-to-zero signal.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a phase modulator system comprising a beam splitter and a reflection mode phase modulator suitable for modulating linearly polarised light of at least one specific polarisation state while maintaining said polarisation state. The beam splitter and the phase modulator are arranged along an optical path of a light beam. The beam splitter is a polarisation beam splitter and the phase modulator system further comprises an optical rotator being arranged along the optical path between the polarisation beam splitter and the phase modulator, and rotating the polarisation state of the light beam by 45° in a given sense, wherein the polarisation state of the light beam incident upon the phase modulator corresponds to said specific polarisation state.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly includes a reflective element assembly having a front substrate and a rear substrate with an electro-optic medium sandwiched therebetween. A substantially non-transparent perimeter band is disposed at the second surface of the front substrate and around a perimeter border region of the second surface of the front substrate. The perimeter band is not specularly reflective to visible light that passes through the first substrate and is incident on the perimeter band. A first electrical connection is at the first electrically conductive layer at a first overhang region and a second electrical connection is at the second electrically conductive layer. The perimeter band is dimensioned so as to render the presence of the perimeter seal and at least the first electrical connection substantially unobservable to a driver normally viewing the reflective element assembly when the vehicle is normally equipped with the interior rearview mirror assembly.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system for encoding an optical spectrum includes a dispersive element, a digital micromirror device (DMD) array, a detector, and a controller. The dispersive element receives light from a source and disperses the light to yield light components of different wavelengths. The digital micromirror device (DMD) array has micromirrors that modulate the light to encode an optical spectrum of the light. The detector detects the light that has been modulated. The controller generates an intensity versus time waveform representing the optical spectrum of the detected light.

Abstract: A composition for electrode formation containing metal nanoparticles dispersed in a dispersion medium, wherein the composition also comprises one or more organic polymers selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidones, polyvinylpyrrolidone copolymers, polyvinyl alcohols, and cellulose ethers.

Abstract: An optical label-switching method and apparatus in which a payload signal is modulated on an optical carrier through differential phase-shift keying (DPSK) by a Mach-Zehnder modulator (MZM), and a label signal is imposed on the DPSK signal by the same MZM through an optical amplitude change effected by modulating the DPSK drive signal or MZM bias.

Abstract: A substantially transparent conductive layer is provided on a support, the layer comprising a conductive ionic liquid and a conductive metal network distributed therein.

Abstract: An optical system comprising a frequency modulated laser source adapted to produce a frequency modulated optical beam, an optical spectrum reshaper (OSR) adapted to receive the frequency modulated optical beam from the laser source and convert it into an amplitude modulated optical beam, a focusing lens adapted to receive the amplitude modulated optical beam from the OSR and focus the same, and an optical fiber adapted to receive the amplitude modulated optical beam from the focusing lens and transmit an optical signal; characterized in that the OSR has a central axis, the focusing lens has a central axis, and the optical fiber has a central axis, with the central axis of the optical fiber being laterally offset from at least one of the central axis of the OSR and the central axis of the focusing lens so as to effect spatial filtering and thereby generate the desired optical transmission characteristics for the resulting optical signal in the optical fiber.

Abstract: Traditional stroboscopes use either a perforated rotating disc or intermittent lighting to alternately occlude or highlight a particular scene at periodic intervals. The embodiments of the present invention are directed to a shutter-based approach, where an optic (such as eyeglasses, binoculars, or a magnifying glass) is equipped with a shutter (such as a liquid crystal display) to periodically occlude the vision of a user through use of a handheld controller to regulate the shutter speed.

Abstract: A pulse-shaper for temporally shaping an optical pulse includes a prism or a grism arranged to disperse the optical pulse into a diverging fan of spectral-component rays. The fan of spectral-component rays is collimated by a lens or another grism. The collimated spectral-component rays are selectively modulated by a spatial-light-modulator (SLM). The modulated rays from the SLM are either recombined to form the temporally shaped pulse by another lens and another prism, another two grisms, or by the same lens and prism or the same two grisms.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an image display system implemented with a spatial light modulator (SLM) having a plurality of pixel elements wherein each of the pixel elements further comprises an electrode having a structural body comprising: a first electrically conductive layer; a second electrically conductive layer; and a semiconductor layer disposed adjacently to the first electric conductive layer and second electric conductive layer and the semiconductor layer further comprises a doped conductive area for electrically connecting the first electric conductive layer and second electric conductive layer.

Abstract: A colour display device (1) comprises a plurality of picture elements (3, 4, 5), the plurality of picture elements having a viewing side (5) and a rear side (6). Each picture element includes a light valve (7, 8, 9). The display device comprises a switchable part (12, 13) for selectively directing light of a first colour and light of a second colour through the light valve from the rear side to the viewing side. Each light valve comprises a first and a second switchable colour filter (17, 19) having a transmittance for a third colour and a fourth colour, respectively, and arranged in succession in the path of the light.

Abstract: Methods and systems for encoding multi-level pulse amplitude modulated signals using integrated optoelectronics are disclosed and may include generating a multi-level, amplitude-modulated optical signal utilizing an optical modulator driven by two or more electrical input signals. The optical modulator may include optical modulator elements coupled in series and configured into groups. The number of optical modular elements and groups may configure the number of levels in the multi-level amplitude modulated optical signal. Unit drivers may be coupled to each of the groups. The electrical input signals may be synchronized before communicating them to the unit drivers utilizing flip-flops. Phase addition may be synchronized utilizing one or more electrical delay lines. The optical modulator may be integrated on a single substrate, which may include one of: silicon, gallium arsenide, germanium, indium gallium arsenide, polymers, or indium phosphide.

Abstract: The light beam generator 1 is provided with a laser light source 10, an optical phase modulation element 15 and others. The optical phase modulation element 15 receives coherent light output from the laser light source 10 and passed through a beam splitter 14 to modulate a phase of the light depending on a position on the beam cross section of the light, and outputs the light after the phase modulation to the beam splitter 14.

Abstract: A light beam generating apparatus and method of controlling the same is provided. The light beam generating apparatus may include a light source, a beam expander collimating a light beam emitted from the light source, an optical shutter selectively transmitting a light beam transmitted through the beam expander, and a focusing lens focusing a light beam transmitted the optical shutter. The optical shutter in the light generating apparatus can selectively transmit a light beam based on on/off control of the optical shutter on a pixel-by-pixel basis. This may permit one-dimensional, two-dimensional and three-dimensional nano patterns having various periods and directions to be manufactured.

Abstract: Maintenance of information content in a focused beam of electromagnetic radiation when the intensity thereof is attenuated by application of an aperture-like element.

Abstract: The need to have a large single crystal of photorefractive material for devices such as optical limiters, optical memory, and beam couplers, is avoided by providing a photorefractive body (42) comprising small photorefractive particles (44) coupled by a couplant (43), for example glass, which is refractive index-matched to the particles. Such a body may comprise a fiber (42), or a bulk body (80). For many uses it will be necessary to align the photorefractive particles in the body and this can be achieved using fluid flows or electrostatically. Methods of making the particles, and of making photorefractive bodies are disclosed. Devices incorporating particle-couplant matrix bodies are disclosed.

Abstract: In a light modulating apparatus of an external modulating type which is used in an optical communication system, there are provided an LN modulator, a light branching circuit, a photoelectric converter, a bias control circuit, a driver for an LN modulator which serves to drive the LN modulator in response to an input electric signal, a capacitor for cutting off DC and low frequency components of the input electric signal, a low frequency component compensating circuit for compensating the DC and low frequency components of the input electric signal, and an adding circuit for adding an output of the bias control circuit and that of the low frequency component compensating circuit and generating a bias control signal of the LN modulator.

Abstract: Provided are a laser backside irradiation device and a liquid crystal display device capable of reducing the thickness of the device and improving the contrast while making the luminance distribution substantially uniform. A laser backside irradiation device 100 includes a laser light source 1; a splitting optical system 101 for splitting laser light emitted from the laser light source 1 into a plurality of laser beams; and a plurality of illumination optical systems 102 for illuminating a liquid crystal panel 5 for two-dimensionally modulating a light intensity from a backside thereof, wherein the illumination optical systems 102 expand the laser beams split by the splitting optical system 101 to illuminate divided regions on the liquid crystal panel 5, respectively.

Abstract: An optical modulator comprises an electrode 21 which applies to an optical waveguides 12 of a Mach-Zehnder type optical interference system a first electric signal based on an alternating current signal S1 and a direct current bias V1, an electrode 22 which applies to an optical waveguide 13 of the Mach-Zehnder type optical interference system a second electric signal based on an alternating current signal S2 and a direct current bias V2, and a bias setting section 41 which sets average direct current levels of the first and second electric signals based on signal frequency information D1 which indicates a magnitude relation between a maximum frequency of the alternating current signal S1 and a maximum frequency of the alternating current signal S2.

Abstract: The present invention provides image projection system implemented with a spatial light modulator, for modulating an illumination light projected from a light source wherein said spatial light modulator comprising an image projection system implemented with a spatial light modulator for modulating an illumination light projected from a light source wherein said spatial light modulator comprising: at least two electrically conductive layers functioning as two different electrical wirings and said conductive layers having respectively a first and a second longitudinal directions overlapping and crossing each other; and a fixed electric potential layer electrically connected to a fixed electric potential, wherein the two different conductive layers and fixed electric potential layer overlapping one another and disposed at a location along a light path of the illumination light emitted from the light source to block said illumination light.

Abstract: A device and a method for reducing polarization-dependent effects in dynamical optical components based on surface modulation of a polymer gel or membrane is disclosed. The device and method modifies, removes or leads away unwanted reflections from incident light or information carrier communicating with said optical component.

Abstract: Disclosed is an array for modifying a wavefront of an optical beam (3) having a beam axis (15). Said array comprises an influencing unit (1) which can be introduced into the beam path of the optical beam (3) and a heat source (12) that generates a thermal pattern and acts upon the influencing unit (1). The influencing unit (1) is provided with at least one planar cooling plate (7a, 7b) that extends transversal to the optical axis (15) of the incident beam (3) and a fluid layer or gel layer (9) which has a two-dimensional expansion, is disposed on the cooling plate with a basal surface, and absorbs the heat of the heat source. The two-dimensional expansion is large enough to receive approximately the entire cross section of the beam.

Abstract: The optical switch includes: a spectroscopic device which separates wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) light into its component wavelengths; and a plurality of movable reflectors, arranged in a spectral direction at different intervals, for reflecting light of an individual component wavelength separated by said spectroscopic device. With this optical switch, deterioration of the characteristic of the pass band is avoided, so that the pass band characteristic is increased.

Abstract: The invention relates to a beam-forming array for projecting a divergent isotropic cloud of light points. The array comprises a source (4) for emitting electromagnetic radiation, a receiving or connecting possibility for a power source (2), an electrical or electronic subassembly (5), and an optical unit (6) that is arranged in a housing (1) along with the radiation source (4). The radiation source (4) is a semiconductor diode laser or a light emitting diode (LED) while the optical unit (6) is composed of at least two superimposed and grid-shaped spectral films that are offset relative to each other or a diffractive optical element. The optical unit (6) limits the intensity of the emitted radiation and the distance of the light point beams relative to one another to a value that does not pose any risk to a human eye.

Abstract: A transmissive backlit display is disclosed. In one aspect, the backlit display comprises a backlight and an array of transmissive interferometric modulators. Each interferometric modulator comprises a fixed and moving dielectric mirror stack. The interferometric modulators cause light within the desired wavelength range to be transmitted while reflecting at least a portion of the remaining light.

Abstract: A polarizer includes a base; a grid formed on the base; and low-reflective members formed on surfaces of the grid. The low-reflective members face an incident direction of an external light, so that a bright room contrast and a visibility can be improved.

Abstract: There is disclosed a polarization-modulating element for modulating a polarization state of incident light into a predetermined polarization state, the polarization-modulating element being made of an optical material with optical activity and having a circumferentially varying thickness profile.