Abstract: A high-speed optical modulator based on Surface Plasmon-Polariton (SPP) at the hetero-junction of a metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) tunneling diode and including a phase-matching optical element, such as a prism or gold-lattice structure, is described. An investigation using the coupled mode theory shows that the applied bias across the hetero-junction changes the optical reflectance of an optically coupled MIS tunneling diode, such as a prism-coupled MIS tunneling diode or a gold lattice-coupled MIS tunneling diode, while the modulation efficiency achievable of the device depends on the thickness of the metal film used to construct the tunneling diode.

Abstract: A variable reflectance vehicular electro-optic rearview mirror reflective element assembly includes a front substrate and a rear substrate and a perimeter seal disposed therebetween. The front substrate has a first surface and a second surface that has a transparent electrically conductive coating disposed thereat. The rear substrate has a third surface and a fourth surface, with the third surface having a conductive coating disposed thereat. The perimeter seal spaces the front and rear substrates apart and forms an interpane cavity therebetween. The third surface conductive coating includes a plurality of layers, which includes a first layer of nickel chromium. The first layer of nickel chromium is overcoated with a silver or silver alloy layer, and the silver or silver alloy layer is overcoated with a second layer of nickel chromium, and the second layer of nickel chromium is overcoated with a reflective layer.

Abstract: The invention describes a modulator for the quadrature modulation of an optical carrier signal with an I- and a Q-portion, where a first optical multimode interferometer (MMI) splits the optical carrier signal into four branches and that in pairs of branches the I-portion and the Q-portion respectively is modulated with a Mach-Zehnder-Structure and a second optical multimode interferometer (MMI) combines the modulated I-portion and Q-portion again to one quadrature modulated optical output signal (OS).

Abstract: A display device may include a substrate, a thin film layer formed on the substrate and/or having a light absorptance that varies according to an electric field applied to the thin film layer, and/or electrodes disposed to apply the electric field to the thin film layer and/or configured to change the electric field applied to the thin film layer.

Abstract: A display panel includes: a reflective display panel including: two substrates disposed so as to face each other; transparent electrodes formed over each of the two substrates; and a reflective material layer, sealed between the two substrates, including a reflection state which changes based on a voltage applied between the transparent electrodes; a light absorption layer disposed on a first surface side of the reflective display panel; and a cut-off filter layer disposed on a second surface side of the reflective display panel, wherein, in a visible wavelength range, a wavelength at which reflection from the transparent electrodes is smallest overlaps a dominant reflective wavelength of the reflective material layer in a reflective state, and wherein the cut-off filter layer transmits light in a wavelength range which is reflected by the reflective material layer in the reflective state and absorbs light reflected by the transparent electrodes.

Abstract: Provided is an optical body capable of arbitrarily and quickly controlling the optical characteristics of incident light. A refractive index variable layer (8) formed of PLZT or other material and a magneto-optical material layer (9) formed of garnet or other material are provided side by side between a first reflective layer (3) and a second reflective layer (5). If linearly polarized light is made incident from the side of the first reflective layer (3), the incident light interacts with the magneto-optical material layer (9) and is converted into a right-circularly polarized light component and a left-circularly polarized light component. A very small retardation occurring between both the right- and left-circularly polarized light components is amplified through multiple reflections between the pair of reflective layers (3, 5) and is controlled according to a controlled refractive index of the refractive index variable layer (8).

Abstract: A spatial light modulator includes an array of elements to modulate light in accordance with image data. The modulator has a display panel having first and second surfaces arranged adjacent to the array of elements such that the second surface is directly adjacent the array of elements to allow a viewer to view an image produced by modulation of light. The modulator may also include a light source to provide light to the display panel and illumination dots on the first surface of the display panel to reflect light from the source to the array of elements.

Abstract: An array of two or more tunable electro-optical reflecting elements where the phase response of one or more elements may be adjusted by a variety of approaches including, but not limited to: a liquid crystal superstrate, schottky contact(s), ultra-violet radiation pulses, and illumination of photoconductive substrates. Methods and apparatus for direct and/or adaptive control of phase response via the above approaches are also discussed.

Abstract: Disclosed are an optical image modulator, an optical apparatus including the same, and methods of manufacturing and operating the optical image modulator. The optical image modulator includes a light amount increasing unit increasing the amount of forward light emission of an electric-optical unit. The light amount increasing unit includes a first reflector reflecting light, which travels from the inside of the electric-optical unit toward the optical-electric unit, to the electric-optical unit. The light amount increasing unit may further include a second light reflector reflecting light, which passes through the optical-electric unit without optical-electric conversion, to the optical-electric unit.

Abstract: Light from an optical fiber is incident on a frequency dispersion element. The frequency dispersion element disperses the incident light into light beams in different directions according to their frequencies and directs the dispersed light beams to a lens. The lens develops the incident light beams over an xy plane according to their frequencies in a strip-like form. A frequency selective element has pixels arranged in a frequency dispersion direction and brings pixels located at positions corresponding to the frequency to be selected into a reflective state. A light beam selected by the frequency selective element is emitted from an optical fiber through the same path. By changing reflection characteristics of the frequency selective element according to each pixel, optical filter characteristics can be desirably changed so as to achieve change of passband width and frequency shift.

Abstract: A device representing a reflector, for example an evanescent reflector or a multilayer interference reflector, with at least one reflectivity stopband is disclosed. A medium with means of generating optical gain is introduced into the layer or several layers of the reflector. The optical gain spectrum preferably overlaps with the spectral range of the reflectivity stopband. This reflector is attached to multilayer passive cavity structure made of semiconducting, and/or dielectric, and/or metallic materials with the inserted tools of achieving wavelength selection of the optical modes. For example, volume Bragg gratings, distributed feedback gratings or patterns, using of vertical optical cavities surrounded by multilayer Bragg reflectors can be applied. The optical modes of the passive optical cavity partially penetrate into the gain region of the reflector.

Abstract: To avoid a decline in the reflectivity of an ultraviolet reflection film caused by lighting for an extended period of time and providing a uniform illuminance an excimer lamp has a silica glass discharge vessel with electrodes on opposite sides of the discharge vessel, wherein excimer discharge is generated in the discharge space of the discharge vessel, wherein an ultraviolet reflection film made of silica particles and alumina particles is formed on a surface exposed to the discharge space and wherein the mean particle diameter of silica particles is at least 0.67 times as large as the mean particle diameter of the alumina particles. The alumina particles in the ultraviolet reflection film preferably constitute at least 5 wt % and more preferably at least 10 wt % of the sum of silica particles and alumina particles.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a reconfigurable spatial light modulator capable of spatially modulating an incident wavefront responsive to an image formed on the modulator. A light source is configured to direct a coherent illumination light beam towards the modulator such that the modulator produces a modulated outgoing light beam therefrom. A filter is configured to spatially filter a light pattern formed by the outgoing light beam on a plane to selectively transmit light from a plurality of diffraction peaks therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reflective display panel (9), comprising a plurality of pixels (10, 11a b), each having a modulative portion (15, 16a-b) which is controllable between light-modulation states, and a non-modulative portion (17, 18). The reflective display panel (9) comprises a redirection sheet (14) having a plurality of redirecting structures (19, 20) each being configured to redirect ambient light incident thereon towards an adjacent modulative portion (15, 16a-b). Through the invention, the portion of the light which would otherwise have hit the non-modulative portion of the pixel and would not have contributed constructively to the image forming of the display panel is instead directed towards the modulative portion of the pixel and can thereby contribute to the brightness as well as to the contrast of the reflective display panel.

Abstract: An interferometric modulator array device with backlighting is disclosed. The interferometric modulator array device comprises a plurality of interferometric modulator elements, wherein each of the interferometric modulator elements comprises an optical cavity. The interferometric modulator array includes an optical aperture region, and at least one reflecting element is positioned so as to receive light passing through the optical aperture region and reflect at least a portion of the received light to the cavities of the interferometric modulator elements. In some embodiments, the interferometric modulator elements may be separated from each other such that an optical aperture region is formed between adjacent interferometric modulator elements.

Abstract: A total internal reflection (TIR) modulator includes a member comprising an electro-optic material; a plurality of first electrode sets; a plurality of second electrode sets; and a first set of electrical conductors, each electrical conductor in the first set of electrical conductors being coupled to one of the second electrode sets wherein the electrodes in each second electrode set are arranged in an interdigitated relationship with the electrodes in one of the first electrode sets; and each of the first electrode sets comprises a first electrode, the first electrodes being arranged in an interdigitated relationship with the electrical conductors in the first set of electrical conductors.

Abstract: A total internal reflection (TIR) modulator includes a member comprising an electro-optic material; a plurality of first electrode sets; a plurality of second electrode sets; and a first set of electrical conductors, each electrical conductor in the first set of electrical conductors being coupled to one of the second electrode sets wherein the electrodes in each second electrode set are arranged in an interdigitated relationship with the electrodes in one of the first electrode sets; and each of the first electrode sets comprises a first electrode, the first electrodes being arranged in an interdigitated relationship with the electrical conductors in the first set of electrical conductors.

Abstract: An electro-optic device including: an electro-optical panel having an electro-optic substance held between an element substrate and an opposed substrate; and a dust-proof substrate bonded to a surface of the opposed substrate opposite from a surface thereof opposing the element substrate; wherein one of the opposed substrate and the dust-proof substrate is formed of a first material having a coefficient of linear expansion of a positive pole, and the other one of the opposed substrate and the dust-proof substrate is formed of a second material having a coefficient of linear expansion of a negative pole.

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

Abstract: A high speed optical shutter, a method of operating the high speed optical shutter, and an optical apparatus including the high speed optical shutter. The optical shutter includes a transparent electro-optical medium in an active solid state having a total internal reflection surface on which an angle of total internal reflection is changed by an external action. The transparent electro-optical medium may be a prism or a prism array whose angle of total internal reflection is changed by the external action. An incident light path changing unit may be further arranged in front of the transparent electro-optical medium. Also, a light path changing unit may be further arranged so as to allow light passing through the electro-optical medium to be perpendicularly incident on an incidence target object.

Abstract: Interferometric modulators and methods of making the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, an interferometric modulator includes an interferometric reflector having a first reflective surface, a second reflective surface, and an optical resonant layer defined by the first reflective surface and the second reflective surface. The interferometric reflector can be configured to transmit a certain spectrum of light at a transmission peak wavelength such that the interferometric modulator has a diminished reflectance of light at the transmission peak wavelength.

Abstract: An electro-optic device with a doped semiconductor base and a plurality of pixels on the semiconductor base. Pixels include oppositely doped semiconductor layer and a top electrode formed on the oppositely doped semiconductor layer. The top electrode has a grid pattern with at least one busbar and a plurality of fingers extending from the busbar, and spacing between the fingers decreases with distance from the bondpad along the busbar. Each pixel can also include a multiple quantum well formed on the semiconductor base. The top electrode shape produces an approximately uniform lateral resistance in the pixel. An embodiment is a large area modulator for modulating retro-reflector systems, which typically use large area surface-normal modulators with large lateral current flow. Uniform resistance to each part of the modulator decreases location dependence of frequency response. A chirped grid electrode balances semiconductor sheet resistance and metal line resistance components of the series resistance.

Abstract: A collimated periscope that is switchable between a normal optical view of the outside, a display view, and an overlay view in which the outside view and display view are combined. The switching element is an electronically switchable mirror with primarily reflective, primarily transparent, and intermediate states, depending on the application of electrical potentials.

Abstract: A projector includes a projecting module for projecting a projecting image on a screen panel, an image sensor for capturing an image of an object which is located outside of the projecting module and faces toward the lens module, a light director, and a controlling unit. The projecting module has a lens module and a light source for emitting light transmitting through the lens module. The light director is movable between a first position where the light director is located outside of a light path associated with the lens module, and a second position where the light director is configured for directing light of the object through the lens module to be incident on the image sensor. The controlling unit controls the light director to move between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A stereo projection optical system includes a first polarizing beam splitter, a transmission-type light modulator positioned to receive the first polarized light component from the first polarizing light splitter and an image assimilator positioned to receive an emergent light of the transmission-type light modulator. The image assimilator includes a second polarized light splitter and first, second reflective spatial light modulators. The stereo projection optical systems provide viewers three-dimensional images formed by two alternative polarization light beams whose polarizations are perpendicular to each other utilizing the transmission-type light modulators to form “3-D” images.

Abstract: A technique, associated system and program code, for retrieving depth information about at least one surface of an object, such as an anatomical feature. Core features include: projecting a composite image comprising a plurality of modulated structured light patterns, at the anatomical feature; capturing an image reflected from the surface; and recovering pattern information from the reflected image, for each of the modulated structured light patterns. Pattern information is preferably recovered for each modulated structured light pattern used to create the composite, by performing a demodulation of the reflected image. Reconstruction of the surface can be accomplished by using depth information from the recovered patterns to produce a depth map/mapping thereof.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a defect multiple-quantum-well structure for manipulation of reflection and transmission of light by way of optical control of spatial distribution of electric field across the defect multiple-quantum-well structure. The defect multiple-quantum-well structure includes a pair of terminal multiple-quantum-well structures and a central multiple-quantum-well structure. The central multiple-quantum-well structure is sandwiched between the pair of terminal multiple-quantum-well structures. Each of the pair of terminal multiple-quantum-well structures has a band gap profile, and the central multiple-quantum-well structure has a band gap profile. The band gap profile of the central multiple-quantum-well structure is greater than the band gap profile of each of the pair of terminal multiple-quantum-well structures.

Abstract: A reflective element assembly for an interior rearview mirror of a vehicle includes front and rear substrates with a perimeter seal that spaces said front substrate from said rear substrate and establishes an interpane cavity therebetween for an electro-optic medium. The front substrate has a first connecting tab that extends outboard from a perimeter edge of the rear substrate and the rear substrate has a second connecting tab that extends outboard from a perimeter edge of the front substrate. The first and second connecting tabs may extend partially along the same perimeter edge region of the reflective element assembly or along adjacent perimeter edge regions of the reflective element assembly. The first and second connecting tab facilitate electrical connection to the transparent conductive coating of the second surface of the front substrate and the conductive coating of the third surface of the rear substrate, respectively.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) hermetically sealed package device that is less labor intensive to construct and thus less expensive to manufacture. An example package device includes a package having a bottom section and a lid. A MEMS die includes upper and lower plates made in accordance with upper sense plate design. The MEMS die is mounted to the bottom section. The upper and lower plates form a cavity that receives a MEMS device. The upper and lower plates are bonded by one or more bond pads and a seal ring that surrounds the cavity. The seal ring includes grooves that allow exposure of the cavity to the space within the package. A getter material applied to a top surface of the MEMS die on the upper plate. The getter material is activated during or after the lid is mounted to the bottom section.

Abstract: One inventive aspect relates to a display comprising a display element configured to selectively reflect light of a first wavelength in the infrared range and light of a second wavelength in the visible spectrum. Another inventive aspect relates to a color display comprising at least three reflective display elements. Each display element is configured to selectively reflect light of a different wavelength in the visible range. At least one of the three reflective display element is further configured to selectively reflect light of a wavelength in the infrared range.

Abstract: A periscope that is switchable between the normal optical view of the outside, a display view, and an overlay view in which the outside view and display view are combined. The switching element is an electronically switchable mirror with primarily reflective, primarily transparent, and intermediate states, depending on the application of electrical potentials.

Abstract: An optical switch for switching between transmission and total reflection of incident light 101 applied to electro-optical crystal 104 by applying an electric field to electro-optical crystal 104 to thereby change the refractive index of electro-optical crystal 104 includes a plurality of electrodes 105 disposed in electro-optical crystal 104 to provide electrode assembly 106 for applying the electric field to electro-optical crystal 104. Electro-optical crystal 104 has a refractive index changing portion (not shown) whose refractive index is changed by the electric field applied by electrode assembly 106, the refractive index changing portion enclosing electrode assembly 106 in its entirety. The refractive index changing portion has a flat refractive index boundary.

Abstract: Disclosed are an optical image modulator, an optical apparatus including the same, and methods of manufacturing and operating the optical image modulator. The optical image modulator includes a light amount increasing unit increasing the amount of forward light emission of an electric-optical unit. The light amount increasing unit includes a first reflector reflecting light, which travels from the inside of the electric-optical unit toward the optical-electric unit, to the electric-optical unit. The light amount increasing unit may further include a second light reflector reflecting light, which passes through the optical-electric unit without optical-electric conversion, to the optical-electric unit.

Abstract: A reflective mirror assembly includes an electro-optic reflective element providing a rearward field of view to a driver of a vehicle equipped with the reflective mirror assembly. The electro-optic reflective element includes an electro-optic medium disposed between a front substrate and a rear substrate in a cavity established by a seal that connects the front substrate to the rear substrate and that spaces them apart. An overhang region at a first edge region of the front substrate extends beyond a corresponding first edge region of the rear substrate. A transparent electrical conductor is disposed at the front substrate and a mirror reflector is disposed at the rear substrate. An electrically conducting tab extends outward from said seal at least partially to the edge of the rear substrate while making electrical contact with the mirror reflector. At least one hiding layer is disposed around a perimeter region of the front substrate.

Abstract: Various structures for variable reflectance rearview mirrors and variable transmittance windows are disclosed. One embodiment pertains to the provision of a polarized reflector in a rearview mirror. Another embodiment pertains to the provision of a switchable cholesteric liquid crystal element in a window. Yet another embodiment pertains to the provision of a plurality of apertures in a reflector layer of a rearview mirror where the apertures are sized and positioned in alignment with light emitting areas of a display positioned behind the reflector layer. In another embodiment, a moveable display or mirror element is attached to a rearview mirror housing.

Abstract: A display device may include a substrate, a thin film layer formed on the substrate and/or having a light absorptance that varies according to an electric field applied to the thin film layer, and/or electrodes disposed to apply the electric field to the thin film layer and/or configured to change the electric field applied to the thin film layer.

Abstract: An electronic light modulator device for at least partially displaying a pixel of an image, the device comprising first and second reflectors defining an optical cavity therebetween, the optical cavity being selective of an electromagnetic wavelength at an intensity by optical interference, the device having at least first and second optical states, at least one of the optical states being tunable and the other not tunable.

Abstract: An array of two or more tunable electro-optical reflecting elements where the phase response of one or more elements may be adjusted by a variety of approaches including, but not limited to: a liquid crystal superstrate, schottky contact(s), ultra-violet radiation pulses, and illumination of photoconductive substrates. Methods and apparatus for direct and/or adaptive control of phase response via the above approaches are also discussed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reflective display panel (9), comprising a plurality of pixels (10, 11a b), each having a modulative portion (15, 16a-b) which is controllable between light-modulation states, and a non-modulative portion (17, 18). The reflective display panel (9) comprises a redirection sheet (14) having a plurality of redirecting structures (19, 20) each being configured to redirect ambient light incident thereon towards an adjacent modulative portion (15, 16a-b). Through the invention, the portion of the light which would otherwise have hit the non-modulative portion of the pixel and would not have contributed constructively to the image forming of the display panel is instead directed towards the modulative portion of the pixel and can thereby contribute to the brightness as well as to the contrast of the reflective display panel.

Abstract: A high-speed optical modulator based on Surface Plasmon-Polariton (SPP) at the hetero-junction of a metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) tunneling diode and including a phase-matching optical element, such as a prism or gold-lattice structure, is described. An investigation using the coupled mode theory shows that the applied bias across the hetero-junction changes the optical reflectance of an optically coupled MIS tunneling diode, such as a prism-coupled MIS tunneling diode or a gold lattice-coupled MIS tunneling diode, while the modulation efficiency achievable of the device depends on the thickness of the metal film used to construct the tunneling diode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a projection display system, comprising: plural laser light sources; an illumination optical system for illuminating, in different beam axes, light beams emitted from the individual laser light sources; a deflection mirror device, constituted by plural mirror elements, for modulating the light beams illuminated by the illumination optical system; and a projection optical system for projecting a reflection light from the deflection mirror device illuminated by the light beams.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus that includes a waveguide and one or more pixels deployed adjacent the top surface of the waveguide which contains TIR light therein. Each pixel includes a deformable active layer having a first conductor and a driver electronics layer having a second conductor. The driver electronics layer is deployed in spaced-apart relation to the active layer and opposite the waveguide. In a quiescent state of a pixel, the active layer is in contact or near contact with the top surface of the waveguide so as to optically couple light out via FTIR (i.e., pixel's ON state). To actuate the pixel, the electronics layer is configured to selectively apply an electrical potential difference to the second conductor thereby causing the active layer to move away from the top surface so as to prevent the optical coupling of light out of the waveguide (i.e., pixel's OFF state).

Abstract: A mirror reflective element assembly for an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle includes a reflective element and an auxiliary wide angle element. The reflective element has a front surface and a rear surface and a first reflector portion and a second reflector portion, with the first reflector portion having a first reflective coating disposed thereat. The auxiliary wide angle element is disposed at a rear surface of the glass mirror substrate of the reflective element and at the second reflector portion. The auxiliary wide angle element has a glass element having a curved rear surface with a second reflective coating disposed at the curved rear surface. An optical coupling element may be disposed between a front surface of the auxiliary wide angle element and the rear surface of the reflective element, the optical coupling element may be a substantially optically clear and flexible elastomer.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly including a reflective element having a transparent substrate and a multi-zone mirror reflector established at a surface thereof. The mirror reflector includes at least a first zone and a second zone, and wherein at least one metallic reflective layer is commonly established at the surface and across the first and second zones of the mirror reflector. A display device is disposed behind the second zone of the mirror reflector and, when the display device is operating to emit display information, emitted display information passes through the second zone of the mirror reflector for viewing by a driver operating the equipped vehicle. The second zone has a degree of transmissivity of light therethrough that is greater than a degree of transmissivity of light through the first zone of the mirror reflector.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a defect multiple-quantum-well structure for manipulation of reflection and transmission of light by way of optical control of spatial distribution of electric field across the defect multiple-quantum-well structure. The defect multiple-quantum-well structure includes a pair of terminal multiple-quantum-well structures and a central multiple-quantum-well structure. The central multiple-quantum-well structure is sandwiched between the pair of terminal multiple-quantum-well structures. Each of the pair of terminal multiple-quantum-well structures has a band gap profile, and the central multiple-quantum-well structure has a band gap profile. The band gap profile of the central multiple-quantum-well structure is greater than the band gap profile of each of the pair of terminal multiple-quantum-well structures.

Abstract: A reflective element assembly for an interior rearview mirror of a vehicle includes front and rear substrates with a perimeter seal that spaces said front substrate from said rear substrate and establishes an interpane cavity therebetween for an electro-optic medium. The front substrate has a first connecting tab that extends outboard from a perimeter edge of the rear substrate and the rear substrate has a second connecting tab that extends outboard from a perimeter edge of the front substrate. The first and second connecting tabs may extend partially along the same perimeter edge region of the reflective element assembly or along adjacent perimeter edge regions of the reflective element assembly. The first and second connecting tab facilitate electrical connection to the transparent conductive coating of the second surface of the front substrate and the conductive coating of the third surface of the rear substrate, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dielectric lens able to be used in both the radio wave band and the light wave band, and a device using this dielectric lens. The device comprises a dielectric lens formed of a transparent dielectric member being small in dielectric loss and having an omni-directional feature with regard to an electromagnetic wave, a transparent dielectric shell being hollow inside and having the radius of any one surface of this hollow shape that is equal to the focal distance of the dielectric lens, and a holding mechanism for positioning and holding the dielectric shell and the dielectric lens so as to locate the dielectric shell at a position along the focal distance with the dielectric lens included at the inner center of this dielectric shell. The device is provided, at the focal point of the dielectric lens, with a reflector for reflecting an electromagnetic wave or a generator for generating an electromagnetic wave.

Abstract: A transmissive phase plate with a function of correcting direction of polarization of light rays in an incident divergent or convergent light flux in addition to functions as a wave plate. Conditions of polarization of incident light rays are corrected by a polarization-correcting optical multi-layer coating which is formed by alternately depositing a high refractivity layer and a low refractivity layer on curved substrative surface of a predetermined radius of curvature. The transmissive phase plate can be applied to correct conditions of polarization of incident light rays of a polarized beam splitter for the purpose of improving contrast ratio of a projection display.

Abstract: An apparatus for shifting the frequency of light comprises a modulator comprising one or more light-reflective elements. The elements are arranged in N groups that are interleaved along the surface of the modulator. The elements are deflected in time in a periodic sawtooth or sinusoidal N-phase manner. The frequency shift can be varied continuously and quickly. Such a modulator may be operated at zero frequency shift, to produce an optical phase shift.

Abstract: An optical reader system is described herein that uses a scanned optical beam to interrogate a biosensor to determine if a biomolecular binding event occurred on a surface of the biosensor. In one embodiment, the optical reader system includes a light source, a detector and a processor (e.g., computer, DSP). The light source outputs an optical beam which is scanned across a moving biosensor and while this is happening the detector collects the optical beam which is reflected from the biosensor. The computer processes the collected optical beam and records the resulting raw spectral or angle data which is a function of a position (and possibly time) on the biosensor. The processor can then analyze the raw data to create a spatial map of resonant wavelength (peak position) or resonant angle which indicates whether or not a biomolecular binding event occurred on the biosensor. Several other uses of the raw data are also described herein.