Abstract: The design method for complex electromagnetic materials is expanded from form-invariant coordinate transformations of Maxwell's equations to finite embedded coordinate transformations. Embedded transformations allow the transfer of electromagnetic field manipulations from the transformation-optical medium to another medium, thereby allowing the design of structures that are not exclusively invisible. A topological criterion for the reflectionless design of complex media is also disclosed and is illustrated in conjunction with the topological criterion to design a parallel beam shifter and a beam splitter with unconventional electromagnetic behavior.

Abstract: A monolithic or hybrid integrated optical information processor or optical information processing system having a plurality of non-quadratic phase optical elements, at least one LED array, and plurality of light modulating array elements, each controlled by respective control signals, the system arranged so that each light modulating array element lies in a different plane. In some implementations, at least a portion of the resulting system is implemented in a stack of component materials. In an implementation, an LED array is used as an image source and another LED array is used as an image sensor to transform the processed image into an electrical output.

Abstract: A method of optical element manufacturing, the method may include selecting a range of a misfocus parameter ?; and designing the optical element to include multiple regions, wherein the optical transfer function (OTF) of the optical element allows, for the range of the misfocus parameter .psi., transmission of images with a contrast of at least 10% for all normalized spatial frequencies up to 50% of a theoretical maximum that is attainable with a full aperture in an in-focus condition.

Abstract: A monolithic or hybrid integrated optical information processor employing a plurality of controllable optical transfer functions at fractional Fourier planes between two optical imaging elements is described. The arrangement can be used to realize or closely approximate arbitrary non-positive-definite transfer functions of spatially-varying amplitude and phase. In various implementations, one or both of the optical imaging elements can comprise a lens or graded-index material. In some implementations, at least a portion of the arrangement is implemented in the form of a stack. Graded index material may lie between consecutive light modulating array elements. The controllable plurality of optical transfer functions are employed to create a controllable optical processor which can be used for image filtering and optical computations using complex-valued optical signal arithmetic. An image sensor may be included to transform the processed image into electrical output.

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 hologram reproducing apparatus includes a first reference light path leading laser light from a laser light source so that a hologram recording medium is irradiated with first reference light; a diffracted light path leading diffracted light, generated from the hologram recording medium by irradiation with the first reference light, to a light receiving element having a plurality of pixels; and a second reference light path leading second reference light, having the same polarization direction as that of the diffracted light, from the laser light source to the light receiving element. The second reference light path is provided with a phase modulating element so that the phase difference between the diffracted light and the second reference light in a light receiving surface of the light receiving element is adjusted within a predetermined range.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a projection device for holographic reconstruction of scenes, said device comprising at least one light modulator device and at least one light source which emits sufficiently coherent light for the generation of a wave front of a scene, which is encoded in the light modulator device. A Fourier transform (FT) of the light which is emitted by the light source and modulated by the light modulator device is projected by a projection means on to a screen. Further, the wave front which is encoded on the light modulator device is projected by the projection means into at least one virtual observer window in an observer plane. For tracking the observer window according to a change in an eye position of the at least one observer, the inventive device comprises at least one deflection means, which is disposed between the light modulator device and the screen.

Abstract: The observing apparatus is being equipped with an image-forming optical system which forms an image of light emitted from a specimen, an imaging unit which picks up the image of the specimen formed by the image-forming optical system, and an illuminating unit which illuminates the specimen with a surface illuminant in which bright areas and dark areas are arranged alternately in order to provide an observing apparatus suitable to observe a transparent specimen with a wide field of view. If the position of the surface illuminant and the pitch of contrasting are set properly, each partial area of the specimen is illuminated obliquely at a small angle by each bright area of the surface illuminant. Therefore, the imaging unit can acquire a dark-field observation image of each partial area.

Abstract: An acoustic hologram imaging system constructed from a machined housing having folded optics. Various surfaces of the housing are machined to provide a precise alignment to the optical members to be connected thereto, such as a mirror, a lens assembly, a light emitting laser diode, a camera, and the like. A three-part lens is described having different materials with different indexes of refraction in order to provide a desired focus of the light. In addition, an optical spatial filter is disclosed in which, according to various embodiments, all, some, or none of the light passing therethrough is attenuated for recording of the optical image of the hologram.

Abstract: A light scanning apparatus includes a scanner 104 which scans a coherent light beam from a light source 101 , a light beam component generator 110 which divides the coherent light beam outgoing from the scanner 104 into a plurality of light beam components, and an optical system 105 which collects the plurality of light beam components so that they are incident on a scan surface 106 at an incident angle different from each other, and superposes the light beam components at an identical position on the scan surface.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, a method is provided for determining aberration data for an optical system. The method comprises collecting a data signal, and generating a pre-transformation algorithm. The data is pre-transformed by multiplying the data with the pre-transformation algorithm. A discrete Fourier transform of the pre-transformed data is performed in an iterative loop. The method further comprises back-transforming the data to generate aberration data.

Abstract: A touch screen that employs a lens-less linear IR sensor array and an IR light source from a single location at the periphery of the screen to illuminate one or more objects proximate to the screen surface and detect light reflected from such objects. The sensor array is paired with a proximal grid-like barrier/reflector to create Moiré patterns on the sensor array. Digital signal processing converts such patterns into discrete Fourier transforms. The peaks of the lower order discrete Fourier spectrum as well as the complex phases of the lower order peaks can be used to determine the locations of the objects proximal to the screen accurately. A small number of pressure or surface acoustic sensors at the periphery of the screen are utilized to improve positioning reliability by providing redundant positioning information and registering physical contacts with the screen.

Abstract: A shape measuring device includes: a slit pattern projection unit (1) for projecting a slit light onto a test object (20); an imaging lens (3) and a plane parallel plate (4) for forming a plurality of slit images, which is generated when the slit light is reflected by the object (20), separated in a direction perpendicular to a slit base line direction; an imaging unit (5) for picking up the plurality of slit images and generating a plurality of slit picture images; an XYZ stage drive unit (12) for relatively moving the slit light and the test object (20) in a direction different from the slit base line direction of the slit light; a slit picture image selection unit (8) for comparing the brightness of each pixel of slit picture image on the slit base line direction, and selecting a slit picture image having an optimum brightness to determine the shape of the test object (20) on the slit base line direction, and acquiring image data to determine the shape of the test object (20); and a shape computing unit (9

Abstract: A monolithic or hybrid integrated optical information processor employing a plurality of controllable optical transfer functions at fractional Fourier planes between two optical imaging elements is described. The arrangement can be used to realize or closely approximate arbitrary non-positive-definite transfer functions of spatially-varying amplitude and phase. In various implementations, one or both of the optical imaging elements can comprise a lens or graded-index material. In some implementations, at least a portion of the arrangement is implemented in the form of a stack. Graded index material may lie between consecutive light modulating array elements. The controllable plurality of optical transfer functions are employed to create a controllable optical processor which can be used for image filtering and optical computations using complex-valued optical signal arithmetic. An image sensor may be included to transform the processed image into electrical output.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electromagnetic beam converter and a method for conversion of an input beam of electromagnetic radiation having a bell shaped intensity profile a(x,y) into an output beam having a prescribed target intensity profile I(x?,y?) based on a further development of the generalized phase contrast method.

Abstract: Processing image information includes receiving light having image information. A first optical transform is performed on the light to yield a first optically transformed light, and a second optical transform is performed on the light to yield a second optically transformed light. A first metric is generated in accordance with the first optically transformed light, and a second metric is generated in accordance with the second optically transformed light. The first metric and the second metric are processed to yield a processed metric. An inverse optical transform is performed on the processed metric to process the image information of the light.

Abstract: A monolithic or hybrid integrated optical information processor or optical information processing system having at least one LED array and plurality of light modulating array elements, each controlled by respective control signals, and arranged so that each light modulating array element lies in a different fractional Fourier transform plane. In some implementations, at least a portion of the resulting system is implemented in a stack of element materials. In an implementation, a segment of graded index material lies between consecutive light modulating array elements. In an implementation, an LED array is used as an image source and another LED array is used as an image sensor to transform the processed image into an electrical output.

Abstract: A monolithic or hybrid integrated optical information processor or optical information processing system having at least one LED array and plurality of light modulating array elements, each controlled by respective control signals, and arranged so that each light modulating array element lies in a different fractional Fourier transform plane. In some implementations, at least a portion of the resulting system is implemented in a stack of element materials. In an implementation, a segment of graded index material lies between consecutive light modulating array elements. In an implementation, an LED array is used as an image source and another LED array is used as an image sensor to transform the processed image into an electrical output.

Abstract: A method and system for synthesizing controllable light beams includes a spatially modulated light source that generates electromagnetic radiation with a set of replicas of a predetermined symbol, s, positioned at desired positions (xs, ys) in an object plane o(x, y) intersecting, preferably perpendicular to, the direction of propagation of the electromagnetic radiation, and having spatial amplitudes a(x-xs, y-ys), spatial phases ?(x-xs, y-ys), and spatial polarisation vectors p(x-xs, y-ys), a Fourier transforming lens for Fourier transforming the electromagnetic radiation, a first spatial light modulator for phase shifting the transformed electromagnetic radiation with the phase ??(u, v) of S*, S* the complex conjugate of the transformed symbol, a Fourier transforming lens for Inverse Fourier transforming the spatially modulated radiation, a set of light beams are formed propagating through the inverse Fourier plane (x?, y?) at desired positions (x?s, y?s), and a controller for controlling the position of a

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical resonator, laser apparatus and a method of generating a laser beam inside an optical resonator. The optical resonator (10) includes an optical cavity (12) and an optical element (104.1, 104.2) at either end there-of, operable to sustain a light beam (108) therein, characterised in that each optical element (104.1, 104.2) is a phase-only optical element operable to alter a mode of the beam (108) as it propagates along the length of the optical resonator (10), such that in use the beam (108) at one end of the optical resonator (10) has a Gaussian profile while the beam (108) at the other end of the optical resonator (10) has a non-Gaussian profile.

Abstract: Optical devices for guiding illumination are provided each having a body of optical material with staircase or acutely angled ramp structures on its top surface for distributing light inputted from one end of the device from the front exit faces of such structures along certain angular orientations, while at least a substantial portion of the light is totally internally reflected within the body until distributed from such front exit faces. Optical devices are also provided each have a body of optical material having a bottom surface with acutely angled ramp structures and falling structures which alternate with each other, such that light is totally internally reflected within the device until reflected by such ramp structures along the bottom surface to exit the top surface of the device or transmitted through the ramp structures to an adjacent falling structure back into the device.

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: Methods and systems for Airy waves and Airy wavepackets or Airy beam generation from an input beam or pulse. Airy wavefronts and Airy wavepackets can be generated using Airy beam generation through Fourier synthesis using phase masks or filters in the spatial domain; Airy beam generation using amplitude and phase filters in the spatial domain; and Airy pulse generation through Fourier synthesis using phase and/or amplitude filters in the temporal frequency domain. The Airy waves are highly asymmetric and as a result their energy is more tightly confined in one quadrant thus increasing the energy density in the main lobes. These wavepackets can be one, two, and three-dimensional waves. In addition they tend to self-heal themselves which is important in adverse environments.

Abstract: An imaging system is presented for imaging objects within a field of view of the system. The imaging system comprises an imaging lens arrangement, a light detector unit at a certain distance from the imaging lens arrangement, and a control unit connectable to the output of the detection unit. The imaging lens arrangement comprises an imaging lens and an optical element located in the vicinity of the lens aperture, said optical element introducing aperture coding by an array of regions differently affecting a phase of light incident thereon which are randomly distributed within the lens aperture, thereby generating an axially-dependent randomized phase distribution in the Optical Transfer Function (OTF) of the imaging system resulting in an extended depth of focus of the imaging system. The control unit is configured to decode the sampled output of the detection unit by using the random aperture coding to thereby extract 3D information of the objects in the field of view of the light detector unit.

Abstract: There is provided a light source unit which includes a luminescent light source which receives excitation light so as to emit light of a predetermined wavelength band, excitation light sources which shine excitation light on to the luminescent light source, a reflection space having the luminescent light source in an interior thereof and an emission space which emits luminescent light source light emitted from the reflection space from an emission port whose area is made smaller than the area of the luminescent light source and a projector which employs the light source unit.

Abstract: A monolithic or hybrid integrated optical information processor or optical information processing system having at least one LED array and plurality of light modulating array elements, each controlled by respective control signals, and arranged so that each light modulating array element lies in a different fractional Fourier transform plane. In some implementations, at least a portion of the resulting system is implemented in a stack of element materials. In an implementation, a segment of graded index material lies between consecutive light modulating array elements. In an implementation, an LED array is used as an image source and another LED array is used as an image sensor to transform the processed image into an electrical output.

Abstract: A system and method for uniform light generation in projection display systems. An illumination source comprises a light source to produce colored light, and a scrolling optics unit optically coupled to the light source, the scrolling optics unit configured to create lines of colored light from the colored light, and to scroll the lines of colored light along a direction orthogonal to a light path of the illumination source. The scrolling optics unit comprises a single light shaping diffuser to transform the colored light into the lines of colored light, an optical filter positioned in the light path after the light shaping diffuser, and a scrolling optics element positioned in the light path after the optical filter. The single light shaping diffuser is capable of simultaneously transforming colored light into lines of colored light having substantially uniform intensity to provide uniform illumination.

Abstract: A system and method for locking the relative phase of multiple coherent optical signals, which compensates for optical phase changes induced by vibration or thermal changes in the environment.

Abstract: An electro-optic imaging system includes an aberrated triplet lens, a detector subsystem and a digital image processing subsystem. The triplet lens is not fully corrected for all aberrations (typically suffering from significant spherical aberration), with the digital image processing subsystem compensating for deficiencies in the triplet lens. In this way, an increased depth of field can be realized.

Abstract: A monolithic or hybrid integrated optical processor or optical processing system having a plurality of phase shifting array elements, each controlled by respective control signals, and arranged so that each phase shifting array element lies in a different fractional Fourier transform plane. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the resulting system is implemented in a stack of element materials. In one embodiment, a segment of graded index material lies between consecutive phase shifting array elements. Other features include obtaining images from an electronically-controllable image source, using an image sensor to change the processed image into an electrical output, and using at least one of the phase shifting array element to introduce a phase shift.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a light beam for use in a diffraction instrument (1) includes a device (10; 17; 28) for generating a light beam; and means (12, 21; 24) for shaping the light beam generated by the device (10; 17; 28), dimensioned, in use, to determine the beam shape, and including: an aperture (21; 25) and means (13; 24) for rejecting spatial frequency components above a certain range in the light beam. The apparatus further includes a spatial low-pass filter (14; 15; 26; 27) arranged to filter a beam provided by the beam shaping means.

Abstract: A spatial filtering device with narrow angular passband, characterized in that it comprises a photonic structure consisting of cylindrical elements distributed in the form of successive layers stacked along an axis Oz in a dielectric medium or in a vacuum, all the cylindrical elements being identical except for cylindrical elements of at least one layer consisting of cylindrical elements having a substantially smaller cross-sectional surface area than the cross-sectional area of the cylindrical elements of the layers surrounding it.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing an image of an object with a multi-slice imaging apparatus having a row of detectors are provided. The method includes generating a first partial image using projection data acquired at a first imaging position in a step-and-shoot imaging mode, generating a second partial image using projection data acquired at a second imaging position, and combining the partial images to form a final image.

Abstract: An imaging system is provided. The imaging system includes a point spread function (PSF) module producing a diffraction-limited image of a sample. A convolution module performs convolution of the diffraction-limited image with a first image of a focal spot having a first wavelength to produce a first simulated image. The convolution also performs convolution of the diffraction-limited image with a second image of a focal ring having a second wavelength to produce a second simulated image. A difference module subtracts said first simulated image and said second simulated image to produce said high resolution composite image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for synthesizing a prescribed three-dimensional electromagnetic field based on generalized phase contrast imaging. Such a method and apparatus may be utilized in advanced optical micro and nano-manipulation, such as by provision of a multiple-beam optical tweezer.

Abstract: A monolithic or hybrid integrated optical processor or optical processing system having a plurality of phase shifting array elements, each controlled by respective control signals, and arranged so that each phase shifting array element lies in a different fractional Fourier transform plane. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the resulting system is implemented in a stack of element materials. In one embodiment, a segment of graded index material lies between consecutive phase shifting array elements. Other features include obtaining images from an electronically-controllable image source, using an image sensor to change the processed image into an electrical output, and using at least one of the phase shifting array element to introduce a phase shift.

Abstract: An imaging system is presented for imaging objects within a field of view of the system. The imaging system comprises an imaging lens arrangement, a light detector unit at a certain distance from the imaging lens arrangement, and a control unit connectable to the output of the detection unit. The imaging lens arrangement comprises an imaging lens and an optical element located in the vicinity of the lens aperture, said optical element introducing aperture coding by an array of regions differently affecting a phase of light incident thereon which are randomly distributed within the lens aperture, thereby generating an axially-dependent randomized phase distribution in the Optical Transfer Function (OTF) of the imaging system resulting in an extended depth of focus of the imaging system. The control unit is configured to decode the sampled output of the detection unit by using the random aperture coding to thereby extract 3D information of the objects in the field of view of the light detector unit.

Abstract: A three-dimensional image display apparatus includes a light source and an optical system including a light modulation unit having pixels for generating a two-dimensional image by modulating light from the light source by the respective pixels and emitting a spatial frequency in the generated two-dimensional image along a diffraction angle corresponding to diffraction orders generated from the respective pixels, a Fourier transform image formation unit for performing Fourier transform on the spatial frequency in the two-dimensional image to generate Fourier transform images corresponding to the diffraction orders, a Fourier transform image selection unit for selecting a Fourier transform image corresponding to a desired diffraction order among the Fourier transform images, and a conjugate image formation unit for forming a conjugate image of the selected Fourier transform image, and further includes a semi-transmissive mirror for changing a light ray travelling direction emitted from the optical system.

Abstract: A monolithic or hybrid integrated optical processor or optical processing system having a plurality of light modulating array elements, each controlled by respective control signals, and arranged so that each light modulating array element lies in a different fractional Fourier transform plane. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the resulting system is implemented in a stack of element materials. In one embodiment, a segment of graded index material lies between consecutive light modulating array elements. Other features include obtaining images from an electronically-controllable image source, using an image sensor to change the processed image into an electrical output, and using at least one of the light modulating array element to introduce a phase shift.

Abstract: Optical devices for guiding illumination are provided each having a body of optical material with staircase or acutely angled ramp structures on its top surface for distributing light inputted from one end of the device from the front exit faces of such structures along certain angular orientations, while at least a substantial portion of the light is totally internally reflected within the body until distributed from such front exit faces. Optical devices are also provided each have a body of optical material having a bottom surface with acutely angled ramp structures and falling structures which alternate with each other, such that light is totally internally reflected within the device until reflected by such ramp structures along the bottom surface to exit the top surface of the device or transmitted through the ramp structures to an adjacent falling structure back into the device.

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

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

Abstract: A printing system includes a multiple-beam generator array configured to generate multiple beams. A collimator lens is positioned to receive the multiple beams, and an aperture stop is located where the multiple beams are spatially coincident with each other. A scanning optical system is positioned to receive the beams from the aperture stop, and a recording medium receives the beams from the scanning optical system. A filter is located where the multiple beams are spatially coincident with each other, whereby each of the multiple beams may be filtered by the supplied filter.

Abstract: Writing a diffractive structure is disclosed. A reference modulated beam is generated. An object modulated beam is generated. A diffractive structure is written using an interference between the reference modulated beam and the object modulated beam. A system for writing a diffractive structure comprises a reference generator for generating a reference modulated beam; an object generator for generating a object modulated beam; and a writer for writing a diffractive structure using an interference between the reference modulated beam and the object modulated beam.

Abstract: A security device for the identification or authentication of goods is described. It comprises a stochastic pattern comprising structures having an average lateral structure size d and arranged such that an image of at least a part of the security device, when treated through 2D Fourier transformation and calculation of a corresponding Power Spectrum Density, may lead to a peak, in a spatial-frequency domain, having a position in this domain correlated to d and a size distribution value w which, when inverted, is correlated to a size distribution of the structures. The value w according to the invention is smaller than 2/d, so that when directing a coherent light beam on at least part of the structures a ring-shaped scattering speckle pattern is formed, on the basis of which d and w may be calculated to implement identification or authentication of the device.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a reconfigurable spatial light modulator, a light source, and a transmission filter. The reconfigurable spatial light modulator is capable of producing spatially varying amplitude and/or phase modulations of an incident light wavefront. The light source is configured to direct an illumination light beam towards the reconfigurable spatial light modulator such that the modulator produces a modulated outgoing light beam there from. The transmission filter is configured to spatially filter a light pattern formed by the outgoing light beam and to selectively transmit light from substantially only one diffractive order of the light pattern.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image display method wherein an image display apparatus which includes a light source and an optical system is used, the optical system including, an optical modulation section, a Fourier transform image forming section, a Fourier transform image selection section, and a conjugate image forming section, the image forming method including, a step, carried out by the optical modulation section, of producing a two-dimensional image based on two-dimensional image data whose aberrations caused by the optical system are corrected.

Abstract: A method of verifying the authenticity of an object is disclosed. The method may include encoding a primary image, convolving the encoded primary image with a random code, generating thereby a first reference image, transforming the first reference image, and correlating the first reference image with a second reference image.

Abstract: A Fresnel lens of the prior art is split into two Fresnel lenses to allow easier control of the horizontal and vertical viewing angles. In a second embodiment, the Fresnel lens is entirely eliminated. Instead, the diffuser contains elliptical microstructures so that the diffusing cones in orthogonal directions are different, eliminating the need for a Fresnel lens to perform this function. To compensate for the absence of the light collimation provided by the Fresnel lens, a diffuser with spatially varying diffusing angles is used.

Abstract: Serrated Fourier filters and inspection systems are provided. One Fourier filter includes one or more blocking elements configured to block a portion of light from a wafer. The Fourier filter also includes periodic serrations formed on edges of the one or more blocking elements. The periodic serrations define a transition region of the one or more blocking elements. The periodic serrations are configured to vary transmission across the transition region such that variations in the transmission across the transition region are substantially smooth. One inspection system includes a Fourier filter configured as described above and a detector that is configured to detect light transmitted by the Fourier filter. Signals generated by the detector can be used to detect the defects on the wafer.