Abstract: A waveguide image combiner is used to transmit a monochrome or full-color image in an augmented reality display. The combiner uses multiple stacked waveguides, each having top and bottom substrates. The combiner also uses multiple pairs of incoupling and outcoupling VHOEs, which are sandwiched between the top and bottom substrates, to expand a first FOV and an image expander to expand the second or perpendicular FOV. This suitably provides an expanded FOV that offers a diagonal FOV?50°, a horizontal FOV?40 and a vertical FOV?25°. The combiner also delivers a large horizontal eye box up to 20 mm and a vertical eye box of 10 mm while maintaining high light efficiency of the real scene (e.g. >80%). The system is able to use a light engine based on broadband (10 nm????40 nm) LEDs and maintain a large horizontal field of view and high transmission of the real imagery.

Abstract: Provided are an optical device and a method of outputting light using the optical device. The optical device includes a waveguide, a first diffraction grating receiving at least a portion of light incident on the waveguide and a second diffraction grating receiving a light diffracted from the first diffraction grating, wherein the first diffraction grating and the second diffraction grating are provided in or on the waveguide, the light diffracted from the first diffraction grating is diffracted, in three-dimensional directions, from the second diffraction grating, and at least a portion of the light diffracted in the three-dimensional directions is output to an outside of the waveguide.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ablative production device and method for a periodic line structure on a workpiece. The device comprises a pulsed laser for generating ablative light, a phase mask arranged in the beam path of the ablative light, imaging optics arranged on an optical axis and a holder to hold the workpiece in an image plane. The phase mask produces a plurality of equidistant parallel lines in an object plane by interference and suppresses an order of diffraction parallel to the optical axis. The optical axis is perpendicular to the object plane. The imaging optics comprises a cylindrical lens, which is aligned in parallel to the lines and is designed to image the object plane into the image plane.

Abstract: An image display optical apparatus and an image generating method thereof are disclosed. The image display optical apparatus includes a substrate arranged as at least one layer, at least one first diffractive element located on one side of the substrate and which receives a beam, and a plurality of second diffractive elements arranged at predetermined intervals on the substrate and which output beams diffracted by the at least one first diffractive element and guided through the substrate.

Abstract: A point-by-point design method for off-axis aspheric optical system, in which feature light rays from different field angles and aperture coordinates are considered. Some of the feature data points are calculated first and surface fitted into an initial aspheric surface. Then, intermediate point calculations, feature data point calculations, and aspheric surface fitting were repeated continuously to calculate remaining feature data points and the desired aspheric surface are repeated continuously to calculate remaining feature data points and a desired aspheric surface. A least-squares method with a local search algorithm is used for aspheric surface fitting and deviations in both the coordinates and normals are used to reduce error.

Abstract: An optical system comprises an optically transmissive substrate comprising a metasurface which comprises a grating comprising a plurality of unit cells. Each unit cell comprises a laterally-elongated first nanobeam having a first width; and a laterally-elongated second nanobeam spaced apart from the first nanobeam by a gap, the second nanobeam having a second width larger than the first width. A pitch of the unit cells is 10 nm to 1 ?m. The heights of the first and the second nanobeams are: 10 nm to 450 nm where a refractive index of the substrate is more than 3.3; and 10 nm to 1 ?m where the refractive index is 3.3 or less.

Abstract: Architectures are provided for selectively incoupling one or more streams of light from a multiplexed light stream into a waveguide. The multiplexed light stream can have light with different characteristics (e.g., different wavelengths and/or different polarizations). The waveguide can comprise in-coupling elements that can selectively couple one or more streams of light from the multiplexed light stream into the waveguide while transmitting one or more other streams of light from the multiplexed light stream.

Abstract: Techniques for optimizing light output profiles in display systems are described. A light output profile is defined in relation to a plurality of sample locations on an illuminated surface. Point spread functions that satisfy illumination performance values specified in the light output profile in aggregate are computed or derived. A design process that adds or removes optical components to a display light assembly derives an optimal design of a light illumination layer for display systems. Relationships and parameter values determined in the design process may be configured into display systems along with the optical components for the purpose of generating optimized light output profiles in the display systems.

Abstract: A photonics integrated device for coupling radiation using flood illumination is disclosed. The photonic integrated device comprises an integrated waveguide, a coupler grating at the surface of the device for coupling radiation from said flood illumination towards the integrated waveguide, and a grating for blocking, reflecting or redirecting radiation away from the coupler grating at the surface of the device. The grating for blocking, reflecting or redirecting radiation away from the coupler grating thereby is positioned relative to the coupler grating so as to prevent at least some radiation from said flood illumination, impinging at the grating for blocking, reflecting or redirecting radiation away from the coupler grating and thus impinging at a position of said surface away from the coupling grating, from being reflected within the device towards the coupler grating.

Abstract: A projection optical system (10) projects from a first image plane (5) on a reducing side to a second image plane (6) on an enlargement side. The projection optical system (10) includes a first optical system (11) that includes a plurality of lenses and forms a first intermediate image (51) formed inside the first optical system (11) by light incident from the reducing side into a second intermediate image (52) on the enlargement side of the first optical system (11); a second optical system (12) that includes a first reflective surface (M1) with positive refractive power which is positioned further to the enlargement side than the second intermediate image (52); and a glass block (30) that is disposed between the first optical system (11) and the first reflective surface (M1), the glass block (30) passing light rays from the first optical system (11) to the second intermediate image (52).

Abstract: A wavelength selective switch for selectively switching optical wavelength components of an optical signal uses both LCoS and MEMs switching technologies to improve device performance. Specific performance improvements may include more ports, better spectral performance and isolation, improved dynamic crosstalk, more flexible attenuation options, integrated channel monitoring and compressed switch heights.

Abstract: Disclosed is a diffraction microscopy capable of reducing influence of an increase in the incident angle range of a beam. Specifically disclosed is a diffraction microscopy in which a beam is incident on a sample, in which the intensity of a diffraction pattern from the sample is measured, and in which an image of an object is rebuilt using Fourier interactive phase retrieval on the basis of the measured intensity of the diffraction pattern. In this method, Fourier interactive phase retrieval is performed using deconvolution on the diffraction pattern subjected to convolution by the increase in the incident angle range of the beam.

Abstract: A projection display 210 arranged to display an image to an observer 212 use waveguide techniques to generate a display defining a large exit pupil at the point of the observer 212 and a large field of view, while using a small image-providing light source device. The projection display 210 uses two parallel waveguides 214, 216 made from a light transmissive material. One waveguide 214 stretches the horizontal pupil of the final display and the other waveguide 216 stretches the vertical pupil of the final display and acts as a combiner through which the observer 212 views an outside world scene 220 and the image overlaid on the scene 220. In a color display, each primary color is transmitted within a separate channel R, G, B.

Abstract: A microstructure manufacturing method includes: preparing a mold having on a front side thereof a plurality of fine structures, with conductivity being imparted to a bottom portion between the plurality of fine structures; forming a first plating layer between the plurality of fine structures by plating the bottom portion; and forming a second plating layer of larger stress than the first plating layer on the first plating layer between the plurality of fine structures, wherein the stress of the second plating layer is used to curve a back side surface of the mold.

Abstract: A grating sheet, a LCD device and methods for manufacturing the grating sheet and a liquid crystal display panel are provided. The grating sheet comprises a plurality of primary color gratings in parallel, each of which comprises a red R sub-grating, a green G sub-grating and a blue B sub-grating in parallel, and each sub-grating comprises an opening area and a reflective region disposed around the opening area and corresponds to a pixel unit on a sub-array substrate. The grating sheet, the liquid crystal display panel and methods for manufacturing the grating sheet and a liquid crystal display panel may be applicable to a system with a liquid crystal display.

Abstract: A system including a plurality of actuation devices with each individual actuation device configured to be manipulatable, a control panel, a plurality of diffraction gratings located on a back side of the control panel, each respective diffraction grating is configured to be in communication with at least one actuation device so that the respective diffraction grating is moved from a first position to at least one other position when the at least one actuation device is manipulated, a lighting device configured to illuminate the plurality of diffraction gratings, an imaging device configured to capture an image of the plurality of diffraction gratings, and a processor configured to convert the image into a discrete value, the discrete value being evaluated to determine which of the at least one actuation device is manipulated, how the manipulation reflects operation of the control panel, or to provide a response indicative of the manipulation.

Abstract: An optical scanner is configured such that an anamorphic condensing lens in an incident optical system has a diffractive lens structure at least in one lens surface thereof, and a length of an optical path increased by the diffractive lens structure ? [rad] is defined by an equation below by a function of height h from an optical axis: ?(h)=M(P2·h2+P4·h4+ . . . ), where Pn is a coefficient of an nth-order term of the height h (n is an even number), and M is a diffraction order, that the lens satisfies the following relations: ?216?P2??49, 1100?P4·(hm max)4/(fm·NAm4)?3800, and 10?fm?35, where hmmax [mm] is an effective diameter in the main scanning direction, fm [mm] is a focal length in the main scanning direction, and NAm is a numerical aperture in the main scanning direction, and that a wavefront aberration WFE1 [?rms] in a first wavelength ?1 [nm] satisfies the following relation: WFE1?0.01.

Abstract: Objects are to obtain a highly accurate diffraction element that may prevent an intensity decrease of a light beam entering a light receiving unit without a decrease in diffraction efficiency and without a problem of flare or the like, a manufacturing method for the diffraction element, and a spectrometer using the same. A diffraction element (2) includes a diffraction grating formed on a substrate having a curved surface. In the diffraction element (2), the curved surface (3) has an anamorphic shape formed by pivoting a curved line (I) in a plane about a straight line (II) in the same plane serving as a rotation axis, and gratings (10a) of the diffraction grating (10) exist in cross sections orthogonal to the rotation axis.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, an optical pickup for writing and reading data on an optical storage medium comprises a diffractive element for diffracting a light beam to split it into multiple light beams. The diffracted light beams includes a zero-order diffracted light beam for writing data on a track of the land or the groove of the optical storage medium and non-zero-order diffracted light beams for reading the data from the track. The diffractive element has first and second diffraction gratings that have mutually different grating vector directions and pitches. The first diffraction grating forms light beam spots on the same track by the non-zero-order and zero-order diffracted light beams. The second diffraction grating forms a light beam spot to extend to both sides of said track, or forms a light beam spot on one side of said track, by the non-zero-order diffracted light beams.

Abstract: An EUV projection lens includes a substrate and concentric diffraction patterns on the substrate. The concentric diffraction patterns have an out-of phase height with respect to EUV light and include a material through which the EUV light has a transmittance higher than about 50% at the out-of phase height. The EUV projection lens has a high first order diffraction light efficiency and an optic system having the EUV projection lens has a high resolution.

Abstract: Enhanced reflectivity High-Contrast Gratings are described which operate in different medium. An HCG is described with a deep/buried metallization layer separated at a distance of least three to four grating thicknesses from the grating. Reflective bandwidth of the HCG is substantially increased, such as by a factor or five, by inclusion of the deep/buried metallization layer. An HCG is described which provides high reflectivity, even when embedded into materials of a moderate to high index of refraction, such as semiconductor material. Vertical cavity surface emitting laser embodiments are described which utilize these reflectivity enhancements, and preferably utilize HCG reflectors for top and/or bottom mirrors.

Abstract: To enable an imaging apparatus to achieve high resolution and sufficient color reproducibility. A diffraction grating 1 is provided on the incident light side of a spectral image sensor 10, the diffraction grating 1 including scatterers such as scatterers 3, slits 5, and scatterers 7 which are disposed in that order. An electromagnetic wave is scattered by the scatterers to produce diffracted waves, and by using the fact that interference patterns between the diffracted waves change with wavelengths, signals are detected for respective wavelengths by photoelectric conversion elements 12B, 12G, and 12R in each photodiode group 12.

Abstract: A projection-type display apparatus that projects an image on a screen and performs image display includes at least one laser source that emits a coherent light beam, an illuminating optics that propagates the light beam emitted from the laser source into a predetermined optical path to guide the light beam to the screen, a reflective optical modulator that forms the image to be displayed on the screen on an illuminated surface illuminated by the light beam guided by the illuminating optics, and a projection optics that magnifies and projects the image formed on the illuminated surface of the reflective optical modulator on the screen. The illuminating optics includes a diffusion device, which diffuses the propagated light beam, and is arranged on a light propagation path near a conjugated position with the reflective optical modulator.

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: Provided is a light-emitting apparatus in which light extraction efficiency of a light-emitting device is improved and viewing angle dependency of an emission color is reduced. The light-emitting apparatus includes a cavity structure and a periodic structure. When guided-wave light is diffracted by the periodic structure in a direction that forms an angle which is larger than 90° and smaller than 180° relative to a guided-wave direction of an optical waveguide in the cavity structure, a wavelength of the diffracted light becomes longer as the diffraction angle increases.

Abstract: A polarizing mirror device including an optical substrate (1) of real refractive index ns; a dielectric multilayer mirror (2), composed of dielectric layers of low and high refractive index; and a corrugated grating layer (6) of local period ? at the side of a cover medium of refractive index nc.

Abstract: A diffraction grating having a transparent supporting substrate; and a cured resin layer which is stacked on the transparent supporting substrate and which has concavities and convexities formed on a surface thereof, wherein when a Fourier-transformed image is obtained by performing two-dimensional fast Fourier transform processing on a concavity and convexity analysis image obtained by analyzing a shape of the concavities and convexities formed on the surface of the cured resin layer by use of an atomic force microscope, the Fourier-transformed image shows a circular or annular pattern substantially centered at an origin at which an absolute value of wavenumber is 0 ?m?1, and the circular or annular pattern is present within a region where an absolute value of wavenumber is within a range of 10 ?m?1 or less.

Abstract: A tunable filter is provided.

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: 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: An optical element includes a diffraction function layer for diffracting at least a part of incident light and a grid disposed on a first surface of the diffraction function layer and including a plurality of wires. The first surface includes a plurality of first areas and a plurality of second areas. The first areas and the second areas are different from each other in a height from a second surface of the diffraction function layer as a surface opposite to the first surface. Steps are provided on boundaries between the first areas and the second areas.

Abstract: To provide an optical gating system capable of performing single-shot, parallel, and ultrafast gating equal to or less than a subpicosecond, without depending on coherence. The optical gating system converts signal light to spatial characteristic signal light whose intensity distribution has spatial periodicity, and emits the spatial characteristic signal light to a gate region (13) so as to be obliquely incident on the gate region (13). In a closed state in an opening and closing operation of the gate region (13), a closed moiré fringe pattern (graph 11) is created in the gate region (13) by overlaying the spatial characteristic signal light and spatial characteristic closed light acting in a direction in which an intensity of the spatial characteristic signal light is decreased in the gate region (13).

Abstract: A reflective metrological scale has a metal tape substrate and a scale pattern of elongated side-by-side marks surrounded by reflective surface areas of the substrate. Each mark has a furrowed cross section and may have a depth in the range of 0.5 to 2 microns. The central region of each mark may be rippled and darkened to provide an enhanced optical reflection ratio with respect to surrounding surface areas. A manufacturing method includes the repeated steps of (1) creating a scale mark by irradiating the substrate surface at a mark location with overlapped pulses from a laser, each pulse having an energy density of less than about 1 joule per cm2, and (2) changing the relative position of the laser and the substrate by a displacement amount defining a next mark location on the substrate at which a next mark of the scale is to be created.

Abstract: A software product includes instructions stored on computer-readable media, that when executed by a computer, perform steps for optimizing an optical system design and a digital system design. The instructions are for simulating an optical model of the optical system design, simulating a digital model of the digital system design, analyzing simulated output of the optical model and simulated output of the digital model, to produce a score, modifying the optical model and the digital model, based upon the score, controlling re-execution of the instructions for simulating the optical model, the instructions for simulating the digital model, the instructions for analyzing and the instructions for modifying to produce an optimized optical model and an optimized digital model, and outputting predicted performance of the optimized optical and digital models.

Abstract: A color-mixing laser module is disclosed, which is comprised of a laser unit capable of emitting red, blue and green laser beams; a beam combiner, for receiving and converging the laser beams emitted from the laser unit and then directing the converged laser light to illuminate on a light pattern adjusting unit; and the light pattern adjusting unit, capable of receiving the converged laser light from the beam combiner for adjusting the pattern of the same.

Abstract: An optical pickup which includes first to third light sources each emitting a light beam each having a first to third wavelength; an objective lens condensing each of the light beams emitted from the light sources on a signal recording face of an optical disc; a collimator lens provided between the light sources and the objective lens to convert a divergent angle of each of the light beams emitted from the light sources so as to obtain a parallel light beam; and a diffractive optical element provided between the collimator lens and the objective lens. The diffractive optical element includes first and second diffractive parts which respectively diffract the light beam having the second wavelength and the third wavelength. The second diffractive part has a diffraction structure formed by a plurality of concentric ring zones, having first to fourth optical faces, each having a different height in an optical axis direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical mask at low cost and so on having a structure capable of reducing further a peak of beam intensity caused by diffraction. The optical mask is constructed by overlapping a first mask and a second mask. The first mask and second mask each are a serrated aperture mask. The schematic shapes of the respective apertures of the first mask and second mask are almost rectangular and identical to each other. The fringe defining the aperture of the first mask is machined in a serrated shape, and the fringe defining the aperture of the second mask also is machined in a serrated shape. In the optical mask, the first mask and second mask are overlapped so that the serrations of the fringes defining the respective apertures of the first mask and second mask are located alternately.

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 virtual input element image projection apparatus couples a suitable lens and an optical element to increase the diverging angle of a virtual input element image or generate a plurality of portions of the virtual input element image that are coupled to form the complete virtual input element image without reducing diffraction efficiency. The projection distance for generating the virtual input element image may also be shortened.

Abstract: The invention provides an image projection system including a first light source and a second light source. Light from the first light source is limited to a finite number of limited wavelength intervals. An imaging device is adapted for modulating light from the first and second light sources. A beam combiner is provided to combine light from the light sources and direct the combined light to the imaging device. Modulated light from the imaging device is directed to a lens.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method including: (i) dispersing frequency components of an input EM waveform along a first direction with each frequency component spatially extended along a second direction different from the first direction; (ii) setting an amplitude for an output portion of each of the spatially extended frequency components; and (iii) combining the output portions from the different frequency components to produce a temporally shaped output EM waveform, wherein setting the amplitude of each output portion comprises diffracting a corresponding input portion for the spatially extended frequency component along the second direction into different diffraction orders, wherein the combined output portions correspond to a common diffraction order. A system for performing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a raster scanning-type display device using a diffractive optical modulator. The raster scanning-type display device includes an optical illumination unit, a diffractive optical modulator, and a projection unit. The optical illumination unit radiates light, which is emitted from a light source, in a spot beam form. The diffractive optical modulator causes an element to modulate the spot beam incident from the optical illumination unit, and generate diffracted light whose intensity is adjusted and which has a plurality of diffraction orders. The projection unit generates an image by projecting the diffracted light incident from the diffractive optical modulator onto a screen in a scanning spot beam form and performing raster scanning in which horizontal scanning and vertical scanning are alternated.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a dynamic optical tag communication system is provided which includes high and low index CCR, both having a modulator, such as TCFP-MQWs on a first side of the CCR configured to modulate in a first temperature range, and a modulator on a second side of the CCR to modulate in a second temperature range. In some embodiments another high index CCR having corresponding first and second temperature range modulators is provided. In some embodiments, a CCR may have three modulators, such as MQWs, one configured to modulate in a first temperature range, another to modulate in a second temperature range, and yet another to modulate in a third temperature range. In some embodiments, a dynamic optical tag communication system has CCRs which include a high index CCR having a DDG modulator and a low index CCR having a DDG modulator.

Abstract: A system, method and software product to optimize optical and/or digital system designs. An optical model of the optical system design is generated. A digital model of the digital system design is generated. Simulated output of the optical and digital models is analyzed to produce a score. The score is processed to determine whether the simulated output achieves one or more goals. One or more properties of at least one of the optical model and the digital model is modified if the goals are not achieved. The analyzing, processing and modifying is repeated until the goals are achieved, and an optimized optical system design and optimized digital system design are generated from the optical and digital models.

Abstract: Described is an optical device for combining multiple light sources in an optical projection system. One embodiment of the optical device includes at least two light sources having first and second wavelengths, and an optical element for substantially diffracting the first and second wavelengths of the two light sources and combining them into a single beam of light.

Abstract: An optical structure enabling properties of the surface plasmons to be used is defined from a substantially binary, parameterizable unit pattern ME. The parameters a, b, c, d and hg of the pattern are chosen so as to maximize the complex amplitudes of the first two harmonics of the complex Fourier series describing the pattern ME. This structure is advantageously used in combination with a photodetector, an infrared or Terahertz optical wave emitter, or a field emission device.

Abstract: An image display apparatus includes an indicating element which modulates or emits light as a pixel in accordance with image information. A displacement unit optically displaces a position of the pixel for each of two or more sub-fields constituting an image field corresponding to the image information. A projection unit enlarges the pixel and projects an enlarged pixel on a screen. A pixel-profile deformation unit changes an optical intensity profile of the pixel.

Abstract: A beam shaping element includes a set of diffraction gratings on each surface thereof, in such a manner that intervals between the gratings farer from a vicinity of an optical axis and nearer to a periphery are narrower, wherein each interval between the respective gratings monotonously increases or monotonously decreases along a direction in which each grating-shaped pattern extends. According to the arrangement above, it is possible to correct displacement of a light emitting point of a light source by simply performing a positional adjustment within a plane that is orthogonal to the optical axis. Thus, it is possible to provide the beam shaping element that enables to correct the displacement of the light emitting point of the light source simply by performing positional adjustment in the plane vertical to the optical axis, thereby making it unnecessary to perform positional adjustment along the optical axis direction, and to provide a light source unit and an optical pickup using the beam shaping element.

Abstract: A single lens element used for converting a divergent pencil of rays, radiated from a light source, into a predetermined convergent state, wherein the single lens element is made from a resin and has a positive optical power due to a refraction effect and a positive optical power due to a diffraction effect, the diffraction effect is based on a diffraction structure formed on at least one of an incident side surface and an exit side surface of the single lens element, and the following expressions are satisfied: 0.1<NA<0.3 0.4<T/f<0.75 2.2<fr/f<3 here, f is a focal length of the entire single lens element, fr is a focal length due to the refraction effect of the single lens element, T is a thickness of the single lens element on an optical axis, and NA is a numerical aperture of a single lens element at an incident side.