Abstract: An apparatus for handling a minute object such as a cell by using a holographic optical tweezers that comprises a laser light source 1, holographic plate 3 having a specified pattern to form a hologram with light emitted from the light source, and a transparent plate that holds a liquid including a minute object, wherein the holographic plate 3 is irradiated with laser light emitted from the laser light source 1, and the laser light passed through the holographic plate 3 is focused in a sample solution 7 held on the transparent plate 6 to form a hologram having a pattern according to the pattern of the holographic plate 3 in the sample solution 7.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for illuminating a sample. In one embodiment, this apparatus includes a laser for outputting an incident laser beam towards a sample and a first diffractive element having a plurality of diffraction pattern portions. The first diffractive element is movable so that each of its diffraction pattern portions can be selectively positioned in the incident beam's path and the diffraction pattern portions of the first diffractive element are designed to cause the incident beam to have different spatial illumination profiles at a pupil plane of the incident beam while reducing effects caused by the incident beam's coherence. The apparatus further includes an illumination profile element configured to spatially distribute light at an illumination plane of the incident beam and a plurality of illumination optical elements for directing the incident beam towards the sample.

Abstract: A system of visual authentication of digital media. A visual means is provided at the point of purchase for a user to verify that the source of software is genuine. An authentication image is embedded into a portion of a media. The authentication image is not visible to the naked eye. Embodiments of the invention further include a view port integrated in the packaging for the media. The viewing port includes a decoder lens that allows the user to see the hidden authentication image, marking the authenticity of the media.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes problems associated with switch isolation, noise and crosstalk suppression, insertion loss, spurious reflections, wavelength tolerance, and compactness that are present in varying degrees in other add/drop systems. The present invention includes devices or components that include, but are not limited to high efficiency switchable gratings.

Abstract: A diffractive optical element including a stack of first, second and third optical regions or a stack of first, second, third and fourth optical regions, a first relief pattern formed between the first and second optical regions, and a second relief patterns formed between the second and third or between the third and fourth optical regions. The first and second relief patterns have substantially identical pitch distributions and are substantially aligned in a direction of an optical axis. Depths of the first and second relief patterns are set such that a wavelength dependency of diffraction efficiency can be decreased over a wavelength range to be used. It is possible to manufacture in a simple manner at a low cost a diffractive optical element in which undesired flare and ghost are suppressed.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for writing Bragg gratings and a reflection unit used in the same capable of readily adjusting an incident angle of light radiated from a light source, in order to write Bragg gratings on a target object such as an optical fiber. In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to readily adjust the incident angle of light introduced into the target object using the reflection unit when the position of the target object changes or an interval between the Bragg gratings is adjusted.

Abstract: A diffractive optical element emits substantially zero order diffracted light when light with a wavelength of 0.35 ?m to 0.45 ?m is incident and emits substantially first-order diffracted light when light with a wavelength of 0.6 ?m to 0.7 ?m is incident. The diffractive optical element includes a substrate and a grating portion formed on the substrate. The grating portion has a step-wise cross section with any one of levels selected from four levels, five levels and six levels. The diffractive optical element emits substantially zero-order diffracted light when light with a first wavelength ?1 satisfying the relationship: 0.35 ?m??1?0.45 ?m is incident and emits substantially first-order diffracted light when light with a second wavelength ?2 satisfying the relationship: 0.6 ?m??2?0.7 ?m is incident.

Abstract: In a chromatic dispersion and dispersion slope compensating apparatus according to the present invention, a WDM light which has been angularly dispersed to a first direction by a VIPA plate, is angularly dispersed to a second direction vertical to the first direction by a diffraction grating, and optical signals of respective wavelengths output from the diffraction grating are reflected by any one of a plurality of three-dimensional mirrors having reflective surfaces of curved shapes different from each other, to be returned to the VIPA plate. Thus, with a simple control mechanism in which the plurality of three-dimensional mirrors are moved to only the second direction, an apparatus capable of variably compensating for the chromatic dispersion and the dispersion slope independent of each other can be provided.

Abstract: The invention includes an apparatus for modulating an optical signal. The apparatus includes a modulating mechanism comprising a plurality of modulating component arrays, each modulating component array comprising a plurality of modulating components, wherein adjacent ones of the plurality of modulating components in each modulating component array are separated by gaps, and wherein adjacent ones of the plurality of modulating component arrays are offset along a dispersion direction of an incident optical signal such that the gaps associated with the adjacent ones of the plurality of modulating component arrays are offset. In one embodiment, rows of the modulating components in the modulating component arrays are offset along the dispersion direction of the incident optical signal by a fraction of the modulating component pitch.

Abstract: A generator of duality modulated radiation, of which the irradiance, the wave intensity, or both, are varied from ordinarily equivalent levels, either for purposes of providing energy depleted or energy enriched radiation or for purpose of encoding an information signal. Various techniques are disclosed for restoring irradiance levels to “ordinary” levels, or for amplifying irradiance without affecting wave intensity. A communication system employing duality modulated radiation is also disclosed.

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.

Abstract: Methods of fabricating large size, high performance multilayer diffraction gratings having a thick substrate that take advantage of reactive ion etching during the fabrication process are provided herein. In one implementation, a method of making a multilayer diffraction grating comprises the steps of: providing a substrate having a thickness of at least 2.0 cm; applying a dielectric structure having a plurality of layers on the substrate; depositing a photoresist; exposing the photoresist to a grating pattern; developing the photoresist to produce the grating pattern in the photoresist; and reactive ion etching to transfer the grating pattern to the dielectric structure. In preferred form, the substrate material of the grating is selected to have low electrical resistivity and high thermal conductivity.

Abstract: An illumination system, particularly for wavelengths ?100 nm, with an object plane and a field plane, comprises a grating element and a physical diaphragm in a diaphragm plane, which is arranged downstream to the grating element in the beam path from the object plane to the field plane.

Abstract: A diffraction grating device (100) has both reflecting (108) and transmitting (106) gratings inter leaved to allow both transmission diffraction patterns and reflection diffraction patterns to be formed by means of the same device (102). This makes it possible, for example, to produce a diffraction pattern of one older with a beam (134) directed to be diffracted by the reflecting diffraction grating or with a beam (132) directed to be diffracted by the transmitting diffraction grating when either beam is incident alone. It also makes it possible to generate a diffraction pattern of a different order when both beams are incident simultaneously, which reduces effective order of the grating.

Abstract: A light guide plate (30) has a light incident surface (305) for receiving light, a light emitting surface (301) for emitting light, a bottom surface (303) opposite to the light emitting surface, and side surfaces (307, 309, 311). A subwavelength grating (302) is formed on the light incident surface for diffracting the light. The subwavelength grating is a zeroth-order grating which covers a wide wavelength band and diffracts the light into zeroth-order waves. So that the light guide plate has a high light utilization efficiency and yields high uniformity of outgoing light.

Abstract: In a diffraction optical element in which a plurality of diffraction gratings are laminated and the maximum difference of length among optical paths of light passing through the plurality of diffraction gratins is integer multiples of a plurality of wavelengths, diffraction efficiency is further improved and even when an environmental condition changes, a deviation of the diffraction efficiency is reduced. More specifically, a diffraction optical element is disclosed which includes, as the plurality of diffraction gratings, a first diffraction grating made of a resin material, in which inorganic fine particles are dispersed, and a second diffraction grating made of a material whose organic matter composition is substantially same as that of the resin material.

Abstract: Static arrays of optical traps can be used to sort microscopic objects with exponential sensitivity to size. Such optical fractionation relies on competition between an externally applied force and the moving objects' differing affinities for optical gradient traps. In a reverse fractionation method, objects that are more strongly influenced by the traps tend to become kinetically locked in to the array and are systematically deflected back into an input flow. In a thermal ratcheting method, patterns are spaced to allow particle diffusion, thus providing the opportunity for forward or reverse movement through the patterns. Unlike other sorting techniques, optical fractionation can operate continuously and can be continuously optimized. The exponential sensitivity arises quite generally from the particle size dependence of the potential wells' apparent widths.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example comprises one or more light sources, one or more long period Bragg gratings that are optically coupled with the one or more light sources, and one or more amplification fibers that are optically coupled with the one or more long period Bragg gratings. The one or more light sources send one or more pump optical signals to one or more of the one or more long period Bragg gratings. The one or more of the one or more long period Bragg gratings transmit the one or more pump optical signals to one or more of the one or more amplification fibers. The one or more of the one or more amplification fibers absorb one or more of the one or more pump optical signals and emit one or more output signals. The one or more of the one or more long period Bragg gratings attenuate one or more of the one or more output signals.

Abstract: A grism based upon a grating with a given line frequency is configured such that a design wavelength will undergo either a specific total bend angle, a zero-degree total bend without lateral displacement, or a zero-degree total bend with a lateral displacement. Each configuration exhibits the same dispersion characteristics. Other design wavelengths, bend angles and displacements are possible through appropriate adjustment of grating frequency, prism geometry, and/or material(s). A specific design is disclosed using light with a +/?delta wavelength around a design wavelength of 795 nm. The invention may be used to disperse light at different wavelengths, including wavelengths associated with optical communications bands.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an excellent-quality polarization phase difference plate that enables, by a simple structure: decrease in light loss and in oscillation of the intensity of the transmitting emission light through effectively suppressing Fresnel reflection in the polarization phase difference plate; improvements in the optical property, cut in the cost; and decrease in the manufacture inferior. In the polarization phase difference plate, cross-sectional shape of the convex part is formed in a taper shape from the bottom part thereof towards the top part; a flat part is formed at least between the convex parts being adjacent to each other; and the period of the diffraction grating is formed in a size that is equal to or smaller than the wavelength of light to be used.

Abstract: When a ratio R between a total angle ? of a widening angle in a median intensity of light of a light source (a GaN based semiconductor laser) and a total angle 2/? of a widening angle of light defining a numerical aperture NA of a collimator optical system (collimator lens) is defined as R=(sin?1NA)×2/?, the numerical aperture of the collimator optical system (collimator lens) is set so that 2.0?R?0.58. Thus, an image exposure device is provided that can suppress stray light of a light source that emits a large amount of stray light.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manipulating small dielectric particles. The apparatus and method involves use of a diffractive optical element which receives a laser beam and forms a plurality of light beams. These light beams are operated on by a telescope lens system and then an objective lens element to create an array of optical traps for manipulating small dielectric particles.

Abstract: A mask with an opening pattern is placed on a substrate, and etching is carried out by use of anisotropy etching of crystal. The opening pattern of the mask is composed of broken lines, each of which is discontinued by discontinuing portions. By the etching, a birefringence optical element with a fine structure, in which trenches, each of which is discontinued by discontinuing portions, are juxtaposed periodically at a specified pitch, is obtained.

Abstract: A light control material is provided for displaying color images having microstructures either on its surface or within the material which reflect a selected color and bandwidth of light in accordance with their physical characteristics. In an exemplary embodiment, the microstructures are stepped structures which reflect a particular color and bandwidth of light in accordance with the height of the steps of the stepped structures. In alternative embodiment, the microstructures are ribbed structures or crystal like structures designed to reflect a selected color and bandwidth of light. In addition, methods of fabricating the material are provided.

Abstract: An illumination system including a diffractive optical element (DOE) having an uneven surface that produces an illumination shape. The DOE comprising an uneven surface that produces a multipole illumination shape having angular scope element, wherein the angular scope element is a function of a radius and an angle of the produced multipole illumination shape, and wherein a position of the poles and sizes of the poles in an angular scope vary with a radial scope used in producing the multipole illumination shape, and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device using the system.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a light modulator includes a substrate and a number of modulator elements disposed above and spaced apart from the substrate. Each modulator element has an optically active portion adapted to receive light incident thereon, and a support portion on either side of the active portion to support the modulator element above the substrate. The modulator elements include at least one deflectable modulator element. To shorten damping time, the deflectable modulator element has a lower surface in the support portion that is closer to the substrate than a lower surface under the optically active portion.

Abstract: An exit pupil extender wherein the relative amount of different color components in the exit beam is more consistent with that of the input beam. In order to compensate for the uneven amount in the diffracted color components in the exit beam, the exit pupil extender, comprises a plurality of layers having additional diffraction gratings so as to increase the amount of diffracted light for those color components with a lower amount. Additionally, color filters disposed between layers to reduce the diffracted light components with a higher amount.

Abstract: An image pick-up lens system includes an aperture stop (10), a first lens (20), and a second lens (30) having a concave surface on an object side. The aperture stop, the first lens and the second lens are aligned in that order from the object side to an image side. The first lens has positive refracting power and has a diffraction grating formed on a convex surface on the image side. The second lens has positive refracting power. The system satisfies the following condition: (1) 1.4<T/f<1.7, wherein f is a focal length of the system, and T is a length from the aperture stop to an image pick-up surface (50) of the image side. Condition (1) limits the total length of the system in order to provide compactness. The system also satisfies other conditions (2)–(5) as disclosed, in order to provide compactness, cost-effectiveness and improved optical performance.

Abstract: A new photopolymerizable material allows single-step, fast recording of volume holograms with properties that can be electrically controlled. A method for preparing a switchable grating can comprise the steps of placing a mixture between a first and second slide, wherein the mixture has a photopolymerizable monomer, a second phase material, a photoinitiator dye, and a chain extender or cross-linker. The mixture is exposed to a laser and optical intensity pattern is applied to induce photopolymerization. A method for recording slanted reflection gratings can comprise the steps of placing a sample between a first and second glass prism, the sample comprising a polymerizable monomer, a liquid crystal, a chain-extending monomer, a coinitiator, and a photoinitiator. An incident light is split into two beams, wherein the beams enter the sample from opposite sides. The first and second prism are rotated to adjust the slant of the grating.

Abstract: A device and method for emitting light with increased brightness utilizes a lamp having a diffractive grating pattern. The diffractive grating pattern diffracts incident light that originates from a light source toward a light output region of the lamp. The diffraction of the incident light causes more of the light to impinge the light output region of the lamp at desired angles. This reduces the angular distribution of the light emitted from the light output region as output light. The reduction in angular distribution of emitted light results in an increased brightness of the device.

Abstract: A light pipe includes a surface provided with a pattern that has diffractive properties, where the pattern has uniform, mutually different areas on the surface such that some of the areas are configured to distribute light from a light input end of the light pipe to form macroscopically uniform distribution of light and some other areas are configured to couple light out from the light pipe in order to produce lighting, and where the relative proportion of surface covered by areas configured to distribute light is arranged to decrease in relation to increase of distance from the light input end.

Abstract: An optical wavelength grating coupler incorporating one or more distributed Bragg reflectors (DBR) or other reflective elements to enhance the coupling efficiency thereof. The grating coupler has a grating comprising a plurality of scattering elements adapted to scatter light along a portion of an optical path, and the one or more DBRs are positioned with respect to the grating such that light passing through the grating towards the substrate of the grating coupler is reflected back by DBRs toward the grating. The DBR comprises a multilayer stack of various materials and may be formed on the substrate of the grating coupler. The grating coupler may include a gas-filled cavity, where the cavity is formed by a conventional etching process and is used to reflect light toward the grating. The grating coupler may also incorporate an anti-reflection coating to reduce reflective loss on the surface of the grating.

Abstract: This invention is an optical pickup device having a composite optical element (32) which has a first diffraction grating (45) for splitting a light beam emitted from a light source (31) into zeroth-order light, plus-first-order light and minus-first-order light, a second diffraction grating (46) for diffracting the optical path of a return light beam from an optical disc (2), and a split prism (47) arranged at a position where the minus-first-order light diffracted by the second diffraction grating (46) is incident and adapted for splitting the minus-first-order light into a plurality of light beams. It also has a light receiving unit (35) for acquiring a focusing error signal FE by receiving each return light beam split by the split prism (47) and for acquiring a tracking error signal by receiving return light beams from the optical disc (2) of the plus-first-order light and the minus-first-order light split by the first diffraction grating (45).

Abstract: Transmission spectrometers require low levels of background light so that the signal to noise ratio is increased, and also require stable performance over wide temperature ranges. Light reflected by the transmission grating can result in increased background levels. One approach to reducing the background level is to orient the transmissive diffraction grating so that light reflected by the grating is reflected out of the diffraction plane. The temperature-induced wavelength drift of a transmission spectrometer can be due to the frame upon which the transmission grating is mounted. The wavelength drift is reduced by allowing the thermal expansion of the grating to be independent of the frame.

Abstract: Affords efficiently and at low cost optical fibers capped at the end with a working, tiny optically diffractive film. An optical fiber includes a diffractive film formed onto an endface thereof, or onto the endface of a collimator joined to the endface of the fiber; the diffractive film includes a transparent DLC (diamond-like carbon) layer; and the DLC layer includes a modulated-refractive-index diffraction grating containing local regions of relatively high refractive index and local regions of relatively low refractive index.

Abstract: A tunable nanomechanical near-field grating is disclosed which is capable of varying the intensity of a diffraction mode of an optical output signal. The tunable nanomechanical near-field grating includes two sub-gratings each having line-elements with width and thickness less than the operating wavelength of light with which the grating interacts. Lateral apertures in the two sub-gratings are formed from the space between one line-element of the first sub-grating and at least one line-element of the second sub-grating. One of the sub-gratings is capable of motion such that at least one of aperture width and aperture depth changes, causing a perturbation to the near-field intensity distribution of the tunable nanomechanical near-field grating and a corresponding change to the far-field emission of thereof.

Abstract: A polarization diffraction grating includes two media having different orientation states arranged alternately and cyclically, wherein each boundary between the media forms an oblique rectangular shape.

Abstract: Holographic media for storing and reading holographic data is provided having one or more external or internal surfaces having structures for at least one of minimizing reflections from illumination incident the surface, or enhancing adhesion between surfaces within the media. Structures for minimizing reflections represent a grating pattern of subwavelength structures providing low reflectivity at the operating characteristics of holographic optical systems to use the media, such as spectral bandwidth, angular bandwidth, and polarization of illumination incident the media. Adhesion promotion may be provided by structures along an interior surface of the media, such as along an interfacing surface between photosensitive material of the media and a substrate material adjoining the photosensitive material. Such adhesion promotion may be provided by such structured surface with or without providing low reflectivity at the operating characteristics of holographic optical systems to use the media.

Abstract: An optical element that can reduce Fresnel (surface) reflection on a lens surface to be a cause of flare or ghost, and a scanning optical system having the same are provided. A microstructure grating is provided on at least one optical surface of the optical element, and the microstructure grating consists of a structure having an antireflection action corresponding to an incidence angle of light beams.

Abstract: A diffractive optical element has a plurality of diffraction structures for a certain wavelength. These each have a width measured in the plane of the diffractive optical element and a height measured perpendicularly thereto. The widths and the heights of the diffraction structures vary over the area of the diffractive optical element. An optical arrangement comprising such a diffractive optical element has, in addition, a neutral filter. The efficiency of such a diffractive optical element and of such an arrangement can be optimized locally for usable light.

Abstract: Methods and system for chromatic dispersion compensation in disperser-combiner optical systems. The chromatic dispersion in disperser-combiner optical systems is substantially compensated by, after separating the input optical radiation into distinct chromatic components, propagating the distinct chromatic components through the optical system so that a pre-selected relationship between optical path lengths through the optical systems of the distinct chromatic components is obtained, where the pre-selected relationship substantially compensates the chromatic dispersion. The pre-selected relationship is obtained by reflecting the distinct chromatic components from a suitably placed and shaped pixellated optical volume reflector. After propagating through the optical system, the distinct chromatic components are recombined.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multi-channel tunable filter and methods for making such a filter. In one embodiment, the filter comprises a bank of gratings imprinted into a filter material, such as Lithium Niobate. In another embodiment, the filter comprises a bank of gratings imprinted on a thin-film filter. An optical read-head comprising a pair of lenses is configured to pass light from within an optical fiber carrying multiple wavelengths through an appropriate grating to extract or drop a specific wavelength. To ensure continuous data transmission, the filter is tuned to a wavelength by configuring the read-head to move in a hitless manner. In one embodiment, the gratings are recorded by the interference of two beams. A first plane wave reflects off a first mirror stack and a second plane wave reflects off a second mirror stack. In another embodiment, the gratings are recorded by a phase masking method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for control of optical trap arrays and formation of particle arrays. The method and apparatus provides a laser and a time variable diffractive optical element to allow dynamic control of optical trap arrays and consequent control of particle arrays and also the ability to manipulate singular objects using a plurality of optical traps.

Abstract: A diffracting optical filter for use with telescopes provides a plurality of cells separated by opaque lines on an translucent substrate, the spacing of the cells proportionally spaced to match the Airy disk of a specific optical system for the telescope to aid observation through a turbulent atmosphere.

Abstract: A diffraction grating generates even-order, odd-order, and 0th-order exit-pupil images. The even-order exit-pupil images have brightness levels within a first range and the odd-order exit-pupil images have brightness levels within a second range that is different from the first range. In one example, the even-order exit-pupil images are virtually invisible, i.e., missing, the odd-order exit-pupil images have the same or approximately the same intensities, and the 0th-order exit-pupil image has an intensity greater than the respective intensities of the odd-order exit-pupil images.

Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting or reflecting incident light. The apparatus includes a pair of diffraction grid substrates; a substantially grid-shaped diffraction grid formed of metal, wherein the diffraction grid is disposed between the substrates; and a pair of adhesive layers, each adhesive layer coupled to each substrate. The apparatus also includes a pair of block members, wherein each block member is coupled to each adhesive layer. The block member is configured with a plurality of substantially equally-shaped flat plate members alternately layered with adhesive layers for optically coupling the block member with substantially reduced optical distortion than when configured with a single transparent component. The block member includes a surface to output the light transmitted or reflected from the diffraction grid and passing through the flat plate members.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an element having a microstructure of an excellent grating groove pattern or the like is obtained. This method of manufacturing an element having a microstructure comprises steps of forming a metal layer on a substrate, forming a dot column of concave portions on the surface of the metal layer and anodically oxidizing the surface of the metal layer formed with the dot column of concave portions while opposing this surface to a cathode surface thereby forming a metal oxide film having a grating groove pattern. When the interval between the concave portions of the dot column is reduced, therefore, a linear grating groove pattern having a large depth with a uniform groove width along the depth direction is easily formed in a self-organized manner.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical instrument including means (1, 2) to produce an optical image to be viewed by an observer including a diffractive element (7) located at an intermediate focal or image plane (4) of the optical instrument and comprising a pattern of a plurality of areas effective to cause diffraction interference in light passing through the optical instrument and thereby produce an expanded exit pupil (6) comprising a combination of a multiplicity of exit pupils displaced relative to one another transverse to an optical axis (3) of said instrument.

Abstract: A method for producing a library includes the steps of calculating a plurality of conditions for a reflection light from a periodic pattern by changing the sectional shape of the periodic pattern, a condition of an incident light which is emitted to the periodic pattern, an optical constant of a material which forms the periodic pattern, relating a plurality of the libraries to the plurality of the reflection light's conditions, and the optical constant corresponding to the plurality of the reflection light's conditions respectively.

Abstract: An index grating is imprinted in the core of an optical fiber using a specially designed silica glass phase grating mask. The phase mask is held in close proximity to the optical fiber. Laser irradiation of the phase mask with ultraviolet light at normal incidence imprints (photoinduces) into the optical fiber core the interference pattern created by the phase mask.