Abstract: A micro identification system supports facile optical assemblies and components. A segment of optical fiber can comprise an identifier formed via actinic radiation. The identifier can generate a laser interference pattern that can be read through a cylindrical surface of the optical fiber to determine a code. Modified optical fibers are those fibers that have been shaped or coated to an extent beyond the demands of normal communications optical fibers. In one example, modified fibers are no longer than about two feet in length. For another example, the modified fibers can have either a non-cylindrical end face, a non flat end face, an end face the plane of which is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the waveguide, an end face coated with high density filter, or an identifier on or near an end face.

Abstract: An all-polymer grating microstructure device that exhibits a zero-order reflection under white light comprises a first polymer having a first refractive index and configured as a microstructure embedded within a second polymer having a second refractive index, each of the polymers of the first and second polymers at least translucent to white light with the proviso that the refractive index of the first polymer is at least 0.05 greater than the refractive index of the second polymer.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device able to reduce the number of manufacturing steps and attain the rationalization of a manufacturing line is disclosed. The semiconductor device is a high-frequency module assembled by mounting chip parts (22) and semiconductor pellets (21) onto each of wiring substrates (2) formed on a matrix substrate (27) after inspection. A defect mark (2e) is affixed to a wiring substrate (2) as a block judged to be defective in the inspection of the matrix substrate (27), then in a series of subsequent assembling steps the defect mark (e) is recognized and the assembling work for the wiring substrate (2) with the defect mark (2e) thereon is omitted to attain the rationalization of a manufacturing line.

Abstract: A diffractive optical element in which the maximum optical path length of light is an integral multiple of each of a plurality of wavelengths includes a diffractive grating configured by combining a first member and a second member having a refractive index lower than a refractive index of the first member and having dispersion higher than a dispersion of the first member. At least one of the first member and the second member is made of a glass material, and the diffractive grating is formed by the glass material which is heated to be softened using a thermal press forming, and has a concave grating shape that has a grating height increasing from a central part toward a peripheral part.

Abstract: A device, apparatus, and method of controlling operation of scanning performed by an optical scanning device are disclosed such that the color images are not shifted in the sub-scanning direction even when thinning processing is performed.

Abstract: A phase diversity wavefront sensor includes an optical system including at least one optical element for receiving a light beam; a diffractive optical element having a diffractive pattern defining a filter function, the diffractive optical element being arranged to produce, in conjunction with the optical system, images from the light beam associated with at least two diffraction orders; and a detector for detecting the images and outputting image data corresponding to the detected images. In one embodiment, the optical system, diffractive optical element, and detector are arranged to provide telecentric, pupil plane images of the light beam. A processor receives the image data from the detector, and executes a Gerchberg-Saxton phase retrieval algorithm to measure the wavefront of the light beam.

Abstract: An apparatus usable with a laser resonator has a generally stationary base, a positioning slide carried on the guide and shiftable thereon in an adjustment direction, and two (or more) holders carried on the slide and each having a platform adapted to secure a respective diffraction grating. Each of the platforms can be shifted on the respective holder with at least two degrees of freedom relative to the slide.

Abstract: A differential interference contrast (DIC) determination device and method utilizes an illumination source, a layer having a pair of two apertures that receive illumination from the illumination source, and a photodetector to receive Young's interference from the illumination passing through the pair of two apertures. In addition, a surface wave assisted optofluidic microscope and method utilize an illumination source, a fluid channel having a layer with at least one aperture as a surface, and a photodetector that receives a signal based on the illumination passing through the aperture. The layer is corrugated (e.g., via fabrication) and parameters of the corrugation optimize the signal received on the photodetector.

Abstract: A maskless lithography system and method to expose a pattern on a wafer by propagating a photon beam through a waveguide on a substrate in a plane parallel to a top surface of the wafer.

Abstract: A tunable filter is provided.

Abstract: An optical combiner in which the number of parts used is lessened is made of a resin. The optical component comprises a first surface, a diffraction grating, and a second surface. The first surface is a surface providing first, second, and third lenses. The diffraction grating diffracts to a common optical path leading to the second surface light of the first wavelength incident on the first lens, light of the second wavelength incident on the second lens, and light of the third wavelength incident on the third lens. The second surface emits light incident thereon through the common optical path. The optical path from the first surface to the diffraction grating and the common optical path are constituted of the resin.

Abstract: An X-ray imaging apparatus includes a diffraction grating device. The diffraction grating device has a composite grating, including small grating plates having radiopaque areas and radio-transparent areas arranged in a grating pattern, and a first support plate being radio-transparent, for receiving the small grating plates secured thereto. A first holding plate being radio-transparent retains the composite grating thereon. The first holding plate includes a concave surface for retaining and curving the composite grating. A second holding plate being radio-transparent is secured to the composite grating, for sandwiching in cooperation with the first holding plate. Also, an opening is formed in each of the holding plates to open in an area of the small grating plates. A clamping cap squeezes the holding plates for sealing. Also, a second support plate being radio-transparent sandwiches the small grating plates with the first support plate.

Abstract: An external-cavity one-dimensional multi-wavelength beam combiner that performs wavelength beam combining along a stacking dimension of a laser stack formed of a plurality of laser arrays, each laser array configured to generate optical radiation having a unique wavelength, and each of the plurality of laser arrays including one or more laser emitters arranged along an array dimension of the laser stack. The multi-wavelength beam combiner includes an optical imaging element configured to image each of the laser emitters along a slow axis of the laser emitters, an optical focusing element arranged to intercept the optical radiation from each of the plurality of laser arrays and combine the optical radiation along a stacking dimension of the laser stack to form a multi-wavelength optical beam, and a diffraction element positioned at a region of overlap of the optical radiation to receive and transmit the multi-wavelength optical beam.

Abstract: Nanofiber actuators and strain amplifiers having a material that generates a force or generates a displacement when directly or indirectly electrically driven. This material is an aerogel or a related low density or high density network comprising conducting fibers that are electrically interconnected and can substantially actuate without the required presence of either a liquid or solid electrolyte. Reversible or permanently frozen actuation is used to modify the properties of the actuator material for applications.

Abstract: A reflective screen includes: a substrate having a first refractive index; and a periodic structure provided on a major surface of the substrate and including a periodic film which has a period ? and is made of a material having a second refractive index that is higher than the first refractive index. The period ? is not less than 400/(N+1) nm and not more than 680/(N?1) nm, where N is an equivalent refractive index of the periodic film.

Abstract: An adjustable two-dimensional lamellar grating system including a lamellar grating and a movable mirror disposed substantially parallel to one another, and an interferometer using the adjustable lamellar grating system. In one example, the lamellar grating includes a dielectric wafer having a dielectric wafer having a plurality of periodically spaced recesses formed therein, wherein the dielectric wafer has higher reflectivity at its surface facing the movable mirror than at a second opposing surface. In one example, the system also includes a mechanism for moving the mirror relative to the dielectric wafer.

Abstract: A self-cleaning material is generally described that may include a substrate having a first surface and a second surface. A self cleaning layer may be disposed on the first surface of the substrate. A diffraction grating may be formed in an exposed surface of the self cleaning layer, where absorption of light by the self cleaning layer incident on the exposed surface may be enhanced by the diffraction grating in accordance with a blaze condition corresponding to the diffraction grating.

Abstract: A method comprises computing an interference pattern between a simulated design input optical signal and a simulated design output optical signal, and computationally deriving an arrangement of at least one diffractive element set from the computed interference pattern. The interference pattern is computed in a transmission grating region, with the input and output optical signals each propagating through the transmission grating region as substantially unconfined optical beams. The arrangement of diffractive element set is computationally derived so that when the diffractive element set thus arranged is formed in or on a transmission grating, each diffractive element set would route, between corresponding input and output optical ports, a corresponding diffracted portion of an input optical signal incident on and transmitted by the transmission grating. The method can further comprise forming the set of diffractive elements in or on the transmission grating according to the derived arrangement.

Abstract: A special visual effect is achieved. An optical device includes a light-reflecting interface provided with a first relief structure including first recesses or protrusions arranged two-dimensionally, the first relief structure emitting a first diffracted light when illuminated with a light, and a light-transmitting interface disposed in front of the light-reflecting interface and having a reflectance smaller than that of the first interface, the light-transmitting interface being provided with a second relief structure including second recesses or protrusions arranged two-dimensionally, and the second relief structure emitting a second diffracted light when illuminated with the light.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods for obtaining images of objects with higher resolution than the diffraction limit. In one aspect, a method for collecting evanescent waves scattered from an object comprises electronically configuring a reconfigurable device to operate as a grating for one or more lattice periods using a computing device. Propagating waves scattered from the object pass through the reconfigurable device and a portion of evanescent waves scattered from the object are projected into the far field of the object. The method includes detecting propagating waves and detecting the portion of evanescent waves projected into the far field for each lattice period using an imaging system.

Abstract: A bonding film-attached substrate includes: a substrate whose main component is not silicon dioxide, or that does not have a Si-group skeleton; a silicon oxide film formed on a surface of the substrate and adjacent to the substrate using a vapor-phase deposition method, and that has a thickness of from 100 nm to 2,000 nm, inclusive; and a bonding film provided by plasma polymerization, wherein the bonding film includes (i) a Si skeleton that contains a siloxane (Si—O) bond, and has a crystallinity of 45% or less, and (ii) an elimination group that binds to the Si skeleton, the elimination group being an organic group.

Abstract: In an optical head device which performs recording or reading of data in/from a high-density optical disc using an objective lens with a large NA, a saw-tooth shape diffraction element is used for also performing recording or reading of data in/from a conventional optical disc, such as DVD, CD, or the like. A step difference that produces an optical path length for blue light which is equal to or longer than the wavelength of the blue light and optical path lengths for red and infrared light which are shorter than the wavelengths of the red and infrared light is utilized so as to exert an inverse action on the blue light to those exerted on the red and infrared light. The effect of increasing the working distances for CD and DVD enables multiple compatibility. The above optical element is integrally combined with the objective lens to perform a tracking servo following operation.

Abstract: A diffractive optical element includes first and second optical members which are stacked. A diffraction grating is formed at an interface between the first and second optical members. A plurality of pores are formed in the second optical member.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a minute structure having fine structures on opposing inner surfaces, includes the steps of forming a first pattern in a surface of a first layer, forming a sacrificial layer on the patterned surface of the first layer, forming a second pattern on a surface of the sacrificial layer, forming a second layer on the sacrificial layer and a portion of the surface of the first layer, and removing a member constituting the sacrificial layer. In the step of forming the first pattern on the first layer and the step of forming the second pattern on the sacrificial layer, the patterns are formed using the same alignment marks as references. This manufacturing method can realize highly accurate alignment even when plural lenses or DOEs are used.

Abstract: An optical element includes a base and many structures arranged at a fine pitch on a surface of the base, each of the structures being in the form of a projection or a depression, in which the structures constitute a plurality of arc tracks, and the structures in every three adjacent rows of the arc tracks are arranged in a tetragonal lattice pattern or a quasi-tetragonal lattice pattern.

Abstract: An optical element used in an optical scanning apparatus includes a diffracting surface composed of a diffraction grating. The diffracting surface includes a diffraction grating having a sectional shape linearly formed. If diffraction power in a main scanning direction on the diffracting surface received by an axial light flux is ?DO and refractive power in the main scanning direction on a refracting surface on which the diffraction grating is formed received by the axial light flux is ?ref, the optical element satisfies the following conditions: 0<?DO<1.8×10?3(1/mm), and 0.5|?DO|<|?ref|<1.5|?DO|, where the diffraction power ?DO and the refractive power ?ref have opposite signs.

Abstract: An apparatus for illuminating a marking, which is applied on a transparent reticle in the form of a diffraction structure, wherein illuminating beams are injected into the reticle via a side edge surface of the reticle such that they are emitted after diffraction at the marking perpendicular to the plane of the reticle, wherein a concavely curved mirror having two focal points is attached to the side edge surface such that a light source is arranged in the region of the first focal point and the marking is arranged in the region of the second focal point, wherein a second mirror having two focal points is attached such that a second light source with a second emission wavelength is arranged in the first focal point thereof and the marking is arranged in the region of the second focal point of the second mirror.

Abstract: A virtual image display device is provided which displays a two-dimensional image for viewing a virtual image in a magnified form by a virtual optical system. The virtual image display device includes an optical waveguide (13) to guide, by internal total reflection, parallel pencil groups meeting a condition of internal total reflection, a first reflection volume hologram grating (14) to diffract and reflect the parallel pencil groups incident upon the optical waveguide from outside and traveling in different directions as they are so as to meet the condition of internal total reflection inside the optical waveguide and a second reflection volume hologram grating (15) to project the parallel pencil groups guided by internal total reflection inside the optical waveguide as they are from the optical waveguide by diffraction and reflection thereof so as to depart from the condition of internal total reflection inside the optical waveguide.

Abstract: There is provided a light source device which can miniaturize a two-dimensional image display device as small as possible. The light source device is provided with three coherent light sources (11a), (11b), and (11c) corresponding to red, blue, and green; prisms (12a) and (12c) for reflecting lights emitted from the coherent light sources (11a) and (11c); and a diffraction part (20) comprising a single volume hologram on which plural gratings are multiply-formed, which gratings diffract the light emitted from the coherent light source (11b), and the lights that are emitted from the coherent light sources (11a) and (11c) and reflected by the prisms (12a) and (12b) so that these lights propagate in the same optical path.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical device and the like which can collect incident light at a high incident angle than an existing microlens, in order to realize a solid-state imaging apparatus and the like corresponding to an optical system (an optical system with a high incident angle ?) with a short focal length for a thin camera. Each unit pixel (2.8 ?m square in size) is made up of a distributed index lens 1, a color filter 2 for green G, Al wirings 3, a signal transmitting unit 4, planarizing films 5, a light-receiving device (Si photodiodes) 6, and a Si substrate 7. The distributed index lens 1 is made of high refractive index materials 33 [TiO2 (n=2.53)] and low refractive index materials 34 [air (n=1.0)] having concentric zones. Further, in a distributed refractive index lens, a width 35 of adjacent divided areas is 200 nm. Also, a film thickness t is 0.5 ?m.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a membrane structure for a diffractive phased array assembly is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a wafer having a body and at least a membrane layer and a backside layer disposed on opposite faces of the body, forming a grating pattern on a surface of the membrane layer, and forming a window through the wafer to expose a back surface of the membrane, thereby allowing light to pass through the membrane.

Abstract: There is provided a method of fabricating a semiconductor laser including a two-dimensional photonic crystal. The method comprises the steps of growing an InX1Ga1?X1N (0<X1<1) layer on a gallium nitride-based semiconductor region in a reactor; after taking out a substrate product including the InX1Ga1?X1N layer from the reactor, forming a plurality of openings for a two-dimensional diffraction grating of the two-dimensional photonic crystal in the InX1Ga1?X1N layer to form a patterned InX1Ga1?X1N layer; and growing an AlX2Ga1?X2N (0?X2?1) layer on a top surface of the patterned InX1Ga1?X1N layer to form voids associated with the openings.

Abstract: The invention comprises a polymeric microarray support (1) for an optical assay arrangement (2) comprising optical means (3, 4, 6) for detection of light emitted from the support. The microarray support is provided with microfeatures comprising a surface enlarging pattern (5), i.e. grooves having a selected depth (8). The depth is selected such that the sum of the depth and of the variations in the thickness (7) of the support substantially corresponds to the depth of focus of the optical means.

Abstract: A light control material for displaying a color image. The light control material includes a material body including a plurality of microstructures. The microstructures are designed to produce an additive color perception of one or more colors and designed to reveal an image when the intensity of light reflected from a selected number of the microstructures is modulated. The selected microstructures can be modulated by one or more of modifying, obliterating, obscuring or covering up the selected microstructures. In one embodiment, the microstructures, prior to modulation of the selected number of microstructures, produce a uniform white additive color perception.

Abstract: An optical element includes a plurality of first beam bodies arranged in a first direction on a first plane and being parallel to each other, and second beam bodies placed between adjacent ones of the first beam bodies and provided parallel to the first beam bodies. The first beam body has side surfaces which face the second beam bodies adjacent thereto and are sloped so that the width in the first direction gradually decreases to the upward direction perpendicular to the first plane, the second beam body has side surfaces which face the first beam bodies adjacent thereto and are sloped so that the width in the first direction gradually increases to the upward direction perpendicular to the first plane, and as viewed in the first direction, the spacing between the first beam body and the second beam body is variable.

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 filter structure for an imager which has customized sub-wavelength elements used to maintain the filter characteristics accordingly across a photo-conversion device to optimize the structure for the angle of incidence as it changes across the imager photo-conversion device. In particular, the layout (e.g., grating period among other parameters) of the sub-wavelength elements used in the structure design are customized to change with the angle of incidence of the optics used to project the image. The sub-wavelength elements are typically built by high resolution lithographic processes such as optical or imprint lithography.

Abstract: There is provided a diffraction grating including a convex portion and a concave portion which are used for lights having different wavelengths ?1, ?2 and ?3 and are alternately disposed on at least one surface of a substrate with a predetermined pitch. An average refractive index of the convex portion is smaller than an average refractive index of the concave portion. A phase difference in the lights having the wavelength ?1 which transmit the convex portion and the concave portion and a phase difference in the lights having the wavelength ?2 which transmit the convex portion and the concave portion are both substantially the integral multiple of 2?, and a phase difference in the lights having the wavelength ?3 which transmit the convex portion and the concave portion is substantially the non-integral multiple of 2?.

Abstract: Methods create images viewable under different selected angels on optical storage devices and other photosensitive surfaces and optical storage devices with super-imposed images. Generally, a photosensitive surface is exposed with multiple diffraction patterns creating super-imposed images. These diffraction patterns create super-imposed images on the photosensitive surfaces, which can be read by either a human or a computer.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing wideband diffraction limited performance in an optical receiver. A first lens is constructed from a first material and has a first surface and a second surface. A second lens is constructed from a second material and having a first surface and a second surface. The second lens is positioned such that a first surface of the second lens faces a second surface of the first lens across a gap of air. A diffraction grating is applied to one of the first and second surfaces of the first and second lenses.

Abstract: A diffractive optical element includes multiple diffraction gratings laminated and made of at least three material types, wherein the multiple diffraction gratings include: a first combination part including two diffraction gratings of materials different from each other in which grating side surfaces of grating parts contact with each other or are disposed close to each other in a grating pitch direction; and a second combination part including two diffraction gratings of materials different from each other in which at least one material is different from the materials of the first combination part; and when N1Aw and N1Bw denote refractive indices of the first combination part at a wavelength (w), ?1A and ?1B denote Abbe numbers, N2Ad and N2Bd denote refractive indices of the second combination part on a d-line, ?2A and ?2B denote Abbe numbers, the wavelength (w) is 370<w<730 (nm). The followings are satisfied: N1Aw?N1Bw=0; 16<(?1A??1B)<75; 0.03<|N2Ad?N2Bd|<0.

Abstract: A substrate includes an overlay target. The overlay target can include two superposed layers. Each of the two superposed layers includes two gratings with a different pitch from each other.

Abstract: An optical attenuator includes a first reflection portion reflecting a light incoming from an optical input portion in a direction different from incoming axis, a second reflection portion reflecting the light from the first reflection portion, an optical output portion outputting the light that is reflected by the first reflection portion after being reflected by the second reflection portion, and an optical-intensity-attenuation filter that is arranged on an optical path between the first reflection portion and the second reflection portion, optical transmittance being shifted in stages according to a position thereof. The first reflection portion is capable of turning to shift an incoming position at the optical-intensity-attenuation filter.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical system that particularly allows an improved detection of signal light propagating from a light source (1) through a flat glass substrate (11). SC-modes of this signal light that would normally be totally internally reflected at the backside (10) of the substrate (11) are coupled out by a first diffractive optical element DOE (21). To map all signal light leaving the substrate (11) onto a single target location (51), a focusing lens (31) and a second DOE (41) are disposed in the optical path behind the substrate (11). The DOEs (21, 41) may for example be a ID sinusoidal grating or a 2D blaze grating. The optical system may particularly be applied in an investigation apparatus for detecting multiple spots of a fluorescent sample material.

Abstract: A triplexer including an optics block including a first port configured to receive a first light beam at a first wavelength and a second light beam at a second wavelength, and a second port configured to receive a third light beam at a third wavelength, a bounce cavity between the first and second ports, the bounce cavity being formed by opposing reflective elements adjacent respective surfaces of the optics block, a first grating opposite the first port, the first grating receiving all three light beams at substantially a same location thereon, the first grating configured to provide the first and second light beams to the bounce cavity and the third light beam to the first port, and a second grating opposite the second port, the second grating receiving the first and second light beams at spatially separated portions thereon.

Abstract: In an aspect, described herein is a dynamically controllable optoelectronic smart window which utilizes a diffraction grating for selective transmission or rejection of a specific region of the electromagnetic spectrum, for example the infrared, near-infrared and/or visible regions. Window embodiments described herein may further utilize a selectively controlled and/or patterned total internal reflection layer to assist with the selective rejection of a specific spectral region while allowing for transmission of another specific spectral region. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods for dynamically controlling the transmission or rejection of solar near-infrared and/or visible radiation.

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: Photo-masks for fabricating surface-relief grating diffractive devices and methods of fabricating surface-relief grating diffractive devices are described. The photo-mask can include refractive elements and/or diffractive elements contained in or on a body element. The photo-mask can be used to simultaneously produce multiple surface-relief grating diffractive devices in a recording material. The photo-mask enables the surface-relief grating diffractive devices to be produced in large quantities while significantly reducing the cost and labor required.

Abstract: An optically variable element, in particular an optically variable safeguard element for safeguarding banknotes, credit cards and the like, and a security product and a foil, in particular an embossing foil or a laminating foil, having such an optically variable element. The optically variable element has a thin film for producing color shifts by means of an interference and/or a reflective layer. The optically variable element further has a transparent window and the thin film and/or the reflective layer is respectively in the form of a partial element, namely a partial thin film element or a partial reflective element, wherein the partial element or elements surround the surface region of the transparent window.

Abstract: A grating element is provided with diffraction members wherein protrusions and recesses are periodically arranged, respectively, on one surface of each of transparent substrates. The diffraction members are laminated in the substantially perpendicular direction to the transparent substrates, the protrusions of the diffraction members are made of a dielectric multilayer film, and the dielectric multilayer film has dielectric films of two or more types laminated in the substantially perpendicular direction on the transparent substrates. The wavelengths of laser beams diffracted at predetermined diffraction efficiencies by the diffraction members are different from one another.