Abstract: A method and apparatus that validates a hologram by scanning the hologram at multiple angles is disclosed. The method may include scanning a document containing the hologram at a first angle to create a first image, scanning the document containing the hologram at a second angle to create a second image, determining whether the hologram is valid, and sending the validity determination to a user interface for display to a user.

Abstract: A dispersion element includes a prism having a first transmission surface and an oppositely disposed second transmission surface, and an optical element having a third transmission surface and an oppositely disposed diffraction optical surface on which a diffraction grating is arranged. The prism and the optical element are integrated into one body by cementing the first transmission surface to the third transmission surface. The third transmission surface and the diffraction optical surface are non-parallel to each other in a plane perpendicular to grooves of the diffraction grating.

Abstract: Apparatus for projecting a pattern includes a first diffractive optical element (DOE) configured to diffract an input beam so as to generate a first diffraction pattern on a first region of a surface, the first diffraction pattern including a zero order beam. A second DOE is configured to diffract the zero order beam so as to generate a second diffraction pattern on a second region of the surface such that the first and the second regions together at least partially cover the surface.

Abstract: Proposed is a technique of guiding light to a waveguide, by which the light use efficiency is increased. In order to achieve the above object, adopted is an optical element comprising, at an outer edge portion thereof, an incident surface on which light from a light source is incident, a diffraction grating surface, and an internal reflection surface which guides light incident from the incident surface to the diffraction grating surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for projecting a pattern includes a first diffractive optical element (DOE) configured to diffract an input beam so as to generate a first diffraction pattern on a first region of a surface, the first diffraction pattern including a zero order beam. A second DOE is configured to diffract the zero order beam so as to generate a second diffraction pattern on a second region of the surface such that the first and the second regions together at least partially cover the surface.

Abstract: A complex objective lens composed of a hologram and an objective lens, capable of realizing stable and high-precision compatible reproducing/recording of a BD with a base thickness of about 0.1 mm for a blue light beam (wavelength ?1) and a DVD with a base thickness of about 0.6 mm for a red light beam (wavelength ?2). In an inner circumferential portion of the hologram, a grating is formed, which has a cross-sectional shape including as one period a step of heights in the order of 0 time, twice, once, and three times a unit level difference that gives a difference in optical path of about one wavelength with respect to a blue light beam, from an outer peripheral side to an optical axis side. The hologram transmits a blue light beam as 0th-order diffracted light without diffracting it, and disperses a red light beam passing through an inner circumferential portion as +1st-order diffracted light and allows it to be condensed by an objective lens.

Abstract: Disclosed is a display element that includes a display screen and a transparent cover overlying the display screen. The output from the display screen is magnified to occupy at least some of the transparent cover. The display element includes an arrangement of diffractive and refractive elements disposed between the display screen and the transparent cover that provide significant magnification without adding significant thickness to the display element. In some embodiments, the diffractive and refractive elements are embodied in a number of optical microelements, in some cases at least one optical microelement per pixel of the display screen. Some embodiments include microlenses that collimate the light emitted by the display screen. The display element can be “anamorphotic,” that is, the magnification in one direction differs from that in another. Some embodiments provide at least two levels of magnification. Liquid matching switches can be used to control the level of magnification.

Abstract: A display system includes and image-guiding substrate with input and/or output structures configured to improve image quality.

Abstract: Improved photo-masks for use in fabricating periodic structures are disclosed herein. Methods of making periodic structures, as well as the periodic structures fabricated therefrom, are also disclosed. The photo-mask can include a body element and one or more sets of diffractive elements and/or refractive elements disposed on the body element or within the body element. Each set of diffractive elements and/or refractive elements can be configured to produce four non-coplanar beams of light when a beam of light is passed through it. Each set of four non-coplanar beams of light can be used to interferometrically produce a specific periodic structure at a specific location within a photosensitive recording material.

Abstract: A spectrometer includes a rigid body having a first planar face with an orientation and a second planar face with a different orientation than the first planar face. The first and second planar faces are configured to position Bragg diffraction elements, and the orientation of the first planar face and the different orientation of the second planar face are arranged to convey a predetermined spectral range of the electromagnetic radiation to non-overlapping regions of the sensor location via the diffraction elements.

Abstract: Diffractive patterns are disposed on a MEMS substrate in the gaps between the MEMS micromirrors to reduce backreflection of light leaking through the gaps and reflected by the MEMS substrate. The diffractive patterns are silicon surface-relief diffraction gratings or silicon oxide gratings on silicon substrate. Sub-wavelength gratings are used to suppress higher orders of diffraction; 50% duty cycle surface relief gratings on a substrate having index of refraction close to 3 are used to suppress both reflected and transmitted zero orders of diffraction simultaneously. The gratings have lines running parallel or at a slight angle to the gaps, to prevent the diffracted light from re-entering the gaps.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a resin composite-type optical element capable of cutting off ultraviolet light even though it uses a photocurable resin. A resin composite-type optical element of the embodiment of the present invention is a resin composite-type optical element having a base material and a resin layer, and the resin layer has at least a first resin layer which is a molded product of a photocurable resin and which has an internal transmittance of not less than 85% for light of the wavelength of 400 nm in the thickness of 100 ?m and an internal transmittance of not more than 3% for light of the wavelength of 360 nm in the thickness of 100 ?m.

Abstract: A system for writing an optical code within or on a fiber substrate. The system includes a holding device that has a plurality of supports spaced apart from each other. The fiber substrate is wound about the supports such that the fiber substrate forms at least one flat section extending between adjacent supports. The system also includes at least one light source that is configured to write an optical code within or on the flat section of the fiber substrate.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a color filter, an over-coating layer formed on the color filter, and a medium layer formed on the over-coating layer, wherein the medium layer is configured with at least two medium layers of which refractive indices are different from each other.

Abstract: According to a method for producing a diffraction optical element of the present invention, the center of a molding face 2 and the center of a substrate 4 are positionally aligned to each other based on a marker 3 of a prescribed shape which is formed at the center of the molding face 2 of a mold 1 and the shape of a diffraction grating 5 of the substrate 4. A nanocomposite material 9 is located between the molding face 2 and the diffraction grating 5, and the material 9 is pressed by the mold 1 and the substrate 4 to form an optical adjusting layer 10 on the diffraction grating 5.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for producing resist profiled elements. According to the invention, an electron beam lithography system is used to produce an electron beam, the axis of the beam being essentially perpendicular to a resist layer in which the resist profiled element is to be produced. The electron beam can be adjusted in terms of the electron surface dose in such a way that a non-orthogonal resist profiled element can be produced as a result of the irradiation by the electron beam.

Abstract: A patterning device, including alignment targets having alignment features formed from a plurality of diffractive elements, each diffractive element including an absorber stack and a multi-layered reflector stack is provided. The diffractive elements are configured to enhance a pre-determined diffraction order used for pre-alignment and to diffract light in a pre-determined direction of a pre-alignment system when illuminated with light of a wavelength used for the pre-alignment. The diffractive elements may occupy at least half of an area of each alignment feature. The diffractive elements may be configured to enhance first or higher order diffractions, while substantially reducing zeroth diffraction orders and specular reflection when illuminated with a wavelength used for reticle prealignment. The dimensions of each diffractive element may be a function of a diffraction grating period of each alignment feature.

Abstract: Spectrally filtering at least one input beam includes: dispersing spectral components of at least one input beam at respective angles in a spectral plane; changing at least some of the angles of the propagation axes of the dispersed spectral components so that a plurality of the spectral components reflect from a single reflective surface; and tilting the reflective surface to select at least one and fewer than all of the received spectral components to be directed to an output spatial mode.

Abstract: The invention concerns a film, in particular a stamping film, laminating film or sticker film, which has at least one anisotropic polymer layer of an at least partially oriented liquid crystal material. The anisotropic polymer layer has one or more first regions which form a first security feature and in which the anisotropic polymer layer has properties which linearly polarise or which rotate the direction of rotation, and one or more second regions which form a second security element and in which the anisotropic polymer layer has circularly polarising properties. The first security feature is visualised when viewed through a first polariser and the second security feature is visualised when viewed through a second polariser responsive to a different polarisation state from that of the first polariser.

Abstract: One or more zero-order diffractive pigments (ZOP) having both a particle distribution matrix material, and a layer of material in or on such a matrix material and having an index of refraction higher than that of the matrix material, and having a diffractive grating structure with a period in the range of 100 to 600 nm, which is smaller than the wavelength of light reflectable thereby in the zeroth reflection order. In such ZOPs the index of refraction of the matrix material is usually at least 0.25 less than that of the material of the layer, and the layer is typically of a thickness between 30 and 500 nm.

Abstract: An optical system comprising a substrate and disposed on said substrate a replica layer, characterised in that a functionality selected from the group consisting of grating, volume Bragg grating, holographic, diffractive, non-periodic structure, optical polarizer, micro lens and gradient index lens is incorporated in the substrate. The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an optical system in which elements which previously played a passive part are given an active role in order to thus realise desired properties of the optical system.

Abstract: A device to illuminate a object, to excite its fluorescence light emission, and detect the emitted fluorescence spectrum, comprising: at least one illumination system (13), adapted to receive light from a light source (11), to select at least one wavelength bands of light spectrum of the source (11), to illuminate a object (15) with light filtered in that way (14); and a detection system (17), adapted to detect fluorescence light (16) emitted by the object (15), to select at least one wavelength bands of fluorescence, light spectrum (16), to record the spectrum of the filtered light; characterized in that said illumination system (13) comprises: at least one first dispersive element (41), at least one focusing optics (43), at least one spatial fitter of excitation (44), at least one collimating optics (45) and at least one second dispersive element (47), wherein said detection system (17) comprises: at least one dispersive element (81), at least one focusing optics (83), at least one spatial filter of detecti

Abstract: A radiation diffractive film is disclosed, which includes a viewing surface, with at least a portion of the viewing surface residing in a viewing plane. The film comprises an ordered periodic array of particles received in a matrix material, the array of particles having a crystalline structure, wherein the crystalline structure defines (i) a plurality of first crystal planes of the particles that diffract infrared radiation and (ii) a plurality of second crystal planes of the particles that diffract visible radiation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical system that can reduce the occurrence of aberration, and a scanning retinal display that uses such an optical system. A first diffraction section and the second diffraction section are attached to a light guiding section in a state separated from each other. The first diffraction section diffracts light flux that is incident on it, to be incident on the light guiding section. The light guiding section guides light flux that has been diffracted by the first diffraction section to the second diffraction section using reflection inside the light guiding section. The second diffraction section re-diffracts light flux that has been guided by the light guiding section and output externally of the light guiding section. The first diffraction section, the light guiding section, and the second diffraction section are substantially symmetrical, either side of a virtual plane between the first diffraction section and the second diffraction section.

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: A fine movement stage is driven by a controller, based on positional information of the fine movement stage in a measurement direction measured by a measurement system and correction information of a measurement error caused by a tilt of the fine movement stage included in the positional information. Accordingly, driving the fine movement stage with high precision becomes possible, which is not affected by a measurement error included in the positional information in a measurement direction of the measurement system that occurs due to a tilt of the fine movement stage.

Abstract: A light pipe for transmitting light signals from one of its ends, referred to as its inlet surface (1A), to its other end, referred to as its outlet surface (1B), facing towards the eye (3) of a user for viewing a virtual image, includes a diffractive component formed directly in the inlet surface (1A), the diffractive component being an element satisfying the equation of an aspherical component of revolution of the “kinoform” type.

Abstract: The specification and drawings present a new apparatus and method for using a three-dimensional (3D) diffractive element (e.g., a 3D diffractive grating) for expanding in one or two dimensions the exit pupil of an optical beam in electronic devices. Various embodiments of the present invention can be applied, but are not limited, to forming images in virtual reality displays, to illuminating of displays (e.g., backlight illumination in liquid crystal displays) or keyboards, etc.

Abstract: Methods create images viewable under different selected angles 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: A grating structure having a fused silica base includes alternating ridges and grooves. The ridges and grooves form a fused silica to air interface. The ridges and grooves are configured such that the grating has a ratio between the effective refractive index difference between s-polarization and p-polarization of about 1/3. As such, for non-polarized light with an incident angle ?in of between 40° and 90° and a wavelength ?=350-1600 nm, the grating directs both s-polarization and p-polarization components of the incident light to the ?1st order diffraction mode.

Abstract: An optical film having a substrate and microreplicated features on a major surface of the substrate. The features include microreplicated macro-scale features and one or more microreplicated diffractive features on the macro-scale features. The films can be made from work pieces machined with tool tips having diffractive features. The tool tip forms both the macro-scale features and diffractive features while machining the work piece. A coating process can then be used to make the optical films from the machined work piece.

Abstract: A grating with a large aspect ratio is disclosed, in particular to be used as an X-ray optical grating in a CT system and in particular produced by a lithography method. In at least one embodiment, the grating includes a multiplicity of recurring alternating grating webs and grating gaps with a height, and a multiplicity of filler beams, respectively arranged in the grating gaps with a spacing from one another in the direction of the gaps, which beams connect respectively adjacent grating webs over their height. In at least one embodiment, the grating webs and the grating gaps run from a first to a second side of the grating, and a filler beam has a width in the direction of the gaps and this width is at most 10% of the spacing between two adjacent filler beams. In at least one embodiment, the spacings between respective adjacent filler beams in a grating gap do not vary by more than 10% in the entire grating.

Abstract: A disclosed device for optically scanning a target surface includes a light source unit configured to emit a light beam; a light intensity detecting unit; a coupling unit configured to substantially collimate the emitted light beam; a beam limiting unit configured to limit the amount of the collimated light beam; a beam splitting unit configured to split the beam limited light beam and thereby to cause a first portion of the beam limited light beam to enter the light intensity detecting unit, wherein the light intensity detecting unit is configured to detect the intensity of the first portion of the beam limited light beam; and a beam deflecting unit configured to deflect a second portion of the split light beam toward the target surface. In the disclosed device, the beam limiting unit and the beam splitting unit are integrated as a single unitary structure and positioned between the coupling unit and the light deflecting unit.

Abstract: A diffractive optical element (1) composed of a ceramic, in which the optical characteristics are enhanced by enhancing the machining precision, is composed of an infrared-transmissive ceramic, and prominent portions (11) and groove portions (12) are repeatedly formed on a surface of the diffractive optical element (1). The average value of the surface roughness Ra within an optical effective area (10) of the surface of the diffractive optical element is 0.05 ?m or less, and the difference in the surface roughness Ra within the optical effective area (10) of the surface is 0.02 ?m or less.

Abstract: A laser beam emission is collimated by optics. The collimated beam is shaped into an expanding planar laser beam by line generator optics. The expanding planar laser beam is collimated by other optics such that a beam having a generally rectangular cross-section is derived. The resulting beam can be used in ink drop detection and/or other applications.

Abstract: In a method for the production of x-ray-optical gratings composed of a first material forming of periodically arranged grating webs and grating openings, a second material is applied by electroplating to fill the grid openings. The electroplating is continued until a cohesive layer of the second material with uniform height is created over the grating webs with this layer having a large absorption coefficient, the absorption properties of the grating structure of the grating are homogenized, so an improvement of the measurement signals that are generated with this grating is improved. Moreover, the mechanical stability of gratings produced in such a manner is improved.

Abstract: An optical tweezers controlling device including a light source, an objective lens and a focus adjusting unit is provided. The focus adjusting unit disposed between the light source and the objective lens includes a mirror set and a zoom lens set. The mirror set has at least a mirror. The mirror is rotatable such that after a light of the light source is projected to the mirror, the reflective direction of the light reflected from the mirror is changeable. The zoom lens set has at least a zoom lens disposed in accordance with the mirror. By rotating the mirror or changing the focal length of the zoom lens, the focusing location of the light changes on the focal plane of the objective lens or in the front or the rear of the focal plane.

Abstract: A method for designing a grating comprises steps of (a1) generating a first diffraction spectrum based on calculation values of a plurality of structural parameters, (a2) calculating a first difference value between the first diffraction spectrum and a first nominal spectrum, (a3) setting a default difference value with the first difference value and default structural parameter values with the structural parameter values, (b1) changing one of the structural parameter values to generate a second diffraction spectrum, (b2) calculating a second difference value between the second diffraction spectrum and a second nominal spectrum, and (c) comparing the default difference value and the second difference value, updating a default difference value with the smaller one, and updating the default structural parameter values with the structural parameter values corresponding to the smaller one.

Abstract: A method for fabricating microparticles. The method includes providing a removable substrate that has a photosensitive material. The substrate has a plurality of inner regions. Each inner region surrounds a corresponding outer region. The method also includes providing at least one optically detectable code within at least one of the inner regions of the substrate and etching lines into the substrate to create a plurality of microparticles having at least one optically detectable code therein. The microparticles have elongated bodies that extend in an axial direction. The optically detectable codes extend in the axial direction within the microparticles.

Abstract: A sighting device couples a sight mark into a viewing beam path and is especially for a handheld weapon (2), a bow or a pump gun. The sighting device includes an optical component (6) having a first optical coupling element (8) for coupling the sight mark from a sight mark source into the component (6) and having a second optical coupling element in the region of the viewing beam path for coupling the sight mark (14) out of the component (6) and into the viewing beam path. The second optical coupling element is configured as a diffractive structure (9). The optical component (6) is configured to be totally reflective for guiding the sight mark beam in the interior of the optical component and is at least partially transmissive for the viewing beam paths in the region of the viewing beam path. In this way, a compact and lightweight illuminated sight is provided.

Abstract: An optical identification element including a non-waveguide optical substrate. The optical substrate has a volume and includes an inner region surrounded by an outer region. The inner region has an index of refraction that prevents the optical substrate from forming an optical waveguide. The optical substrate includes a diffraction grating within the volume, and the grating provides an output signal indicative of a code when illuminated by an incident light.

Abstract: A reflection of unnecessary light, which should be prevented, can be suppressed, and occurrence of stray light can be reduced using a member having an antireflection structure, comprising a plate-like portion 2, and an aperture portion 3 formed in the plate-like portion 2, wherein the antireflection structure having an aspect ratio of 1 or more and comprising structural elements arranged in an array form at a period smaller than the shortest wavelength of light, the reflection of which should be prevented, is formed on an inner wall 4 of the aperture portion 3.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for changing optical tweezers are provided. The apparatus includes a diffractive optical element (DOE), a mask unit and an objective lens. The DOE includes a plurality of phase delay patterns. The mask unit includes a plurality of mask patterns that correspond to the phase delay patterns, respectively, wherein at least a portion of the mask patterns are complementary. A laser beam passing through each phase diffractive pattern correspondingly passes through each mask pattern to generate a compound diffractive pattern. The objective lens receives the compound diffractive pattern and focuses it on an examining object to form an optical tweezers.

Abstract: A diffractive beam expander (50) comprises a substantially planar waveguiding substrate, an input grating (10) to provide an in-coupled beam (B1) propagating within said substrate, and an output grating (30) to provide an out-coupled beam. The expander (50) comprises also four or more further grating portions to expand the height of the in-coupled beam (B1). A part of the in-coupled light is diffracted by a first deflecting grating portion (21 a) to provide a first deflected beam. A part of the in-coupled light is diffracted by a second deflecting grating portion (22a) to provide a second deflected beam. The first deflected beam propagates downwards and the second deflected beam propagates upwards with respect to the in-coupled beam (B1). The first deflected beam impinges on a first direction-restoring grating portion (21 b) and the second deflected beam impinges on a second direction-restoring grating portion (22b).

Abstract: To produce a grating image for a security document, a contour line (9) is filled with hatching lines (11) with the help of a drawing program, grating coordinates are calculated from the intersection points between the hatching lines (11) and the contour line (9), and the such produced data records of the grating image are supplied to a lithography machine.

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 irradiation device for the polarization of alkali metal atoms for the hyperpolarization of noble gases by spin exchange includes at least one semiconductor laser device which can generate laser light which, with regard to its wavelength, is suitable for the polarization of the alkali metal atoms. A polarizer effects circular polarization of the laser light generated by the semiconductor laser device. A device for introducing the laser light into a working region in which the alkali metal atoms to be polarized can be present, and a device for defining a wavelength of the laser light, which can couple part of the laser light back into the semiconductor laser device in order thereby to define the wavelength of the laser light at a predetermined wavelength or a predetermined wavelength range.

Abstract: A variety of lenses, lens assemblies, imaging devices, applications for such lenses, assemblies and devices, and related methods of operation and manufacturing are disclosed. At least some embodiments of the invention relate to a lens that includes first and second inward-facing surfaces that are each at least partly reflective. The lens further includes a first aperture that is positioned around at least a portion of an outer periphery of one of the first and second inward-facing surfaces, and a second aperture existing proximate a central region of the lens. The light proceeding within the lens between the first and second inward-facing surfaces is reflected at least twice on at least one of the first and second inward-facing surfaces as it travels between the first aperture and the second aperture.

Abstract: End reflectors, flat panel lens that may utilize the end reflector, and methods are provided. The end reflector for a flat panel lens may include a first grating having a first set of parallel planes. The first set of parallel planes may be of layers of alternating refractive indexes disposed at a first angle with a central plane of the flat panel lens. The end reflector may also include a second grating having a second set of parallel planes. The second set of parallel planes may be of layers of alternating refractive indexes of alternating refractive indexes disposed at a second angle with the central plane. The second angle may be equivalent to the first angle reflected about the central plane.

Abstract: A method of adjusting the pupil delay compensation of a convergent or divergent beam that includes placing a device composed of an afocal system comprising one or more passive optical components disposed on the propagation axis of the beam, at least one of the components being a focusing diffractive component, and moving the device along the propagation axis of the beam until the required pupil delay compensation is obtained, where the compensation is the algebraic sum of pupil delays of each passive optical component of the afocal system and lying in a range of values the limits of which are functions of the particular combination of the optical components chosen to form the afocal system of the compensation device.