Abstract: A grating portion has a plurality of convex portions provided on at least one principal plane of a transparent substrate having a first layer containing a first transparent material and a second layer containing a second transparent material, and extended in parallel to each other in a first direction as well as periodically arranged in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. A filling portion fills a third layer containing a third transparent material at least between the plurality of convex portions. Assuming that the change rate of the refractive index with the change of temperature of the first transparent material is ?A, the change rate of the refractive index with the change of temperature of the second transparent material is ?B, and the change rate of the refractive index with the change of temperature of the third transparent material is ?C, the relationship ?A<?C<0 and |?C|>|?B| is satisfied.

Abstract: A bio-sensing system comprises a light source, a bio-sensing apparatus, a detecting platform, and a processing unit. A bio-sensing apparatus further comprising a substrate, a sample with at least one analyte, at least one grating bound on the substrate for diffracting a light beam in a reflection mode and outputting at least one output light beam, a plurality of nanoparticles being bound on one side of the grating, a molecular recognition unit bound on said nanoparticle surface, and a cover plate covering the nanoparticle-modified side of the substrate. The detecting platform receives a signal while the at least one output light beam passing through the bio-sensing apparatus. The processing unit couples with the detecting platform for receiving and analyzing the signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying media data comprising digital display and an optical element configured for diffracting a plurality of monochromatic light beams impinging from the display to form a plurality of monochromatic images of the media data. The chromatic image and the monochromatic images having substantially equal resolution.

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: A diffractive optical element that can maintain transparency and be molded easily, and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. A diffractive optical element (10) includes a substrate (11), a protective film (13a, 13b), and a diffraction grating (12a, 12b) disposed between the substrate (11) and the protective film (13a, 13b), wherein the diffraction grating (12a, 12b) is formed of a composite material containing a resin and inorganic particles, a volume ratio of the inorganic particles with respect to the composite material is equal to or smaller than 50% by volume, and the diffraction grating (12a, 12b) has a thickness of equal to or smaller than 20 ?m. Since the diffractive optical element (10) uses the composite material containing the resin and the inorganic particles as a material for the diffraction grating (12a, 12b), which is relatively difficult to process, the moldability improves compared with the conventional case of using glass, etc.

Abstract: An apparatus for manipulating a perceived distance of a display. The apparatus comprises a display having an actual distance from a point of view (POV) and a diffractive optics element for diffracting light waves emitted from the display toward the POV, thereby manipulating a perceived distance of the display for an observer at the POV. The perceived distance is different from the actual distance.

Abstract: Methods for permanently introducing patterns in electro-optic crystals are provided, by forming patterned variations in the composition of the electro-optic crystals [28], during the crystal growth process. These methods open a way to a family of light-controlling devices that can operate at temperatures as high as 80 degrees centigrade, and may be stored at temperatures as high as 300 degrees centigrade. Additionally, they may withstand radiation of natural light and cosmic ray. In accordance with one embodiment, an electrically [76] controlled Bragg grating is introduced into a crystal, by a permanent periodic spatial variation [60] of its composition, forming permanent periodic striations. The periodic striations induce a spatial modulation of the dielectric constant, and the application of a uniform electric field produces an induced polarization grating.

Abstract: A mold manufacturing method for manufacturing a mold with which a diffractive lens array of high accuracy can be molded by the following steps: creating a set of coordinates of form points indicating a form of a concave portion which has a saw-toothed surface; deriving a set of coordinates of moving points by moving the coordinates of each of the form points; deriving an orbit for forming the concave portion, based on the moving points; and fabricating a metal mold by forming the concave portion which has a center that does not match a rotation center of the work piece, by moving a cutting tool along the orbit while rotating the work piece so as to cut the work piece.

Abstract: Decoration of a material is enabled with a high degree of recycling properties while satisfying the requirements for putting a structural color into practical use on the industrial scale. Furthermore, whether an object is genuine or not can be verified easily, and reusing by peeling as in the case of a hologram seal is prevented. A cavity 12 having a periodic structure 13 causing optical diffraction is formed in the inside of a substrate 11, and a periodic structure 15 causing optical diffraction is formed on part or the whole of the substrate 11. These cavity interface periodic structure 13 and the substrate surface periodic structure 15 have a regular arrangement developing a structural color. In addition, by bringing a functional material to be in contact with the substrate surface periodic structure 15, development of a structural color by the substrate surface periodic structure 15 is suppressed, thereby enabling a structural color developed by the cavity interface periodic structure 13 to be read.

Abstract: A diffractive optical element includes at least a first diffractive element and a second diffractive element. The conditional expression 0.5?D/DS?0.9 is preferably satisfied where DS denotes the summation of the optimum designed groove height of the first diffractive element d1S and that of the second diffractive element d2S, and D denotes the summation of an actual groove height of the first diffractive element d1 and that of the second diffractive element d2. At least one of the first diffractive element and the second diffractive element is made of glass. At least one of the first diffractive element and the second diffractive element is made of resin. The optimum designed value of groove heights of the diffractive optical element are determined so as to satisfy a condition for correcting chromatic aberration at both d-line and g-line.

Abstract: A polarization splitting section has a structure in that a polarization splitting layer is formed of a light reflecting grid member which is arranged in a grid-shaped pattern on an optically-transparent substrate, and an optically-transparent medium is filled between the grid member and the substrate in contact with the grid member surface and the substrate surface, and the grid member and the filled optically-transparent medium are bonded to the substrate with another adhesive agent or tackiness agent formed of an optically-transparent medium interposed. The polarization splitting layer is partly protruded externally from the surfaces of prism materials.

Abstract: For the purpose of mixing laser light (P0) from a laser light source (18), the laser light (P0) is made incident on a first end surface of an optical fiber (24), and is emitted from a second end surface of the optical fiber (24). Subsequently, laser light (P1) emitted from the second end surface of the optical fiber (24) is made incident on a first end surface of an optical fiber (28), and is emitted from a second end surface of the optical fiber (28). A swinging micro-electromechanical system (27) having a mirror plate (27a) is interposed between the second end surface of the optical fiber (24) and the first end surface of the optical fiber (28). Thus, the mirror plate (27a) is swung, and a laser beam (P4) is thereby shifted and mixed.

Abstract: A Bragg reflector grating comprises a plurality of chirped grating sections (65-72), in which at least a first chirped grating section and a second chirped grating section have differing ranges of grating pitches. The combined range of grating pitches provided by the first and second chirped grating sections includes at least one discontinuity, such that the first and second chirped grating sections have one or more grating pitches in common and/or there are one or more ranges of grating pitches within the combined range of grating pitches that are absent.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a diffractive element comprising a diffractive optical microstructure consisting of a modulated structure of a diffractive type which upon illumination by diffused ambient light creates a two-dimensional image to be viewed by an observer upon tilting or rotating the device or by varying lighting direction, wherein the diffractive modulated structure of the device consists of various generally parameterised special optical elements with specifically prescribed groove shapes, wherein each groove shape, position, centre(s), and line thickness, are described by functions describing those dependencies which are variables of the positional coordinate of the optical element.

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: The present invention provides a retaining body and the like which adjust a diffraction state of a laser beam using a simple configuration. The retaining body of the invention is a retaining body 15 of a diffraction grating 41 attached to a base 2 of an optical pickup P. The retaining body 15 includes a main body 16, first retaining means 15a which retains a diffraction grating 41 while the diffraction grating 41 is rotatable with respect to the main body 16, second retaining means 17, 19 which retain the main body 16 while the main body 16 is rotatable with respect to base 2, and main body moving means 18, 18a which are used to move the main body 16 with respect to the base 2.

Abstract: An optical module can achieve an optical system using a transmission-type diffraction grating for bending the optical path of incident light with a specific wavelength by about 90°. A substrate of the transmission-type diffraction grating is mounted at an angle in a range of ±5° with respect to the design incident angle ? of the incident light. The optical system can be applied to a light multiplexing/demultiplexing module.

Abstract: An optically variable element, in particular an optically variable safeguard element for safeguarding banknotes, credit cards and the like. 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. The interference film and/or the reflective layer include a partial element, namely a partial thin film element or a partial reflective element, respectively. The partial element or elements surround the surface region of the transparent window.

Abstract: The present invention may provide a structure capable of obtaining a higher difference in refractive indices between that of a transparent material and that of a cavity, than in the past, and a manufacturing method thereof, and the present invention provides a structure having a transparent material and an internal cavity which is formed by irradiating said transparent material with a pulse laser beam having a pulse width of 10×10?12 seconds or less, and wherein refractive index of said transparent material at d line is nd?1.

Abstract: A light diffusion arrangement, for a photographic device having a flashlight, includes a diffuser housing, a plurality of diffracting mesh members, and a plurality of light diffusing elements. The diffuser housing has a light-admissible surrounding sidewall radially extended from a base portion to define a light diffraction cavity. The diffracting mesh members are integrally formed on an inner side surface of the surrounding sidewall of the diffuser housing, while the light diffusing elements are integrally formed on an outer side surface of the surrounding sidewall of the diffuser housing, wherein the diffracted light is arranged to impinge on the light diffusing elements from the light diffraction cavity, in such a manner that each of the light diffusing elements is adapted to diverge the diffracted light for diffusing the diffracted light, so as to provide a uniform light diffusion effect as an optimal lighting effect for the photographic device.

Abstract: Provided are a processing method and a processing apparatus which are capable of suppressing a disturbance attributable to a surface wave in a processing by interfered laser beams, in particular, a processing by the interfered laser beams of a pulsed laser having a pulse width of equal to or more than 1 fs and of equal to or less than 1 ps, in which the wavelength of a surface wave that propagates in a direction of the interference of the laser is made longer than a pitch of the interference of the laser on a surface of an object to be processed to process the object.

Abstract: Improved photo-masks for use in fabricating photonic crystal devices are disclosed herein. Methods of making photonic crystal devices, as well as the photonic crystal devices 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 photonic crystal structure at a specific location within a photosensitive recording material.

Abstract: A wavelength selective optical switch particularly usable as a programmable N×M optical switch in a multi-wavelength communication system. The switch uses a grating that separates multi-channel optical signals into a plurality of optical channels, and combines a plurality of optical channels into multi-channel optical signals. Programmable mirrors switch each optical channel to any of a plurality of fibers coupled to the switch.

Abstract: A spectral filter comprises a planar optical waveguide having at least one set of diffractive elements. The waveguide confines in one transverse dimension an optical signal propagating in two other dimensions therein. The waveguide supports multiple transverse modes. Each diffractive element set routes, between input and output ports, a diffracted portion of the optical signal propagating in the planar waveguide and diffracted by the diffractive elements. The diffracted portion of the optical signal reaches the output port as a superposition of multiple transverse modes. A multimode optical source may launch the optical signal into the planar waveguide, through the corresponding input optical port, as a superposition of multiple transverse modes. A multimode output waveguide may receive, through the output port, the diffracted portion of the optical signal. Multiple diffractive element sets may route corresponding diffracted portions of optical signal between one or more corresponding input and output ports.

Abstract: A binocular device for transmitting an image into the eyes is provided. The binocular device comprises a first monocular device, for providing one eye with a first asymmetric field-of-view, and a second monocular device for providing another eye with a second asymmetric field-of-view, where the first and second asymmetric field-of-views are mutually complementary to a combined field-of-view, wider than each individual asymmetric field-of-view.

Abstract: An optical device comprises a first optical system, a second optical system, a shading unit, and a diffraction grating. The first optical system transforms incident light to parallel light. The second optical system transforms incident light to parallel light. An optical axis of the second optical system is different from an optical axis of the first optical system. The shading unit has transmission areas having slit forms and shading areas having strip forms. The transmission areas and the shading areas are alternately arranged. The diffraction grating deflects the light transmitted by the transmission areas in a predetermined direction. Part of the incident light through the first optical system passes through the transmission areas, and the rest are shaded by the shading areas. Part of the incident light through the second optical system passes through the transmission areas, and the rest are shaded by the shading areas.

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

Abstract: Provided are a reflective plate and a display, and a method of controlling a distribution of reflected light. The reflective plate includes a plurality of diffracting grating cells including gratings reflecting incident light, wherein the gratings are arranged at predetermined intervals, and at least one of an arrangement period and an arrangement direction of each of the gratings of the plurality of diffracting grating cells is adjusted to limit a distribution of reflected light.

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: A structure that is located adjacent to a measurement target on a substrate is used to convert incident radiation from an optical metrology device to be in-plane with the measurement target. The structure may be, e.g., a grating or photonic crystal, and may include a waveguide between the structure and the measurement target. The in-plane light interacts with the measurement target and is reflected back to the structure, which converts the in-plane light to out-of-plane light that is received by the optical metrology device. The optical metrology device then uses the information from the received light to determine one or more desired parameters of the measurement target. Additional structures may be used to receive light that is transmitted through or scattered by the measurement target if desired.

Abstract: A dispersive filter includes two dispersion systems with an intermediate slit between them. The two dispersion systems have similar but mirror image dispersion characteristics at the plane of the intermediate slit and are configured so that the entrance port of the dispersive filter is polychromatically imaged on the exit port. The intermediate slit passes blocks selected wavelengths and transmits the remaining dispersed wavelengths from the first dispersion system to the second dispersion system. The second dispersion system combines the dispersed beam that passes through the intermediate slit to form an output beam, which is focused on the exit port. In this manner, the radiance of the input radiation is preserved ignoring losses caused by the optical elements and the blocked wavelengths.

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 method and apparatus for dispersion compensation which provides a specified, well-controlled, wavelength-dependent optical path length in a laser or other optical system. A reflection grism-like device with an angled output interface is designed to simultaneously provide negative GVD and negative TOD, and therefore can be used to compensate for material dispersion. These gratings are very efficient due to their near-Littrow configuration and can be used over a broad spectral range, which is particularly useful in ultra-short-pulse applications.

Abstract: A diffractive grating element is divided into at least two different grating regions each having different diffractive properties and arranged on opposite sides with respect to a transition point to form a splitted grating structure. The diffractions generated by the at least two different grating regions are arranged to mutually compensate for the variation in the input angle of the incident light wave to the total diffraction efficiency of the at least one diffracted light wave that is arranged to propagate within the substrate.

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 laser probe includes an emitting optical fiber, optics, and two or more receiving optical fibers. The emitting optical fiber emits a beam of laser light. The optics diffract the beam of light emitted by the emitting optical fiber. The receiving optical fibers each receive a beam of light diffracted by the optics.

Abstract: A method and system for correcting aberrations in a beam of light including correcting for effects from an undiffracted portion of an input beam. The method and system includes (1) a component for providing a beam of light; (2) a component for applying a diffraction grating pattern to the beam of light to establish an optical gradient to form an optical trap; (3) component for measuring aberration in the beam of light having the applied diffraction grating pattern; (4) component for calculating a phase-shifting diffraction grating encoding the aberration; and (5) component for projecting the phase-shifting diffraction grating in conjunction with the diffraction grating pattern characteristic of the optical trap.

Abstract: A principle of blazing that is effective even in the resonance domain. Light (51) is made incident on a diffraction grating so that specular resonance can occur in two or more light scattering units including, for example, bispheres (11a, 21a; 12a,22a), and by the specular resonance, a fraction of diffracted light 52 that is diffracted by the first layer (1) and the second layer (2) is selectively enhanced. It also becomes possible to tune a blazing condition by a control signal from outside.

Abstract: An objective optical element of an optical pickup apparatus has a magnification m1 satisfying the following formula for a light flux of the wavelength ?1:?1/7?m1??1/25 and |m1 |<|M1, where M1 is an optical system magnification from the first light source to the first optical information recording medium for a light flux of the wavelength ?1. The objective optical element comprises a common region and an exclusive region. The exclusive region includes an exclusive diffractive structure having a function to suppress an increase of spherical aberration due to a raise of atmospheric temperature. A light flux of a wavelength ?2. having passed through the exclusive diffractive structure intersects with the optical axis at a position different from the position of the converged light spot formed on the information recording plane of the second optical information recording medium.

Abstract: A Bragg grating that has an average index of refraction that changes with temperature to compensate for variations in grating spacing caused by temperature changes.

Abstract: A light redirecting solar control film includes a multilayer film that transmits visible light and reflects infrared light, and a light redirecting layer adjacent to the multilayer film forming a light redirecting solar control film. The light redirecting layer includes a major surface forming a plurality of prism structures.

Abstract: A diffractive optical element has a support and a plurality of diffraction structures. The latter are applied on the support and are binary blazed by being split into substructures so that the aspect ratio of the substructures varies locally within an individual diffraction structure. One or more substructures with a large aspect ratio inside an individual diffraction structure are replaced by at least one substitute structure whose aspect ratio is less than that of the replaced substructures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manipulating particles (micro, nano, and pico) having one or more characteristics with an optical trap formed by modulating a laser beam with a Diffractive Optical Element (DOE). At least one characteristic of the material is selected; and a laser beam having a selected wavelength corresponding to the at least one selected characteristic of the material is generated. Values of the DOE are calculated corresponding to the at least one selected characteristic of the material. The beam and the DOE are modulated to produce a holographic optical trap having properties corresponding to the at least one selected characteristic; the trap is focused to a beam focus or selected spot size; and the beam focus is located near a particle location for trapping the particle therein.

Abstract: An optical pulse-width modifier structure includes a first diffraction grating and an optically unpowered reversing mirror. An optical path extends between the first diffraction grating and the optically unpowered reversing mirror. A second diffraction grating lies on the optical path between the first diffraction grating and the optically unpowered mirror. A set of optically powered mirrors lies on the optical path between the first diffraction grating and the second diffraction grating. The diffraction gratings and mirrors are positioned such that an input light beam is diffracted from the first diffraction grating, reflected from each of the set of optically powered mirrors, diffracted from the second diffraction grating, reflected from the optically unpowered reversing mirror back to the second diffraction grating, diffracted from the second diffraction grating, reflected from each of the set of optically powered mirrors, and diffracted from the first diffraction grating as an output light beam.

Abstract: A chirped pulse amplification (CPA) system and method is described wherein the pulse is stretched using multiple passes through a Bragg grating or compressed using multiple passes through a Bragg grating. A switch may be used to control the number of passes through the Bragg grating, thus, tuning the compressed or the stretched pulse width. The pulse may be directed through an amplifier between the multiple passes through the Bragg grating to apply amplification to the stretched pulse multiple times. The Bragg grating may include a fiber Bragg grating, a volume Bragg grating, or a Bragg waveguide.

Abstract: Novel methods are disclosed for designing and constructing miniature optical systems and devices employing light diffractive optical elements (DOEs) for modifying the size and shape of laser beams produced from a commercial-grade laser diodes, over an extended range hitherto unachievable using conventional techniques. The systems and devices of the present invention have uses in a wide range of applications, including laser scanning, optical-based information storage, medical and analytical instrumentation, and the like. In the illustrative embodiments, various techniques are disclosed for implementing the DOEs as holographic optical elements (HOEs), computer-generated holograms (CGHs), as well as other diffractive optical elements.

Abstract: An optical beam combiner and a related method for its operation, in which multiple coherent input beams are directed onto a diffractive optical element (DOE) along directions corresponding to diffraction orders of the DOE, such that the DOE generates a single output beam in a direction corresponding to a desired diffraction order, and suppresses outputs in directions corresponding to unwanted diffraction orders. The phases of the input beams are actively controlled to ensure and maintain the condition that only a single diffraction mode is present in the output of the DOE.

Abstract: A conventional diffractive optical element (DOE), which consists of repetition of a unit pattern , has an advantage of applicability of the Fast Fourier Transform algorithm to calculate diffraction beam spots intensities on lattice points on an image plane. But, the conventional DOE has a drawback of impossibility of diffracting a laser beam off the lattice points. This invention designs a DOE by giving arbitrary complex amplitude transmittance {tmn} to every pixel (m, n), calculating actual Fourier transform from {tmn} to intensity W(?, ?), and obtaining intensity of a diffraction beam directing in any ? and ? direction. Since ?, ? are not necessary to be on lattice points, the FFT is of no use. Angular resolutions U and V satisfy inequalities U<?/aR and V<?/bS, where ? is a wavelength, aR and bS are the size of the DOE. The DOE can produce multidiffracted beams anywhere on an image and can irradiate a plurality of arbitrary arranged points simultaneously with high precision.

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: An illumination system designed to eliminate laser speckle and a single-panel projection system employing the same. The illumination system includes a laser light source to sequentially emit a plurality of laser beams, and a first diffractive optical element that is partitioned into a plurality of segments having diffractive patterns that correspond to the plurality of laser beams to move synchronously with the sequential emission of the plurality of laser beams. The laser speckle is removed by moving the first diffractive optical element in such a manner as to temporally average the plurality of laser beams. The illumination system efficiently removes the laser speckle, and the projection system having the illumination system provides improved image quality.