Abstract: A diffractive optical element used as a lens of an optical system includes a first diffractive grating that includes a first grating surface and a first grating wall surface, a reflective member disposed on the first grating wall surface, and a second diffractive grating that includes a second grating surface and a second grating wall surface, and that is disposed so that the second grating surface contacts the first grating surface and the second grating wall surface contacts the reflective member. When off-screen light having an incident angle larger than that of off-axis light flux enters the diffractive optical element at a predetermined incident angle, an emission angle of light having the maximum intensity emitted from the first or second grating wall surface is appropriately set. The maximum width of the reflective member and a grating pitch of each of the first and second diffractive gratings are appropriately set.

Abstract: Volumetric Bragg grating devices that operate in middle-infrared region of the spectrum and methods for producing such devices are described. Such a Volumetric Bragg grating device can be produced by forming a plurality of color centers within an alkali-halide crystal and selectively removing a subset of the plurality of color centers to produce variations in refractive index of the alkali-halide crystal in the middle-infrared spectral region and to thereby produce a volumetric Bragg grating that operates in middle-infrared spectral range.

Abstract: Optical components and systems comprising combined optical filters and diffraction gratings are generally described. In certain embodiments, an optical filter is in contact with a diffraction grating. In certain embodiments, the optical filter and the diffraction grating can be used to diffract and direct a first portion of electromagnetic radiation incident upon the grating and filter toward a receiver while filtering a second portion of the electromagnetic radiation incident upon the grating and filter.

Abstract: An optical member includes: a total reflection mirror including a reflection surface for reflecting a laser beam; a filter including a partially transmissive surface for passing therethrough a part of the laser beam and reflecting the remaining part of the laser beam, the partially transmissive surface being located so as to be opposed to the reflection surface ; and a diffraction grating into which the laser beam enters, for diffracting the incident laser beam to enter the total reflection mirror or the partially transmissive filter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing duality modulation of electromagnetic radiation beyond levels achievable by individual duality modulation generators where duality modulation imparts to radiation a disproportion of irradiance and wave intensity. Various techniques are disclosed for configuring a multiplicity of individual duality modulation generators in a cascade such that initially input radiation acquires cumulative increments of duality modulation upon traversing the cascade of individual generators.

Abstract: Provided is a light-guiding substrate that can propagate light, which has been emitted by means of a light emitting device, in a confined state with an efficiency as high as possible. An optical system provided with the light-guiding substrate is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for dynamically varying an optical characteristic of a light beam includes an optical element configured to receive a beam of light. The optical element includes at least one sub-wavelength grating formed of a plurality of lines. The apparatus includes at least one actuator connected to at least one component of the optical element and a controller for controlling the at least one actuator to dynamically vary a characteristic of the beam of light that is at least one of emitted through and reflected from the optical element.

Abstract: A sensing device with an odd-symmetry grating projects near-field spatial modulations onto a closely spaced photodetector array. Due to physical properties of the grating, the spatial modulations are in focus for a range of wavelengths and spacings. The spatial modulations are captured by the array, and photographs and other image information can be extracted from the resultant data. Used in conjunction with a converging optical element, versions of these gratings provide depth information about objects in an imaged scene. This depth information can be computationally extracted to obtain a depth map of the scene.

Abstract: A diffraction optical element including: a diffractive grating provided with a grating surface and a grating wall surface; and a thin film arranged on the grating wall surface and being transparent with respect to light of a used wavelength range, wherein the following expressions; 0.05<nfd?ngd<0.5 0.01<(nfd?ngd)*wf/?d<0.05 are satisfied, where nfd is a refractive index of the thin film with respect to a d line, ngd is a refractive index of a material of the diffractive grating with respect to the d line, wf is a thickness of the thin film, and ?d is a wavelength of the d line.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical device, including a light-transmissive substrate, and a pair of different, parallel gratings including a first grating and second grating, located on the substrate at a constant distance from each other, each of the pair of parallel gratings including at least one sequence of a plurality of parallel lines, wherein the spacings between the lines gradually increase from one edge of the grating up to a maximum distance between the lines, and wherein the arrangement of lines in the second grating is in the same direction as that of the first grating. A system utilizing a plurality of such optical devices is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a diffraction grating comprises below steps. Firstly providing a substrate which having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. Then providing a first predetermined function associated with arrangement of the grooves of the first grating and a second predetermined function associated with arrangement of the grooves of the second grating. Thirdly transforming the first function into a first Fourier series and transforming the second function into a second Fourier series. Fourthly forming the first grating on the first surface of the substrate using a fast tool sever system according to the first Fourier series. Lastly forming the second grating on the second surface using the fast tool sever system according to the second Fourier series.

Abstract: A lens having an extended range of focus is made of a transparent material and has two optical surfaces. The lens defines an optical axis and a focal power distribution (Ftot) which, in relation to a plane perpendicular to the optical axis, changes as a function of the radial height (r) and of the azimuth angle (phi) of the aperture between a calculated basic value of the focal power (Flens) not equal to zero and a maximum value Fspiral max (r, phi).

Abstract: Several techniques are provided to reduce the spurious reflection generated at the exit surface of a transmission grating. In one embodiment the exit surface of the grating is not parallel with the entrance surface. In another embodiment, the first and second surfaces of the grating are parallel and a second substrate is attached to the second surface of the grating. The second substrate has an entrance surface and an exit surface having at least a wedge angle relative to the entrance surface. In another embodiment, a second substrate is fixedly connected to the second surface of a parallel plate grating, where the second substrate has an entrance surface and an exit surface. The exit surface is curved such that it will be about normal to a beam transmitted over a range of angels of incidence onto the grating region.

Abstract: Described herein are diffraction gratings and methods for the manufacture thereof. One method comprises applying a force to a substrate to strain the substrate, disposing a thin film on at least a portion of the substrate, and reducing the force applied to the substrate, thereby causing the thin film to buckle.

Abstract: The optical system includes plural lens groups, a negative lens included in one lens group among the plural lens groups and formed of a first medium, a diffractive grating formed on at least one lens surface of the negative lens and being in contact with a second medium different from the first medium, and a positive lens included in the one lens group and formed of a third medium different from the first medium and the second medium. The first medium satisfies ndA?1.7 and 40??dA?55 where ndA represents a refractive index of the first medium for a d-line, and ?dA represents an Abbe number of the first medium for the d-line. The third medium satisfies ndC?1.55 and ?dC?60 where ndC represents a refractive index of the third medium for the d-line, and ?dC represents an Abbe number of the third medium for the d-line.

Abstract: Provided are solar cell assemblies for harvesting solar radiation having a diffractive optic, a reflective surface that directs solar radiation to the diffractive optic, and a plurality of solar converters including a first converter having a first energy conversion efficiency, wherein the diffractive optic directs a first portion of the solar radiation to the first converter and a second portion of the solar radiation to the second converter.

Abstract: Light concentration of order more than 10 times using sub-wavelength diffraction gratings integrated on top and bottom surface of a planar glass substrate is claimed. The invention discloses designing of subwavelength gratings, with period less than the wavelength of light, which can effectively guide the incoming solar radiation into the glass substrate. The subwavelength gratings so designed eliminate long wavelength IR light with energy below the band gap of solar cell completely thus reducing the heating of the solar cell and eliminating the extra cooling requirement (size) thus increasing the efficacy. The subwavelength gratings integrated on top of low cost planar glass substrates and can be used for solar photovoltaic and other applications for heating/cooling purposes.

Abstract: A security device comprising at least first and second superposed optically variable effect generating structures (3-5, 31-51), each having a surface relief microstructure, the second optically variable effect generating structure being viewable through the first.

Abstract: Films for optical use, articles containing such films, methods for making such films, and systems that utilize such films, are disclosed.

Abstract: A novel manufacturing method for a diffraction lens, whereby aperture and eccentricity effects can be suppressed and any multi-focusing effect can also be obtained in a more stable manner. A synchronous structure is set up where at least two reliefs whose first order diffracted lights give respective focal distances different from one another are set to overlap with each other in at least a part of an area in a radial direction of a diffraction lens, and with respect to every grating pitches of one relief having the maximum grating pitch among the reliefs set up in overlap, grating pitches of another relief are overlapped periodically; and the resulting relief pattern is formed on a surface of an optical material.

Abstract: A three dimensional shape measurement apparatus includes an illumination section and a grating transfer unit. The illumination section includes a light source unit generating a light and a grating unit changing the light generated by the light source unit into a grating pattern light having a grating pattern. The illumination section illuminates the grating pattern light onto a measurement target in a predetermined direction. The grating transfer unit transfers the grating unit in a predetermined inclination direction with respect to an extension direction of the grating pattern and an arrangement direction of the grating pattern. Thus, manufacturing cost may be reduced, and the three dimensional shape measurement apparatus may be easily managed.

Abstract: An image display device includes an image forming device, collimating optical system, and optical device, with the optical device including a light guide plate, first diffraction grating member and second diffraction grating member which are made up of a volume hologram diffraction grating, and with central light emitted from the pixel of the center of the image forming device and passed through the center of the collimating optical system being input to the light guide plate from the near side of the second diffraction grating member with a certain angle. Thus, the image display device capable of preventing occurrence of color irregularities, despite the simple configuration, can be provided.

Abstract: An element includes a first resin layer and a second resin layer disposed between a first glass lens substrate and a second glass lens substrate, a boundary surface between the first resin layer and the second resin layer having a diffraction grating shape including a plurality of inclined surfaces and wall surfaces. The second resin layer is composed of a fluororesin in which fine metal oxide particles are dispersed. Since a refractive index distribution easily occurs in this material during curing by application of ultraviolet light, by applying ultraviolet light substantially perpendicular to the inclined surfaces of the diffraction grating shape, a refractive index distribution is formed in the thickness direction perpendicularly to the inclined surfaces.

Abstract: There is provided is a transmitted light control device capable of controlling a peak wavelength and a peak intensity of transmitted light while keeping a sharp wavelength width. A transmitted light control device 10 includes: a grating substrate 1; a metal thin film 2; a conducting polymer layer 3 made by depositing a conducting polymer on the metal thin film 2; a cell 4 filled with a liquid medium 5 composed of an electrolyte or a buffer solution and configured such that a part of the liquid medium 5 is in contact with the conducting polymer layer 3; and a metal thin film potential control means 6 having a working electrode W connected to the metal thin film 2 and having a counter electrode C and a reference electrode R each connected to the liquid medium 5. The substrate 1 and at least a part of the cell 4 are made of a light transmitting material.

Abstract: A grating structure and a solar cell assembly. In one aspect, the grating structure suppresses the zero order transmission to near 0%. In another aspect, the solar cell assembly has improved absorption due to coupling with a grating structure.

Abstract: A device for compensating time dispersions applied to the generation of ultra-short pulses, includes: two transparent optical diffraction gratings (RA, RB), which are identical and parallel to each other, operating on the principle of the Bragg diffraction, and two identical prisms (PA, PB), placed head to tail, in the space separating the optical diffraction gratings (RA, RB), knowing that the outer faces (FeA, FeB) of the prisms are parallel to each other and form a non-zero angle (?) with the faces of the optical diffraction gratings.

Abstract: A compact wavelength dispersing device and a wavelength selective optical switch based on the wavelength dispersing device is described. The wavelength dispersing device has a folding mirror that folds the optical path at least three times. A focal length of a focusing coupler of the device is reduced and the NA is increased, while the increased optical aberrations are mitigated by using an optional coma-compensating wedge. A double-pass arrangement for a transmission diffraction grating allows further focal length and overall size reduction due to increased angular dispersion.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a plurality of diffractive optical elements includes providing a partially transmissive slide, providing a first piece of PTR glass, and directing first UV radiation through the partially transmissive slide to impinge on the first piece of PTR glass. The method also includes exposing predetermined portions of the first piece of PTR glass to the first UV radiation and thermally treating the exposed first piece of PTR glass. The method further includes providing a second piece of PTR glass and directing second UV radiation through the thermally treated first piece of PTR glass to impinge on the second piece of PTR glass. The method additionally includes exposing predetermined portions of the second piece of PTR glass to the second UV radiation, thermally treating the exposed second piece of PTR glass, and repeating providing and processing of the second piece of PTR glass using additional pieces of PTR glass.

Abstract: In a collimator lens, in a case where divergent light emitted from a position P1 at a distance S1 from a second face enters the second face and imaging is performed at a position P2 at a distance S2 from a first face, in a temperature range of 0° C. to 60° C. and in a range of the emission wavelength of the light source which changes within the temperature range, and when a minimum value of a wavefront aberration of an image, which is generated at the position P2 by the divergent light emitted from the position P1 in a range of 0<S1/S2?50, is WF1, and when a minimum value of a wavefront aberration of an image, which is generated at the position P2 when parallel light satisfying S1=? enters the second face, is WF2, a relationship of WF1<WF2 is satisfied.

Abstract: The diffraction grating is a transmission-type diffraction grating having a repeating structure of projection and recess on at least one surface of a substrate. A sub-structure of which the cross section is approximated as a triangle or a trapezoid is provided in the recess. The height H of the projection and the height h of the sub-structure are set such that the ratio of the height h of the sub-structure to the height H of the projection is in the range of from 0.05 to 0.45.

Abstract: A diffractive light outcoupling unit for forming a part of a directive light outcoupling system of a lighting device including a plurality of diffractive outcoupling units. The diffractive light outcoupling units each include a carrier element for accommodating a diffractive surface relief pattern, and a diffractive surface relief pattern including a plurality of consecutive diffractive surface relief forms defined on a surface area of the carrier element arranged to couple light incident on the diffractive surface relief pattern outside the carrier element via interaction involving at least two surface relief forms of the plurality of surface relief forms of the diffractive surface relief pattern so as to enhance the directivity of the coupled light. A diffractive light outcoupling system includes a plurality of diffractive light outcoupling units. A lightguide includes the outcoupling system.

Abstract: Provided are a complex spatial light modulator and a three-dimensional image display device including the same. The complex spatial light modulator includes: a spatial light modulator for modulating a phase of light; a prism array disposed next to the spatial light modulator; and a polarization-independent diffractive element for diffracting light that has passed through the prism array. The complex spatial light modulator may modulate both phase and amplitude of light.

Abstract: A sensor chip includes: a substrate that has a planar portion; and a diffraction grating, on which a target substance is placed, that includes a plurality of first protrusions periodically arranged in a period equal to or greater than 100 nm and equal to or less than 1000 nm in a first direction that is parallel to the planar portion, a plurality of base portions that is located between two of the first protrusions adjacent to each other and configures a base of the substrate, and a plurality of second protrusions that is formed on upper faces of the plurality of the first protrusions, has a surface formed from a metal, and is formed on the planar portion.

Abstract: A structured color filtering device includes one or more unit cells. Each unit cell includes a substrate having a surface with a step function surface profile having two or more discrete levels formed therein. The step function surface profile forms in the surface a plurality of grooves arranged in a fundamentally symmetric pattern having a periodic groove pitch. When ordinary light is incident on the surface, the surface is structured to diffract light having a predetermined wavelength toward observation points at all polar angles above the surface greater than a predetermined incident angle.

Abstract: An optical device comprising a planar waveguide located on a planar substrate, the planar waveguide including a light-transmissive layer and an optical grating coupler being located along the planar substrate and being adjacent to and optically coupled to the planar waveguide. The optical coupler includes an optical grating of the light-transmissive layer. The optical grating includes a periodic arrangement of light-refractive structures and one or more slotted openings separating the optical grating into two or more grating segments that have long axes that are substantially parallel to a propagation direction of a light beam configured to pass between the planar waveguide and the optical coupler. Pitch distances between adjacent ones of the grating segments are less than a wavelength of the light beam divided by an effective refractive index of the light-transmissive layer.

Abstract: A grating structure and a solar cell assembly. In one aspect, the grating structure suppresses the zero order transmission to near 0%. In another aspect, the solar cell assembly has improved absorption due to coupling with a grating structure.

Abstract: This invention provides a mold with which a two-dimensional subwavelength grating can be produced with a higher percentage transfer by injection molding and a two-dimensional subwavelength grating having a high aspect ratio produced with such a mold. The mold for a fine grating according to the present invention has protrusion parts (107) arranged at an interval on the bottom face (103) of a cavity, wherein the interval is a distance between centers of the protrusion parts and a period of the fine grating smaller than wavelengths of visible lights. In one embodiment, a cross-section of the protrusion parts, parallel to the bottom face of the cavity decreases with height along the protrusion parts and a decreasing rate of the cross-section increases with height along the protrusions.

Abstract: Light-detection systems that do not destroy the light to be detected or change the propagation direction of the light are described. In one aspect, a light-detection system includes an optical element composed of a substrate with a planar surface and a polarization insensitive, high contrast, sub-wavelength grating composed of posts that extend from the planar surface. The posts and/or lattice arrangement of the posts are non-periodically varied to impart orbital angular momentum and at least one helical wavefront on the light transmitted through the optical element.

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: An apparatus operable in touch-input mode and scanning mode uses a light guide and a camera to look through a slanted facet at one corner of the light guide. The light guide has an upper surface for placing a touch object or an item for scanning. An angular sensitive grating is located on lower surface having fringes such that when a light beam directed from a location P on upper surface toward lower surface at a predefined direction, it is diffracted by the grating and guided toward the slanted facet. The diffracted beam exits the slanted facet at an exiting angle indicative of the location P. When an object or item is placed on upper surface, it causes changes in exit beam intensity. From exiting angles and intensity changes, a camera is able to locate touch objects or to acquire an image of the scanned item.

Abstract: A lens including: a central refracting portion and a peripheral portion configured to support the lens in a lens mount wherein the peripheral portion has a surface including at least one out-coupling element configured to couple light out of the lens.

Abstract: A multifocal ophthalmic lens includes a lens element having an anterior surface and a posterior surface, a refractive zone, or base surface having produced multifocal powers disposed on one of the anterior and posterior surfaces; and a near focus diffractive multifocal zone disposed on one of the anterior and posterior surfaces.

Abstract: A light emitting device including a light emitting structure including a first conductive type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductive type semiconductor layer; a first photonic crystal structure on the light emitting structure; a lower encapsulant on the first photonic crystal structure; and a second photonic crystal structure on the lower encapsulant.

Abstract: An encoded microparticle including an optical substrate including a material that permits light to propagate therethrough. The optical substrate has an elongated body that extends in a direction along a central axis. The optical substrate includes an outer region that extends about the central axis. The encoded microparticle also includes an optically detectable code that is disposed within the optical substrate and extends along the central axis. The outer region surrounds the optically detectable code about the central axis. The optically detectable code is readable when the light propagates through the outer region and is at least one of reflected or filtered by the optically detectable code. Said at least one of reflected or filtered light propagates through the outer region to be detected for reading the optically detectable code.

Abstract: A diffractive optical element includes a first diffractive grating including a first grating surface and a first grating wall surface, a light shielding member disposed on the first grating wall surface, and a second diffractive grating including a second grating surface and a second grating wall surface, disposed so that the second grating surface contacts the first grating surface and the second grating wall surface contacts the light shielding member. An extinction coefficient k of a material that constitutes the light shielding member meets the expression of 0.001<k<0.5.

Abstract: To provide a diffractive optical element and a measuring device capable of generating light spots of dispersive type. The problem is resolved by providing a diffractive optical element having concaves and convexes and diffracting incident light in two dimensions so as to generate diffracted light, wherein when the number of a part of light spots formed by the diffracted light is denoted by n, an average distance W to the nearest neighbor in the light spots normalized by an area of a region onto which the light spots are projected falls within a range of 1/(2×n1/2)<W<1/(n1/2).

Abstract: A fanout diffractive optical element having a discrete periodic surface relief structure having a 2-dimensional (x,y) shape is described. The surface relief structure can include a first lobe and a second lobe separated by a waist region having a width less than the first lobe and the second lobe. The 2-dimensional (x,y) shape of surface relief structure can have an inversion center and can lack symmetry about any plane that is normal to the surface relief structure. Also described are apparatuses having a fanout diffractive optical element and methods of producing a plurality of light diffracting orders using a fanout diffractive optical element.

Abstract: A refraction at a suitably structured surface for example with an arrangement of the same between image plane and mapping optics is used to realize on the one hand a desired aliasing filtering or spatial low-pass filtering on the image plane wherein on the other hand the manufacturing of such structured surfaces may be realized in a cost-effective way. In addition to that, the plate thickness except for the amplitude of the surface structure and aspects of the stability of the plate is of no importance for handling the same, so that the integration into optical systems is facilitated.

Abstract: A method for producing a mold includes: applying a block copolymer solution made of first and second polymers on a base member; performing a first annealing process at a temperature higher than Tg of the block copolymer after drying the coating film; forming a concavity and convexity structure on the base member by removing the second polymer by an etching process; performing a second annealing process of the concavity and convexity structure at a temperature higher than Tg of the first polymer; forming a seed layer on the structure; laminating or stacking a metal layer on the seed layer by an electroforming; and peeling off the metal layer from the base member. The second annealing process enables satisfactory transfer of a concavity and convexity structure on the base member onto the metal layer.

Abstract: A multilayer optical device includes an arrangement, on a substrate, of a first layer, a second layer, and a space therebetween. The second layer is a thin-film. The arrangement of the first and second layers and the space therebetween produces transmitted, reflected, or dispersed spectrally modified electromagnetic energy from electromagnetic energy incident upon the arrangement. An optical function of the device is dependent at least in part on interference effects. An optical detector system includes a similar multilayer optical device. The space within the device is in fluid communication with structures for receiving a fluid such that the device operates in a first or second mode depending on absence or presence of the fluid within the space. The system includes a detector for receiving the modified electromagnetic energy, and a controller in fluid communication with the space that establishes the absence or presence of the fluid in the space.