Abstract: A spectrometry apparatus includes a transmissive diffraction grating that transmits incident light. The transmissive diffraction grating has inclined surfaces made of a first dielectric material. The inclined surfaces are arranged so that they are inclined relative to a reference line. When the angle of incidence of light incident on the transmissive diffraction grating is measured with respect to the reference line and defined as an angle ?, and the angle of diffraction of diffracted light is measured with respect to the reference line and defined as an angle ?, the angle of incidence ? is smaller than a Bragg angle ? defined with respect to the inclined surfaces, and the angle of diffraction ? is greater than the Bragg angle ?.

Abstract: Provided is an optical device that includes a substrate, a plurality of pillars arrayed on the surface of the substrate at intervals of a pitch that is equal to or less than the wavelength of incident light, and a medium that fills the gaps between the pillars and that has a different refractive index from the pillars. Each of the pillars has one or more steps that discontinuously change the transverse cross-sectional area of the pillar, along the direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate. The transverse cross-sectional area of at least one of step portions formed by the steps of the pillar differs from the transverse cross-sectional area of an adjacent pillar.

Abstract: A light-trapping sheet of the present invention includes: a light-transmitting sheet 2 having first and second principal surfaces; and a plurality of light-coupling structures 3 arranged in an inner portion of the light-transmitting sheet at a first distance or more and a second distance or more from the first and second principal surfaces, respectively, wherein: each of the plurality of light-coupling structures 3 includes a first light-transmitting layer, a second light-transmitting layer, and a third light-transmitting layer arranged therebetween; a refractive index of the first and second light-transmitting layers is smaller than a refractive index of the light-transmitting sheet 2; a refractive index of the third light-transmitting layer is larger than the refractive index of the first and second light-transmitting layers; and the third light-transmitting layer has a diffraction grating parallel to the first and second principal surfaces of the light-transmitting sheet.

Abstract: An optical device includes a projection group in which electrically conductive projections are arranged along a direction parallel to a virtual plane. The arrangement period of the projections in the projection group includes at least a first period and a second period different from the first period. The first period and the second period are shorter than a wavelength of an incident light.

Abstract: A cylindrical lens having a refractive optical element and a diffractive optical element is used in order to provide a cylindrical lens that can preferably be fabricated cost effectively and precisely, and in the case of which optical aberrations and defects in semiconductor diode laser arrangements can be corrected. The diffractive optical element can include various segments.

Abstract: A selective diffractive optical element includes a first diffractive region having a first design on a first surface of a substrate, and a second diffractive region having a second design on the first surface of the substrate, the first and second designs being different, wherein, by altering a position of a cross-section of an illumination beam, the selective diffractive optical element outputs a desired proportion of the two diffractive patterns aligned along an optical axis of the illumination beam.

Abstract: A near-eye display of a type having an image generator for generating a succession of angularly related beams and waveguide for propagating the angularly related beams to an eyebox within which a virtual image is visible includes a controllable output aperture for such purposes as reconstructing a better defined pupil within the eyebox while also preserving the possibility for viewing the ambient environment from the eyebox through the controllable output aperture.

Abstract: A transparent substrate including at its surface a grating of parallel lines of patterns separated by zones with a refractive index different from that of the patterns, the grating diffusing light and including at least 4 sub-gratings, each sub-grating including plural blocks of identical patterns with a width, each block including 2 to 10 of the patterns. Centers of gravity of neighboring patterns inside a block are separated by a constant period, the distance between neighboring blocks vary in a non-monotonic manner when passing from one edge of the sub-grating to the other edge of the sub-grating.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of preparing silk particles having at least one optical property, e.g., reflectivity, diffraction, refraction, absorption, optical-gain, fluorescence, and light scattering, and compositions resulted therefrom. The compositions and methods of the invention can be utilized in various applications, e.g., medical applications, cosmetics, sunscreen and food additives.

Abstract: A multi-element diffraction grating is disclosed. The multi-element diffraction grating may be configured to diffract incident radiation with high dispersion using at least two holographic optical elements. The multi-element diffraction grating may include a first volume phase grating that is one of the holographic optical elements. The multi-element diffraction grating may also include at least one additional volume phase grating that is the second holographic optical element. The first volume phase grating and each of the additional volume phase gratings may be positioned relative to each other such that the radiation propagates through and is diffracted by the first volume phase grating and each of the additional volume phase gratings.

Abstract: An optical device 1 comprises an optical I/O unit 10, a transmissive diffraction grating 21, a lens 30, and a mirror array 40. The transmissive diffraction grating 21 has gratings, each extending along an x axis, formed at a fixed period, wavelength-splits the light received from the input port, and outputs wavelength-split light components. The transmissive diffraction grating 21 is rotatable about a predetermined axis. The transmissive diffraction grating 21 outputs the wavelength light components into directions which correspond to the respective wavelengths and are perpendicular to the rotary axis. The lens 30 focuses the wavelength light components wavelength-split and output by the transmissive diffraction grating 21 at respective positions different from each other.

Abstract: This optical system (100) comprises a prism (12) and a diffractive optical element (13). The prism (12) has a non-rotationally-symmetric aspheric surface for correcting eccentric aberration, and the diffractive optical element (13) includes a diffractive optical surface azo having a lattice structure that is as about an optical axis (Ax) of the optical system (100). The following condition is satisfied where ?Ne represents the refractive index difference of the diffractive optical surface (DM) in relation to the e-line (546.074 nm). 0.53>?Ne>0.

Abstract: A diffractive optical element includes a diffraction grating portion including a first diffraction grating and a second diffraction grating, the first diffraction grating and the second diffraction grating being formed of different materials and being stacked so that grating surfaces thereof are in contact with each other, in which the first diffraction grating is formed of a first grating material having at least three kinds of materials mixed therein, and the following conditions are satisfied: nd1<nd2; ?d1<?d2; ?gF1<(?1.665E?07×?d13+5.213E?05×?d12?5.656E?03×?d1+0.715); ?gF1>(+4.80E?03×?d1+0.33); and ?gF1>(?4.73E?02×?d1+1.31), where nd1, ?d1, and ?gF1 represent a refractive index, an Abbe number, and a partial dispersion ratio, respectively, of the first grating material with respect to a d-line, and nd2 and ?d2 represent a refractive index and an Abbe number, respectively, of a second grating material forming the second diffraction grating with respect to the d-line.

Abstract: In a diffractive optical element, first and second optical members are stacked, and a diffraction grating is formed at an interface between the first and second optical members. In the diffractive optical element, an absorption coefficient ? (mm?1) of the first optical member and a grating height h (?m) of the diffraction grating satisfy expressions (1) and (2): ??0.04??(1) h?263.18×??0.9454??(2).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for two-dimensional wavelength beam combining of a plurality of laser sources. In one embodiment, an external cavity multi-wavelength laser comprises an array of laser gain elements, two optical transform lenses, two dispersive elements, an imaging system, a deflective array, and an output coupler. First and second optical transform lenses spatially overlap optical beams in first and second dimensions forming regions of overlap at the first and second dispersive elements. The deflective array comprises a plurality of mirrors wherein each mirror deflects and rearranges the optical beams from a common row. The dispersive elements introduce wavelength discrimination that when combined with the output coupler, provide the required feedback gain. The output coupler creates a single output port for the plurality of external optical cavities established in unison with the plurality of laser emitters.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an aphakic intraocular lens that is capable of ensuring every multi-focusing effect more securely, while reducing the impact of aperture changes and lens eccentricity. 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 the lens, and with respect to every grating pitches of one relief having a maximum grating pitch among the reliefs set up in overlap, grating pitches of another relief are overlapped periodically in order to obtain a relief pattern, so that the resulting relief pattern is formed on a lens surface.

Abstract: A composition including an optical substrate removably attached to an item. At least a portion of the substrate has a diffraction grating embedded therein or thereon. The grating has a resultant refractive index variation at a grating location. The grating provides an output optical signal indicative of a code when illuminated by an incident light signal.

Abstract: Enhanced reflectivity High-Contrast Gratings are described which operate in different medium. An HCG is described with a deep/buried metallization layer separated at a distance of least three to four grating thicknesses from the grating. Reflective bandwidth of the HCG is substantially increased, such as by a factor or five, by inclusion of the deep/buried metallization layer. An HCG is described which provides high reflectivity, even when embedded into materials of a moderate to high index of refraction, such as semiconductor material. Vertical cavity surface emitting laser embodiments are described which utilize these reflectivity enhancements, and preferably utilize HCG reflectors for top and/or bottom mirrors.

Abstract: Provided is an objective lens manufactured well by using a mold and an optical pickup apparatus including the same. The objective lens of the present invention includes a first region that focuses laser beams of a BD, DVD, and CD standards, a second region that focuses the laser beams of the DVD and CD standards, and a third region that focuses the laser beams of the BD and the DVD standards are provided in this order from a center portion of the objective lens. A first annular zone step provided in the first region has a step amount larger than step amounts of annular zone steps provided in other regions.

Abstract: An optical imaging system includes a first diffractive optical element that receives a multi-wavelength beam of light and separates the received beam of light into diffractive orders. The optical imaging system also includes a second diffractive optical element that includes panels displaced along the second diffractive element in at least one direction, where each panel is positioned to receive and pass the multi-wavelength beam of one of the diffractive orders. A refractive optical element is positioned to receive multi-wavelength beams of the diffractive orders that pass through the second diffractive element, and an optical lens that receives the multi-wavelength beams of the diffractive orders that pass through the refractive element and focuses each of the multi-wavelength beams of the diffractive orders to a different location on an image plane at the same time.

Abstract: Exemplary methods, systems and components enable an enhanced direct-viewing optical device to make customized adjustments that accommodate various optical aberrations of a current user. In some instances a real-time adjustment of the transformable optical elements is based on known corrective optical parameters associated with a current user. In some implementations a control module may process currently updated wavefront measurements as a basis for determining appropriate real-time adjustment of the transformable optical elements to produce a specified change in optical wavefront at an exit pupil of the direct-viewing device. Possible transformable optical elements may have refractive and/or reflective and/or diffractive and/or transmissive characteristics that are adjusted based on current performance viewing factors for a given field of view of the direct-viewing device.

Abstract: It is an objective of the present disclosure to prevent or reduce cracks in edge portions of raised portions of a diffractive optical element. A diffractive optical element includes a diffractive surface. The diffractive surface includes a plurality of raised portions. Each of the raised portion has a first surface having a diffraction function, and a second surface extending upright to be connected to the first surface. A tilt angle of the second surface relative to an optical axis varies according to a region in the diffractive surface.

Abstract: An optical wavelength dispersion device includes a first substrate, an input unit formed on the first substrate having a slit for receiving an optical signal, a grating formed on the first substrate for producing a diffracted light beams from the optical signal, a first optical reflector formed on the first substrate for reflecting the diffracted light beams from the grating for outputting, and a second substrate covered on the top of the input unit and the grating, wherein the input unit, the grating and the first optical reflector are formed from a photo-resist layer by high energy light source exposure.

Abstract: Provided is an objective lens that allows securing of a long working distance for a laser beam with a long wavelength and has a predetermined thickness or larger, and an optical pickup apparatus including the objective lens. In an objective lens of the present invention, a first region that focuses laser beams of a BD, DVD, and CD standards, a second region that focuses the laser beams of the DVD and CD standards, and a third region that focuses the laser beams of the BD and the DVD standards are provided in this order from a center portion of the objective lens. An optical super resolution with the laser beam of the BD standard is achieved by preventing a portion of the laser beam of the BD standard transmitted through the second region from contributing to spot formation.

Abstract: An optical arrangement includes a light source which emits coherent light of a wavelength ?, and a diffraction grating which has a multiplicity of diffraction structures which follow one another periodically at the spacing of a grating period d and are arranged along a base surface, the individual diffraction structures respectively having a blaze flank and an antiblaze flank, the blaze flanks being arranged at an angle ? and the antiblaze flanks being arranged at an angle ? to the base surface, and respectively neighbouring blaze and antiblaze flanks enclosing an apex angle ?, and an incident light beam being arranged at a Littrow angle ?L relative to a grating normal of the diffraction grating.

Abstract: A security Device comprises a zero order diffractive microstructure (5) buried within a substrate (3). One or more further optical structures, such as microlenses (1), may be formed on a surface (2) of the substrate (3). The further optical structures modify the optical characteristics of the zero order diffractive microstructure (5). Various alternatives or additional optical structures and methods of producing them are described in additional embodiments.

Abstract: A lens system is presented having a diffractive optical power region. The diffractive optical power region has a plurality of concentric surface relief diffractive structures. A greater portion of light incident on a diffractive structure near the center point contributes to the optical power than light incident on a diffractive structure peripherally spaced therefrom.

Abstract: The invention relates to a grating. The grating includes a substrate and a plurality of protrusions located on a surface of the substrate. The protrusions are parallel to and spaced from each other. A cavity is formed between each two adjacent protrusions. An aspect ratio of the grating is equal to or greater than about 6:1. A width of each cavity is in the range of about 25 nm to about 150 nm. The grating provided by present invention has good diffractive effects.

Abstract: In one general embodiment, a thin film structure includes a substrate; a first corrosion barrier layer above the substrate; a reflective layer above the first corrosion barrier layer, wherein the reflective layer comprises at least one repeating set of sub-layers, wherein one of the sub-layers of each set of sub-layers being of a corrodible material; and a second corrosion barrier layer above the reflective layer. In another general embodiment, a system includes an optical element having a thin film structure as recited above; and an image capture or spectrometer device. In a further general embodiment, a laser according to one embodiment includes a light source and the thin film structure as recited above.

Abstract: A sensor chip includes: a substrate that has a planar portion; and a diffraction grating on the planar portion and having a metal surface, the diffraction grating having a target substance thereon and including: 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 parallel to the planar portion, a plurality of base portions located between two adjacent first protrusions and configures a base of the substrate, a plurality of second protrusions formed on upper faces of the plurality of first protrusions, and a plurality of third protrusions formed on the plurality of base portions.

Abstract: Provided are an objective lens with enhanced transmittance and an optical pickup apparatus which can record and/or reproduce information properly for three kinds of discs with different recording densities, even if a single lens is used as the objective lens. When all the expressions (1) to (3) are satisfied, excellent aberration characteristics can be obtained for the three kinds of discs: ?0.02?m1?0.02 (1); 0?(WD1?WD2)?1.57 m2+0.123 or 1.57 m2+0.24?(WD1?WD2)?0.7 (2); and 0?(WD1?WD3)?1.79 m3+0.333 or 1.66 m3+0.508?(WD1?WD3)?0.7 (3).

Abstract: There is provided a projection apparatus including a light source, a micromirror element which tilts a plurality of micromirrors arranged in an array +A° or ?A° (A>0) separately from an array surface to form a light image with light components reflected by the plurality of micromirrors, an illumination optical system which uses light emitted from the light source and causes illumination light whose incidence angle is (2A+?)° (?>0) to enter the micromirror element from a direction to which a less than 45° turn is made from a narrow side direction of the array surface of the micromirror element, and a projection optical system which a light image output from the micromirror element enters and which projects the light image onto a projection object.

Abstract: A system and associated method employ a first projection objective including at least one optical proximity correction (OPC) filter with a filter function adapted to a particular pattern. The first projection objective has at least essentially the same imaging properties as a second projection objective in the system, for the particular pattern, to which the filter function of the optical proximity correction (OPC) filter is adapted. The first projection objective differs from the second projection objective with respect to optical imaging properties for the particular pattern when the optical proximity correction (OPC) filter is not present in the first projection objective.

Abstract: An optical member includes: a total reflection mirror 14 including a reflection surface 14a for reflecting a laser beam 16; a filter 13 including a partially transmissive surface 13a for passing therethrough a part of the laser beam 16 and reflecting the remaining part of the laser beam, the partially transmissive surface 13a being located so as to be opposed to the reflection surface 14a; and a diffraction grating 18 into which the laser beam 16 enters, for diffracting the incident laser beam 16 to enter the total reflection mirror 14 or the partially transmissive filter 13.

Abstract: A hologram recording medium is manufactured using a computer. On a recording plane, cell position points Q are defined at a pitch Ph along cell position lines f(i) which are arranged on the recording plane at a pitch Pv. For each individual cell position point Q, an amplitude A and a phase ? of a synthetic wave of object light components emitted from a plurality of sample points on an associated image contour are determined by computation. At each individual cell position point Q is positioned a three-dimensional cell C, having a diffraction grating G, with a phase that is in accordance with the phase ?, formed in an effective region E having an area that is in accordance with the amplitude A. The diffraction grating G is formed by periodically positioning staircase steps with a period ?.

Abstract: A beamsplitter for splitting the light of an incident beam into four separate beams. The beamsplitter includes a pair of gratings each disposed preferably normal to the incident beam and having grating vectors preferably orthogonal to one another. The pair of gratings may be formed on opposite sides of a common substrate. A method of splitting an incident, collimated beam of light of a given wavelength into four separate collimated beams each disposed at angles of elevation ?d from an axis of the collimated beam of light and of azimuth ?d in a plane orthogonal to the axis of the collimated beam of light.

Abstract: Optical apparatus includes first and second diffractive optical elements (DOEs) arranged in series to diffract an input beam of radiation. The first DOE is configured to apply to the input beam a pattern with a specified divergence angle, while the second DOE is configured to split the input beam into a matrix of output beams with a specified fan-out angle. The divergence and fan-out angles are chosen so as to project the radiation onto a region in space in multiple adjacent instances of the pattern.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a small-sized double-lens imaging optical system whose chromatic aberration is corrected even at a super wide angle of 150° or more can be provided. The double-lens imaging optical system of the present invention includes a concave lens, and a convex lens having a diffraction grating provided thereon, and satisfies the following conditional expression (1): 4.5<P1=(1?f/fa)·?d<9.0??(1). Herein, f is an effective focal length of the double-lens imaging optical system; fa is an effective focal length of the double-lens imaging optical system excluding the diffraction grating; and ?d is an Abbe number of the material of the convex lens with respect to the d-line. As a result, chromatic aberration can be well corrected even with respect to rays entering at high angles of view.

Abstract: The invention relates to a monofrequency optical filter, including reflective elements which are formed on one surface of a dielectric support layer and which define at least one periodic array of parallel grooves passing across same. The periodicity, height, and width of said periodic groove array are selected so as to form a structure, the wavelength of which can be selected from within a predetermined range of wavelengths. According to the invention, the thickness and refractive index of the support layer are selected so that said layer forms a half-wave plate for a wavelength of the predetermined wavelength range. The filter, when in contact with the surface of the support layer opposite the surface on which the groove array is formed, includes a medium, the refractive index of which is less than that of the support layer so as to obtain a guided mode that resonates in the support layer.

Abstract: A diffraction-type 3D display element is arranged on an image output face of a 3D display device and comprises a first diffraction area and a second diffraction area. The first diffraction area has a plurality of first stepped gratings spaced apart from each other. The second diffraction area has a plurality of second stepped gratings spaced apart from each other. The second diffraction area is adjacent to the first diffraction area and is arranged symmetrically to the first diffraction area with a central line being the symmetric axis. The diffraction-type 3D display element of the invention diffracts the images output by the 3D display device and projects the diffracted images to two different viewing areas to provide 3D images for users.

Abstract: A hybrid guided-mode resonance (GMR) grating, an optical filter and a method of optical filtering employ distributed Bragg reflection. The hybrid GMR grating includes a waveguide layer that supports a GMR having a GMR resonant frequency. The hybrid GMR grating further includes a diffraction grating that couples a portion of a signal incident on the hybrid GMR grating into the waveguide layer; and a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) that reflects another portion of the incident signal. The coupled portion of the incident signal has a frequency corresponding to the GMR resonant frequency. The reflected portion has a frequency away from the GMR resonant frequency. The optical filter includes the hybrid GMR grating and a coupler. The method includes coupling an optical signal into the hybrid GMR grating and further coupling a reflected signal out of the hybrid GMR grating.

Abstract: The invention disclosed here teaches methods and apparatus for altering the temporal and spatial shape of an optical pulse. The methods correct for the spatial beam deformation caused by the intrinsic DC index gradient in a volume holographic chirped reflective grating (VHCRG). The first set of methods involves a mechanical mean of pre-deforming the VHCRG so that the combination of the deflection caused by the DC index gradient is compensated by the mechanical deformation of the VHCRG. The second set of methods involves compensating the angular deflection caused by the DC index gradient by retracing the diffracted beam back onto itself and by re-diffracting from the same VHCRG. Apparatus for temporally stretching, amplifying and temporally compressing light pulses are disclosed that rely on the methods above.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for compensating the temporary scattering applied to the generation of ultra-short light pulses, said device including two identical and parallel optical diffraction gratings RA, RB and two identical prisms PA, PB that are placed inside the above-mentioned optical diffraction gratings RA, RB, given that the above-mentioned optical diffraction gratings RA, RB are volume phase gratings that function, during transmission, on the principle of Bragg diffraction. The outer surfaces FeA, FeB of the above-mentioned prisms PA, PB are parallel to the above-mentioned optical diffraction gratings RA, RB, and the inner surfaces FiA, FiB of the above-mentioned prisms PA, PB are parallel therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention provides a highly efficient light-extraction layer and an organic electroluminescence element excellent in light-extraction efficiency. The light-extraction layer of the present invention comprises a reflecting layer and a three-dimensional diffraction layer formed thereon. The diffraction layer comprises fine particles having a variation coefficient of the particle diameter of 10% or less and of a matrix having a refractive index different from that of the fine particles. The particles have a volume fraction of 50% or more based on the volume of the diffraction layer. The particles are arranged to form first areas having short-distance periodicity, and the first areas are disposed and adjacent to each other in random directions to form second areas. The organic electroluminescence element of the present invention comprises the above light-extraction layer.

Abstract: A true time delay system and method for an optical carrier signal modulated with a microwave signal. The system includes a beam deflector, with the optical signal being imaged onto the beam deflector, a stationary reflective diffractive grating arranged in a Littrow configuration, a focusing element arranged between the beam deflector and the stationary reflective diffractive grating. In operation, the beam deflector steers the optical beam across the clear aperture of the focusing element and the focusing element transmits the steered beam to the reflective diffractive grating. A change in optical path length experienced by the optical beam as the beam is scanned across the grating surface results in a relative phase delay in the optical beam. The beam deflector can be a rotating mirror, an acousto-optic beam deflector, or an electro-optic beam deflector. The focusing element can be a lens or a curved mirror.

Abstract: An optical device includes a substantially planar substrate and a lens array disposed on the substantially planar substrate. The lens array is formed of a plurality of distinct sub-wavelength gratings, in which the sub-wavelength gratings are selected to produce a desired phase change in beams of light that are at least one of reflected and refracted by the sub-wavelength gratings of the lens array.

Abstract: A method for producing a reflective diffraction grating. The diffraction grating includes a stack of at least four dielectric material layers, and an upper dielectric material layer that is etched to form grooves of the diffraction grating having a predetermined pitch, The diffraction grating is produced by selecting the number and the nature of the dielectric material layers, digitally computing the reflection and/or transmission efficiencies of at least one of the orders of diffraction of the diffraction grating for a sample of frequencies of the spectral range of use for each of several predetermined diffraction grating configurations while varying the thicknesses of the at least four layers and at least one of the etching parameters of the upper layer, and selecting, from among the computed configurations, at least one configuration depending on the use of the grating.

Abstract: The specification and drawings present a new apparatus and method for using a split exit pupil expander to provide general diffractive optics method that uses a plurality of diffractive elements for expanding the exit pupil of a display of an electronic device for viewing.

Abstract: Provided is a light-emitting apparatus in which light extraction efficiency of a light-emitting device is improved and viewing angle dependency of an emission color is reduced. The light-emitting apparatus includes a cavity structure and a periodic structure. When guided-wave light is diffracted by the periodic structure in a direction that forms an angle which is larger than 90° and smaller than 180° relative to a guided-wave direction of an optical waveguide in the cavity structure, a wavelength of the diffracted light becomes longer as the diffraction angle increases.

Abstract: Methods of forming microelectronic structures are described. Embodiments of those methods may include forming a photomask on a (110) silicon wafer substrate, wherein the photomask comprises a periodic array of parallelogram openings, and then performing a timed wet etch on the (110) silicon wafer substrate to form a diffraction grating structure that is etched into the (110) silicon wafer substrate.