Variable Grating Patents (Class 359/573)
  • Patent number: 8537310
    Abstract: A liquid crystal device includes a first polarization grating (101), a second polarization grating (102), and a liquid crystal layer (103). The first polarization grating (101) is configured to polarize and diffract incident light (190) into first and second beams (195,196) having different polarizations and different directions of propagation relative to that of the incident light (190). The liquid crystal layer (103) is configured to receive the first and second beams (195,196) from the first polarization grating (101). The liquid crystal layer (103) is configured to be switched between a first state that does not substantially affect respective polarizations of the first and second beams (195,196) traveling therethrough, and a second state that alters the respective polarizations of the first and second beams (195,196) traveling therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: North Carolina State University
    Inventors: Michael James Escuti, Chulwoo Oh, Ravi Komanduri, Brandon L. Conover, Jihwan Kim
  • Patent number: 8500805
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Menicon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Kobayashi, Hiroaki Suzuki, Ichiro Ando
  • Patent number: 8498053
    Abstract: A spatial light modulator for modulating light field amplitude comprises a surface relief grating adapted to act as a diffractive lens, where a material is used to fill at least one groove of a surface grating structure, such that a controllable refractive index birefringence of the material inside the surface relief grating is controlled by an electric field, which leads to a controllable intensity at a fixed focal point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Seereal Technologies S.A.
    Inventors: Gerald Futterer, Stephan Reichelt
  • Patent number: 8488646
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Connie Chang-Hasnain, Christopher Chase, Igor Karagodsy
  • Patent number: 8405900
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masakuni Iwanaga
  • Publication number: 20130058370
    Abstract: Planar lenses and reflectors are described comprising subwavelength high-contrast gratings (HCG) having high index of refraction grating elements spaced apart from one another in straight and/or curved segments and surrounded by low index material. The high-contrast grating is configured to receive an incident wave which excites multiple modes within the high-contrast grating and is focused for reflection and/or transmission by said high contrast grating. The width of the high contrast grating bars vary along a distribution direction of the grating bars which is perpendicular to the length of the grating bars and/or varies along the length of one or more grating bars to focus said reflection and/or transmission. The HCG is configured to provide double focusing, whose use is exemplified within a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) structure using focusing HCG structures for both the top and bottom mirrors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Connie Chang-Hasnain, Christopher Chase, Fanglu Lu, Forrest G. Sedgwick, Igor Karagodsky
  • Publication number: 20130038937
    Abstract: A tunable optical diffraction grating apparatus, such as but not limited to a tunable Fresnel zone lens apparatus, includes a plurality of symmetric repeating structures (i.e., typically concentric rings) located over a substrate and comprising a material susceptible to a transparent to opaque transition for a designated radiation wavelength. The tunable optical diffraction grating apparatus also includes a means for separately effecting the transparent to opaque transition for each of the plurality of symmetric repeating structures to provide a plurality of transparent zones each comprising a variable first sub-plurality of adjacent transparent symmetric repeating structures alternating and interposed between a plurality of opaque zones each comprising a variable second sub-plurality of adjacent opaque symmetric repeating structures. Also included are a method for fabricating the tunable optical diffraction grating apparatus and a method for operating the tunable optical diffraction grating apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
    Inventors: Glenn Boreman, David Shelton
  • Patent number: 8369017
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Ondax, Inc.
    Inventors: Christophe Moser, Frank Havermeyer
  • Publication number: 20130027777
    Abstract: A method for space-variant manipulating of thermal emission from a surface of a material that supports surface waves includes providing a grating with a spatially varying grating parameter on the surface of the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Erez Hasman, Nir Dahan, Avi Niv, Gabriel Biener, Vladimir Kleiner
  • Patent number: 8363298
    Abstract: The specification and drawings present a new method, apparatus and software product for modulation of the optical intensity using electro-wetting (EW) diffraction gratings in the electronic devices with an electrical control signal. The EW diffraction gratings can be components of an element (e.g., a display) of the electronic device. Applications may include but are not limited to color displays, projection displays, front illuminating displays, field sequential displays, auto-stereoscopic displays, etc. Also, applications in areas other than displays are possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Pasi Ryytty
  • Patent number: 8314990
    Abstract: A film (1) which includes at least one transparent replicating layer (2) having a diffractive relief structure (3) and a reflective layer, the reflective layer being formed by at least one pigmented lake layer (4), and the film (1, 1?, 1?) showing a latent optically variable effect produced by the diffractive relief structure (3), and the use thereof. Further a method for the production of such a film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignees: Leonhard Kurz Stiftung & Co., Erich Utsch AG
    Inventors: Hubert Suessner, Mathias Thaeter
  • Patent number: 8306376
    Abstract: There is provided an optical multiplexer including: a substrate having a plurality of beam transmitting portions; and diffraction gratings diffracting beams irradiated to the beam transmitting portions at different angles, each diffraction grating being formed in the corresponding beam transmitting portion. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce an alignment error and manufacturing cost and to reduce the entire size of a recording apparatus or a reproducing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Wi-LAN Inc.
    Inventor: Kun-Yul Kim
  • Publication number: 20120268736
    Abstract: A configurable grating based on collapsing nano-fingers includes a substrate; and a plurality of bendable nano-fingers supported on the substrate. The nano-fingers may be formed in a regular first array and the nano-fingers may be formed in a spacing that, upon closing at their tops, forms a second array to act as an optical grating or a diagnostic tool. A method of fabricating a configurable optical grating based on collapsing nano-fingers is also disclosed, as well as a method of determining an open or closed state for a plurality of nano-fingers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: David A. Fattal, Raymond G. Beausoieil, Zhiyong Li
  • Patent number: 8274738
    Abstract: A method for Space-variant polarization manipulation of enhanced nondirectional thermal emission in a narrow spectral peak is disclosed, comprising providing a subwavelength grating irradiating non-directional thermal emission on the grating and discretely controlling the local orientation of the grating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Technion Research & Development Foundation Ltd.
    Inventors: Erez Hasman, Nir Dahan, Avi Niv, Gabriel Biener, Vladimir Kleiner
  • Patent number: 8270080
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaaki Nakabayashi
  • Patent number: 8264936
    Abstract: A diffractive optical element includes a first optical part and a second optical part bonded to each other with a bonded surface therebetween configured as a diffraction surface. In this diffractive optical element, the diffraction order of diffracted light with the largest quantity of light out of diffracted light for one of a plurality of kinds of laser beams obtained on the diffraction surface is different from the diffraction order for at least another laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Tanaka, Michihiro Yamagata, Katsuhiko Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20120224264
    Abstract: A PDMS sheet that ensures good adhesion, handleability and stability to metal thin films or metal patterns of any desired shape, an optical element that is kept against de-bonding or exfoliation of metal patterns and has high reliability as well as good handleability and stability, and manufacturing methods thereof. The inventive optical element comprises a polydimethyl-siloxane sheet having a pattern-formation surface defined by one surface and a base surface defined by another surface, and a plurality of metal patterns positioned on the pattern-formation surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi CHIBA, Hiroshi FUJITA, Yuki ARITSUKA
  • Patent number: 8238027
    Abstract: A security element in the form of a multi-layer film body with a security element and a process for the production of such a security element. The film body has a replication lacquer layer and a thin-film layer for producing a viewing angle-dependent color shift effect by interference. A first relief structure is shaped in a first region in the interface between the replication lacquer layer and the thin-film layer. That relief structure suppresses the production of the color shift effect by the thin-film layer so that the color shift effect is not present in the first region in which the first relief structure is provided and the color shift effect produced by the thin-film layer is present in a second region of the security element, in which the first relief structure is not provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: OVD Kinegram AG
    Inventors: Wayne Robert Tompkin, Andreas Schilling
  • Publication number: 20120194912
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to thermally controlled optical systems. In one aspect, an optical system includes a sub-wavelength grating having a planar geometry and a grating pattern associated with a particular shape of, and direction in which, a wavefront emerges from the grating, when the grating is illuminated by a beam of light. The system includes at least one heating element separately connected to a current source. The current source to inject a current into each heating element to heat a corresponding region of the grating and produce a desired change in the shape of, and/or direction in which, the wavefront emerges from the grating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Andrei Faraon, David A. Fattal, Raymond G. Beausoleil
  • Patent number: 8228129
    Abstract: A thermally powered source of IR or THz radiation combines low dimension nano-scale oscillators such as nano-wires and nano-tubes with micro-scale photonic crystal resonant defect cavities for efficient generation, coupling and transmission of electromagnetic radiation. The oscillators have M=0, 1 or 2 resonant dimensions on a micro-scale (approximately 1 um to approximately 1 mm) to emit radiation having a local peak at a desired wavelength in the IR or THz regions. The oscillators have at least one non-resonant dimension on a nano-scale (less than approximately 100 nm) to suppress vibration modes in that dimension and channel more thermal energy into the local peak. The photonic crystal defect cavities have N=1, 2 or 3 (N>M) resonant dimensions on the microscale with lengths comparable to the length of the oscillator and the desired wavelength to exhibit a cavity resonant that overlaps the local peak to accept and transmit emitted radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Delmar L. Barker, William R. Owens, Patrick O. Kano
  • Patent number: 8218239
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transparent substrate comprising at its surface a grating of lines of at least 200 light-diffusing elements, said elements being separated by domains with a different refractive index from that of the elements, the distance d between centers of gravity of neighboring elements varying in a non-monotonic manner from one edge of the grating to the other, so that for any group of 50 successive elements, the distance d between the centers of gravity of neighboring elements of said group is at least once greater than and at least once less than the mean distance dm of distances d between centers of gravity of neighboring elements of said group, dm lying between 75 nm and 200 ?m. This substrate is transparent in direct vision and redirects the light while diffusing it without iridescence in a daylighting application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Ludivine Menez, Jean-Philippe Mulet, Philippe Lalanne
  • Publication number: 20120075703
    Abstract: A double-sided grating divider acts as a light switch where the upper and lower grating dividers are arranged to accommodate a relative lateral shift therebetween of about one-fourth of the period of the diffraction grating elements and where the critical refraction angles of the grating dividers are more than about 43.6°. Lateral shift may be achieved by various devices including MEMS and metal couplers having a known/calibrated thermal coefficient of expansion over a temperature range of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicants: The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideo IIZUKA, Nader ENGHETA
  • Publication number: 20120038987
    Abstract: Optical devices using double-groove diffraction gratings having periodic sets of TiO2 elements on one or more surfaces of an SiO2 substrate are disclosed. First order components of incident polarized light coupled into the substrate are reflected so as to propagate through the substrate to terminus points where they either change direction for further propagation or exit the substrate. A windshield display system using the principles of the invention is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicants: Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania, Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideo IIZUKA, Nader ENGHETA
  • Patent number: 8106993
    Abstract: A diffractive imaging lens 10 includes a surface on which a diffraction grating pattern is formed. The diffraction grating pattern is formed of a plurality of steps formed concentrically with an optical axis (25) at a center. The diffraction grating pattern is formed such that a first portion where amounts (di) of the steps are substantially the same in a radial direction of concentric circles and a second portion, outside of the first portion, where amounts (di) of the steps decrease with distance from the optical axis 25 are provided, or such that the amounts (di) of the steps decrease with distance from the optical axis 25 over the entire diffraction grating pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuguhiro Korenaga, Takamasa Ando, Masa-aki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8072684
    Abstract: A double-sided grating divider acts as a light switch where the upper and lower grating dividers are arranged to accommodate a relative lateral shift therebetween of about one-fourth of the period of the diffraction grating elements and where the critical refraction angles of the grating dividers are more than about 43.6°. Lateral shift may be achieved by various devices including MEMS and metal couplers having a known/calibrated thermal coefficient of expansion over a temperature range of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., The Trustees of The University of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Hideo Iizuka, Nader Engheta
  • Patent number: 8014050
    Abstract: A device that provides light beam switching, agile steering of the light beam over a range of angles, and generation of arbitrary wavefront shapes with high spatial and temporal resolution. The agile device can include a volume diffractive structure comprising Bragg planes having one refractive index and the Bragg planes separated by regions containing an active optical medium. Electrodes (which may be the Bragg planes themselves, or may be arrayed adjacent to the active optical medium) are used to control the electric field intensity and direction across the structure, and thereby control the diffraction efficiency of the structure and the local phase delay imposed on a diffracted wavefront. Means are provided for addressing the many thousands of electrodes required for precise and rapid wavefront control. Applications include free-space atmospheric optical communications, near-eye displays, direct-view 3D displays, optical switching, and a host of other applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Vuzix Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen Paul McGrew
  • Patent number: 8009356
    Abstract: A tunable extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) device wherein the tunability derives from controlled variation of the dielectric constant of a semiconducting material (semiconductor) in evanescent-field contact with a metallic array of sub-wavelength apertures. The surface plasmon resonance wavelength can be changed by changing the dielectric constant of the dielectric material. In embodiments of this invention, the dielectric material is a semiconducting material. The dielectric constant of the semiconducting material in the metal/semiconductor interfacial region is controllably adjusted by adjusting one or more of the semiconductor plasma frequency, the concentration and effective mass of free carriers, and the background high-frequency dielectric constant in the interfacial region. Thermal heating and/or voltage-gated carrier-concentration changes may be used to variably adjust the value of the semiconductor dielectric constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Eric A. Shaner, Daniel Wasserman
  • Patent number: 8000001
    Abstract: The invention comprises a polymeric microarray support (1) for an optical assay arrangement (2) comprising optical means (3, 4, 6) for detection of light emitted from the support. The microarray support is provided with microfeatures comprising a surface enlarging pattern (5), i.e. grooves having a selected depth (8). The depth is selected such that the sum of the depth and of the variations in the thickness (7) of the support substantially corresponds to the depth of focus of the optical means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Amic AB
    Inventors: Tomas Lindström, Ove Öhman
  • Publication number: 20110188120
    Abstract: The objective of the present invention is providing optical systems for controlling with propagation of light beams in lateral and angular space, and through optical apertures. Said light beams include laser beams as well as beams with wide spectrum of wavelengths and large divergence angles. Said optical systems are based on combination of diffractive waveplates with diffractive properties that can be controlled with the aid of external stimuli such as electrical fields, temperature, optical beams and mechanical means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: Beam Engineering for Advanced Measurement Co.
    Inventors: Nelson Tabirian, Sarik Nersisyan, Brian Kimball, Diane Steeves
  • Publication number: 20110188119
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Sagi Varghese Mathai, Jingjing Li, Alexandre M. Bratkovski
  • Publication number: 20110181957
    Abstract: A light switch (or valve) made up of two mutually inverted, substantially identical diffraction gratings with a liquid medium therebetween, arranged to allow the grating substrates to be shifted laterally relative to one another so as to align and mis-align the grating elements. When aligned, incident-polarized light passes through the switch and when misaligned, light does not pass through the switch but is reflected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America, Inc., TRUSTEES OF THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
    Inventors: Hideo IIZUKA, Nader ENGHETA, Hisayoshi FUJIKAWA
  • Publication number: 20110181956
    Abstract: A double-sided grating divider acts as a light switch where the upper and lower grating dividers are arranged to accommodate a relative lateral shift therebetween of about one-fourth of the period of the diffraction grating elements and where the critical refraction angles of the grating dividers are more than about 43.6°. Lateral shift may be achieved by various devices including MEMS and metal couplers having a known/calibrated thermal coefficient of expansion over a temperature range of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America, Inc., The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania
    Inventors: Hideo IIZUKA, Nader ENGHETA
  • Patent number: 7986605
    Abstract: An optical pickup includes a light source emitting a light beam, an objective lens condensing the light beam emitted from the light source onto an optical disc, at least one divergent angle conversion lens (collimator lens) disposed between the light source and the objective lens and changing a divergent angle of the incident light beam, a driving unit (collimator lens driving mechanism) configured to drive the divergent angle conversion lens in a direction of an optical axis, an optical detection device (optical detector) detecting a return light beam reflected at the optical disc, and an environmental change detecting unit (temperature sensor) configured to detect change in environmental temperature, wherein the objective lens is made of a refractive element having, on one surface thereof, a diffraction structure in a stepped shape or a blazed sectional shape, which generates diffraction light providing a spot adapted to perform satisfactory recording and/or reproducing, the objective lens satisfying certai
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Kazumasa Kaneda
  • Patent number: 7972004
    Abstract: A system and method for uniform light generation in projection display systems. An illumination source comprises a light source to produce colored light, and a scrolling optics unit optically coupled to the light source, the scrolling optics unit configured to create lines of colored light from the colored light, and to scroll the lines of colored light along a direction orthogonal to a light path of the illumination source. The scrolling optics unit comprises a single light shaping diffuser to transform the colored light into the lines of colored light, an optical filter positioned in the light path after the light shaping diffuser, and a scrolling optics element positioned in the light path after the optical filter. The single light shaping diffuser is capable of simultaneously transforming colored light into lines of colored light having substantially uniform intensity to provide uniform illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Terry Alan Bartlett, Paul L. Rancuret
  • Publication number: 20110134502
    Abstract: A micromechanical component includes a micromechanical unidimensional optical lattice structure for diffracting an incident light beam, and a linear drive connected to the lattice structure for compressing and/or stretching the lattice structure in the plane of the lattice structure. The lattice structure is of elastic design with regard to a change of shape resulting from the compressing and/or stretching. The micromechanical component may be incorporated in a device for beam deflection of monochromatic light or in a spectrometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventor: Mirko Hattass
  • Publication number: 20110134740
    Abstract: Provided is an optical device configured to makes it possible to enhance use efficiency of light. An optical device is provided with an optical element to deflect incident light and a fixation member on which the optical element is fixed. The optical element includes a reflective surface and a diffraction grating surface that deflects the incident light. The optical element is fixed on the fixation member to restrain displacement in accordance with temperature changes at portions thereof other than the reflective surface and the diffracting grating surface in such a condition that displacement is caused without restraint be temperature changes at the reflective surface and the diffraction grating surface. A change of the incident light in the deflection angle due to an inclination change by the reflective surface and the diffracting grating surface is suppressed by a change in a diffraction angle due to a periodical change in the diffraction grating by the displacement of the diffraction grating surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Publication date: June 9, 2011
    Inventors: Koujirou Sekine, Hiroaki Ueda, Manami Kuiseko, Naoki Nishida, Hiroshi Hatano, Kou Osawa
  • Patent number: 7940457
    Abstract: In an aspect, described herein is a dynamically controllable optoelectronic smart window which utilizes a diffraction grating for selective transmission or rejection of a specific region of the electromagnetic spectrum, for example the infrared, near-infrared and/or visible regions. Window embodiments described herein may further utilize a selectively controlled and/or patterned total internal reflection layer to assist with the selective rejection of a specific spectral region while allowing for transmission of another specific spectral region. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods for dynamically controlling the transmission or rejection of solar near-infrared and/or visible radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
    Inventors: Kanti Jain, Linus Jang, Yoon Soo Han
  • Publication number: 20110096401
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Inventor: Tapani Levola
  • Publication number: 20110069390
    Abstract: An encoder includes a disc-shaped disk disposed so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis and having at least one ring-shaped track in which a rotating grating is formed and at least one fixed grating which is fixedly disposed opposed to the disk so that the fixed grating and the rotating grating construct a diffraction interference optical system. Each of a plurality of slits included in the at least one rotating grating is formed along a curved line obtained by making each of a plurality of radial lines using the rotation axis as a center curved in the circumferential direction at a predetermined curve degree so that a pitch of the slits can be set to a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA YASKAWA DENKI
    Inventors: Yasushi Yoshida, Yuji Arinaga, Shirou Yoshidomi, Yosuke Yamaguchi, Jiro Muraoka
  • Patent number: 7903337
    Abstract: A grating light valve is provided with a plurality of spaced reflective ribbons, spatially arranged over a semiconductor substrate, the ribbons and substrate being provided with reflective surfaces. The grating light valve is configured to optimize the conditions for constructive and destructive interference with an incident light source having a given wavelength. In a preferred embodiment, one set of ribbons is moveable with respect to the substrate and the second set of ribbons. The substrate is typically provided with a protective layer, which may be thermally grown silicon dioxide or other dielectric. A conductive trace is provided on the dielectric layer and grounded through the dielectric layer to the substrate, comprising a conductive trace for easy release of charge otherwise trapped on or at the dielectric layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Silicon Light Machines
    Inventors: Jim Hunter, Chris Gudeman, David T. Amm, Akira Tomita
  • Publication number: 20110043918
    Abstract: Grating structures adapted to support cavity modes (“CMs”), including CMs produced by waveguide modes (WGs) of TE-polarized radiation; and those produced by WGs or vertically-oriented surface plasmons (VSPs) on the groove walls of incident TM-polarized radiation are provided. Such grating structures include those that provide enhanced transmission for a predetermined polarization state at a predetermined wavelength, simultaneous TM and TE transmission, and those that provide light circulation and weaving. The grating structures can include wires, or arrays of holes in thin (metallic) films, and include multiple-groove-per-period structures. Methods for optimizing such grating structures are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: David Thomas Crouse, Pavan Kumar Reddy
  • Patent number: 7864426
    Abstract: A method to stabilize planar nanostructures, for example grating and zone plate lenses that are typically used for directing or focusing x-ray radiation, includes the deposition of a top, stabilizing layer. The structures are typically made on a flat substrate, and therefore are only fixed at the bottom. At high aspect ratio, the stability can be poor since small forces such as electrostatic forces and van de Waals forces that are often present can alter the structure. The top coating of a metallic material such as titanium constrains the nanostructures at the top and at the same time eliminates electrostatic forces and reduces any thermal gradient that may be present across the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Xradia, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenbing Yun, Alan Francis Lyon, Yan Feng
  • Patent number: 7843638
    Abstract: The present invention provides an optical system that can reduce the occurrence of aberration, and a scanning retinal display that uses such an optical system. A first diffraction section and the second diffraction section are attached to a light guiding section in a state separated from each other. The first diffraction section diffracts light flux that is incident on it, to be incident on the light guiding section. The light guiding section guides light flux that has been diffracted by the first diffraction section to the second diffraction section using reflection inside the light guiding section. The second diffraction section re-diffracts light flux that has been guided by the light guiding section and output externally of the light guiding section. The first diffraction section, the light guiding section, and the second diffraction section are substantially symmetrical, either side of a virtual plane between the first diffraction section and the second diffraction section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Watanabe, Hidenori Oka
  • Publication number: 20100290120
    Abstract: A method and system for forming a focused image on an image plane of a diffraction range finder with a variable pitch diffraction grating. Diffracted light is propagated through a lens and slit assembly and onto an image plane of a camera, the diffracted light having been diffracted by the variable pitch diffraction grating. The lens and slit assembly includes lens elements and a slit. The slit is surrounded by opaque material that is opaque to the diffracted light passing through the slit. The slit has a shape characterized by a long dimension and a short dimension that is shorter than the long dimension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: 3DEWITT, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas D. Ditto, James A. Knapp
  • Publication number: 20100284180
    Abstract: There is provided a colour sequential illumination device comprising in series: first and second light sources; a condenser lens; and a grating device. The grating device comprises at least one Bragg grating. The condenser lens directs light from the first and second sources into the grating device at first and second incidence angles respectively. The grating device diffracts light from the first and second sources into a common direction. Desirably, the Bragg gratings are Electrically Switchable Bragg Gratings. In one embodiment of the invention the light sources are Light Emitting Diodes. Alternatively lasers may be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: SBG LABS INC.
    Inventors: Milan Momcilo Popovich, Jonathan David Waldern
  • Patent number: 7801008
    Abstract: A diffractive optical element includes a first optical part and a second optical part bonded to each other with a bonded surface therebetween configured as a diffraction surface. In this diffractive optical element, the diffraction order of diffracted light with the largest quantity of light out of diffracted light for one of a plurality of kinds of laser beams obtained on the diffraction surface is different from the diffraction order for at least another laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Tanaka, Michihiro Yamagata, Katsuhiko Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7746558
    Abstract: A method for producing a grating image, which has at least one grating field recognizable with the naked eye, in which are disposed grating elements, which are produced by a writing apparatus. In a first procedure step at least one grating element is determined, which completely lies within one working field. Then a sequence of working fields is defined, in which the grating elements are to be produced by the writing apparatus. Finally, the working fields are moved to by a relative movement of a carrier, on which is located a substrate to be inscribed, and the writing apparatus, and the grating elements are written into the substrate with the writing apparatus within the respective working fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Giesecke & Devrient GmbH
    Inventor: Wittich Kaule
  • Patent number: 7738173
    Abstract: The invention concerns an optical security element and a system for visualising items of concealed information comprising such an optical security element. The optical security element has a substrate layer in which a relief structure defined by relief parameters, in particular relief shape, relief depth, spatial frequency and azimuth angle, is shaped in the surface region defined by an X-axis and a Y-axis, for producing an optically perceptible effect. One or more of the relief parameters defining the relief structure are varied in the surface region in accordance with a parameter variation function. The surface region is divided into one or more pattern regions and a background region. One or more of the relief parameters defining the relief structure are varied in the one or more pattern regions in accordance with a parameter variation function which is phase-displaced in relation to the parameter variation function of the background region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: OVD Kinegram AG
    Inventors: Andreas Schilling, Wayne Robert Tompkin, René Staub
  • Patent number: 7729052
    Abstract: An optical diffraction grating having a superior ultra-precise non-planar surface shape desired in extremely sensitive and complex optical imaging devices (e.g. spectrometers or hyperspectral imagers) is provided. The optical diffraction grating comprises a substrate having a plurality of substantially parallel grooves, wherein each of the grooves includes a plurality of substantially parallel sub-grooves. A non-planar substrate surface shape is defined by a combination of the grooves. A groove profile is defined by a combination of the sub-grooves within a corresponding one of the grooves. In a preferred method of manufacturing the optical diffraction grating, a rotating spindle technique would be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Inventor: Christopher T. Cotton
  • Patent number: 7724298
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an image processing system and an image processing method, an image pickup apparatus and an image pickup method, and an image display device and an image display method, which can faithfully pick up and display the colors of an object. Slit light of an optical image of the object that has passed through a slit 42 is divided into a spectrum by a light divider 43. A light sensor 44 outputs image data based on the spectrum of the slit light of the optical image of the object. A micromirror array 74 causes the exiting of reflection light formed by extracting spectrum portions based on the image data from a spectrum of incident white light from a light divider 73. The spectrum portions of the reflection light exiting from the micromirror array 74 are synthesized by a spectrum synthesizer 77 and are projected onto a screen 111. The present invention is applicable to the image processing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsujiro Kondo, Tetsushi Kokubo, Hitoshi Mukai, Hirofumi Hibi, Tsugihiko Haga, Kenji Tanaka