Abstract: An optical device includes an encoding surface having a micro-relief pattern (22) over at least part thereof designed to produce a predetermined diffracted first image when illuminated in use, and an optically anisotropic layer (26) such as a polymerized liquid crystal provided whereby at least part of the micro-relief pattern (22) induces local orientation of the optically anisotropic layer (26) thereby to impose a predetermined polarization modulation, thereby to produce a predetermined polarization dependent second image when illuminated in use.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a tunable diffraction grating (1) with optically active elements (5) arranged at a distance (A) next to each other. The optically active elements (5) are displaceable relative to each other in a lateral direction (x, y) and mechanically interconnected to a layer (4), which is made out of a deformable material. A deformation of the layer (4) in a direction (z) in general perpendicular to the lateral direction (x, y) causes a change in the relative distance (A) of the optically active elements (5).

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 assuring a blazed condition in a DMD device used in telecommunications applications. By meeting certain conditions in the fabrication and operation of the DMD, the device can achieve a blazed condition and be very effective in switching near monochromatic spatially coherent light, thereby opening up a whole new application field for such devices. This method determines the optimal pixel pitch and mirror tilt angle for a given incident angle and wavelength of near monochromatic spatially coherent light to assure blazed operating conditions. The Fraunhofer envelope is determined by convolving the Fourier transforms of the mirror aperture and the delta function at the center of each mirror and then aligning the center of this envelope with a diffraction order to provide a blazed condition.

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.

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.

Abstract: A diffractive unit which can reduce the effect of the nonlinearity of the photo-resist recording material to produce a diffractive device with brilliant color, and describes a method for recording. A cross grating device recorded using the method of this present invention is also described. A diffractive pattern is provided with multiple units, and the period of the diffraction within at least one of the units is spatially varying. It has been discovered that a spatially varying period can offset other effects, such nonlinear characteristics of the material or inter-unit gaps, to reduce the harmonics and improve the color.

Abstract: A grating includes an absorptive substrate and a plurality of reflective lines on the absorptive substrate. Each reflective line is formed by a plurality of reflective areas. The reflective areas can be arranged in a regular pattern. The reflective areas are between 70 nm and 120 nm in diameter. The reflective areas can be circular. The reflective areas can have a random height distribution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light panel, comprising a light source (1) and a panel element (2). The panel element is manufactured from a substantially transparent material for transmitting light thereby. The panel element (2) is further configured as a waveguide panel, inside which the light beams propagate with total reflection and get outcoupled therefrom with a diffractive outcoupling system. An outcoupling system (2u), such as a grating structure or the like, is adapted to cover the entire panel element (2) as far as its light surface (2a) is concerned, such that divergent recesses and/or grooves of various sizes and/or shapes are used to produce divergent local gratings of various sizes and/or shapes, such as multi-shaped and/or binary pixels and/or units, having the filing factor, shape, profile and/or size thereof optimized in such a way that the diffraction efficiency is a function of place.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting an optical pathway, comprising a diffractive optics element configured for diffracting a plurality of light waves passing in the optical pathway, and a diffractive optics element (DOE) manipulator configured for manipulating said diffractive optics element, thereby changing the optical pathway.

Abstract: In each light modulator element of a special light modulator with diffraction grating structure where moving ribbons and fixed ribbons are alternately arranged, the maximum light-amount (I1) when an output light-amount first becomes maximum from when the moving ribbons start to sag and the maximum light amount-voltage becoming an displacement amount (P1) at the maximum light-amount, are obtained and the minimum of a plurality of maximum light-amounts is set as a target ON light-amount (It). Since a voltage (corresponding to a displacement amount (Pt1)) between the maximum light amount-voltage and the minimum light amount-voltage at a displacement amount (P2) is obtained as a target ON-voltage for the target ON light-amount (It), it is thereby possible to prevent moving distance of the moving ribbons among ON/OFF from largely differing among the light modulator elements and achieve an appropriate image recording.

Abstract: An optical device includes a light guide plate, and first and second reflective volume hologram diffraction grating members. The first member has interference fringes extending from therewithin towards surfaces thereof and arranged at an equal pitch. Each interference fringe and each surface of the first member form an inclination angle therebetween. The first member has the following conditions. (a) In an outer region positioned farther away from the second member than a minimum inclination angle region having a minimum inclination angle, the inclination angles of the interference fringes increase with increasing distance from the minimum inclination angle region. (b) In an inner region positioned closer to the second member than the minimum inclination angle region, the inclination angles of the interference fringes include a maximum inclination angle in an inner area disposed adjacent to the minimum inclination angle region and decrease with increasing distance from the minimum inclination angle region.

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

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

Abstract: This invention relates to a configurable diffractive optical element comprising an array of diffractive sub-elements having a reflective surface, wherein each sub-element has a controllable position with a chosen range, and in which a number of sub-elements are provided with a reflective grating with a number of chosen spectral characteristics.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optoelectronic sensor comprising an integrated arrangement of a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged in the region of an optical receiving system for the illumination of a sensing region, with beam-shaping optical elements being associated with the light emitting diodes. The beam-shaping optical elements have optical properties which differ from one another and are dependent on their relative position to the optical receiving system. Furthermore, the beam-shaping optical elements have a wedge shape, with in each case precisely one wedge element or regions of up to four adjacent wedge elements being associated with the light emitting diodes.

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

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical device is provided. The device includes an optical waveguide path having a Bragg grating and a movable portion disposed near the Bragg grating. A displacement of the movable portion provides a change of spacing of the Bragg grating so that a light passing through the optical waveguide path is changed. The optical device detects the physical quantity based on a change of the light. The method includes steps of: forming the optical waveguide path with the Bragg grating on a first part of a silicon substrate; and forming the movable portion on a second part of the silicon substrate.

Abstract: Electrically controlled volume phase gratings and electrically controlled Bragg Gratings can provide variable diffraction gratings that can be operated in a transmissive and/or reflective mode. They can be made from electro-optic materials placed directly on glass or semiconductor materials, utilizing conventional Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCOS) processes and equipment. Highly efficient and/or small device form factors may be provided.

Abstract: A reconfigurable zone plate lens is disclosed. Some embodiments may include a central annular element having a first a first circumference centered about a central axis. Embodiments may also include a plurality of concentric annular elements of increasing circumference centered about the central axis and the central annular element, where each annular element is positioned around an annular element having a smaller circumference. The annular elements of some embodiments may each be adapted to be in either an active or inactive state where the active and inactive annular elements form a plurality of alternating active rings and inactive rings. Each active ring may include one or more annular elements in an active state and each inactive ring may include one or more annular elements in an inactive state. Each annular element may include one or more liquid crystal display (LCD) elements or micromirrors. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus with a light source unit emitting a light beam optically modulated based on image/video information, a scanning unit for scanning the light beam emitted from the light source unit two-dimensionally, an optical system that guides the light beam scanned by the scanning unit to the scanned position, a control unit for controlling operations of the light source unit and the scanning unit in synchronization with each other to form the image on the scanned position, and a light beam dividing unit for dividing the light beam scanned by the scanning unit two-dimensionally into a plurality of light beams and emitting them.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming an array of focusing elements for use in a lithography system. The method involves varying an exposure characteristic over an area to create a focusing element that varies in thickness in certain embodiments. In further embodiments, the method includes the steps of providing a first pattern via lithography in a substrate, depositing a conductive absorber material on the substrate, applying an electrical potential to at least a first portion of the conductive absorber material, leaving a second portion of the conductive material without the electrical potential, and etching the second portion of the conductive material to provide a first pattern on the substrate that is aligned with the first portion of the conductive absorber material.

Abstract: A nanomechanical near-field grating device is disclosed which includes two sub-gratings vertically spaced by a distance less than or equal to an operating wavelength. Each sub-grating includes a plurality of line-elements spaced apart by a distance less than or equal to the operating wavelength. A light source (e.g., a VCSEL or LED) can provide light at the operating wavelength for operation of the device. The device can operate as an active grating, with the intensity of a reflected or transmitted portion of the light varying as the relative positions of the sub-gratings are controlled by an actuator. The device can also operate as a passive grating, with the relative positions of the sub-gratings changing in response to an environmentally-induced force due to acceleration, impact, shock, vibration, gravity, etc.

Abstract: A display device using a light modulator and having an improved numerical aperture (NA) of an after-edge lens system is disclosed. The display device includes an illumination lens, a diffractive light modulator, an NA improvement unit, a filter system and a projection system. The illumination lens converts light into linear parallel light, and outputs the linear parallel light. The diffractive light modulator produces diffracted light beams having a plurality of diffraction orders by modulating the linear parallel light incident from the illumination lens according to an external control signal. The NA improvement unit causes + and ? diffracted light beams of the diffracted light beams to come close to each other. The filter system passes only some of the diffracted light beams having predetermined orders, therethrough. The projection system focuses the diffracted light beams onto an object and allows the focused diffracted light to scan the object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system of applying optical gradient forces to form a plurality of optical traps to manipulate small particles. The system includes a light source for generating a focused beam of light which is directed along an optical axis though a phase patterning optical element having a variable optical surface and which has a virtual lens encoded thereon. The optical element produces a plurality of beamlets that are coverged at a position between the optical element and a single transfer lens, and directed through the transfer lens to overlap at the back aperture of a focusing lens. The focusing lens coverges the beamlets to form a plurality of optical traps in the working focal region where particles to be examined, manipulated, or measured, are disposed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an optical modulator module package structure. In the optical modulator module package structure, an optical modulator device and a drive integrated circuit device are flip-chip bonded to a substrate, and an opening of the substrate is blocked using a piece of glass.

Abstract: A novel dispersion optical system based on at least one grating is provided. The pitches of the grating are linearly modulated so that the incident light is dispersed into different monochromatic light at different diffraction angles. In such a system, an order sorting filter is not required to separate the light of a selected order from the rest of unwanted overlapped order.

Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to a light modulator having a variable blaze diffraction grating and, more particularly, to a light modulator having a variable blaze diffraction grating, in which a diffraction member rotates due to piezoelectric force so as to incline a reflective surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to a configurable diffractive optical element comprising an array of diffractive sub-elements having a reflective surface, wherein each sub-element has a controllable position with a chosen range, and in which a number of sub-elements are provided with a reflective grating with a number of predetermined spectral characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention overcomes problems associated with switch isolation, noise and crosstalk suppression, insertion loss, spurious reflections, wavelength tolerance, and compactness that are present in varying degrees in other add/drop systems. The present invention includes devices or components that include, but are not limited to high efficiency switchable gratings.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a color display apparatus using a one-panel diffractive-type optical modulator. The color display apparatus includes a plurality of light sources, an illumination lens system, a diffractive-type optical modulator, a filter system, and a projection system. The light sources simultaneously emit the light beams of corresponding wavelengths. The illumination lens system allows respective light beams to be converted into linear parallel light. The diffractive-type optical modulator forms diffractive light by diffracting incident light when the locations of at least two neighboring reflection parts vary to a predetermined distance by an actuating means. The filter system allows diffractive light having a desired diffractive order for respective wavelengths to pass therethrough when diffractive light having a plurality of diffractive orders for the respective wavelengths enters from the diffractive-type optical modulator.

Abstract: A complex objective lens composed of a hologram and an objective lens, capable of realizing stable and high-precision compatible reproducing/recording of a BD with a base thickness of about 0.1 mm for a blue light beam (wavelength ?1) and a DVD with a base thickness of about 0.6 mm for a red light beam (wavelength ?2). In an inner circumferential portion of the hologram, a grating is formed. The hologram transmits a blue light beam as 0th-order diffracted light without diffracting it, and disperses a red light beam passing through an inner circumferential portion as +1st-order diffracted light and allows it to be condensed by an objective lens. Because of this, the focal length of the red light beam becomes longer than that of the blue light beam, whereby a working distance is enlarged.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a light modulator includes a substrate and a number of modulator elements disposed above and spaced apart from the substrate. Each modulator element has an optically active portion adapted to receive light incident thereon, and a support portion on either side of the active portion to support the modulator element above the substrate. The modulator elements include at least one deflectable modulator element. To shorten damping time, the deflectable modulator element has a lower surface in the support portion that is closer to the substrate than a lower surface under the optically active portion.

Abstract: A light pipe includes a surface provided with a pattern that has diffractive properties, where the pattern has uniform, mutually different areas on the surface such that some of the areas are configured to distribute light from a light input end of the light pipe to form macroscopically uniform distribution of light and some other areas are configured to couple light out from the light pipe in order to produce lighting, and where the relative proportion of surface covered by areas configured to distribute light is arranged to decrease in relation to increase of distance from the light input end.

Abstract: An optical device includes a planar subwavelength grating (10) formed in a dielectric material and having a laterally varying, continuous grating vector. When used to modulate a beam of laterally uniform polarized electromagnetic radiation incident thereon, the device passes the incident beam with a predetermined, laterally varying transmissivity and/or retardation. When used to effect polarization state transformation, the device transforms a beam of electromagnetic radiation incident thereon into a transmitted beam having a predetermined, laterally varying polarization state. The device (214) can be used to provide radially polarized electromagnetic radiation for accelerating subatomic particles or for cutting a workpiece. The device (108) also can be used, in conjuction with a mechanism for measuring the lateral variation of the intensity of the transmitted beam, for measuring all four Stokes parameters that define the polarization state of the incident beam.

Abstract: A grating light valve has with a plurality of spaced reflective ribbons are spatially arranged over a substrate with reflective surfaces. The grating light valve is configured to optimized the conditions for constructive and destructive interference with an incident light source having a wavelength ?. The grating light valve preferably has a set of movable active ribbons alternating between the set of stationary bias ribbons. The active ribbons and the bias ribbons are spatially separated over the substrate surface such that reflective regions of the substrate surface correspond to the spaces between the ribbons. The ribbons and reflective regions of the substrate optically and geometrically optimized for to generate the conditions for constrictive and destructive interference with the incident light source.

Abstract: A tunable nanomechanical near-field grating is disclosed which is capable of varying the intensity of a diffraction mode of an optical output signal. The tunable nanomechanical near-field grating includes two sub-gratings each having line-elements with width and thickness less than the operating wavelength of light with which the grating interacts. Lateral apertures in the two sub-gratings are formed from the space between one line-element of the first sub-grating and at least one line-element of the second sub-grating. One of the sub-gratings is capable of motion such that at least one of aperture width and aperture depth changes, causing a perturbation to the near-field intensity distribution of the tunable nanomechanical near-field grating and a corresponding change to the far-field emission of thereof.

Abstract: An optical element that can reduce Fresnel (surface) reflection on a lens surface to be a cause of flare or ghost, and a scanning optical system having the same are provided. A microstructure grating is provided on at least one optical surface of the optical element, and the microstructure grating consists of a structure having an antireflection action corresponding to an incidence angle of light beams.

Abstract: Novel structure of the optical elements (i.e. filter) to be operated in the long, mid, and near infrared wavelengths of lights is provided. The filter can offer very narrow linewidth, and high reflectivity (or transmissivity) at the peak wavelength. The optical element consists of the substrate, first diffraction grating and single uniform surface, and the second grating. Alternatively, the optical element again consists of the substrate, single uniform surface and the diffraction grating on the top of it. Alternatively, filter may also consist of number of sequence of layers, wherein each sequence comprises the single uniform layer sandwiched by the two diffraction grating layers. Filter again alternatively consists of the number of sequences wherein each sequence comprises the single uniform layer and the single diffraction grating. Diffraction grating may be two-step grating or multilevel grating with synchronously or nonsynchronously samples diffraction gratings.

Abstract: A dynamically variable, amplitude grating based diffractive optic including: a substantially transmissive, elastic substrate; a substantially opaque, elastic material formed in a predetermined pattern on the first surface of the elastic substrate; and a substrate mount coupled to the elastic substrate to hold it under tension. The predetermined pattern of the substantially opaque, elastic material substrate forms an amplitude grating on the elastic substrate. The substrate mount includes a variable tensioner to stretch the elastic substrate and the substantially opaque, elastic material, thereby allowing at least one optical property of the amplitude grating to be dynamically varied. Alternatively, the elastic substrate may include at least one substantially transparent portion and at least one substantially opaque portion, the substantially opaque portion(s) arranged in a predetermined pattern to form the amplitude grating within the elastic substrate rather than on its surface.

Abstract: A spectral image measurement apparatus comprises: a spectral element array; a spectral element drive section for driving the elements; an inlet-side optical system for guiding a light to the element array; a detection-side optical system for forming an image with a diffracted light output from the element array; and an array sensor for detecting the diffracted light through the detection-side optical system. The element array includes: a substrate; and a plurality of micro-electrically-driven mechanical spectral elements arranged two-dimensionally on the substrate, wherein each of the elements comprises a diffraction grating having a diffraction surface, the diffraction grating being pivotably supported on the substrate; wherein each of the elements generates spectra from a light entering the diffraction surface by applying an electric field to the diffraction grating to tilt the diffraction grating; and wherein each of tilt angles of the diffraction gratings is capable of being set individually.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical instrument including means (1, 2) to produce an optical image to be viewed by an observer including a diffractive element (7) located at an intermediate focal or image plane (4) of the optical instrument and comprising a pattern of a plurality of areas effective to cause diffraction interference in light passing through the optical instrument and thereby produce an expanded exit pupil (6) comprising a combination of a multiplicity of exit pupils displaced relative to one another transverse to an optical axis (3) of said instrument.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new light pipe (313) for providing backlighting (312) of a flat-panel display (311) by means of at least one light source so that the light pipe has at least one surface which comprises patterns. The patterns have diffraction properties for conducting the light in the direction of the display, and the patterns comprise uniform, mutually different areas having a certain distribution on the surface of the light pipe. The local outcoupling efficiency of the light pipe depends on the characteristic properties of the patterns, which are dependent on the distance to the light source or its wavelength.

Abstract: A diffraction grating with periodically arranged protrusions and grooves at a relatively narrow pitch and improved diffraction efficiency is disclosed. The protrusions of the grating are made of a material whose index of refraction is greater than that of the grooves, and the ratio of the width D of the protrusion to the pitch ? of the protrusion is set equal to or less than 0.4 (D/??0.4).

Abstract: A temperature compensated apparatus for filtering light is comprised of a holographically recorded grating defined in a photosensitive layer for providing optical filtration for light incident on the grating with a predetermined angle of incidence, and an angulation means responsive to temperature for tilting the grating relative to the angle of incidence of the light as a function of temperature of the grating so that changes in the filtration by the grating compensate for changes in temperature of the grating to maintain effective filtration of the light approximately constant.

Abstract: An improvement in a wavelength division multiplexer and/or a dense wavelength division multiplexer (WDM/DWDM) is achieved by incorporating an electronically reconfigurable diffraction grating (108). The introduction of the electronically reconfigurable diffraction grating (108), which is typically fabricated using MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) technology, improves the compact design, durability, and dynamic functionality of the WDM/DWDM system.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for shaping a light beam, having at least two optically functional boundary surfaces that are arranged one behind another in the propagation direction (z) of the light beam to be shaped, such that the light beam can pass through the at least two optically functional boundary surfaces one after another, and two groups of refractive or diffractive imaging elements that are arranged on at least one of the optically functional boundary surfaces, at least two of the imaging elements having different properties within at least one of the groups.

Abstract: A thin and light optical device satisfactorily separates light components having different properties. A blazed grating is formed on a surface of a flat-plate-shaped transparent substrate, and a separation coating that reflects or transmits incident light according to the properties of the incident light is provided on the blazed grating. The thus obtained optical device offers a function of separating light into reflected light and transmitted light, and also has a function of diffracting or refracting the thus separated light. As the separation coating, a polarization separation film, dichroic film, angle separation film, or chiral nematic liquid crystal layer is used to separate linearly polarized light components having different polarization planes, light components having different wavelengths, light components incident at different angles of incidence, or circularly polarized light components having different rotation directions.

Abstract: An index grating is imprinted in the core of an optical fiber using a specially designed silica glass phase grating mask. The phase mask is held in close proximity to the optical fiber. Laser irradiation of the phase mask with ultraviolet light at normal incidence imprints (photoinduces) into the optical fiber core the interference pattern created by the phase mask.