Abstract: An optical element includes a substrate, an intermediate layer, a topmost layer, and a contiguous multitude of recessed and non-recessed areal regions. The intermediate layer is formed over a top surface of the substrate and has a refractive index nI. The topmost layer is formed directly on the intermediate layer and has a refractive index nT where nT?nI. The intermediate and topmost layers are substantially transparent over an operational wavelength range that includes a design wavelength ?0. A subset of areal regions has a largest transverse dimension less than about ?0. Each non-recessed areal region includes corresponding portions of the intermediate and topmost layers. Each recessed areal region extends entirely through the topmost layer and at least partly through the intermediate layer. A fill medium fills the recessed areal regions. The areal regions are variously sized and distributed transversely across the optical element.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatuses for optical coupling and a system for communication. In one embodiment, an apparatus for optical coupling including a substrate and a grating coupler is disclosed. The grating coupler is disposed on the substrate and includes a plurality of coupling gratings arranged along a first direction, wherein effective refractive indices of the plurality of coupling gratings gradually decrease along the first direction.

Abstract: An image light guide for conveying a virtual image has a waveguide that conveys image-bearing light, formed as a flat plate having an in-coupling diffractive optic with a first grating vector diffracting an image-bearing light beam into the waveguide and directing diffracted light. An out-coupling diffractive optic is formed as a plurality of overlapping diffraction gratings including a first grating pattern having first grating vector k1 and a second grating pattern having a second grating vector k2 for expanding and ejecting the expanded image bearing beams from the waveguide into an expanded eyebox within which the virtual image can be seen.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include diagnostic substrates and methods of using such substrates. In an embodiment, a diagnostic substrate comprises a substrate, and a device layer over the substrate. In an embodiment, the diagnostic substrate further comprises a resonator in the device layer. In an embodiment, the resonator comprises a cavity, a cover layer over the cavity, and electrodes within the cavity for driving and sensing resonance of the cover layer. In an embodiment, the diagnostic substrate further comprises a reflector surrounding a perimeter of the resonator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lens which has an extended range of focus, wherein the lens consists of a solid material, the optical surfaces of the lens are transparent and the lens has a focal power distribution. According to the invention, the focal power distribution FG of the lens (1), in relation to a plane perpendicular to the optical axis (10), changes as a function of the radial height r and of the azimuth angle phi of the aperture between a base value of the focal power FL not equal to zero and a maximum value FSmax. Hence, the focal power distribution emerges as FG(r,phi)=FL+FS(r,phi), with the spiral focal power component FS(r,phi)=FSmax(r)*w(phi), where FSmax(r) depends nonlinearly on the radius and w(phi) is a factor for the focal power component with a spiral profile.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for biometric mapping of facial skin includes a light filter a light sensor, a non-transient memory, a correlation processor, and an output unit. The light filter filters light reflected from an object to a filtered light signal. The light sensor receives the filtered light signal and generates a first electronic image signal representative of an image of the object in accordance with the filtered light signal. The memory stores a first electronic diagnostic signal representative of a predetermined mal-condition of the object. The processor determines a correlation between the first electronic image signal and the first electronic diagnostic signal, generates a correlation signal representative of a strength of the correlation, determines a diagnosis of the associated object based on the correlation signal, and generates a diagnosis signal in accordance with the diagnosis. The output unit generates a diagnosis result signal in accordance with the diagnosis signal.

Abstract: An optical system has a first relief-type diffraction grating fiducial, or alignment mark, on a transparent surface of a first optical wafer or plate, the grating arranged to deflect light away from an optical path and appear black. The first wafer may have lenses. The first fiducial is aligned to another fiducial on a second wafer having further optical devices as part of system assembly; or the fiducials are aligned to alignment marks or fiducials on an underlying photosensor. Once the optical devices are aligned and the wafers bonded, they are diced to provide aligned optical structures for a completed camera system. Alternatively, an optical wafer is made by aligning a second relief-type diffraction grating fiducial on a first master to a first relief-type diffraction grating fiducial on an optical wafer preform, pressing the first master into a blob to form optical shapes and adhere the blob to the optical wafer preform.

Abstract: A projector includes an illumination device having a light source device emitting light, and a polarization conversion element adapted to emit light from the light source device as polarized light, a light modulation device adapted to modulate the light from the illumination device in accordance with image information, and a projection optical system adapted to project the light from the light modulation device, and the illumination device further includes a light diffusing unit disposed in at least one of upstream and downstream of the polarization conversion element.

Abstract: A diffraction grating lens according to the present invention is a diffraction grating lens 11 including: a lens body 12; and a plurality of diffraction steps relative to a base shape and a plurality of diffraction gratings 13 interposed between the diffraction steps, provided on a surface of the lens body 12. The lens body 12 is made of a first material having a refractive index n1(?) at a used wavelength ?; the diffraction grating 13 is in contact with air; and the relationship of an inequality below is satisfied, where d is a design step length of the diffraction steps, and m is an order of diffraction.

Abstract: An optical semiconductor element includes: a grating base layer including a projection-recess structure disposed over a substrate; and a grating cover layer including a group III-V semiconductor having three or more elements, wherein the grating cover layer includes a first region which is disposed over recessed portions of the grating base layer and which has a compositional ratio of a group III-V semiconductor having a first refractive index, and a second region which is disposed over projecting portions of the grating base layer and which has a compositional ratio of a group III-V semiconductor having a second refractive index that is smaller than the first refractive index, wherein the grating base layer includes a group III-V semiconductor having a third refractive index that is smaller than the first refractive index.

Abstract: The solid-state imaging device includes light collecting elements each of which includes a first light-transmissive film group and a second light transmissive film group adjacent to each other. The first light-transmissive film group and the second light transmissive film group have mutually different effective refractive index distributions for guiding at least two types of incident light rays to the light receiving element.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lens which has an extended range of focus, wherein the lens consists of a solid material, the optical surfaces of the lens are transparent and the lens has a focal power distribution. According to the invention, the focal power distribution FG of the lens (1), in relation to a plane perpendicular to the optical axis (10), changes as a function of the radial height r and of the azimuth angle phi of the aperture between a base value of the focal power FL not equal to zero and a maximum value FSmax. Hence, the focal power distribution emerges as FG(r,phi)=FL+FS(r,phi), with the spiral focal power component FS(r,phi)=FSmax(r)*w(phi), where FSmax(r) depends nonlinearly on the radius and w(phi) is a factor for the focal power component with a spiral profile.

Abstract: A phase grating includes a substrate and a first dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer is disposed on the substrate and includes a column and a plurality of rings. The top sides of the column and the top sides of the rings align with one another to form a flat plane. The column and the rings are concentric.

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

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

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

Abstract: Objects are to obtain a highly accurate diffraction element that may prevent an intensity decrease of a light beam entering a light receiving unit without a decrease in diffraction efficiency and without a problem of flare or the like, a manufacturing method for the diffraction element, and a spectrometer using the same. A diffraction element (2) includes a diffraction grating formed on a substrate having a curved surface. In the diffraction element (2), the curved surface (3) has an anamorphic shape formed by pivoting a curved line (I) in a plane about a straight line (II) in the same plane serving as a rotation axis, and gratings (10a) of the diffraction grating (10) exist in cross sections orthogonal to the rotation axis.

Abstract: A pressing mold for optical lenses, which molds a ring-zone-type diffraction lens having a plurality of concentric ring zones, the mold including: diffraction action transfer surfaces configured to form diffraction action surfaces that diffract light passing through the diffraction lens; and step transfer surfaces configured to form step surfaces that connect the adjacent diffraction action surfaces of the diffraction lens, wherein surface roughness of the step transfer surfaces is larger than surface roughness of the diffraction action transfer surfaces.

Abstract: A security device comprises a substrate having a transparent region (1). At least one optical element (2, 3) is provided in part of the transparent region, the optical element causing an incident off-axis light beam transmitted through the optical element to be redirected away from a line parallel with the incident light beam whereby when the device is viewed in transmission directly against a backlight, the presence of the optical element cannot be discerned but when the device is moved relative to the backlight such that lines of sight from the viewer to the transparent region and from the transparent region to the backlight form an obtuse angle (?) at which redirected light is visible to the viewer, a contrast is viewed between the part of the transparent region including the optical element and another part of the transparent region.

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

Abstract: A 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: A reflection metal diffraction grating has a high diffraction efficiency for diffracting femtosecond mode laser pulses, and includes a substrate with a set of lines having a pitch A. The substrate is made of metal or covered with a metal layer, and the grating includes a thin film of dielectric material having a thickness, the dielectric film covering the metal surface of the lines of the grating, the grating being suitable for receiving a pulsed electromagnetic lightwave in a femtosecond mode. The thickness of the dielectric thin film is lower than 50 nm, and is suitable for reducing by a third order factor at least the maximum of the square of the electric field of the electromagnetic lightwave on the metal surface and in the metal layer of the substrate as compared to the square of the electric field at the surface of a metal grating not having a dielectric thin film.

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: An optical device comprising an optical grating structure embedded between media of substantially the same optical refractive index, the structure having an optical coating at the interface between the two media, wherein the structure comprises grating facets inclined relative to the interface plane such that, in use, anomalous optical effects due to coating are substantially reduced.

Abstract: An optical scanning apparatus includes a semiconductor laser and a first optical element that are fixed on a single continuous member. A second optical element, which is a diffraction optical element, has a diffracting surface in which a plurality of elliptical grooves is formed and which includes a diffracting portion power such that a change in the beam waist position in a main scan direction and a sub-scan direction due to temperature variation in the optical scanning apparatus becomes substantially zero. The member on which the semiconductor laser and the first optical element are fixed has a linear coefficient of expansion such that the change in the beam waist position becomes substantially zero even when there is temperature variation.

Abstract: A surface wave assisted system having an aperture layer with a surface and an aperture, and a plurality of grooves around the aperture. The plurality of grooves is configured to generate an optical transfer function at the aperture by inducing a surface wave for interfering with transmission of light of a range of spatial frequency.

Abstract: A surface relief structure includes a recording medium configured to be structurally modified when exposed to interfering and non-interfering portions of radiation beams, the structurally modified recording medium including, when viewed in a two-dimensional cross-section along one of the axes of the recording medium a plurality of equally spaced steps of fine-sized periodicity superimposed upon a plurality of deep depressions of substantially coarse-sized periodicity. The structurally modified recording medium is configured to produce in reflection single and multiple colors in a broad spectral range when illuminated by a source of light.

Abstract: A spectral purity filter, in particular for use in a lithographic apparatus using EUV radiation for the projection beam, includes a plurality of apertures in a substrate. The apertures are defined by walls having side surfaces that are inclined to the normal to a front surface of the substrate.

Abstract: [Problems] A higher forgery prevention effect is realized. [Means for Solving Problems] A display according to the present invention is characterized by includes a relief-structured region as an image-constituting element including recessed portions, protruding portions or both of them arranged two-dimensionally on one of main surfaces of a light-transmitting layer, and a reflection layer supported by the one of the main surfaces and covering at least a part of the relief-structured region, wherein a center-to-center distance of the recessed portions, protruding portions or both of them falls within a range of 200 nm to 500 nm. Further, it is characterized in that it comprises multiple relief-structured regions, and a shape, depth or height, the center-to-center distance and an arrangement pattern of the recessed portions, protruding portions or both of them in at least one of the relief-structured regions are different from those in other relief-structured region(s).

Abstract: An imaging optical system according to the present invention includes a lens that has first and second surfaces and that has a diffraction grating on only one of the first and second surfaces. If the diameter of an effective area, which is defined by a light ray that has entered the lens with a maximum angle of view, is D when measured on the surface with the diffraction grating, an F number of the imaging optical system at the maximum angle of view is Fno, a d-line Abbe number of the lens is ?d, and an F number of an axial bundle of rays is F, then the average diffracting ring zone pitch of the effective area satisfies 0.008 ? ? D × Fno ? 0.

Abstract: The present invention provides a small diffractive optical element that emits twisted beam, a small distance measuring apparatus and a distance measuring method using a small diffractive optical element. A diffractive optical element includes a first diffractive grating that twists, in a coordinate space defined by an x-axis, a y-axis and a z-axis, parallel light forming a flat plane parallel to the x-axis and going advance in the z-axis direction so that an angle of the flat plane relative to the x-axis becomes a predetermined angle at a location where the parallel light traveling in the z-axis by a predetermined distance reaches.

Abstract: A polarizing lamp includes a polarization beam splitter, a metallic grating reflector having metallic gratings with a trapezoidal profile, and an unpolarized light source positioned between the polarization beam splitter and the metallic grating reflector.

Abstract: The invention relates to electromagnetic radiation microoptical diffraction gratings and to a method suitable for the manufacture thereof. The diffraction gratings in accordance with the invention can be used as microspectrometers in the form of scanning microgratings. The microgratings are provided with a surface structure and are able to be manufactured cost effectively and in high volumes. The surface structure is formed at a surface of a substrate and is formed from linear structural elements arranged substantially equidistantly and aligned substantially parallel to one another. At least part of the surface of the substrate and of the structural elements is coated with at least one further layer which forms a uniform sinusoidal surface contoured in a wave-shape (sinusoidal) manner and having alternating arranged wave peaks and wave troughs. A reflective layer can additionally be applied to increase the intensity of reflected radiation.

Abstract: A differential interference contrast (DIC) determination device and method utilizes an illumination source, a layer having a pair of two apertures that receive illumination from the illumination source, and a photodetector to receive Young's interference from the illumination passing through the pair of two apertures. In addition, a surface wave assisted optofluidic microscope and method utilize an illumination source, a fluid channel having a layer with at least one aperture as a surface, and a photodetector that receives a signal based on the illumination passing through the aperture. The layer is corrugated (e.g., via fabrication) and parameters of the corrugation optimize the signal received on the photodetector.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a diffractive structure comprising a plurality of grooves each formed by a plurality of two-dimensional scattering and/or diffractive groove elements, aligned in a manner serving to provide for at least one diffractive optical effect and further a surface display device comprising a plurality of regions wherein each region has a diffractive surface relief structure as defined above and wherein the gratings of one of said regions at an angle relative to the gratings of another of said regions.

Abstract: An objective lens includes: a diffraction area having a diffraction structure provided thereon concentrically around an optical axis of the objective lens; and a first non-diffraction area provided outward an outer circumference of the diffraction area, the objective lens being configured to focus first laser light on a signal recording surface of a first optical recording medium by refraction in the first non-diffraction area; focus second laser light, different in wavelength from the first laser light, on a signal recording surface of a second optical recording medium by diffraction in the diffraction area; and focus third laser light, different in wavelength from the first laser light and the second laser light, on a signal recording surface of a third optical recording medium by diffraction in the diffraction area.

Abstract: There is provided a diffractive multifocal lens, wherein a diffraction phase structure of a diffraction pattern has a structure expressed by the following formula: ? ? ( ? ) = { p 1 ? ? , 0 ? ? < w p 2 ? ( ? - 0.5 ) - q ? ? ? , w ? ? < 1 - w p 1 ? ( ? - 1 ) , 1 - w ? ? ? 1 ( 1 ) wherein ? indicates a position in a radial direction of the lens in one period of the diffraction pattern, and ?(?) indicates a value (radian) of a phase shift amount of light passing through the position of ? from the phase of light passing through a reference plane.

Abstract: Sighting optics include a front sight and a rear sight positioned in a spaced-apart relation. The rear sight includes an optical element having a first focal length and a second focal length. The first focal length is selected so that it is about equal to a distance separating the optical element and the front sight and the second focal length is selected so that it is about equal to a target distance. The optical element thus brings into simultaneous focus for a user images of the front sight and the target.

Abstract: One embodiment of sighting optics according to the teachings provided herein may include a front sight and a rear sight positioned in spaced-apart relation. The rear sight includes an optical element having a first focal length and a second focal length. The first focal length is selected so that it is about equal to a distance separating the optical element and the front sight and the second focal length is selected so that it is about equal to a target distance. The optical element thus brings into simultaneous focus, for a user, images of the front sight and the target.

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

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.

Abstract: A diffractive lens 11 according to the present invention includes: a lens base 18, which has a second surface 13 with first and second groups of diffraction grating portions 20 and 21; and a protective coating 17, which is arranged on the first group of diffraction grating portions 20. The first group of diffraction grating portions 20 has a first group of diffraction steps and the second group of diffraction grating portions 21 has a second group of diffraction steps, which is lower in height than the first group of diffraction steps. One of the respective materials of the base 18 and the protective coating 17 has a higher refractive index and a greater Abbe number than the other material. And the second group of diffraction steps is not covered with the protective coating 17.

Abstract: A concave diffraction grating device, a reflective dispersion device, and a spectral device of the invention include a diffraction grating plane having an aspherical configuration, wherein the diffraction grating plane is symmetrical in a predetermined direction, and asymmetrical in a direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction in such a manner that the curvature of one end portion of the diffraction grating plane in the direction orthogonal to the predetermined direction is gradually decreased, and the curvature of the other end portion thereof is gradually increased. The concave diffraction grating device, the reflective dispersion device, and the spectral device with the above arrangement have desirable slit image forming performance with respect to all the wavelengths in a visible region, and are suitable for mass-production.

Abstract: A disclosed optical element includes: a transparent substrate; a subwavelength structure layer disposed on the transparent substrate, the subwavelength structure layer having a refractive index different from a refractive index of the transparent substrate; a minute concave and convex structure of one-dimensional grating formed on the subwavelength structure layer with a subwavelength period smaller than a wavelength to be used, where a concave portion reaches a boundary surface between the transparent substrate and the subwavelength structure layer; and an open hole portion formed on a subwavelength structure layer side of the transparent substrate so as to communicate with the concave portion of the minute structure and to be arranged with the same period as in the minute structure of one-dimensional grating. At least at the open hole portion, a refractive index relative to an incident light is changed in a direction orthogonal to the boundary surface.

Abstract: The invention concerns a film element having a replication layer (43), wherein an optically active surface structure (27) is shaped in a first surface of the replication layer. The surface structure is formed in at least a first region of the film element (35) by a first diffractive surface relief (46) comprising a plurality of successive elements following a first envelope curve (47), wherein the elements respectively comprise an element surface (48) arranged substantially parallel to a base surface and at least one flank adjoining the adjacent element surface or surfaces, the element surfaces (48) of adjacent elements are spaced in a direction perpendicular to the base plane, with a first optical spacing or a plurality of the first optical spacing, wherein the first optical spacing is between 150 nm and 800 nm, preferably between 150 nm and 400 nm.

Abstract: A diffractive optical element has a diffraction grating which multiplexes light beams of different wavelengths, and the diffraction grating has a binary structure in which the diffraction surface top part and the diffraction surface bottom part repeat a concave and convex shape through a rising surface part along an optical axis direction P. The diffraction surface top part and the diffraction surface bottom part are inclined to the rising surface part. By this diffractive optical element, the diffraction angle of the light beam is maintained, and the diffraction efficiency of the light beam can be improved. By using this diffractive optical element in an optical communication module, while the separation angle of the light beam of the different wavelength is maintained, the signal receiving performance is increased.

Abstract: An antireflective member has an uneven surface pattern, in which unit structures are arranged in x and y directions at respective periods that are both shorter than the shortest wavelength of an incoming light ray, on the surface of a substrate and satisfies the following Inequality (1): ? ? ? x , y ? min < 1 ni + ni · sin ? ? ? ? ? i max ( 1 ) where ?min is the shortest wavelength of the incoming light ray, ?imax is the largest angle of incidence of the incoming light ray, ni is the refractive index of an incidence medium, ?x is the period of the uneven surface pattern in the x direction, and ?y is the period of the pattern in the y direction. As a result, diffraction of short-wave light components can be reduced in a broad wavelength range.

Abstract: A system generates FIR radiation. An electron source generates an electron beam. A first horn interacts with the electron beam to produce the FIR radiation. A second grating horn receives the electron beam from the first horn and emits it as a collimated free wave or Smith-Purcell radiation.

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.

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.