Abstract: A high quality factor optical resonator structure includes a substrate, a center disc formed on the substrate, and a plurality of concentric grating rings surrounding the center disc. The concentric rings are spaced apart from the center disc and from one another by regions of lower index of refraction material with respect thereto, and wherein spacing between the grating rings and the center disc is non-periodic such that a magnitude of a displacement distance of a given grating ring with respect to a ?/4 Bragg reflector geometry is largest for a first of the grating rings immediately adjacent the center disk and decreases in a radially outward direction.

Abstract: A diffraction grating including a substrate, and a grating member formed on the substrate, the grating member having a stepped structure including steps, the number of which corresponds to an odd number greater than or equal to three to provide an odd phase structure. The heights of the steps of the grating member are determined such that the light beams diffracted by their corresponding steps substantially have a phase difference of ? with reference to a diffracted light beam of a reference wavelength.

Abstract: The image display apparatus includes an image-forming element, an optical system guiding light from the image-forming element to an exit pupil, and a diffractive optical element disposed between the image-forming element and the optical system or between the optical system and the exit pupil. The diffractive optical element includes plural diffraction grating portions formed of mutually different materials. Each of the diffraction grating portions includes plural grating rings each having a grating surface and a grating side surface. In each of the grating rings, the grating side surface is inclined oppositely to the grating surface with respect to a normal to an enveloping surface passing through apexes of the plural grating rings. The diffractive optical element satisfies the following conditions at least when k=kE: ?d(j, k)=sin?1 [{ni·sin ?i(j, k)?m(j, k)·?/P(j, k)}/nd]??i(j, k), M(k)=?{m(j, k)}=const, and ?d(j, k)??i(j, k).

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

Abstract: The invention relates to 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: An optical system comprising a diffraction element (2) formed of a substantially rigid first material having a first refractive index. The diffraction element has a first plurality of grooves (4) at a first interface of the diffraction element with a second material (8) having a second refractive index; and a second, different, plurality of grooves (6) at a second, different, interface of the diffraction element with a third material (10) having a third refractive index. The first and second pluralities of grooves (4), (6) are aligned with respect to each other such that a combined diffractive effect is achieved. Moreover, the third material (10) is a liquid. The diffractive element may be manufactured using an injection moulding technique, following which the second and/or third materials may be applied in fluid form.

Abstract: A polarization-selectively blazed, diffractive optical element including multiple contiguous blaze structures extending along a given geometrical path. Each structure has a width perpendicular to direction of extension greater than the Wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation for which the element is designed. Each blaze structure multiple individual substructures arranged next to each other in the direction of extension according to a predetermined period. The substructures providing the blaze effect have the shape, when viewed from above, of a closed geometrical surface whose dimension parallel to the direction of extension varies perpendicular to the direction of extension, but is always smaller than the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation, and whose maximum dimension perpendicular to the direction of extension is greater than the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A diffracting x-ray optic for accepting and redirecting x-rays. The optic includes at least two layers, the layers having a similar or differing material composition and similar or differing crystalline orientation. Each of the layers exhibits a diffractive effect, and their collective effect provides a diffractive effect on the received x-rays. In one embodiment, the layers are silicon, and are bonded together using a silicon-on-insulator bonding technique. In another embodiment, an adhesive bonding technique may be used. The optic may be a curved, monochromating optic.

Abstract: A surface relief grating (SRG) image machining process and/or product. For the SRG image machining process a material and a cutting tool are provided. The material is contacted by the cutting tool to a predetermined depth. The cutting tool is rotated to cut the material at a predetermined rotational speed. The cutting tool is moved to cut the material at a predetermined travel speed. A SRG image effect is produced in the material through the contacting, rotating, and moving steps. A product with a SRG image effect has a surface with rotational cuts effected therein to create the SRG image effect. The SRG image has an effect based on a rotational speed of a cutting tool effecting the cuts, a travel speed of a cutting tool effecting the cuts, and a depth of the cuts. A light source can be used to emit light on the surface of the product.

Abstract: A diffractive optical element includes a plurality of layered diffraction gratings which includes two diffraction gratings made of materials having different dispersive powers. The plurality of diffraction gratings includes a first diffraction grating having a plurality of grating portions provided on a first base surface, and a second diffraction grating having a plurality of grating portions which are provided on a second base surface. In the second diffraction grating, a height of the grating portion of the central circular zone from the second base surface is greater than a height of the grating portion of the peripheral circular zone from the second base surface.

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: An antireflection structure (10) comprises a base (1), and a finely roughened antireflection part (2) formed in a surface of the base (1). The finely roughened antireflection part (2) includes a plurality of projections and depressions defined by the projections. The projections are distributed such that PMAX??MIN, where PMAX is the biggest one of distances between tips (2t) of the adjacent projections and ?MIN is the shortest one of wavelengths of visible light rays in a vacuum. The sectional area of each projection in a plane parallel to the surface of the base (1) increases continuously from the tip (2t) toward the bottom (2b) of the depression adjacent to the projection. The shape (2Mt) of a tip part (Mt) of each projection in a plane perpendicular to the surface of the base (1) is sharper than the shape (2Mb) of a bottom part (Mb) of each depression in the same plane vertical to the surface of the base (1).

Abstract: A diffractive optical element including a stack of first, second and third optical regions or a stack of first, second, third and fourth optical regions, a first relief pattern formed between the first and second optical regions, and a second relief patterns formed between the second and third or between the third and fourth optical regions. The first and second relief patterns have substantially identical pitch distributions and are substantially aligned in a direction of an optical axis. Depths of the first and second relief patterns are set such that a wavelength dependency of diffraction efficiency can be decreased over a wavelength range to be used. It is possible to manufacture in a simple manner at a low cost a diffractive optical element in which undesired flare and ghost are suppressed.

Abstract: To obtain an optical element capable of obtaining uniform anti reflection characteristics over the whole optical surface having a finite curvature of the optical element, a plurality of convex optical pieces having an anti reflection function are provided on a surface having the finite curvature of the optical element independently along a normal direction of the surface having the finite curvature of the optical element.

Abstract: A generator of duality modulated radiation, of which the irradiance, the wave intensity, or both, are varied from ordinarily equivalent levels, either for purposes of providing energy depleted or energy enriched radiation or for purpose of encoding an information signal. Various techniques are disclosed for restoring irradiance levels to “ordinary” levels, or for amplifying irradiance without affecting wave intensity. A communication system employing duality modulated radiation is also disclosed.

Abstract: A diffraction grating device (100) has both reflecting (108) and transmitting (106) gratings inter leaved to allow both transmission diffraction patterns and reflection diffraction patterns to be formed by means of the same device (102). This makes it possible, for example, to produce a diffraction pattern of one older with a beam (134) directed to be diffracted by the reflecting diffraction grating or with a beam (132) directed to be diffracted by the transmitting diffraction grating when either beam is incident alone. It also makes it possible to generate a diffraction pattern of a different order when both beams are incident simultaneously, which reduces effective order of the grating.

Abstract: An optical waveguide grating coupler for coupling light between a planar waveguide and an optical element such as an optical fiber. The optical waveguide grating coupler includes a grating comprising a plurality of elongate scattering elements. The optical waveguide grating coupler is preferably flared, and in various embodiments has hyperbolically shaped sidewalls. The elongate scattering elements are preferably curved, and in some embodiments, the scattering elements have elliptically curved shapes. Preferably, the elongated scattering elements have grating widths selected to accommodate the desired optical intensity distribution.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an excellent-quality polarization phase difference plate that enables, by a simple structure: decrease in light loss and in oscillation of the intensity of the transmitting emission light through effectively suppressing Fresnel reflection in the polarization phase difference plate; improvements in the optical property, cut in the cost; and decrease in the manufacture inferior. In the polarization phase difference plate, cross-sectional shape of the convex part is formed in a taper shape from the bottom part thereof towards the top part; a flat part is formed at least between the convex parts being adjacent to each other; and the period of the diffraction grating is formed in a size that is equal to or smaller than the wavelength of light to be used.

Abstract: An optical system is disclosed with which higher magnification can be easily achieved and aberrations can be favorably corrected, yet is compact. The optical system includes a plurality of optical surfaces including a first surface which has at least a reflective action, a second surface reflecting the light rays reflected by the first surface back toward the first surface, and a diffractive optical surface. The first surface reflects a central field-angle principal ray, which comes from the second surface and is again incident on the first surface, to the opposite side of the previous reflection with respect to a normal at a hit point of the central field-angle principal ray on the first surface.

Abstract: A device and method for emitting light with increased brightness utilizes a lamp having a diffractive grating pattern. The diffractive grating pattern diffracts incident light that originates from a light source toward a light output region of the lamp. The diffraction of the incident light causes more of the light to impinge the light output region of the lamp at desired angles. This reduces the angular distribution of the light emitted from the light output region as output light. The reduction in angular distribution of emitted light results in an increased brightness of the device.

Abstract: An optical wavelength grating coupler incorporating one or more distributed Bragg reflectors (DBR) or other reflective elements to enhance the coupling efficiency thereof. The grating coupler has a grating comprising a plurality of scattering elements adapted to scatter light along a portion of an optical path, and the one or more DBRs are positioned with respect to the grating such that light passing through the grating towards the substrate of the grating coupler is reflected back by DBRs toward the grating. The DBR comprises a multilayer stack of various materials and may be formed on the substrate of the grating coupler. The grating coupler may include a gas-filled cavity, where the cavity is formed by a conventional etching process and is used to reflect light toward the grating. The grating coupler may also incorporate an anti-reflection coating to reduce reflective loss on the surface of the grating.

Abstract: A polarization diffraction grating includes two media having different orientation states arranged alternately and cyclically, wherein each boundary between the media forms an oblique rectangular shape.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for optical packet decoding, waveform generation, and wavelength multiplexing/demultiplexing using a programmed holographic structure. A configurable programmed holographic structure is disclosed. A configurable programmed holographic structure may be dynamically re-configured through the application of control mechanisms which alter operative holographic structures.

Abstract: An asymmetric-cut multilayer diffracts EUV light. A multilayer cut at an angle has the same properties as a blazed grating, and has been demonstrated to have near-perfect performance. Instead of having to nano-fabricate a grating structure with imperfections no greater than several tens of nanometers, a thick multilayer is grown on a substrate and then cut at an inclined angle using coarse and inexpensive methods. Effective grating periods can be produced this way that are 10 to 100 times smaller than those produced today, and the diffraction efficiency of these asymmetric multilayers is higher than conventional gratings. Besides their ease of manufacture, the use of an asymmetric multilayer as a spectral purity filter does not require that the design of an EUV optical system be modified in any way, unlike the proposed use of blazed gratings for such systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wave plate capable of obtaining preferable phase conversion characteristic over a wide wavelength range. The wave plate includes an aluminum oxide film having linear grating groove patterns. The period L (?m) and the duty ratio De of the grating groove patterns are set at values within the first range specified by the following four formulas: L?0.65 L?2×10?14e31.263De L?6.0317De2?10.352De+5.0516 (De?0.85)2/0.442+(L?0.41)2/0.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for optical packet decoding, waveform generation and wavelength multiplexing/demultiplexing using a programmed holographic structure. A configurable programmed holographic structure is disclosed. A configurable programmed holographic structure may be dynamically re-configured through the application of control mechanisms which alter operative holographic structures.

Abstract: An optical system includes a diffractive optical element and a refractive optical element. The diffractive optical element corrects a chromatic aberration flare component of wavelengths other than a predetermined wavelength (a design wavelength) remaining in the refractive optical element by means of an aspherical component given by the grating pitch of a diffraction grating included in a diffractive portion of the diffractive optical element. In addition, a refractive portion of the diffractive optical element is adapted to correct an aberration component as a composite of the aberration component of the design standard wavelength shifted by the correction and the aberration component of the design standard wavelength of the refractive optical element.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for optical packet decoding, waveform generation and wavelength multiplexing/demultiplexing using a programmed holographic structure. A configurable programmed holographic structure is disclosed. A configurable programmed holographic structure may be dynamically re-configured through the application of control mechanisms which alter operative holographic structures.

Abstract: Provided is a Fresnel lens the manufacture of that is unlikely to be affected by the working errors of the die in the optical axis and its neighborhood. Two lens surfaces 11, 11 that are disposed in the vicinity of the optical axis are disposed in the way they are shifted from each other in a direction along the optical axis, whereby the height Ha in this direction of the optical axis of a non-lens surface 12 located at the boundary between the two lens surfaces 11, 11 is made greater than an original height Ha of the non-lens surface 12 in a case where it is assumed that the lower ends 11a, 11a of each of these lens surfaces 11, 11 has been placed on the same flat plane intersecting the optical axis OA at a right angle with respect thereto. Also, the lens angle ?a of at least one piece of lens surface 21 that is disposed in the vicinity of the optical axis is set to be greater than the original lens angle that should be given according to the focus calculation with respect to the lens angle 21.

Abstract: Imaging system for a microscope based on extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation. The present invention is directed to a reflective imaging system for an x-ray microscope for examining and object in an object plane, wherein the object is illuminated by rays of a wavelength of less than 100 nm, particularly less than 30 nm, and is imaged in a magnified manner in an image plane. In the imaging system, according to the invention, for a microscope based on extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation with wavelengths in the range of less than 100 nm, with a magnification of 0.1× to 1000× and a structural length of less than 5 m, at least one of the imaging optical elements 2 and 3 in the beam path has a diffractive-reflective structure which is arranged on a spherical or plane area and has a non-rotationally symmetric, asymmetric shape. The arrangement according to the invention provides an imaging system which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art and ensures a high imaging quality.

Abstract: Disclosed is a diffractive optical element which is made of at least two materials of different dispersions and which includes at least two diffraction gratings being accumulated one upon another, wherein each diffraction grating is formed on a curved surface of a substrate, and wherein a diffraction grating, of the at least two diffraction gratings, in which a curvature radius of the curved surface and a curvature radius of a grating surface in a portion where a grating pitch is largest, have different signs, is one of the at least two diffraction gratings which has a smallest grating thickness.

Abstract: A relief type diffraction optical element including a substrate made of an optical material, said substrate having formed on its surface a non-even width relief pattern which include a first zone group consisting of at least one zone whose cross sectional configuration is formed by a curvilinear portion which follows a phase shift function or at least two rectilinear portions which approximates the phase shift function, and a second zone group consisting of a plurality of zones each having a single rectilinear portion approximating the phase shift function.

Abstract: An objective lens unit for an optical pickup used for recording and/or reproducing information signals from an optical disc. The objective lens unit includes a resin layer (21) having, sequentially from an object side, a first surface S1 as an aspherical surface and a second surface S2 as an aspherical surface, at least one of the first surface and the second surface including a diffractive surface, and a lens of glass (22) having the second surface S2 as an aspherical surface and a third surface S3 as an aspherical surface. The lens unit is corrected for the chromatic aberration on an image surface on the optical axis with respect to the light of a reference wavelength not larger than 420 nm within several nm of the reference wavelength, with the numerical aperture of the lens unit being not less than 0.8. This objective lens unit is able to converge the laser light close to the limit of diffraction on the image surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a prism diffuser for diffracting and spreading light, and in particular to a prism diffuser for diffracting and spreading light which is capable of spreading light in a certain direction at a wider angle based on a structure combined with a prism capable of diffracting light on a surface of a medium formed of a glass which transmits or reflect light, a film formed of a transparent synthetic resin material or a metallic plate and a diffuser capable of spreading light and diffracting, spreading and transmitting light into two directions or diffracting, spreading and reflecting light in one direction.

Abstract: A Littrow grating (1) comprises a multiplicity of parallel diffraction structures (3) succeeding one another periodically. The latter are arranged on a support (2) defining a base area (4). A diffraction structure (3) comprises a blaze flank (5) inclined towards the base area (4) substantially at the Littrow angle (&dgr;). In addition the diffraction structure (3) comprises a counter-flank (6) which forms with the blaze flank (5) at the apex of a diffraction structure (3) an apex angle (&agr;) which is less than 90°. The counter-flank (6) comprises at least two substantially plane area sections (7, 8). The latter extend, bordering one another and inclined relative to one another through an angle of inclination (&bgr;), parallel with the extension direction of the diffraction structure (3). Due to the inclination of the at least two area sections (7, 8) relative to one another, the counter-flank (6) exhibits all in all a concave surface viewed from the light incidence side.

Abstract: A diffractive optical element including a stack of first, second and third optical regions or a stack of first, second, third and fourth optical regions, a first relief pattern formed between the first and second optical regions, and a second relief pattern formed between the second and third or between the third and fourth optical regions. The first and second relief patterns have substantially identical pitch distributions and are substantially aligned in a direction of an optical axis. Depths of the first and second relief patterns are set such that a wavelength dependency of diffraction efficiency can be decreased over a wavelength range to be used. It is possible to manufacture in a simple manner at a low cost a diffractive optical element in which undesired flares and ghosts are suppressed.

Abstract: In a diffraction element, a diffraction grating is formed with a grating pitch having different diffraction angles in accordance with a wavelength of a laser light beam incident thereon. The wavelength is variable in accordance with an environment temperature. The diffraction element is made of a material having a linear expansion coefficient which causes thermal variation in the grating pitch enough to compensate at least a part of the diffraction angle variation due to environment temperature change.

Abstract: A diffractive optical element has a plurality of diffraction structures for a certain wavelength. These each have a width measured in the plane of the diffractive optical element and a height measured perpendicularly thereto. The widths and the heights of the diffraction structures vary over the area of the diffractive optical element. An optical arrangement comprising such a diffractive optical element has, in addition, a neutral filter. The efficiency of such a diffractive optical element and of such an arrangement can be optimized locally for usable light.

Abstract: An optical scanning device for scanning optical record carriers with radiation of a selected wavelength, the device including an objective lens, having an axial direction and a radial direction, and a phase structure which is non-periodic with respect to the radial direction, the non-periodic phase structure being arranged to compensate for comatic aberrations generated in the objective lens when an optical record carrier is read in a direction which is non-axial with respect to said objective lens, whereby an improved field of view is provided for said objective lens.

Abstract: An objective lens for an optical pick-up has a refractive lens element provided with a diffraction lens structure on at least one surface thereof. The diffraction lens structure has a plurality of annular zones. The objective lens is capable of converging at least two beams having different wavelengths on at least two types of optical discs having different data recording densities, respectively. The objective lens is partitioned into a common area through which a beam with a low NA passes, and an exclusive high NA area which is designed to converge a beam with a high NA. The boundaries of the annular zones formed on the exclusive high NA area are designed independently from boundaries obtained from an optical path difference function so that the beam with the high NA is converged substantially on a certain point and the beam with the low NA is diffused.

Abstract: A diffraction optical element is configured such that a plurality of annular zones having minute steps extending in a direction of the optical axis therebetween are formed on a base element. The plurality of annular zones include narrow and wide zones respectively satisfying conditions (1) and (2): &Dgr;Z(i)<(1/2)·&Dgr;E(i)  (1), and &Dgr;Z(i)>(3/2)·&Dgr;E(i)  (2), wherein, i represents the order of the steps counted from the optical axis, &Dgr;E(i) represents an absolute value of an OPD provided by the i-th step, and &Dgr;Z(i) represents an absolute value of a difference between OPDs provided, with respect to a base curve, by an inner side end portion and outer side end portion of an annular zone between an i-th step and (i+1)-th step.

Abstract: A diffractive optical element includes a plurality of laminated diffraction grating surfaces. Each of the diffraction grating surfaces is formed to have a sufficiently small grating thickness as compared with a grating pitch thereof.

Abstract: An optical element-for use in an optical pickup apparatus for converging a light flux onto an information recording plane of an optical information recording medium, is provided with an optical path difference providing section divided coaxially around an optical axis so as to form a plurality of ring-shaped zones; and a refracting section optimizing a spherical aberration of a converged light spot of a light flux which has the operating reference wavelength &lgr;0 and is converged onto the information recording plane.

Abstract: An improved optical system is provided for diffusing light uniformly over a wide angle, including, a diffractive element for diffracting light received by the system in multiple diffraction orders, and a diffusing element which diffuses the diffracted light. The diffractive element provides diffracted light having an angular distribution of intensities over the diffraction orders which is correlated to the power spectrum of the diffusing element such that the system produces a predetermined intensity distribution of diffused light. The diffraction period of the diffractive element is selected such that the angular separation between the zeroeth and first diffraction orders is approximately one-half the angular extent of the full-width-at-half-maximum of the power spectrum of the diffusing element. The strengths of the diffraction orders are selected such that the combination of diffused light from each diffractive order provides uniformity in the intensity of the diffused light from the system.

Abstract: A multibeam optical system that employs a multiline laser source emitting a laser beam at predetermined wavelengths, such as, for example, at wavelengths 488.0 nm and 514.5 nm, and a diffractive beam-dividing element having diffractive grating to divide the incident beam into nine diffracted beams. A design wavelength &lgr;M of the diffraction grating, at which the light quantity of the incident beam is equally distributed among the plurality of diffracted beams, is determined so as to satisfy the condition 488.0 nm<&lgr;M<514.5 nm. When the design wavelength &lgr;M is 501.1 nm, the light quantities of the divided beams, which are the sums of the quantities of the peak wavelengths 488. 0 nm and 514.5 nm, become nearly equal to one another among the nine diffraction orders. As a result, the distribution of the light quantities among the diffracted beams are balanced.

Abstract: A lens optical system is provided with a cemented lens element formed by cementing two constituent lens elements made of different optical materials together, with a diffractive optical surface formed at the cementing interface between the two constituent lens elements. The two constituent lens elements have at their respective interfaces with air a radius of curvature different from the radius of curvature that they have at the cementing interface.

Abstract: A phase mask (15) for modulating a collimated light beam passing therethrough, the light beam being diffracted to photoinduce a refractive index profile in a photosensitive optical medium, the phase mask (15) comprises a substrate (17) having an outer surface provided with a plurality of parallel grating corrugations (19). The grating corrugations (19) have a non-uniform relief depth across the outer surface for photoinducing a non-uniform refractive index profile in the photosensitive optical medium. The non-uniform relief depth is defined by a variable thin film layer (21) of variable thickness overlaying the substrate (17). The grating corrugations (19) can either be etched into the variable thin film layer (21) itself or be etched into the substrate (17), with the variable this film layer (21) being deposited on it after etching. Methods to make such phase masks are also provided.

Abstract: A tube has walls consisting totally or partially of a first diffraction grating with its ruled surface aligned perpendicular to the length of the tube to disperse a field of rainbow colored light when illuminated with a light source aimed through or along the length of the tube.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a technique for creating diffraction gratings on curved surfaces with electron beam lithography. The curved surface can act as an optical element to produce flat and aberration-free images in imaging spectrometers. In addition, the fabrication technique can modify the power structure of the grating orders so that there is more energy in the first order than for a typical grating. The inventors noticed that by using electron-beam lithography techniques, a variety of convex gratings that are well-suited to the requirements of imaging spectrometers can be manufactured.

Abstract: A diffraction grating for use in multiplexing and demultiplexing optical signals in optical communication systems having reduced polarization sensitivity has a plurality of grooves including reflective step surfaces and transverse riser surfaces separated by a flat. The step surfaces have a reflective coating and the riser surfaces do not have a reflective coating. A method of making a reflective diffraction grating includes forming a plurality of grooves in a substrate, the grooves having a step surface for reflecting an incident beam, a transverse riser and a flat therebetween and providing a reflective coating on the steps and not on the risers.