Abstract: A probe for use with an imaging system, including a scanning device configured to receive a first light beam from a light source, a beam-divider configured to split the first light beam into a plurality of second light beams, and a focusing device configured to focus each of the second light beams on respective locations in an object of interest.

Abstract: In some examples, a projection display surface is configured to reflect a first image or image portion in a first direction and a second image or image portion in a second direction. In some cases, first light corresponding to the first image is projected onto a display surface that includes a first plurality of reflectors configured to reflect the first light in a first direction, but not reflect second light corresponding to the second image. The display surface may further include a second plurality of reflectors to reflect the second light in a second direction, but not reflect the first light. In some examples, the first light is within a first wavelength range and the second light is within a second, different wavelength range. In other examples, the first light has a first polarization and the second light has a second, different polarization.

Abstract: Methods and systems for splitting an initiated signal are disclosed. An exemplary system may include a transmitter configured to selectively transmit an initiated signal, and a signal splitter in communication with the transmitter. The signal splitter may be configured to selectively split the initiated signal into a plurality of recipient signals for a plurality of recipient lines in communication with the transmitter. The signal splitter may be configured to selectively modify a number of recipient signals, e.g., by adjusting a spot size of the initiated signal on the signal splitter.

Abstract: The design method for complex electromagnetic materials is expanded from form-invariant coordinate transformations of Maxwell's equations to finite embedded coordinate transformations. Embedded transformations allow the transfer of electromagnetic field manipulations from the transformation-optical medium to another medium, thereby allowing the design of structures that are not exclusively invisible. A topological criterion for the reflectionless design of complex media is also disclosed and is illustrated in conjunction with the topological criterion to design a parallel beam shifter and a beam splitter with unconventional electromagnetic behavior.

Abstract: A videoconferencing unit for enhancing direct eye-contact between participants can include a curved fully reflective mirror to reflect the image of the near end to a camera. The curved mirror can be placed in front of the display screen near a location where images of faces/eyes of far end participants are to appear. In another example, the videoconferencing unit can include a disintegrated camera configuration that provides an air gap between a front lens element and a rear lens element. The front lens element can be located behind an aperture within the display screen. The air gap can provide an unobstructed path to light from projectors and therefore avoid any undesirable shadows from appearing on the display screen. In another example, the videoconferencing unit can include a combination of the disintegrated camera configuration and mirrors for providing direct eye contact videoconferencing.

Abstract: According to certain embodiments, a system includes beamsplitter sets, where each beamsplitter set comprises a first beamsplitter module and a second beamsplitter module aligned with the first beamsplitter module. The first beamsplitter module receives a first beam traveling along a first optical path. The first beamsplitter module splits the first beam into a first output beam transmitted along the first optical path and a first split beam transmitted to the second beamsplitter module along a reflected beam path. The second beamsplitter module receives the first split beam. The second beamsplitter module splits the first split beam into a second output beam transmitted substantially parallel to the reflected beam path and a second split beam transmitted substantially perpendicular to the reflected beam path.

Abstract: A broadband optical beam splitter can comprise a non-metallic high contrast grating including a substrate and an array of posts attached to a surface of the substrate. The grating can have a subwavelength period with respect to a preselected optical energy wavelength, the preselected optical energy wavelength within the range of 400 nm to 1.6 ?m. Additionally, the broadband optical beam splitter can have a bandwidth of 80 nm to 120 nm and can have an optical energy loss of less than 5%.

Abstract: An electro-optic device is provided. In the electro-optic device, when a groove is sealed to be hollow, a sacrificial film is formed in the groove before forming a first sealing film, the first sealing film is formed, and then the sacrificial film is removed through a penetration portion of the first sealing film. A second sealing film is formed on the first sealing film, and the penetration portion of the first sealing film is blocked by the second sealing film. For this reason, it is possible to form the first sealing film to block an opening portion of the groove, and it is possible to prevent the first sealing film from being formed up to the inside of the groove.

Abstract: A projection display 210 arranged to display an image to an observer 212 use waveguide techniques to generate a display defining a large exit pupil at the point of the observer 212 and a large field of view, while using a small image-providing light source device. The projection display 210 uses two parallel waveguides 214, 216 made from a light transmissive material. One waveguide 214 stretches the horizontal pupil of the final display and the other waveguide 216 stretches the vertical pupil of the final display and acts as a combiner through which the observer 212 views an outside world scene 220 and the image overlaid on the scene 220. In a color display, each primary color is transmitted within a separate channel R, G, B.

Abstract: A method for producing a microstructure on a carrier by: (a) manufacturing a donor foil by forming an embossed structure with elevations and depressions in a first foil material and applying a transfer layer to the embossed structure, (b) manufacturing an acceptor foil by applying an adhesive layer to a second foil material, (c) laminating the donor foil and the acceptor foil by means of the adhesive layer, the transfer layer on the elevations of the embossed structure bonding to the adhesive layer, and (d) transferring the bonded regions of the transfer layer to the acceptor foil by separating the donor foil and the acceptor foil from each other, thereby forming in the acceptor foil a first microstructure from the transferred regions of the transfer layer, and/or forming in the donor foil a second microstructure complementary to the first microstructure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus including a substrate support, a source of laser radiation emitting laser radiation along an optical path, and an illumination optics disposed along the optical path. The illumination optics includes a set of slow-axis and fast-axis lenses. The apparatus further includes a homogenizer disposed between of the illumination optics and the substrate support along the optical path. The homogenizer includes a first and a second micro-optic lenslet arrays of cylindrical lenses, wherein the second micro-optic lenslet array of cylindrical lenses has a relatively larger lenslet pitch than that of the first micro-optic lenslet array of cylindrical lenses, and lenslet axes of the first micro-optic lenslet array and lenslet axes of the second micro-optic lenslet array are oriented along an axis that is parallel to a fast axis of the source of laser radiation.

Abstract: A system comprises first and second beamsplitter modules aligned along an alignment line. In certain embodiments, each beamsplitter module can split a beam traveling along a first optical path into a first split beam and a second split beam within a spectral range. Each beamsplitter module can transmit the first split beam along the first optical path and direct the second split beam along a second optical path substantially orthogonal to the first optical path and to the alignment line. In certain embodiments, each beamsplitter module can receive a first beam traveling along a first optical path and a second beam traveling along a second optical path that is substantially orthogonal to the first optical path and to the alignment line. Each beamsplitter module can combine the second beam with the first beam to yield a combined beam and transmit the combined beam along the first optical path.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, manufacture, circuit, composition of matter, and/or user interface adapted for and/or resulting from, and/or a method and/or machine-readable medium comprising machine-implementable instructions for, activities that can comprise and/or relate to, managing one or more images, such as those related to an optical system.

Abstract: An optical waveguide device is provided which can efficiently guide undesired light to the outside of a substrate or the outside of the overall optical waveguides even when optical waveguides are integrated. In the optical waveguide device, an optical waveguide is formed on a substrate, the optical waveguide includes a main waveguide in which signal light propagates and an undesired-light waveguide for removing undesired light from the main waveguide, and the undesired-light waveguide is separated by the main waveguide interposed therebetween at an intersection in which the undesired-light waveguide and the main waveguide intersect each other.

Abstract: A moiré magnification device includes a transparent substrate carrying: a regular array of micro-focusing elements, that define a focal plane, on a first surface; a corresponding first array of microimage elements in a first color located in a plane substantially coincident with the focal plane; and a corresponding second array of microimage elements, in a second color, located in a plane substantially coincident with the focal plane. The pitches of the micro-focusing elements and first and second arrays and their relative locations are such that the array of micro-focusing elements cooperates with each of the first and second arrays to generate magnified versions of the microimage elements due to the moiré effect. The magnified version of the first array is viewed against a background defined by the magnified version of the second array, the first array exhibiting movement relative to the background when the device is tilted.

Abstract: A method for determining a location of a target includes, at a first location, determining first location coordinates of a measuring device using one or more GNSS signals, determining a first gravitational direction, and capturing a first image using the camera. The method also includes, at a second location, determining second location coordinates of the measuring device, and capturing a second image. The method further includes determining a plurality of correspondence points between the first and second images, determining a first plurality of image coordinates for the plurality of correspondence points in the first image, determining a second plurality of image coordinates for the plurality of correspondence points in the second image, and determining the location of the target using at least the first plurality of image coordinates, the second plurality of image coordinates, and the first gravitational direction.

Abstract: A liquid optical element array with good long-term stability is provided. The liquid optical element array includes: a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other; barrier ribs arranged upright on a surface facing the second substrate of the first substrate and sectioning a region on the first substrate into a plurality of cell regions; a first electrode and a second electrode arranged on wall surfaces of the barrier ribs to face each other; a third electrode arranged on a surface facing the first substrate of the second substrate; a projection arranged upright in each of the cell regions on the first substrate or the second substrate; and a polar liquid and a nonpolar liquid sealed between the first substrate and the third electrode and having different refractive indices.

Abstract: A temporal focusing system is disclosed. The temporal focusing system is configured for receiving a light beam pulse and for controlling a temporal profile of the pulse to form an intensity peak at a focal plane. The temporal focusing system has a prismatic optical element configured for receiving the light beam pulse from an input direction parallel to or collinear with the optical axis of the temporal focusing system and diffracting the light beam pulse along the input direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing array cameras configured to perform super-resolution processing to generate higher resolution super-resolved images using a plurality of captured images and lens stack arrays that can be utilized in array cameras are disclosed. Lens stack arrays in accordance with many embodiments of the invention include lens elements formed on substrates separated by spacers, where the lens elements, substrates and spacers are configured to form a plurality of optical channels, at least one aperture located within each optical channel, at least one spectral filter located within each optical channel, where each spectral filter is configured to pass a specific spectral band of light, and light blocking materials located within the lens stack array to optically isolate the optical channels.

Abstract: A laser crystallization device includes a first light source providing a first light and a second light source providing a second light. The device further includes a first lens set receiving the first light to generate a first transmitted light, the first transmitted light having a first profile, the first profile having a first profile error portion and a first non-error portion. The device further includes a second lens set receiving the second light to generate a second transmitted light, the second transmitted light having a second profile, the second profile having a second profile error portion and a second non-error portion, the second profile error portion corresponding to the first non-error portion, the second non-error portion corresponding to the first profile error portion. The device further includes an optical system combining the first transmitted light with the second transmitted light.

Abstract: An optical body includes a first optical layer having a concave-convex surface, a wavelength selective reflecting layer formed on the concave-convex surface, and a second optical layer formed on the wavelength selective reflecting layer and embedding the concave-convex surface. The wavelength selective reflecting layer selectively directionally reflects light in a particular wavelength band while transmitting light other than the particular wavelength band therethrough. The concave-convex surface is made up of a plurality of triangular pillars arrayed in a one-dimensional pattern, and the triangular pillar has an apex angle ? and a slope angle ?, the apex angle ? and the slope angle ? satisfying a predetermined relationship.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multiple-layered lens array assembly comprising: at least a lens array set comprising a plurality of lens units, each of the lens units having an engaging surface surrounding an optical axis thereof and formed on an object-side surface or an image-side surface thereof; and at least an independent lens unit having an engaging surface surrounding an optical axis thereof and formed on an object-side surface or an image-side surface thereof; wherein the engaging surface of each of the lens units of the at least an lens array set connects with the engaging surface of a corresponding independent lens unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transmitting, collimating and redirecting light from a point-like source to produce a collimated optical signal in a substantially planar form are provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus is manufactured as a unitary transmissive body comprising a collimation element and a redirection element, and optionally a transmissive element. In another embodiment, the apparatus is assembled from one or more components. The apparatus and method are useful for providing sensing light for an optical touch input device or for providing illumination for a display.

Abstract: A source light beam is split into an illumination beam and a highlight beam. The highlight beam can be controllably shaped into a shaped highlight beam based on a brightness analysis of an image to output. The illumination beam and the shaped highlight beam are combined and provided to an imaging device that generates the image using the combined beam. An array of reflectors, such as a MEMS mirror device, can be used in conjunction with a stacked rod array to generate the shaped highlight beam. The illumination beam and the shaped highlight beam can be combined using offset lenses or a polarizing beam splitter.

Abstract: A device for interleaving a plurality of laser beams (2a, 2b . . . ) that includes laser emitters (3a, 3b, . . . ) arranged along a first direction (X) at a predetermined first distance (P1) from each other to generate laser beams that are aligned parallel and run at a first angle (?) to the first direction (X). Deflecting surfaces (7a, 7b, . . . ) deflect the laser beams so that the deflected laser beams run parallel to one another at a second angle (?). The first angle (?) and the second angle (?) are matched so that the optical path lengths (L1a+L1b, L2) of the laser beams between a first plane (X, Z) running along the first direction (X) in the beam path upstream of the deflecting surfaces and a second plane (B, Z) running along the second direction (B) in the beam path downstream of the deflecting surfaces are identical.

Abstract: A ray concentrator assembly (also referred to as concentrator assembly) combining a plurality of micro ray concentrators, ray redirectors and wave pipes. Each micro ray concentrator collects rays from a source, concentrates rays and is normally attached to a ray redirector. Each ray redirector redirects rays from a micro ray concentrator and is normally attached to a wave pipe. Each wave pipe redirects and aggregates rays from a ray redirector to a target and is normally attached to the target.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a shaping device for light rays of a laser beam that cross it, wherein the shaping device is formed by a conduit including an entry orifice, an exit orifice, and an internal wall, achieved by one or a plurality of facets adapted to reorient by at least one reflection at least a part of the rays of the crossing beam.

Abstract: A three-dimensional display device includes a display unit that displays a left eye image and a right eye image by dividing the images thereof into a plurality of vertically elongated stripes of images and by alternately arranging the divided left eye image and the divided right eye image in a horizontal direction, a barrier formation unit that forms a parallax barrier in front of the display unit, the parallax barrier including a pattern of a plurality of slits to selectively transmit the left eye image and the right eye image towards spatially different points, respectively, that correspond to a left eye and a right eye of the viewer, and a distance measurement unit that measures a distance between the display unit and a viewer viewing the display unit, wherein the barrier formation unit changes the pattern of the slits in the parallax barrier in accordance with the distance measured by the distance measurement unit.

Abstract: An optical integrator is able to keep down a light-quantity loss in modified illumination with an illumination optical apparatus. An optical integrator of a wavefront division type according to the present invention has a plurality of refracting surface regions which refract incident light, and a plurality of deflecting surface regions provided corresponding to the plurality of refracting surface regions and adapted for changing a traveling direction of the incident light. The plurality of refracting surface regions include a plurality of first refracting surface regions includes an arcuate contour with the center projecting in a first direction, and a plurality of second refracting surface regions includes an arcuate contour with the center projecting in a second direction.

Abstract: A beam focusing unit for a laser weapon system includes a laser generating unit, an output element unit, and a beam optics element. The beam focusing unit includes a stationary/partly movable part and a fully movable part. The stationary/partly movable part is adapted for positioning or for transporting the beam focusing unit between operations. The fully movable part is adapted for targeting and target-following of the laser weapon system. The beam optics element and the at least one output element unit is arranged on the fully movable part.

Abstract: A wavelength selective optical switch device includes an incidence and exit part where a signal beam made of light of a multiplicity of wavelengths enters and a signal beam of a selected wavelength exits, a wavelength dispersion element that spatially disperses a signal beam according to the wavelength thereof and multiplexes reflected light, a condensing element that condenses the light dispersed by the wavelength dispersion element onto a two-dimensional plane, and a wavelength selection element that uses a multilevel optical phased array arranged in a position to receive incident light developed on an xy-plane made of an x-axis direction and a y-axis direction perpendicular thereto developed according to a wavelength, having a multiplicity of pixels arrayed in a lattice on the xy-plane, and that cyclically changes the phase shift amount in the y-axis direction to a sawtooth wave pattern for each pixel on the x-axis.

Abstract: A projection display having at least one light source and also regularly-disposed optical channels. The optical channels comprise at least one field lens, to which respectively one object structure to be imaged and also at least one projection lens are assigned. The distance of the projection lenses from the assigned object structures corresponds to the focal distance of the projection lenses while the distance of the object structures to be imaged from the assigned field lens is chosen such that a Köhler illumination of the assigned projection lens is made possible. Then the individual projections are superimposed to form the total image.

Abstract: Method for actuation control of a microscope, in particular of a Laser Scanning Microscope, in which, at least one first illumination light, preferably moving at least in one direction, as well as at least one second illumination light moving at least in one direction, illuminate a sample through a beam combiner, a detection of the light coming from the sample takes place, whereby, at least one part of the illumination light is generated through the splitting of the light from a common illuminating unit, characterized in that, by means of a common control unit, a controlled splitting into the first and the second illumination light takes place, in which the intensity of the first illuminating light, specified by the user or specified automatically, is assigned a higher priority (is prioritized) compared to the specified value for the second illumination light, and an adjustment for the second illumination light takes place until a maximum value is obtained, which is determined by the value specified for the f

Abstract: Laser modules using two-dimensional laser diode arrays are combined to provide an intense laser beam. The laser diodes in a two-dimensional array are formed into rows and columns, and an optical assembly images light generated by laser diodes in a column into an optical fiber. The laser light outputs of the laser modules are combined by a spectral combiner into an optical fiber to form an intense laser beam.

Abstract: A rotary encoder and an optical wheel for the rotary encoder are provided. The rotary encoder further includes a light source module, a code plate and an optical sensor module. The light source module is coupled with the code plate. The optical wheel is rotary, and has imaging elements arranged annularly; at least one of the imaging elements is coupled with the code plate. The optical sensor module is coupled with at least one of the imaging elements. The light source module emits lights to the code plate, and the lights passing through the code plate forms an image which is then transmitted to the optical sensor module via the imaging element. When the optical wheel rotates, the image moves accordingly. The optical sensor module senses that the image moves. A method for generating a zeroing signal of a rotary encoder and a liner encoder are also provided.

Abstract: Solar-redshift systems comprise an integral array of redshift modules, each having at least a focusing device, a target, and a quantum-dot vessel. The quantum-dot vessel contains quantum dots that emit light having an emission wavelength. The focusing device directs incident solar radiation through a focusing gap and toward the quantum-dot vessel, or into a slab waveguide and then toward the quantum-dot vessel, causing the quantum dots to emit redshifted light having the emission wavelength. The redshifted light is directed to the target, examples of which include a photovoltaic material or a living photosynthetic organism. The target has increased sensitivity or response to photons having the wavelength of the redshifted light. A trapping reflector component of the quantum-dot vessel prevents loss of redshifted light to the environment outside the solar-redshift system and allows undesirable infrared light to be removed from the system.

Abstract: A device for homogenizing laser radiation contains a plurality of mirror elements which are arranged offset with respect to one another and at which the laser radiation to be homogenized can be reflected in such a way that it is split into a plurality of partial beams corresponding to the number of mirror elements. The partial beams have a path difference with respect to one another as a result of the reflection. The device further has a plurality of lens elements, each of which is respectively assigned to one of the mirror elements in such a way that a respective one of the partial beams can pass through one of the lens elements. A distance between each of the mirror elements and the lens elements assigned thereto is equal to the focal length of the respective lens element.

Abstract: A stereoscopic display includes: a display panel in which sub-pixels of a plurality of colors are arranged in a predetermined arrangement pattern; and a parallax barrier having a barrier pattern including transmission sections allowing light to pass therethrough and a shielding section shielding light. The arrangement pattern and the barrier pattern are configured in such a manner that stereoscopic vision is achieved when the display panel and the parallax barrier are both in a first arrangement state and in a second arrangement state, the first arrangement state and the second arrangement state having such a positional relationship that vertical direction and horizontal direction are interchanged with each other.

Abstract: An optical assembly is provided for use with a laser alignment system that has a laser emitter and at least one photosensitive target. The optical assembly includes a right angle prism disposed for receiving an input beam produced by the laser emitter and first and second 90° pentaprisms disposed receiving the output from the right angle prism. The first and second 90° pentaprisms are oriented to produce first and second reflected beams that are parallel to one another. The optical assembly further includes first and second beam diverters disposed and oriented to receive the reflected beams from the first and second 90° pentaprisms and to produce first and second output beams that are mutually perpendicular. The first and second 90° pentaprisms may be see-through pentaprisms to produce a third output beam that is colinear or parallel with the input beam and perpendicular to the first and second output beams.

Abstract: In an optical etalon with a fixed FSR determined by the cavity length, the time delay is adjusted by an etalon surface coating. The proper cavity length is chosen to achieve a desired FSR, and the coating is independently selected to obtain a desired time delay.

Abstract: Systems for providing high-intensity and high-quality illumination and other electromagnetic radiation (EMR) to target regions. The systems each include multiple EMR sources and a radiation combiner for combining the output radiation of the multiple sources. In some examples, the EMR sources are visible light sources, such as light-emitting diodes and laser diodes. In some of those examples, the light sources are of differing colors that are combined to form output illumination having user-selected qualities, such as color and intensity. The output of the radiation combiner can be directed into an optical fiber or bundle of optical fibers for remote delivery of the output to a target, such as in endoscopy and remote-illumination microscopy. Systems disclosed can also include additional EMR beams, such as visible light beams used for pointing/targeting and non-visible beams used, for example, for heating and fluoroscopic excitation of dyes/stains, among other things.

Abstract: A lens sheet having one or more lens arrays positioned in selected discrete areas. Each lens array includes a plurality of lenses, each having a width, a height, and a lens peak. The lens array is set below the planar surface of the lens sheet, such that lens array does not extend above the lens sheet. Furthermore, the lens array is completely bordered by or contained within planar portions of the lens sheet. One or more dimensional images are printed below each of the lens arrays, and/or one or more static images can be printed on the planar portions of the lens sheet.

Abstract: A three-dimensional imaging system uses a single primary optical lens along with various configurations of apertures, refocusing facilities, and the like to obtain three offset optical channels each of which can be separately captured with an optical sensor.

Abstract: A three-dimensional imaging system uses a single primary optical lens along with various configurations of apertures, refocusing facilities, and the like to obtain three offset optical channels each of which can be separately captured with an optical sensor.

Abstract: An optical system (3) for transferring light energy from a light source (1), in particular a moving light source, to a common aperture independent of the location of the light source within a field of view, wherein the light energy distribution is preferably substantially uniform over the area of the common aperture. A detection system comprises a light source 1 for irradiating a spot on a moving object 0, an optical probe assembly 3 for collecting light energy from the irradiated spot on the subject 0 when within a field of view of the probe assembly 3, and a photodetector 4.

Abstract: A collimating image-forming apparatus comprising a first linear polarizer is disclosed. A first quarterwave plate is disposed adjacent the first polarizer and has its fast and slow axes at substantially 45° to the plane of polarization of the first polarizer. The apparatus further comprises a beam-splitting curved mirror having a convex surface adjacent the first polarizer and facing towards the first quarter-wave plate, a second quarter-wave plate adjacent the concave side of the curved mirror, the second quarterwave plate having its having its fast and slow axes oriented with respect to the corresponding axes of the first quarter-wave plate at angles substantially equal to a first integral multiple of 90°, and a reflective-transmissive polarizing member adjacent the second quarter-wave plate.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for use with solar energy. An optical concentrator and splitter (OCS) includes a non-planar bottom surface having symmetrical halves, each half defined by an off-axis section of a parabola. The bottom surface bears a dielectric surface treatment. The OCS is configured to concentrate a first spectral portion of photonic energy through respective side surfaces, and to concentrate a second spectral portion through the bottom surface. Targets such as photovoltaic cells or others receive the concentrated first and second spectral portions, respectively.

Abstract: A frame for optics used in interferometers that may include different materials having substantially similar, identical, or as close as practicable coefficients of thermal expansion from the material(s) used to make the beamsplitter and/or compensator without warping, bending, tilting or distorting the optics. The beamsplitter and/or compensator are mounted onto the frame of the interferometer using a three-point method of mounting, preferably using three pins for each component. Preferably, the pins are made of the same material as the beamsplitter and compensator, and all three components are made of Potassium Bromide (“KBr”) or Calcium Fluoride (“CaF2”) such that the optic instrument can operate to scan into the mid or far infrared. Stability in optical alignment is therefore achieved without requiring the optic instrument include only one material. The invention provides stability in situations where it is not possible to utilize a single material for every component of the interferometer.

Abstract: The disclosure generally relates to highly efficient light duct light splitters that are capable of splitting the light propagating within a light duct into two different ducts, with nearly 100 percent efficiency. In particular, the described light splitters are configured in a “Tee” shape with a reflective splitter element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decorrelating coherent light from a light source, such as a pulsed laser, in both time and space in an effort to provide intense and uniform illumination are provided. For some embodiments employing a pulsed light source, the output pulse may be stretched relative to the input pulse width. The methods and apparatus described herein may be incorporated into any application where intense, uniform illumination is desired, such as pulsed laser annealing, welding, ablating, and wafer stepper illuminating.