Abstract: The invention relates to sources of optical radiation wherein polarized radiation from first and second rows of light emitters is first collimated and combined into two combined beam using first and second rows of collimating and beam re-directing elements, respectively, and then polarization multiplexed to form a polarization-multiplexed output beam. In order to reduce the footprint, emitters of the first and second emitter rows are disposed in an interleaved, staggered arrangement, and the second row of collimating and beam re-directing elements is disposed in a space between the first emitter row and the first row of collimating and beam re-directing elements.

Abstract: The invention provides improved fiber optic probe assemblies which utilize a configuration of gradient index (GRIN) lenses to deliver light to a focal point and collect light for analysis from the same focal point. Also provided are methods for manufacturing the probe assemblies and related methods of spatially precise spectroscopy using the probe assemblies.

Abstract: The invention relates to sources of optical radiation wherein polarized radiation from first and second rows of light emitters is first collimated and combined into two combined beam using first and second rows of collimating and beam re-directing elements, respectively, and then polarization multiplexed to form a polarization-multiplexed output beam. In order to reduce the footprint, emitters of the first and second emitter rows are disposed in an interleaved, staggered arrangement, and the second row of collimating and beam re-directing elements is disposed in a space between the first emitter row and the first row of collimating and beam re-directing elements.

Abstract: Optical systems are described that use one or more lasers to project images onto a screen or projection surface. The optical systems can be direct view optical systems or vision projection optical systems. The described systems reduce costs and power consumption compared to the use of optical systems that use LCD screens. In addition, the described optical systems permit the image to be displayed anywhere on the screen, which in turn allows the screen to have improved light transmission for enhanced target identification in the case of gun/weapon sights and other devices that are used for target recognition.

Abstract: A system (10) for multispectral imaging includes a first optical filter (24, 20) having at least two passbands disposed in different spatial positions on the first optical filter, a second optical filter (20, 24) having another at least two passbands, and processor (32) adapted to identify an intensity of light in the at least two passband of the second optical filter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a projection device for holographic reconstruction of scenes, said device comprising at least one light modulator device and at least one light source which emits sufficiently coherent light for the generation of a wave front of a scene, which is encoded in the light modulator device. A Fourier transform (FT) of the light which is emitted by the light source and modulated by the light modulator device is projected by a projection means on to a screen. Further, the wave front which is encoded on the light modulator device is projected by the projection means into at least one virtual observer window in an observer plane. For tracking the observer window according to a change in an eye position of the at least one observer, the inventive device comprises at least one deflection means, which is disposed between the light modulator device and the screen.

Abstract: An array of light valves switch light by enabling and disabling total internal reflection (TIR) on a surface of the light valve. The disabling of the TIR is accomplished by putting another optical element in contact with the surface and then diffusing or changing the direction of the light. The mechanical mechanism to move the optical element is a simple one in that it only moves the optical element a small distance to change the valve from a first position to a second position.

Abstract: A multiple depth display provided for displaying images at different depths comprises a single display device (61), for displaying all of the images. An optical system (62, 63, 64) is disposed in front of the display device (61). The optical system comprises first and second spaced-apart partial reflectors (62, 63) and polarization optics (64) for providing first and second light paths for first and second images or sequences of images displayed by the device (61). The first light path (65) comprises partial transmission through the first reflector (62), partial reflection from the second reflector (63), partial reflection from the first reflector (62), and partial transmission through the second reflector (65) towards a viewing region.

Abstract: An image forming system is described that includes a light source that provides a light beam and an anamorphic refractive optical element. A first outer surface of the anamorphic element faces the light source and includes a toric surface. The light beam is incident upon the first outer face and then an incident surface of the anamorphic element. The anamorphic element directs the light beam to an image forming device. An illumination system is also described where an anamorphic element includes a toric surface and a facet surface.

Abstract: An image display apparatus includes a plurality of display elements each configured to display an original image, and an observation optical system configured to introduce light fluxes from the plurality of display elements to an exit pupil via a plurality of optical units, and to present a combined image. When a decentering section of each optical unit is defined as a section formed by a principal ray of the light flux introduced to the same image point in the combined image when the principal ray is reflected, the plurality of optical units are arranged so that decentering sections of the plurality of optical units are parallel. The plurality of display elements includes two neighboring display elements, and display planes of the two display elements partially display the same image.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fiber laser system for processing materials involving a system of interconnected operational components for combining and optionally distributing beams from multiple beam emitters. More particularly, the present invention provides a system for combining and distributing fiber laser beams having different wavelengths and a method for operating the system thereof. Multiple beam combiners may be optionally linked with a beam distribution system. In exemplary use, multiple fiber laser sources generating different wavelength outputs are combined in a single beam incident of a work piece comprising multiple layers.

Abstract: An image scanning apparatus includes a beam splitter disposed between a deflection surface and surfaces to be scanned. The beam splitter is formed of reflective surfaces and transmissive surfaces. One transmissive surface is disposed between the reflective surfaces in the sub-scanning direction, and an optical path of light beams reaching surfaces to be scanned that are physically closer to the deflection surface than a surface to be scanned located at the position physically farthest from the deflection surface between the reflective surfaces intersects with an optical path of a light beam reaching the surface to be scanned located at a position physically farthest from the deflection surface between the deflection surface and the transmissive surface in a sub-scanning cross section in the beam splitter.

Abstract: A beamsplitter includes a bifurcated frame, which rotates about a vertical axis, enabling the transmissive properties of an optical element, e.g. etalon, mounted on one arm of the frame, to be tuned as the angle of the optical element is rotated relative to an incoming optical beam. A mirror is mounted on the other arm of the frame intersecting light reflected from the optical element and redirecting the reflected light along a path, which is constant relative to the incoming optical beam.

Abstract: The present invention provides an interferometer apparatus comprising a matter-wave guide enclosing an area, wherein a flux of particles may be guided in the matter-wave guide in at least two opposite paths, the matter-wave guide is rotatable relative to an inertial frame of reference; a first beam splitter to split the first beam to at least second and third beams, each of the second and third beams is to be guided in another path of the two opposite paths; and a second beam splitter allowing particles of the second and third beams to exit the matter-wave guide in a first probability and to stay in the matter-wave guide in a second probability.

Abstract: An illumination arrangement for a projection system is proposed including a light source device and a light collecting, integrating and redirecting device. The light source device comprises at least one solid state light source device. The light collecting, integrating and redirecting device comprises at least one light integrating device, which is adapted to directly receive and to integrate at least a part of primary illumination light generated by and emitted from at least one associated of at least one sold state light source device.

Abstract: An optical device (15; 25; 315; 325; 345; 400; 500; 600; 700; 800) may include a light transmissive medium (450; 550; 650; 750; 850) having two sides. On one side may be a high reflectivity mirror (430; 530; 630; 830) and on the other side may be a plurality of partial reflectivity mirrors (460-466; 560-566; 662-666; 860-870) that may be guided mode resonance or nanodot mirrors. An optical system (25; 315; 325; 345; 500; 600; 700; 800) may have a plurality of light inputs (FIG. 2A; FIG. 5A), a light transmissive medium (550; 650; 750; 850), and a plurality of light outputs (FIGS. 2A-2B; FIG. 5B) from the light transmissive medium (550; 650; 750; 850). The light transmissive medium (550; 650; 750; 850) may have a high reflectivity mirror (530; 630; 830) on one side and a plurality of partial reflectivity mirrors (560-566; 662-666; 860-870) on a second side.

Abstract: A display system includes a cabinet, a transparent dashboard and a lighting system. The dashboard is fabricated to have at least two refractive indices such that when light from the lighting system is projected therethrough, a unique lighting effect is created.

Abstract: A head mounted display includes a display unit, a concave mirror, an optical unit that is arranged between the display unit and the concave mirror, transmits a part of incident light from the display unit and reflects the other part of the incident light from the display unit, a first optical system that guides light reflected by the concave mirror to the left eye, and a second optical system that guides light reflected by the optical unit to the right eye. In the head mounted display, on the concave mirror, a right end is closer to the display unit in comparison with a left end. Further, the curvature of the concave mirror at the right end is larger than the curvature of the concave mirror at the left end.

Abstract: A hybrid display apparatus and a display method thereof are provided. In the apparatus, an emissive type display panel outputs an internal light to the outside and thereby displays data. A reflective type display panel passes the internal light to the outside, reflects an external light, and thereby displays the data. An intermediate film layer is interposed between the emissive type display panel and the reflective type display panel. The intermediate film layer passes the internal light from the emissive type display panel to the reflective type display panel, and also blocks the external light that passes through the reflective type display panel and is reflected at the emissive type display panel.

Abstract: The present invention comprises methods and apparatuses for causing a single imaging lens system to simultaneously form multiple high resolution images on multiple imaging sensor planes. The images are preferably substantially identical, with no parallax error, except for different light levels so that the multiple images are of sufficient quality and similarity that they may be compared and/or combined (typically pixel-by-pixel) to create a single instantaneous high dynamic range (HDR) image. The invention may be used to create high-resolution HDR snapshots of moving subjects, as well as high-resolution HDR moving pictures (e.g. cinematographic films, movies, or other video) in which the subject and/or camera is moving. Alternatively, the images are substantially identical except for different focuses.

Abstract: Field widening lens methods and systems are provided. The field widening lens includes a non-planar primary mirror and a secondary mirror. In addition, separate input and output ports are provided. The field widening lens further provides for an optical path difference for rays within the lens that is essentially zero for any ray within the field of view of an optical system including the field widening lens, regardless of the angle at which the ray entered the lens.

Abstract: A color separating optical system including first to third prisms for separating incident light from an objective lens into three primary color light components, so as to project three color-separated images of a subject onto first to third image sensors, respectively. In order to prevent ghosts from being superposed on a center area of an image frame, the color separating optical system satisfies the condition: ??(?m+?m+1)/2, wherein “?” represents a tilt angle of a second dichroic film on the second prism to a perpendicular plane to an optical axis of the objective lens, and “?m” a diffraction angle of the second light component diffractively reflected from the second image sensor and reentering the second prism.

Abstract: Optoelectronic Display System for Transport Vehicles is suggested providing simultaneous representation of visual information of different form and content relating to parameters of driving on windscreen and at dashboard plane. To form said visual information unified image creator based on two LCD matrixes is used and image intended for representation on windscreen in collimated form is created on their upper parts and on lower parts—for representation at dashboard plane. To improve operate reliability the system is provided with control device of image creator operation. In case one of LCDs is out-of-service the device is switching other (operable) LCD into mode of parameters ‘minimum number creation required for safe driving.

Abstract: A head-up display apparatus allows an occupant of a vehicle to visually perceive a virtual image of an image light reflected by a windshield after passing through a cylindrical lens. The cylindrical lens is inclined against the image light to thereby reflect outside light not to reach an eye range of the occupant. The cylindrical lens is placed in a light guide portion such that (i) an action axis direction for an optical action and (ii) a horizontal direction in the display image agree with each other. Of the cylindrical lens, an inclination angle and installation depth are so set that light incident at an angle equal to or greater than an interception upper-limit incident angle and reflected by a pass-through side of the cylindrical lens does not arrive at the eye range of the occupant.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining radiant energy has first and second photovoltaic receivers. A primary curved reflective surface is disposed to reflect incident polychromatic radiation toward a first focal plane. A spectral separator is disposed between the first focal plane and the primary curved reflective surface. The spectral separator has a dichroic separating surface, convex with respect to the incident reflected polychromatic radiation and treated to reflect a first spectral band toward the first photovoltaic receiver and to transmit reflected polychromatic radiation outside the first spectral band. The spectral separator also has a curved separator reflective surface, convex with respect to the light transmitted through the dichroic separating surface and treated to reflect at least a portion of the light transmitted through the dichroic separating surface toward the second photovoltaic receiver.

Abstract: A beam splitter includes a first surface and a second surface. The first and second surfaces are linearly offset from one another along an axis. The first and second surfaces are positioned to receive an optical beam projected in a first direction that is generally perpendicular to the axis. The first surface is configured to redirect a first portion of the optical beam in a second direction that has a first rotational offset with respect to the first direction and a second rotational offset with respect to the axis. The second surface is configured to redirect a second portion of the optical beam in a third direction that has a third rotational offset with respect to the first direction and a fourth rotational offset with respect to the axis.

Abstract: A beam splitter optical surface comprises a transparent substrate and a multilayer optical coating applied in a pattern onto the transparent substrate. The multilayer optical coating has at least an optically reflective layer and an optically absorbent layer.

Abstract: A switchable free-spectral-range mode selector is used to change the free spectral range of a free-space delay-line interferometer. The mode selector consists of a rotatable device with at least one transparent plate selected to produce the desired change in the free spectral range of the delay-line interferometer. The device may be rotated in and out of the free-space optical path of on of the interferometer arms. If used as a DPSK demodulator, the device enables operation at multiple predetermined free spectral ranges. In the preferred embodiment, the demodulator includes a 50/50 beam-splitter cube combined with two cavities. The mode selector consists of a plurality of different transparent slabs attached to a rotatable shaft so that any one of the slabs or none may be inserted in the appropriate optical path to obtain the desired FSR mode of operation.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus operable in the microwave, mm-wave, sub mm-wave (Terahertz) and infrared ranges comprises a primary drum (10) mounted for rotation about a central axis A of the primary drum being hollow and of rectangular polygonal form to provide a number of sides or facets (12, 14) each adapted to transmit such radiation, from a field of view, which is plane polarized in a first direction at 45° with respect to the rotary axis of the drum and to reflect radiation which is plane polarized in an orthogonal direction. Thus, radiation passing into the drum though whichever said side of the drum is currently facing the field of view and passing towards the diametrically opposite side will be plane polarized with a polarization direction such as to be reflected back by that diametrically opposite side towards the rotary axis of the drum.

Abstract: An adaptive optics system is provided, comprising a spatial light modulator configured to modulate an incoming beam with an aberrated wavefront, a beamsplitter configured to receive the modulated beam from the spatial light modulator and to divide the modulated beam into a measurement beam and a reference beam, a spatial filter configured to spatially filter the reference beam, and to interfere the spatially filtered reference beam with the measurement beam to form an interferogram, an imaging device configured to capture an image of the interferogram, and a processor configured to determine the aberrated wavefront and to provide control signals to the spatial light modulator to mitigate aberrations in the aberrated wavefront.

Abstract: In an optical head device which performs recording or reading of data in/from a high-density optical disc using an objective lens with a large NA, a saw-tooth shape diffraction element is used for also performing recording or reading of data in/from a conventional optical disc, such as DVD, CD, or the like. A step difference that produces an optical path length for blue light which is equal to or longer than the wavelength of the blue light and optical path lengths for red and infrared light which are shorter than the wavelengths of the red and infrared light is utilized so as to exert an inverse action on the blue light to those exerted on the red and infrared light. The effect of increasing the working distances for CD and DVD enables multiple compatibility. The above optical element is integrally combined with the objective lens to perform a tracking servo following operation.

Abstract: Nonpolarizing beam splitter has at least one substrate, to which a partially reflective coating having a plurality of layers is applied. The layer sequence of the coating includes at least one metal layer, at least two first refractive layers made of a high or medium refractive index dielectric material, and at least two second refractive layers made of a low or medium refractive index dielectric material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for sampling techniques can constantly monitor a spectral output from a broadband source in order to control a central wavelength of interrogation light supplied by the source for input to a sensor. A first portion of light output from the broadband source passes through a controller module for spectral analysis and referencing to provide measurements that can be used as feedback to actively modify a second portion of the light from the source. This modified second portion thereby controls the central wavelength to ensure accurate determination of sensor response signals received at a receiver.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a self-standing parallel plate beam splitter, a method for manufacturing the same, and a laser diode package structure using the same. The self-standing parallel plate beam splitter according to the present invention is easy to manufacture and is applicable to various laser diode packages, thereby enabling easy implementation of a laser diode package that is capable of performing bidirectional communication, a laser diode package having a triplexer function, a laser diode package having a wavelength locking function, and a laser diode package having a front side monitoring function to monitor the operation state of a laser diode chip using some of laser light emitted from the front side of the laser diode chip.

Abstract: A system and method for addition of broad-area semiconductor laser diode arrays are described. The system can include an array of laser diodes, a V-shaped external cavity, and grating systems to provide feedback for phase-locking of the laser diode array. A V-shaped mirror used to couple the laser diode emissions along two optical paths can be a V-shaped prism mirror, a V-shaped stepped mirror or include multiple V-shaped micro-mirrors. The V-shaped external cavity can be a ring cavity. The system can include an external injection laser to further improve coherence and phase-locking.

Abstract: A monolithic frame for optics used in interferometers where the material of the monolithic frame may have a substantially different coefficient of thermal expansion from the beamsplitter and compensator without warping, bending or distorting the optics. This is accomplished through providing a securing apparatus holding the optics in place while isolating the expansion thereof from the expansion of the frame. Stability in optical alignment is therefore achieved without requiring a single material or materials of essentially identical coefficients of thermal expansion. The present invention provides stability in situations where it is not possible to utilize a single material for every component of the interferometer.

Abstract: A system and method of reducing turbulence sensitivity in a laser spot detector. Embodiments may include using beam splitters, reflectors, and beam deviators. The reflectors may be trihedral reflectors and the beam deviators may be segmented wedge plates having predetermined physical angles and angle directions in each wedge segment designed to produce opposing blurs for each segment of the aperture. A predetermined blur introduced into each line of sight eliminates the need for de-focus, thereby mitigating effects such as centroid shift caused by turbulence or dirty/damaged sensor apertures.

Abstract: The present invention provides a viewfinder, characterized by comprising a reflection type display device on which an object image is displayed, an eyepiece optical system having a front group and a rear group, an illumination optical system for illuminating the reflection type display device and an optical device for putting an optical path taken by the illumination optical system over an optical path from said reflection type display device to the eyepiece optical system at a position of the widest of lens-to-lens spaces in the eyepiece optical system. The eyepiece optical system is located between the reflection type display device and an eye point, and satisfies the following condition (1): 0.1<Y/Dm<1??(1) where Dm is the widest lens-to-lens space, and Y is the length of the reflection type display device from the center to one side thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is an interference objective lens unit, comprising: an objective lens; a beam splitter that splits the light transmitted through the objective lens into a reference optical path in which a reference mirror is provided and a measuring optical path in which the measuring object is placed, and that superposes the split lights to output interference light; a first holder that holds the objective lens and that is formed by material having a first linear expansion coefficient; and a second holder that holds the reference mirror and that is formed by material having a second linear expansion coefficient different from the first linear expansion coefficient, wherein when a usage environment temperature changes, a difference in the linear expansion coefficients between the first holder and the second holder corrects an optical path difference between the reference optical path and the measuring optical path.

Abstract: Disclosed is an expandable envelope that comprises a light directing film this both transmits and reflects light. In its inflated form and along with a light source, the envelope forms a light balloon that due to the light directing film provides directed light to an area surrounding the balloon.

Abstract: A lighting device, including a first light source emitting light of a first wavelength; a second light source close to the first source, emitting light of a second wavelength in almost a same direction as that of the first source; a third light source located emitting light of a third wavelength in a direction different from that of the first and second sources; a coupling optical system coupling light from the first and second sources; another coupling optical system coupling light from the third source; and a light path synthesizer synthesizing a light path of light from the first, second and third sources, wherein the light path synthesizer includes a first surface reflecting light from the first source and transmitting light from the second and third sources and a second surface unparallel with the first surface, reflecting light from the second source and transmitting light from the third source.

Abstract: An image forming system is described that includes a light source that provides a light beam and an anamorphic refractive optical element. A first outer surface of the anamorphic element faces the light source and includes a toric surface. The light beam is incident upon the first outer face and then an incident surface of the anamorphic element. The anamorphic element directs the light beam to an image forming device. An illumination system is also described where an anamorphic element includes a toric surface and a facet surface.

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: A beamsplitter includes a bifurcated frame, which rotates about a vertical axis, enabling the transmissive properties of an optical element, e.g. etalon, mounted on one arm of the frame, to be tuned as the angle of the optical element is rotated relative to an incoming optical beam. A mirror is mounted on the other arm of the frame intersecting light reflected from the optical element and redirecting the reflected light along a path, which is constant relative to the incoming optical beam.

Abstract: A mirror unit consists of a half mirror and a mirror unit. The half mirror generates a transmitted light and a reflected light. A pair of the mirror units is arranged on one side and the other side of the half mirror so that the transmitted light and the reflected light split by the half mirror are deflected and are combined again at a common place on the half mirror. The mirror unit also has plural mirrors and is arranged to make the optical length variable by shifting the mirror unit toward one direction with a moving mechanism.

Abstract: Rhomb beam splitters are used to implement various optical demodulators, in particular PSK and DPSK demodulators. The parallel beam-splitting and reflective surfaces of the rhomb structure produce reflection and transmission beams that exit the beam splitter parallel to one another and with a relative phase shift determined by the distance between the surfaces. These features afford the advantages of low cost, compactness, easily tunable, and temperature-insensitive optical structures for constructing a variety of optical demodulators.

Abstract: A beam splitter apparatus comprises a beam splitter and a plurality of prisms disposed about the beam splitter. The beam splitter apparatus is configured to split an incident laser beam into a plurality of beamlets exhibiting substantially equal energy and traversing substantially equal optical path lengths through the beam splitter apparatus.

Abstract: A pig-tailed optical component used in a powerful fiber laser system is configured with a power monitor unit. The monitor unit has a plate-shaped beam splitter operative to reflect portions of at least one of respective forward and backreflected light signals, and multiple photo-detectors.

Abstract: A beam shaping module capable of receiving a polarized beam from a light source is disclosed including a beam splitter for splitting the polarized beam into a first beam and a second beam wherein the polarization directions of the first beam and the second beam are perpendicular to each other, and a beam combiner for shaping and combining the first beam and the second beam, where the beam combiner is configured to reverse the energy distribution pattern of one of the first beam and the second beam.

Abstract: An external-cavity one-dimensional multi-wavelength beam combiner that performs wavelength beam combining along a stacking dimension of a laser stack formed of a plurality of laser arrays, each laser array configured to generate optical radiation having a unique wavelength, and each of the plurality of laser arrays including one or more laser emitters arranged along an array dimension of the laser stack. The multi-wavelength beam combiner includes an optical imaging element configured to image each of the laser emitters along a slow axis of the laser emitters, an optical focusing element arranged to intercept the optical radiation from each of the plurality of laser arrays and combine the optical radiation along a stacking dimension of the laser stack to form a multi-wavelength optical beam, and a diffraction element positioned at a region of overlap of the optical radiation to receive and transmit the multi-wavelength optical beam.