Abstract: The disclosure describes optical elements including pseudorandom-shaped meta-atoms as well as related methods of manufacture. In some implementations, a method includes patterning a resist layer to form a pattern of features in the resist layer. The resist layer is disposed on a substrate that includes an optical sublayer disposed on a support. The substrate further includes a hard mask sublayer disposed on the optical sublayer. The method includes performing a first oxygen plasma etch to impart a pseudorandom shape to the features in the resist layer, and subsequently performing a plurality of etching operations to cause the pseudorandom-shaped features to be transferred into the optical sublayer of the substrate.

Abstract: A spot size converter includes a first optical waveguide, and a second optical waveguide. The first optical waveguide has a first tapered portion. The first tapered portion extends in a direction in which the first optical waveguide extends, and is thicker with decreasing distance from an end portion of the first optical waveguide and is thinner with decreasing distance from the second optical waveguide. The second optical waveguide is separated from the first tapered portion and has a second tapered portion. The second tapered portion extends in a direction in which the second optical waveguide extends, and is thinner with decreasing distance from the first tapered portion and is thicker with increasing distance from the first tapered portion.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes diffractive optical elements (DOEs) and master tools for producing the DOEs. In one aspect, the disclosure describes a method that includes modifying a first pixel layout design for diffractive optical elements to obtain a modified pixel layout design. The first pixel layout design comprises pixels, each of which has a shape of a regular polygon (e.g., a rectangular shape). Modifying the first pixel layout design includes approximating a shape contour of a cluster of pixels in the first pixel layout design by a single polygon that reduces a total number of edges relative to the shape contour of the cluster of pixels in the first pixel layout design. The method also includes using the modified pixel layout design to form a master tool for production of the diffractive optical elements.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an infrared band pass filter, which comprises a first multilayer film. The first multilayer film including a plurality of Si:NH layers and a low refraction index layer. The plurality of low refraction index layers are stacked with Si:NH layers alternatively; wherein the difference between the refraction index of Si:NH layer and the refraction index of the low refraction index layer is greater than 0.5. The infrared band pass filter has a pass band in a wavelength range of 800 nm and 1100 nm, and when the incident angle is changed from 0 degrees to 30 degrees, the center wavelength of the pass band is shifted less than 12 nm, and the infrared band pass filter of the present disclosure can be used to enhance the 3D image resolution when applied to a 3D imaging system.

Abstract: Techniques for designing diffractive optical elements (DOEs) such as diffusers and other optical beam shaping elements can include designing a DOE unit cell on a smaller area than the overall area of the DOE, and then distributing the unit cell across the entire surface for the DOE. Height translations are introduced for at least some of the unit cells distributed across the surface, where the height translations correspond to respective phase translations for the intended operational wavelength of the DOE. In some instances, phase wrapping is introduced to translate the height variations among the unit cells into unit cells having sub-unit structures whose heights fall within a range that corresponds to a specified phase range at the operational wavelength.

Abstract: Light control films have a pattern applied to it. The light control film has a plurality of spaced apart first grooves in an optical medium. Each first groove has a closed bottom. Some of the first grooves are partially filled with a light absorbing first material that absorbs light of a predetermined wavelength range of from 400 to 2000 nm. The light absorbing first material defines an unfilled void region inside the first groove extending from a bottom surface of the light absorbing first material to the closed bottom of the first groove.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to methods for forming a waveguide. Methods may include measuring a waveguide substrate, the waveguide having a substrate thickness distribution; and depositing an index-matched layer onto a surface of the waveguide, the index-matched layer having a first surface disposed on the waveguide substrate and a second surface opposing the first surface, wherein the index-matched layer is disposed only over a portion of the waveguide substrate, and a device slope of a second surface of the index-matched layer is substantially the same as the waveguide slope of the first surface of the waveguide.

Abstract: Provided is an optical filter capable of reducing the dependency on the angle of light incidence. An optical filter 1 includes a hydrogenated silicon-containing film 4, wherein in a Raman spectrum of the hydrogenated silicon-containing film 4 measured by Raman spectroscopy a ratio (SiH/SiH2) obtained from a ratio between an area of a peak derived from SiH and an area of a peak derived from SiH2 is 0.7 or more.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an improved drop-on-demand, controlled volume technique for dispensing resist onto a substrate, which is then imprinted to create a patterned optical device suitable for use in optical applications such as augmented reality and/or mixed reality systems. The technique enables the dispensation of drops of resist at precise locations on the substrate, with precisely controlled drop volume corresponding to an imprint template having different zones associated with different total resist volumes. Controlled drop size and placement also provides for substantially less variation in residual layer thickness across the surface of the substrate after imprinting, compared to previously available techniques. The technique employs resist having a refractive index closer to that of the substrate index, reducing optical artifacts in the device.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide methods for fabricating a couplable electro-optical device. An example method comprises fabricating a pillar on a substrate by forming a lens spacer portion about an electro-optical component fabricated on the substrate; and adhering unshaped lens material to an exposed surface of the pillar. The exposed surface of the pillar is disposed opposite the substrate. The example method further comprises maintaining the unshaped lens material at a reflow temperature for a reflow time to allow the lens material to reflow into a formed lens shape, and curing the lens material to form an integrated lens having the formed lens shape secured to the lens spacer portion and formed about the electro-optical component on the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides a display panel and an electronic device. The display panel includes a backlight module, an array substrate, a liquid crystal layer, a color filter plate, a touch substrate, and a fingerprint recognition unit. The array substrate is disposed on a light-exiting side of the backlight module. The liquid crystal layer is disposed on a side of the array substrate away from the backlight module. The color filter plate is disposed on a side of the liquid crystal layer away from the array substrate. The touch substrate is disposed on a side of the color filter plate away from the liquid crystal layer. The fingerprint recognition unit is disposed on a side of the color filter plate away from the touch substrate. The display panel of the claimed invention can improve accuracy of fingerprint recognition.

Abstract: A method using capillary force lamination (CFL) for manufacturing a high-performance optical absorber, includes: texturizing a base layer of the high-performance optical absorber, the base layer comprising one or more of a polymer film and a polymer coating; joining a surface layer of the high-performance optical absorber to the base layer, the surface layer comprising a non-woven carbon nanotube (CNT) sheet; wetting the joined surface layer and base layer with a solvent; drying the joined surface layer and base layer; and treating the resulting base layer with plasma, creating the high-performance optical absorber.

Abstract: A method of forming a three-dimensional structure includes forming a layer of resin comprising liquid crystal oligomers and a photoinitiator, applying a magnetic field to the formed layer in a predefined alignment direction for substantially aligning the liquid crystal oligomers in a first orientation; and exposing the formed layer to radiation for curing a first portion of the layer during application of the magnetic field thereby resulting in the first portion having liquid crystal elastomers substantially aligned in the first orientation. The method includes applying a second magnetic field to the formed layer in a predefined second alignment direction for substantially aligning uncured liquid crystal oligomers in a second orientation, and exposing the layer to radiation for curing a second portion of the layer during application of the second magnetic field thereby resulting in the second portion having liquid crystal elastomers substantially aligned in the second orientation.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an infrared band pass filter, which comprises a first multilayer film. The first multilayer film including a plurality of Si:NH layers and a low refraction index layer. The plurality of low refraction index layers are stacked with Si:NH layers alternatively; wherein the difference between the refraction index of Si:NH layer and the refraction index of the low refraction index layer is greater than 0.5. The infrared band pass filter has a pass band in a wavelength range of 800 nm and 1100 nm, and when the incident angle is changed from 0 degrees to 30 degrees, the center wavelength of the pass band is shifted less than 12 nm, and the infrared band pass filter of the present disclosure can be used to enhance the 3D image resolution when applied to a 3D imaging system.

Abstract: An illuminator includes a light source that outputs first light, a wavelength converter that converts the first light into second light, an optical element that reflects the first light toward the wavelength converter and transmits the second light, and an illumination system which is disposed on the opposite side of the optical element from the wavelength converter. The wavelength converter includes a substrate, a reflection layer facing a first surface of the substrate, a wavelength conversion layer having a second surface and facing the reflection layer, and a structural element facing the second surface and having a plurality of protrusions that reflect part of the first light. The plurality of protrusions each have an inclining surface that inclines with respect to the second surface, and at least part of the first light and reflected off the inclining surface enters the illumination system without traveling via the optical element.

Abstract: A display comprises a substrate. Sets of light emitting diodes (LEDs) are arranged on the substrate. Each of the sets of LEDs comprises a red LED, a green LED, a blue LED, and each of the sets of LEDs forming a pixel of the display. A sensor is embedded in each of the sets of LEDs. The sensor is arranged in a plane in which the red, green, and blue LEDs are arranged in each of the sets of LEDs. A cover including a dielectric material covers the sets of LEDs. The sensor is configured to sense at least one of ambient light and proximity of an object to the cover.

Abstract: This relates to systems and methods for measuring a concentration and type of substance in a sample at a sampling interface. The systems can include a light source, optics, one or more modulators, a reference, a detector, and a controller. The systems and methods disclosed can be capable of accounting for drift originating from the light source, one or more optics, and the detector by sharing one or more components between different measurement light paths. Additionally, the systems can be capable of differentiating between different types of drift and eliminating erroneous measurements due to stray light with the placement of one or more modulators between the light source and the sample or reference. Furthermore, the systems can be capable of detecting the substance along various locations and depths within the sample by mapping a detector pixel and a microoptics to the location and depth in the sample.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mass production of AR diffractive waveguides. Low-cost mass production of large-area AR diffractive waveguides (slanted surface-relief gratings) of any shape. Uses two-photon polymerization micro-nano 3D printing to realize manufacturing of slanted grating large-area masters of any shape (thereby solving the problem about manufacturing of slanted grating masters of any shape on the one hand, realizing direct manufacturing of large-size wafer-level masters on the other hand, and also having the advantages of low manufacturing cost and high production efficiency). Composite nanoimprint lithography technology is employed (in combination with the peculiar imprint technique and the composite soft mold suitable for slanted gratings) to solve the problem that a large-slanting-angle large-slot-depth slanted grating cannot be demolded and thus cannot be manufactured, and realize the manufacturing of the slanted grating without constraints (geometric shape and size).

Abstract: A diffractive optical element includes: a substrate; a protrusion and recess portion that is formed on one surface of the substrate and imposes predetermined diffraction on incident light; and an antireflection layer provided between the substrate and the protrusion and recess portion. An effective refractive index difference ?n in a wavelength range of the incident light between a first medium constituting a protrusion of the protrusion and recess portion and a second medium constituting a recess of the protrusion and recess portion is 0.70 or more. An exit angle range ?out of diffraction light exiting from the protrusion and recess portion when the incident light enters the substrate from a normal direction of the substrate is 60° or more. Total efficiency of diffraction light exiting from the protrusion and recess portion in the exit angle range is 65% or more.

Abstract: An optical waveguide includes a first core and a second core disposed adjacent to each other at spaced intervals and a dummy core positioned between the first core and the second core. The first core and the second core transmit light in a transmission direction perpendicular to an adjacent direction. The dummy core includes a facing surface facing the first core and an opposing surface positioned at the opposite side to the first core with respect to the facing surface, and the opposing surface has an inclined surface inclining so as to go away from the first core toward the downstream side in the transmission direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (20) for generating images, comprising: —a diffuser (25), and—a scanning unit (22) designed to generate a light beam scanning a face of said diffuser. According to the invention, the image generating device also comprises an autostereoscopic filter (26).

Abstract: An optical waveguide element is provided to effectively reduce an optical absorption loss of waveguide light which may occur at an intersecting part between an optical waveguide and an electrode without causing deterioration in optical characteristics and degradation of long-term reliability of the optical waveguide element. The optical waveguide element includes an optical waveguide formed in a substrate, and an electrode controlling optical waves propagated in the optical waveguide and having an intersecting part intersecting the optical waveguide thereabove. A portion of a resin layer is provided between the optical waveguide and the electrode in a portion of the substrate including the intersecting part. A corner of the resin layer on a side of the electrode is constituted to be a curve in a cross section in an extending direction of the electrode.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a color filter substrate, a manufacturing method thereof, and an OLED display device. The color filter substrate comprises a substrate, a black matrix, a plurality of color resists, and a plurality of isolation walls. The present disclosure disposes the plurality of isolation walls on the black matrix and between two adjacent color resists, thereby preventing light crosstalk between the adjacent color resists and preventing color mixing, and therefore improving display effect.

Abstract: Provided are liquid crystal glasses and display panel having light leakage elimination element.

Abstract: We describe methods of producing gratings such as Bragg gratings with optical waveguides. Described are the writing and erasing of gratings within SiON waveguides by forming standing waves. Methods, systems, instruments, and devices are described that provide improved transmission of light through such waveguides.

Abstract: A diffuser plate includes a plurality of fine structures having two or more types of lens functions arranged on a main surface. Intensity of diffused light within a desired diffusion angle range is substantially uniform, and the diffuser plate satisfies a relation of P×P×Sk?400 [?m2], where P is an average pitch of the plurality of fine structures, Sk is a standard deviation of relative luminance of the plurality of fine structures in their front directions, P?200 [?m], and Sk?0.005. Thus, it is possible to provide a diffuser plate having a simple structure capable of achieving optical properties with little luminance and color unevenness and excellent appearance quality when an image is projected.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for fabricating a spherical concave mirror in an optical waveguide based on ultraviolet (UV) grayscale lithography. A key component is a specially designed mask pattern composed of a rectangle as well as a semicircle adjacent to the rectangle, where a rectangular area has no grayscale distribution, and UV light penetrating through different portions of the rectangular area has the same intensity; a semicircular area has the grayscale distribution, and the UV light penetrating through the semicircular area with the grayscale distribution is changed in intensity from the center of a circle in the radius direction according to a special function distribution law; an interlayer photoresist in the rectangular area is irradiated by the UV light penetrating through a mask plate and is developed to form an optical waveguide core.

Abstract: Provided are a protein-matrix microlens array diffraction device and a preparation method thereof. The protein-matrix microlens array diffraction device includes a matrix of a protein crystal. A largest side of the protein crystal has a length of 100 to 500 ?m, a surface of the protein crystal where the largest side is located is processed to have an array of microlens-like protrusions, a distance p between two adjacent microlens-like protrusions of the array of microlens-like protrusions is in a range of 10 to 100 ?m, a diameter d of the microlens-like protrusion is in a range of 2 to 10 ?m, and a height h of the microlens-like protrusion is in a range of 0.05 to 2 ?m.

Abstract: A system and a method for a nanostructured film including a first layer for reflecting at least a portion of an electromagnetic radiation and a second layer for receiving the remainder of the electromagnetic radiation through the first layer and subsequently reflecting at least a portion of the received electromagnetic radiation through the first layer, wherein two electromagnetic radiations with the same wavelength reflected by the first and second layers respectively are combined to form a strengthened electromagnetic radiation, the wavelength of the strengthened electromagnetic radiation being variable based on the physical property of the first layer.

Abstract: An infrared bandpass filter structure is formed by alternately stacking a plurality of silicon aluminum hydride layers and a plurality of low-refractive-index layers. The plurality of low-refractive-index layers include oxide. The infrared bandpass filter structure has a pass band that at least partly overlaps the wavelength range of 800 nm-1600 nm. The pass band have a center wavelength, and the center wavelength has a magnitude of shift that is less than 11 nm when an incident angle changes from 0° to 30. An infrared bandpass filter includes the infrared bandpass filter structure formed on a first side surface of a substrate and an antireflection layer formed on a second side surface of the substrate that is at a side opposite to the first side surface.

Abstract: An optical shaping apparatus includes a first optical unit including a light modulation element that has a plurality of pixels and modulates light from a first light source for each pixel and irradiating modulation light from the light modulation element onto the photocurable resin through the light-transmissive portion, a second optical unit including a scanning member configured to deflect light from a second light source, the second optical unit being configured to irradiate scanning light from the scanning member onto the photocurable resin through the light-transmissive portion, the first and second optical units not including a common optical member, and a controller that controls the light modulation element and the scanning member so as to irradiate the modulation light onto a first resin area, and to irradiate the scanning light onto a second resin area in the photocurable resin.

Abstract: Methods and systems wherein laser induced refractive index changes by focused femtosecond laser pulses in optical polymeric materials or optical tissues is performed to address various types of vision correction.

Abstract: A distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) structure on a substrate includes a high refractive index layer comprising titanium oxide (TiO2) and a low refractive index layer having a high carbon region and at least one low carbon region that contacts the high refractive index layer. Multiple layers of the high refractive index layer and the low refractive index layer are stacked. Typically, the multiple layers of the high refractive index layer and the low refractive index layer are stacked to a thickness of less than 10 microns. Each of the respective layers of the high refractive index layer and the low refractive index layer have a thickness of less than 0.2 microns.

Abstract: To provide a photocurable resin composition comprising an N-vinyl amide compound, a polyfunctional (meth)acrylate monomer and a photopolymerization initiator and having excellent adhesion to an optical substrate and free from an appearance defect such as a crack or shrinkage and a laminate having a coat layer obtained by curing the photocurable resin composition.

Abstract: An array of nanowires with a period smaller than 150 nm can be used for optoelectronics and semiconductor electronics applications. A hard nanomask is registered to a lithographically defined feature and can be used to manufacture such structures. This nanomask includes a substantially periodic array of substantially parallel elongated elements having a wavelike cross-section. The fabrication method of the nanomask may be contactless and uses ion beams.

Abstract: A composite diffuser plate capable of inhibiting luminance unevenness from occurring locally is described. The composite diffuser plate includes a first diffuser plate and a second diffuser plate arranged in this order from an incident side. At least one of the first diffuser plate and the second diffuser plate is composed of a random microlens array including multiple microlenses. The microlenses include a plurality of parameters defining a lens shape. At least one of the plural parameters is randomly distributed. The random microlens array causes a phase difference to be generated in transmitted light.

Abstract: A diffractive optical element is provided that includes a first resin layer having steps on one surface, a second resin layer integrated with the first resin layer in tight contact, and a high refractive index layer disposed between a wall surface of the first resin layer and a wall surface of the second resin layer, wherein the high refractive index layer has a refractive index higher than those of the first resin layer and of the second resin layer, and the high refractive index layer is formed continuously to extend beyond the boundary between the wall surface and the inclined surface adjacent thereto, and to partly overlap the inclined surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoplastic copolymer, block copolymer, and statistical copolymer comprising plural acrylated polyol monomeric units having different degrees of acrylation of hydroxyl groups. The acrylated polyol monomeric units have an average degree of acrylation greater than 1 and less than the number of the hydroxyl groups of the polyol. The present invention also relates to a method of making the thermoplastic copolymer, block copolymer, and statistical copolymer, and using them in various applications, such as asphalt rubber modifiers, adhesives, or an additive in a fracking fluid for oil fracking.

Abstract: A display includes a first interface section provided with a relief-type diffraction grating constituted by a plurality of grooves, and a second interface section provided with a plurality of recesses or projections arranged two-dimensionally at a center-to-center distance smaller than the minimum center-to-center distance of the plural grooves, and each having a forward tapered shape.

Abstract: A laser-written waveguide comprising, an optical substrate having a first refractive index, a plurality of laser-written tracks buried within the optical substrate and having a second refractive index lower than the first refractive index, one or more concentric geometric regions bounding the plurality of laser-written tracks and a waveguide channel delimited by said concentric geometric regions, wherein said waveguide channel is configured to allow formation of an optical mode.

Abstract: A refractive coating such as a white layer is disposed on a housing component of a portable electronic device. The refractive coating includes pigment particles such as titanium dioxide suspended in a carrier medium such as a polymer matrix. The pigment particles each define air pores or other voids formed by at least partially sintering the pigment particles. A difference in refractive index between the air pores and the pigment particles is greater than that between the carrier medium and the pigment particles. Incident light is refracted at interfaces between the pigment particles and the air pores, increasing light refracted by the refractive coating compared to refractive coatings including pigment particles lacking the air pores.

Abstract: Optical waveguide connector elements for optical coupling optical components of an optical assembly, such as the edge coupling of optical printed circuit boards. In one embodiment, a waveguide connector element includes a first end face and a second end face, a pre-existing optical waveguide within or on a surface of the waveguide connector element, and a laser written optical waveguide optically coupled to an end of the pre-existing optical waveguide and extending toward one of the first end face and the second end face.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for signatures and entitlements of entertainment printables are provided. A method might include receiving, at a three-dimensional (“3-D”) printer, a request from a user to print a 3-D model and determining, with the 3-D printer, whether the user is authorized to print the 3-D model. The method might further include printing, with the 3-D printer, the 3-D model based on a determination that the user is authorized to print the 3-D model and embedding, with the 3-D printer, within the 3-D model, a unique identifier. The unique identifier may indicate that the user was authorized to print the 3-D model and identify at least one of an original creator of the 3-D model, the 3-D model itself, a limited edition of the 3-D model, or an owner of the 3-D model.

Abstract: A resonant-filter image sensor includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels and a microresonator layer above the pixel array. The microresonator layer includes a plurality of microresonators formed of a first material with an extinction coefficient less than 0.02 at a free-space wavelength of five hundred nanometers. Each of the plurality of pixels may have at least one of the plurality of microresonators at least partially thereabove. The resonant-filter image sensor may further include a layer covering the microresonator layer that has a second refractive index less than a first refractive index, the first refractive index being the refractive index of the first material. Each microresonator may be one of a parallelepiped, a cylinder, a spheroid, and a sphere.

Abstract: A processing method is disclosed that enables an improved directed self-assembly (DSA) processing scheme by allowing the formation of improved guide strips in the DSA template that may enable the formation of sub-30 nm features on a substrate. The improved guide strips may be formed by improving the selectivity of wet chemical processing between different organic layers or films. In one embodiment, treating the organic layers with one or more wavelengths of ultraviolet light may improve selectivity. The first wavelength of UV light may be less than 200 nm and the second wavelength of UV light may be greater than 200 nm.

Abstract: A microlens array includes N microlenses arranged in a predetermined direction on an x-y plane. A projection onto the x-y plane of the vertex of each microlens is arranged in the vicinity of a lattice point of a reference lattice on the x-y plane, the lattice spacing of the reference lattice in the predetermined direction being D/M (millimeters) where M is a positive integer. A distance between two sides of a lens facing each other is approximately equal to D, and a distance between the projection onto the x-y plane of the vertex of the lens and the projection onto the x-y plane of a side of the lens is D/2+?i. Letting n represent the refractive index of the material of each microlens and letting f (millimeters) represent the focal length of each microlens, the following relationships are satisfied. 0.0042 D < D 2 ? ? f = D ? ( n - 1 ) 2 ? ? R 0.0048 ? f ? { 1 + ( D / 2 ? ? f ) 2 } < ? < 0.

Abstract: A photocurable composition including a fluorine-based polymeric monomer, a (meth)acrylate monomer, and a photoinitiator. An amount of the fluorine-based polymeric monomer is in a range of about 20 parts to less than 40 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the photocurable composition.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor, an optical system, a control circuit, and a signal processing circuit. The image sensor includes a light-shielding film in which light-transmitting regions and light-shielding regions are alternately arranged in at least a first direction within a plane, a photodetector disposed opposite the light-shielding film, and an optically-coupled layer disposed between the light-shielding film and the photodetector. The optically-coupled layer includes a grating which generates a propagating light that propagates in the first direction and a transmitting light that transmits the optically-coupled layer when light of a predetermined wavelength enters the light-transmitting regions. The signal processing circuit extracts two different frames from frames included in a moving image acquired by the image sensor.

Abstract: A visor for use in a vehicle is disclosed. The visor comprises a pivot rod and a first and second shell being engagable to form a visor body. The visor also comprises a vanity and a mirror having at least one clear portion arranged at or near an end thereof. The visor also comprises a circuit board secured to the first shell and a light emitting diode secured to a surface of the circuit board. The visor also comprises a ramp arranged in a back surface of the mirror wherein the ramp is aligned with at least one clear portion of the mirror. The visor mirror having a ramp arranged therein may allow for light to be redirected towards the user of the mirror from the LED.

Abstract: A user interface includes both a touchscreen for tactile input and one or more lensless optical sensors for sensing additional, remote gestures. Users can interact with the user interface in a volume of space near the display, and are thus not constrained to the relatively small area of the touchscreen. Remote hand or face gestures can be used to turn on or otherwise alter the tactile user interface. Shared user interfaces can operate without touch, and thus avoid cross-contamination of e.g. viruses and bacteria.