Hughes Aircraft Company

Kaiser Optical Systems Inc.

James A Arns

John E Wreede

Gaylord E Moss

Timothy J Edwards

David B Chang

Ronald T Smith

James M Tedesco

I-Fu Shih

John E Gunther

David T Wilson

Willis S Colburn

A grism based upon a grating with a given line frequency is configured such that a design wavelength will undergo either a specific total bend angle, a zero-degree total bend without lateral displacement, or a zero-degree total bend with a lateral displacement. Each configuration exhibits the same dispersion characteristics. Other design wavelengths, bend angles and displacements are possible through appropriate adjustment of grating frequency, prism geometry, and/or material(s). A specific design is disclosed using light with a +/&#x2212;delta wavelength around a design wavelength of 795 nm. The invention may be used to disperse light at different wavelengths, including wavelengths associated with optical communications bands.

High-dispersion grisms

Multiplexed grating and grating/prism devices are particularly suited to DWDM optical telecommunications networks, finding utility in optical spectrum analyzers (OSAs) and fiber multiplexer/demultiplexers. The invention may be used to address both single- and dual-band configurations through adjustment of the grating, detector array, and/or inclusion of a fiber-optic switch. As a dual-band OSA covering the C- and L-bands, a device according to the invention may be used to replace two separate OSAs like those currently in production, at only a modest increase in cost relative to a single-band OSA.

Multi-band wavelength dispersive device for use in dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM) networks

A volume-phase optical grating, preferably supported between substrates and prisms, uses large-angle input and output light beams to provide a very high degree of dispersion and improved separation of closely spaced wavelength channels. The average refractive index of the grating medium is also less than that of the supporting substrates and prisms, thereby providing improved uniformity and reduced sensitivity to the state of light polarization. The device therefore finds utility as a wavelength multiplexer, demultiplexer or optical spectrum analyzer in fields such as optical communications and optical signal processing. The grating itself may be constructed by conventional interferometric or holographic techniques, and may be a reflection or transmission device. In a system configuration, optical fibers may be used to carry the multiplexed or demultiplexed optical signals. Optoelectric detectors may also be used to detect different wavelengths and convert the optical signals into electrical counterparts. Alternatively, electrical signals may be converted to optical signals of differing wavelength, and these may be multiplexed using one or more of the inventive devices. Of course, optical fibers, optoelectric detectors, and emitters may be used in various combinations along with the inventive optical device depending upon the application.

Polarization insensitive, high dispersion optical element

A compact, preferably monolithic optical element converts an incident beam of light into a dispersed exit beam. A transmissive optical grating is supported between two reflective surfaces such that a beam is reflected to pass through the same grating at least twice to form the exit beam. In the preferred embodiment the grating is a volume hologram cemented between two optically transmissive substrates which include outwardly oriented surfaces that are parallel to one another and to the grating, and the internal reflections occur at these surfaces. Mirrors may also be used. A preferred method of grating formation is also disclosed.

Dispersive optical device

An optical parking alignment system that includes at least one projector located on a vehicle for projecting a respective image forwardly of the vehicle, whereby alignment of the vehicle is indicated when each respective image is in focus on a screen disposed in front of the vehicle. The projector cam comprise a transparency and an imaging lens, or a hologram and a narrowband light source.

Holographic parking assistance device

A hologram exposure system that includes a spherically curved mirror surface positioned adjacent a substrate/hologram assembly that includes a spherically curved hologram recording layer supported by a spherically curved substrate surface, wherein the spherically curved mirror surface is concentric with the spherically curved substrate surface. A first rotating means provides for rotation of the curved mirror surface about a first axis that passes through (a) the center of curvature of the spherically curved substrate surface that supports the hologram recording layer, and (b) a point on the hologram recording layer that allows for convenient rotation about the first axis; and a second rotating means provides for rotation of the curved mirror surface about a second axis that is orthogonal to the first axis and intersects the first axis at the center of curvature of the substrate surface that supports the hologram recording layer. The desired hologram area of the recording layer is holographically exposed by controllably rotating the mirror/recording layer/substrate assembly about the first and second axes while illuminating the assembly with an exposure beam that is incident on the recording layer at the intersection of the recording layer with said first axis and passes through the recording layer to be reflected by said mirror surface.

Automatic constant wavelength holographic exposure system

A focusing, collimating, and beamsplitting test system for testing laser rangefinders for their beam quality, ranging accuracy, and sight unit alignment. The system includes holographic optical elements in place of conventional mirrors, lenses and beamsplitters. The advantages of this system are that it not only reduces the size and weight of optical elements, but also reduces the number of required elements. Consequently, the resulting test equipment requires less labor to assemble and is more compact and much lighter than conventional test systems.

System of holographic optical elements for testing laser range finders

High side lobes shown in a hologram efficiency curve are suppressed by reducing the effective sensitivity of a holographic recording medium by a plurality of film layers of gelatin such that there is a continuous increase in sensitivity toward the center of the layers. This makes the recording medium more spectrally selective and increases the 'see-through' characteristic. A holographic fringe pattern with a normally uniform modulation recorded in such holographic medium layers will produce a hologram having a modulation in refractive index which is virtually zero at the surfaces and which increases toward the center of the medium. The layers in the recording medium can have varying degrees of photosensitivity. However, when combined, the layers provide an overall sensitivity which can be depicted as a generally sinusoidal curve. The generally smooth transition in sensitivity from one layer to the next is largely achieved by the mixing of layers at their interfaces.

Alternate methods of side lobe reduction in holograms

A holographic recording medium is treated to eliminate side lobes. The method involves exposing opposed surfaces of the medium with filtered incoherent light either before or after a holographic exposure with coherent light. The incoherent exposure produces controlled desensitization of the medium, resulting in a sensitivity profile which increases continuously to a maximum near the center of the layer. A hologram recorded in the layer has a refractive index modulation which is high in the center of the layer and which decreases toward the surfaces of the layer.

Side lobe suppression in holograms using pre-exposure

A method of producing coherent radiation signals which have reduced coherent noise content. The method involves modulation of the position of an apodizer or aperture disposed in the optical path of the radiation provided by the coherent radiation source. The modulation causes diffraction patterns created by the apodizer or aperture to be unstable, hence reducing the noise content of the transmitted radiation. In particular, a method of producing holographic exposures containing reduced coherent noise content is disclosed. The positions of apertures or apodizers utilized in producing the holographic exposure are modulated during the exposure process. The modulation is on the order of wavelengths of the illuminating radiation used to produce the exposure. The position modulation creates a slight fogging of the exposure due to the noise, but the desired hologram is recorded with little or no decrease in efficiency. Also, a method of producing an apodizer for use in generating the holographic exposure is disclosed. During preparation of the apodizer, it is modulated in position with respect to the illuminating radiation. The position is modulated on the order of wavelengths of the illuminating radiation. The modulation procedure reduces the noise content of the apodizer.

Noise reduction in coherent systems

The systems of the invention form improved reflection and transmission holograms utilizing two beams and eliminating all of the higher energy spurious holographic recordings that are caused by reflections of rays from the outer surfaces of the cover plates. The systems provide movement of the cover plate or movement of the substrate and recording medium during the recording period to prevent formation of the spurious recordings. In some arrangements of the invention, global phase shifters are utilized to maintain the phase of the primary rays forming the desired hologram at a high level.

Double beam systems for forming improved holograms

A hologram forming system for forming, from a single beam source and a reflective mirror, a reflective hologram in which spurious reflection and transmission hologram recordings are eliminated. Reflected rays are changed in phase relative to the primary beams during the recording period so that spurious holograms do not form. The remaining effect of the reflected rays is to slightly change the overall refractive index of a phase recording material (such as dichromated gelatin) with a resultant slight loss of available index of modulation or to slightly, uniformly, darken an amplitude hologram film, (such as silver halide) with a slight loss of available contrast. The invention includes hologram forming systems that move the cover plate relative to a fixed recording medium with and without a phase shifter in the primary beam and a hologram forming system that moves the substrate and mirror relative to the fixed cover plate.

Systems for forming improved reflection holograms with a single beam

The hologram forming systems of the invention form diffusion type holograms in which undesired spurious transmission hologram recordings are eliminated. The reflecting surfaces are moved during the recording process so that the reflected rays change in phase relative to the primary recording beams and spurious holograms cannot be recorded with sufficient intensity to form undesired reflections in the developed hologram. Thus, pictorial type holograms such as jewelry holograms or art holograms do not present undesired ghost images or flare patterns to the viewer. The concepts of the invention also include formation of diffusion type holograms for high gain directional viewing screens.

Growing community of inventors

Saline, MI, United States of America

James A Arns