The University of Arizona

Pierre Alexandre Blanche

Brittany Lynn

Nasser N Peyghambarian

Pedro Enrique Alcaraz

Remington Spencer Ketchum

Craig Thomas Draper

Eric C Pearce

A static optical system, for use with a phase modulator, configured to expand (at least up to 4π steradian) the solid angle range within which a light beam can propagate from and after interacting with the phase modulator. A specific embodiment includes a first holographic disperser (a layer with at least one hologram recorded therein, a lens element configured as a large spherical cap, and a second holographic disperser (a layer with at least one hologram in it) shaped as a shell against second optical surface of the lens element. Holographic dispersers carry/contain angularly-selective multiplexed volume holograms.

Expansion of angular distribution of a light beam to cover a solid angle of up to 4pi steradians

Methodology of unwrapping of phase from an optical image in the presence of both noise and unreliable phase fringes configured to tackle both problems simultaneously and, in the most efficient of multiple related implementations, including at least three prongs: i) SD-ROM based denoising procedure, ii) reliable estimation of the gradient of both the wrapped and unwrapped phase with the use of the forward and inverse Laplacian operators; and iii) fringe quality improvement with the use of Fuzzy Logic based Edge Detection. Transformation of optical images with the use of such methodology to provide an image representing visually-perceivable representation of the object's shape. Computer program product configured to implement the same.

Determination of a true shape of an object based on transformation of its optical image

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for translating optical beams.

Method to translate a non-collimated optical beam

A light-combining optical imager includes a spatially-curved waveguide-body complemented with at least two and preferably at least three holographic layers disposed on the surface(s) of the waveguide-body to couple light into the waveguide-body, optionally redirect its propagation inside the waveguide-body, and outcouple light from the waveguide body to form an optical image with reduced aberrations and&#x2014;when desired&#x2014;while expanding the pupil size of the imager upon propagation of light through the waveguide-body to achieve a one-to-one optical conjugation between an object and an image. At least one of the holographic layers includes potions having different diffraction efficiencies. At least one of the holographic layers is optionally configured to operate as a non-zero optical power lens element. Spatial separations between the holographic layers judiciously relate to dimensions of the portions of the holographic layers to achieve the desired result.

Light combiner employing a curved waveguide system

System and method utilizing a reconfigurable in real-time phase-modulating diffractive device (in a specific case&#x2014;a 2D array of micro-mirror elements) in conjunction with another diffractive element (active or passive) to spatially steer a beam of polychromatic light such that light reaches the identified target without being substantially angularly dispersed.

Diffraction-based light beam scanner

Optical modality configured to simulate measurements of the radar cross-section of targets, dimensioned to be conventionally-measured in the RF-portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, with sub-micron accuracy. A corresponding compact optical system, with a foot-print comparable with a tabletop, employing optical interferometric time-of-flight approach to reproduce, on a substantially shorter time-scale, radar-ranging measurements ordinarily pertaining to the range of frequencies that are at least 10times lower than those employed in the conventional RF-based measurement.

Transposition of a measurement of a radar cross section from an RF-domain to an optical domain with phase retrieval

An optical imaging system employing a device containing a sequence of first (pre-dispersor) and second (main) volume holograms configured to operate as a sequence of optical diffractive elements possessing different blazing curves. A pre-cursor hologram has a thickness smaller than the thickness of the following, disperser hologram, and a comparatively broad spectral selectivity as compared to that of the main hologram, allowing the pre-cursor to diffract light in transmission within a very large range of the angles of incidence. The use of the combination of the pre-cursor and the main holograms not only implements selective imaging of the chosen target object at every angle at which various portions of the object are seen at the optical system, but also facilitates the spectroscopic measurements of such object.

Enhancing daytime detection of objects with the use of a system incorporating dual diffractive elements with corresponding diffraction efficiencies and bandwidths

Transposition of a measurement of a radar cross-section from an RF-domain to an optical domain

Optical switch based on a micro-minor device such as a DMD configured to simultaneously switch light from N inputs to M outputs with switching times of about 10 microseconds, where N and M are generally greater than one. The minors of the device are oriented according to a pattern calculated based on a Fourier Transform of spatial distribution of M outputs such as to form, in diffraction of light incident on the device, and diffraction light pattern that in the output plane is substantially congruent with the spatial distribution of M outputs. The device can be configured as a modulator of amplitude and/or a modulator of phase of incident light wavefront.

Reconfigurable diffractive optical switch and method for operating the same

Optical switch based on a micro-mirror device such as a DMD for simultaneous switching light from N inputs to M outputs with switching times of about 10 microseconds, where N and M are generally greater than one. The mirrors of the device are oriented according to a pattern calculated based on a Fourier Transform of spatial distribution of M outputs such as to form, in diffraction of light incident on the device, an diffraction light pattern that in the output plane is substantially congruent with the spatial distribution of M outputs. The device can be configured as a modulator of amplitude and/or a modulator of phase of incident light wavefront.

Growing community of inventors

Tucson, AZ, United States of America

Pierre Alexandre Blanche