Aspects of the present invention relate to methods and systems for the see-through computer display systems with an extended field of view.

Lightweight, compact, and cost-efficient solutions for increasing the exit pupil size for use in laser-scanner and waveguide based augmented-reality displays are disclosed. Light from a laser-scanner is focused onto intermediate image plane; a diffuser is positioned at the intermediate image plane to steer light efficiently in a desired direction; the pupil is then expanded with a lens assembly; the lens assembly can contain one or more aspherical and/or free-form optics; the output of the lens assembly can then act as the input to a waveguide plate or stack; and the result is a large field-of-view image with sufficiently large exit pupil to overcome/reduce the pupil-replication problem.

A light field imaging device and method are provided. The device can include a diffraction grating assembly receiving a wavefront from a scene and including one or more diffraction gratings, each having a grating period along a grating axis and diffracting the wavefront to generate a diffracted wavefront. The device can also include a pixel array disposed under the diffraction grating assembly and detecting the diffracted wavefront in a near-field diffraction regime to provide light field image data about the scene. The pixel array has a pixel pitch along the grating axis that is smaller than the grating period. The device can further include a color filter array disposed over the pixel array to spatio-chromatically sample the diffracted wavefront prior to detection by the pixel array. The device and method can be implemented in backside-illuminated sensor architectures. Diffraction grating assemblies for use in the device and method are also disclosed.

Techniques for creating, configuring, and employing diffusion light devices are presented. Such light device(s) can comprise or be associated with a light management component (LMC) that can employ sensors to monitor environmental conditions in a defined area of people or vehicles, and a diffusion component that can diffuse or otherwise process light. At a least a portion of the diffusion component and/or a light component can be formed of a fabric that can emit light and/or diffuse light. LMC can enhance function of the light device to manage diffusion of light or perform other tasks to enhance user experience and safety and security of people or vehicles. Based on results of analyzing sensor data relating to the conditions, LMC can determine and facilitate implementing an adjustment(s) to a parameter(s) of the diffusion component or light component to achieve desired emission or diffusion of light.

The disclosure relates to a detection method for optical signals in a three-dimensional region of a sample, and a detection method for marked antibodies and/or antigens on a biological surface. In the process, signals with a depth of field that is extended in relation to an original depth of field are captured and evaluated. Also, an apparatus includes an optical element in a detection beam path, a depth of field that is extended in relation to an original depth of field being generated by the effect of said optical element.

An illumination device comprises a laser source, a beam expander, a micromirror array having a first control system, a fast steering mirror having a second control system, a diaphragm array, a microlens array, an illumination lens group, and a reflection mirror sequentially along the propagation direction of the laser beam. The first control system comprises a first computer controlling each micromirror on the micro-mirror array through the micromirror array controller to rotate in two-dimensional directions so expanded beam forms desired intensity patterns on the diaphragm array after reflected by the micromirror array and fast reflection mirror and a micromirror array controller; the second control system comprises a second computer controlling the reflection mirror of the fast steering mirror to rotate through fast steering mirror controller so created intensity pattern moves relative to the diaphragm array and a fast steering mirror controller. Method for using the illumination device is provided.

Polarization state in retro-reflective arrays may be controlled throughout the optical path of a retro-reflective retro-imaging setup to enhance system efficiency. A polarization beam splitter layer and a retarder layer placed in front of the retro-reflector array may be oriented such that polarized light is used as source, source input light is efficiently reflected at the polarization beam splitter layer toward the retro-reflective layer, and polarization is converted to circular upon first pass through retarder layer. The polarization may also be oriented at or near 45° with respect to input polarization state, light may be retro-reflected and reconverged at the retro-reflective layer, and converted to linear polarization state. The light may then be rotated about 90° with respect to input linear state, and/or passed through the polarization beam splitter layer upon second pass to form the reconvergent image.

Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise a method and apparatus for a polarizing filter. The polarizing filter may be formed such that the filter has varying polarization axes for blocking reflected light emitted from various directions. The method and apparatus may utilize metal wires or molecular chains to form curved lines across the filter, where the curved lines define the polarization axes.

Provided is a micro-lens capable of changing a focal length. The micro-lens includes a plurality of electrodes, and an electrowetting liquid layer that is separable from the electrodes and that has a focal length that is controlled by a voltage applied to the electrodes.

Configurations are disclosed for presenting virtual reality and augmented reality experiences to users. The system may comprise an image-generating source to provide one or more frames of image data in a time-sequential manner, a light modulator configured to transmit light associated with the one or more frames of image data, a substrate to direct image information to a user's eye, wherein the substrate houses a plurality of reflectors, a first reflector of the plurality of reflectors to reflect transmitted light associated with a first frame of image data at a first angle to the user's eye, and a second reflector to reflect transmitted light associated with a second frame of the image data at a second angle to the user's eye.