An actuator may be integrated into an optical element such as a liquid lens and configured to create spherical curvature as well as a variable cylinder radius and axis in a surface of the optical element. An example actuator may include a stack of electromechanical layers, and electrodes configured to apply an electric field independently across each of the electromechanical layers. Within the stack, an orientation of neighboring electromechanical layers may differ, e.g., stepwise, by at least approximately 10°.

An optical processor is presented for applying optical processing to a light field passing through a predetermined imaging lens unit. The optical processor comprises a pattern in the form of spaced apart regions of different optical properties. The pattern is configured to define a phase coder, and a dispersion profile coder. The phase coder affects profiles of Through Focus Modulation Transfer Function (TFMTF) for different wavelength components of the light field in accordance with a predetermined profile of an extended depth of focusing to be obtained by the imaging lens unit. The dispersion profile coder is configured in accordance with the imaging lens unit and the predetermined profile of the extended depth of focusing to provide a predetermined overlapping between said TFMTF profiles within said predetermined profile of the extended depth of focusing.

Provided are projectors, each including a light source configured to emit laser light, a substrate spaced apart from the light source, a pattern mask including a pattern disposed on a first surface of the substrate, the first surface facing the light source, and a meta-lens including a plurality of first nanostructures formed on a second surface of the substrate, the second surface opposite the first surface, the nanostructures having a dimension of a sub-wavelength that is less than a wavelength of light emitted from the light source.

Methods, systems and devices for diffractive waveplate lens and mirror systems allowing electronically pointing and focusing light at different focal planes. The system can be incorporated into a variety of optical schemes for providing electrical control of transmission. In another embodiment, the system comprises diffractive waveplates of different functionality to provide a system for controlling not only focusing but other propagation properties of light including direction, phase profile, and intensity distribution. The diffractive waveplate lens and mirror systems are applicable to optical communication systems.

Optical beam steering and focusing systems, devices, and methods that utilize diffractive waveplates are improved to produce high efficiency at large beam deflection angles, particularly around normal incidence, by diffractive waveplate architectures comprising a special combination of liquid crystal polymer diffractive waveplate both layers with internal twisted structure and at a layer with uniform structure.

Wide aperture optical communications systems and methods are disclosed.

A first employs two lens arrays, arranged facing each other, and with one of the MLAs movable relative to the other.

A second aspect employs a plurality of electromagnetic radiation capture units positioned under a focusing unit such as a dome, such that incoming electromagnetic radiation incident on the dome is deflected by it, to reach each of the capture units with a different timing and intensity. The profile for the timings and intensities can be determined for a given transmitter using a calibration signal, and the profile is then used to extra data from data signals transmitted by the transmitter.

An optical processor is presented for applying optical processing to a light field passing through a predetermined imaging lens unit. The optical processor comprises a pattern in the form of spaced apart regions of different optical properties. The pattern is configured to define a phase coder, and a dispersion profile coder. The phase coder affects profiles of Through Focus Modulation Transfer Function (TFMTF) for different wavelength components of the light field in accordance with a predetermined profile of an extended depth of focusing to be obtained by the imaging lens unit. The dispersion profile coder is to configured in accordance with the imaging lens unit and the predetermined profile of the extended depth of focusing to provide a predetermined overlapping between said TFMTF profiles within said predetermined profile of the extended depth of focusing.

A time-varying optical metasurface, comprising a plurality of modulated nano-antennas configured to vary dynamically over time. The metasurface may be implemented as part of an optical isolator, wherein the time-varying metasurface provides uni-directional light flow. The metasurface allows the breakage of Lorentz reciprocity in time-reversal. The metasurface may operate in a transmission mode or a reflection mode.

Systems include three optical elements arranged along an optical axis each having a different cylinder axis and a variable cylinder refractive power. Collectively, the three elements form a compound optical element having an overall spherical refractive power (SPH), cylinder refractive power (CYL), and cylinder axis (Axis) that can be varied according to a prescription (Rx).

An optical assembly having at least a first optical element and a second optical element, both of which are arranged to be movable in a guided manner, is provided. A guide common to both optical elements is present, which provides a guide path that is common to both optical elements during the guided movement of the first optical element and during the guided movement of the second optical element.