A phase-adjusting element configured to provide substantially liquid-invariant extended depth of field for an associated optical lens. One example of a lens incorporating the phase-adjusting element includes the lens having surface with a modulated relief defining a plurality of regions including a first region and a second region, the first region having a depth relative to the second region, and a plurality of nanostructures formed in the first region. The depth of the first region and a spacing between adjacent nanostructures of the plurality of nanostructures is selected to provide a selected average index of refraction of the first region, and the spacing between adjacent nanostructures of the plurality of nanostructures is sufficiently small that the first region does not substantially diffract visible light.

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.

An optic configured for variable wavefront shaping of electromagnetic radiation comprises first and second optical elements each including a solidified heterogeneous coalescence of nanocomposite material providing respective first and second complex dielectric-function gradients. The first and second optical elements are arranged in tandem along an optical axis and together provide wavefront shaping that varies in dependence on a displacement of the first optical element relative to the second optical element.

A low distortion lens suited for a wide variety of applications uses a double plane symmetry lens as part of a lens system to permit aberration correction to be optimized in the field of view of an associated sensor. Wide angle, Kepler telescopic and Galileo telescopic designs can be implemented. The design can be implemented using existing manufacturing techniques.

Systems and methods for providing an optical system in a head-mounted display (HMD) that is operable to modify virtual image light to correct for one or more vision conditions of a user's eyes. The optical system includes a left optical subsystem for the left eye and a right optical system for the right eye. Each optical subsystem includes a first correction portion and a second correction portion each having a lens assembly. A first lens assembly includes a first set of lenses having a first lens selectively adjustable along a first axis transverse to an optical path of the virtual image light. A second lens assembly includes a second set of lenses having a second lens selectively rotatable around a second axis transverse to the first axis. Selective adjustment of the first lens and the second lens helps to correct for the vision conditions in the user's eyes.

Systems, devices, and assemblies for implementing multi-focal lens portions in wearable heads-up displays are described. Multi-focal lens portions may include at least two regions having different optical power, and at least one transition region between regions having different optical power. If display light is directed through a transition region, aberrations or distortion may be visible in the display presented to the user. The present systems, devices, and assemblies address this issue through shaping, positioning, and orienting of regions of a multi-focal lens portion, through positioning, orientation, and aiming of display optics, and/or through arrangements of lens assemblies which prevent display light from travelling through a multi-focal lens portion.

A varifocal lens includes a first phase plate and a second phase plate which are rotatable relative to each other about an optical axis. The first phase plate includes a plurality of first phase conversion elements, the second phase plate includes a plurality of second phase conversion elements, and the plurality of first phase conversion elements and the plurality of second phase conversion elements are arranged so that light transmitted through the first phase plate and the second phase plate is focused on different positions on the optical axis depending on a relative rotational displacement between the first phase plate and the second phase plate.

Optical apparatus includes an electrically-tunable lens, including an electro-optical layer, having, for a given polarization of light incident on the layer, an effective local index of refraction at any given location within an active area of the electro-optical layer that is determined by a voltage waveform applied across the electro-optical layer at the location. Conductive electrodes extend over opposing first and second sides of the electro-optical layer and include an array of excitation electrodes. Control circuitry applies control voltage waveforms to the excitation electrodes. A polarization rotator is positioned and configured to intercept incoming light that is directed toward the lens and to rotate a polarization of the intercepted light so as to ensure that the light incident on the electro-optical layer has a component of the given polarization regardless of an initial linear polarization of the intercepted light.

A phase-adjusting element configured to provide substantially liquid-invariant extended depth of field for an associated optical lens. One example of a lens incorporating the phase-adjusting element includes the lens having surface with a modulated relief defining a plurality of regions including a first region and a second region, the first region having a depth relative to the second region, and a plurality of nanostructures formed in the first region. The depth of the first region and a spacing between adjacent nanostructures of the plurality of nanostructures is selected to provide a selected average index of refraction of the first region, and the spacing between adjacent nanostructures of the plurality of nanostructures is sufficiently small that the first region does not substantially diffract visible light.

A phase-adjusting element configured to provide substantially liquid-invariant extended depth of field for an associated optical lens. One example of a lens incorporating the phase-adjusting element includes the lens having surface with a modulated relief defining a plurality of regions including a first region and a second region, the first region having a depth relative to the second region, and a plurality of nanostructures formed in the first region. The depth of the first region and a spacing between adjacent nanostructures of the plurality of nanostructures is selected to provide a selected average index of refraction of the first region, and the spacing between adjacent nanostructures of the plurality of nanostructures is sufficiently small that the first region does not substantially diffract visible light.