Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a device including a light projector. An example light projector includes a light source that emits a light, a first diffractive optical element block comprising a first diffractive optical element and a first refractive material, and a second diffractive optical element block comprising a second diffractive optical element and a second refractive material. The first diffractive optical element is configured to project a first distribution of light, and the first refractive material is configured to switch the first diffractive optical element between projecting the first distribution of light and being prevented from projecting the first distribution of light. The second diffractive optical element is configured to project a second distribution of light, and the second refractive material is configured to switch the second diffractive optical element between projecting the second distribution of light and being prevented from projecting the second distribution of light.

The technology disclosed relates to developing an acousto-optic device (AOD) using an alpha-barium borate (αBBO) crystal. An AOD using αBBO enables high-resolution microlithographic patterning. The AOD includes a slab of αBBO coupled to an RF transducer that drives an acoustic wave through the crystal structure. A laser source emits a beam of light that is incident on the crystal surface. The propagated acoustic wave acts as a diffraction grating that diffracts the incident wave. Using an αBBO crystal allows for high resolution of light in the ultraviolet and visible spectra. The low speed of acoustic wave propagation through the crystal allows for more laser spots to be imaged than AODs made using other types of crystals.

A light field generation system includes a two dimensional emitter array for projecting light and a directionally-sensitive optical element in front of the emitter array but before a directional diffuser. Certain classes of emitters are intended to project information principally along one axis (e.g. amplitude modulated in the horizontal plane, i.e. so that each eye sees a potentially different image) and are the basis of horizontal-parallax-only (HPO) displays. Examples include surface acoustic wave (SAW) modulators, such as edge-emitting or surface-emitting modulators. They often project undesired or stray light along directions along a different axis (e.g. vertically) and the diffuser will also spread the visibility of the stray light field components. Thus, the directionally-sensitive optical element will improve contrast in this scenario.

A light steeling system and method for diffractive steering of electromagnetic radiation such as visible light is disclosed. Embodiments of the light steering system include leaky-mode SAW modulators as light modulator devices. The SAW modulators preferably include reflective diffractive gratings. The gratings are mounted to/patterned upon an exit face that opposes an exit surface of the SAW modulator, in one example. Steering of light signals emitted from the SAW modulators in these systems can be accomplished by varying wavelength of light signals introduced to the SAW modulators, and/or by varying frequency of RF drive signals applied to the SAW modulators. In addition, light field generators that incorporate SAW modulators of the proposed light steering system within displays of the light field generators are also disclosed.

An apparatus includes an acousto-optical deflector (AOD) system operative to deflect a beam of laser energy within a two-dimensional scan field. The AOD system includes a first AOD operative to deflect the beam of laser energy along a first axis of the two-dimensional scan field; a second AOD arranged optically downstream of the first AOD, wherein the second AOD is operative to deflect the beam of laser energy along a second axis of the two-dimensional scan field; and a controller operatively coupled to the AOD system. The controller is configured to drive each of the first AOD and the second AOD to deflect the beam of laser energy within the two-dimensional scan field and is further configured to drive the first AOD and the second AOD at at least substantially the same diffraction efficiency.

Provided are devices and methods capable of electronically controlling and varying aperture diameters or diffracting light. The method provides a solid-state device made up of a transparent bottom electrode (TBE), a layer of liquid crystal (LC) material overlying the TBE, and a field of selectively engageable transparent top electrodes (TTEs). Light incident to the TTEs is accepted and a voltage differential between one or more selected TTEs and the TBE. As a result, an optically transparent region is created in the LC material interposed between the selected TTEs and the TBE. Depending on the arrangement of the TTEs and their size respective to the wavelength of the incident light, the light is either transmitted through an aperture or diffracted.

A hologram reproducing apparatus is provided that includes a display configured to display a hologram pattern and emit a write beam corresponding thereto, a relay lens disposed at a front surface of the display and comprising an array of microlenses each focusing the write beam, a spatial light modulator (SLM) disposed at a front surface of the relay lens, configured to write the hologram pattern according to the focused write beam and modulate a reproduction beam into a plurality of diffraction beams if the reproduction beam is incident, a light guide plate disposed between the relay lens and the SLM and configured to guide the reproduction beam toward the SLM, a filter disposed at a front surface of the SLM and configured to filter the plurality of diffraction beams and the write beam, and a lens configured to focus the plurality of diffraction beams filtered through the filter.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a device including a light projector. An example light projector includes a light source that emits a light, a first diffractive optical element block comprising a first diffractive optical element and a first refractive material, and a second diffractive optical element block comprising a second diffractive optical element and a second refractive material. The first diffractive optical element is configured to project a first distribution of light, and the first refractive material is configured to switch the first diffractive optical element between projecting the first distribution of light and being prevented from projecting the first distribution of light. The second diffractive optical element is configured to project a second distribution of light, and the second refractive material is configured to switch the second diffractive optical element between projecting the second distribution of light and being prevented from projecting the second distribution of light.

Provided are an irradiation device, a laser microscope system, an irradiation method, and a laser microscope detection method which can further widen a bandwidth of detection light as a multiplexed signal. Laser light beams are separated and enter a first AOD (24) and a second AOD (34) so that a plurality of first diffracted light beams and a plurality of second diffracted light beams with deflection angles and sizes of frequency shifts different from each other are generated. The first diffracted light beams and the second diffracted light beams are superposed by a beam splitter (19) so as to generate a plurality of interference light beams with beat frequencies different from each other. An objective lens (52) is formed by aligning a plurality of irradiation spots of interference light beam linearly in a main scanning direction and irradiates a sample (T) with the interference light beam. The irradiation spot is moved by oscillation of a scanning mirror (47a) in a sub scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. Fluorescence emitted from the sample (T) by irradiation of each interference light beam is detected by a light detection unit (13).

In one aspect, an optical device comprises a plurality of waveguides formed over one another and having formed thereon respective diffraction gratings, wherein the respective diffraction gratings are configured to diffract visible light incident thereon into respective waveguides, such that visible light diffracted into the respective waveguides propagates therewithin. The respective diffraction gratings are configured to diffract the visible light into the respective waveguides within respective field of views (FOVs) with respect to layer normal directions of the respective waveguides. The respective FOVs are such that the plurality of waveguides are configured to diffract the visible light within a combined FOV that is continuous and greater than each of the respective FOVs