A two-dimensional (2D) beam steering device may include a variable refractive index panel configured to generate a prism effect, a waveguide in contact with a surface of the variable refractive index panel, and an electro-optic prism disposed on a surface of the waveguide. The variable refractive index panel may include a variable refractive index layer, a common electrode layer, and an electrode pattern layer. The common electrode layer and the electrode pattern layer may face each other with the variable refractive index layer therebetween.

A two-dimensional (2D) beam steering device may include a variable refractive index panel configured to generate a prism effect, a waveguide in contact with a surface of the variable refractive index panel, and an electro-optic prism disposed on a surface of the waveguide. The variable refractive index panel may include a variable refractive index layer, a common electrode layer, and an electrode pattern layer. The common electrode layer and the electrode pattern layer may face each other with the variable refractive index layer therebetween.

A beam-steering optical transceiver is provided. The transceiver includes one or more modules, each comprising an antenna chip and a control chip bonded to the antenna chip. Each antenna chip has a feeder waveguide, a plurality of row waveguides that tap off from the feeder waveguide, and a plurality of metallic nanoantenna elements arranged in a two-dimensional array of rows and columns such that each row overlies one of the row waveguides. Each antenna chip also includes a plurality of independently addressable thermo-optical phase shifters, each configured to produce a thermo-optical phase shift in a respective row. Each antenna chip also has, for each row, a row-wise heating circuit configured to produce a respective thermo-optic phase shift at each nanoantenna element along its row. The control chip includes controllable current sources for the independently addressable thermo-optical phase shifters and the row-wise heating circuits.

An imaging directional backlight apparatus including a waveguide, a light source array, for providing large area directed illumination from localized light sources. The waveguide may include a stepped structure, in which the steps may further include extraction features optically hidden to guided light, propagating in a first forward direction. Returning light propagating in a second backward direction may be refracted, diffracted, or reflected by the features to provide discrete illumination beams exiting from the top surface of the waveguide. The directional backlight may be arranged to switch between at least a first wide angular luminance profile mode and a second narrow angular luminance profile mode. The directional backlight is arranged to illuminate an LCD with a bias electrode arranged to switch liquid crystal directors in black state pixels between a first wide angular contrast profile mode and a second narrow angular contrast profile mode. Performance of privacy operation for off-axis snoopers is enhanced in comparison to displays with only directional backlights or switchable contrast properties.

An imaging directional backlight apparatus including a waveguide, a light source array, for providing large area directed illumination from localized light sources. The waveguide may include a stepped structure, in which the steps may further include extraction features optically hidden to guided light, propagating in a first forward direction. Returning light propagating in a second backward direction may be refracted, diffracted, or reflected by the features to provide discrete illumination beams exiting from the top surface of the waveguide. The directional backlight may be arranged to switch between at least a first wide angular luminance profile mode and a second narrow angular luminance profile mode. The directional backlight is arranged to illuminate an LCD with a bias electrode arranged to switch liquid crystal directors in black state pixels between a first wide angular contrast profile mode and a second narrow angular contrast profile mode. Performance of privacy operation for off-axis snoopers is enhanced in comparison to displays with only directional backlights or switchable contrast properties.

An optical component includes an optical device comprising a bonding face and an optically polished end face, and a metal film formed on the bonding face of the optical device and for bonding the optical device onto a substrate. The metal film includes a main covering portion covering a region except an end part of the bonding face on the side of the end face and an end part-covering portion covering the bonding face in the end part. A non-covered part, which is not covered by the metal film, is provided between the main covering portion and end part-covering portion.

Disclosed is an optoelectromechanical switch that includes: an optical feedline disposed on an isolation substrate that receives resonator light that is subject to optical communication to a resonator when a cavity length of the resonator supports an electromagnetic mode at the wavelength of the resonator light; a resonator including: a low refractive index optical layer and receives substrate electrical counter potential; a non-conductive spacer; the electrically conductive membrane and that receives a membrane electrical potential and deflects toward and away from the electrically conductive high-index optical waveguide based on a difference in potential between the membrane electrical potential and the substrate electrical counter potential; the cavity length that is variable and under electromechanical control.

Disclosed is an optoelectromechanical switch that includes: an optical feedline disposed on an isolation substrate that receives resonator light that is subject to optical communication to a resonator when a cavity length of the resonator supports an electromagnetic mode at the wavelength of the resonator light; a resonator including: a low refractive index optical layer and receives substrate electrical counter potential; a non-conductive spacer; the electrically conductive membrane and that receives a membrane electrical potential and deflects toward and away from the electrically conductive high-index optical waveguide based on a difference in potential between the membrane electrical potential and the substrate electrical counter potential; the cavity length that is variable and under electromechanical control.

A two-dimensional photonic crystal in which are inserted four waveguides and a resonant cavity. Owing to the existence of the photonic band gap, an electromagnetic signal propagating through the device is confined within the guides and the cavity and, through the adjustment of the orientation of a dipole mode generated within the cavity, is able to function in three distinct regimes. In regime 1, subjected to an external DC magnetic field +H0, it functions as a two-way divider, with isolation of the input relative to the two outputs, and, upon reversal of the field signal, it functions as an optical key. In regime 2, with the use of a DC magnetic field −H0, it functions as a waveguide bender, with the input isolated from the output, and, upon reversal of the field signal, functions as an optical key. In regime 3, subject to the application of an external DC magnetic field +H1, the device functions as a three-way divider.

A two-dimensional photonic crystal in which are inserted four waveguides and a resonant cavity. Owing to the existence of the photonic band gap, an electromagnetic signal propagating through the device is confined within the guides and the cavity and, through the adjustment of the orientation of a dipole mode generated within the cavity, is able to function in three distinct regimes. In regime 1, subjected to an external DC magnetic field +H0, it functions as a two-way divider, with isolation of the input relative to the two outputs, and, upon reversal of the field signal, it functions as an optical key. In regime 2, with the use of a DC magnetic field −H0, it functions as a waveguide bender, with the input isolated from the output, and, upon reversal of the field signal, functions as an optical key. In regime 3, subject to the application of an external DC magnetic field +H1, the device functions as a three-way divider.