Certain examples are directed to optical elements or devices that pass or process the light based on a set of connectable metasurface elements having been topology optimized. The connectable metasurface elements are independently optimized or designed to have each section having its own metasurface phase profile corresponding to a desired phase profile. In this way, such devices need not be designed or manufactured by importing a large number of results into simulation efforts, thereby realizing significant saving in terms of optimization time and computational power.

An image sensing device includes a pixel array configured to include a first pixel group and a second pixel group that are contiguous to each other, each of the first pixel group and second pixel group including a plurality of imaging pixels to convert light into pixel signals, and a light field lens array disposed over the pixel array to direct light to the imaging pixels and configured as a moveable structure that is operable to move between a first position and a second position in a horizontal direction by a predetermined distance corresponding to a width of the first pixel group or a width of the second pixel group, the light field lens array configured to include one or more lens regions each including a light field lens and one or more open regions formed without the light field lens to enable both light filed imaging and conventional imaging.

Provided in an illumination device including a display panel including a first surface configured to display an image, a second surface opposite to the first surface, a plurality of display pixels disposed between the first surface and the second surface, and a transmission window configured to transmit light incident on the second surface through the first surface, a light source disposed at the second surface of the display panel and configured to emit light to an object toward the display panel, and a light deliverer disposed between the light source and the display panel, the light deliverer configured to deliver the light emitted from the light source to the object as flood illumination through the transmission window.

The invention relates optical devices, for example pixelated devices such as an optical device having a plurality of coloured pixels, each said pixel comprising a filter structure, the filter structure comprising: a first metallic layer; a dielectric layer over said first metallic layer; and a second metallic layer over said dielectric layer; wherein said second metallic layer comprises a nanostructured metallic layer having a lateral structure with features having at least one characteristic lateral dimension equal to or less than 1 μm, and wherein said second metallic layer is structured to couple light incident on said second metallic layer into at least two absorption modes of the filter structure, one to either side of a target wavelength, such that said filter structure appears coloured at said target wavelength in reflected or transmitted light.

An optical device is provided that comprises a multi-order diffractive Fresnel lens (MOD-DFL) and an achromatizing compensation mechanism that reduces refractive dispersion created by the MOD-DFL, thereby reducing the focal range of the MOD-DFL. A method is also provided of using the optical device in an image processing system to obtain images of an object and processing the images to perform image enhancement.

The invention relates to a diffractive optical grating and applications thereof. The grating comprises a first zone and a second zone each having a two-dimensionally periodic grating structure having a first period (d.sub.x) in a first direction, the first period being chosen to allow for diffraction of selected wavelengths of visible light along the first direction, and a second period (d.sub.y) in a second direction different from the first direction, the second period (d.sub.y) being short enough to prevent diffraction of said selected wavelengths along the second direction. According to the invention, the grating structures in the first zone and in the second zone have different modulation characteristics in said second direction for producing different diffraction efficiencies for the first and second zones. The invention provides a new design parameter, sub-wavelength modulation, for assisting in local adjustment of diffraction efficiency of gratings in particular in display applications.

An image sensor includes a substrate, a first thin lens configured to concentrate light of a first wavelength, and including a plurality of first scatterers disposed on the substrate. The plurality of first scatterers includes a material having a refractive index greater than a refractive index of the substrate. The image sensor further includes a plurality of light-sensing cells configured to sense the light concentrated by the first thin lens.

Holographic and diffractive optical encoding techniques for forming reflection or transmission holograms. The encoding device includes a substrate having an interference pattern that can propagate light along a light propagation path from one side of the substrate to another side of the substrate. Furthermore, an optical element may be used to propagate light according to a four-dimensional light field coordinate system.

Certain examples are directed to optical elements or devices that pass or process the light based on a set of connectable metasurface elements having been topology optimized. The connectable metasurface elements are independently optimized or designed to have each section having its own metasurface phase profile corresponding to a desired phase profile. In this way, such devices need not be designed or manufactured by importing a large number of results into simulation efforts, thereby realizing significant saving in terms of optimization time and computational power.

A diffractive optical element and method for fabricating the diffractive optical element are provided. The diffractive optical element includes a substrate, a first diffractive structure layer and a second diffractive structure layer. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first diffractive structure layer is disposed on the first surface of the substrate. The second diffractive structure layer is disposed on the second surface of the substrate. In the method for fabricating the diffractive optical element, at first, the substrate is provided. Then, a first glue material layer/first semiconductor layer is formed and patterned on the first surface of the substrate. Thereafter, a second glue material layer/second semiconductor layer is formed and patterned on the second surface of the substrate.