Described herein is a wavelength dispersive optical system (10). The system (10) comprises at least one optical input (12, 14, 16) for projecting an input optical beam comprising a plurality of individual wavelength components and at least one optical output (18) for receiving one or more output optical beams. The system (10) also includes a diffractive optical element (DOE) (1) including a substrate (2) and an array of physical diffraction elements (3). The diffraction elements (3) have a predefined spacing and/or curvature across a length of the DOE (1) and are collectively adapted to: i) spatially separate the individual wavelength components within the input optical beam to be formed into the one or more output optical beams; ii) impose predefined phase changes to the wavelength components to at least partially correct for optical aberrations to the input optical beam; and iii) impose predefined phase changes to the wavelength components to apply a wavelength dependent optical focusing to at least some of the wavelength components. The system (10) further includes an optical focusing element (5) having optical focusing properties complementary to the DOE (1) to modify the wavelength-dependent optical focusing of the wavelength components by the DOE (1).

An array of optical resonators includes at least a first type of optical resonators each having a resonant response to an optical field at a first wavelength, and a second type of optical resonators each having a resonant response to an optical field at a second wavelength, being different from the first wavelength. The resonant responses can be selected to reduce chromatic aberrations, or to shape a profile of a light beam, or to selectively switch a near field beam.

This disclosure describes optical assemblies that generate output with substantial stability over a wide variation in temperature. The optical assemblies can be integrated, for example, as part of array generators arranged to project an array or other pattern of dots onto an object or projection plane.

An image display device includes an image light generation unit configured to generate image light, a projection system optical unit configured to project the image light, a correction system optical unit configured to correct aberrations, a first diffraction element configured to deflect the image light incident on a first incident surface, and a second diffraction element configured to deflect the image light incident on a second incident surface. The projection system optical unit, the second diffraction element, the correction system optical unit, and the first diffraction element are arranged in this order in a direction of the image light emitted from the image light generation unit, and the image light deflected and dispersed into rays of respective wavelengths by the second diffraction element is focused by the first diffraction element.

Methods, systems and devices for diffractive waveplate lens and mirror systems allowing electronically 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.

A multilayer grating is a diffraction grating that includes a plurality of layers. The plurality of layers arranged to form a 2-dimensional grating, the layers including at least a first patterned layer and a second patterned layer. The first patterned layer includes a plurality of different materials that are arranged in a first pattern such that the first patterned layer has a first index profile. The second patterned layer includes a plurality of different materials that are arranged in a second pattern such that the second patterned layer has a second index profile that is inverted relative to the first index profile. Ambient light incident on the first patterned layer and the second patterned layer creates a first diffracted ray and a second diffracted ray, respectively, and the first diffracted ray and the second diffracted ray destructively interfere with each other based in part on the inverted index profile.

A head up display can use a catadioptric collimating system. The head up display includes an image source. The head up display also includes a collimating mirror, and a polarizing beam splitter. The light from the image source enters the beam splitter and is reflected toward the collimating mirror. The light striking the collimating mirror is reflected through the beam splitter toward a combiner. A field lens can include a diffractive surface. A corrector lens can be disposed after the beam splitter.

Methods, systems and devices for diffractive waveplate lens and mirror systems allowing electronically 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.

[Problem to be Solved]

There are provided an optical system having good imaging performance, an optical apparatus, and a method for manufacturing the optical system.

[Solution]

An optical system OL used in an optical apparatus, such as a camera 1, includes a diffractive optical element GD and at least one specific lens Lp, which is a lens made of crystalline glass. The specific lens Lp satisfies the condition expressed by the following expression: gFp+0.0017dp<0.730, where gFp represents partial dispersion ratio of a medium of the specific lens Lp, and dp represents the Abbe number of the medium of the specific lens Lp at a d line.

A flat lens system includes a wedge-shaped refractive material having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface for refracting incident light beams from an object having a width of Y, from the first surface towards the second surface; a reflective material positioned at the second surface of the wedge-shaped refractive material for reflecting the refracted light beams at a first angle toward the first surface, wherein the reflected light beams are refracted from the first surface at a second angle to form an image of the object having a width of X and including chromatic aberrations; and an apparatus for processing the image of the object to reduce said chromatic aberrations.