A method includes directing a first plurality of probe laser pulses through a sample, dividing each of the first plurality of probe laser pulses to generate a first interferogram, and generating first image data reproducible as a first phase image of the sample. A plurality of pump laser bursts are directed onto the sample to heat the sample. A second plurality of probe laser pulses are directed through the sample at a predetermined time delay. Each of the second plurality of probe laser pulses are divided to generate a second interferogram. Second image data is generated that is reproducible as a second phase image of the sample. A transient phase shift is determined in the second phase image relative to the first phase image. A vibrational spectroscopy property is determined of the sample based on the transient phase shift, thereby allowing an identification of chemical bond information of within the sample.

A method includes generating, by an illumination source, an optical beam and coupling the optical beam into an acousto-optic device. The acousto-optic device generates structured light from the coupled optical beam by diffracting the optical beam into at least two interfering optical beams. The interfering optical beams are then used to illuminate a surface of an eye of a user of a display for use in eye-tracking.

A method includes generating, by an illumination source, an optical beam and coupling the optical beam into an acousto-optic device. The acousto-optic device generates structured light from the coupled optical beam by diffracting the optical beam into at least two interfering optical beams. The interfering optical beams are then used to illuminate a surface of an eye of a user of a display for use in eye-tracking.

An electro-holographic light field generator device is disclosed. The light field generator device has an optical substrate with a waveguide face and an exit face. One or more surface acoustic wave (SAW) optical modulator devices are included within each light field generator device. The SAW devices each include a light input, a waveguide, and a SAW transducer, all configured for guided mode confinement of input light within the waveguide. A leaky mode deflection of a portion of the waveguided light, or diffractive light, impinges upon the exit face. Multiple output optics at the exit face are configured for developing from each of the output optics a radiated exit light from the diffracted light for at least one of the waveguides. An RF controller is configured to control the SAW devices to develop the radiated exit light as a three-dimensional output light field with horizontal parallax and compatible with observer vertical motion.

Methods and systems of altering optical reflection via dynamic control of an ultrasonic/acoustic guided wave field in an acousto-optical wave conductor are described. Ultrasonic/acoustic waves transmitted by an acousto-optical wave conductor are used to modify the ability of the acousto-optical wave conductor to propagate light waves via the acousto-optical wave conductor when a light beam impinges onto one surface of the acousto-optical wave conductor. A one-way optical device may be produced by using a dynamic tuning approach to modify the sound field via mode and frequency choice (and possibly beam focusing and steering as well) in order to produce special light reflection and transmission effects. Oscillations in stress (and mass density) along the acousto-optical wave conductor and possibly across the thickness of the acousto-optical wave conductor may serve as a special acousto-optic Bragg diffraction grating that alters the nonspecular reflection of light.

Methods and systems of altering optical reflection via dynamic control of an ultrasonic/acoustic guided wave field in an acousto-optical wave conductor are described. Ultrasonic/acoustic waves transmitted by an acousto-optical wave conductor are used to modify the ability of the acousto-optical wave conductor to propagate light waves via the acousto-optical wave conductor when a light beam impinges onto one surface of the acousto-optical wave conductor. A one-way optical device may be produced by using a dynamic tuning approach to modify the sound field via mode and frequency choice (and possibly beam focusing and steering as well) in order to produce special light reflection and transmission effects. Oscillations in stress (and mass density) along the acousto-optical wave conductor and possibly across the thickness of the acousto-optical wave conductor may serve as a special acousto-optic Bragg diffraction grating that alters the nonspecular reflection of light.

A system and method for improving spatial light modulator (SLM) devices such as Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) modulators are disclosed. The SAW modulators can improved angular bandwidth and suppress unwanted diffractive orders. In one example, a coating layer(s) is applied to a proximal face of the SAW modulator to improve coupling of guided modes into leaky modes. Additionally, applying coating layers(s) such as a hybrid anti-reflective/highly reflective coating to an exit face of the SAW modulator can suppress transmission of undesired diffractive order(s).

A system and method for improving spatial light modulator (SLM) devices such as Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) modulators are disclosed. The SAW modulators can improved angular bandwidth and suppress unwanted diffractive orders. In one example, a coating layer(s) is applied to a proximal face of the SAW modulator to improve coupling of guided modes into leaky modes. Additionally, applying coating layers(s) such as a hybrid anti-reflective/highly reflective coating to an exit face of the SAW modulator can suppress transmission of undesired diffractive order(s).

In a method for forming a holographic image, light is provided to a flat-panel holographic video display that includes waveguide elements that each have a light-guiding substrate and an array of transducers configured to produce a diffraction grating comprising surface acoustic waves. The grating causes the waveguide to outcouple light, focusing it to, or producing wavefront curvatures consistent with it having emanated from, one or more points, in order to form a holographic image. The transducer array may include a large number of densely packed, vertically-adjacent transducers for each hogel for full parallax or may include a small number of vertically-adjacent transducers and a cylindrical optical element for each hogel. The display may be edge-illuminated by a collinear multicolor source. The substrate exit face may have nanopatterned areas alternated with flat areas in order to create regions of optimal internal reflection next to regions of low reflection.

In a method for forming a holographic image, light is provided to a flat-panel holographic video display that includes waveguide elements that each have a light-guiding substrate and an array of transducers configured to produce a diffraction grating comprising surface acoustic waves. The grating causes the waveguide to outcouple light, focusing it to, or producing wavefront curvatures consistent with it having emanated from, one or more points, in order to form a holographic image. The transducer array may include a large number of densely packed, vertically-adjacent transducers for each hogel for full parallax or may include a small number of vertically-adjacent transducers and a cylindrical optical element for each hogel. The display may be edge-illuminated by a collinear multicolor source. The substrate exit face may have nanopatterned areas alternated with flat areas in order to create regions of optimal internal reflection next to regions of low reflection.