G02F1/0322

Advanced spatial light modulators, associated systems and methods

A spatial light modulator system includes a concentration layer including an array of optical concentrators, such that each concentrator concentrates a portion of an input light beam. A modulation layer includes an array of light modulators each in optical communication with one of the optical concentrators for modulating the portion of the input light beam. The light modulators are spaced apart from one another in the modulation layer to form gaps between adjacent ones of the light modulators. A coil of each light modulator can surround a Faraday element or core containing a Faraday material to control a magnetic state of a Faraday material responsive to control signals.

Use of electronically controlled polarization elements for the initiation and optimization of laser mode-locking

Apparatus for modelocking a fiber laser cavity includes two variable retarder assemblies and a polarizing element. The variable retarder assemblies each have two electronically addressable elements and one fixed element. The first variable retarder assembly prepares a polarization state suitable for NPE modelocking to be launched into the fiber, and the second variable retarder assembly controls the polarization state after exiting the fiber, before being incident on the polarizing element. A control system controls the electronically addressable phase retarders in order to create and modify conditions for modelocking the fiber laser.

Light Path Defining Apparatus and Methods
20210194141 · 2021-06-24 ·

An apparatus includes a horn having a horn body including at least one horn sidewall defining a first opening that tapers down to a second opening in a direction of elongation and a port that is tubular and dimensionally uniform transverse to the direction of elongation and extends in the direction of elongation from a first port end that is in communication with the second opening to a second port end that defines an external opening. A dielectric rod includes a rod length extending between a first rod end and a second rod end with the first rod end extending through the external opening of the second port end and into the port cavity such that the first rod end is in a spaced apart relationship from the port sidewall along the light path.

Optical element and display device

An optical element configured to allow an image beam passing through is provided. The optical element includes a first and a second birefringent layer and a gas layer between the first and the second birefringent layer. An extension direction of the gas layer is inclined with respect to an extension direction of the optical element, wherein the image beam passes through the first birefringent layer, the gas layer and the second birefringent layer in sequence. A first and a second sub image beam having different deflection angles are generated from the image beam when the image beam enters the gas layer. After the first and the second sub image beam are emitted from the second birefringent layer, a transmission path of the first and the second sub image beam are offset from each other by an offset distance, thereby improving resolution of an image to be viewed.

An optical device for forming a distribution of a three-dimensional light field
20210033895 · 2021-02-04 ·

An optical device for forming a distribution of a three-dimensional light field comprises: an array of individually addressable unit cells; each unit cell in the array of unit cells comprising a stack including: at least one electrode; and a resonance defining layer, comprising at least a phase change material, PCM, layer, wherein the resonance defining layer is patterned to define a geometric structure dimensioned for defining a wavelength-dependent in-plane resonance of an electromagnetic wave; wherein the at least one electrode causes a phase change of the phase change material based on receiving a control signal to alter a wavelength-dependency of resonance in the resonance defining layer for controlling the optical property of the unit cell; wherein unit cells in the array of unit cells are separated such that the PCM layer of a unit cell is separated from the PCM layer in an adjacent unit cell.

ADVANCED OPTOELECTRONIC SYSTEM ARCHITECTURES AND ASSOCIATED METHODS USING SPATIAL LIGHT MODULATION
20210026166 · 2021-01-28 ·

An optoelectronic system includes a concentration layer, a modulation layer including an array of light modulators, an exit layer that receives the modulation layer output having a modulation layer output spatial distribution and remaps the modulation layer output spatial distribution to a modified spatial distribution. A collector layer receives the modified spatial distribution to produce a collector layer output. A detector receives the collector layer output. A processor controls the modulation layer and receives the detector output to generate an image. The collector layer can receive the modified spatial distribution at a plurality of collector layer inputs and combine the plurality of collector layer inputs at a collector layer output. Modulators can be configured to direct couple modulated light to a collector layer, without using an exit layer. Configurations with spatial light modulator modules and sub-modules are described.

ADVANCED SPATIAL LIGHT MODULATORS, ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS

A spatial light modulator system includes a concentration layer including an array of optical concentrators, such that each concentrator concentrates a portion of an input light beam. A modulation layer includes an array of light modulators each in optical communication with one of the optical concentrators for modulating the portion of the input light beam. The light modulators are spaced apart from one another in the modulation layer to form gaps between adjacent ones of the light modulators. A coil of each light modulator can surround a Faraday element or core containing a Faraday material to control a magnetic state of a Faraday material responsive to control signals.

Solid state reflective display

A switchable reflective colour filter is provided for use in a display device. The switchable reflective colour filter includes a plurality of sub-pixel regions of at least two colour types, each including a layer of phase change material which is switchable between a first state and a second state, the first and second states being two solid but structurally distinct states having different optical properties. Each sub-pixel region further includes two electrode layers, a mirror layer, and a spacer layer or air gap. The phase change material layer in each sub-pixel region is positioned between the two electrode layers, and separated from the mirror layer by the spacer layer or air gap. The switchable reflective colour filter may be incorporated into a display device including a pixelated switchable absorber. A luminance of coloured light reflected from any of the sub-pixel regions is controllably attenuated by the pixelated switchable absorber.

Transferable thin-film optical devices

A transferrable thin-film optical device and a head-mounted display are provided. A transferrable thin-film optical device comprises a thin-film layer providing at least one predetermined optical function. The thin-film layer is configured to be removably attached to a substrate, such that a molecular pattern for the at least one predetermined optical function of the thin-film layer is preserved post removal.

Use of Electronically Controlled Polarization Elements for the Initiation and Optimization of Laser Mode-Locking

Apparatus for modelocking a fiber laser cavity includes two variable retarder assemblies and a polarizing element. The variable retarder assemblies each have two electronically addressable elements and one fixed element. The first variable retarder assembly prepares a polarization state suitable for NPE modelocking to be launched into the fiber, and the second variable retarder assembly controls the polarization state after exiting the fiber, before being incident on the polarizing element. A control system controls the electronically addressable phase retarders in order to create and modify conditions for modelocking the fiber laser.