Techniques for generating and projecting a pseudo-random optical pattern of dots that can be repeated across an illumination space in the far field are disclosed. In some implementations, the pseudo-random pattern of dots can be achieved using a regular array of light sources.
G01B 11/25 - Dispositions pour la mesure caractérisées par l'utilisation de techniques optiques pour mesurer des contours ou des courbes en projetant un motif, p. ex. des franges de moiré, sur l'objet
The disclosure describes optical elements including pseudorandom-shaped meta-atoms as well as related methods of manufacture. In some implementations, a method includes patterning a resist layer to form a pattern of features in the resist layer. The resist layer is disposed on a substrate that includes an optical sublayer disposed on a support. The substrate further includes a hard mask sublayer disposed on the optical sublayer. The method includes performing a first oxygen plasma etch to impart a pseudorandom shape to the features in the resist layer, and subsequently performing a plurality of etching operations to cause the pseudorandom-shaped features to be transferred into the optical sublayer of the substrate.
G03F 7/00 - Production par voie photomécanique, p. ex. photolithographique, de surfaces texturées, p. ex. surfaces impriméesMatériaux à cet effet, p. ex. comportant des photoréservesAppareillages spécialement adaptés à cet effet
G02B 1/00 - Éléments optiques caractérisés par la substance dont ils sont faitsRevêtements optiques pour éléments optiques
An imaging device includes: an image sensor; a plurality of optical elements arranged in an array, each optical element being configured to direct light onto a different respective light sensitive region of the image sensor to capture a respective image; an aperture layer, wherein the aperture layer comprises a plurality of apertures that are arranged to align with the plurality of optical elements, respectively; and layer configured to reduce optical crosstalk within the imaging device.
An imaging device includes at least one sensor comprising a plurality of light sensitive regions, each region operable to capture a respective image of a scene to be imaged; a first imaging component and a second imaging component, wherein each of the first and the second imaging components are individually configured to capture images of the scene for extracting three-dimensional information of the scene, wherein the first imaging component has a first optical feature and the second imaging component has a second optical feature, wherein a difference between the first and the second optical feature is higher than a predetermined optical feature difference threshold.
A camera module includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface The camera module includes a sensor on the second surface of the substrate and a meta-structure optical element (MOE) on the first surface of the substrate. The MOE defines an aperture stop on the substrate. A system including the camera module can include a light source and an electronic circuit. The electronic circuit actuates the light source, determines a value associated with at least one detection signal of the sensor and calculates a distance of the camera module to an object based on each detected value.
An imaging device includes: an image sensor; a plurality of metastructures, each metastructure being arranged to focus light onto a different respective light sensitive region of the image sensor to capture a respective image with a respective field-of-view; and at least one optical element or additional metastructure configured to tilt a respective field of view of at least one of the plurality of metastructures to obtain a modified field-of-view.
H10F 39/00 - Dispositifs intégrés, ou ensembles de plusieurs dispositifs, comprenant au moins un élément couvert par le groupe , p. ex. détecteurs de rayonnement comportant une matrice de photodiodes
7.
APPARATUS INCLUDING A LENS CONFIGURATION HAVING STACKED METASURFACES, AND METHODS FOR FABRICATING THE SAME
An example apparatus includes a lens arrangement. The lens arrangement includes a first substrate having a first metasurface thereon, and a second substrate having a second metasurface thereon. The first and second metasurfaces are stacked and face one another, the first and second metasurfaces being separated from one another by an adhesive that attaches the first and second substrates to one another. Methods of fabricating the lens arrangements also are disclosed.
A method includes providing a coating over a first surface of a substrate and over a metasurface on the first surface of the substrate; and imprinting the coating to cause a surface of the coating to have a predetermined characteristic. A device includes a substrate; a metasurface on a first surface of the substrate; and a coating on the metasurface and on the first surface of the substrate, a surface of the coating defining a functional structure.
G03F 7/00 - Production par voie photomécanique, p. ex. photolithographique, de surfaces texturées, p. ex. surfaces impriméesMatériaux à cet effet, p. ex. comportant des photoréservesAppareillages spécialement adaptés à cet effet
B82Y 20/00 - Nano-optique, p. ex. optique quantique ou cristaux photoniques
H10F 39/00 - Dispositifs intégrés, ou ensembles de plusieurs dispositifs, comprenant au moins un élément couvert par le groupe , p. ex. détecteurs de rayonnement comportant une matrice de photodiodes
H10H 20/855 - Moyens de mise en forme du champ optique, p. ex. lentilles
An image capture method and apparatus are disclosed. An example method includes focusing, by each of a plurality of beam shaping elements, light onto a different respective one of a plurality of light sensitive regions, wherein each of the beam shaping elements is configured to capture images for image reconstruction. The method further includes acquiring, by each respective one of the light sensitive regions, a respective image based on the light focused thereon, and deconvolving the images to generate a reconstructed image, wherein the reconstructed image has an enhanced broadband image quality compared to the received images.
H04N 23/13 - Caméras ou modules de caméras comprenant des capteurs d'images électroniquesLeur commande pour générer des signaux d'image à partir de différentes longueurs d'onde avec plusieurs capteurs
G06T 5/50 - Amélioration ou restauration d'image utilisant plusieurs images, p. ex. moyenne ou soustraction
10.
OPTICAL GRATINGS HAVING NON-ALIGNED META-OPTICAL ELEMENTS
An example apparatus includes an optical grating having a first axis oriented in a first direction and a second axis oriented in a second direction different from the first direction, wherein a dimension of the optical grating along the first axis is greater than a dimension of the optical grating along the second axis. The optical grating includes cells arranged along the first direction, each of the cells including meta-atoms arranged along the first direction, wherein the meta-atoms in each particular one of the cells are not aligned with respect to the second direction and are arranged in an asymmetric manner about the first axis of the optical grating.
A method for manufacturing thermoelectric generators or other devices includes imprinting a first replication layer to form a first metastructure, and imprinting a second replication layer to form a second metastructure. The first replication layer is composed of nanoparticles embedded in a polymer, and is disposed on a surface of a first substrate that includes first electrical contacts. The second replication layer also is composed of nanoparticles embedded in a polymer, and is disposed on a surface of a second substrate that includes second electrical contacts. The method includes bonding meta-atoms of the second metastructure to the first electrical contacts, and bonding meta-atoms of the first metastructure to the second electrical contacts, such that respective ones of the meta-atoms of the first metastructure are connected electrically in series with respective ones of the meta-atoms of the second metastructure.
G03F 7/00 - Production par voie photomécanique, p. ex. photolithographique, de surfaces texturées, p. ex. surfaces impriméesMatériaux à cet effet, p. ex. comportant des photoréservesAppareillages spécialement adaptés à cet effet
H10N 10/17 - Dispositifs thermoélectriques comportant une jonction de matériaux différents, c.-à-d. dispositifs présentant l'effet Seebeck ou l'effet Peltier fonctionnant exclusivement par les effets Peltier ou Seebeck caractérisés par la structure ou la configuration de la cellule ou du thermocouple constituant le dispositif
12.
HYBRID REFRACTIVE AND META-OPTICAL LENS CAMERA MODULE
A hybrid lens optical imaging system is provided herein. The hybrid lens optical imaging system includes a refractive lens having a curved front surface and a planar rear surface, a meta-optical element stack having at least one meta-optical element structure disposed on a substrate, and an image sensor having a maximum image circle diameter. The planar rear surface of the refractive lens is bonded to a front side of the meta-optical element stack, and a rear side of the meta-optical element stack is bonded to the image sensor. Additionally, a ratio of a total track length of the hybrid lens optical imaging system to the maximum image circle diameter of the image sensor is less than 1.3.
A method that includes providing an optical stack, where the optical stack includes a first meta lens, a second meta lens, and a first bonding layer that bonds the first meta lens to the second meta lens, attaching a camera module spacer section to a bottom side of the optical stack to form at least a portion of a camera module, wherein the camera module spacer section includes a spacer layer, and where the camera module spacer section is configured such that, when the camera module spacer section is attached to the optical stack, a object distance of the camera module is based on an adjustment length of the camera module spacer section.
The present disclosure describes, among other things, optical devices in which a lens structure is closer to an aperture substrate than is a support on which the lens structure is disposed. The lens structure is defined throughout a metasurface that is distributed across a surface of a support of a lens substrate and that comprises metaatoms configured to change a local amplitude, a local phase, or both, of a light wave at an application wavelength. The present disclosure also describes assemblies incorporating one or more such optical devices, as well as methods of manufacturing the optical devices.
The present disclosure describes optical elements, as well as methods for designing and fabricating such optical elements. An example apparatus includes an optical element having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first and second surfaces are on opposite sides of the optical element from one another. The first surface is structured to collimate a light beam incident on the first surface, and the second surface is structured to provide correction to collimation imparted by the first surface and to provide at least one of optical fan-out or diffusion for the light beam.
The present disclosure describes an apparatus and system that includes a diffractive optical lens. The diffractive optical lens includes a central region shaped as a convex lens, an intermediate region laterally surrounding the central region and composed of multiple concentric zones, and an outer region laterally surrounding the intermediate region. A respective outer radius rh of each of the concentric zones in the intermediate region is (Eq. 1), where λ0 is an operating wavelength of the diffractive optical lens, f is a focal length of the diffractive optical lens, and h is an integer. At least one of the zones in the intermediate region includes at least one of (i) a continuous annular trough or (ii) a plurality of isolated holes that collectively encircle the central region.
The present disclosure describes metastructure optical elements (MOEs), methods for manufacturing the MOEs, and devices incorporating the MOEs. The MOEs include meta-atoms that have outwardly sloping sidewalls. A meta-atom can have sidewalls that are substantially vertical along an upper section of the meta-atoms, and that slope outwardly along a lower section of the meta-atom.
The present disclosure describes apparatus including a metastructure optical element and methods for manufacturing metastructure optical elements. An example method includes providing a substrate having an optical etch-deceleration layer thereon, and a stratum over the optical etch-deceleration layer. The method further includes forming a mask on the stratum, and etching the stratum and the optical etch-deceleration layer to form a plurality of groupings of meta-atoms. An amount of etching into the optical etch-deceleration layer differs for each of the each groupings of meta-atoms, such that a first one of the groupings of meta-atoms is composed of first portions of the stratum, and a second one of the groupings of meta-atoms is composed of second portions of the etched stratum and underlying portions of the optical etch-deceleration layer. The method further includes removing the mask, and encapsulating the first and second groupings of meta-atoms in a material that is index-matched to the optical etch-deceleration layer.
Implementations for optical elements that include tapered meta-atoms are described. An example apparatus includes a substrate, and meta-atoms on the substrate, wherein each of the meta-atoms has a respective top surface and a respective bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface forms an interface with the substrate. The apparatus further includes an anti-reflective coating on the respective top surface of each of the meta-atoms, wherein the top surface forms an interface with the anti-reflective coating. Each of the meta-atoms has one or more tapered sides connecting the top surface of the meta-atom to the bottom surface of the meta-atom.
An apparatus includes a camera module The camera module includes an image sensor, a lens unit disposed over the image sensor, and an aperture stop. The lens unit includes at least two encapsulated metasurfaces stacked one over the other.
An example apparatus includes a camera module that includes an image sensor, and a lens unit disposed over the image sensor. The lens unit includes first and second encapsulated metasurfaces stacked one over the other, the lens unit further including an aperture layer disposed between the first and second metasurfaces, wherein the aperture layer defines an aperture stop.
The present disclosure describes optical gratings and devices incorporating the optical gratings, as well as techniques for fabricating the optical gratings. An example method includes imprinting an imprint material with a pattern defining positions and angles for optical gratings, depositing a grating material onto the imprint material, and subsequently removing the imprint material to form slanted optical gratings.
G03F 7/00 - Production par voie photomécanique, p. ex. photolithographique, de surfaces texturées, p. ex. surfaces impriméesMatériaux à cet effet, p. ex. comportant des photoréservesAppareillages spécialement adaptés à cet effet
G03F 7/16 - Procédés de couchageAppareillages à cet effet
The present disclosure describes optical structures and methods for manufacturing the optical structures. In some implementations, a method includes imprinting a multi-level structured surface of a tool into an imprint material that is disposed on a substrate so that the imprint material is imprinted with a multi-level structure corresponding to the multi-level structured surface of the tool. The substrate includes sublayers disposed on a support, and the sublayers are disposed one atop another and include an optical sublayer on the support, a first hard mask sublayer on the optical sublayer, a spacer sublayer on the first hard mask sublayer, and a second hard mask sublayer on the spacer sublayer. Etching operations subsequently are performed to cause the imprinted multi-level structure to be transferred into the optical sublayer of the substrate.
G03F 7/00 - Production par voie photomécanique, p. ex. photolithographique, de surfaces texturées, p. ex. surfaces impriméesMatériaux à cet effet, p. ex. comportant des photoréservesAppareillages spécialement adaptés à cet effet
An example apparatus includes an optical stack including first and second flat optics elements attached to one another by a bonding adhesive that is at least partially transparent to an operational wavelength The apparatus further includes a baffle disposed between the first and second one of the flat optics elements, wherein the baffle is parallel to, and in a same plane as, the bonding adhesive. Methods of using the apparatus are described as well.
The present disclosure describes meta optical elements that include an optical moth-eye structure. In some implementations, an apparatus includes a substrate, and an optical metastructure, including meta-atoms, disposed on the substrate. An encapsulant encapsulates the metastructure, and an optical moth-eye structure is provided in a surface of the encapsulant.
G02B 1/118 - Revêtements antiréfléchissants ayant des structures de surface de longueur d’onde sous-optique conçues pour améliorer la transmission, p. ex. structures du type œil de mite
G02B 1/00 - Éléments optiques caractérisés par la substance dont ils sont faitsRevêtements optiques pour éléments optiques
In an example implementation, an apparatus includes an electrically insulating substrate, optical elements in or on the substrate, and electrically conductive material on a surface of the substrate and laterally surrounding at least some of the optical elements. The electrically conductive material facilitates clamping of the electrically insulating substrate to an electrostatic chuck.
An example apparatus includes an image sensor having an optically active surface, and folded optics including at least one meta optical element (MOE). The at least one MOE is configured such that a chief ray of light impinging on, and passing through, the at least one MOE, travels along a piece-wise linear path to the optically active surface of the image sensor. NIL Technology ApS F&R Ref.: 47717-0041WO1 PCT Application
An imaging system includes an optical stack that includes an image sensor, and at least one flat lens that is asymmetric relative to the image sensor or to at least one other optical element in the optical stack. In some implementations, the asymmetry is operable to reduce or eliminate keystone distortion.
An apparatus includes, in some implementations, at least one image sensor, a plurality of metalenses, and readout and processing circuitry. The at least one image sensor includes a plurality of pixel arrays, each of the which is associated, respectively, with a different one of a plurality of optical channels configured for detection of incoming light rays of a particular wavelength or a particular range of wavelengths centered on the particular wavelength. Each of the metalenses is disposed, respectively, in a different one of the optical channels and is configured, respectively, to focus incoming light rays onto a different one of the pixel arrays. The readout and processing circuitry is operable to read out signals from the pixel arrays and to generate a respective lower-resolution image for each of the optical channels, and to process the lower-resolution images to obtain a higher-resolution monochromatic image. Methods of operation are described as well.
H04N 23/951 - Systèmes de photographie numérique, p. ex. systèmes d'imagerie par champ lumineux en utilisant plusieurs images pour influencer la résolution, la fréquence d'images ou le rapport de cadre
G02B 1/00 - Éléments optiques caractérisés par la substance dont ils sont faitsRevêtements optiques pour éléments optiques
H04N 23/63 - Commande des caméras ou des modules de caméras en utilisant des viseurs électroniques
H04N 25/10 - Circuits de capteurs d'images à l'état solide [capteurs SSIS]Leur commande pour transformer les différentes longueurs d'onde en signaux d'image
30.
OPTICAL LENS SYSTEMS INCLUDING A METASURFACE AND AN OPTICAL FILTER SELECTIVE FOR ANGLE OF INCIDENCE
This disclosure describes example apparatus that includes at least one optical metasurface, an image sensor arranged to receive rays of electromagnetic radiation passing through the at least one metasurface, and an optical filter disposed optically between the at least one optical metasurface and a light sensitive surface of the image sensor. The optical filter is operable selectively to block or attenuate rays of electromagnetic radiation greater than a particular angle of incidence for an operational wavelength.
A system includes: a first lens disposed over a first portion of a respective first surface; and a second lens spaced apart from the first lens along an optical axis of the system and disposed over a second portion of a respective second surface. At least one of the first portion or the second portion does not extend over an entire area of the respective surface configured to receive incident light on the respective surface.
A system includes: one or more elements configured to receive light of different wavelengths in a wavelength range from a light source and separate the received light at different angles across a field of view based on the different wavelengths; an image sensor including a sensor surface; a metalens including a surface including a plurality of regions, wherein each region is configured to receive light incident within a respective incidence angle range, wherein each respective incidence angle range corresponds to a wavelength subrange of the separated light, and wherein each region is configured to focus light from the respective wavelength subrange on the sensor surface; and an optical aperture having an aperture size configured to limit the respective incidence angle range at each of the plurality of regions of the metalens.
Optical elements and methods of manufacturing optical elements having a metasurface composed of meta-atoms are disclosed. The methods can include defining a lattice corresponding to a surface on which the optical element is to be formed. In an example, the design process allows at least some of the meta-atoms to freely move within the lattice or within their respective cells. An example optical element can have a metasurface composed of a non-periodic layout of meta-atoms.
The disclosure describes apparatus that include an optical system including a transmission side and a receiver side. The transmission side includes a light source operable to generate light, and a light projecting element arranged to project the light toward a scene, wherein an illumination profile of the light projected toward the scene contains increased intensity near a center of a field-of-view due to 0th-diffraction order rays or other low-angle scattered light. The receiver side includes an image sensor, and at least one lens to focus light reflected by the scene toward the optical sensor. The optical system includes means for reducing impact of the 0th-diffraction order or other low-angle scattered light.
An apparatus that includes an optical system including a transmission side and a receiver side The transmission side includes a light source operable to generate light, and a light projecting element arranged to project the light toward a scene. An illumination profile of the light projected toward the scene contains increased intensity near a center of a field-of-view due to 0th-diffraction order rays or other low-angle scattered light. The receiver side includes an image sensor, and receiver optics configured to focus light reflected by the scene toward the optical sensor. The receiver optics includes at least one metasurface configured to provide functionality of an angle- of-incidence filter having a transmission coefficient that reduces, proportionately, an intensity of the illumination profile where the 0th-diffraction order rays or other low-angle scattered light are present.
The disclosure describes apparatus including a camera module that includes an optical stack attached over an image sensor In an example, at least a portion of the optical stack having no air gaps includes an aperture stop and a first substrate having an encapsulated meta-optic element (MOE) thereon. Methods of manufacturing camera modules also are disclosed.
The present disclosure describes illumination modules that include at least one diffractive optical element (DOE) or meta-optical element (MOE) having a phase function operable to provide light steering functions and/or to produce any of a range of different light patterns in the far-field. In some implementations, for example, the phase delay imparted by the MOE or DOE is a function of the incident angle of the light impinging on the optical element. In some implementations, the MOE or DOE has a phase function such that the light pattern produced by the optical element depends on the incident angle of the light impinging on the optical element. The illumination modules can be incorporated into illumination and imaging systems.
G02B 26/08 - Dispositifs ou dispositions optiques pour la commande de la lumière utilisant des éléments optiques mobiles ou déformables pour commander la direction de la lumière
G02B 1/00 - Éléments optiques caractérisés par la substance dont ils sont faitsRevêtements optiques pour éléments optiques
The disclosure describes, among other things, an image capture apparatus that includes a first lens unit, a second lens unit operable to be placed into optical alignment with the first lens unit, and an image sensor operable to acquire an image based on light signals passing through the first and second lens units when the first and second lens units are optically aligned with one another. At least one of the first or second lens units has a telecentric image plane or a telecentric object plane. Optical illumination devices such as light projectors that include at least one lens unit having a telecentric image plane or a telecentric object plane also are disclosed.
G02B 7/02 - Montures, moyens de réglage ou raccords étanches à la lumière pour éléments optiques pour lentilles
G02B 1/00 - Éléments optiques caractérisés par la substance dont ils sont faitsRevêtements optiques pour éléments optiques
G02B 13/22 - Objectifs ou systèmes de lentilles télécentriques
G03B 15/03 - Combinaisons d'appareils photographiques avec appareils d'éclairageFlash
G03B 30/00 - Modules photographiques comprenant des objectifs et des unités d'imagerie intégrés, spécialement adaptés pour être intégrés dans d'autres dispositifs, p. ex. des téléphones mobiles ou des véhicules
H04M 1/02 - Caractéristiques de structure des appareils téléphoniques
An apparatus and imaging system are disclosed and include a meta optical element having a phase function having both diverging and converging optical characteristics. In some instances, the apparatus or imaging system includes a lens system including at least one lens, wherein the meta optical element is optically aligned with the at least one lens.
G02B 3/08 - Lentilles simples ou composées à surfaces non sphériques à surfaces discontinues, p. ex. lentille de Fresnel
G02B 1/02 - Éléments optiques caractérisés par la substance dont ils sont faitsRevêtements optiques pour éléments optiques faits de cristaux, p. ex. sel gemme, semi-conducteurs
A method includes, providing a substrate comprising a curved surface, forming a resist layer on the curved surface, patterning the resist layer on the curved surface using imprint lithography to provide a patterned resist layer, removing residual resist material from the patterned resist layer, forming, by atomic layer deposition, a first layer on the patterned resist layer, and removing the patterned resist layer to form a patterned first layer on the curved surface.
B82Y 40/00 - Fabrication ou traitement des nanostructures
G02B 1/00 - Éléments optiques caractérisés par la substance dont ils sont faitsRevêtements optiques pour éléments optiques
G03F 7/00 - Production par voie photomécanique, p. ex. photolithographique, de surfaces texturées, p. ex. surfaces impriméesMatériaux à cet effet, p. ex. comportant des photoréservesAppareillages spécialement adaptés à cet effet
41.
OPTICAL SYSTEMS INCLUDING AN ANGLE-OF-INCIDENCE FILTER OPERABLE TO REDUCE HIGHER-ORDER STRAY LIGHT RAYS
The present disclosure describes apparatus and methods for optical systems. An example apparatus includes diffractive optics, an image sensor, and an angle-of- incidence filter disposed optically between the diffractive optics and a light sensitive surface of the image sensor. The image sensor is configured to receive rays of electromagnetic radiation passing through the diffractive optics, wherein an optical output from the diffractive optics includes imaging rays and rays of higher diffractive orders. The angle-of-incidence filter is operable to reduce an amount of light of at least one of the higher diffractive order rays from reaching the light sensitive surface of the image sensor. NIL Technology ApS F&R Ref.: 47717-0060WO1 PCT Application
An imaging device includes: an image sensor; a plurality of metastructures, each metastructure being arranged to focus light onto a different respective light sensitive region of the image sensor to capture a respective image with a respective field-of-view; and at least one optical element or additional metastructure configured to tilt a respective field of view of at least one of the plurality of metastructures to obtain a modified field-of-view.
An imaging device includes: an image sensor; a plurality of optical elements arranged in an array, each optical element being configured to direct light onto a different respective light sensitive region of the image sensor to capture a respective image; an aperture layer, wherein the aperture layer comprises a plurality of apertures that are arranged to align with the plurality of optical elements, respectively; and layer configured to reduce optical crosstalk within the imaging device.
An imaging device includes at least one sensor comprising a plurality of light sensitive regions, each region operable to capture a respective image of a scene to be imaged; a first imaging component and a second imaging component, wherein each of the first and the second imaging components are individually configured to capture images of the scene for extracting three-dimensional information of the scene, wherein the first imaging component has a first optical feature and the second imaging component has a second optical feature, wherein a difference between the first and the second optical feature is higher than a predetermined optical feature difference threshold.
H04N 13/25 - Générateurs de signaux d’images utilisant des caméras à images stéréoscopiques utilisant plusieurs capteurs d’images aux caractéristiques différentes autres que la position ou le point de vue, p. ex. avec des différences dans la résolution ou les propriétés de saisie de couleursCommande des caractéristiques d’un capteur par les signaux d’images d’un autre capteur
G06T 7/571 - Récupération de la profondeur ou de la forme à partir de plusieurs images à partir de mises au point
H04N 23/45 - Caméras ou modules de caméras comprenant des capteurs d'images électroniquesLeur commande pour générer des signaux d'image à partir de plusieurs capteurs d'image de type différent ou fonctionnant dans des modes différents, p. ex. avec un capteur CMOS pour les images en mouvement en combinaison avec un dispositif à couplage de charge [CCD] pour les images fixes
An apparatus includes, in some implementations, at least one image sensor, a plurality of metalenses, and readout and processing circuitry. The at least one image sensor includes pixel arrays, each of which is associated, respectively, with a different one of multiple optical channels configured for detection of incoming light rays of a respective color. The color for each optical channel differs from that of at least one of the other optical channels. Each of the metalenses is disposed, respectively, in a different one of the optical channels and is configured, respectively, to focus incoming light rays onto a different one of the pixel arrays. The readout and processing circuitry is operable to read out signals from the pixel arrays and to generate a respective lower-resolution image for each of the optical channels, and to process the lower-resolution images to obtain a higher-resolution multi-color image. Methods of operation are described as well.
H04N 23/951 - Systèmes de photographie numérique, p. ex. systèmes d'imagerie par champ lumineux en utilisant plusieurs images pour influencer la résolution, la fréquence d'images ou le rapport de cadre
H04N 25/13 - Agencement de matrices de filtres colorés [CFA]Mosaïques de filtres caractérisées par les caractéristiques spectrales des éléments filtrants
46.
OPTICAL DEVICES INCLUDING METASTRUCTURES AND METHODS FOR FABRICATING THE OPTICAL DEVICES
Methods of manufacturing an optical device can include, in some implementations, providing a substrate having a first polymeric layer on a surface of the substrate and a second polymeric layer on the first polymeric layer, forming first openings in the second polymeric layer to define an etch mask composed of material of the second polymeric layer, and etching to form second openings in the first polymeric layer, wherein locations of the second openings are defined by the etch mask. A material is deposited in the second openings to form meta-atoms of a first metastructure, wherein adjacent ones of the meta-atoms are separated from one another by polymeric material of the first polymeric layer. Optical devices including metastructures can be formed, where meta-atoms of the metastructure have a relatively high aspect ratio.
G02B 1/00 - Éléments optiques caractérisés par la substance dont ils sont faitsRevêtements optiques pour éléments optiques
B29D 11/00 - Fabrication d'éléments optiques, p. ex. lentilles ou prismes
C23C 16/04 - Revêtement de parties déterminées de la surface, p. ex. au moyen de masques
C23C 16/455 - Revêtement chimique par décomposition de composés gazeux, ne laissant pas de produits de réaction du matériau de la surface dans le revêtement, c.-à-d. procédés de dépôt chimique en phase vapeur [CVD] caractérisé par le procédé de revêtement caractérisé par le procédé utilisé pour introduire des gaz dans la chambre de réaction ou pour modifier les écoulements de gaz dans la chambre de réaction
An apparatus in some implementations includes a metalens, an image sensor, and an actuator. The metalens is con-figured to generate multiple diffractive orders of an image at respective corresponding focal lengths. The actuator is operable to move at least one of the metalens or the image sensor to each of multiple positions so that a distance between the metalens and the image sensor is adjustable. The distance between the metalens and the image sensor for each respective one of the positions corresponds to a particular one of the focal lengths.
An apparatus includes a metalens, an image sensor, and an actuator. The metalens is configured to generate multiple diffractive orders of an image at respective corresponding focal lengths. The actuator operable to move at least one of the metalens or the image sensor to each of a various positions so that a distance between the metalens and the image sensor is adjusted, wherein the distance between the metalens and the image sensor for each respective one of the positions corresponds to a particular one of the focal lengths. Adjusting the distance between the metalens and the image sensor provides a zoom in or zoom out operation.
G02B 15/14 - Objectifs optiques avec moyens de faire varier le grossissement par déplacement axial d'au moins une lentille ou de groupes de lentilles relativement au plan de l'image afin de faire varier de façon continue la distance focale équivalente de l'objectif
G02B 23/24 - Instruments pour regarder l'intérieur de corps creux, p. ex. endoscopes à fibres
H04N 23/69 - Commande de moyens permettant de modifier l'angle du champ de vision, p. ex. des objectifs de zoom optique ou un zoom électronique
49.
APPARATUS INCLUDING A LENS CONFIGURATION HAVING STACKED METASURFACES, AND METHODS FOR FABRICATING THE SAME
An example apparatus includes a lens arrangement. The lens arrangement includes a first substrate having a first metasurface thereon, and a second substrate having a second metasurface thereon. The first and second metasurfaces are stacked and face one another, the first and second metasurfaces being separated from one another by an adhesive that attaches the first and second substrates to one another. Methods of fabricating the lens arrangements also are disclosed.
An apparatus is disclosed that includes an optical grating that has embedded, slanted optical grating structures. Methods of fabricating optical gratings also are disclosed.
An optical metastructure like a metalens is composed of unit cells, each of which has a respective unit cell design defined by a shape and area of meta-atoms for that unit cell, and by an arrangement of the meta-atoms within that unit cell. A first region of the metastructure comprises a plurality of adjacent unit cells that includes a subset of unit cells. The respective unit cell design for each of one or more of the plurality of unit cells that is in the first region, but that is not in the subset, is a respective interpolated unit cell design that is based on the respective unit cell designs of the unit cells in the subset. In case of a metalens, the lens is divided in annular regions for particular incident angles, an initial unit cell structure for an inner and an outer unit cell within the annular region is determined and optimised; the design of the unit cells located between the inner and outer unit cells is interpolated from the initial design.
H01L 31/0232 - Dispositifs à semi-conducteurs sensibles aux rayons infrarouges, à la lumière, au rayonnement électromagnétique d'ondes plus courtes, ou au rayonnement corpusculaire, et spécialement adaptés, soit comme convertisseurs de l'énergie dudit rayonnement e; Procédés ou appareils spécialement adaptés à la fabrication ou au traitement de ces dispositifs ou de leurs parties constitutives; Leurs détails - Détails Éléments ou dispositions optiques associés au dispositif
52.
FABRICATION OF OPTICAL GRATINGS USING A RESIST CONTOURED BASED ON GREY-SCALE LITHOGRAPHY
The present disclosure describes techniques for fabricating optical elements such as gratings using a resist that can be contoured to have a specified number of grey-scale levels. Optical elements such as gratings, as well as masters that can be used to replicate sub-masters or the optical elements, are described as well.
Structured light generating modules and systems are described. An example structured light generating module includes an array of discrete light sources, an array of discrete fanout elements, and an array of discrete collimator elements interposed between the array of discrete light sources and the array of discrete fanout elements. Each of the discrete collimator elements within the array of discrete collimator elements is aligned to a respective discrete light source within the array of discrete light sources. Each of the fanout elements within the array of discrete fanout elements is aligned to a respective discrete collimator element within the array of discrete collimator elements. Each of the respectively aligned discrete light sources, collimator elements, and fanout elements is configured to generate a unit-cell structured light illumination comprising one or more individual illumination features over at least a portion of a field of illumination of the structured light generating module, wherein one or more of the unit-cell structured light illuminations collectively are a structured light illumination.
An apparatus includes a sensor having one or more drift-field demodulation pixels and wavelength separating optical elements (WSOEs) such as metalenses and diffractive optical elements (DOEs). The WSOE can be configured such that when light is incident on a pixel, the light passes through the WSOE first and such that different wavelengths are focused by the WSOE on different spatial points in the associated pixel.
G02B 1/00 - Éléments optiques caractérisés par la substance dont ils sont faitsRevêtements optiques pour éléments optiques
H04N 23/12 - Caméras ou modules de caméras comprenant des capteurs d'images électroniquesLeur commande pour générer des signaux d'image à partir de différentes longueurs d'onde avec un seul capteur
H04N 23/84 - Chaînes de traitement de la caméraLeurs composants pour le traitement de signaux de couleur
55.
OPTICAL GRATINGS HAVING NON-ALIGNED META-OPTICAL ELEMENTS
An example apparatus includes an optical grating having a first axis oriented in a first direction and a second axis oriented in a second direction different from the first direction, wherein a dimension of the optical grating along the first axis is greater than a dimension of the optical grating along the second axis. The optical grating includes cells arranged along the first direction, each of the cells including meta-atoms arranged along the first direction, wherein the meta-atoms in each particular one of the cells are not aligned with respect to the second direction and are arranged in an asymmetric manner about the first axis of the optical grating.
An example apparatus includes a lens system. The lens system includes a first lens group, a second lens group, and an aperture stop layer disposed between the first and second lens groups. Each of the first and second lens groups includes at least one respective lens, and at least one of the first or second lens groups includes at least one of a meta optical element (MOE) lens or a diffractive optical element (DOE) lens. The disclosure also describes receiving and projecting imaging systems including the lens system, as well as associated methods.
The present disclosure describes, among other things, optical devices in which a lens structure is closer to an aperture substrate than is a support on which the lens structure is disposed. The lens structure is defined throughout a metasurface that is distributed across a surface of a support of a lens substrate and that comprises metaatoms configured to change a local amplitude, a local phase, or both, of a light wave at an application wavelength. The present disclosure also describes assemblies incorporating one or more such optical devices, as well as methods of manufacturing the optical devices.
G02B 1/00 - Éléments optiques caractérisés par la substance dont ils sont faitsRevêtements optiques pour éléments optiques
G02B 13/16 - Objectifs optiques spécialement conçus pour les emplois spécifiés ci-dessous à utiliser en combinaison avec des convertisseurs ou des amplificateurs d'image
B29D 11/00 - Fabrication d'éléments optiques, p. ex. lentilles ou prismes
58.
Diffractive optical elements and methods for manufacturing diffractive optical elements
Design techniques are described for diffractive optical elements that, at least in some instances, can permit the design of diffractive optical elements without high frequency features, or with a significantly reduced number of such features. Diffractive optical elements designed in accordance with the described techniques can, in some instances, be easier to manufacture and/or replicate.
Techniques for generating and projecting a pseudo-random optical pattern of dots that can be repeated across an illumination space in the far field are disclosed. In some implementations, the pseudo-random pattern of dots can be achieved using a regular array of light sources.
G01B 11/25 - Dispositions pour la mesure caractérisées par l'utilisation de techniques optiques pour mesurer des contours ou des courbes en projetant un motif, p. ex. des franges de moiré, sur l'objet
61.
METASTRUCTURES INCLUDING META-ATOMS HAVING OUTWARDLY SLOPING SIDEWALLS
The present disclosure describes metastructure optical elements (MOEs), methods for manufacturing the MOEs, and devices incorporating the MOEs. The MOEs include meta-atoms that have outwardly sloping sidewalls. A meta-atom can have sidewalls that are substantially vertical along an upper section of the meta- atoms, and that slope outwardly along a lower section of the meta-atom.
The present disclosure describes optical elements, as well as methods for designing and fabricating such optical elements. An example apparatus includes an optical element having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first and second surfaces are on opposite sides of the optical element from one another. The first surface is structured to collimate a light beam incident on the first surface, and the second surface is structured to provide correction to collimation imparted by the first surface and to provide at least one of optical fan-out or diffusion for the light beam.
G01B 11/25 - Dispositions pour la mesure caractérisées par l'utilisation de techniques optiques pour mesurer des contours ou des courbes en projetant un motif, p. ex. des franges de moiré, sur l'objet
An image capture method and apparatus are disclosed. An example method includes focusing, by each of a plurality of beam shaping elements, light onto a different respective one of a plurality of light sensitive regions, wherein each of the beam shaping elements is configured to capture images for image reconstruction. The method further includes acquiring, by each respective one of the light sensitive regions, a respective image based on the light focused thereon, and deconvolving the images to generate a reconstructed image, wherein the reconstructed image has an enhanced broadband image quality compared to the received images.
H04N 23/13 - Caméras ou modules de caméras comprenant des capteurs d'images électroniquesLeur commande pour générer des signaux d'image à partir de différentes longueurs d'onde avec plusieurs capteurs
G02B 1/00 - Éléments optiques caractérisés par la substance dont ils sont faitsRevêtements optiques pour éléments optiques
h00 is an operating wavelength of the diffractive optical lens, f is a focal length of the diffractive optical lens, and h is an integer. At least one of the zones in the intermediate region includes at least one of (i) a continuous annular trough or (ii) a plurality of isolated holes that collectively encircle the central region.
The present disclosure describes techniques for fabricating a multi-level structure. For example, in accordance with some implementations, the disclosure describes techniques for fabricating a multi-level master from which optical elements can be replicated either directly or by way of a sub-master. The disclosure also describes multi-level optical elements and processes for making them.
Implementations for optical elements that include tapered meta-atoms are described. An example apparatus includes a substrate, and meta-atoms on the substrate, wherein each of the meta-atoms has a respective top surface and a respective bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface forms an interface with the substrate. The apparatus further includes an anti-reflective coating on the respective top surface of each of the meta-atoms, wherein the top surface forms an interface with the anti-reflective coating. Each of the meta-atoms has one or more tapered sides connecting the top surface of the meta-atom to the bottom surface of the meta-atom.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure describes apparatus including a metastructure optical element and methods for manufacturing metastructure optical elements. An example method includes providing a substrate having an optical etch-deceleration layer thereon, and a stratum over the optical etch-deceleration layer. The method further includes forming a mask on the stratum, and etching the stratum and the optical etch- deceleration layer to form a plurality of groupings of meta-atoms. An amount of etching into the optical etch-deceleration layer differs for each of the each groupings of meta-atoms, such that a first one of the groupings of meta-atoms is composed of first portions of the stratum, and a second one of the groupings of meta-atoms is composed of second portions of the etched stratum and underlying portions of the optical etch-deceleration layer. The method further includes removing the mask, and encapsulating the first and second groupings of meta-atoms in a material that is index-matched to the optical etch-deceleration layer.
A method for manufacturing thermoelectric generators or other devices includes imprinting a first replication layer to form a first metastructure, and imprinting a second replication layer to form a second metastructure. The first replication layer is composed of nanoparticles embedded in a polymer, and is disposed on a surface of a first substrate that includes first electrical contacts. The second replication layer also is composed of nanoparticles embedded in a polymer, and is disposed on a surface of a second substrate that includes second electrical contacts. The method includes bonding meta-atoms of the second metastructure to the first electrical contacts, and bonding meta-atoms of the first metastructure to the second electrical contacts, such that respective ones of the meta-atoms of the first metastructure are connected electrically in series with respective ones of the meta-atoms of the second metastructure.
G03F 7/00 - Production par voie photomécanique, p. ex. photolithographique, de surfaces texturées, p. ex. surfaces impriméesMatériaux à cet effet, p. ex. comportant des photoréservesAppareillages spécialement adaptés à cet effet
H10N 10/17 - Dispositifs thermoélectriques comportant une jonction de matériaux différents, c.-à-d. dispositifs présentant l'effet Seebeck ou l'effet Peltier fonctionnant exclusivement par les effets Peltier ou Seebeck caractérisés par la structure ou la configuration de la cellule ou du thermocouple constituant le dispositif
The present disclosure describes optical gratings and devices incorporating the optical gratings, as well as techniques for fabricating the optical gratings. An example method includes imprinting an imprint material with a pattern defining positions and angles for optical gratings, depositing a grating material onto the imprint material, and subsequently removing the imprint material to form slanted optical gratings.
The disclosure describes optical elements including pseudorandom-shaped meta-atoms as well as related methods of manufacture. In some implementations, a method includes patterning a resist layer to form a pattern of features in the resist layer. The resist layer is disposed on a substrate that includes an optical sublayer disposed on a support. The substrate further includes a hard mask sublayer disposed on the optical sublayer. The method includes performing a first oxygen plasma etch to impart a pseudorandom shape to the features in the resist layer, and subsequently performing a plurality of etching operations to cause the pseudorandom-shaped features to be transferred into the optical sublayer of the substrate.
G03F 7/00 - Production par voie photomécanique, p. ex. photolithographique, de surfaces texturées, p. ex. surfaces impriméesMatériaux à cet effet, p. ex. comportant des photoréservesAppareillages spécialement adaptés à cet effet
G02B 1/00 - Éléments optiques caractérisés par la substance dont ils sont faitsRevêtements optiques pour éléments optiques
71.
Diffractive optical elements and master tools for producing the diffractive optical elements
The present disclosure describes diffractive optical elements (DOEs) and master tools for producing the DOEs. In one aspect, the disclosure describes a method that includes modifying a first pixel layout design for diffractive optical elements to obtain a modified pixel layout design. The first pixel layout design comprises pixels, each of which has a shape of a regular polygon (e.g., a rectangular shape). Modifying the first pixel layout design includes approximating a shape contour of a cluster of pixels in the first pixel layout design by a single polygon that reduces a total number of edges relative to the shape contour of the cluster of pixels in the first pixel layout design. The method also includes using the modified pixel layout design to form a master tool for production of the diffractive optical elements.
The present disclosure describes optical structures and methods for manufacturing the optical structures. In some implementations, a method includes imprinting a multi-level structured surface of a tool into an imprint material that is disposed on a substrate so that the imprint material is imprinted with a multi-level structure corresponding to the multi-level structured surface of the tool. The substrate includes sublayers disposed on a support, and the sublayers are disposed one atop another and include an optical sublayer on the support, a first hard mask sublayer on the optical sublayer, a spacer sublayer on the first hard mask sublayer, and a second hard mask sublayer on the spacer sublayer. Etching operations subsequently are performed to cause the imprinted multi-level structure to be transferred into the optical sublayer of the substrate.
G03F 7/00 - Production par voie photomécanique, p. ex. photolithographique, de surfaces texturées, p. ex. surfaces impriméesMatériaux à cet effet, p. ex. comportant des photoréservesAppareillages spécialement adaptés à cet effet
B29C 59/02 - Façonnage de surface, p. ex. gaufrageAppareils à cet effet par des moyens mécaniques, p. ex. par pressage
B29D 11/00 - Fabrication d'éléments optiques, p. ex. lentilles ou prismes
B82Y 10/00 - Nanotechnologie pour le traitement, le stockage ou la transmission d’informations, p. ex. calcul quantique ou logique à un électron
B82Y 40/00 - Fabrication ou traitement des nanostructures
G02B 1/00 - Éléments optiques caractérisés par la substance dont ils sont faitsRevêtements optiques pour éléments optiques
73.
META OPTICAL ELEMENTS THAT INCLUDE AN OPTICAL MOTH-EYE STRUCTURE
The present disclosure describes meta optical elements that include an optical moth-eye structure. In some implementations, an apparatus includes a substrate, and an optical metastructure, including meta-atoms, disposed on the substrate. An encapsulant encapsulates the metastructure, and an optical moth-eye structure is provided in a surface of the encapsulant.
15 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An example apparatus includes an image sensor having an optically active surface, and folded optics including at least one meta optical element (MOE). The at least one MOE is configured such that a chief ray of light impinging on, and passing through, the at least one MOE, travels along a piece-wise linear path to the optically active surface of the image sensor. NIL Technology ApS F&R Ref.: 47717-0041WO1 PCT Application
In an example implementation, an apparatus includes an electrically insulating substrate, optical elements in or on the substrate, and electrically conductive material on a surface of the substrate and laterally surrounding at least some of the optical elements. The electrically conductive material facilitates clamping of the electrically insulating substrate to an electrostatic chuck.
H01L 21/67 - Appareils spécialement adaptés pour la manipulation des dispositifs à semi-conducteurs ou des dispositifs électriques à l'état solide pendant leur fabrication ou leur traitementAppareils spécialement adaptés pour la manipulation des plaquettes pendant la fabrication ou le traitement des dispositifs à semi-conducteurs ou des dispositifs électriques à l'état solide ou de leurs composants
H01L 21/683 - Appareils spécialement adaptés pour la manipulation des dispositifs à semi-conducteurs ou des dispositifs électriques à l'état solide pendant leur fabrication ou leur traitementAppareils spécialement adaptés pour la manipulation des plaquettes pendant la fabrication ou le traitement des dispositifs à semi-conducteurs ou des dispositifs électriques à l'état solide ou de leurs composants pour le maintien ou la préhension
76.
Optical devices including metastructures and methods for fabricating the optical devices
Methods of manufacturing an optical device can include, in some implementations, providing a substrate having a first polymeric layer on a surface of the substrate and a second polymeric layer on the first polymeric layer, forming first openings in the second polymeric layer to define an etch mask composed of material of the second polymeric layer, and etching to form second openings in the first polymeric layer, wherein locations of the second openings are defined by the etch mask. A material is deposited in the second openings to form meta-atoms of a first metastructure, wherein adjacent ones of the meta-atoms are separated from one another by polymeric material of the first polymeric layer. Optical devices including metastructures can be formed, where meta-atoms of the metastructure have a relatively high aspect ratio.
B29D 11/00 - Fabrication d'éléments optiques, p. ex. lentilles ou prismes
C23C 16/04 - Revêtement de parties déterminées de la surface, p. ex. au moyen de masques
C23C 16/455 - Revêtement chimique par décomposition de composés gazeux, ne laissant pas de produits de réaction du matériau de la surface dans le revêtement, c.-à-d. procédés de dépôt chimique en phase vapeur [CVD] caractérisé par le procédé de revêtement caractérisé par le procédé utilisé pour introduire des gaz dans la chambre de réaction ou pour modifier les écoulements de gaz dans la chambre de réaction
G02B 1/00 - Éléments optiques caractérisés par la substance dont ils sont faitsRevêtements optiques pour éléments optiques
F21Y 105/12 - Sources lumineuses planes comprenant un réseau bidimensionnel d’éléments générateurs de lumière ponctuelle caractérisées par la disposition géométrique des éléments générateurs de lumière, p. ex. par la disposition des éléments générateurs de lumière en différents schémas ou densités
Techniques for designing diffractive optical elements (DOEs) such as diffusers and other optical beam shaping elements can include designing a DOE unit cell on a smaller area than the overall area of the DOE, and then distributing the unit cell across the entire surface for the DOE. Height translations are introduced for at least some of the unit cells distributed across the surface, where the height translations correspond to respective phase translations for the intended operational wavelength of the DOE. In some instances, phase wrapping is introduced to translate the height variations among the unit cells into unit cells having sub-unit structures whose heights fall within a range that corresponds to a specified phase range at the operational wavelength.
Illumination modules are operable, in some implementations, to project a homogenous diffuse illumination onto a scene. Some implementations allow different subsets of light emitting elements to be addressed independently so that they can be turned on (or off) at different times, which can facilitate multi-mode operation.
H01S 5/42 - Réseaux de lasers à émission de surface
H01S 5/183 - Lasers à émission de surface [lasers SE], p. ex. comportant à la fois des cavités horizontales et verticales comportant uniquement des cavités verticales, p. ex. lasers à émission de surface à cavité verticale [VCSEL]
80.
OPTICAL DEVICES INCLUDING METASTRUCTURES AND METHODS FOR FABRICATING THE OPTICAL DEVICES
Manufacturing an optical device includes providing a substrate (102) having a polymeric layer (104) on a surface of the substrate, forming openings in the polymeric layer, and depositing a material in the openings to form meta-atoms (114, 214) of a first metastructure. Adjacent ones of the meta-atoms are separated from one another by polymeric material of the polymeric layer. Optical devices that include one or more metastructures in which meta-atoms are separated from one another by polymeric material are described, as are modules that incorporate the optical devices.
G02B 1/00 - Éléments optiques caractérisés par la substance dont ils sont faitsRevêtements optiques pour éléments optiques
G02B 1/18 - Revêtements pour garder des surfaces optiques propres, p. ex. films hydrophobes ou photocatalytiques
G02B 7/00 - Montures, moyens de réglage ou raccords étanches à la lumière pour éléments optiques
G02F 1/01 - Dispositifs ou dispositions pour la commande de l'intensité, de la couleur, de la phase, de la polarisation ou de la direction de la lumière arrivant d'une source lumineuse indépendante, p. ex. commutation, ouverture de porte ou modulationOptique non linéaire pour la commande de l'intensité, de la phase, de la polarisation ou de la couleur
81.
ILLUMINATION MODULES INCLUDING OPTICAL ELEMENTS TO PRODUCE LIGHT STEERING FUNCTIONS OR DIFFERENT ILLUMINATION PATTERNS
The present disclosure describes illumination modules that include at least one diffractive optical element (DOE) or meta-optical element (MOE) having a phase function operable to provide light steering functions and/or to produce any of a range of different light patterns in the far-field. In some implementations, for example, the phase delay imparted by the MOE or DOE is a function of the incident angle of the light impinging on the optical element. In some implementations, the MOE or DOE has a phase function such that the light pattern produced by the optical element depends on the incident angle of the light impinging on the optical element. The illumination modules can be incorporated into illumination and imaging systems.
G02B 26/08 - Dispositifs ou dispositions optiques pour la commande de la lumière utilisant des éléments optiques mobiles ou déformables pour commander la direction de la lumière
82.
IMAGING SYSTEMS INCLUDING A META OPTICAL ELEMENT THAT HAS A PHASE FUNCTION INCLUDING BOTH DIVERGING AND CONVERGING OPTICAL CHARACTERISTICS
An apparatus and imaging system are disclosed and include a meta optical element having a phase function having both diverging and converging optical characteristics. In some instances, the apparatus or imaging system includes a lens system including at least one lens, wherein the meta optical element is optically aligned with the at least one lens.
G02B 13/00 - Objectifs optiques spécialement conçus pour les emplois spécifiés ci-dessous
G02B 13/18 - Objectifs optiques spécialement conçus pour les emplois spécifiés ci-dessous avec des lentilles ayant une ou plusieurs surfaces non sphériques, p. ex. pour réduire l'aberration géométrique
G02B 1/00 - Éléments optiques caractérisés par la substance dont ils sont faitsRevêtements optiques pour éléments optiques
G02B 3/08 - Lentilles simples ou composées à surfaces non sphériques à surfaces discontinues, p. ex. lentille de Fresnel
G02B 7/02 - Montures, moyens de réglage ou raccords étanches à la lumière pour éléments optiques pour lentilles
A method includes providing a coating (208) over a first surface (202) of a substrate (204) and over a metasurface (200) on the first surface of the substrate; and imprinting the coating to cause a surface of the coating to have a predetermined characteristic. A device includes a substrate; a metasurface on a first surface of the substrate; and a coating on the metasurface and on the first surface of the substrate, a surface of the coating defining a functional structure.
H10F 39/00 - Dispositifs intégrés, ou ensembles de plusieurs dispositifs, comprenant au moins un élément couvert par le groupe , p. ex. détecteurs de rayonnement comportant une matrice de photodiodes
B82Y 20/00 - Nano-optique, p. ex. optique quantique ou cristaux photoniques
G03F 7/00 - Production par voie photomécanique, p. ex. photolithographique, de surfaces texturées, p. ex. surfaces impriméesMatériaux à cet effet, p. ex. comportant des photoréservesAppareillages spécialement adaptés à cet effet
H10H 20/855 - Moyens de mise en forme du champ optique, p. ex. lentilles
84.
IMAGE CAPTURE AND LIGHT PROJECTION USING AT LEAST ONE LENS UNIT HAVING A TELECENTRIC IMAGE PLANE OR A TELECENTRIC OBJECT PLANE
The disclosure describes, among other things, an image capture apparatus that includes a first lens unit, a second lens unit operable to be placed into optical alignment with the first lens unit, and an image sensor operable to acquire an image based on light signals passing through the first and second lens units when the first and second lens units are optically aligned with one another. At least one of the first or second lens units has a telecentric image plane or a telecentric object plane. Optical illumination devices such as light projectors that include at least one lens unit having a telecentric image plane or a telecentric object plane also are disclosed.
G02B 13/00 - Objectifs optiques spécialement conçus pour les emplois spécifiés ci-dessous
G02B 13/22 - Objectifs ou systèmes de lentilles télécentriques
G02B 15/10 - Objectifs optiques avec moyens de faire varier le grossissement en modifiant, ajoutant ou retirant une partie de l'objectif, p. ex. objectifs transformables par adjonction d'une pièce, p. ex. bonnette d'approche
85.
Seed structures for structured coatings for optical and other devices
A method includes providing a coating over a surface of a substrate, a plurality of seed structures being disposed on the surface of the substrate, in which respective heights of the seed structures define local thicknesses of the coating. An optical device includes a substrate, a plurality of seed structures on a surface of the substrate, and a coating on the seed structures and on the surface of the substrate, in which respective heights of the seed structures define local thicknesses of the coating.
G02B 1/12 - Revêtements optiques obtenus par application sur les éléments optiques ou par traitement de la surface de ceux-ci par traitement de la surface, p. ex. par irradiation
B29D 11/00 - Fabrication d'éléments optiques, p. ex. lentilles ou prismes
G02B 3/04 - Lentilles simples ou composées à surfaces non sphériques à surfaces continues engendrées par une rotation autour d'un axe, mais s'écartant d'une véritable sphère
An apparatus is disclosed that includes an optical grating that has embedded, slanted optical grating structures. Methods of fabricating optical gratings also are disclosed.
An apparatus includes, in some implementations, at least one image sensor, a plurality of metalenses, and readout and processing circuitry. The at least one image sensor includes pixel arrays, each of which is associated, respectively, with a different one of multiple optical channels configured for detection of incoming light rays of a respective color. The color for each optical channel differs from that of at least one of the other optical channels. Each of the metalenses is disposed, respectively, in a different one of the optical channels and is configured, respectively, to focus incoming light rays onto a different one of the pixel arrays. The readout and processing circuitry is operable to read out signals from the pixel arrays and to generate a respective lower-resolution image for each of the optical channels, and to process the lower-resolution images to obtain a higher-resolution multi-color image. Methods of operation are described as well.
An apparatus includes, in some implementations, at least one image sensor, a plurality of metalenses, and readout and processing circuitry. The at least one image sensor includes a plurality of pixel arrays, each of the which is associated, respectively, with a different one of a plurality of optical channels configured for detection of incoming light rays of a particular wavelength or a particular range of wavelengths centered on the particular wavelength. Each of the metalenses is disposed, respectively, in a different one of the optical channels and is configured, respectively, to focus incoming light rays onto a different one of the pixel arrays. The readout and processing circuitry is operable to read out signals from the pixel arrays and to generate a respective lower-resolution image for each of the optical channels, and to process the lower-resolution images to obtain a higher-resolution monochromatic image. Methods of operation are described as well.
An apparatus in some implementations includes a metalens, an image sensor, and an actuator. The metalens is configured to generate multiple diffractive orders of an image at respective corresponding focal lengths. The actuator is operable to move at least one of the metalens or the image sensor to each of multiple positions so that a distance between the metalens and the image sensor is adjustable. The distance between the metalens and the image sensor for each respective one of the positions corresponds to a particular one of the focal lengths.
An apparatus includes a metalens, an image sensor, and an actuator. The metalens is configured to generate multiple diffractive orders of an image at respective corresponding focal lengths. The actuator operable to move at least one of the metalens or the image sensor to each of a various positions so that a distance between the metalens and the image sensor is adjusted, wherein the distance between the metalens and the image sensor for each respective one of the positions corresponds to a particular one of the focal lengths. Adjusting the distance between the metalens and the image sensor provides a zoom in or zoom out operation.
An apparatus includes a sensor having one or more drift-field demodulation pixels and wavelength separating optical elements (WSOEs) such as metalenses and diffractive optical elements (DOEs). The WSOE can be configured such that when light is incident on a pixel, the light passes through the WSOE first and such that different wavelengths are focused by the WSOE on different spatial points in the associated pixel.
The present disclosure describes techniques for fabricating optical elements such as gratings using a resist that can be contoured to have a specified number of grey-scale levels. Optical elements such as gratings, as well as masters that can be used to replicate sub-masters or the optical elements, are described as well.
Structured light generating modules and systems are described. An example structured light generating module includes an array of discrete light sources, an array of discrete fanout elements, and an array of discrete collimator elements interposed between the array of discrete light sources and the array of discrete fanout elements. Each of the discrete collimator elements within the array of discrete collimator elements is aligned to a respective discrete light source within the array of discrete light sources. Each of the fanout elements within the array of discrete fanout elements is aligned to a respective discrete collimator element within the array of discrete collimator elements. Each of the respectively aligned discrete light sources, collimator elements, and fanout elements is configured to generate a unit-cell structured light illumination comprising one or more individual illumination features over at least a portion of a field of illumination of the structured light generating module, wherein one or more of the unit-cell structured light illuminations collectively are a structured light illumination.
An optical metastructure like a metalens is composed of unit cells, each of which has a respective unit cell design defined by a shape and area of meta-atoms for that unit cell, and by an arrangement of the meta-atoms within that unit cell. A first region of the metastructure comprises a plurality of adjacent unit cells that includes a subset of unit cells. The respective unit cell design for each of one or more of the plurality of unit cells that is in the first region, but that is not in the subset, is a respective interpolated unit cell design that is based on the respective unit cell designs of the unit cells in the subset. In case of a metalens, the lens is divided in annular regions for particular incident angles, an initial unit cell structure for an inner and an outer unit cell within the annular region is determined and optimised; the design of the unit cells located between the inner and outer unit cells is interpolated from the initial design.
G02B 26/08 - Dispositifs ou dispositions optiques pour la commande de la lumière utilisant des éléments optiques mobiles ou déformables pour commander la direction de la lumière
G02B 27/10 - Systèmes divisant ou combinant des faisceaux
96.
DIFFRACTIVE OPTICAL ELEMENTS AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING DIFFRACTIVE OPTICAL ELEMENTS
Design techniques are described for diffractive optical elements that, at least in some instances, can permit the design of diffractive optical elements without high frequency features, or with a significantly reduced number of such features. Diffractive optical elements designed in accordance with the described techniques can, in some instances, be easier to manufacture and/or replicate.
A method for manufacturing thermoelectric generators or other devices includes imprinting a first replication layer to form a first metastructure, and imprinting a second replication layer to form a second metastructure. The first replication layer is composed of nanoparticles embedded in a polymer, and is disposed on a surface of a first substrate that includes first electrical contacts. The second replication layer also is composed of nanoparticles embedded in a polymer, and is disposed on a surface of a second substrate that includes second electrical contacts. The method includes bonding meta-atoms of the second metastructure to the first electrical contacts, and bonding meta-atoms of the first metastructure to the second electrical contacts, such that respective ones of the meta-atoms of the first metastructure are connected electrically in series with respective ones of the meta-atoms of the second metastructure.
G03F 7/00 - Production par voie photomécanique, p. ex. photolithographique, de surfaces texturées, p. ex. surfaces impriméesMatériaux à cet effet, p. ex. comportant des photoréservesAppareillages spécialement adaptés à cet effet
H01L 35/34 - Procédés ou appareils spécialement adaptés à la fabrication ou au traitement de ces dispositifs ou de leurs parties constitutives
H01L 35/16 - Emploi d'un matériau spécifié pour les bras de la jonction utilisant des compositions inorganiques comprenant du tellure, du sélénium, ou du soufre
98.
A COMPONENT FOR LIQUID HANDLING WITH SELF-CLEANING PROPERTIES
The invention concerns a super hydrophobic surface for handling a liquid and/or able to be contacted by a liquid, said surface comprising at least one hydrophobic liquid contact surface portion, wherein said hydrophobic liquid contact surface portion presents a micro- and nano-meter hierarchical patterned structure, the structure comprising: —homogeneously distributed micrometre-sized pillars (1), and—homogeneously distributed nanometre-sized pillars (2), preferably said pillars (2) having a dimension below 1 micrometer, at the upper surface of the micrometre-sized pillars, and—nanometre-sized protrusions (3) at the upper surface of the nanometre-sized pillars, the protrusions being positioned in a non-periodic, irregular pattern. The invention also relates to the use of such surfaces with micro- and nano-meter hierarchical patterned structure, for example in handling hot liquids, and a corresponding manufacturing process, e.g. using an injection moulding process for producing the component in polymer.
B29C 59/04 - Façonnage de surface, p. ex. gaufrageAppareils à cet effet par des moyens mécaniques, p. ex. par pressage en utilisant des rouleaux ou des courroies sans fin
99.
DIFFRACTIVE OPTICAL ELEMENTS AND MASTER TOOLS FOR PRODUCING THE DIFFRACTIVE OPTICAL ELEMENTS
The present disclosure describes diffractive optical elements (DOEs) and master tools for producing the DOEs. In one aspect, the disclosure describes a method that includes modifying a first pixel layout design for diffractive optical elements to obtain a modified pixel layout design. The first pixel layout design comprises pixels, each of which has a shape of a regular polygon (e.g., a rectangular shape). Modifying the first pixel layout design includes approximating a shape contour of a cluster of pixels in the first pixel layout design by a single polygon that reduces a total number of edges relative to the shape contour of the cluster of pixels in the first pixel layout design. The method also includes using the modified pixel layout design to form a master tool for production of the diffractive optical elements.
11. The device includes a high refractive index material selectively disposed on the second subset of light-emitting elements and an array of optical elements positioned so as to be illuminated by the first subset of light-emitting elements and by the second subset of light-emitting elements. The optical elements are regularly arranged in a common plane at a pitch P, the common plane is located a distance D from the array of light-emitting elements, and P211D/N, N being an integer greater than or equal to 1.
G01B 11/25 - Dispositions pour la mesure caractérisées par l'utilisation de techniques optiques pour mesurer des contours ou des courbes en projetant un motif, p. ex. des franges de moiré, sur l'objet
G02B 27/09 - Mise en forme du faisceau, p. ex. changement de la section transversale, non prévue ailleurs
