Polarization volume hologram lens

A method for making a lens, comprising:

• arranging a layer of optically anisotropic molecules in helical structures, wherein the layer of optically anisotropic molecules includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, wherein the second portion is distinct from the first portion and is located around the first portion, and the third portion is distinct from the first portion and the second portion and is located around the second portion so that:
• the first portion includes a first helical structure having a first phase on a reference plane and a second helical structure adjacent to the first helical structure having a second phase distinct from the first phase on the reference plane, wherein a difference between the first phase and the second phase corresponds to a first phase difference;
• the second portion includes a third helical structure having a third phase on the reference plane and a fourth helical structure adjacent to the third helical structure having a fourth phase distinct from the third phase on the reference plane, wherein a difference between the third phase and the fourth phase corresponds to a second phase difference distinct from the first phase difference;
• and
• the third portion includes a fifth helical structure having a fifth phase on the reference plane and a sixth helical structure adjacent to the fifth helical structure having a sixth phase distinct from the fifth phase on the reference plane, wherein a difference between the fifth phase and the sixth phase corresponds to a third phase difference distinct from the first phase difference and the second phase difference, wherein:
• the first helical structure has a first helical pitch, the third helical structure has a second helical pitch distinct from the first helical pitch, and the fifth helical structure has a third helical pitch that is distinct from the first helical pitch and the second helical pitch;
• and
• the second helical pitch has a length that is between a length of the first helical pitch and a length of the third helical pitch;
• and
• firming the layer of optically anisotropic molecules.

A method, comprising:

• receiving first light of a first circular polarization and second light of a second circular polarization distinct from the first polarization with a lens including an optically transparent substrate having a first optical surface and a second optical surface opposite to the first optical surface, wherein:
• the optically transparent substrate includes optically anisotropic molecules between the first optical surface and the second optical surface, the optically anisotropic molecules arranged in helical structures;
• the optically transparent substrate includes a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, wherein the second portion is distinct from the first portion and is located around the first portion, and the third portion is distinct from the first portion and the second portion and is located around the second portion;
• the first portion includes a first helical structure having a first phase on a reference plane parallel to the first optical surface and a second helical structure adjacent to the first helical structure having a second phase distinct from the first phase on the reference plane, wherein a difference between the first phase and the second phase corresponds to a first phase difference;
• the second portion includes a third helical structure having a third phase on the reference plane and a fourth helical structure adjacent to the third helical structure having a fourth phase distinct from the third phase on the reference plane, wherein a difference between the third phase and the fourth phase corresponds to a second phase difference distinct from the first phase difference;
• and
• the third portion includes a fifth helical structure having a fifth phase on the reference plane and a sixth helical structure adjacent to the fifth helical structure having a sixth phase distinct from the fifth phase on the reference plane, wherein a difference between the fifth phase and the sixth phase corresponds to a third phase difference distinct from the first phase difference and the second phase difference, wherein:
• the first helical structure has a first helical pitch, the third helical structure has a second helical pitch distinct from the first helical pitch, and the fifth helical structure has a third helical pitch that is distinct from the first helical pitch and the second helical pitch;
• and
• the second helical pitch has a length that is between a length of the first helical pitch and a length of the third helical pitch;
• and
• focusing, with the lens, the first light while transmitting the second light through the lens without focusing the second light, or defocusing, with the lens, the first light while transmitting the second light through the lens without defocusing the second light.