Diffractive Optical Elements And Applications Thereof
OwnerAlan Kathman, Robert Hutchinsinventors
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Abstract
A fanout diffractive optical element having a discrete periodic surface relief structure having a 2-dimensional (x,y) shape is described. The surface relief structure can include a first lobe and a second lobe separated by a waist region having a width less than the first lobe and the second lobe. The 2-dimensional (x,y) shape of surface relief structure can have an inversion center and can lack symmetry about any plane that is normal to the surface relief structure. Also described are apparatuses having a fanout diffractive optical element and methods of producing a plurality of light diffracting orders using a fanout diffractive optical element.
Claims34
A fanout diffractive optical element comprising:
- a discrete periodic surface relief structure having a 2-dimensional (x,y) shape comprising a first lobe and a second lobe separated by a waist region, the waist region having a width less than the first lobe and the second lobe, the 2-dimensional (x,y) shape having an inversion center and lacking symmetry about any plane that is normal to the surface relief structure.
An apparatus comprising:
- a light source;
- and
- a fanout diffractive optical element positioned to receive light from the light source, the fanout diffractive optical element comprising a periodic surface relief structure, the surface relief structure having a 2-dimensional (x,y) shape comprising a first lobe and a second lobe separated by a waist region, the waist region having a width less than the first lobe and the second lobe, the 2-dimensional (x,y) shape having an inversion center and lacking symmetry about any plane that is normal to the surface relief structure.
A method of producing a plurality of light diffraction orders comprising:
- providing a light source;
- providing a fanout diffractive optical element comprising a periodic surface relief structure, the surface relief structure having a 2-dimensional (x,y) shape comprising a first lobe and a second lobe separated by a waist region, the waist region having a width less than the first lobe and the second lobe, the 2-dimensional (x,y) shape having an inversion center and lacking symmetry about any plane that is normal to the surface relief structure.
- passing at least a portion of light from the light source through the fanout diffractive optical element;
- and
- splitting the light received from the light source into the plurality of diffraction orders.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.