Simplified geometry for fabrication of polarization-based elements

A birefringent optical element produced by a method comprising:

• positioning a reflector in an optical path;
• disposing a first photosensitive film on a side of a first substrate;
• disposing the first substrate proximal to the reflector along the optical path, wherein the side of the first substrate with the first photosensitive film faces the reflector and another side faces away from the reflector;
• transmitting a light beam at a first polarization from a light source along the optical path, wherein the light beam enters the first substrate on the side facing away from the reflector and exits the first substrate on the side facing the reflector with the first photosensitive film and continues toward the reflector;
• reflecting the light beam off the reflector, wherein the reflected light beam has a second polarization;
• receiving the reflected light beam through the first film and the first substrate, wherein the transmitted light beam and reflected light beam interfere with each other to produce a polarization pattern that is transferred to an alignment pattern of the first photosensitive film;
• applying a liquid crystal layer to the first film to reproduce the alignment pattern of the first film on the liquid crystal layer;
• applying the liquid crystal layer by coating the liquid crystal layer onto the first film to a predetermined thickness;
• and
• polymerizing the liquid crystal layer to lock the structure of the liquid crystal layer.

A birefringent optical element produced by a method comprising,

• positioning a reflector in an optical path;
• disposing a first photosensitive film on a side of a first substrate;
• disposing the first substrate proximal to the reflector along the optical path, wherein the side of the first substrate with the first photosensitive film faces the reflector and another side faces away from the reflector;
• transmitting a light beam at a first polarization from a light source along the optical path, wherein the light beam enters the first substrate on the side facing away from the reflector and exits the first substrate on the side facing the reflector with the first film and continues toward the reflector;
• reflecting the light beam off the reflector, wherein the reflected light beam has a second polarization;
• receiving the reflected light beam through the first photosensitive film and the first substrate, wherein the transmitted light beam and reflected light beam interfere with each other to produce a polarization pattern that is transferred to an alignment pattern of the first film;
• providing a second substrate comprising a second film layer disposed on a surface of the second substrate;
• positioning and attaching a thickness spacer on the first substrate against the first film, wherein the thickness of the spacer is the thickness of a liquid crystal layer;
• applying the liquid crystal layer by filling the volume inside of the spacer with liquid crystal;
• and
• positioning and attaching the second substrate against the spacer, wherein the liquid crystal is directly between the first and second film and held in place by the surrounding spacer.

A method for creating optical elements through holographic fabrication, the method comprising:

• positioning a curved reflector in an optical path;
• disposing a first photosensitive film on a side of a first substrate;
• disposing the first substrate proximal to the reflector along the optical path, wherein a side of the first substrate with the first photosensitive film faces the reflector and another side faces away from the reflector;
• transmitting a light beam at a first polarization from a light source along the optical path, wherein the light beam enters the first substrate on the side facing away from the reflector and exits the first substrate on the side facing the reflector with the first photosensitive film and continues toward the reflector;
• reflecting the light beam off the reflector, wherein the reflected light beam has a second polarization;
• receiving the reflected light beam through the first photosensitive film and the first substrate, wherein the transmitted light beam and reflected light beam interfere with each other to produce a polarization pattern that is transferred to an alignment pattern of the first film;
• and
• applying a liquid crystal layer to the first film to reproduce the alignment pattern of the first film on the liquid crystal layer.

A birefringent lens produced by a method comprising:

• positioning a curved reflector in an optical path;
• disposing a first photosensitive film on a side of a first substrate;
• disposing the first substrate proximal to the reflector along the optical path, wherein the side of the first substrate with the first photosensitive film faces the reflector and another side faces away from the reflector;
• transmitting a light beam at a first polarization from a light source along the optical path, wherein the light beam enters the first substrate on the side facing away from the reflector and exits the first substrate on the side facing the reflector with the first photosensitive film and continues toward the reflector;
• reflecting the light beam off the reflector, wherein the reflected light beam has a second polarization;
• receiving the reflected light beam through the first film and the first substrate, wherein the transmitted light beam and reflected light beam interfere with each other to produce a polarization pattern that is transferred to an alignment pattern of the first photosensitive film;
• applying a liquid crystal layer to the first film to reproduce the alignment pattern of the first photosensitive film on the liquid crystal layer;
• applying the liquid crystal layer by coating the liquid crystal layer onto the first film to a predetermined thickness;
• and
• polymerizing the liquid crystal layer to lock the structure of the liquid crystal layer.

A birefringent lens produced by a method comprising:

• positioning a curved reflector in an optical path;
• disposing a first photosensitive film on a side of a first substrate;
• disposing the first substrate proximal to the reflector along the optical path, wherein the side of the first substrate with the first photosensitive film faces the reflector and another side faces away from the reflector;
• transmitting a light beam at a first polarization from a light source along the optical path, wherein the light beam enters the first substrate on the side facing away from the reflector and exits the first substrate on the side facing the reflector with the first photosensitive film and continues toward the reflector;
• reflecting the light beam off the reflector, wherein the reflected light beam has a second polarization;
• receiving the reflected light beam through the first film and the first substrate, wherein the transmitted light beam and reflected light beam interfere with each other to produce a polarization pattern that is transferred to an alignment pattern of the first photosensitive film;
• providing a second substrate comprising a second film layer disposed on a surface of the second substrate;
• positioning and attaching a thickness spacer around the outside of the first substrate against the first film, wherein the thickness of the spacer is the thickness of the liquid crystal layer;
• applying the liquid crystal layer by filling the volume inside of the spacer with liquid crystal;
• and
• positioning and attaching the second substrate against the spacer, wherein the liquid crystal is directly between the first and second film and held in place by the surrounding spacer.