摘要:
A holographic data storage system that includes a write head that includes a pixellated spatial light modulator and a separate or integral phase mask that varies the phase depending on the location in the phase mask that light passes through. The phase variation can be changed over time in a random, pseudo-random, or predetermined fashion. The spatial light modulator and phase mask can be implemented in a liquid crystal SLM (nematic, ferroeleletric, or other), in a DMD SLM, in a magneto-optical SLM, or in any other suitable manner.
摘要:
An electronic viewfinder with a reflective microdisplay and associated optical elements in a design that utilizes one or more folded optical paths to achieve a compact size and volume that may have a dimension of less than 10 millimeters per side. Moreover, the optical design may have an effective focal length that is greater than the spacing of the optical elements from the microdisplay. Various embodiments include a pancake window arrangement with reflective surfaces that are spaced apart from each other and cube beamsplitter eyepieces with folded paths.
摘要:
A system for producing spatially modulated monochrome or color light having gray scale includes an active matrix liquid crystal spatial light modulator having light modulating means including (i) a layer of ferroelectric liquid crystal material which is designed to switch between ON and OFF states and (ii) active matrix means including VLSI circuitry for dividing the layer of liquid crystal material into an array of individual liquid crystal pixels and for causing each of the pixels of liquid crystal material to modulate light individually by switching between the ON and OFF states in a way that depends upon the data which the VLSI circuitry is written. The system also includes illumination means having a light source for directing light from the source into the pixel-divided layer of ferroelectric liquid crystal material in a specific way. And finally, the system includes means for writing the VLSI circuitry with preselected data in accordance with a particular data ordering scheme such that the circuitry, in response to the written data, causes the pixels of liquid crystal material to individually switch between their ON and OFF states and therefore modulate light from the source in a way which, depending upon the data, produces a specific overall pattern of gray scale light.
摘要:
A virtual image display system includes a reflective mode spatial light modulator, a light source for illuminating the spatial light modulator, and an optics arrangement for directing a predetermined portion of the light from the light source into the spatial light modulator and for directing certain portions of the light reflected from the spatial light modulator to a desired viewing area. The optics arrangement includes an overall polarizing beam splitter. The polarizing beam splitter has three layers of materials. The first layer is a layer of polarizing beam splitting material configured to reflect light of a first polarization and transmit light of a second polarization. The second layer is another layer of polarizing beam splitting material. The third layer is a layer of material positioned between the first and second layers of polarizing beam splitting materials. The first, second, and third layers of materials act together to form the overall polarizing beam splitter.
摘要:
A system for producing modulated light is disclosed. The system comprises a spatial light modulator including a light modulating medium switchable between different states so as to act on light in ways which form overall patterns of modulated light. The system also includes an arrangement for switching the modulating medium between the different states in a controlled way and an illumination arrangement for producing a source of light. The system further includes an optics arrangement for directing light from the source of light into the spatial light modulator and for directing light from the spatial light modulator through a predetermined source imaging area. The optics arrangement cooperates with the illumination arrangement and the spatial light modulator so as to produce a real image of the source of light within the source imaging area such that an individual is able to view a virtual image of the overall patterns of modulated light from the source imaging area. A variety of novel optics arrangements are disclosed including specific combinations of different light sources, diffusing plates, polarizers, beam splitters, analyzers, lenses, mirrors, and holographic optical elements which allow the overall optical arrangement to be miniaturized to the same degree and in coordination with the spatial light modulator. The different light sources include using a plurality of light sources, such as LEDs, to form an array of light sources, each of the light sources providing light to a corresponding portion of the spatial light modulator.
摘要:
A system for producing spatially modulated monochrome or color light having gray scale includes an active matrix liquid crystal spatial light modulator having light modulating means including (i) a layer of ferroelectric liquid crystal material which is designed to switch between ON and OFF states and (ii) active matrix means including VLSI circuitry for dividing the layer of liquid crystal material into an array of individual liquid crystal pixels and for causing each of the pixels of liquid crystal material to modulate light individually by switching between the ON and OFF states in a way that depends upon the data which the VLSI circuitry is written. The system also includes illumination means having a light source for directing light from the source into the pixel-divided layer of ferroelectric liquid crystal material in a specific way. And finally, the system includes means for writing the VLSI circuitry with preselected data in accordance with a particular data ordering scheme such that the circuitry, in response to the written data, causes the pixels of liquid crystal material to individually switch between their ON and OFF states and therefore modulate light from the source in a way which, depending upon the data, produces a specific overall pattern of gray scale light.
摘要:
A frame-sequential color video system and color-selective filters for use in the same. The color-selective filters of the invention have fast response, and can be switched between the three primary colors of red, green, and blue. Switching between the three primary colors is achieved by selective absorption, or by selective interference, which is controlled by the switching of specific device combinations. A frame-sequential color display system is achieved by combining such a color-selective filter with a fast-switching black and white video display, which can be either emissive or reflective. A frame-sequential color camera system is achieved by combining such a color-selective filter with a fast-responding black and white video camera.
摘要:
A frontlight illuminator arrangement for a reflective display that includes a light guide and a pair of light sources coupled to the light guide at an angle that is neither normal to or orthogonal to a primary axis of the display. The light is internally reflected along the light guide until it is coupled into an optical element of similar refractive index that is adjacent to the light guide in the vicinity of the display. The optical element includes a multi-faceted beam splitter that reflects light back through the light guide onto the display where an image is formed and reflected back through the light guide and beam splitter.
摘要:
Disclosed are illumination systems especially suitable for very small data projectors, called pico projectors. The disclosed illumination systems provide high optical efficiency for projectors that need polarized light but utilize unpolarized light sources such as light-emitting diodes. Some of the disclosed illumination systems make use of light sources of different colors, and provide polarization conversion in ways based on color-selective elements of a variety of different types to convert substantially all the light emitted by the light sources to a single polarization, without increasing the effective optical extent of the source. Other disclosed illumination system provide compact ways to combine light from differently colored light sources without the use of bulky x-cube or angled dichroic elements.
摘要:
A system and method for producing spatially modulated monochrome or color light having gray scale during a given period of time includes a spatial light modulator having a light modulating arrangement switchable between different states so as to act on light in different ways. A switching arrangement switches the modulating arrangement between different states in a controlled way during the period. The system also includes an illumination arrangement for selectively and alternately directing light of constant intensity and varying intensity into the modulating arrangement during predetermined subperiods of the period. In a color version of the system, the illumination arrangement directs light of different colors into the modulating arrangement during predetermined subperiods of the period, thereby providing a system for producing modulated colored light having color gray scale during a given period. In one embodiment of the present invention, the predetermined subperiods include a first plurality of subperiods of unequal lengths of time which, if arranged in order timewise, increase in duration by a factor of two. The predetermined subperiods further include a second plurality of subperiods and the illumination arrangement directs light of variable intensities into the modulator arrangement during each of the second plurality of subperiods which are of equal durations. Each of the different intensities of light double from subperiod to subperiod when the subperiods of equal length are arranged in a particular order.