Barry Silverstein

An optical device having suppressed rainbow effect is provided. The optical device includes a light source configured to generate an image light, an optical combiner coupled with the light source and configured to direct the image light to an eye-box of the optical device, and a dimming element disposed at the optical combiner. The optical combiner includes at least one diffractive element. The optical combiner has a first side facing the eye-box and an opposing second side facing a real world,… Show more

An optical device having suppressed rainbow effect is provided. The optical device includes a light source configured to generate an image light, an optical combiner coupled with the light source and configured to direct the image light to an eye-box of the optical device, and a dimming element disposed at the optical combiner. The optical combiner includes at least one diffractive element. The optical combiner has a first side facing the eye-box and an opposing second side facing a real world, and the dimming element is disposed at the second side of the optical combiner. The dimming element is configured to receive a light from the real world and significantly attenuate an intensity of the light having an incidence angle in a predetermined range. Show less

Adjusted overlaid images are generated in response to at least one color reference object or color reference point. A display is driven to present the adjusted overlaid image.

An optical device includes a light source assembly configured to generate an image light; and at least one waveguide including an in-coupling element and an out-coupling element configured to transmit, via the at least one waveguide, a plurality of light fields of the image light to an eye-box of the optical device, in a time-multiplexing manner. At least one of the in-coupling element or the out-coupling element includes at least one switchable diffractive optical grating, which includes a… Show more

An optical device includes a light source assembly configured to generate an image light; and at least one waveguide including an in-coupling element and an out-coupling element configured to transmit, via the at least one waveguide, a plurality of light fields of the image light to an eye-box of the optical device, in a time-multiplexing manner. At least one of the in-coupling element or the out-coupling element includes at least one switchable diffractive optical grating, which includes a surface relief grating (SRG) filled with an optically anisotropic material having a first principal refractive index along a groove direction of the SRG and a second principal refractive index along an in-plane direction perpendicular to the groove direction. One of the first and second refractive principal refractive indices substantially matches a refractive index of the SRG, and the other mismatches. Show less

A method includes determining eye tracking information of an eye pupil. A method also includes selectively configuring, based on the eye tracking information, one or more combinations of gratings included in a plurality of grating sets coupled with one or more waveguides to operate in a diffraction state to direct an image light to propagate through one or more sub-eyeboxes of a plurality of sub-eyeboxes. The plurality of sub-eyeboxes define an uncompressed eyebox. The one or more sub-eyeboxes… Show more

A method includes determining eye tracking information of an eye pupil. A method also includes selectively configuring, based on the eye tracking information, one or more combinations of gratings included in a plurality of grating sets coupled with one or more waveguides to operate in a diffraction state to direct an image light to propagate through one or more sub-eyeboxes of a plurality of sub-eyeboxes. The plurality of sub-eyeboxes define an uncompressed eyebox. The one or more sub-eyeboxes of the plurality of sub-eyeboxes define a compressed eyebox having a size smaller than a size of the uncompressed eyebox. Show less

A method includes determining eye tracking information of an eye pupil. A method also includes selectively configuring, based on the eye tracking information, one or more combinations of gratings included in a plurality of grating sets coupled with one or more waveguides to operate in a diffraction state to direct an image light to propagate through one or more sub-eyeboxes of a plurality of sub-eyeboxes. The plurality of sub-eyeboxes define an uncompressed eyebox. The one or more sub-eyeboxes… Show more

A method includes determining eye tracking information of an eye pupil. A method also includes selectively configuring, based on the eye tracking information, one or more combinations of gratings included in a plurality of grating sets coupled with one or more waveguides to operate in a diffraction state to direct an image light to propagate through one or more sub-eyeboxes of a plurality of sub-eyeboxes. The plurality of sub-eyeboxes define an uncompressed eyebox. The one or more sub-eyeboxes of the plurality of sub-eyeboxes define a compressed eyebox having a size smaller than a size of the uncompressed eyebox. Show less

A waveguide assembly is provided. The waveguide assembly includes a pair of pupil-replicating waveguides. The first pupil-replicating waveguide is configured for receiving an input beam of image light and providing an intermediate beam comprising multiple offset portions of the input beam. The second pupil-replicating waveguide is configured for receiving the intermediate beam from the first pupil-replicating waveguide and providing an output beam comprising multiple offset portions of the… Show more

A waveguide assembly is provided. The waveguide assembly includes a pair of pupil-replicating waveguides. The first pupil-replicating waveguide is configured for receiving an input beam of image light and providing an intermediate beam comprising multiple offset portions of the input beam. The second pupil-replicating waveguide is configured for receiving the intermediate beam from the first pupil-replicating waveguide and providing an output beam comprising multiple offset portions of the intermediate beam. The input beam may be expanded by the waveguide assembly in such a manner that pupil gaps are reduced or eliminated. Show less

A self-calibrating display can detect and compensate for binocular disparity or other visual imperfection of the display. The display includes a pair of projection units for projecting test light carrying test images through waveguides, which are normally used to carry images to left and right eyes of a user. A detection unit detects the test light propagated through the waveguides, and extracts the test images. Position of reference features in the detected test images may be used to determine… Show more

A self-calibrating display can detect and compensate for binocular disparity or other visual imperfection of the display. The display includes a pair of projection units for projecting test light carrying test images through waveguides, which are normally used to carry images to left and right eyes of a user. A detection unit detects the test light propagated through the waveguides, and extracts the test images. Position of reference features in the detected test images may be used to determine binocular disparity, and luminance and color distribution across the test images may be used to determine the illumination and color uniformity of the images displayed to the user. After the visual defects have been detected, they may be reduced or compensated for by pre-emphasizing or shifting images to be displayed to the left and right eyes of the user. Show less

An optical device includes a waveguide, a projector, a reflective display, and an in-coupler. The waveguide has a first side and an opposing second side. The projector is configured to project illumination light toward the first side of the waveguide. The reflective display is configured to receive the illumination light and to output image light toward the second side of the waveguide. The in-coupler is configured to receive the image light output by the reflective display and redirect a… Show more

An optical device includes a waveguide, a projector, a reflective display, and an in-coupler. The waveguide has a first side and an opposing second side. The projector is configured to project illumination light toward the first side of the waveguide. The reflective display is configured to receive the illumination light and to output image light toward the second side of the waveguide. The in-coupler is configured to receive the image light output by the reflective display and redirect a portion of the image light so that the portion of the image light undergoes total internal reflection inside the waveguide. Show less

A method to suppress a rainbow effect and an optical device thereof are provided. The method includes receiving, by a dimming element, a light from a real world. The method further includes attenuating, by the dimming element, an intensity of the light with a degree of attenuation growing with an incidence angle. The dimming element includes a liquid crystal (LC) dimming element.

Embodiments of the disclosure are generally directed to systems and methods for switchable electroactive devices for head-mounted displays (HMDs). In particular, a method may include (1) applying an electric field to an electroactive element of an electroactive device via electrodes of the electroactive device that are electrically coupled to the electroactive element to compress the electroactive element, which comprises a polymer material defining nanovoids, such that an average size of the… Show more

Embodiments of the disclosure are generally directed to systems and methods for switchable electroactive devices for head-mounted displays (HMDs). In particular, a method may include (1) applying an electric field to an electroactive element of an electroactive device via electrodes of the electroactive device that are electrically coupled to the electroactive element to compress the electroactive element, which comprises a polymer material defining nanovoids, such that an average size of the nanovoids is decreased and a density of the nanovoids is increased in the electroactive element, wherein the electroactive device is positioned at a distance from a user's eye, and (2) emitting image light from an emissive device positioned such that at least a portion of the image light is incident on a surface of the electroactive device facing the user's eye. Show less

Eye-tracking systems of the present disclosure may include at least one light source configured to emit modulated radiation toward an intended location for a user's eye. The modulated radiation may be modulated in a manner that enables the light source to be identified by detection and analysis of the modulated radiation. At least one optical sensor including at least one sensing element may be configured to detect at least a portion of the modulated radiation. A processor may be configured to… Show more

Eye-tracking systems of the present disclosure may include at least one light source configured to emit modulated radiation toward an intended location for a user's eye. The modulated radiation may be modulated in a manner that enables the light source to be identified by detection and analysis of the modulated radiation. At least one optical sensor including at least one sensing element may be configured to detect at least a portion of the modulated radiation. A processor may be configured to identify, based on the modulated radiation detected by the optical sensor, the light source that emitted the modulated radiation. Various other methods, systems, and devices are also disclosed. Show less

An optical system includes a grating including at least one substrate and a grating structure coupled to the at least one substrate. The grating structure is configured to diffract a first light having an incidence angle within a predetermined range. The optical system also includes a polarizer configured to transmit the first light diffracted by the grating structure and block a second light reflected by a surface of the at least one substrate.

Display having a wide field of view is provided. A transparent display provides inset display light having a field of view narrower than the wide field of view. At least a portion of the display light propagates through the transparent display before becoming incident on an eye of the user of an HMD.

Light emitting displays and sound systems can be used in cinemas for cinema presentations that integrates a sound system to achieve the same or better immersive conditions in cinema theatres with front projection cinema screens. The screen can be active with light emitters, rather than passive and reflect light projected from a projector. Spaces are formed between adjacent light emitters in the display to allow for sound waves to pass from sound wave emitters positioned behind the screen to a… Show more

Light emitting displays and sound systems can be used in cinemas for cinema presentations that integrates a sound system to achieve the same or better immersive conditions in cinema theatres with front projection cinema screens. The screen can be active with light emitters, rather than passive and reflect light projected from a projector. Spaces are formed between adjacent light emitters in the display to allow for sound waves to pass from sound wave emitters positioned behind the screen to a cinema seating area in front of the screen. Loudspeakers may be positioned in the spaces. Diffusers or other structures may be positioned proximate to a front of the screen to facilitate visual performance. In addition or in the alternative, loudspeakers can be positioned in each seat of the viewing seating area that produce sound waves that appear to be coming from a non-seating location in the theatre. Show less

Filter glasses for use by an observer of a stereoscopic digital display system that displays stereoscopic images including first-eye images and second-eye images. The filter glasses include a first-eye filter that substantially transmits light from the first-eye images and blocks light from the second-eye images, and a second-eye filter that substantially transmits light from the second-eye images and blocks light from the second-eye images. A frame is used to position the first-eye filter in… Show more

Filter glasses for use by an observer of a stereoscopic digital display system that displays stereoscopic images including first-eye images and second-eye images. The filter glasses include a first-eye filter that substantially transmits light from the first-eye images and blocks light from the second-eye images, and a second-eye filter that substantially transmits light from the second-eye images and blocks light from the second-eye images. A frame is used to position the first-eye filter in front of the observer's first eye and to position the second-eye filter in front of the observer's second eye, such that the front surfaces of the filters are oriented at a tilt angle of at least 5 degrees relative to vertical so that light from the display surface that is reflected from the first-eye filter and the second-eye filter is directed over the heads of other observers that are seated in front of the observer. Show less

A pupil-replicating waveguide suitable for operation with a coherent light source is disclosed. A waveguide body has opposed surfaces for guiding a beam of image light. An out-coupling element is disposed in an optical path of the beam for out-coupling portions of the beam at a plurality of spaced apart locations along the optical path. Electrodes are coupled to at least a portion of the waveguide body for modulating an optical path length of the optical path of the beam to create time-varying… Show more

A pupil-replicating waveguide suitable for operation with a coherent light source is disclosed. A waveguide body has opposed surfaces for guiding a beam of image light. An out-coupling element is disposed in an optical path of the beam for out-coupling portions of the beam at a plurality of spaced apart locations along the optical path. Electrodes are coupled to at least a portion of the waveguide body for modulating an optical path length of the optical path of the beam to create time-varying phase delays between the portions of the beam out-coupled by the out-coupling element. Show less

Eye-tracking systems of the present disclosure may include at least one light source configured to emit radiation toward a location intended for an eye of a user and at least one optical sensor comprising at least one sensing element configured to detect at least a portion of the radiation emitted by the at least one light source. The at least one sensing element may have a lateral width of at least about 5 μm and a lateral length of at least about 5 μm. The eye-tracking system may be… Show more

Eye-tracking systems of the present disclosure may include at least one light source configured to emit radiation toward a location intended for an eye of a user and at least one optical sensor comprising at least one sensing element configured to detect at least a portion of the radiation emitted by the at least one light source. The at least one sensing element may have a lateral width of at least about 5 μm and a lateral length of at least about 5 μm. The eye-tracking system may be configured to track the user's eye using data generated by at least the optical sensor. Various other methods, systems, and devices are also disclosed. Show less

An artificial-reality display uses an anisotropic material to circularly-polarize light exiting a waveguide so that the artificial-reality display is relatively transparent.

A radiant energy transfer panel is resized from an array of individually sealed segments by cutting the array along a cut line, thereby damaging some segments by breaking their seals. Other segments adjacent to the damaged segments are left intact. Each segment has two electrodes for power connection. Electrodes of the damaged segments remain electrically connected to electrodes of undamaged segments after cutting. An edge member may be positioned to overlap damaged segments and redirect light… Show more

A radiant energy transfer panel is resized from an array of individually sealed segments by cutting the array along a cut line, thereby damaging some segments by breaking their seals. Other segments adjacent to the damaged segments are left intact. Each segment has two electrodes for power connection. Electrodes of the damaged segments remain electrically connected to electrodes of undamaged segments after cutting. An edge member may be positioned to overlap damaged segments and redirect light from undamaged segments to compensate for the damaged segments. In alternative embodiments, the edge member may be light-blocking. The radiant energy transfer panel may be an electroluminescent panel or a photovoltaic panel. Show less

An apparatus (10) for radiant energy transfer has at least one radiant energy transfer panel (20) having a light-energy transfer surface (21) and a back surface (23). The back surface has a panel electrode (42) for an electrical connection with the at least one radiant energy transfer panel. The panel electrode is conductively coupled to a first member of a separable flexible conductive fastener. A second member of the separable flexible conductive fastener has a power connection electrode. The… Show more

An apparatus (10) for radiant energy transfer has at least one radiant energy transfer panel (20) having a light-energy transfer surface (21) and a back surface (23). The back surface has a panel electrode (42) for an electrical connection with the at least one radiant energy transfer panel. The panel electrode is conductively coupled to a first member of a separable flexible conductive fastener. A second member of the separable flexible conductive fastener has a power connection electrode. The power connection electrode is conductively coupled to a power device (12). Mechanically engaging the first and second members of the separable flexible conductive fastener connects the panel electrode on the at least one radiant energy transfer panel to the power connection electrode. Show less

Filter glasses for use with a stereoscopic digital display system that displays stereoscopic images including left-eye images and right-eye images. The left-eye images are formed with light in a plurality of left-eye spectral bands, and the right-eye images are formed with light in a corresponding plurality of spectrally-adjacent right-eye spectral bands. The filter glasses include a left-eye filter and a right-eye filter, each of which includes a dichroic filter stack and one or more… Show more

Filter glasses for use with a stereoscopic digital display system that displays stereoscopic images including left-eye images and right-eye images. The left-eye images are formed with light in a plurality of left-eye spectral bands, and the right-eye images are formed with light in a corresponding plurality of spectrally-adjacent right-eye spectral bands. The filter glasses include a left-eye filter and a right-eye filter, each of which includes a dichroic filter stack and one or more absorptive filter layers. Each of the filters transmits 50% or more of the light in the corresponding eye spectra bands, while providing less than 5% crosstalk. A frame is used to position the right-eye filter in front of an observer's right eye and to position the left-eye filter in front of the observer's left eye. Show less

An imaging lens having reduced susceptibility to thermally-induced stress birefringence for imaging an object plane to an image plane; comprising a plurality of lens elements. The lens element that experiences a highest optical power density is fabricated using a glass having a negligible susceptibility to thermal stress birefringence as characterized by the thermal stress birefringence metric. The other lens elements are fabricated using glasses having a negligible or a moderate susceptibility… Show more

An imaging lens having reduced susceptibility to thermally-induced stress birefringence for imaging an object plane to an image plane; comprising a plurality of lens elements. The lens element that experiences a highest optical power density is fabricated using a glass having a negligible susceptibility to thermal stress birefringence as characterized by the thermal stress birefringence metric. The other lens elements are fabricated using glasses having a negligible or a moderate susceptibility to thermal stress birefringence, at least one of the other lens elements being fabricated using a glass having a moderate susceptibility to thermal stress birefringence. Show less

A stereoscopic digital projection system that projects stereoscopic images including first-eye images and second-eye images. The system includes one or more narrow-band, solid-state, tunable light emitters, each being controllable to alternately provide emitted light in a first state in a corresponding first spectral band and emitted light in a second state in a corresponding second spectral band. An image forming system including at least one spatial light modulator is used to form modulated… Show more

A stereoscopic digital projection system that projects stereoscopic images including first-eye images and second-eye images. The system includes one or more narrow-band, solid-state, tunable light emitters, each being controllable to alternately provide emitted light in a first state in a corresponding first spectral band and emitted light in a second state in a corresponding second spectral band. An image forming system including at least one spatial light modulator is used to form modulated images by modulating light from the tunable lights emitters. A controller synchronously controls the state of the tunable light emitters and the spatial light modulator pixels, wherein the spatial light modulator pixels are controlled responsive to first-eye image data when the tunable light emitters are in the first state and are controlled responsive to second-eye image data when the tunable light emitters are in the second state. Show less

An apparatus (10) for radiant energy transfer has at least one radiant energy transfer panel (20) having a light-energy transfer surface (21) and a back surface (23). The back surface has a panel electrode (42) for an electrical connection with the at least one radiant energy transfer panel. The panel electrode is conductively coupled to a first member of a separable flexible conductive fastener. A second member of the separable flexible conductive fastener has a power connection electrode. The… Show more

An apparatus (10) for radiant energy transfer has at least one radiant energy transfer panel (20) having a light-energy transfer surface (21) and a back surface (23). The back surface has a panel electrode (42) for an electrical connection with the at least one radiant energy transfer panel. The panel electrode is conductively coupled to a first member of a separable flexible conductive fastener. A second member of the separable flexible conductive fastener has a power connection electrode. The power connection electrode is conductively coupled to a power device (12). Mechanically engaging the first and second members of the separable flexible conductive fastener connects the panel electrode on the at least one radiant energy transfer panel to the power connection electrode. Show less

An imaging system having reduced susceptibility to thermally-induced stress birefringence comprising relay optics and projection optics. One of either the relay optics or the projection optics is a reflective optical system that includes reflective optical elements, and the other is a refractive optical system having a negligible or low susceptibility to thermal stress birefringence. The refractive optical system includes: a first group of refractive lens elements located upstream from an… Show more

An imaging system having reduced susceptibility to thermally-induced stress birefringence comprising relay optics and projection optics. One of either the relay optics or the projection optics is a reflective optical system that includes reflective optical elements, and the other is a refractive optical system having a negligible or low susceptibility to thermal stress birefringence. The refractive optical system includes: a first group of refractive lens elements located upstream from an aperture stop, and a second group of refractive lens elements located downstream from the aperture stop. The refractive lens elements in the first and second groups that are immediately adjacent to the aperture stop are fabricated using optical materials having a negligible susceptibility to thermal stress birefringence, and the other refractive lens elements in the first and second groups are fabricated using optical materials having at most a moderate susceptibility to thermal stress birefringence. Show less

A stereoscopic digital projection system for projecting a stereoscopic image including a left-eye image and a right-eye image, comprising: first and second light sources providing corresponding first and second light beams having spectrally-adjacent, substantially non-overlapping spectral bands falling within a single component color spectrum; a spatial light modulator having an array of pixels that can be modulated according to image data to provide imaging light; illumination optics arranged… Show more

A stereoscopic digital projection system for projecting a stereoscopic image including a left-eye image and a right-eye image, comprising: first and second light sources providing corresponding first and second light beams having spectrally-adjacent, substantially non-overlapping spectral bands falling within a single component color spectrum; a spatial light modulator having an array of pixels that can be modulated according to image data to provide imaging light; illumination optics arranged to receive the first and second light beams and provide substantially uniform first and second bands of light; beam scanning optics arranged to cyclically scroll the first and second bands of light across the spatial light modulator; a controller system that synchronously modulates the spatial light modulator pixels according to image data for the stereoscopic image; projection optics for delivering the imaging light from the to a display surface; and filter glasses for a viewer. Show less

A color stereoscopic digital projection system having a plurality of color channels for projecting a color stereoscopic image, comprising: left-eye and right-eye image forming systems, each including a light sources for each color channel; a spatial light modulator, illumination optics arranged to receive the light beams and provide corresponding substantially uniform bands of light, beam scanning optics arranged to cyclically scroll the bands of light across the spatial light modulator, and a… Show more

A color stereoscopic digital projection system having a plurality of color channels for projecting a color stereoscopic image, comprising: left-eye and right-eye image forming systems, each including a light sources for each color channel; a spatial light modulator, illumination optics arranged to receive the light beams and provide corresponding substantially uniform bands of light, beam scanning optics arranged to cyclically scroll the bands of light across the spatial light modulator, and a controller system that synchronously modulates the pixels of the spatial light modulator according to image data. The right-eye and left-eye light sources have corresponding spectrally-adjacent, substantially non-overlapping spectral bands falling within the same component color spectrum. The system also includes one or more dichroic filters for combining the imaging light arranged to selectively transmit the spectral bands from one of the image forming systems and selectively reflect the spectral bands from the other image forming system. Show less

An imaging lens having reduced susceptibility to thermally-induced stress birefringence for imaging an object plane to an image plane; comprising: an aperture stop positioned between the object plane and the image plane; a first group of lens elements located on the object plane side of the aperture stop; and a second group of lens elements located on the image plane side of the aperture stop; wherein the lens elements immediately adjacent to the aperture stop are fabricated using glasses… Show more

An imaging lens having reduced susceptibility to thermally-induced stress birefringence for imaging an object plane to an image plane; comprising: an aperture stop positioned between the object plane and the image plane; a first group of lens elements located on the object plane side of the aperture stop; and a second group of lens elements located on the image plane side of the aperture stop; wherein the lens elements immediately adjacent to the aperture stop are fabricated using glasses having a negligible susceptibility to thermal stress birefringence as characterized by a thermal stress birefringence metric; and wherein the other lens elements in the first or second groups of lens elements are fabricated using glasses having at most a moderate susceptibility to thermal stress birefringence as characterized by the thermal stress birefringence metric Show less

An anti-reflective thin film coating formed on an optical surface, comprising a multilayer thin-film stack arranged to suppress reflection of incident polarized light within an incident light wavelength range. The multilayer thin-film stack further provides a reflectance edge transition at a wavelength band that lies outside the incident light wavelength range. The reflectance edge transition is arranged to provide phase difference compensation to the polarized light within the incident… Show more

An anti-reflective thin film coating formed on an optical surface, comprising a multilayer thin-film stack arranged to suppress reflection of incident polarized light within an incident light wavelength range. The multilayer thin-film stack further provides a reflectance edge transition at a wavelength band that lies outside the incident light wavelength range. The reflectance edge transition is arranged to provide phase difference compensation to the polarized light within the incident polarized light wavelength range. Show less

A method for designing an imaging lens having reduced susceptibility to thermally-induced stress birefringence, the imaging lens having first and second groups of lens elements located either side of an aperture stop, the method comprising: defining a set of lens design attributes; defining a set of lens performance criteria including a thermally-induced stress birefringence performance criterion; defining a first set of candidate glasses having a negligible susceptibility to thermal stress… Show more

A method for designing an imaging lens having reduced susceptibility to thermally-induced stress birefringence, the imaging lens having first and second groups of lens elements located either side of an aperture stop, the method comprising: defining a set of lens design attributes; defining a set of lens performance criteria including a thermally-induced stress birefringence performance criterion; defining a first set of candidate glasses having a negligible susceptibility to thermal stress birefringence and a second set of candidate glasses having at most a moderate susceptibility to thermal stress birefringence; selecting glasses for lens elements that are located adjacent to the aperture stop from the first set of candidate glasses; selecting glasses for the remaining lens elements from the first or second sets of candidate glasses; and using a computer processor to determine a lens design for the imaging lens. Show less

A projection apparatus for producing color images having reduced speckle artifacts comprising: at least three narrow band light sources having first, second and third visible wavelength bands; a digital image source providing color digital image data; at least one spatial light modulator for forming a color image using light responsive to the color digital image data; a projection display surface including a reflective layer that reflects incident illumination in the first, second, and third… Show more

A projection apparatus for producing color images having reduced speckle artifacts comprising: at least three narrow band light sources having first, second and third visible wavelength bands; a digital image source providing color digital image data; at least one spatial light modulator for forming a color image using light responsive to the color digital image data; a projection display surface including a reflective layer that reflects incident illumination in the first, second, and third wavelength bands; and a fluorescent agent that absorbs a fraction of the incident light in the first visible wavelength bands and emits light in a corresponding first emissive visible wavelength band; and a projection lens that projects the color image onto the projection display surface; wherein return light from the projection display surface contains light in both the first incident visible wavelength band and the first emissive visible wavelength band, thereby reducing speckle artifacts. Show less

In a coherent light projection system including an image forming system, a relay system, a speckle reduction element, and a projection subsystem, the relay system can have a first f-number, and the projection subsystem can have a second f-number less than the first f-number. The relay system can have a first working distance, and the projection subsystem can have a second working distance less than the first working distance. The image forming system can project an initial image having a first… Show more

In a coherent light projection system including an image forming system, a relay system, a speckle reduction element, and a projection subsystem, the relay system can have a first f-number, and the projection subsystem can have a second f-number less than the first f-number. The relay system can have a first working distance, and the projection subsystem can have a second working distance less than the first working distance. The image forming system can project an initial image having a first size, and an intermediate image can have a second size greater than or equal to the first size. The speckle reduction element can have a curved surface through which the intermediate image is transferred. The speckle reduction element can include a lenslet arrangement formed on a surface thereof. The speckle reduction element can be moved in a direction parallel to an optical axis of the speckle reduction element. Show less

A beam combiner for combining a plurality of light beams onto an optical path, comprising: a first dichroic element having a dichroic coating that is disposed to transmit light of a first wavelength band along the optical path and to reflect light of a second wavelength band onto the optical path, and a second dichroic element having a dichroic coating that is disposed to transmit the light of the first and second wavelength bands along the optical path and to reflect light of a third… Show more

A beam combiner for combining a plurality of light beams onto an optical path, comprising: a first dichroic element having a dichroic coating that is disposed to transmit light of a first wavelength band along the optical path and to reflect light of a second wavelength band onto the optical path, and a second dichroic element having a dichroic coating that is disposed to transmit the light of the first and second wavelength bands along the optical path and to reflect light of a third wavelength band onto the optical path. The beam combiner further includes a phase difference compensation multilayer thin-film stack that provides at least one reflectance edge transition that lies outside any of the first, second, and third wavelength bands and which provides compensation for an accumulated phase difference for polarization states of the transiting in at least one of the first, second, and third wavelength bands. Show less

An imaging system having reduced susceptibility to thermally induced stress birefringence, comprising; a relay lens, which images the object plane onto an intermediate image plane; a projection lens, which images the intermediate image plane onto the display surface. The lens elements that are immediately adjacent to a relay lens aperture stop and a projection lens aperture stop are fabricated using glasses having a negligible susceptibility to thermal stress birefringence, and the other lens… Show more

An imaging system having reduced susceptibility to thermally induced stress birefringence, comprising; a relay lens, which images the object plane onto an intermediate image plane; a projection lens, which images the intermediate image plane onto the display surface. The lens elements that are immediately adjacent to a relay lens aperture stop and a projection lens aperture stop are fabricated using glasses having a negligible susceptibility to thermal stress birefringence, and the other lens elements are fabricated using glasses having at most a moderate susceptibility to thermal stress birefringence as characterized by the thermal stress birefringence metric. Show less

In a light projection system, potentially hierarchical levels of light intensity control ensure proper laser-light output intensity, color channel intensity, white point, left/right image intensity balancing, or combinations thereof. The light projection system can include a light intensity sensor in an image path, in a light-source subsystem light-dump path, in a light-modulation subsystem light-dump path, in a position to measure light leaked from optical components, or combinations thereof… Show more

In a light projection system, potentially hierarchical levels of light intensity control ensure proper laser-light output intensity, color channel intensity, white point, left/right image intensity balancing, or combinations thereof. The light projection system can include a light intensity sensor in an image path, in a light-source subsystem light-dump path, in a light-modulation subsystem light-dump path, in a position to measure light leaked from optical components, or combinations thereof.

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A laser projection system comprising a laser source system configured to emit coherent light, an optical integrating system configured to uniformize coherent light it receives, a randomizing optical element configured to spatially move over time in order to temporally randomize the phase, angle or spatial location of coherent light it receives, an image forming system configured to interact with laser light that has been both uniformized by the optical integrating system and randomized by the… Show more

A laser projection system comprising a laser source system configured to emit coherent light, an optical integrating system configured to uniformize coherent light it receives, a randomizing optical element configured to spatially move over time in order to temporally randomize the phase, angle or spatial location of coherent light it receives, an image forming system configured to interact with laser light that has been both uniformized by the optical integrating system and randomized by the randomizing optical element, thereby forming a laser light image, and a projection system configured to project the laser light image onto a viewing screen.

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In a light projection system, potentially hierarchical levels of light intensity control ensure proper laser-light output intensity, color channel intensity, white point, left/right image intensity balancing, or combinations thereof. The light projection system can include a light intensity sensor in an image path, in a light-source subsystem light-dump path, in a light-modulation subsystem light-dump path, in a position to measure light leaked from optical components, or combinations thereof.

A stereoscopic digital image projecting system has a light source system energizable to provide polarized illumination having a first polarization state and a beam splitting system alternately generating first and second light beams having different polarization states from the polarized illumination. A combining system has a polarization beam combiner that combines the first and second light beams into a combined light beam. A spatial light modulator is used to modulate the combined light beam… Show more

A stereoscopic digital image projecting system has a light source system energizable to provide polarized illumination having a first polarization state and a beam splitting system alternately generating first and second light beams having different polarization states from the polarized illumination. A combining system has a polarization beam combiner that combines the first and second light beams into a combined light beam. A spatial light modulator is used to modulate the combined light beam in a manner consistent with stereoscopic image data to form a first modulated image from illumination in the combined light beam having the first polarization state and to form a second modulated image from illumination in the combined light beam having the second polarization state. Projection optics are configured to project the first and second modulated images onto a display surface. Show less

A projection display surface for reducing speckle artifacts from a projector having at least one narrow band light source having an incident visible wavelength band, wherein the incident visible wavelength band has an incident peak wavelength and an incident bandwidth, comprising: a substrate having a reflective layer that reflects incident light over at least the incident visible wavelength band; and a fluorescent agent distributed over the reflective layer, wherein the fluorescent agent… Show more

A projection display surface for reducing speckle artifacts from a projector having at least one narrow band light source having an incident visible wavelength band, wherein the incident visible wavelength band has an incident peak wavelength and an incident bandwidth, comprising: a substrate having a reflective layer that reflects incident light over at least the incident visible wavelength band; and a fluorescent agent distributed over the reflective layer, wherein the fluorescent agent absorbs a fraction of the light in the incident visible wavelength band and emits light in an emissive visible wavelength band having an emissive peak wavelength and an emissive bandwidth; wherein return light from the projection display surface produced when incident light in the incident visible wavelength band is incident on the projection display surface contains light in both the incident visible wavelength band and emissive visible wavelength band, thereby reducing speckle artifacts. Show less

In a coherent light projection system including an image forming system, a relay system, a speckle reduction element, and a projection subsystem, the relay system can have a first f-number, and the projection subsystem can have a second f-number less than the first f-number. The relay system can have a first working distance, and the projection subsystem can have a second working distance less than the first working distance. The image forming system can project an initial image having a first… Show more

In a coherent light projection system including an image forming system, a relay system, a speckle reduction element, and a projection subsystem, the relay system can have a first f-number, and the projection subsystem can have a second f-number less than the first f-number. The relay system can have a first working distance, and the projection subsystem can have a second working distance less than the first working distance. The image forming system can project an initial image having a first size, and an intermediate image can have a second size greater than or equal to the first size. The speckle reduction element can have a curved surface through which the intermediate image is transferred. The speckle reduction element can include a lenslet arrangement formed on a surface thereof. The speckle reduction element can be moved in a direction parallel to an optical axis of the speckle reduction element. Show less

In a coherent light projection system including an image forming system, a relay system, a speckle reduction element, and a projection subsystem, the relay system can have a first f-number, and the projection subsystem can have a second f-number less than the first f-number. The relay system can have a first working distance, and the projection subsystem can have a second working distance less than the first working distance. The image forming system can project an initial image having a first… Show more

In a coherent light projection system including an image forming system, a relay system, a speckle reduction element, and a projection subsystem, the relay system can have a first f-number, and the projection subsystem can have a second f-number less than the first f-number. The relay system can have a first working distance, and the projection subsystem can have a second working distance less than the first working distance. The image forming system can project an initial image having a first size, and an intermediate image can have a second size greater than or equal to the first size. The speckle reduction element can have a curved surface through which the intermediate image is transferred. The speckle reduction element can include a lenslet arrangement formed on a surface thereof. The speckle reduction element can be moved in a direction parallel to an optical axis of the speckle reduction element. Show less

In a light projection system, potentially hierarchical levels of light intensity control ensure proper laser-light output intensity, color channel intensity, white point, left/right image intensity balancing, or combinations thereof. The light projection system can include a light intensity sensor in an image path, in a light-source subsystem light-dump path, in a light-modulation subsystem light-dump path, in a position to measure light leaked from optical components, or combinations thereof.

n a light projection system, potentially hierarchical levels of light intensity control ensure proper laser-light output intensity, color channel intensity, white point, left/right image intensity balancing, or combinations thereof. The light projection system can include a light intensity sensor in an image path, in a light-source subsystem light-dump path, in a light-modulation subsystem light-dump path, in a position to measure light leaked from optical components, or combinations thereof.

Etendue maintaining polarization switching occurs, according to various embodiments, with a mirror that quickly transitions between two positions. Light having uniform polarization is transmitted to the mirror. Light reflected off of the mirror in one of the two positions has its polarization changed, whereas light reflected off of the mirror in the other of the two positions has its polarization maintained. Thereafter, the polarization-changed light and the polarization-maintained light easily… Show more

Etendue maintaining polarization switching occurs, according to various embodiments, with a mirror that quickly transitions between two positions. Light having uniform polarization is transmitted to the mirror. Light reflected off of the mirror in one of the two positions has its polarization changed, whereas light reflected off of the mirror in the other of the two positions has its polarization maintained. Thereafter, the polarization-changed light and the polarization-maintained light easily may be recombined in an entendue-maintaining manner. Because the recombined light includes two different polarization states, stereoscopic images may be generated. Show less

A beam alignment chamber extending in a length direction comprising a base having a front edge, and two side edges, first and second opposed side walls connected to the base, and extending along the length of the base, a front wall located at the front edge of the base having an output opening. The beam alignment chamber further comprises a plurality of arrays of light sources disposed to direct light beams through the first or second side walls, and a plurality of reflectors mounted on the… Show more

A beam alignment chamber extending in a length direction comprising a base having a front edge, and two side edges, first and second opposed side walls connected to the base, and extending along the length of the base, a front wall located at the front edge of the base having an output opening. The beam alignment chamber further comprises a plurality of arrays of light sources disposed to direct light beams through the first or second side walls, and a plurality of reflectors mounted on the base, each having independent yaw and pitch adjustments, each reflector being paired with a corresponding array of light sources, the base-mounted reflectors being disposed to direct the light beams along the length of the beam alignment chamber through the output opening forming an aligned two-dimensional array of parallel light beams. Show less

A stereoscopic digital projection system that projects stereoscopic images including first-eye images and second-eye images onto a display surface. The first-eye images are formed using red, green and blue first-eye light emitters having corresponding spectral bands with red, green and blue first-eye central wavelengths, .lamda..sub.R1, .lamda..sub.G1 and .lamda..sub.B1. The second-eye images are formed using red, green and blue second-eye light emitters having corresponding spectral bands with… Show more

A stereoscopic digital projection system that projects stereoscopic images including first-eye images and second-eye images onto a display surface. The first-eye images are formed using red, green and blue first-eye light emitters having corresponding spectral bands with red, green and blue first-eye central wavelengths, .lamda..sub.R1, .lamda..sub.G1 and .lamda..sub.B1. The second-eye images are formed using red, green and blue second-eye light emitters having corresponding spectral bands with red, green and blue second-eye central wavelengths, .lamda..sub.R2, .lamda..sub.G2 and .lamda..sub.B2. The central wavelengths are arranged such that .lamda..sub.B1<.lamda..sub.B2<.lamda..sub.G2<.lamda..sub.G1<.- lamda..sub.R1<.lamda..sub.R2. An image forming system including at least one spatial light modulator is used to form first-eye and second-eye modulated images by modulating light from the first-eye and second light emitters. Projection optics are used to deliver the first-eye and second-eye modulated images to a display surface. Show less

A projection display surface for reducing speckle artifacts from a projector having at least one narrow band light source having an incident visible wavelength band, wherein the incident visible wavelength band has an incident peak wavelength and an incident bandwidth, comprising: a substrate having a reflective layer that reflects incident light over at least the incident visible wavelength band; and a fluorescent agent distributed over the reflective layer, wherein the fluorescent agent… Show more

A projection display surface for reducing speckle artifacts from a projector having at least one narrow band light source having an incident visible wavelength band, wherein the incident visible wavelength band has an incident peak wavelength and an incident bandwidth, comprising: a substrate having a reflective layer that reflects incident light over at least the incident visible wavelength band; and a fluorescent agent distributed over the reflective layer, wherein the fluorescent agent absorbs a fraction of the light in the incident visible wavelength band and emits light in an emissive visible wavelength band having an emissive peak wavelength and an emissive bandwidth; wherein return light from the projection display surface produced when incident light in the incident visible wavelength band is incident on the projection display surface contains light in both the incident visible wavelength band and emissive visible wavelength band, thereby reducing speckle artifacts. Show less

A stereoscopic digital image projecting system has a light source system providing polarized illumination having a first polarization state and a beam splitting system with a rotating segmented disk in the illumination, alternately generating first and second light beams, the rotating segmented disk having outer segments alternately transmissive and non-transmissive and inner segments radially aligned with the outer segments and alternately reflective and transmissive. A polarization rotator in… Show more

A stereoscopic digital image projecting system has a light source system providing polarized illumination having a first polarization state and a beam splitting system with a rotating segmented disk in the illumination, alternately generating first and second light beams, the rotating segmented disk having outer segments alternately transmissive and non-transmissive and inner segments radially aligned with the outer segments and alternately reflective and transmissive. A polarization rotator in a path of either the first or second light beam rotates the first polarization state to a second state orthogonal to the first. A combining system combines the first and second light beams into a combined light beam. A spatial light modulator modulates the combined light beam in a manner consistent with stereoscopic image data to form first and second modulated images having substantially orthogonal polarization states. Projection optics project the modulated images onto a display surface. Show less

A beam alignment chamber comprising: a base, first and second side walls connected to the base, and a front wall located at the front edge of the base having an output opening. The beam alignment chamber further including a plurality of light sources disposed to direct light beams through the first or second side walls, a plurality of reflectors mounted on the base, each having independent yaw and pitch adjustments, each being disposed to direct the light beams from a corresponding light… Show more

A beam alignment chamber comprising: a base, first and second side walls connected to the base, and a front wall located at the front edge of the base having an output opening. The beam alignment chamber further including a plurality of light sources disposed to direct light beams through the first or second side walls, a plurality of reflectors mounted on the base, each having independent yaw and pitch adjustments, each being disposed to direct the light beams from a corresponding light sources along the length of the beam alignment chamber through the output opening forming an aligned array of parallel light beams, and one or more optical elements positioned in the optical path of the aligned array of light beams disposed to correct the beam divergence with respect to at least one axis. Show less

A beam alignment system for generating an aligned two-dimensional array of parallel light beams, comprising a beam alignment chamber including a base extending in a length direction and a plurality of reflectors mounted on the base, each having independent yaw and pitch adjustments. The beam alignment system further includes a plurality of arrays of light sources, each generating an array of light beams and being paired with a corresponding reflector, the reflectors being disposed to direct the… Show more

A beam alignment system for generating an aligned two-dimensional array of parallel light beams, comprising a beam alignment chamber including a base extending in a length direction and a plurality of reflectors mounted on the base, each having independent yaw and pitch adjustments. The beam alignment system further includes a plurality of arrays of light sources, each generating an array of light beams and being paired with a corresponding reflector, the reflectors being disposed to direct the light beams along the length of the beam alignment chamber forming an aligned two-dimensional array of parallel light beams. Show less

Etendue maintaining polarization switching occurs, according to various embodiments, with a mirror that quickly transitions between two positions. Light having uniform polarization is transmitted to the mirror. Light reflected off of the mirror in one of the two positions has its polarization changed, whereas light reflected off of the mirror in the other of the two positions has its polarization maintained. Thereafter, the polarization-changed light and the polarization-maintained light easily… Show more

Etendue maintaining polarization switching occurs, according to various embodiments, with a mirror that quickly transitions between two positions. Light having uniform polarization is transmitted to the mirror. Light reflected off of the mirror in one of the two positions has its polarization changed, whereas light reflected off of the mirror in the other of the two positions has its polarization maintained. Thereafter, the polarization-changed light and the polarization-maintained light easily may be recombined in an entendue-maintaining manner. Because the recombined light includes two different polarization states, stereoscopic images may be generated.

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A projection apparatus has a spatial light modulator to modulate illumination from a laser light source. A base projection lens has, from its long conjugate side to its short conjugate side, a first lens group with negative focal length and with a first lens element that has a negative focal length and a second lens element of positive focal length, a second lens group of negative focal length and spaced apart from the first lens group and having one or more cemented lens elements, and a third… Show more

A projection apparatus has a spatial light modulator to modulate illumination from a laser light source. A base projection lens has, from its long conjugate side to its short conjugate side, a first lens group with negative focal length and with a first lens element that has a negative focal length and a second lens element of positive focal length, a second lens group of negative focal length and spaced apart from the first lens group and having one or more cemented lens elements, and a third lens group spaced apart from the second lens group and having a lens with a positive focal length. The base projection lens has a first field of view and is telecentric in its short conjugate. An afocal attachment to the base projection lens alters the first field of view by the same amount in both of two orthogonal directions. Show less

A digital image projector includes a light assembly configured to project light along a light path from at least one laser array light source, the projected light having an overlapping far field illumination in a far field illumination portion of the light path; a temporally varying optical phase shifting device configured to be in the light path; an optical integrator configured to be in the light path; a spatial light modulator located downstream of the temporally varying optical phase… Show more

A digital image projector includes a light assembly configured to project light along a light path from at least one laser array light source, the projected light having an overlapping far field illumination in a far field illumination portion of the light path; a temporally varying optical phase shifting device configured to be in the light path; an optical integrator configured to be in the light path; a spatial light modulator located downstream of the temporally varying optical phase shifting device and the optical integrator in the light path, the spatial light modulator configured to be located in the far field illumination portion of the light path; and projection optics located downstream of the spatial light modulator in the light path, the projection optics configured to direct substantially speckle free light from the spatial light modulator toward a display surface.

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A digital image projector includes a plurality of light modulation assemblies and a dichroic combiner. Each light modulation assembly includes at least one laser light source configured to provide an illumination beam, an optional a coated surface, and a spatial light modulator. If the coated surface is present, the respective laser light source is configured to direct the illumination beam to the coated surface, which directs the illumination beam toward the respective spatial light modulator.… Show more

A digital image projector includes a plurality of light modulation assemblies and a dichroic combiner. Each light modulation assembly includes at least one laser light source configured to provide an illumination beam, an optional a coated surface, and a spatial light modulator. If the coated surface is present, the respective laser light source is configured to direct the illumination beam to the coated surface, which directs the illumination beam toward the respective spatial light modulator. Otherwise, the respective laser light source is configured to direct the illumination beam directly toward the respective spatial light modulator. The spatial light modulator redirects output modulated light back to the coated surface, if present, and out of the corresponding light modulation assembly. The dichroic combiner directs the output modulated light from each of the plurality of light modulation assemblies toward a projection lens for projection onto a display surface. Show less

A stereoscopic digital image projector includes (a) a plurality of light modulation assemblies, each comprising: (i) at least one solid-state light source energizable to provide illumination having a first polarization axis; (ii) a polarization rotator disposed in the path of the polarized illumination from the solid-state light source(s) and actuable to controllably rotate the polarization axis from the solid-state light source(s) to a second polarized axis; (iii) a micro-electromechanical… Show more

A stereoscopic digital image projector includes (a) a plurality of light modulation assemblies, each comprising: (i) at least one solid-state light source energizable to provide illumination having a first polarization axis; (ii) a polarization rotator disposed in the path of the polarized illumination from the solid-state light source(s) and actuable to controllably rotate the polarization axis from the solid-state light source(s) to a second polarized axis; (iii) a micro-electromechanical spatial light modulator in the path of the polarized illumination and energizable to modulate the polarized illumination to form a first modulated light from illumination of the first polarization state and to form a second modulated light from illumination of the second polarization state; and (b) a synchronizing means to temporally control the polarization rotation to match the appropriate image data on the spatial light modulator; and (c) projection optics for directing the first and second modulated light toward a display surface.

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A digital image projector includes a first polarized light source; a second polarized light source that is orthogonal in polarization state to the first polarized light source; a polarization beamsplitter disposed to direct light of either the first or second polarization along a common illumination axis; a MEMS spatial light modulator; and projection optics for delivering imaging light from the MEMS spatial light modulator.

A projection apparatus (10) has an LC modulator panel (60) with photoresponsive layer, segmented into at least first, second, and third portions, each spatially separated. An image writing section (120) forms a first, second, or third image within the corresponding portion of the LC modulator panel by scanning successive lines of image writing light to energize the photoresponsive layer (316). The image writing section has at least one grating electromechanical system for modulating incident… Show more

A projection apparatus (10) has an LC modulator panel (60) with photoresponsive layer, segmented into at least first, second, and third portions, each spatially separated. An image writing section (120) forms a first, second, or third image within the corresponding portion of the LC modulator panel by scanning successive lines of image writing light to energize the photoresponsive layer (316). The image writing section has at least one grating electromechanical system for modulating incident emission from a narrow-band light source (70) by providing diffracted and non-diffracted orders and a scanning element for directing a line of light thus formed toward the LC modulator panel to energize the photoresponsive layer. An illumination section (130) directs first, second, and third illumination beams for modulation by the respective portions of the LC modulator panel. A polarizing beamsplitter (24r, 24g, 24b), associated with each portion, polarizes and directs the illumination beams toward the LC modulator panel and directs modulated light toward a projection lens (62). Show less

A stereoscopic imaging apparatus (200) has an illumination source (110) providing polarized illumination beams and at least one uniformizing element (22) for uniformizing first and second illumination beams. A left channel modulation apparatus (220l) modulates the first polarized illumination beam to provide the left eye portion of the stereoscopic image and a right channel modulation apparatus (220r) modulates the second polarized illumination beam to provide the right eye portion. Each… Show more

A stereoscopic imaging apparatus (200) has an illumination source (110) providing polarized illumination beams and at least one uniformizing element (22) for uniformizing first and second illumination beams. A left channel modulation apparatus (220l) modulates the first polarized illumination beam to provide the left eye portion of the stereoscopic image and a right channel modulation apparatus (220r) modulates the second polarized illumination beam to provide the right eye portion. Each channel modulation apparatus has a color separator (78) for separating the polarized illumination beam into at least a first component wavelength illumination and a second component wavelength illumination. Each channel modulation apparatus also has at least two component wavelength modulating sections, each component wavelength modulating section being a portion of a monochrome transmissive liquid crystal modulator panel (60) that accepts a corresponding component wavelength illumination and modulates the component wavelength illumination to provide a modulated component wavelength beam. Show less

A projection apparatus (10) has an LC modulator panel (60) with photoresponsive layer (316), segmented into a first, second, and third portion, each spatially separated. An image writing section (120) forms a first, second, or third image within the corresponding portion of the LC modulator panel by scanning successive lines of image writing light to energize the photoresponsive layer. The image writing section has at least one grating electromechanical system for modulating a narrow-band light… Show more

A projection apparatus (10) has an LC modulator panel (60) with photoresponsive layer (316), segmented into a first, second, and third portion, each spatially separated. An image writing section (120) forms a first, second, or third image within the corresponding portion of the LC modulator panel by scanning successive lines of image writing light to energize the photoresponsive layer. The image writing section has at least one grating electromechanical system for modulating a narrow-band light source (70) by providing diffracted and non-diffracted orders and a scanning element (98) for directing a line of light toward the LC modulator panel to energize the photoresponsive layer. An illumination section (130) directs the illumination beams for modulation by the LC modulator panel. Polarizing beamsplitter (24r, 24g, 24b), polarize and direct the illumination beams toward the LC modulator panel and directs modulated light toward projection lens (32). Show less

A digital cinema projection apparatus having an illumination source with a first etendue value for providing polarized polychromatic light. A first lens element lies in the path of the polarized polychromatic light for forming a substantially telecentric polarized polychromatic light beam. A color separator separates the telecentric polarized polychromatic light beam into at least two telecentric color light beams. At least two transmissive spatial light modulators modulate the two telecentric… Show more

A digital cinema projection apparatus having an illumination source with a first etendue value for providing polarized polychromatic light. A first lens element lies in the path of the polarized polychromatic light for forming a substantially telecentric polarized polychromatic light beam. A color separator separates the telecentric polarized polychromatic light beam into at least two telecentric color light beams. At least two transmissive spatial light modulators modulate the two telecentric color light beams. There is an etendue value associated with each spatial light modulator. The etendue value is within 15% or greater than the first etendue value corresponding to the illumination source. A color combiner combines the modulated color beams along a common optical axis, forming a multicolor modulated beam thereby; and a projection lens directs the multicolor modulated beam toward a display surface. Show less

A projection apparatus (10) has an illumination section with a light source (20) providing a substantially unpolarized illumination beam of multiple wavelengths. A multiple wavelength polarizer polarizes the substantially unpolarized illumination beam to provide a substantially polarized illumination beam of multiple wavelengths. A uniformizer conditions the substantially polarized illumination beam of multiple wavelengths to provide a uniformized polarized beam of multiple wavelengths. A color… Show more

A projection apparatus (10) has an illumination section with a light source (20) providing a substantially unpolarized illumination beam of multiple wavelengths. A multiple wavelength polarizer polarizes the substantially unpolarized illumination beam to provide a substantially polarized illumination beam of multiple wavelengths. A uniformizer conditions the substantially polarized illumination beam of multiple wavelengths to provide a uniformized polarized beam of multiple wavelengths. A color scrolling element provides a repeating, scrolled sequence of colors from a set of colors, thereby providing first, second, and third component wavelength illumination. A component wavelength modulating section accepts the sequence of first, second, and third component wavelength illumination from the color scrolling element and sequentially modulates the first, second, and third component wavelength illumination at a transmissive liquid crystal modulator panel (118) to provide a modulated component wavelength beam to a lens for projection toward a display surface (40). Show less

A system for creating a patterned polarization compensator has a retardance characterization system for optically scanning the spatially variant retardance of a spatial light modulator. A compensator patterning system writes a spatially variant photo-alignment pattern on a substrate of a polarization compensator. The patterned polarization compensator is completed by a process that includes providing a photo-alignment layer on which spatially variant photo-alighment layer is formed, providing… Show more

A system for creating a patterned polarization compensator has a retardance characterization system for optically scanning the spatially variant retardance of a spatial light modulator. A compensator patterning system writes a spatially variant photo-alignment pattern on a substrate of a polarization compensator. The patterned polarization compensator is completed by a process that includes providing a photo-alignment layer on which spatially variant photo-alighment layer is formed, providing a liquid crystal polymer layer onto the photo-alignment layer, and then fixing the liquid crystal polymer layer to form a spatially variant retardance pattern into the structure of the patterned polarization compensator. Show less

AA projection apparatus (10) has an illumination section (68) that provides at least a first, a second, and a third component wavelength illumination. At least two component wavelength modulating sections accept and modulate the component wavelength illumination to provide a modulated component wavelength beam. Each component wavelength modulating section has a portion of a monochrome transmissive liquid crystal modulator panel (118) that has been segmented into at least a first, a second, and… Show more

AA projection apparatus (10) has an illumination section (68) that provides at least a first, a second, and a third component wavelength illumination. At least two component wavelength modulating sections accept and modulate the component wavelength illumination to provide a modulated component wavelength beam. Each component wavelength modulating section has a portion of a monochrome transmissive liquid crystal modulator panel (118) that has been segmented into at least a first, a second, and a third spatially separate portion. A component wavelength polarizer directs substantially polarized light to the corresponding portion of the monochrome transmissive liquid crystal modulator panel. An illumination path Fresnel lens focuses incident illumination from the component wavelength polarizer through the corresponding portion of the monochrome transmissive liquid crystal modulator panel. An analyzer conditions the polarization of the modulated component wavelength beam. A lens forms an image of superimposed component wavelength beams for projection onto a display surface (40). Show less

A projection apparatus has an illumination section that provides first, second, and third light sources for providing first, second, and third illumination beams. First, second, and third component wavelength modulating sections modulate the corresponding illumination to provide first, second, or third modulated component wavelength beams respectively. Each component wavelength modulating section uses a portion of a monochrome transmissive liquid crystal modulator panel that has been segmented… Show more

A projection apparatus has an illumination section that provides first, second, and third light sources for providing first, second, and third illumination beams. First, second, and third component wavelength modulating sections modulate the corresponding illumination to provide first, second, or third modulated component wavelength beams respectively. Each component wavelength modulating section uses a portion of a monochrome transmissive liquid crystal modulator panel that has been segmented into at least a first, second, and third portion. A component wavelength polarizer in the path of the component wavelength illumination directs substantially polarized light to the corresponding portion of the monochrome transmissive liquid crystal modulator panel. An illumination path Fresnel lens focuses incident illumination from the component wavelength polarizer through the corresponding portion of the monochrome transmissive liquid crystal modulator panel. An analyzer conditions the polarization of the modulated component wavelength beam. A lens forms an image for projection onto a surface. Show less

A housing (500) for a wire grid polarizing beamsplitter (240) and a spatial light modulator (210) in alignment with an output optical path has a front plate having an opening (502) for admitting incident illumination and a modulator mounting plate (506) for mounting the spatial light modulator (210) in the optical output path. First and second polarizer support plates (512, 520) extend between the front plate and the modulator mounting plate (506), with their respective facing inner surfaces… Show more

A housing (500) for a wire grid polarizing beamsplitter (240) and a spatial light modulator (210) in alignment with an output optical path has a front plate having an opening (502) for admitting incident illumination and a modulator mounting plate (506) for mounting the spatial light modulator (210) in the optical output path. First and second polarizer support plates (512, 520) extend between the front plate and the modulator mounting plate (506), with their respective facing inner surfaces providing coplanar support features for supporting the wire grid polarizing beamsplitter (240) within a fixed plane. The coplanar support features allow rotation of the wire grid polarizing beamsplitter (240) with respect to the output axis. The wire grid polarizing beamsplitter (240) has its surface at a fixed angle with respect to the surface of the spatial light modulator (210), the angle defining an output optical axis along the output optical path. Show less

A system for creating a patterned polarization compensator (550) has a retardance characterization system (560) for optically scanning the spatially variant retardance of a spatial light modulator (210). A compensator patterning system (565) writes a spatially variant photo-alignment pattern on a substrate (555) of a polarization compensator. The patterned polarization compensator is completed by a process that includes providing a photo-alignment layer onto which spatially variant… Show more

A system for creating a patterned polarization compensator (550) has a retardance characterization system (560) for optically scanning the spatially variant retardance of a spatial light modulator (210). A compensator patterning system (565) writes a spatially variant photo-alignment pattern on a substrate (555) of a polarization compensator. The patterned polarization compensator is completed by a process that includes providing a photo-alignment layer onto which spatially variant photo-alignment layer is formed, providing a liquid crystal polymer layer onto the photo-alignment layer, and then fixing the liquid crystal polymer layer to form a spatially variant retardance pattern into the structure of the patterned polarization compensator. Show less

A modulation optical system (40) provides modulation of an incident light beam. A wire grid polarization beamsplitter (240) receives the beam of light (130) and transmits a beam of light having a first polarization, and reflects a beam of light having a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization. Sub-wavelength wires (250) on the wire grid polarization beamsplitter face a reflective spatial light modulator. The reflective spatial light modulator receives the polarized beam of… Show more

A modulation optical system (40) provides modulation of an incident light beam. A wire grid polarization beamsplitter (240) receives the beam of light (130) and transmits a beam of light having a first polarization, and reflects a beam of light having a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization. Sub-wavelength wires (250) on the wire grid polarization beamsplitter face a reflective spatial light modulator. The reflective spatial light modulator receives the polarized beam of light and selectively modulates the polarized beam of light to encode data thereon. The reflective spatial light modulator reflects back both the modulated light and the unmodulated light to the wire grid polarization beamsplitter. The wire grid polarization beamsplitter separates the modulated light from the unmodulated light. A compensator (260) is located between the wire grid polarization beamsplitter and the reflective spatial light modulator (210). The compensator conditions the polarization states of the oblique and skew rays of the modulated beam and includes a spatially variant retardance that corrects for a spatially variant retardance of the reflective spatial light modulator. Show less

A modulation optical system (40) provides modulation of an incident light beam. A wire grid polarization beamsplitter (240) receives the beam of light (130) and transmits a beam of light having a first polarization, and reflects a beam of light having a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization. Sub-wavelength wires (250) on the wire grid polarization beamsplitter face a reflective spatial light modulator. The reflective spatial light modulator receives the polarized beam of… Show more

A modulation optical system (40) provides modulation of an incident light beam. A wire grid polarization beamsplitter (240) receives the beam of light (130) and transmits a beam of light having a first polarization, and reflects a beam of light having a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization. Sub-wavelength wires (250) on the wire grid polarization beamsplitter face a reflective spatial light modulator. The reflective spatial light modulator receives the polarized beam of light and selectively modulates the polarized beam of light to encode data thereon. The reflective spatial light modulator reflects back both the modulated light and the unmodulated light to the wire grid polarization beamsplitter. The wire grid polarization beamsplitter separates the modulated light from the unmodulated light. A compensator (260) is located between the wire grid polarization beamsplitter and the reflective spatial light modulator (210). The compensator conditions the polarization states of the oblique and skew rays of the modulated beam and includes a spatially variant retardance that corrects for a spatially variant retardance of the reflective spatial light modulator. Show less

A modulation optical system (40) provides modulation of an incident light beam. A wire grid polarization beamsplitter (240) receives the beam of light (130) and transmits a beam of light having a first polarization, and reflects a beam of light having a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization. Sub-wavelength wires (250) on the wire grid polarization beamsplitter face a reflective spatial light modulator. The reflective spatial light modulator receives the polarized beam of… Show more

A modulation optical system (40) provides modulation of an incident light beam. A wire grid polarization beamsplitter (240) receives the beam of light (130) and transmits a beam of light having a first polarization, and reflects a beam of light having a second polarization orthogonal to the first polarization. Sub-wavelength wires (250) on the wire grid polarization beamsplitter face a reflective spatial light modulator. The reflective spatial light modulator receives the polarized beam of light and selectively modulates the polarized beam of light to encode data thereon. The reflective spatial light modulator reflects back both the modulated light and the unmodulated light to the wire grid polarization beamsplitter. The wire grid polarization beamsplitter separates the modulated light from the unmodulated light. A compensator (260) is located between the wire grid polarization beamsplitter and the reflective spatial light modulator (210). The compensator conditions the polarization states of the oblique and skew rays of the modulated beam and includes a spatially variant retardance that corrects for a spatially variant retardance of the reflective spatial light modulator. Show less

A digital projection apparatus (10) for projection of a multicolor image. A light source (20) provides visible light and a dichroic separator (27) splits the visible light into color light beams. Illumination optics directs each of the color light beams into a corresponding light modulation assembly (38). A magnifying relay lens (28) for each color light beam focuses and relays the modulated light to form a magnified real image of the reflective spatial light modulator (30). A dichroic combiner… Show more

A digital projection apparatus (10) for projection of a multicolor image. A light source (20) provides visible light and a dichroic separator (27) splits the visible light into color light beams. Illumination optics directs each of the color light beams into a corresponding light modulation assembly (38). A magnifying relay lens (28) for each color light beam focuses and relays the modulated light to form a magnified real image of the reflective spatial light modulator (30). A dichroic combiner (26) forms a multicolor image by overlapping the magnified real images corresponding to each of the color light beams on a common optical axis. A projection lens projects the multicolor image toward a display surface. The polarization analyzers (72) are tilted relative to a local optical axis and are located in proximity to at least one of the magnified real images of the color light beams. Show less

A wire grid polarizer (100) for polarizing an incident light beam (130), comprising a substrate (505) having a first surface (410) and a second surface (510); and a first array of parallel, elongated wires disposed on the first surface (410). Each of the wires are spaced apart at a grid period less than a wavelength of the incident light; and a second array of parallel, elongated wires disposed on said second surface (420) where the second array of wires are oriented parallel to the first array… Show more

A wire grid polarizer (100) for polarizing an incident light beam (130), comprising a substrate (505) having a first surface (410) and a second surface (510); and a first array of parallel, elongated wires disposed on the first surface (410). Each of the wires are spaced apart at a grid period less than a wavelength of the incident light; and a second array of parallel, elongated wires disposed on said second surface (420) where the second array of wires are oriented parallel to the first array of wires. Show less

A digital projector that has closed loop three color alignment comprising a light source where an optical engine (50) splits a beam of light from the light source into first, second, and third wavelength bands. A first, second, and third spatial light modulator (11, 12, 16) imparts image data and first, second, and third fiducial data respectively to the first, second, and third wavelength bands. The first, second, and third wavelength bands are directed to the first, second, and third spatial… Show more

A digital projector that has closed loop three color alignment comprising a light source where an optical engine (50) splits a beam of light from the light source into first, second, and third wavelength bands. A first, second, and third spatial light modulator (11, 12, 16) imparts image data and first, second, and third fiducial data respectively to the first, second, and third wavelength bands. The first, second, and third wavelength bands are directed to the first, second, and third spatial light modulator (11, 12, 16), respectively. A combiner combines the modulated first, second, and third wavelength bands. A diverter (19) diverts a portion of the combined modulated wavelength bands to at least one sensor. The sensor (21) then senses a relative position of the fiducials and sends the position information to a microprocessor. The microprocessor then determines an error based on the relative position of the fiducials. The microprocessor sends a signal to at least one component of the system to resolve the error. Show less

A display apparatus (10) including a light source (15) for forming a beam of light (130). A pre-polarizer (45) polarizes the beam of light (130) to provide a polarized beam of light. A wire grid polarization beamsplitter (50) receives the polarized beam of light and transmits the polarized beam of light which has a first polarization, and reflects the polarized beam of light which has a second polarization. A reflective spatial light modulator (55) selectively modulates the polarized beam of… Show more

A display apparatus (10) including a light source (15) for forming a beam of light (130). A pre-polarizer (45) polarizes the beam of light (130) to provide a polarized beam of light. A wire grid polarization beamsplitter (50) receives the polarized beam of light and transmits the polarized beam of light which has a first polarization, and reflects the polarized beam of light which has a second polarization. A reflective spatial light modulator (55) selectively modulates the polarized beam of light that has a first polarization to encode image data thereon in order to form a modulated beam (360) and reflects the modulated beam back to the wire grid polarization beamsplitter (50). A compensator (260) is located between the wire grid polarization beamsplitter (50) and the reflective spatial light modulator (55) for conditioning oblique and skew rays of the modulated beam (360). The wire grid polarization beamsplitter (50) reflects the compensated modulated beam (360) and the wire gird polarization beamsplitter (50) is rotated in plane to optimize the contrast. A polarization analyzer (60) removes residual light of the opposite polarization state from the compensated modulated beam (360). Image-forming optics (20) form an image from the compensated modulated beam (360). Show less

A closed loop three color alignment system for a digital projector comprises a light source and an optical engine (50) which splits a beam of light from the light source into first, second, and third wavelength bands. A first, second, and third spatial light modulator (11, 12, 16) imparts image data and a first, second, and third fiducial data to the first, second, and third wavelength bands. A combiner combines the modulated first, second, and third wavelength bands. A diverter diverts a… Show more

A closed loop three color alignment system for a digital projector comprises a light source and an optical engine (50) which splits a beam of light from the light source into first, second, and third wavelength bands. A first, second, and third spatial light modulator (11, 12, 16) imparts image data and a first, second, and third fiducial data to the first, second, and third wavelength bands. A combiner combines the modulated first, second, and third wavelength bands. A diverter diverts a portion of the combined modulated wavelength bands to a sensor. The sensor (21) senses a relative position of each of the fiducials and sends the position information to a microprocessor. The microprocessor then determines an error based on the relative position of the fiducials. The microprocessor then sends a signal to at least one component of the system to resolve the error. Show less

A digital projection apparatus (10) for projection of a multicolor image uniformizes polychromatic light from a light source (20) and provides magnification to the uniformized illumination beam using a base condenser relay (80), providing a reduced numerical aperture for conditioning at a dichroic separator (27). For each monochromatic component color provided from the dichroic separator (27), a reducing relay (82) then demagnifies the illumination beam to provide source illumination to a… Show more

A digital projection apparatus (10) for projection of a multicolor image uniformizes polychromatic light from a light source (20) and provides magnification to the uniformized illumination beam using a base condenser relay (80), providing a reduced numerical aperture for conditioning at a dichroic separator (27). For each monochromatic component color provided from the dichroic separator (27), a reducing relay (82) then demagnifies the illumination beam to provide source illumination to a spatial light modulator (30) at an increased numerical aperture. The modulated beam from the spatial light modulator (30) is then magnified by a magnifying relay lens assembly (28) and directed, at a lower numerical aperture, to a dichroic combiner (26) and to a projection lens (32). As a result, the projection lens (32) has reduced working distance, color shading across the field is minimized, and brightness is optimized. Show less

A housing (100) for mounting a wire grid polarizing beamsplitter (122) and a spatial light modulator (30) in alignment with an output optical path comprises a front plate having an opening for admitting incident illumination provided along an illumination axis. A modulator mounting plate (110) is spaced apart from and parallel to the front plate, for mounting the spatial light modulator in the optical output path of the illumination axis. First and second polarizer support plates are spaced… Show more

A housing (100) for mounting a wire grid polarizing beamsplitter (122) and a spatial light modulator (30) in alignment with an output optical path comprises a front plate having an opening for admitting incident illumination provided along an illumination axis. A modulator mounting plate (110) is spaced apart from and parallel to the front plate, for mounting the spatial light modulator in the optical output path of the illumination axis. First and second polarizer support plates are spaced apart from each other and extend between the front plate and the modulator mounting plate. The respective facing inner surfaces of the first and second support plates provide coplanar support features for supporting the wire grid polarizing beamsplitter between the inner surfaces. The wire grid polarizing beamsplitter extends between the facing inner surfaces. The surface of the wire grid polarizing beamsplitter is a fixed angle with respect to the surface of the spatial light modulator on the modulator mounting plate. The fixed angle defining an output optical axis along the output optical path. Show less

A wire grid polarizer (100) for polarizing an incident light beam (130), comprising a substrate (505) having a first surface (410) and a second surface (510); and a first array of parallel, elongated wires disposed on the first surface (410). Each of the wires are spaced apart at a grid period less than a wavelength of the incident light; and a second array of parallel, elongated wires disposed on said second surface (420) where the second array of wires are oriented parallel to the first array… Show more

A wire grid polarizer (100) for polarizing an incident light beam (130), comprising a substrate (505) having a first surface (410) and a second surface (510); and a first array of parallel, elongated wires disposed on the first surface (410). Each of the wires are spaced apart at a grid period less than a wavelength of the incident light; and a second array of parallel, elongated wires disposed on said second surface (420) where the second array of wires are oriented parallel to the first array of wires. Show less

A digital cinema projector (100) for projection of color images onto a display surface comprises a light source (116), which produces a beam of light. Beam-shaping optics (130) homogenize and focus the beam of light and color splitting optics (132) separate focus beam of light into separate color beams. A first modulation optics system comprises a prepolarizer (212), which prepolarizes a first color beam; a wire grid polarization beamsplitter (224), which transmits a first predetermined… Show more

A digital cinema projector (100) for projection of color images onto a display surface comprises a light source (116), which produces a beam of light. Beam-shaping optics (130) homogenize and focus the beam of light and color splitting optics (132) separate focus beam of light into separate color beams. A first modulation optics system comprises a prepolarizer (212), which prepolarizes a first color beam; a wire grid polarization beamsplitter (224), which transmits a first predetermined polarization state of the prepolarized beam; a reflective spatial light modulator (204), which alters the transmitted prepolarized beam with information and reflects the image bearing first color beam through the wire grid polarization beamsplitter (224); and a wire grid polarization analyzer (228), which transmits the image bearing first color beam and attenuates unwanted polarization components. A recombination prism (232) combines the first color beam from the first modulation optical system with other image bearing color beams to create a full color image bearing beam. A projection lens system (150) projects the full color image bearing beam onto the display surface (140). Show less

A lenticular image printer creates an image on received media having a series of lenticules with parallel axes. The printer includes a transport system adapted to move received media in an in-track direction substantially perpendicular to the axes of the lenticules. An alignment beam generator is arranged to transmit an alignment beam through the lenticules of received media such that the alignment beam is in-track position-modulated by the lenticules. Three position-sensing detectors are… Show more

A lenticular image printer creates an image on received media having a series of lenticules with parallel axes. The printer includes a transport system adapted to move received media in an in-track direction substantially perpendicular to the axes of the lenticules. An alignment beam generator is arranged to transmit an alignment beam through the lenticules of received media such that the alignment beam is in-track position-modulated by the lenticules. Three position-sensing detectors are aligned in a cross-track direction perpendicular to the in-track direction so as to receive the position-modulated alignment beam whereby the position of the position-modulated alignment beam on the detectors provides an indication of the relative alignment of the axes of the lenticules and the cross-track direction. Show less

An optical write/read head is provided with apparatus for monitoring the output of a read/write laser so that the laser power may be appropriately adjusted to maintain a desired level. The apparatus features a partially reflective, partially transmissive surface in the optical path between the laser source and the recording medium for reflecting a small percentage (e.g., 4% 6%) of the laser output to a photodetector forming part of an electrooptical feedback loop for controlling the laser… Show more

An optical write/read head is provided with apparatus for monitoring the output of a read/write laser so that the laser power may be appropriately adjusted to maintain a desired level. The apparatus features a partially reflective, partially transmissive surface in the optical path between the laser source and the recording medium for reflecting a small percentage (e.g., 4% 6%) of the laser output to a photodetector forming part of an electrooptical feedback loop for controlling the laser power. Preferably, the laser power-controlling photodetector is located adjacent the photodetector used to develop the recording signal, and the partially reflective, partially transmissive surface is tipped a few degrees from normal to the optical axis. Also preferred is that the partially reflective, partially transmissive surface constitutes the rear surface of a quarter-wave plate used to rotate the angle of polarization of the read/write beam to avoid optical feedback to the laser cavity. Show less