chapter 11, Additional Applications of Diffractive Optical Elements

from: Diffractive Optics: Design, Fabrication, and Test

Author(s): Donald C. O'Shea, Thomas J. Suleski, Alan D. Kathman, Dennis W. Prather

Published: 29 December 2003

Chapter DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/3.527861.ch11

Chapter Page Count: 23 pages

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Front Matter

1. Introduction

2. Scalar Diffraction Theory

3. Electromagnetic Analysis of Diffractive Optical Elements

4. Diffractive Lens Design

5. Design of Diffraction Gratings

6. Making a Diffractive Optical Element

7. Photolithographic Fabrication of Diffractive Optical Elements

8. Survey of Fabrication Techniques for Diffractive Optical Elements

9. Testing Diffractive Optical Elements

10. Application of Diffractive Optics to Lens Design

11. Additional Applications of Diffractive Optical Elements

Back Matter

Preview

Chapter Contents

11.1 Introduction
11.2 Multiple Lens Applications
11.2.1 Lens arrays for optical coupling
11.2.2 Microlenses for beam steering
11.2.3 Lens arrays for sensors
11.2.4 Beam homogenizers
11.3 Beam-Shaping Applications
11.3.1 Focusing beam shapers
11.3.2 Laser resonator design
11.4 Grating Applications
11.4.1 Beam deflectors, splitters, and samplers
11.4.2 Spot array generators
11.4.3 Talbot array illuminators
11.4.4 Controlled-angle diffusers
11.5 Subwavelength Gratings
11.5.1 Anti-reflection surfaces and wavelength filters
11.5.2 Wave plates
11.5.3 Subwavelength diffraction gratings and lenses
11.6 Integration and Modules
11.7 Example Application Area: Optical Communications
11.7.1 Data communications versus telecommunications
11.7.2 Example: parallel hybrid array for data communications
11.8 Conclusion
References

Excerpt

11.1 Introduction

“Conventional” optics are formed through grinding and polishing techniques. Although they can be made with exquisite quality, the techniques themselves limit the type of the optics that can be produced. As has been noted throughout this text, fabrication methods for diffractive optics are extremely flexible, permitting designers to use a range of optical functions that are not possible with conventional grinding and polishing.

Any discussion of the applications of diffractive optics must be somewhat abbreviated because a complete discussion would require a discussion of almost all the applications of conventional optics, as well as an exposition on a huge range of “nonstandard” optical applications. In Chapter 10, a number of applications of diffractive optics in lens design were discussed. In this chapter we present a survey of additional applications of diffractive lenses as well as gratings, beam shapers, and other types of diffractive optical elements. Just a few of the many applications of these devices include

• Optical computing

• Laser machining

• Imaging systems

• Displays

• Bar code scanning

• Illumination systems

• Position encoders

• Data storage systems

• Photolithography enhancement

• Optical communications

• Biological sensors

This is by no means a complete list of applications. It is intended to provide a sampling of the range of applications of diffractive optical elements.

http://dx.doi.org/10.1117/3.527861.ch11

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