Optical device, system and method

Abstract

Methods and systems are disclosed related to optical elements. An apparatus for making an optical device can be configured to divide an angular pattern into a plurality of sub-angular regions. Then, micro-wedge configurations can be determined for directing light to the sub-angular regions. Subsequently, an array of micro-wedges can be generated according to the micro-wedge configurations, such that adjacent micro-wedges in the array have different configurations.

1 . An apparatus for making an optical device comprising: 
 means for dividing an angular pattern into a plurality of sub-angular regions;    means for determining micro-wedge configurations for directing light to said sub-angular regions; and    means for subsequently, generating an array of micro-wedges according to said micro-wedge configurations, such that adjacent micro-wedges in said array have different configurations.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the two-dimensional arrangement of said micro-wedges in said array is essentially random with respect to the two-dimensional arrangement of said sub-angular regions of said pattern.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising 
 means for assigning said micro-wedge configurations to random locations in said array.    
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein means for determining micro-wedge configurations includes means for calculating output surface slopes for said micro-wedges.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said means for generating said array a means for forming phase tare surfaces in said micro-wedges.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said means for generating includes means for forming output surfaces for said micro-wedges.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 means for providing a plurality of tiles of said micro-wedge arrays.    
   
   
       8 . An optical device, comprising: 
 a substrate, the substrate adjacent to a medium, the substrate comprising: 
 a smooth regularly shaped exterior surface; and  
 an irregularly shaped exterior output surface, said irregularly shaped exterior output surface comprising: 
 a first optical element for directing a first portion of an incident light beam exiting the irregularly shaped exterior output surface via the first optical element in a predetermined first direction; and  
 a second optical element, adjacent to said first optical element on the irregularly shaped exterior surface and formed on a same side of said irregularly shaped exterior output surface as said first optical element, for directing a second portion of said incident light beam exiting the irregularly shaped exterior output surface via the second optical element in a predetermined second direction in the medium different from said predetermined first direction in the medium, the light beam exiting in the first and second directions contributing to a portion of a predetermined pattern;  
 
   wherein said first optical element is of a first shape, said second optical element is of a second shape different from said first shape, said first and second shapes are microwedges, and said first optical element and said second optical element have non-textured and substantially planar output surfaces.    
   
   
       9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein said first and second optical elements are transparent.  
   
   
       10 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein said first and second optical elements are reflective.  
   
   
       11 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising a lens for performing a Fourier transform operation.  
   
   
       12 . The device of  claim 8 , further comprising a device for optically modifying said incident light beam.  
   
   
       13 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein said optical elements are arranged to split the incident light beam.  
   
   
       14 . An optical device, comprising: 
 a substrate comprising: 
 a first smoothly regular surface; and  
 a second surface, wherein the second surface has at least two portions, a first portion and a second portion, the first portion has a first portion surface and the second portion has a second portion surface, the first and second portion surfaces being adjacent and non-continuous, the first portion for directing a first light beam exiting the first portion in a predetermined first direction, and the second portion for directing a second light beam exiting the second portion in a predetermined second direction, the first light beam and second light beam contributing to a portion of a predetermined pattern.  
   
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the first smoothly regular surface is flat.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the first portion surface is curved.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the first portion surface is parabolic.