Diffractive optical elements with graded edges
US9910276B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 30, 2015 |
| Grant date | Mar 6, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 4, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B2027/0178
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In an optical system that includes a waveguide with multiple diffractive optical elements (DOEs) incorporating diffraction gratings, light exiting a trailing edge of an upstream DOE enters a leading edge of a downstream DOE. One or more of the DOEs may include a leading and/or a trailing edge that have a graded profile. At a graded trailing edge of an upstream DOE, grating height smoothly decreases from full height to shallow height as a function of the proximity to the trailing edge. At a graded leading edge of the downstream DOE grating height smoothly increases from shallow height to full height as a function of distance away from the leading edge. By reducing a sharp boundary at the interface between the upstream and downstream DOEs, the graded profiles of the DOE edges enable optical resolution to be maintained decreasing sensitivity to misalignment between the DOEs that may occur during manufacturing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.