Integrated transparent substrate and diffractive optical element
First Claim
1. An integrated optical device comprising:
- an optical substrate defining a non-guiding propagation region for an incident light signal propagating in a primary direction of propagation under total internal reflection at a surface of the substrate; and
a diffractive optical element having a plurality of spaced-apart members formed of an optically transparent material and disposed above the top surface of the substrate such that the incident light signal incident on the surface under total internal reflection is reflected into the non-guiding propagation region along a desired direction of propagation different than the primary direction of propagation.
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Abstract
A diffractive optical element (DOE) is shown formed on a substrate. The DOE is characterized, in one embodiment, by being formed from a plurality of members that are each individually created on a top surface of the substrate. The members may be formed by depositing a poly-silicon material on the substrate or by growing a silicon crystal on the substrate and performing an etch step. The substrate may be formed of a sapphire crystal. The DOE may be used to reflect incident light traveling within the substrate under total internal reflection. The widths, spacing between, and heights of the strips forming the DOE may be designed so as to reflect the incident light within the substrate in a direction of propagation acute to that of the incident light.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. An integrated optical device comprising:
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an optical substrate defining a non-guiding propagation region for an incident light signal propagating in a primary direction of propagation under total internal reflection at a surface of the substrate; and
a diffractive optical element having a plurality of spaced-apart members formed of an optically transparent material and disposed above the top surface of the substrate such that the incident light signal incident on the surface under total internal reflection is reflected into the non-guiding propagation region along a desired direction of propagation different than the primary direction of propagation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A diffraction grating for use with an optically transparent substrate, the diffraction grating comprising:
a plurality of members formed of an optically transparent material and disposed above a surface of the substrate, the members being spaced apart a spacing distance and having member widths, whereby the sum, a, of the spacing distance and the member width is chosen such that a light signal traveling within the substrate under total internal reflection off the surface in an incident direction of propagation and incident upon the diffraction grating is reflected into a first diffracted order propagating within the substrate in a reflected direction of propagation defining an angle, θ
p, with respect to the incident direction of propagation and propagating within the substrate under total internal reflection, wherein the light signal is incident upon the diffraction grating at an angle, θ
, above a critical angle, θ
being measured from a normal to the surface of the substrate extending into the substrate, and wherein the sum a is chosen such that θ
p is greater than 90° and
less than 180°
.- View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. An integrated optical device comprising:
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an optical substrate disposed to propagate an incident light signal, in a primary direction of propagation, under total internal reflection at a surface of the substrate; and
a diffractive optical element having a plurality of spaced-apart members formed of an optically transparent material and disposed above the top surface of the substrate such that the incident light signal incident on the surface under total internal reflection is reflected within the substrate along a desired direction of propagation different than the primary direction of propagation, wherein the plurality of spaced-apart members are disposed in evanescent field coupling contact with the surface of the substrate.
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Specification