Linking Diffractive and Geometrical Optics Surface Scattering at a Fundamental Level

Optical surface scattering analyses based on diffractive optics (DO) are typically applied to one surface;however, there is a need for simulating surface scattering losses for devices having many surface interactions such as light pipes. Light pipes are often simulated with geometric optics (GO) using ray tracing, where surface scattering is driven by the surface slope distribution. In the DO case, surface scattering analyses depend on the spatial frequency distribution and amplitude as well as wavelength, with the sinusoidal grating as a fundamental basis. A better understanding of the link, or transition, between DO and GO scattering domains would be helpful for efficiently incorporating scattering loss analyses into ray trace simulations. A formula for the root-mean-square (rms) scattered angle width of a sinusoidal reflection grating that depends only on the surface rms slope is derived from the nonparaxial scalar diffraction theory, thereby linking it to GO. The scatter angle’s mean and rms width are evaluated over a range of grating amplitudes and periods using scalar theory and full vector simulations from the COMSOL® wave optic module for a sinusoidal reflection grating. The conditions under which the diffraction-based solution closely approximates the GO solution, as predicted by the rms slope, are identified. Close agreement is shown between the DO and GO solutions for the same surface rms slope scattering loss due to angular filtering near the critical angle of a total internal reflection (TIR) glass-to-air interface.

Simple and universal method in designs of high-efficiency diffractive optical elements for spectrum separation and beam concentration

Diffractive optical elements（DOEs） with spectrum separation and beam concentration（SSBC） functions have important applications in solar cell systems. With the SSBC DOEs, the sunlight radiation is divided into several wave bands so as to be effectively absorbed by photovoltaic materials with different band gaps. A new method is proposed for designing high-efficiency SSBC DOEs, which is physically simple, numerically fast, and universally applicable. The SSBC DOEs are designed by the new design method, and their performances are analyzed by the Fresnel diffraction integral method.The new design method takes two advantages over the previous design method. Firstly, the optical focusing efficiency is heightened by up to 10%. Secondly, focal positions of all the designed wavelengths can be designated arbitrarily and independently. It is believed that the designed SSBC DOEs should have practical applications to solar cell systems.

A single diffractive optical element implementing spectrum-splitting and beam-concentration functions simultaneously with high diffraction efficiency

In this paper,a novel method is proposed and employed to design a single diffractive optical element（DOE） for implementing spectrum-splitting and beam-concentration（SSBC） functions simultaneously.We develop an optimization algorithm,through which the SSBC DOE can be optimized within an arbitrary thickness range according to the limitations of modern photolithography technology.Theoretical simulation results reveal that the designed SSBC DOE has a high optical focusing efficiency.It is expected that the designed SSBC DOE should have practical applications in high-efficiency solar cell systems.

Realizing high photovoltaic efficiency with parallel multijunction solar cells based on spectrum-splitting and-concentrating diffractive optical element

Based on the facts that multijunction solar cells can increase the efficiency and concentration can reduce the cost dramatically, a special design of parallel multijunction solar cells was presented. The design employed a diffractive optical element （DOE） to split and concentrate the sunlight. A rainbow region and a zero-order diffraction region were generated on the output plane where solar cells with corresponding band gaps were placed. An analytical expression of the light intensity distribution on the output plane of the special DOE was deduced, and the limiting photovoltaic efficiency of such parallel multijunction solar ceils was obtained based on Shockley-Queisser＇s theory. An efficiency exceeding the Shockley--Queisser limit （33%） can be expected using multijunction solar cells consisting of separately fabricated subcells. The results provide an important alternative approach to realize high photovoltaic efficiency without the need for expensive epitaxial technology widely used in tandem solar cells, thus stimulating the research and application of high efficiency and low cost solar cells.

Additive manufacturing of precision optics at micro and nanoscale

This review focuses on recent developments in additive manufacturing(AM)of precision optical devices,particularly devices consisting of components with critical features at the micro-and nanoscale.These include,but are not limited to,microlenses,diffractive optical elements,and photonic devices.However,optical devices with large-size lenses and mirrors are not specifically included as this technology has not demonstrated feasibilities in that category.The review is roughly divided into two slightly separated topics,the first on meso-and microoptics and the second on optics with nanoscale features.Although AM of precision optics is still in its infancy with many unanswered questions,the references cited on this exciting topic demonstrate an enabling technology with almost unlimited possibilities.There are many high quality reviews of AM processes of non-optical components,hence they are not the focus of this review.The main purpose of this review is to start a conversion on optical fabrication based on information about 3D AM methods that has been made available to date,with an ultimate long-term goal of establishing new optical manufacturing methods that are low cost and highly precise with extreme flexibility.

Spectrum-Splitting Diffractive Optical Element of High Concentration Factor and High Optical Efficiency for Three-Junction Photovoltaics

A spectrum-splitting and beam-concentrating （SSBC） diffractive optical element （DOE） for three-junction pho- tovoltaics （PV） system is designed and fabricated by five-circ/e micro-fabrication. The incident solar light is efficiently split into three sub-spectrum ranges and strongly concentrated on the focal plane, which can be di- rectly utilized by suitable spectrum-matching solar cells. The system concentration factor reaches 12x. Moreover, the designed wavelengths （450nm, 550nm and 65Onto） are spatially distributed on the focal plane, in good agree- ment with the theoretical results. The average optical effic/ency of all the cells over the three designed wavelengths is 60.07%. The SSBC DOE with a high concentration factor and a high optical efficiency provides a cost-effective approach to achieve higher PV conversion efficieneies.

Design optimization of highly efficient spectrum-splitting and beam-concentrating diffractive optical element for lateral multijunction solar cells

Two improved algorithms are proposed to extend a diffractive optical element （DOE） to work under the broad spec- trum of sunlight. An optimum design has been found for the DOE, with a weighted average optical efficiency of about 6.8% better than that of the previous design. The optimization of designing high optical efficiency DOEs will pave the way for future designs of high-efficiency, low-cost lateral multijunction solar cells based on such a DOE.

Design of Diffractive Optical Elements Used for Beam Shaping in the Fresnel Domain

In the Fresnel transform domain, an effective improvement to the conventional iterative algorithm for designing the diffractive optical elements (DOEs) used for spatial beam shaping has been proposed. The algorithm can successfully achieve to design DOEs for beam shaping. Compared with conventional algorithm, this algorithm can provide faster convergence, more powerful ability to overcome local minimum problem and better shaping quality. By computer simulation, the result has shown that the DOEs designed by this algorithm has snch advantages as high uniformity at the main lobe, low profile error and steep edge.

Subwavelength Diffractive Optical Elements

1 Introduction 1.1 Advantages of DOE 1)High diffraction efficiency; 2)Dispersive; 3)More selectivity of designing parameters; 4)More selectivity of primary materials; 5)Can make components miniature,forming array and integration. 1.2 1.3 megapixel triplet plastic mobile

Phase zone photon sieve

A novel diffractive optical element, named phase zone photon sieve （PZPS）, is presented. There are three kinds of phase plates in PZPSs： PZPS1, PZPS2, and PZPS3. Each of the PZPSs has its own structure and is made on quartz substrate by etching. The three PZPSs have stronger diffraction peak intensity than a photon sieve （PS） when the margin pinhole and zone line width are kept the same. The PZPS3 can produce a smaller central diffractive spot than the ordinary PS with the same number of zones on the Fresnel zone plate. We have given the design method for and the simulation of PZPS and PS. PZPS has potential applications in optical maskless lithography.

Fresnel incoherent correlation holography with single camera shot

Fresnel incoherent correlation holography(FINCH)is a self-interference based super-resolution three-dimensional imaging technique.FINCH in inline configuration requires an active phase modulator to record at least three phase-shifted camera shots to reconstruct objects without twin image and bias terms.In this study,FINCH is realized using a randomly multiplexed bifocal binary diffractive Fresnel zone lenses fabricated using electron beam lithography.The object space is calibrated by axially scanning a point object along the optical axis and recording the corresponding point spread holograms(PSHs).An object is mounted within the calibrated object space,and the object hologram was recorded under identical experimental conditions used for recording the PSHs.The image of the object at different depths was reconstructed by a cross-correlation between the object hologram and the PSHs.Application potential including bio-medical optics is discussed.

Complex-valued universal linear transformations and image encryption using spatially incoherent diffractive networks

As an optical processor,a diffractive deep neural network(D2NN)utilizes engineered diffractive surfaces designed through machine learning to perform all-optical information processing,completing its tasks at the speed of light propagation through thin optical layers.With sufficient degrees of freedom,D2NNs can perform arbitrary complex-valued linear transformations using spatially coherent light.Similarly,D2NNs can also perform arbitrary linear intensity transformations with spatially incoherent illumination;however,under spatially incoherent light,these transformations are nonnegative,acting on diffraction-limited optical intensity patterns at the input field of view.Here,we expand the use of spatially incoherent D2NNs to complex-valued information processing for executing arbitrary complex-valued linear transformations using spatially incoherent light.Through simulations,we show that as the number of optimized diffractive features increases beyond a threshold dictated by the multiplication of the input and output space-bandwidth products,a spatially incoherent diffractive visual processor can approximate any complex-valued linear transformation and be used for all-optical image encryption using incoherent illumination.The findings are important for the all-optical processing of information under natural light using various forms of diffractive surface-based optical processors.

Decision-making and control with diffractive optical networks

The ultimate goal of artificial intelligence(AI)is to mimic the human brain to perform decision-making and control directly from high-dimensional sensory input.Diffractive optical networks(DONs)provide a promising solution for implementing AI with high speed and low power-consumption.Most reported DONs focus on tasks that do not involve environmental interaction,such as object recognition and image classification.By contrast,the networks capable of decision-making and control have not been developed.Here,we propose using deep reinforcement learning to implement DONs that imitate human-level decisionmaking and control capability.Such networks,which take advantage of a residual architecture,allow finding optimal control policies through interaction with the environment and can be readily implemented with existing optical devices.The superior performance is verified using three types of classic games:tic-tac-toe,Super Mario Bros.,and Car Racing.Finally,we present an experimental demonstration of playing tic-tac-toe using the network based on a spatial light modulator.Our work represents a solid step forward in advancing DONs,which promises a fundamental shift from simple recognition or classification tasks to the high-level sensory capability of AI.It may find exciting applications in autonomous driving,intelligent robots,and intelligent manufacturing.

Simultaneous sorting of arbitrary vector structured beams with spin-multiplexed diffractive metasurfaces

Vector structured beams(VSBs)offer infinite eigenstates and open up new possibilities for highcapacity optical and quantum communications by the multiplexing of the states.Therefore,the sorting and measuring of VSBs are extremely important.However,the efficient manipulations of a large number of VSBs have simultaneously remained challenging up to now,especially in integrated optical systems.Here,we propose a compact spin-multiplexed diffractive metasurface capable of continuously sorting and detecting arbitrary VSBs through spatial intensity separation.By introducing a diffractive optical neural network with cascaded metasurface systems,we demonstrate arbitrary VSBs sorters that can simultaneously identify Laguerre–Gaussian modes(l=−4 to 4,p=1 to 4),Hermitian–Gaussian modes(m=1 to 4,n=1 to 3),and Bessel–Gaussian modes(l=1 to 12).Such a sorter for arbitrary VSBs could revolutionize applications in integrated and high-dimensional optical communication systems.

Multimode diffractive optical neural network

On-chip diffractive optical neural networks(DONNs)bring the advantages of parallel processing and low energy consumption.However,an accurate representation of the optical field’s evolution in the structure cannot be provided using the previous diffraction-based analysis method.Moreover,the loss caused by the open boundaries poses challenges to applications.A multimode DONN architecture based on a more precise eigenmode analysis method is proposed.We have constructed a universal library of input,output,and metaline structures utilizing this method,and realized a multimode DONN composed of the structures from the library.On the designed multimode DONNs with only one layer of the metaline,the classification task of an Iris plants dataset is verified with an accuracy of 90%on the blind test dataset,and the performance of the one-bit binary adder task is also validated.Compared to the previous architectures,the multimode DONN exhibits a more compact design and higher energy efficiency.

A new distribution scheme of decryption keys used in optical verification system with multiple-wavelength information

A new distribution scheme of decryption keys used in optical verification systems is proposed. The encryption procedure is digitally implemented with the use of an iteration algorithm in computer. Three target images corresponding to three wavelengths are encoded into three sets of phase-only masks （POMs） by a special distributing method. These three sets of POMs are assigned to three authorized users as the personal identification. A lensless optical system is used as the verification system. In the verification procedure, every two of the three authorized users can pass the verification procedure cooperatively, but only one user cannot do. Numerical simulation shows that the proposed distribution scheme of decryption keys not only can improve the security level of verification system, but also can bring convenience and flexibility for authorized users.

Diffractive optical elements 75 years on:from micro-optics to metasurfaces

Diffractive optical elements(DOEs)are intricately designed devices with the purpose of manipulating light fields by precisely modifying their wavefronts.The concept of DOEs has its origins dating back to 1948 when D.Gabor first introduced holography.Subsequently,researchers introduced binary optical elements(BOEs),including computer-generated holograms(CGHs),as a distinct category within the realm of DOEs.This was the first revolution in optical devices.The next major breakthrough in light field manipulation occurred during the early 21st century,marked by the advent of metamaterials and metasurfaces.Metasurfaces are particularly appealing due to their ultra-thin,ultra-compact properties and their capacity to exert precise control over virtually every aspect of light fields,including amplitude,phase,polarization,wavelength/frequency,angular momentum,etc.The advancement of light field manipulation with micro/nano-structures has also enabled various applications in fields such as information acquisition,transmission,storage,processing,and display.In this review,we cover the fundamental science,cutting-edge technologies,and wide-ranging applications associated with micro/nano-scale optical devices for regulating light fields.We also delve into the prevailing challenges in the pursuit of developing viable technology for real-world applications.Furthermore,we offer insights into potential future research trends and directions within the realm of light field manipulation.

Zone plate design for generating annular-focused beams

Annular-focused beams have attracted attention because of their novel properties and applications in optical trapping, high resolution microscopy, and laser-induced periodic surface structuring. Generation of this beam is very important and necessary. In this article, a novel design of zone plate for forming the annular-focused beams is proposed. The design principle is introduced, and the characteristics of zone plate are analyzed by numerical simulation. The result shows that the zone plate can form a monochromatic ring-shaped intensity distribution in the focal plane. And the design method is also generally suitable for designing the other optical elements to generate the annular-focused beams.

RECENT PROGRESS IN MULTIFOCAL MULTIPHOTON MICROSCOPY

Multifocal multiphoton microscopy(MMM)has recently become an important tool in biomedicine for performing three-dimensional fastfluorescence imaging.Using various beamsplitting techniques,MMM splits the near-infrared laser beam into multiple beamlets and produces a multifocal array on the sample for parallel multiphoton excitation and then recordsfluorescence signal from all foci simultaneously with an area array detector,which significantly improves the imaging speed of multiphoton microscopy and allows for high efficiency in use of the excitation light.In this paper,we discuss the features of several MMM setups using different beamsplitting devices,including a Nipkow spinning disk,a microlens array,a set of beamsplitting mirrors,or a diffractive optical element(DOE).In particular,we present our recent work on the development of an MMM using a spatial light modulator(SLM).

Diffraction of an ultrashort pulsed beam with arbitrary polarization state from a volume holographic grating in LiNbO3 crystals

Based on a modified coupled wave theory of Kogelnik, we have studied the diffraction of an ultrashort pulsed beam with an arbitrary polarization state from a volume holographic grating in photorefractive LiNbO3 crystals. The results indicate that the diffracted intensity distributions in the spectral and temporal domains and the diffraction efficiency of the grating are both changed by the polarization state and spectral bandwidth of the input pulsed beam. A method is given of choosing the grating parameters and input conditions to obtain a large variation range of the spectral bandwidth of the diffracted pulsed beam with an appropriate diffraction efficiency. Our study presents a possibility of using a volume holographic grating recorded in anisotropic materials to shape a broadband ultrashort pulsed beam by modulating its polarization state.