Additional Applications of Diffractive Optical Elements

doi:10.1117/3.527861.ch11

Book: Diffractive Optics: Design, Fabrication, and Test

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

Published: 2003

https://doi.org/10.1117/3.527861.ch11

Author Affiliations +

Abstract

"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 ânonstandardâ 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.