Binary optics in the '90s

Neal C. Gallagher Jr.

doi:10.1117/12.25774

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1 March 1991 Binary optics in the '90s

Neal C. Gallagher Jr.

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Proceedings Volume 1396, Applications of Optical Engineering: Proceedings of OE/Midwest '90; (1991) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.25774
Event: Applications of Optical Engineering: Proceedings of OE/Midwest '90, 1990, Rosemont, IL, United States

Abstract

The term binary optics was first employed to the best of my knowledge by Wilfred Veldkamp of MIT Lincoln Laboratory; although, these devices have been in existence prior to this of this term. Generally the term refers to optical components whose transmittance or reflectance occurs in binary steps. Usually fabricated by use of one or more binary masks. Other than simple diffraction gratings the earliest examples of binary optics would be computer generated holograms. Computer generated holograms, or more generally digital holograms, have been used since the middle 1960's, and like holography in general, digital holograms have found a few, but very few, useful applications. It has not been until thinking began to focus on more general diffractive optical concepts, and less on the principles of holography, that new applications began to materialize in the area of binary optics. Two exampies would be compact disc technology and the correction for chromatic aberation in refractive lenses.

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Neal C. Gallagher Jr. "Binary optics in the '90s", Proc. SPIE 1396, Applications of Optical Engineering: Proceedings of OE/Midwest '90, (1 March 1991); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.25774

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