Dispersion-Compensated Binary Optics Technology for 3-D Imaging

In order to broaden the use of binary optical elements (BOEs) in optical systems, the dispersion of BOEs must be minimized and, eventually, eliminated. In this project, Physical Optics Corporation proposes to investigate a BOE design and fabrication approach that minimizes not only the chromatic (or wavelength) dispersion, but also the angular dispersion, of BOEs. This dispersion compensated binary optics technology will then be applied to a novel optical imaging technique that allows objects to be seen through turbid media such as turbulence, fog, smoke, or water. In Phase I, a computer-aided design tool will be developed for the proposed dispersion-compensated binary optics technology and a proof-of-principle experiment will be carried out. The proposed BOE dispersion compensation technique would permit the use of BOEs in many military and commercial markets. Optical sensors, optical communications optical imaging systems, and optical storage are among the possible applications of this technique.