US5071207A
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Broadband diffractive lens or imaging element
Assignee: University of California
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Filing: 1990-09-25
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Granted: 1991-12-10
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Expires: 2010-09-25
Abstract
Abstract A broadband diffractive lens or imaging element produces a sharp focus and/or a high resolution image with broad bandwidth illuminating radiation. The diffractive lens is sectored or segmented into regions, each of which focuses or images a distinct narrowband of radiation but all of which have a common focal length. Alternatively, a serial stack of minus filters, each with a diffraction pattern which focuses or images a distinct narrowband of radiation but all of which have a common focal length, is used. The two approaches can be combined. Multifocal broadband diffractive elements can also be formed.
Inventors
- 👤 Natale M. Ceglio
- 👤 Andrew M. Hawryluk
- 👤 Richard A. London
- 👤 Lynn G. Seppala
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:47
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/18; G02B5/1876; G02B5/188
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
48 words
A broadband diffractive lens or imaging element, comprising a diffractive element having a plurality of sectors or segments, each sector or segment having a diffractive geometry patterned thereon for focusing or imaging a different narrowband of radiation, all sectors or segments having substantially the same primary focal length.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
48 words
A broadband diffractive lens or imaging element, comprising a diffractive element having a plurality of sectors or segments, each sector or segment having a diffractive geometry patterned thereon for focusing or imaging a different narrowband of radiation, all sectors or segments having substantially the same primary focal length.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The broadband diffractive lens or imaging element of claim 1 wherein the diffractive element is a Fresnel diffractive structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The broadband diffractive lens or imaging element of claim 2 wherein the diffractive element is selected from Fresnel zone plates, Fresnel phase plates, and blazed Fresnel phase plates.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The broadband diffractive lens or imaging element of claim 1 wherein the diffractive element is an amplitude modulation type diffractive element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The broadband diffractive lens or imaging element of claim 1 wherein the diffractive element is a phase modulation type diffractive element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The broadband diffractive lens or imaging element of claim 1 wherein the diffractive element is a holographic focusing or imaging pattern.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The broadband diffractive lens or imaging element of claim 1 further comprising a corresponding narrowband filter optically aligned with each sector or
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The broadband diffractive lens or imaging element of claim 1 wherein the sectors or segments are radial pie-shaped segments.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The broadband diffractive lens or imaging element of claim 1 wherein the sectors or segments are annular segments.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The broadband diffractive lens or imaging element of claim 1 wherein the sectors or segments have randomly shaped boundaries.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The broadband diffractive lens or imaging element of claim 1 wherein the diffractive element is an intra-ocular or corneal lens.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The broadband diffractive lens or imaging element of claim 1 wherein the diffractive element is an element which focuses or images non-electromagnetic radiation selected from neutrons, electrons, atoms and
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The broadband diffractive lens or imaging element of claim 1 wherein the diffractive element is an element which focuses or images electromagnetic radiation selected from infrared, ultraviolet, deep ultraviolet, soft x-ray and hard x-ray wavelengths.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
60 words
The broadband diffractive lens or imaging element of claim 1 further comprising a second plurality of sectors or segments, each having a diffractive geometry patterned thereon for focusing or imaging a different narrowband of radiation, all sectors or segments of the second plurality having substantially the same primary focal length which differs from the focal length of the first plurality.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The broadband diffractive lens or imaging element of claim 1 further comprising multiple pluralities of sectors or segments, each plurality having a different primary focal length from the other pluralities.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
A broadband diffractive lens or imaging element, comprising a serial stack of minus filters, each minus filter of the stack having a diffractive geometry patterned thereon for focusing or imaging a different narrowband of radiation while passing all other wavelengths, all minus filters having substantially the same primary focal length.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
50 words
A broadband diffractive lens or imaging element, comprising a serial stack of minus filters, each minus filter of the stack having a diffractive geometry patterned thereon for focusing or imaging a different narrowband of radiation while passing all other wavelengths, all minus filters having substantially the same primary focal length.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
18 words
The broadband diffractive lens or imaging element of claim 16 wherein the minus filters are phase minus filters.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The broadband diffractive lens or imaging element of claim 16 wherein the diffractive geometry is a Fresnel diffractive structure.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The broadband diffractive lens or imaging element of claim 16 wherein the diffractive geometry is selected from Fresnel zone plates, Fresnel phase plates, and blazed Fresnel phase plates.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The broadband diffractive lens or imaging element of claim 16 wherein the diffractive geometry is an amplitude modulation type diffractive element.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The broadband diffractive lens or imaging element of claim 16 wherein the diffractive geometry is a phase modulation type diffractive element.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The broadband diffractive lens or imaging element of claim 16 wherein the diffractive geometry is a holographic focusing or imaging pattern.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The broadband diffractive lens or imaging element of claim 16 wherein the serial stack of minus filters forms an intra-ocular or corneal lens.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
The broadband diffractive lens or imaging element of claim 16 wherein the diffractive geometry is an element which focuses or images non-electromagnetic radiation selected from neutrons, electrons, atoms and ions.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
35 words
The broadband diffractive lens or imaging element of claim 16 wherein the diffractive geometry is an element which focuses or images electromagnetic radiation selected from infrared, ultraviolet, deep ultraviolet, soft x-ray and hard x-ray wavelengths.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
39 words
The broadband diffractive lens or imaging element of claim 16 wherein each minus filter of the stack is divided into a plurality of sectors or segments, each sector or segment in a filter having a different primary focal length.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-12-09 | 1995-06-10 | 1995-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-12-09 | 1999-06-10 | 1999-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-12-09 | 2003-06-10 | 2003-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |