Lossless light projection

A new technique for energy-preserving phase-only light projection is demonstrated. The phase-only encoding is based on an extension of the Zernike phase-contrast method into the domain of full-range [0; 2pi ] phase modulation, breaking the usual small-phase-angle limitation. Controlling the spatial average value of the input-phase pattern and choosing appropriate phase retardation at the phase-contrast filter yield pure-phase-based image formation. Experimental results demonstrate close to 90% energy efficiency. Output intensity levels with magnitudes more than 3.5times that of the input intensity level were measured in the brightest regions of the projected images.     

Phase contrast image synthesis

A new method is presented for synthesizing arbitrary intensity patterns based on phase contrast imaging. The concept is grounded on an extension of the Zernike phase contrast method into the domain of full range [0; 2π] phase modulation. By controlling the average value of the input phase function and by choosing appropriate phase retardation at the phase contrast filter, a pure phase to intensity imaging is accomplished. The method presented is also directly applicable in dark field image synthesis.     

Comment on "Interferometric phase-only optical encryption system that uses a reference wave"

We explain the vulnerability of the phase-only encryption procedure suggested by Seo and Kim [Opt. Lett. 28, 304 (2003)] and clarify issues regarding its robustness and degree of security compared with those of a previously reported phase-only encryption method.     

Phase-only optical encryption

We have implemented a phase-only optical encryption and decryption system with a readout based on the generalized phase-contrast method. The experimental system has been implemented with liquid-crystal spatial light modulators to generate binary phase-encrypted masks and a decrypting key. A phase-contrast filter is used to display the phase information.     

Laser projection using generalized phase contrast

We demonstrate experimental laser projection of a gray-level photographic image with 74% light efficiency using the generalized phase contrast (GPC) method. In contrast with a previously proposed technique [Alonzo, New J. Phys. 9, 132 (2007)], a new approach to image construction via GPC is introduced. An arbitrary phase shift filter eliminates the need for high-frequency modulation and conjugate phase encoding. This lowers device performance requirements and allows practical implementation with currently available dynamic spatial light modulators.     

Real-time three-dimensional optical micromanipulation of multiple particles and living cells

Counterpropagating light fields provide a stationary optical potential well for a Brownian particle. Introducing variability in the relative strengths of the counterpropagating beams allows us to create a more general configuration-the optical elevator. An optical elevator dynamically controls the axial location of the potential minimum where the particle finds a stable equilibrium position. We describe the implementation of multiple real-time reconfigurable optical elevators with the generalized phase contrast method for dynamic manipulation of polystyrene spheres and yeast cells S. cerevisiae in three dimensions.     

Multiple-beam optical tweezers generated by the generalized phase-contrast method

We demonstrate the application of the generalized phase-contrast (GPC) method to the implementation of a multiple-beam optical tweezer system. Experimental results show the generation of four optical tweezers from a fixed phase mask in conjunction with a GPC system to trap and hold 1-microm-sized polystyrene beads in solution.     

Implementing the generalized phase-contrast method in a planar-integrated micro-optics platform

We demonstrate the feasibility of implementing the generalized phase-contrast (GPC) method in a planar-integrated micro-optics platform. An entire 4-f diffractive lens system with a Fourier plane phase-only filter has been designed and manufactured in a 50-mm-diameter fused-silica substrate by use of a four-level multimask lithography. Experimental results show successful conversion of an input phase distribution into a high-contrast intensity distribution. The diffraction efficiency of the optical components is found to limit the operating range of the GPC system.     

Gearing up for optical microrobotics: micromanipulation and actuation of synthetic microstructures by optical forces

Optics is usually integrated into robotics as part of intelligent vision systems. At the microscale, however, optical forces can cause significant acceleration and so optical trapping and optical manipulation can enable the noncontact actuation of microcomponents. Microbeads are ubiquitous optically actuated structures, from Ashkin's pioneering experiments with polystyrene beads to contemporary functionalized beads for biophotonics. However, micro‐ and nanofabrication technologies are yielding a host of novel synthetic structures that promise alternative functionalities and new exciting applications. Recent works on the actuation of synthetic microstructures using optical trapping and optical manipulation are examined in this review. Extending the optical actuation down to the nanoscale is also presented, which can involve either direct manipulation of nanostructures or structure‐mediated approaches where the nanostructures form part of larger structures that are suitable for interfacing with diffraction‐limited optical fields.