Method and apparatus for creating multiple phase level optical elements

摘要

Method and apparatus for creating discrete phase optical elements. An arbitrary phase structure is represented by color encoding to produce a color encoded mask. Thereafter, a photo-sensitive substrate is exposed to broad spectrum light transmitted through or reflected from the mask to create the discrete phase structure in the substrate. In preferred embodiments, the exposed substrate is developed and bleached (if necessary) to remove pigmentation to produce highly efficient multiple level phase structures for optical applications. The color encoded mask is produced by a computer-driven color printer resulting in very fast turnaround times.