We report on subwavelength reflective gratings for hyperspectral applications operating in a very large spectral band (340–1040 nm). Our study concerns a blazed-binary grating having a period of 30 μm and composed of 2D subwavelength structures with size from 120 nm to 350 nm. We demonstrate the manufacturing of the gratings on 3″ wafers by two lithography technologies (e-beam and nanoimprint) followed by classical dry etching process. Optical measurements show that the subwavelength grating approach enables a broadband efficiency, polarization behaviour and wavefront quality improvement with respect to the requirements for the next generation of spectro-imagers for Earth observation missions. An outlook towards spherical substrate based on nanoimprint lithography is also reported with the results of mixed features replication (holes and pillars in the range of 160–330 nm) on a 540 mm concave substrate which demonstrate uniformity and accuracy capabilities over 3″ surface.

Dispersion of light waves is well known, but the subject deserves some comments. Certain classical equations do not fully respect causality; as an example, group velocity v_g is usually given as the first derivative of the angular frequency ω with respect to the angular spatial frequency k_m (or wavenumber) in the medium, whereas it is k_m that depends on ω. This paper also emphasizes the use of phase index n and group index n_g, as inverse of their respective velocities, normalized to 1/c, the inverse of free-space light velocity. This clarifies the understanding of dispersion equations: group dispersion parameter D is related to the first derivative of n_g with respect to wavelength λ, whilst group velocity dispersion GVD is also related to the first derivative of n_g, but now with respect to angular frequency ω. One notices that the term second order dispersion does not have the same meaning with λ, or with ω. In addition, two original and amusing geometrical constructions are proposed; they simply derive group index n_g from phase index n with a tangent, which helps to visualize their relationship. This applies to bulk materials, as well as to optical fibers and waveguides, and this can be extended to birefringence and polarization mode dispersion in polarization-maintaining fibers or birefringent waveguides.Dispersion of light waves is well known, but the subject deserves some comments. Certain classical equations do not fully respect causality; as an example, group velocity v_g is usually given as the first derivative of the angular frequency ω with respect to the angular spatial frequency k_m (or wavenumber) in the medium, whereas it is k_m that depends on ω. This paper also emphasizes the use of phase index n and group index n_g, as inverse of their respective velocities, normalized to 1/c, the inverse of free-space light velocity. This clarifies the understanding of dispersion equations: group dispersion parameter D is related to the first derivative of n_g with respect to wavelength λ, whilst group velocity dispersion GVD is also related to the first derivative of n_g, but now with respect to angular frequency ω. One notices that the term second order dispersion does not have the same meaning with λ, or with ω. In addition, two original and amusing geometrical constructions are proposed; they simply derive group index n_g from phase index n with a tangent, which helps to visualize their relationship. This applies to bulk materials, as well as to optical fibers and waveguides, and this can be extended to birefringence and polarization mode dispersion in polarization-maintaining fibers or birefringent waveguides.