Abstract: Irreversible optical recording media record information through local alteration of the optical properties of a recording layer on exposure to light.

Abstract: A multifocal ophthalmic lens has a plurality of concentric diffractive zones with adjacent zones separated by steps having predetermined heights. Each step has an outer corner and each outer corner has a radius of curvature equal to at least one half the height of the step associated therewith.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compound lens system consisting of a main lens system and a rear conversion lens system located at the image side of the main lens system, wherein the rear conversion lens system comprises, from the object side to the image side, a first positive single lens component made of a synthetic resin material and having an aspheric surface and a second negative compound lens component consisting of a positive lens element and a negative lens element. The first positive single lens component has a refractive index of a determined value between 1.4 and 1.6. The difference value between a refractive index of the negative lens element and a refractive index of the positive lens element of the second negative compound lens component is selected to be between 0.01 and 0.4. The aspheric surface of the first positive single lens component is formed in such a manner as to compensate for a coma aberration, excessive compensation of a spherical aberration and excessive compensation of field curvature aberration.

Abstract: A transparent article comprising a base, at least four coated layers, and a top protective layer is disclosed. The coated layers include a first dereflecting region, a transparent layer of silver or other metal, and a second dereflecting region comprising a layer of titanium dioxide and a layer of another dielectric mater. A titanium dioxide layer may also be a component of the first dereflecting region. Each dereflecting region that includes a titanium dioxide layer also comprises a layer of a transparent oxide or other dielectric material having an index of refraction intermediate between about 2.7, the approximate index of titanium dioxide, and the index of the nearby base or top layer, respectively. The intermediate index material is preferably zinc oxide because this material can be relatively quickly and inexpensively deposited by reaction sputtering. Also disclosed is a method for depositing the coated layers by sputtering and reactive sputtering of titanium and silver, zinc or other materials.

Abstract: A selective light transmissible film or sheet having excellent anti-fogging properties, produced by forming a thin film of a metal and/or a metal compound having transparency and infrared ray reflective characteristics, on the surface of one side of a cellulose derivative film or sheet of which the surface of the other side is saponified with an alkaline aqueous solution, or on the surface of one side of a cellulose derivative film or sheet of which both surfaces are saponified with an alkaline aqueous solution.

Abstract: A liquid crystal device having a plurality of pixels defined on a liquid crystal layer by a plurality of first and second electrodes that are electrically connected to non-linear devices, the first electrode and non-linear devices being provided on the inside of a first substrate, and the second electrodes being provided on the inside of a second substrate. In order to provide a flat underlying surface for the first electrodes while enabling the first electrodes to overly the non-linear devices (and with them the effective areas of the pixels), an insulating layer is provided under the first electrodes immediately adjacent to the non-linear devices.

Abstract: An Albada type inverted Galileo finder which is suitable foruse with a compace lens shutter camera, which is small in size, and which is visible without occurrence of any ghost not only in an object but a finder frame.If lenses are disposed in order of negative, positive and positive from the side of an object and a reflecting surface of an Albada system is a surface on the side of the object of a positive lens, a finder which involves no ghost and is advantageous for correction of aberrations can be obtained. Furthermore, if the on-the-axis thickness of each lens is restricted to thereby provide a plastic lens, precision of molding can be improved.

Abstract: A night vision viewing system, suitable for mounting on an observer's headgear (11), wherein light rays from a forward scene pass to the observer's eye (E) via a path comprising a forward looking objective lens (23), an inclined reflector (35) which directs the rays passing through the objective onto an outwardly sideways looking input face of an image intensifier (31), and a fibre optic stub (33) which directs rays from the output face of the intensifier onto a second reflector (27) which directs the rays downwardly into an eyepiece (21) which is in the observer's forward line of sight. The eyepiece incorporates an internal surface (37) having both light reflective and light transmissive properties which directs rays entering the eyepiece from the intensifier to the observer's eye. The fibre optic stub serves to effect rotation of the intensified image to present an intensified image of correct orientation to the observer.

Abstract: A drive with a D.C. motor is provided for the oscillating deflection of a mirror for the line by line scanning of pictures. It is supplied with alternating current so that the rotor executes a harmonic oscillation. To fix the zero position or the oscillation mean position, a magnet with an outwardly oriented magnetic pole is fixed to the mirror carrier. Another magnet is fixedly disposed on the housing thus that a reciprocal pole to the pole on the mirror carrier is opposite to it. Thus it is not necessary to overcome a force increasing proportionally to the deflection which also would interfere with the oscillation, as in the known zero position by means of a torsion bar.

Abstract: An aspherical single lens of compact construction and good image-forming performance which is obtained by shaping the first surface into such an aspherical configuration the curvature radius of which increases gradually toward the periphery from the center while satisfying the following conditions:0.42<q<1.3 (a)and0.5(f-1)<d<1.2f (b)wherein, q=-r.sub.1 /r.sub.2, r.sub.1 is the curvature radius in the vicinity of the optical axis of the first surface, r.sub.2 is the curvature radius of the second surface, f is the focal length and d is the thickness of the lens.

Abstract: It is a lens comprising three elements for a scanning device; the lens is particularly for providing a linear scanning. A beam enters the lens from its front focus by rotating a constant angular velocity, will become a beam in parallel with the axis of the lens and moving at a contant speed when passing through the lens; the distance H between the beam and the axis of the lens, the contained angle .theta. between the incident beam and the axis of the lens have the relation of H=KF.theta., in which F is the focal length of the lens, and K is a constant.

Abstract: The coils of the stepping motor are disposed on the outer periphery of stepped section of a stationary tube section of the lens assembly in a manner to define a stator yoke. The inner surface of the stepped section is provided with a helicoid gear which cooperates with a corresponding gear formed on the outer periphery of the rotatable front tube section of the lens assembly. The rotor magnet is secured on the inner periphery of a rearwardly extending flange-like section which encloses the stator yoke.

Abstract: A new type of lens is described. The lens has the appearance of a prism with a relatively sharp radius at the apex. This lens finds an application in expanding a laser beam in one direction only.

Abstract: Method of producing an enhanced output correlation signal from an image matching correlator includes the steps of further transforming data representing an input image to produce a transformed image, multiplying the transformed image by at least one reference filter function representing a reference image to be compared with the input image to produce a product signal, inverse fourier transforming the product signal to product the output correlation signal, and introducing phase distortions within the reference filter function, sufficient to greatly enhance peak values and narrow the area of the correlation peak of the output correlation signal. The method may utilize optical or digital electronic correlation and transformation.

Abstract: A method of developing a holographically recorded interference pattern in a dichromatic gelatin structure is provided. The process includes developing the hologram pattern by hydration and dehydration, baking the developed hologram pattern at a temperature equal or above 120.degree. C. for approximately 24 hours, rehydrating the developed hologram and dehydrating the developed hologram at a temperature of approximately 60.degree. C. for approximately 48 hours until the design wavelength response is attained to provide a stabilized hologram.

Abstract: An optical device having controllable absorption for an optical signal having a wavelength corresponding to a photon energy not exceeding 1.2 ev comprises (i) a semiconductor structure including one or more quantum well layers and (ii) means adapted for applying to the quantum well layers(s) an electric field such that the component of the field normal to the layer(s) may be controlled so as to determine the absorption edge of the quantum well layer(s) to be on either side of the optical signal wavelength. The device may be used as an optical modulator or switch and in optical demultiplexing.

Abstract: An outer mirror for use in a motor vehicle is designed to prevent or attenuate chattering vibrations which a mirror holder holding a mirror produces against a mirror visor. This outer mirror assembly is provided with a first vibration-preventive member which is used in the mirror holder and with a second vibration-preventive member which is housed in a mirror visor and held in slidable contact with the first vibration-preventive member. The slidable surface of the first vibration-preventive member forms a curve which satisfies a condition that the inclination .alpha.' of the tangential line at each contact point of the two vibration-preventive members is always larger than the angle of friction .lambda. between the two vibration-preventive members. According to this structure, the first vibration-preventive member or the mirror holder is always given an outwardly acting force by the second vibration-preventive member which is provided with a spring.

Abstract: Method of designing a compact binocular night vision instrument with an electronic image intensifier (2) which is oriented so that its symmetry axis forms a right angle with the line of sight (19) between the night vision binocular and the scene to be observed. The total forward length thereby becomes particularly short, thus reducing the downward torque which is troublesome when the night vision binocular is carried like a pair of spectacles, attached to the head (generally called night vision goggles). The total forward length may be even further reduced if the symmetry axis of the objective lens (1) is also at right angles with the line of sight (19). These measures makes feasible a simple beam splitter system where the optical axis through one of the eye pieces (13B) intersects the common optical axis beam splitter (14), and to design an instrument enclosed in a single housing having a smooth exterior shape which is easy to grasp.

Abstract: A day/night rearview mirror assembly for vehicles useful in varying climatic conditions provides improved control and shifting between day and night positions, reduced undesired movement between day and night positions during adjustment of the major mirror position, and improved impact and bending resistance. The assembly preferably includes a molded mirror case, a prismatic mirror element and a two piece actuator assembly which provides consistent day/night shifting pressure in all temperatures. At least one stop member on the case back is included to limit actuator movement and precisely control day/night shifting. Cam surfaces on the actuator and stop member aid assembly. Downwardly opening support members pivotally mount the actuator assembly and prevent actuator movement toward the mirror element even upon impact. Ramp shoulders adjacent the support members also restrict actuator withdrawal.

Abstract: A photographic objective having a soft focus function comprising, from front to rear, a first lens component of positive power, a second lens component having a meniscus-shaped lens of forward convexity, an aperture stop, and a third lens component, the second lens component being axially movable for the purpose of producing a soft focus effect, and a technique of compensating for the image shift resulting from the movement of the soft focus-introducing lens component by automatically readjusting the position of the focusing lens component, are disclosed.