Abstract: A light-weighted optical assembly is provided. The light-weighted optical assembly of the invention is comprised of two members. Each member is constructed of a section and a plurality of ribs extending from the section and comprises one-half of the total thickness of the optical assembly. The members are fused at second ends of the plurality of ribs in a crossing, abutting manner. It is the crossing, abutting fusion of the two members which maintains the rigidity and stiffness of the optical assembly so as to insure against deflection of any reflective surface.

Abstract: A technique for all-optical Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system based on optical holography is disclosed. In this technique the energy of an incoming information light signal is spread over a spatial domain by a two-dimensional spatial encoder which includes a mask having regions of first and second transmission characteristics corresponding to the unique code assigned to a particular source. Subsequent decoding, which is accomplished by an optical matched filter through the use of a hologram, spatially despreads the energy of the information light signal and produces a focused light beam which serves as input to a code division detector.

Abstract: An assembly suitable for statically and dynamically controlling an optical element, for example, a secondary mirror. The assembly realizes a novel design technique which treats the problems of static and dynamic control of the optical element, as subsumed moments of one interdependent problem. The one interdependent problem may be solved by way of a single structural design, featuring a unique lever arm, which can provide overlapping functions responsive, at one and the same time, to both moments.

Abstract: An optical data storage system having a highly integrated optical storage head that (1) integrates the read, write and servo paths, (2) comprises a monolithic laser-detector storage array that is integrated on a single chip an, wherein laser-detector alignment desirably is fixed at the time of fabrication, and (3) comprises a four-hologram optical element that directs light to an optical disk and divides the returning light into one track error and two focus error servo beams and two polarization component beams for data detection, and also provides a satellite beam of the incident laser beam for monitoring power of the laser beam.

Abstract: A light-reflecting device incorporates a central light-reflecting frame (10) of polygonal shape fitted with a cross bar (17) carrying at the centre a universal joint assembly (24) one element (21) of which is fixed to the cross bar (17) and the other relatively movable element (29) is formed for attachment to a supporting rod (25) and there are provided adjacent each end of the cross bar (17) a universal joint assembly (20) one element of which is fastened to the cross bar and the other relatively movable element (21) of which is attached to an edge of a respective outer light-reflecting frame (10) also of polygonal shape. In use the frames may be swung to an infinite number of positions and configurations to provide in conjunction with a given light source any desired lighting conditions. The device is also readily dismantled for easy portability.

Abstract: A system for rapidly defocusing a solar concentrator has a plurality of variably curved reflectors carried on a frame for concentrating energy toward a target. The reflectors have an elastic reflective membrane secured to a hollow housing and are focused by an evacuation assembly which draws the membrane into the housing and into a concave configuration. The defocusing system comprises an inflation assembly which rapidly inflates the housing, moving the membrane out of the focused position to an unfocused position. The inflation assembly reacts to a control mechanism and comprises compressed air stored at about 100 psi.

Abstract: A multi-vision mirror is provided for a rearview mirror having an image reflector in a motor vehicle which consists of a housing, a second image reflector mounted within the housing and a mechanism for connecting the housing with the second image reflector therein to the right side of the rearview mirror in the motor vehicle. A blind spot on the right side and right side behind the motor vehicle will be eliminated to allow the driver to increase an overall vision at all times.

Abstract: This invention is a compact optical processor including a coherent light source, plural optical elements that together form a Fourier transform interferometer, and a two dimensional detector array. The light source generates a two dimensional input optical wavefront intensity modulated according to the input signal. The optical elements are formed as slab-like members with parallel input and output surfaces. These optical elements are disposed abutting in tandem. The light detecting device includes a two dimensional array of photosensitive elements generating an image signal corresponding to the processed two dimensional optical wavefront. The plural optical elements preferably include at least one acousto-optical element forming a two dimensional scanner. The plural optical elements may further includes a holographic optical element to block light undiffracted by the scanning elements.

Abstract: A plurality of binary diffractive optic lenses are formed within a corresponding plurality of recesses in the surface of one substrate. The substrate with the binary diffractive optic lenses in the recess are bonded to another flat substrate. A plurality of individual binary diffractive optic lens cover assemblies are obtained by dicing the two bonded substrates.

Abstract: A wobble correction lens for a raster output scanner combines a positive cross-scan plano-cylindrical lens, which provides most of the optical power for focusing the light beam to a scan line, with a diffractive surface, which corrects the cross-scan field curvature of the cross-scan plano-cylindrical lens. The diffractive surface will have a multi-level structure (binary diffractive optical surface) which possesses a diffractive phase function that will flatten the cross-scan field curvature of the plano-cylindrical lens.

Abstract: A rectangular mirror assembly for attachment to the sun visor of any vehicle which includes an extendible sun shield or anti-glare protection screen encased within the mirror's structure.

Abstract: An ultraviolet light filter is provided by implanting an ultraviolet light absorbing chemical species into an ultraviolet light transmissive substrate. Two such filters having gradient distributions may be overlapped and shifted relative to each other to provide adjustable attenuation.

Abstract: In a deformable mirror having a mirror face plate and a plurality of axially movable piezoelectric actuators for controlling the contour thereof, an improvement is provided by which a pneumatic pre-load assembly is inserted between the face plate and the actuators. The assembly includes a core, having apertures therethrough, with a plurality of mirror surface contour posts passing separately through said apertures and a diaphragm plate which is mounted between the face plate and the core and spaced from such face plate but in contact with such core and one end of the posts. A rear plate is mounted to the other end of such posts and in spaced proximity with the core, which core, together with the diaphragm plate and the rear plate, define a cavity therebetween. The posts are aligned with actuators on the other side of the rear plate. Gas is applied to such cavity to bring the posts and the rear plate into contact with their associated actuators so as to pre-load them.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for examining the field of vision, having a scanning device, which is provided with beam deflecting and beam imaging elements, via which the illumination light beam from an illumination light source is guided onto the region of the fundus oculi to be imaged and, if need be, the light reflected from the fundus oculi is guided to a detector device, from the time-sequential output signal of which an evaluation and synchronization unit generates an image of the scanned section by points, and having a control unit, which controls the intensity of the illumination light beam scanning the fundus oculi in such a manner that marks, respectively patterns, are projected onto a predeterminable region of the fundus oculi with predeterminable brightness, which the person under examination perceives, respectively does not perceive in the event of defects in the field of vision.

Abstract: In order to improve an attenuator for a laser beam of a high-power laser comprising a diffraction element which in an attenuating position extends in a section oriented transversely to a beam direction of the laser beam and is irradiated by the laser beam such that it will also withstand the laser beams of high-power lasers, it is proposed that the diffraction element extend beyond the laser beam in the direction transverse to the beam direction so only a partial region of the diffraction element is irradiated by the laser beam and that the diffraction element be continuously moveable in this direction by a drive such that the laser beam irradiates constantly changing partial regions of the diffraction element.

Abstract: A radially symmetric iterative discrete on-axis hologram has a high diffraction efficiency for a correspondingly small f-number. The radially symmetric hologram has a plurality of concentric constant radial phase fringes. Each fringe has a predetermined plurality of radial phase rings and each fringe corresponds to a predetermined plurality of radial phase transition points and a radial phase value between the radial phase transition points. The radially symmetric iterative discrete on-axis hologram also has radial phase fringes with a predetermined number of phase levels, at least two adjacent fringes have a phase level difference which is greater than one and less than the predetermined number minus one. The radially symmetric iterative discrete on-axis hologram is fabricated by determining a plurality of concentric fringes of constant phase with a plurality of radial phase transition points and radial phase values between the radial phase transition points for each concentric fringe.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying a three-dimensional image of a plurality of tomographic images by storing pictorial information of a tomographic image in an image convering element, forming interference fringes between a reading light beam which is transmitted through the image converting element and is modulated in accordance with the pictorial information stored therein and a reference light beam, and recording the interference fringes on a photographic plate. A three-dimensional image is reproduced by projecting the reference light beam onto the thus developed photographic plate. The image converting element is formed by a Pockels readout optical modulator. An intensity and position of a coherent light beam is modulated in accordance with the pictorial information of the tomographic image, and the thus modulated coherent reading light beam is made incident upon the Pockels readout optical modulator.

Abstract: A hologram exposure system that includes a spherically curved mirror surface positioned adjacent a substrate/hologram assembly that includes a spherically curved hologram recording layer supported by a spherically curved substrate surface, wherein the spherically curved mirror surface is concentric with the spherically curved substrate surface. A first rotating means provides for rotation of the curved mirror surface about a first axis that passes through (a) the center of curvature of the spherically curved substrate surface that supports the hologram recording layer, and (b) a point on the hologram recording layer that allows for convenient rotation about the first axis; and a second rotating means provides for rotation of the curved mirror surface about a second axis that is orthogonal to the first axis and intersects the first axis at the center of curvature of the substrate surface that supports the hologram recording layer.

Abstract: A rear-view unit for motor-vehicles, in particular commercial vehicles, has at least one external rear-view mirror with a housing and at least one mirror glass pivotably arranged in the housing. Electric servomotors are provided to pivot the mirror glasses about a positioning axis. Furthermore, heatings for the mirror glass may be available. Switches are provided to actuate the servomotors and the heating. So as to reduce the wiring and to ensure the subsequent equipment of adjustable mirror glasses with servomotors, the switches are connected to a transmitting unit and the servomotors are connected to a receiving unit of a multiplex system arranged in the housing.

Abstract: Three-layer, low color purity, anti-reflection coatings reduce the reflection of visible light rays and display a low color purity when glazings carrying such coatings are oriented at high angles of incidence with respect to a source of visible light. The reflectances are comparable and the color purity values are lower for such glazings, when compared with conventional glazings coated with 1/4-178 -174 wavelength anti-reflection coatings.