Abstract: A lens barrel device that configures a lens barrel supporting an optical system includes: a first lens barrel; a second lens barrel that moves in a direction of an optical axis with respect to the first lens barrel in accordance with rotation of the first lens barrel around the optical axis of the optical system; and a light shielding member that is disposed so as to block a gap between the second lens barrel and the first lens barrel.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a lens mount for holding a lens in a barrel, a guide shaft extending parallel to an optical axis of the lens within the barrel and connected to the lens mount for guiding the lens mount along the optical axis, and a support operable to support opposite ends of the guide shaft in its extending direction within the barrel, the support including a support unit operable to support at least one of the opposite ends of the guide shaft, the support unit including a hole provided in the barrel, and a bearing member attached from the exterior of the barrel into the hole and being removable therefrom, the bearing member being rotatable about a center axis of the hole, wherein the bearing member includes a shaft inserted into the hole and a bearing hole provided in the shaft, with one end of the guide shaft being inserted into the bearing hole and a center axis of the bearing hole being eccentric from a center axis of the shaft.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a lens mount for holding a lens in a barrel, a guide shaft extending parallel to an optical axis of the lens within the barrel and connected to the lens mount for guiding the lens mount along the optical axis, and a support operable to support opposite ends of the guide shaft in its extending direction within the barrel, the support including a support unit operable to support at least one of the opposite ends of the guide shaft, the support unit including a hole provided in the barrel, and a bearing member attached from the exterior of the barrel into the hole and being removable therefrom, the bearing member being rotatable about a center axis of the hole, wherein the bearing member includes a shaft inserted into the hole and a bearing hole provided in the shaft, with one end of the guide shaft being inserted into the bearing hole and a center axis of the bearing hole being eccentric from a center axis of the shaft.

Abstract: An optical apparatus having counter electrodes of ITO and working electrodes formed from a conductive paste prepared by dispersing silver or carbon conductive particles in a binder or a sintered material obtained by sintering silver or carbon conductive particles. The counter electrodes can be formed into a structure free of sharp edges which can cause a concentration of electric fields.

Abstract: An optical device is provided as an optical filter including a pair of substrates at least one of which is transparent, at least one transparent electrode disposed on one side of the transparent substrate, at least one counter electrode, a spacer provided between a pair of the substrates at peripheries thereof, and an RED solution as a filtering material provided in a space between a pair of the substrates. The RED solution includes a silver salt and a mixed solvent, preferably DMSO and another solvent, for dissolving the silver salt. The transparent electrodes and the counter electrode are driven by applying a voltage thereto, and the silver salt is reversibly deposited and dissolved by controlling the voltage. The RED solution is brought to be colored and to be colorless, respectively, so that an amount of light passing through the device may be adjusted.

Abstract: An optical unit which comprises a pair of substrates 1, 1', which are provided with electrodes of specific configuration 4a, 4b, 4a', 4b', facing each other with the electrodes inside, a substance 7 placed between said paired substrates, said substance being capable of controlling the amount of transmitted light in response to a specific voltage applied to said electrodes, and light shielding films 2, 2' to confine the area to be shielded, said light shielding films being formed on the same side of the substrates 1, 1' that on which the electrodes 4a, 4b, 4a', 4b' are formed.

Abstract: To provide an optical unit which can be driven with low electrical power, is controllable in its transmittance in visible light, has satisfactory spectroscopic properties in a light-screening state, and exhibits a life span extended by reducing the over-voltage upon the electrodes; and to provide an electrolytic solution to be used in the optical unit. An optical unit comprising a pair of opposing electrodes 2 and 3, and an electrolytic solution 1 comprising a solvent and a silver bromide dissolved therein, the electrolytic solution further containing a metal salt such as copper bromide to be co-deposited with silver, and the electrolytic solution being disposed between the opposing electrodes such that deposition/dissolution of silver is caused by drive-controlling these electrodes.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a first electrode that can be kept in a transparent state in a visible light region, and a second electrode electrically separated from the first electrode. A space is provided between the first and second electrodes. A certain function is used to provide a driving potential to the first and second electrodes. An electrolyte is poured into the space between the electrodes. The electrolyte is composed of a solution prepared by dissolving a silver salt in at least one type of solvent selected from a group consisting of dimethylformamide, diethylformamide, N, N-dimethylacetamide, N-methylpropionamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, 2-ethoxyethanol, and 2-methoxyethanol. By use of this electrolyte, silver is precipitated and dissolved under driving control over the first and second electrodes. As a result, color-developing and color-fading are effected by precipitation and dissolution of silver, respectively.