Abstract: The invention provides a waveguide type liquid crystal optical switch that includes first and second cores so as to form a space therebetween, in which an optical path is switched between the first and second cores; a third core provided apart from the first and second cores, into which nematic liquid crystal orientated by an orientation film along a predetermined direction is filled, the third core overlapping to the space formed between the first and second cores; a first electrode arranged on an opposite side of the first and second cores with respect to the third core so as to overlap to the space between the first and second cores, second and third electrodes arranged on both sides of the first electrode, for orienting liquid crystal molecules along a direction perpendicular to the orientation direction of the orientation film; and a cladding for incorporating the cores and the electrodes.

Abstract: A waveguide type liquid-crystal optical switch including: an optical waveguide having a pair of first and second cores close to each other for switching an optical path between the pair of first and second cores; a third core made of nematic liquid crystal enclosed in between a pair of oriented films and oriented in a predetermined direction by the pair of oriented films, the third core being disposed in any one of a space covering the first and second cores in parallel with a plane containing optical axes of the first and second cores, a space sandwiched between the first and second cores and a space covering upper surfaces of the first and second cores so as to be laid over the first and second cores; a first electrode disposed on a surface of the third core opposite to the first and second cores so as to cover a gap portion between the first and second cores; second and third electrodes disposed as a pair, between which electrodes the first electrode is put, the second and third electrodes provided for ori

Abstract: A reflection type diffraction grating according to the present invention has a structure in which a metal film as a first layer with reflectance not lower than 30% with respect to the wavelength of incident light and a transparent dielectric film as a second layer are laminated successively on the surface of the reflection type diffraction grating. With respect to the wavelength of incident light, the metal film has a refractive index selected to be not higher than 1.5 and an extinction coefficient selected to be not smaller than 6.0. The transparent dielectric film has a refractive index selected to be in a range of from 1.30 to 1.46, both inclusively, with respect to the wavelength of incident light and has an optical film thickness selected to be in a range of from 0.20&lgr; to 0.38&lgr;, both inclusively, when &lgr;is the wavelength of incident light.

Abstract: The invention presents an optical imaging system, which eliminates portions of an image with large image curvature, improving the resolving power. A plurality of columnar rod lenses 1 with a refractive index distribution in the radial direction is arranged in one or more rows in a rod lens array 2 for one-to-one imaging with their optical axes 1a in parallel. An object plane 3 and an image plane 4 are arranged on the two sides of the rod lens array 2, constituting an optical imaging system. Rectangular aperture stops 5 are provided on both faces of the rod lenses 1, so that they cover both end portions of the rod lenses 1 in the Y-axis direction (longitudinal direction of the rod lens array 2).

Abstract: In a window glass for a vehicle comprising a glass sheet, a transparent conductive film and a pair of bus bars for feeding power to the film, this invention makes the amount of generated heat more uniform by providing a distribution in the surface resistance of the film, depending on the distribution of heat generated in the film. In one embodiment, the surface resistance of the conductive film decreases from the longer bus bar toward the shorter bus bar. In another embodiment, the surface resistance of the conductive film increases, as the spacing between the bus bars is smaller.

Abstract: A light guide 1 is provided at the reverse side thereof with triangular uneven surfaces 1b at a predetermined pitch. The uneven surfaces 1b are integrally formed with the light guide 1 when the latter 1 is injection-molded. Incident light from a light incident plane is caused to be totally reflected within the light guide and to spread in a main scanning direction (the longitudinal direction), wherein the light reaching the uneven surfaces 1b is scattered and caused to be totally reflected at the uneven surfaces 1b. The light scattered and totally reflected at the uneven surfaces 1b is emitted from an emission plane. Intensity of light in the main scattering direction can be made uniform by lengthening the uneven surfaces 1b as the uneven surfaces extend from the light incident plane.

Abstract: A process for forming a thin oxide film on an underlying surface adapted for film formation thereon according to a radio frequency magnetron sputtering method using an oxide target(s). The excitation frequency is a frequency which is higher than 13.56 MHz and which provides a negative target self-bias voltage permitting of film formation.

Abstract: A process for forming a thin oxide film on an underlying surface adapted for film formation thereon according to a radio frequency magnetron sputtering method using an oxide target(s). The excitation frequency is higher than 13.56 MHz and provides a lower negative target self-bias voltage permitting improved film formation.