Abstract: To weaken the light beam (12) in a microscope (100), especially in a scanning microscope, we propose an apparatus for the variable change of the illumination power that is arranged so that a light beam of zero diffraction order (17) emanating from a modulator (13) can be used directly for the purposes of microscopy. The acusto optical modulator (13) is the only element in the microscope influencing the power of light in a variable way.

Abstract: A microscope for use in total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM) is provided. The microscope includes a first white-light source for directing light along a first optical path; an annular slit member disposed in the first optical path, the annular slit member having an annular slit for blocking all but an annulus of light corresponding to the annular slit; and an objective lens for directing the annulus of light to a specimen such that TIRFM of the specimen is achieved. Also provided are various ways for converting the microscope to and from a TIRFM microscope and a conventional microscope.

Abstract: A confocal microscopic equipment for measuring the solid shape of a sample at high speeds, and which does not require scanning of an irradiating light beam, wherein are provided a light source, apertures on which the output beam from the light source is irradited, an objective lens that forms stationary images of the apertures on the sample and collects the reflected or fluorescent light from the sample, a photo detector, and a beam splitter that makes the beam that has passed through the apertures incident to the objective lens by means of transmission or reflection and focuses the output beam from the objective lens on the photo detector by reflection or transmission.

Abstract: A multiple spectral band opto-mechanical modulator for obtaining simultaneous but independent modulation of an extended IR source in two distinct wavelength bands comprises in one embodiment a first rotating filter wheel having alternating radial segments of transparent and short wavepass filter material, a second rotating filter wheel having alternating radial segments of transparent and long wavepass filter material, a stationary wheel having alternating radial transparent and opaque segments positioned intermediate the first and second rotating wheels and means for rotating said first and second filter wheels at predetermined frequencies.

Abstract: A subassembly for generating an optically active slit with a changeable slit width s, preferably for slit lamps, with two slit jaws which are displaceable relative to one another at a straight-line guide and between which the slit is formed, wherein one of two guide paths is allocated to each slit jaw. In a subassembly for generating an optically active slit, the guide paths are formed at portions of a guide rail which project out freely in the displacement directions of the slit jaws from a clamping position which is fixed with respect to the frame. The guide rail can accordingly expand without hindrance in the displacement direction under the influence of temperature without the parallelism of the slit being affected thereby.

Abstract: An astigmatic lenticular projector system includes a beam former for generating a family of planar light beams representative of an object; and an image former for diverging the light in each of the planar light beams transversely to the plane of the beams and not diverging the light along the plane of the beams for generating a viewable astigmatic image.

Abstract: An automobile dashboard display device including a panel that includes indicator numerals and letters that are printed with an acrylic resin bound phosphor pigment wherein the display is illuminated with ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A light transmittance adjusting apparatus for adjusting a windowpane of an automobile or a building has a fixed member and a movable member arranged in parallel with each other and having a plurality of light interception sections and light transmission sections formed thereon alternately. The vertical position of the movable member are changed electrostatically relative to the fixed member to adjust the light transmittance of the windowpane. Each light interception section has a semi-interception region, the light transmittance of which decreases gradually from a center region thereof toward the adjacent light transmission section. The semi-interception region of the light interception section of a light interception plate of the fixed member overlap the semi-interception region of the light interception section of a light interception plate of the movable member, thus accomplishing an optical interception completely.

Abstract: For simplifying the optical measurement of a particle flow in a fluid and in particular for eliminating errors, in a device for measuring a particle flow in a fluid with at least one illumination system having a diaphragm and at least one receiver system having a diaphragm, the invention provides for a diaphragm (6a, 11a) to have an aperture (6, 11) with an edge (6b, 11b) constructed convexly towards the interior of the diaphragm aperture (6, 11). According to a method, the particle flow is illuminated and/or observed through a diaphragm aperture with an edge constructed convexly towards its interior and the maximum intensity of the particle flying through a first optical measuring range is measured and account is only taken of the particle if the intensity on flowing through a second measuring range exceeds a specific minimum percentage of the maximum intensity measured for this particle.

Abstract: An aperture for an off-axis illumination (OAI) and a projection exposure apparatus which employs the same. In the aperture for an OAI having a light-intercepting region and a light-transmitting region, at least a portion of the light-transmitting region is prismoidal and diffracts incident light toward the periphery of the condenser lens. Accordingly, light intensity is increased due to an increased light-transmitting region, which can lead to a reduction in the exposure time required for photolithography procedures and to an increased productivity of semiconductor devices.

Abstract: A photolithographic projection system for transferring a predetermined pattern from a photomask to a wafer includes a radiation source and a grating mask. The radiation source projects radiation along a path through the photomask toward the wafer. The grating mask is positioned along the radiation path and is separate from the photomask. In a method for transferring a predetermined pattern from a photomask to a wafer, radiation is projected along a path through a grating mask and a photomask toward the wafer, and the grating mask is separate from the photomask.

Abstract: An apparatus for reconstructing holographic images includes a white light source, diffraction grating (1112) for generating zero-order diffracted light (1416) and at least first-order diffracted light, and light control film (LCF 1810) which is configured to block the zero-order diffracted light and to facilitate passage of a desired bandwidth of first-order diffracted light therethrough. In one embodiment light control film (LCF 1810) comprises a front layer (1802), a core layer (1804), and a back layer (1806). The back layer (1806) may be thought of as a datum, whereby a lateral shift in front film (1802) results in wavelength selectively, and a corresponding shift in core layer (1804) results in good zero-order light blocking. The resulting light is a pseudo-monochromatic source having sufficient coherence for use as a hologram reconstruction beam.

Abstract: A linear light source having a relatively large numerical aperture emits reading light of a substantially fully diffused light intensity distribution toward a film original that is held between support glass panels. The reading light passes through the film original and then through a slit that is disposed as a field stop between the film original and a reading lens and positioned closely to the film original for limiting a field of view with respect to the reading light. The reading light that has passed through the slit is converged by the reading lens onto CCD line sensors each having the same field of view as that of the slit.

Abstract: A system for translating applied linear motion into a slit width present between facing edges of two "Knife-blade" elements. In its preferred embodiment, two slide assemblies are firmly affixed to a frame such that loci of motion of slide elements thereof form an acute angle therebetween. Lower ends of each slide element, as viewed in vertically oriented frontal elevation, allow horizontal motion therebetween when said slide element lower ends are caused to simultaneously move vertically. An alternative embodiment provides that the slide elements be oriented such that said loci of motion of said slide elements are, for instance, horizontally directed. In its preferred embodiment the simultaneous motion of the slide elements is effected by a motor, preferably a precisely controlled computer driven stepper motor, which motor causes a threaded shaft therein to move vertically as a result of screw thread translation of motor imparted rotational motion to said threaded shaft.

Abstract: A spectrometer slit switching mechanism includes a slit plate having a plurality of entrance slits and exit slits formed at prescribed positions, parallel support rods for supporting the slit plate so as to be movable along the support rods, a screw portion formed on at least one support rod for transmitting forced to the slit plate, and a driving motor for transmitting rotational energy to the support rod provided with the screw portion, wherein the entrance slits are arranged on a line that runs parallel to the direction of movement of the slit plate and the exit slits are arranged on a line that is both parallel to and spaced a prescribed distance from the line on which the entrance slits are arranged. In accordance with this structure, the driving motor is operated in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions to raise and lower the slit plate in order to align a desired entrance slit and exit slit with the light path of the spectrometer.

Abstract: A moving mask is incorporated in a flying spot scanner to reduce flare. The mask obscures all portions of the object being scanned, except for a small region surrounding the point currently being scanned. The mask moves to maintain registration with the flying spot. A rotating slotted disk with curved slots in cooperation with a fixed mask having a slot is described as one mechanism for achieving such masking.

Abstract: An adjustable optical component, for example an optical slit having adjustable slit width, comprises a movable member for providing an optical function, for example a slit and/or a shutter, and resilient suspension elements for connecting the movable member to a frame. The essential parts of the movable member, of the resilient suspension elements and of the frame consist of microstructures which are made of a common base material. Preferably, these parts are manufactured from a silicon chip by a micromechanical technique comprising, for example, anisotropic etching. In the case of an optical slit, the movable member comprises a plurality of openings of different widths which constitute a step slit. In order to adjust different slit widths, the member is moved along a line parallel to the center line of the step slit, with the force for moving the member being applied at an opening. When the member is moved by an external force, the resilient silicon beams are bending and the bars are moving.

Abstract: A vehicle roof having a glass lid is framed by a two-part lid frame, a glass pane of which is coated on its lower face with a thin, lattice-like sunshield, preferably applied by the screen printing process. A multilayer closure plate, slidably guided at the lateral longitudinal members of the lid frame, bears from below against the sunshield, the thin closure plate layers of which possess a corresponding lattice-like structure. The closure plate layers are displaceable upon one another and can be displaced or set one after another to provide an infinitely variable cover or exposure of the light apertures of large area of the sunshield. A drive apparatus provides for a corresponding displacement drive of the individual closure plate layers.

Abstract: A small-sized, simple, high-resolution slit system adapted for use in a mass spectrometer. The slit system forms a slit whose width can be electrically controlled. The slit system comprises two displacement-enlarging mechanisms disposed in rotation symmetry. Each displacement-enlarging mechanism comprises two levers disposed in series. Each displacement-enlarging mechanism is formed by one flange provided with a groove extending therethrough. A piezoelectric device which expands and contracts along one axis is mounted to the input end of each displacement-enlarging mechanism. A blade is mounted to the output end of each displacement-enlarging mechanism. Both blades together form the slit which can be opened and closed.

Abstract: A slit is disposed as diaphragm in the beam path of a mass spectrometer. The slit width is to be variable in the simplest possible manner. Manual, electric motor-driven, thermoelectric or piezoelectric adjustment devices are known. According to the invention a pneumatic adjustment is provided. A Bourdon tube (12) moves a lever (14), at one end (18) of which slits (19, 20, 21) of differing slit widths are disposed. The lever movements are limited by abutments (22, 23).

Abstract: Plural successive light beam pulses are directed through a continuously adjustable aperture. An actuator is driven to change an aperture diameter of the continuously adjustable aperture for each of the plural successive light beam pulses directed therethrough. The aperture diameter is adjusted in this manner in accordance with a pixel diameter of each of respective plural pixels to be printed on a print medium by the plural successive light beam pulses.

Abstract: A method for counting living cells of microbes in a fluid sample continuously while flowing the sample using an apparatus which comprises a system for supplying at a predetermined rate to the flow line of the sample a reagent, such as, a derivative of fluorescein, capable of reacting with one or more substances intrinsic of the living cell, such as enzyme, to form an accumulative fluorescent product within the living cells; a reactor inserted in the flow line of the sample and being provided for the reaction of the reagent with the cell-intrinsic substance in the living cells; a photometric detection system arranged subsequent to the reactor for detecting fluorescence emitted as individual luminous point from the fluorescent product in each of the living cells floating in the flowing sample upon irradiation of the fluorescent product by an exciting ray; and an electronic unit including a pulse counter for counting electric pulses produced from each fluorescence from the luminous point.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to slits used in optics that must be precisely aligned and adjusted. The optical slits of the present invention are useful in x-ray optics, x-ray beam lines, optical systems in which the entrance slit is critical for high wavelength resolution. The invention is particularly useful in ultra high vacuum systems where lubricants are difficult to use and designs which avoid the movement of metal parts against one another are important, such as monochrometers for high wavelength resolution with ultra high vacuum systems. The invention further relates to optical systems in which temperature characteristics of the slit materials is important. The present invention yet additionally relates to precision slits wherein the opposing edges of the slit must be precisely moved relative to a center line between the edges with each edge retaining its parallel orientation with respect to the other edge and/or the center line.

Abstract: An improved aperture for a scanning microscope as is used to mask either or both of the incident light and reflected light includes a plurality of continuous curvilinear slits spaced evenly about a common origin, each of which approximates an Archimedes' spiral emanating from the origin centered on the aperture. There are two embodiments of the invention disclosed, both of which have a true Archimedes' spiral to define the inner edge of the continuous slit. In a first embodiment, the outer edge is defined as having a constant proportional circumferential aperture distance from the inner spiral. In the second embodiment, the outer edge is defined as another Archimedes' spiral having a constant offset of minimum distance from the inner spiral. However, the outer edges of the two embodiments essentially merge in a physical sense after only several of the inner revolutions of the continuous slit so that the continuous slit of either embodiment provides an image having uniform masking and uniform resolution.

Abstract: A scanning optical system for preventing ghosting is provided wherein a laser beam emitted by a laser light source is first brought to an image in an auxiliary scanning plane, and reflected by a slit mirror provided in a prism block. The laser beam is incident on the scanning deflector along the optical axis of the scanning lens, and a screen is provided for obstructing ghosting in the vicinity of the scanning surface. Further, at least one side of the prism block on which the light is incident from which the light emerges is curved, or one side of the prism block is treated to prevent reflection. Further, the screen is disposed between the laser light source and the slit mirror so as to obstruct the part of the light beam incident on the mirror which is reflected by the mirror after being reflected by the scanning deflector.

Abstract: A field expanding system for producing an expanded field image including a translating slit for a first rotating mirror, and a second mirror which undergoes translation and rotation. The second mirror translates in synchronism with the slit and rotates in synchronism with the first mirror.

Abstract: A method of controlling a size of a light beam, which comprises rotating a disk having a groove whose size changes continuously or a polygonal-shaped rotor having grooves of different sizes, on the circumferential surface, and irradiating the groove or grooves with a light beam, whereby the groove or grooves provide a transmitted light beam having a size that change continuously or stepwise, respectively, while retaining an analogous form of the light beam.

Abstract: An entrance slit and exit slit of a monochromator is shaped so that the width of the slits becomes smaller from the center towards the ends of their height, where the width is a dimension in the direction of the separation of the light in the monochromator. An example of such shape is rhombic. When the total amount of light emitted from the monochromator and the resolution of the monochromator are set to be the same, the efficiency of light in measuring small samples is increased and the ratio of stray light in the light emitted from the monochromator becomes smaller.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus includes a light source for exposing a wafer through a mask; a light blocking device being movable and effective to block light from the light source to limit an exposure zone; a positional deviation detecting system for detecting positional deviation between the mask and the wafer; and a drive control system for moving the light blocking device to execute position control therefor, on the basis of a detection signal from the positional deviation detecting system.

Abstract: A scanning optical system projects a light beam from a light source as a line spread function image in a principal scanning plane before the light beam is made incident onto a scanning deflector. A static deflector is disposed in a line spread function image position in order to guide a light beam from a light source to the scanning deflector. The static deflector has a slit mirror for reflecting a light beam from the light source or a mirror with a slit for permitting a light beam to be transmitted therethrough.

Abstract: An image reading method and apparatus includes detecting an optimal position of a slot of a light intercepting plate by reading an output level from a light sensor which receives light passing through the slit, moving the light intercepting plate to an optimal slit position in accordance with the read output level, and correcting any deviations in a scanning direction based on the amount the light intercepting plate is moved.