Abstract: An optical shutter comprising a frame with an aperture and shutter blade for modulating a light beam or a particle stream passing through the aperture. The top end of the shutter blade comprises a first sector and a second sector, each sector having different optical characteristics. The bottom end of the shutter blade is coupled to a motor means for pivotally rotating the shutter blade over a limited angular range in a clockwise and counter-clockwise direction such that the first sector is aligned with the aperture when the shutter blade is rotated in one direction and the second sector is aligned with the aperture when the shutter blade is rotated in the other direction.

Abstract: This invention measures a necessary region at a high speed regardless of the scanning means, magnification, and resolution in measuring a sample. A scanning confocal microscope for two-dimensionally scanning a sample with a laser beam, receiving light reflected by the sample, fluorescence, or transmitted light, and obtaining a detection signal corresponding to the received light intensity as image information of the sample includes a scanning range designation means for designating the two-dimensional scanning range of the laser beam with respect to the sample.

Abstract: In a confocal microscope, a beam of light from a light source is lead to a rotary disk by way of an optical lens and a half mirror, and made to strike specimen by way of an objective lens. The rotary disk has random pin hole pattern sections where pin holes are randomly bored through a light blocking mask, and an aperture section having an area k2 times greater than the area of the random pin hole pattern sections and allowing any light to pass therethrough. The beam of light reflected by the specimen is made to enter a CCD camera by way of the objective lens, the rotary disk, the half mirror and a condenser lens. The CCD camera is adapted to selectively pick up a composite image containing a confocal image component and a non-confocal image component of the specimen obtained through the random pin hole pattern sections and a conventional image of the specimen obtained through the aperture section.

Abstract: A thin low power, paper white, direct-view display includes an array of bistable micromirrors that are deflected between two stable states, a dark state in which the mirror covers a portion of the background and a white state in which the mirror uncovers the background. The drive electronics are similar to those used in multiplexed LDCs but are modified in order to drive the micromirrors to one of their two stable states. The micromirrors in the enabled row are attracted up or down with sufficient force to exceed the micromirrors' bistable threshold and deflect the micromirrors to their dark and white states, respectively. The attractive forces on the micromirrors in the remaining non-enabled rows are insufficient to exceed the micromirrors' bistable threshold so that the micromirrors remain in their current stable state.

Abstract: This invention measures a necessary region at a high speed regardless of the scanning means, magnification, and resolution in measuring a sample. A scanning confocal microscope for two-dimensionally scanning a sample with a laser beam, receiving light reflected by the sample, fluorescence, or transmitted light, and obtaining a detection signal corresponding to the received light intensity as image information of the sample includes a scanning range designation means for designating the two-dimensional scanning range of the laser beam with respect to the sample.

Abstract: A beam shape compensation optical system includes a first anamorphic beam expander which expands a cross section of a parallel beam incident along a predetermined direction at a first magnification ratio M1 at least in a first direction which is perpendicular to the predetermined direction, and a second anamorphic beam expander which expands a cross section of a parallel beam incident along the predetermined direction at a second magnification ratio M2 at least in a second direction which is perpendicular to the predetermined direction. The first and second anamorphic beam expander are rotatable so that an angle between the first direction and the second direction on a plane perpendicular to the predetermined direction is changeable.

Abstract: An optical shutter comprising a frame with an aperture and shutter blade for modulating a light beam or a particle stream passing through the aperture. The top end of the shutter blade comprises a first sector and a second sector, each sector having different optical characteristics. The bottom end of the shutter blade is coupled to a motor means for pivotally rotating the shutter blade over a limited angular range in a clockwise and counter-clockwise direction such that the first sector is aligned with the aperture when the shutter blade is rotated in one direction and the second sector is aligned with the aperture when the shutter blade is rotated in the other direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a confocal microscope which has high resolving power and a great focal depth and is capable of observing a sample in real time, so that a fine stereoscopic structure of a highly integrated IC or the like can be inspected, and provides a confocal microscope in which a pinhole substrate 2 having a plurality of pinholes, located at a position of an image formed by an objective 4, is illuminated by light coming from a light source 1 to focus light passing through pinhole substrate 2 onto a sample 6 by objective 4 so that an image is formed thereon, light reflected at sample 6 is again focused onto pinhole substrate 2 through objective 4 to form an image thereon, light passing through pinhole substrate 2 is focused by a relay lens 7 or the like to re-form an image in the form of a sample image, and sample 6 is scanned with light by high-speed rotation of pinhole substrate 2 to obtain a reconstructed image of sample 6, wherein a longitudinal chromatic aberration-producing optical element 5

Abstract: An optical microscope that can observe the image of a sample by scanning the sample, wherein are provided a beam splitter to branch a linearly polarized incident light beam and a light beam reflected from the sample; an objective lens to illuminate the sample by focusing the incident light beam on the sample; and a quarter wavelength plate disposed between the objective lens and sample, whereby the placement of the quarter wavelength plate on the sample side of the objective lens improves the S/N ratio and allows low reflectivity samples to be measured.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes an image source that scans about two axes. To offset motion about a first of the axes during sweeps about the second axis, the apparatus includes a structure to produce offsetting motion about the first axis at a scanning rate equal to the twice-scanning rate about the second axis. The offsetting scan can be a ramp or other motion. In one embodiment, the offsetting motion is a resonant sinusoid. The offsetting motion may be produced by an auxiliary scanner such as a mechanical scanner, a piezoelectric scanner, a MEMs scanner or other scanner. Because the offsetting motion is very small, the auxiliary scanner can function with a very small scan angle.

Abstract: An optical shutter comprising a frame with an aperture and shutter blade for modulating a light beam or a particle stream passing through the aperture. The top end of the shutter blade comprises a first sector and a second sector, each sector having different optical characteristics. The bottom end of the shutter blade is coupled to a motor for pivotally rotating the shutter blade over a limited angular range in a clockwise and counter-clockwise direction such that the first sector is aligned with the aperture when the shutter blade is rotated in one direction and the second sector is aligned with the aperture when the shutter blade is rotated in the other direction.

Abstract: A machine vision apparatus (24) and method are provided which allows imaging by or with the aid of artificial observation devices, such as video cameras, binoculars, telescopes, and other optical observation devices (10) which have an objective lens (12) passing light from an object or scene being viewed to a focal plane (18) at which is located a surface (22) which is at least partially reflective. Conventionally, such optical observation devices provide a retro-reflective light return into the scene being observed. Such a light return from an observation device can be detrimental, for example, to certain experimental results, or to the accuracy of machine vision (i.e., imaging) employed in robotic manufacturing tools.

Abstract: A system for correcting optical aberration created by a conformal window has a conformal window (12) with an outer surface (26) and an inner surface (28). The inner surface (28) is an aspheric surface for compensating for higher order aberrations. An aberration generator (16) is aligned to receive input from the conformal window (12) and dynamically corrects lower order aberrations, notably focus and astigmatism, over the field of regard.

Abstract: A high intensity light projector for stage, architectural and similar applications includes a controllable image quality projection gate providing advanced visual effects. The projection gate, capable of selectively scattering or transmitting incident light, may be constructed of an array of scattering liquid crystal material in combination with infrared and ultraviolet reduction means which provide in the high intensity beam, a stable thermal environment by minimizing the absorption of light by the projection gate. Additional thermal efficiency is provided by supplemental cooling means. Color control is also provided in the form of dichroic filter wheels forming cooperating adjustable low, high and band width filters including saturation control. A color measuring feedback sensor is also provided. An intensity measuring feedback sensor controls a spatially-modulated, variable-density, reflectively-coated dimming wheel. A programmable gobo system has provisions for gobo selection, orientation, and rotation.

Abstract: A beam scanner is disclosed for confocal microscopes. The beam scanner is provided with a disc-shaped, rotary-driven base unit which largely prevents disruptive optical scattering. The beam scanner is so designed that at least one main surface of the base unit is provided with a reflecting grid; light is reflected only by those regions of the main surface which correspond to the meshes of the reflecting grid, or only by those regions which correspond to the lattice of the reflecting grid.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus having an optical communication capability of the present invention has a casing 10 and optical filters 12 and 13 for screening an infrared beam emitting/receiving device 25. The optical filters 12 and 13 each has a particular screening characteristic. The filters 12 and 13 are selectively removably fitted in a beam input/output window 11 formed in the casing 10. With these filters 12 and 13, it is possible to use one of the filters 12 and 13 matching the varying environment, and therefore to intercept optical noise lying in a broad wavelength range.

Abstract: A collapsible shield for shielding the imaging beam of an internal drum imaging system. The collapsible shield is configured to be positioned in an extended position to enclose the imaging beam during scanning of an imaging material, and positioned in a retracted position during loading of the imaging material into the imaging system.

Abstract: A centrifuge microscope that includes: a rotary disk in which are provided a slit and a sample chamber; a light source for illumination; a projecting optical system; and an objective lens. The projecting optical system includes an imaging lens, a pair of reflecting mirrors, and a projecting lens which are constructed and arranged such that an erect image or an inverted image of the slit is projected on a sample contained in the sample chamber. During rotation of the rotary disk, the slit image and the sample sweep by each other in front of the objective lens, whereby the sample can be observed via the objective lens as a still image having better definition.

Abstract: A turret assembly is provided for use with a light box for supporting and indexing a plurality of fiber optic bundles relative to a light source contained within the light box. The turret assembly includes a supporting element having a plurality of openings for retaining a plurality of fiber bundles which is rotatably attached to a hub member mounting the turret assembly to the light box. The turret assembly also includes a light intensity control member for adjusting the intensity of light entering each indexed fiber optic bundle from said light source. The intensity control member is fixedly attached to an adjustment knob which independently rotates a light vane positioned in the light path extending from the light source in order to selectively to vary the illumination output therefrom.

Abstract: A mechanical beam isolator uses rod-shaped elements having a Gaussian configuration to interrupt the path of a beam of photons or particles when the time-scale of the needed interruption is of the order of a microsecond or less. One or more of these rods is mounted transversely to, and penetrates through, a rotating shaft supported by bearings. Owing to the Gaussian geometry of the rods, they are able to withstand much higher rotation speeds, without tensile failure, than rods having any other geometrical shape.

Abstract: A color wheel (15) for use in a display system (10). The color wheel (15) is comprised of a rigid hub (23) and an outer perimeter of color filter segments (21), which are made from a thin plastic material.

Abstract: A diaphragm blade for a diaphragm-blade assembly having a plurality of diaphragm blades forming an opening of a diaphragm. The diaphragm blades cooperatively move to change the diameter of the opening of the diaphragm. Each diaphragm blade has a thin blade sheet and a pair of protruding engage members formed on the blade sheet. Each diaphragm blade is integrally formed with the protruding engage members by injection molding synthetic resin.

Abstract: A confocal microscope comprising a confocal laser scanner which rotates a Nipkow disk at high speed together with microlenses wherein a beam splitter of a plate type is disposed between two integrated disks, in each of which a plurality of microlenses and minute openings are arranged with the same pattern in an array, and wherein the axis of incident light is tilted by a significant angle to the vertical incident axis of the microlenses, so that the light axis shift generated by the plate beam splitter is cancelled and the incident light to the relevant microlense is caused to be focused to the corresponding minute opening thereby improving light use efficiency.

Abstract: A condenser for a transmitted light microscope with built-in 3-D filters and stereo pair photo apertures that permit a standard 2-D microscope, high power as well as low power, to produce a variety of high quality 3-D images and photos.

Abstract: Overlapping lenses for use in a light fixture provided to project a beam of light in a first beam shape having a first cross-sectional geometry. A first lens device is supported in the fixture and movable into a position to interrupt the beam of light for selecting beam shape by altering the first projected beam shape from the first cross-sectional geometry to a second cross-sectional geometry different from the first geometry. The first lens device includes at least one lenticular lens element having lenticules oriented in a first direction. A second lens device, separate from the first device, is supported in the fixture and movable into a position to interrupt the beam of light for selecting beam shape by altering the second projected beam shape from the second cross-sectional geometry to a third cross-sectional geometry different from the first and second geometries.

Abstract: The present invention provides a variable attenuator for an optical transmission system having a disc-like masking plate with apertures (or image zones) formed in an arcuate control area at the periphery of the plate. Within each aperture, at least one opaque masking member is provided extending outward from the origin to the perimeter of the aperture and having a masking surface with an incremental masking area which continuously increases in magnitude with increasing radial length of the aperture. The perpendicular cross-section of each masking member with respect to the optical axis preferably forms a geometric shape having straight-line edges extending radially outward from the origin of the aperture. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of masking members are utilized (as a pair or sets of pairs).

Abstract: A broad-bandwidth interferometric device is adapted for longitudinal insertion into a cylinder cavity to produce irradiance signals at multiple vertical-scanning positions as a function of optical path differences between a reference mirror incorporated in the probe and the cylinder-wall surface. The light-source beam is passed through an objective lens placed longitudinally in the cylinder and then divided by a beam splitter disposed in fixed relation to the cylinder wall to produce a test beam directed radially to the wall and a reference beam directed axially to a reference mirror disposed in fixed relation to the lens. During scanning, the objective lens and reference mirror are translated together, while the beam splitter remains stationary with respect to the cylinder wall, thereby varying the position of the focal point of the test beam and providing the vertical-scanning effect required to produce interference fringes and a corresponding map of the tested cylinder surface.

Abstract: A confocal optical scanner which realizes optical scanning without nonuniformity of brightness at the inside and outside periperies of the pinhole disk by arraying the pinholes along spiral tracks at the same pitch; which allows adjustment of decentering to be readily performed by disposing pinholes so that stripes do not occur even when decentering is large; which allows more incident light to be collected at the pinholes through a plurality of collector means by disposing the pinholes at focal points of the collector means; which improves luminous utilization efficacy by reducing the illumination area of light by adopting the collector means to focus outside of the aperture pupil; which prevents decrease of confocal resolution due to pinhole diameter by causing the light reflected from the sample to not enter a collector disk; and which reduces stray light from the pinhole disk by covering non-collector portions of the collector disk with a shading film.

Abstract: A confocal optical scanner which realizes optical scanning without nonuniformity of brightness at the inside and outside periperies of the pinhole disk by arraying the pinholes along spiral tracks at the same pitch; which allows adjustment of decentering to be readily performed by disposing pinholes so that stripes do not occur even when decentering is large; which allows more incident light to be collected at the pinholes through a plurality of collector means by disposing the pinholes at focal points of the collector means; which improves luminous utilization efficacy by reducing the illumination area of light by adopting the collector means to focus outside of the aperture pupil; which prevents decrease of confocal resolution due to pinhole diameter by causing the light reflected from the sample to not enter a collector disk; and which reduces stray light from the pinhole disk by covering non-collector portions of the collector disk with a shading film.

Abstract: An optical rotation encoder for an X-Y direction input device includes a light source for emitting therefrom a light, a pair of substantially vertically aligned light responsive elements for receiving the light, and a circular code wheel mounted between the light source and the light responsive elements, provided thereon plural equiangularly distributed apertures every adjacent two of which have a shielding sectorial area and having a first desired distance with respect to the light source and a second desired distance with respect to the light responsive elements for obtaining an X-Y displacement of the input device by plural pulses resulting from the light which is to be received by the light responsive elements and passes through the apertures to be intermittently projected on the light responsive elements when the circular code wheel is in a rotating motion, wherein the light source is a point light source and either the aperture or shielding sectorial area has a width smaller than a combined width of the

Abstract: An optical masking apparatus of an OTDR capable of lowering insertion loss and of easily aligning optical axes and of being structured at low cost. The apparatus comprises an optical pulse generating means, an optical branching coupler for permitting an optical pulse generated by the optical pulse generating means to be incident to an optical fiber to be measured, and an optical chopper means to which a reflected light from the optical fiber is incident by way of the optical branching coupler wherein the optical chopper means operates in synchronization with the optical pulse to remove a desired range of the reflected light. A light signal supplied to an optical/electric transducer from the optical chopper means is converted into an electric signal, which is displayed on an indicator by way of a signal processing circuit.

Abstract: A micro-mechanical shutter array using micro-mechanical technology and silicon-on-transparent-substrate technology. The micro-mechanical shutter array is operated by using electro-static forces. Two basic types of shutter movements are described, viz. an electric force/electric counter-force and an electric force/mechanical (spring) counter-force.

Abstract: A low cost, compact light shutter apparatus for a photographic film scanner in which an elongate light shutter mechanism has a curvilinear surface nested in a mating, curvilinear recess formed in an opaque plate. The shutter mechanism preferably is comprised of an elongated blade of sufficient length and width to cover a light transmitting slot in the plate when the blade is in a light blocking position. The blade is attached to a rotary solenoid for movement between light blocking and light transmitting positions.

Abstract: A light-receiving module having the characteristics of a tunable bandpass filter and applicable for receiving light signal from an optic fiber in the field of optical communication or optical information processing. The light-receiving module is coupled to the optical fiber and has a photo-detecting device for converting a light signal into an electric signal, a lens optically coupling said optical fiber and said photo-detecting device, and a bandpass filter plate provided between the photo-detecting device and the lens. The bandpass filter plate is supported such that it may rotate around an axis which is parallel to the face of the plate.

Abstract: A variable-apex prism controller which controls a variable-apex prism composed of two transparent optical members and an optically transparent substance sealed in the space defined between the two optical members, wherein the two optical members of the variable-apex prism are rotated by rotating devices around rotation axes orthogonal to each other in accordance with information from a movement detecting device. When correcting any blur by deflecting a transmitted light flux, the maximum blur correction angle .epsilon..sub.max obtained along the directions of the rotation axes of the optical members is set beforehand. The rotation amounts of the two optical members are restricted in such a way that the maximum blur correction angle for any blur occurring along a direction different from the rotation axes is substantially the same as the above-mentioned maximum correction angle .epsilon..sub.max.

Abstract: A blade type focal plane shutter is designed to decrease the shutter charge energy and to improve the durability of the shutter without decreasing the impact resistance of the main arms of the shutter. The shutter may comprise a shutter base plate having an aperture; shutter blades each composed of a plural number of blade segments and a driving mechanism having main arms and follower arms rotatably connected to the shutter base plate and blade segments as to form a parallel link mechanism, the main arms having pin-receiving holes in which driving pins are engaged respectively. Through the driving pins, the driving mechanism is able to move the blade segments between the aperture opening position in which the blade segments are folded up outside the aperture and the aperture closing position in which the blade segments are expanded to cover the aperture. The follower arms are decreased in rigidity and/or impact resistance or in thickness relative to the main arms.

Abstract: An optical sight laser device having:a laser source (4) capable of emitting a laser beam (6);an optical sight system (1), through which a sight beam (9) passes, intended to allow an operator to direct the laser beam toward a target;a control device (11) capable of triggering the laser source (4) with a view to firing, initiated by an actuating member (5), at the disposal of the operator; anda movable element (12) capable of occulting the sight beam (9) during laser firing, wherein the movable element (12) is capable of also occulting the laser beam (6) and it occults alternately the laser beam (6) and the sight beam (9) at a frequency such that the operator's retinal persistence is maintained.

Abstract: A micro-optical shutter array (92, 102) having a number of tiny shutters (10), which revolve so as to intermittently block light from a via (12), and which may be operated in either a stepping or continuous motion. The array (92, 102) may be batch manufactured using integrated circuit fabrication techniques. For each shutter, a via (12) is etched through a substrate (11). A rotor (13, 43, 53, 63) with at least one opening is fabricated over the via (12), such that as the rotor (13, 43, 53, 63) turns, radiation transmitted through the via (12) is selectively blocked or not blocked.

Abstract: A blooming protection for a nightsight comprises a cylindrical cover of opaque material, which cover has an opening through which light can pass. The cover is plugged onto the tube on the objective side, like a protective cover. If the opaque section is aligned with a light source in the field of view, by rotating the cover, when observing a scene at night, not only is the blooming caused by said light source suppressed, but the overall contrast in the field of view is also increased. Furthermore, the life of the image-intensifier tube is extended, because of the reduced input radiation. Depending on the objective used, the shape and size of the opening in the cover through which light can pass can be constructed differently, and even variably.

Abstract: An electro-optic imager, used for exposing photosensitive media imagewise, wherein an array, e.g. two or more linear arrays, of light sources are imaged onto a rotating drum, to produce images in bands. Apertures are used to shape the beam energies. The use of two or more linear arrays with interlaced imaging allows aperture shapes to be used which precisely control the region of overlapping exposures. With properly shaped apertures, scanning artifacts (e.g. aliasing) can be nearly eliminated.

Abstract: A confocal optical scanner which realizes optical scanning without nonuniformity of brightness at the inside and outside periperies of the pinhole disk by arraying the pinholes along spiral tracks at the same pitch; which allows adjustment of decentering to be readily performed by disposing pinholes so that stripes do not occur even when decentering is large; which allows more incident light to be collected at the pinholes through a plurality of collector elements by disposing the pinholes at focal points of the collector elements; which improves luminous utilization efficacy by reducing the illumination area of light by adopting the collector elements to focus outside of the aperture pupil; which prevents decrease of confocal resolution due to pinhole diameter by causing the light reflected from the sample to not enter a collector disk; and which reduces stray light from the pinhole disk by covering non-collector portions of the collector disk with a shading film.

Abstract: A light valve for attenuating a collimated light beam contains a focusing lens, a light vane and motor control. The focusing lens contains a focal length and lens diameter. The focusing lens focuses a collimated light beam to generate a light cone such that the dimensions of the light cone are based on the diameter and focal length of the focusing lens. The light vane deflects light within the light cone. The motor is controlled to position the light vane to attenuate the light within the light cone by placing the light vane in at least one position ranging from a zero stop attenuation position to a full stop attenuation position. For a single degree of light vane rotation into the light cone, the light beams is attenuated by three percent. In the zero stop position, the light vane is parallel to an edge of the light cone so that no light is attenuation. In the full stop position, the light vane is located thirty degrees, relative to the zero stop position, into the light cone.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for simulating atmospheric scintillation includes a scintillation disk and a motor for rotating the disk at a substantially high speed. The disk has a dense varied pattern of substantially small closely spaced holes. The holes have different sizes and are arranged with a spatial distribution that is gaussian in amplitude and poisson distributed in separation. The motor can spin the disk to produce desired temporal variations as energy from the energy source passes through the holes of the disk.

Abstract: A spherical integrator has beam input and output apertures. The output aperture is opened at a position to which incident beam does not directly strike. The integrator has a curved inner surface which is a uniform diffusion surface. A galvanometer scanner has a mirror capable of adjusting a reflection angle of the beam from a light source such that a luminous energy beam reflected by the mirror to the input aperture is quantitatively varied. Beam from the light source is reflected by the mirror of the scanner to the input aperture of the integrator which diffuses and integrates the incident beam and outputs it through the output aperture.

Abstract: A direct-view stereoscopic confocal microscope including a light source, an aperture plate, image collector, and first and second vibrators. The light source is used for illuminating a portion of a specimen and the aperture plate is used for passing a portion of the light emanating from the light source onto a portion of the specimen. The image collector is optically coupled to the illuminated portion of the specimen and acts to separate the image created by the illuminated portion of the specimen from the light illuminating the specimen. A first vibrator is coupled to the specimen for vibrating the specimen along a first axis and the second vibrator is coupled to the image collector, and synchronized with said first vibrator, for vibrating the collecting means along a second axis.

Abstract: An optical switching device with switch elements (224) similar to digital micromirror devices (DMD). The switching element (224) resides in a trench (216) between two elevated areas on the substrate (214a, 214b). Sending and receiving fibers (218a, 218b) face each other across the trench (216) with the switch element (224) between them. When the switch is ON, light travels through lenses (220a, 220b) in the trench (216) from one fiber (218b) to the other (218a). When the switch is flipped OFF, the element (224) is activated and blocks the light from the sending fiber (218b) by reflecting or absorbing the light from the sending fiber (218b). The switch is activated and possibly deactivated by addressing electrodes (226a, 226b) under the element (224), which deflects through an air gap towards the activated electrode (226b). For better deflection angles the posts can be arranged closer to one end of the element than the other. An alternate hinge architecture is also provided.

Abstract: A method for constructing a Nipkow disk using a zone plate disk, comprises the steps of constructing a zone plate disk, including the substep of disposing a plurality of focusing means a long a disk, wherein the plurality of focusing means have a common focal distance; placing a photographic plate at the focal distance of the plurality of focusing means; illuminating the plurality of focusing means with a light source such that the illumination is passed through the plurality of focusing means and focused onto the photographic plate thereby creating an image of a plurality of points of focused illumination; and capturing the image created on the photographic plate and using it to construct the Nipkow disk.

Abstract: A visor comprises a transparent sheet made of a polyallyldiglycolcarbonate material or copolymers thereof, thereon there is spread a layer of a clear and resilient adhesive resin, on which there is spread a plastic material film having on its inner surface a thin layer of an anti-dimming film material, adapted to restrain chips which can be produced by an impact on the clear sheet.

Abstract: In order to protect the eyes or other sensor, from light produced, e.g., by odern laser weapons which have extremely fast onset times and high power per pulse, a protective shutter device is provided which is based on the integrative property of such sensors. The sensor is shielded for a large proportion of the time and only exposed after a light detector associated with the protective device has assured a safe environment. The normal exposure provided is a series of rapid image-views that integrate over time within the sensor. In an eye goggles embodiment, clear vision is maintained and a fast-response variable-density "sunglass" is perceived by the wearer. Only one eye is exposed and thus at risk at any one time, and that eye only about 10% of the total time. A high-speed mechanical shutter controls the exposure experienced by the sensor.

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.