By Actinic Radiation (e.g., Photochromic) Patents (Class 359/241)
  • Publication number: 20120140307
    Abstract: A special windshield and windows installed to a vehicle for imposing a filter between the interior of a vehicle to include driver and passenger(s) and a source of external sunlight exposed directly to the vehicle. A direct exposure to sunlight will caused windshield and windows to turn darker as a result, the interior of a car will be kept at a low temperature and driver and passenger(s) are not exposed to sunlight. A filter, such as photochromic is imposed between the source of light and the interior of the vehicle. Silver Halide or Silver Chloride is the active ingredients that cause the lenses to darken.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventor: Bobby Angel Rodney Freitas
  • Publication number: 20120140305
    Abstract: A reflection type display device (10) includes: a plasmon resonance layer (32) in which metal nanoparticles (80) are dispersed; a band-pass filter (40); a light shutter (20); and a silicon solar cell layer (50a) being provided close to the plasmon resonance layer (32). The band-pass filter (40) and the light shutter (20) are provided so as to overlap the plasmon resonance layer (32) in planar view. The reflection type display device (10) performs display in such a manner that: the metal nanoparticles (80) allow light having a specific wavelength to pass through; the light is then reflected by the band-pass filter (40); and the light shutter (20) adjusts an intensity of the light thus reflected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuhji Yashiro, Hiroaki Shigeta
  • Publication number: 20120120473
    Abstract: Provided are photochromic articles including a substrate, a primer layer that includes a first photochromic compound, and a photochromic-dichroic layer over the primer layer that includes a photochromic-dichroic compound. The first photochromic compound and the photochromic-dichroic compound each are selected such that the photochromic-dichroic compound has an unactivated state terminal minimum absorbance wavelength that is less than or equal to the unactivated state terminal minimum absorbance of the underlying first photochromic compound. The present invention also relates to such photochromic articles that further include a topcoat layer over the photochromic-dichroic layer, the topcoat layer including a second photochromic compound that has an unactivated state terminal minimum absorbance wavelength that is less than the unactivated state terminal minimum absorbance wavelength of the underlying photochromic-dichroic compound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: TRANSITIONS OPTICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Anil Kumar, Rachael L. Yoest, Chenguang Li, Delwin S. Jackson, Henry Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8169680
    Abstract: Polymers that undergo a reversible phase change in response to being exposed to a light from a laser having a radiation pressure greater than a threshold level. The phase changeable polymers have the ability to reduce the intensity of the laser and can advantageously scatter laser light incident on the polymers. The on-off response of such polymers is in the microsecond range and the light scattering property is independent of laser wavelength. The polymers can beneficially be incorporated into devices to protect human vision and optical instruments that are vulnerable to lasers at high intensities. Methods for making and using such devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignees: Kent State University, The Texas A&M University System
    Inventors: Hanbin Mao, Paul Luchette, David E. Bergbreiter
  • Publication number: 20120075688
    Abstract: An optical filter that transmits light of the visible light region includes a dielectric substrate; a dielectric layer that is formed on a surface of the dielectric substrate; and a first metal structure group in which a plurality of first metal structures are arranged two-dimensionally in an isolated state in the in-plane direction of the dielectric substrate, that is provided between the dielectric substrate and the dielectric layer, comprising: the first metal structures having first and second lengths in first and second directions orthogonal to each other, which lengths are equal to or less than a first wavelength in the visible light region; and a transmittance of the first wavelength being reduced or a reflectance being increased by surface plasmons induced on a surface of the first metal structures by resonance between light incident on the dielectric substrate or the dielectric layer and the first metal structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro Yamada, Masaya Ogino, Yasuhisa Inao
  • Patent number: 8134769
    Abstract: A plurality of pixels arranged into two dimensions; a differential processing means for effecting a differential processing between a reset level of the pixel and a signal level changing correspondingly to a light signal incident on the pixel so as to produce an imaging signal of the pixel; a reset level detection means for detecting and outputting a result as to whether the reset level is within a predetermined range or outside the predetermined range; an extraction means for extracting pixels to be corrected based on a result of the differential processing by the differential processing means and the result of detection by the reset level detection means; and a correction means for replacing the result of the differential processing by the differential processing means of the pixels to be corrected extracted by the extraction means with an imaging signal corresponding to a saturation level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichi Gomi
  • Publication number: 20120044560
    Abstract: Variable transmittance optical filters capable of transitioning from a light state to a dark state on exposure to UV radiation and from a dark state to a light state with application of an electric voltage are provided. The optical filters comprise a switching material that comprises one or more chromophores that have electrochromic and photochromic properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: February 23, 2012
    Applicant: SWITCH MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Duhane Lam, Neil R. Branda
  • Patent number: 8107150
    Abstract: Diarylethene-containing ligands and their coordination compounds are described. The ligands display photochromism with UV excitation, while the coordination compounds display photochromism with both excitation in the UV region and excitation into lower energy absorption bands characteristic of the coordination compounds, through which the excitation wavelengths for the photocyclization can be extended from ??340 nm to wavelengths beyond 470 nm. Switching of the luminescence properties of the compounds has also been achieved through photochromic reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Versitech Limited
    Inventors: Vivian Wing-Wah Yam, Chi-Chiu Ko
  • Publication number: 20120019888
    Abstract: A primer coating composition is provided for an optical article capable of forming a coating layer having excellent impact resistance, abrasion resistance, and adhesion to various kinds of plastic materials without occurring of appearance faulty for an optical base material, for example, a plastic lens for an eyeglass. A primer composition for an optical article comprises; (A) aqueous dispersion of urethane resin having a polycarbonate-derived skeleton and the elongation of 200˜1000%; (B) an organic solvent having 3˜9 carbon atoms and having an ether bond or carbonyl bond and one hydroxyl group in a molecule; and (C) lower alcohol having 1˜4 carbon atoms, wherein the weight ratio of said organic solvent to said lower alcohol is from 0.01 to less than 2.00.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Mori, Toshimitsu Hiraren
  • Patent number: 8094394
    Abstract: An optical filter that transmits light of the visible light region includes a dielectric substrate; a dielectric layer that is formed on a surface of the dielectric substrate; and a first metal structure group in which a plurality of first metal structures are arranged two-dimensionally in an isolated state in the in-plane direction of the dielectric substrate, that is provided between the dielectric substrate and the dielectric layer, comprising: the first metal structures having first and second lengths in first and second directions orthogonal to each other, which lengths are equal to or less than a first wavelength in the visible light region; and a transmittance of the first wavelength being reduced or a reflectance being increased by surface plasmons induced on a surface of the first metal structures by resonance between light incident on the dielectric substrate or the dielectric layer and the first metal structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomohiro Yamada, Masaya Ogino, Yasuhisa Inao
  • Patent number: 8089678
    Abstract: The present invention provides optical elements comprising a photochromic linear polarizing element and a birefringent layer that circularly or elliptically polarizes transmitted radiation. The photochromic linear polarizing element comprises a substrate and either: (1) a coating comprising an aligned, thermally reversible photochromic-dichroic compound having an average absorption ratio of at least 1.5 in an activated state, and being operable for switching from a first absorption state to a second absorption state in response to actinic radiation, to revert back to the first absorption state in response to thermal energy, and to linearly polarize transmitted radiation in at least one of the two states; or (2) an at least partially ordered polymeric sheet connected to the substrate; and a thermally reversible photochromic-dichroic compound that is at least partially aligned with the polymeric sheet and has an average absorption ratio greater than 2.3 in the activated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: Transitions Optical, Inc
    Inventors: Anil Kumar, Peter C. Foller, Elizabeth Furar, Forrest R. Blackburn
  • Publication number: 20110317239
    Abstract: [Problems] A coating composition preferably used for forming a hard coating by being applied and cured on a light-transmitting member such as a highly refractive plastic lens or a highly refractive photochromic plastic lens having a function for developing a color, the coating composition markedly improving weather resistance (preventing discoloration) while sustaining high refractive index, scratch resistance and excellent adhesion to the optical material. [Means for Solution] The coating composition comprises (A) a fine granular metal oxide containing titanium oxide and (B) a fine granular metal oxide containing titanium oxide having dissimilar properties as selected by a specific light irradiation test and, further, contains (C) an epoxy group-containing organosilicon compound such as ?-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, (D) water, (E) an organic solvent such as methyl alcohol, and (F) a curing catalyst such as aluminum acetyl acetonato or magnesium perchlorate at specific ratios.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Mori, Shunichiro Nakatsukasa
  • Patent number: 8077373
    Abstract: The present invention provides composite optical elements including a photochromic linear polarizing element and a birefringent layer such that composite optical element circularly or elliptically polarizes transmitted radiation. The photochromic linear polarizing element is formed from (i) an at least partially ordered polymeric sheet; and (ii) a reversible photochromic-dichroic material that is at least partially aligned with the polymeric sheet and has an average absorption ratio of at least 1.5 in the activated state. The birefringent layer includes a polymeric coating or a polymeric sheet connected to the photochromic linear polarizing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Transitions Optical, Inc.
    Inventors: Anil Kumar, Peter C. Foller, Elizabeth Furar, Forrest R. Blackburn
  • Publication number: 20110279883
    Abstract: Provided are photochromic articles that include a substrate, a primer layer that includes a first photochromic compound, and a photochromic-dichroic layer over the primer layer that includes a photochromic-dichroic compound. The first photochromic compound and the photochromic-dichroic compound each are selected such that the photochromic-dichroic compound has an absorbance of less than or equal to 0.1 at the wavelength of peak absorbance of the underlying first photochromic compound. The present invention also relates to such photochromic articles that further include a topcoat layer over the photochromic-dichroic layer. The topcoat layer can include a second photochromic compound that has an absorbance of less than 0.1 at the wavelength of peak absorbance of the underlying photochromic-dichroic compound. The photochromic articles provide, for example, a combination of linear polarizing properties, and reduced percent transmittance when in a colored or darkened state, such as when exposed to actinic light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: TRANSITIONS OPTICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Anil Kumar, Rachael L. Yoest, Chenguang Li, Delwin S. Jackson, Henry Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8059332
    Abstract: A radiation-protection device is provided that includes a substrate and a surface structure formed on the substrate. The surface structure has an arrangement and interacts with radiation and the substrate to at least (a) substantially transmit or attenuate radiation at a wavelength and an energy below a threshold energy, and (b) substantially reflect radiation at the wavelength and an energy above the threshold energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Idan Mandelbaum, Arie Zigler, Konstantinos Papadopoulos, Louise C. Sengupta
  • Patent number: 8017720
    Abstract: The present invention provides polythiol oligomer formed by the reaction of at least two or more different dienes and at least one or more dithiol wherein stoichiometric ratio of the sum of the number of equivalents of all polythiols to the sum of the number of equivalents of all dienes used to form the polythiol oligomer is greater than 1.0:1.0; and wherein the two or more different dienes comprise (a) at least one non-cyclic diene and at least one cyclic diene; or (b) at least one aromatic ring-containing diene and at least one non-aromatic cyclic diene; or (c) at least one non-aromatic monocyclic diene and at least one non-aromatic polycyclic diene; Sulfur-containing polyurethane of the present invention can be prepared by combining polyisocyanate, polyisothiocyanate, or mixture thereof; the polythiol oligomer described above; and active hydrogen-containing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
    Inventors: Nina V. Bojkova, Robert D. Herold, William H. McDonald, Marvin J. Graham, Robert A. Smith
  • Patent number: 7999989
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a photochromic film comprising a photochromic dye and a resin component. The photochromic film has a nanoindentation hardness of equal to or greater than 800 nm on at least one of surfaces, surface A, thereof. The present invention further relates to a method of manufacturing a photochromic lens. The method of manufacturing a photochromic lens of the present invention comprises forming a photochromic film having a nanoindentation hardness ranging from 500 to 5000 nm on an outermost surface thereof as well as having a smaller nanoindentation hardness on a surface facing a first mold than that on the outermost surface by coating a photochromic liquid comprising a photochromic dye and a curable component on one surface of the first mold for formation of one of surfaces of a lens and subjecting the photochromic liquid to curing treatment, and a photochromic lens comprising a photochromic film on a lens substrate is obtained by means of the above first mold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventors: Osamu Asai, Eiichi Yajima, Hiroshi Ohta
  • Patent number: 7990600
    Abstract: An optically addressed, photoconductive spatial light modulator (SLM) operates in a transmissive mode and is capable of modulating a wide spectrum of visible light. There is no pixel structure or native pixel resolution in the SLM. The SLM has no photodiodes and does not rectify. A light projection system (100) in which one or more SLMs (128, 130, 132) are placed includes a write (image definition) UV light path (102) and a read (illumination) visible light path (104) to form a color image projection display. The write UV light propagates from an image display pattern source (120) and either sequentially or continuously writes image patterns on the photoconductive SLMs. The read visible light propagates through the SLM and is modulated by an electro-optical material, the optical properties of which change in response to the image structure carried by the write light. The result is a high efficiency display system that delivers high resolution color images through a projection lens (190) onto a display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Compound Photonics Limited
    Inventors: Jonathan A. Sachs, Howard V. Goetz, David Keith, Lin Li, Steven H. Linn, Alexander Parfenov, Stephen E. Brice, Terry J. Scheffer, James A. Van Vechten, Jiuzhi Xue
  • Publication number: 20110170159
    Abstract: A passive optical power limiting window comprising a transparent optical input element, a transparent optical output element, and a power-limiting element disposed between these input and output elements for transmitting optical light from these input elements to these output elements, these optical power-limiting elements comprising an optical-limiting solid mixture containing particles of at least one material that produces reversible thermal changes in response to light above a predetermined optical power level, thereby changing the optical transmission properties of these power-limiting elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: KIloLambda Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Ariela Donval, Boaz Nemet, Dornon Nevo, Moshe Oron
  • Patent number: 7978391
    Abstract: A liquid crystal cell including a first substrate having a first surface; a second substrate having a second surface, wherein the second surface of the second substrate is opposite and spaced apart from the first surface of the first substrate so as to define a region; and within the region defined by the first surface and the second surface, a liquid crystal material adapted to be at least partially ordered and at least one thermally reversible photochromic-dichroic compound adapted to be at least partially aligned and having an average absorption ratio greater than 2.3 in an activated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Transitions Optical, Inc.
    Inventors: Anil Kumar, Peter C. Foller, Forrest R. Blackburn, Jiping Shao, Meng He, Terry A. Kellar, II
  • Publication number: 20110149214
    Abstract: A color filter using a surface plasmon includes a metal layer; and a transmissive pattern formed in the metal layer, the transmissive pattern comprising a plurality of sub-wavelength holes having a period, wherein a desired color of light is output by selectively transmitting light of a specific wavelength by using the surface plasmon, and the plurality of sub-wavelength holes are arranged in a triangular lattice having a predetermined number of nearest neighboring holes with respect to a central hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventor: Min-Sung YOON
  • Patent number: 7961372
    Abstract: The present invention provides a photochromic film which is formed by curing a photochromic composition and includes a multifunctional (metha)acrylate-based monomer that has two or more functional groups, and a photochromic dye, a product including the same, and a method for producing the photochromic film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Woo-Sung Kim, Hyeon Choi, Jee-Seon Kim, Dong-Joo Kwon, Young-Jun Hong
  • Publication number: 20110128605
    Abstract: A radiation-protection device is provided that includes a substrate and a surface structure formed on the substrate. The surface structure has an arrangement and interacts with radiation and the substrate to at least (a) substantially transmit or attenuate radiation at a wavelength and an energy below a threshold energy, and (b) substantially reflect radiation at the wavelength and an energy above the threshold energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS Information & Electronic Systems Integration, Inc.
    Inventors: Idan MANDELBAUM, Arie ZIGLER, Konstantinos PAPADOPOULOS, Louise C. SENGUPTA
  • Publication number: 20110128405
    Abstract: An optical element includes a plurality of optical filters having different characteristics. The element includes a first optical filter including a first metal structure group including first metal structures periodically arranged in an in-plane direction of a substrate surface and a second optical filter including a second metal structure group including second metal structures periodically arranged in the in-plane direction, the second metal structure group exhibiting a plasmon resonance condition different from that of the first metal structure group. The optical distance between the first metal structures adjacent to each other is in a range of 0.75 to 1.25 times the optical distance between the second metal structures adjacent to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoichiro Handa
  • Publication number: 20110122475
    Abstract: A naphthopyran compound represented by the formulae (I) to (II) wherein:—mi, Hi2, p, q are each an integer comprised from O to 4 or 5 inclusive;—Ri, R2 and R4, represent a group selected from halogen, H, —Ra, aryl, —OH, —ORa, —SH, —SRa, —NH2, —NR8RaI, —NRbRc, —NRaI-CORa, —NRaiCO(aryl), —NRai aryl, —N-aryfe, —N(aryl)CO(aryl), —CO—R3, —CO2R3I, —OC(O)—Rd, and —X—(Re)—Y, and linear or branched (Ci-Ci8) perfluoroalkyl group, wherein R3, RaI, Rb, Rc, X, Y, Re, Rd are as defined into the description;—Zi re resent a group selected from: (formules)
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: Essilor International (compagnie Generale D'optique)
    Inventors: Stuart Aiken, Christopher David Gabbutt, Bernard Mark Heron, Christopher Stephen Kershaw, Nicola Jane Smith, Jean-Paul Cano
  • Publication number: 20110116151
    Abstract: A photochromic structure includes a plastic support of optical grade with good light transparency, having at least one face with an adhesive layer impregnated with a solution of a solvent with photochromes, having a flexible host matrix for the photochromes, which is mounted by adhesion onto another support. A structure with a uniform flexible photochromic matrix, which has rapid transition times, notably a rapid relaxation time, is thus obtained. The structure is mountable, and advantageously repositionable. It is produced via a process using roll-milling combined with a system for dispensing the solvated solution of photochromes upstream of the rolls, via which a support strip of an adhesive is entrained by the rolls, and the adhesive is gradually impregnated and then laminated on another support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicants: THALES, ESSILOR INTERNATIONAL (COMPAGNIE GENERALE D'OPTIQUE),
    Inventors: Umberto Rossini, Anthony Saugey
  • Patent number: 7929220
    Abstract: An adjustable apodized lens aperture is described which is constructed using photochromic material. As the excitation energy increases, the aperture constricts so as reduce the amount of light through the aperture. As the excitation energy decreases, the aperture dilates so as increase the amount of light through the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Inventor: Michel Sayag
  • Publication number: 20110080628
    Abstract: The present invention provides composite optical elements including a photochromic linear polarizing element and a birefringent layer such that composite optical element circularly or elliptically polarizes transmitted radiation. The photochromic linear polarizing element is formed from (i) an at least partially ordered polymeric sheet; and (ii) a reversible photochromic-dichroic material that is at least partially aligned with the polymeric sheet and has an average absorption ratio of at least 1.5 in the activated state. The birefringent layer includes a polymeric coating or a polymeric sheet connected to the photochromic linear polarizing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: TRANSITIONS OPTICAL, INC.
    Inventors: Anil Kumar, Peter C. Foller, Elizabeth Furar, Forrest R. Blackburn
  • Publication number: 20110075238
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer is aligned using a double patterning process. A first resist layer having a first optical characteristic is deposited and foams at least one alignment mark. The first resist layer is developed. A second resist layer having a second optical characteristic is deposited over the first resist layer. The combination of first and second resist layers and alignment mark has a characteristic such that radiation of a pre-determined wavelength incident on the alignment mark produces a first or higher order diffraction as a function of the first and second optical characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Harry SEWELL, Mircea Dusa, Richard Johannes Franciscus Van Haren, Manfred Gawein Tenner, Maya Angelova Doytcheva
  • Publication number: 20110075239
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for fast all-optical switching is presented. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a first light transmitting medium. The apparatus may also include a second light transmitting medium coupled to the first light transmitting medium and disposed to form an interface region between the first light transmitting medium and the second light transmitting medium. Additionally, the apparatus may include a plurality of Lambda atoms disposed in the interface region, the Lambda atoms adapted to cause Electromagnetically-Induced Transparency (EIT) in the interface region in response to an incident photon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Sergey Moiseev, Ali Kamli, Barry Sanders
  • Patent number: 7911673
    Abstract: The invention is a multi-color display screen that has built in optical memory for each pixel location. The optical memory is optically read and optically programmed. The screen itself distinguishes between the specific colors from which a full-color (or multi-color) image is constructed and modulates the intensities of the component colors that it directs toward a viewer. The screen provides enhanced image resolution and reduces information bandwidth required to control the display the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: HRL Laboratories, LLC
    Inventor: Daniel Yap
  • Patent number: 7907316
    Abstract: An optical logic device has a first mirror confronting a second mirror, and a saturable absorber located between the mirrors. Radiation that is output from the device is output via the first mirror. The reflectivity of the first mirror is such that, in use, for incident radiation which has an intensity that is above a given value, the intensity of exiting radiation is below a threshold. For incident radiation that is below the given value, the intensity of exiting radiation is above the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Antonella Bogoni, Luca Poti, Claudio Porzi
  • Publication number: 20110038025
    Abstract: Provided is a compound semiconductor nanoparticle that exhibits circularly polarized luminescence characteristics. CdS prepared inside a core of ferritin, which is a cage-like protein, exhibits a high circularly polarized luminescence (CPL). A wavelength of the circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) can be controlled by laser irradiation, thereby enabling utilization of the compound semiconductor nanoparticle in the field of bionanotechnology, for example, in creating a WORM (Write-Once Read-Many times) memory. As the cage-like protein, which is a protein with a cavity formed therein, a protein belonging to the ferritin protein family, such as apoferritin, or a recombinant thereof can be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventors: Masanobu Naitou, Kenji Iwahori
  • Publication number: 20110038024
    Abstract: A photochromic optical article comprises a substrate, and a photochromic coating coated on an outer surface of the substrate and having at least two photochromic layers. Each of the photochromic layers has a composition that contains a carrier and at least one photochromic dye. The compositions of the photochromic layers are different from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: DARWIN OPTICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yun-Cheng Wang, Yi-Tang Wang
  • Patent number: 7884992
    Abstract: A photochromic optical article comprises a substrate, and a photochromic coating coated on an outer surface of the substrate and having at least two photochromic layers. Each of the photochromic layers has a composition that contains a carrier and at least one photochromic dye. The compositions of the photochromic layers are different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Darwin Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun-Cheng Wang, Yi-Tang Wang
  • Publication number: 20110021970
    Abstract: Products, compositions, systems, and methods for modifying a target structure which mediates or is associated with a biological activity, including treatment of conditions, disorders, or diseases mediated by or associated with a target structure, such as a virus, cell, subcellular structure or extracellular structure. The methods may be performed in situ in a non-invasive manner by placing a nanoparticle having a metallic shell on at least a fraction of a surface in a vicinity of a target structure in a subject and applying an initiation energy to a subject thus producing an effect on or change to the target structure directly or via a modulation agent. The nanoparticle is configured, upon exposure to a first wavelength ?1, to generate a second wavelength ?2 of radiation having a higher energy than the first wavelength ?1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicants: Duke University, Immunolight, LLC
    Inventors: Tuan VO-DINH, Jonathan P. SCAFFIDI, Venkata Gopal Reddy CHADA, Benoit LAULY, Yan ZHANG, Molly K. GREGAS, Ian N. STANTON, Joshua T. STECHER, Michael J. THERIEN, Frederic A. BOURKE, JR., Harold WALDER, Zak FATHI, Jennifer A. AYRES, Zhenyuan ZHANG, Joseph H. SIMMONS, Stephen John NORTON
  • Publication number: 20110013251
    Abstract: An optical device includes: a base that transmits incident light; and a first conductive film formed on one surface of the base, and that includes an indentation pattern of a predetermined period formed on a base-side surface, wherein a side portion defining an edge portion irradiated with the incident light has a form of a protrusion or a straight line as viewed from the incident side of the incident light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Hongo
  • Publication number: 20110013252
    Abstract: A photochromic composition that is liquid at 20° C. and includes (a) at least one photochromic dye and (b) an ionic solvent selected from (b)(i) room-temperature ionic liquids (RTIL), (b)(ii) ionic liquid mixtures that are liquid at room temperature, and (b)(iii) room-temperature liquid mixtures of at least one ionic liquid and at least one organic solvent that is miscible therewith. The use of said photochromic composition in optical devices such as ophthalmic lenses is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: Essilor International (compagnie Generale D'optiqu e
    Inventors: Samuel Archambeau, Jean-Paul Cano, Corinne Galley, Francois Malbosc
  • Publication number: 20110007307
    Abstract: A tunable optical filter includes a medium configured to perform polarization rotation on a portion of a linearly polarized signal beam having a frequency within a selected frequency band, wherein the medium is circularly birefringent within the frequency band, and wherein the polarization rotation is achieved based on two-photon-absorption. The first stage of the filter transmits a dual transmission line, and a subsequent portion of the filter partions the output of the first stage into two separate transmission channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventor: Joseph Daniel Vance
  • Publication number: 20110002026
    Abstract: Disclosed is a polarization element which, by utilizing the fact that the plasmon resonance frequency of a metal piece varies according to the polarization direction of a light irradiated on the metal piece, is constituted by a polarizer comprising such an aggregate of metal pieces that the plasmon resonance frequency in a predetermined direction of a metal piece is substantially equal to the frequency of light irradiated on a polarization element, and the real part and the imaginary part of permittivity at the plasmon resonance frequency of a metal material constituting the metal piece and the refractive index (na) of a dielectric layer satisfy a particular relation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: HOYA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michiyori Miura, Toshiaki Sonehara, Hideo Kobayashi, Mitsuhiro Kureishi
  • Patent number: 7864394
    Abstract: A dynamically variable lens is made from actively tunable electromagnetic metamaterial cells. The lens operates on electromagnetic radiation including: radio frequency waves, microwaves, teraherz waves, near infrared waves, infrared waves and visible waves. The focal length of the lens is changed at a selected frequency. In the alternative, the frequency of radiation operated on is changed as a function of time. A third alternative provides precise control of the index of refraction of the lens. The index of refraction is varied progressively across the lens from one edge to the opposite edge causing the radiation to be directed at an angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Donald W. Rule, Kevin A. Boulais, Francisco Santiago
  • Publication number: 20100315693
    Abstract: Variable transmittance optical filters capable of transitioning from a light state to a dark state on exposure to UV radiation and from a dark state to a light state with application of an electric voltage are provided. The optical filters comprise a switching material that comprises one or more chromophores that have electrochromic and photochromic properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: SWITCH MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Duhane Lam, Neil R. Branda
  • Patent number: 7847998
    Abstract: Provided is an optical element including: a substrate; at least one at least partially ordered orientation facility connected to at least a portion of the substrate; and an at least partial coating connected to at least a portion of the at least partially ordered orientation facility. The at least partial coating includes at least one at least partially ordered anisotropic material. At least one photochromic-dichroic compound is at least partially aligned with at least a portion of the at least partially ordered anisotropic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Transitions Optical, Inc.
    Inventors: Anil Kumar, Peter C. Foller, Forrest R. Blackburn, Jiping Shao, Meng He, Terry A. Kellar, II
  • Publication number: 20100220377
    Abstract: An optical filter that transmits light of the visible light region includes a dielectric substrate; a dielectric layer that is formed on a surface of the dielectric substrate; and a first metal structure group in which a plurality of first metal structures are arranged two-dimensionally in an isolated state in the in-plane direction of the dielectric substrate, that is provided between the dielectric substrate and the dielectric layer, comprising: the first metal structures having first and second lengths in first and second directions orthogonal to each other, which lengths are equal to or less than a first wavelength in the visible light region; and a transmittance of the first wavelength being reduced or a reflectance being increased by surface plasmons induced on a surface of the first metal structures by resonance between light incident on the dielectric substrate or the dielectric layer and the first metal structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomohiro Yamada, Masaya Ogino, Yasuhisa Inao
  • Publication number: 20100213356
    Abstract: The invention relates to a passive optical limiter having a nonlinear material capable of switching in a predetermined optical band from a transparent state to an opaque state as a function of the power of an incident laser beam. The nonlinear material is an organic dye which comprises molecules derived from 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene into which a nitrogen atom is inserted at the meso position, referred to as aza-bodipy molecules, and which have conjugated ? chains functionalized so as to exhibit absorption for two photons around an incident beam wavelength lying between 1.45 ?m and 1.6 ?m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicants: THALES, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE, ECOLE NORMALE SUPERIEURE DE LYON
    Inventors: Gerard Berginc, Patrick Feneyrou, Pierre-Antoine Bouit, Olivier Maury, Marie-Chantal Andraud
  • Publication number: 20100202033
    Abstract: A naphthopyran compound represented by the formula (I): wherein: n1, n2, p, q is an integer comprised from 0 to 5 inclusive; m is an integer comprised from 0 to 4 inclusive; R1 and R2 represent a group selected from halogen, —Ra, —OH, —ORa, —SH, —SRa, —NH2, —NRaRa1, —NRbRc, —CO—Ra, and —CO2Ra1, wherein Ra, Ra1, Rb and Rc, are as defined in the description; R3 represents a group selected from halogen, —Ra, —OH, —ORa, —SH, —SRa, —NH2, and —NRaRa1; R4 represents a group selected from halogen, —Ra, —OH, —ORa, —SH, —SRa, —NH2, —NRaRa1, —CO—Ra, and —CO2Ra1; R5 represents a group selected from: halogen, —Ra, —OH, —ORa, —SH, —SRa, —NH2, and —NRaRa1, wherein Ra and Ra1 are as defined hereinbefore, or when q is equal to 2, then two R5 together represent further a group —O—(CH2)q1—O— wherein q1 represents an integer comprised from 1 to 3 inclusive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: Essilor International (Compagnie Generale D' Optique)
    Inventors: Stuart Aiken, Jean-Paul Cano, Christopher David Gabbutt, Bernard Mark Heron, Tamas Kosa, Linli Su, Ludmila Sukhomlinova, Bahman Taheri
  • Patent number: 7755826
    Abstract: Diarylethene-containing ligands and their coordination compounds are described. The ligands display photochromism with UV excitation, while the coordination compounds display photochromism with both excitation in the UV region and excitation into lower energy absorption bands characteristic of the coordination compounds, through which the excitation wavelengths for the photocyclization can be extended from ??340 nm to wavelengths beyond 470 nm. Switching of the luminescence properties of the compounds has also been achieved through photochromic reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: The University of Hong Kong
    Inventors: Vivian Wing-Wah Yam, Chi-Chiu Ko
  • Publication number: 20100157407
    Abstract: The present invention provides a photochromic film which is formed by curing a photochromic composition and includes a multifunctional (metha)acrylate-based monomer that has two or more functional groups, and a photochromic dye, a product including the same, and a method for producing the photochromic film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Inventors: Woo-Sung Kim, Hyeon Choi, Jee-Seom Kim, Dong-Joo Kwon, Young-Jun Hong
  • Publication number: 20100141939
    Abstract: Special polarization states are generated that have unique focusing properties that may be used to create extremely strong longitudinal fields. Combined with surface plasmon excitation, these polarization states can be used in apertureless near-field scanning optical microscopy systems. A radially polarized beam is directed into a plasmon-generating optical fiber comprising a metal coated, tapered, apertureless tip. The apertureless tip excites surface plasmon waves and direct the surface plasmon waves to the tip when a radially polarized beam propagates along the plasmon-generating optical fiber. An objective lens collects the near field optical signals from a sample positioned adjacent to the apertureless. Potential spatial resolution of the apertureless NSOM could reach beyond 10 nm. Such strong field enhancement allows the development of a reliable nano-Raman system that can measure mechanical as well as chemical compositions of samples with resolution beyond 10 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: University of Dayton
    Inventor: Qiwen Zhan
  • Patent number: 7718096
    Abstract: Disclosed are compositions, which are stabilized against degradation and yellowing during exposure to ultraviolet light by the presence of certain nitroxyl, hydroxyl amine and hydroxyl amine salt additives, a method of stabilizing the compositions by the addition of said additives, to the use of such compositions as media in electroactive devices such as electrochromic and electrophoteric devices, and the electroactive devices comprised of these media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corporation
    Inventors: David Yale, Nancy Cliff, Mouhcine Kanouni