Abstract: An illumination device includes a laser source, a conventional diffuser element, and an extender optic with a curved interior surface and a curved exterior surface. Light emitted by the laser source with a given field of illumination (FOI) is received by the conventional diffuser element and outputted towards the interior surface of the extender optic with an increased FOI; the exterior surface of the extender optic then outputs the light received by the interior surface as light with an even greater FOI, usually in the range of 120°-185°.

Abstract: A one-piece optical member with a plurality of secondary lenses over corresponding LED light sources, the one-piece optical member comprises (a) each with an outward lens flange surrounding a light-transmitting portion which is formed by a plurality of layers and has an asymmetric inner surface defining a pair of cavities with at least one of the plurality of layers at least partially extending between the pair of cavities, a portion of the inner-surface which defines one of the cavities is at least partially formed by another of the plurality of layers which is bonded to the at least one layer extending between the pair of cavities. The polymeric materials may be different; e.g., the innermost lens layer may be of an LSR material. The invention is also a method of manufacturing the one-piece optical member and an LED light fixture with the one-piece member over a plurality of LED light sources spaced on a circuit board.

Abstract: A high concentration photovoltaic (HCPV) optics are described. In one example, an HCPV device can include a frame and a solar sensor cell attached to the frame. The solar cell can be configured to receive an optical beam and can further be configured to convert solar energy in the incident optical beam into electrical energy or power. The HCPV device can further include a non-imaging freeform optical device. The optical device can have an asymmetric surface profile with a predefined surface normal arranged to direct incident optical beams toward an entire solar sensor cell surface area. The freeform optical device can have a larger diameter than the solar sensor cell. Also, the freeform optical device can have an asymmetric surface profile shaped to concentrate the incident optical beams onto the solar sensor cell.

Abstract: A lens structure includes a surface devoid of cusps that includes a seamless profile wherein the surface includes at least one segmented parabolic function forming a filtering surface for producing a controlled amount of spherical aberration.

Abstract: Collimators and methods of making collimators. According to certain embodiments a collimator may be used with a light source, where the light source emits light along a light source axis. The base of the collimator may be angled such that the collimator refracts the light in a direction that is angled relative to the light source axis. There may also be provided methods for making a collimator. According to one method, a mold is first provided that produces an uncut collimator having an extended portion. The uncut collimator may be cut at an angle to produce a collimator with an angled base. In another method, there may be a mold with a base cavity, and a wedge may be inserted in the base cavity. The wedge forms a collimator with an angled base.

Abstract: A lens structure includes a surface devoid of cusps that includes a seamless profile wherein the surface includes at least one segmented parabolic function forming a filtering surface for producing a controlled amount of spherical aberration.

Abstract: An optical lens refracts and reflects a light to increase a luminance in a top direction of the optical lens and to decrease a luminance in a horizontal direction of the optical lens. The optical lens includes a central portion and a peripheral portion. The central portion has a convex shape. The peripheral portion has a concave shape. The peripheral portion surrounds the central portion. Therefore, power consumption and manufacturing cost are decreased.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a thermoplastic composition comprising a combination of: a polysiloxane-polycarbonate copolymer and a poly(aliphatic ester)-polycarbonate copolymer comprising soft block ester units of the formula (8a): wherein m is 4 to 18, wherein the thermoplastic composition has a melt volume rate of 14 cc/10 min to 22 cc/10 min at 300° C. and under a load of 1.2 Kg and a dwell time of 6 minutes, according to ASTM D1238-04, wherein an article molded from the thermoplastic composition and having a thickness of 3.2 mm has a percent transmittance of greater than 85% according to ASTM D1003-00, and wherein 100% of a set of five test articles each having a thickness of 3.2 mm and molded from the thermoplastic composition exhibit ductile fracture at ?40° C. when measured for notched Izod Impact according to ASTM D256-04. An article comprising the thermoplastic composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: A laser image display including a laser light source emitting laser light, a beam deflector element for receiving laser light and deflecting its advancing direction, a beam deflecting element control section for controlling the degree of deflection performed by the beam deflector element, an optical integrator for receiving and guiding the deflected laser light to output from its outputting end face, a pseudo surface light source element for scattering the deflected laser light, and a modulation element for receiving and modulating the laser light scattered by the false surface light source element.

Abstract: An optical lens refracts and reflects a light to increase a luminance in a top direction of the optical lens and to decrease a luminance in a horizontal direction of the optical lens. The optical lens includes a central portion and a peripheral portion. The central portion has a convex shape. The peripheral portion has a concave shape. The peripheral portion surrounds the central portion. Therefore, a power consumption and a manufacturing cost are decreased.

Abstract: An afocal monolithic optical element formed of a shallow cylinder of optical material (glass, polymer, etc.) with fast aspheric surfaces, nominally confocal paraboloids, configured on the front and back surfaces. The front surface is substantially planar, and this lends itself to deposition of multi-layer stacks of thin dielectric and metal films to create a filter for rejecting out-of-band light. However, an aspheric section (for example, a paraboloid) can either be ground into a small area of this surface (for a Cassegrain-type telescope) or attached to the planar surface (for a Gregorian-type telescope). This aspheric section of the surface is then silvered to create the telescope's secondary mirror. The rear surface of the cylinder is figured into a steep, convex asphere (again, a paraboloid in the examples), and also made reflective to form the telescope's primary mirror.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a camera lens comprising a thermoplastic composition comprising a poly(aliphatic ester)-polycarbonate copolymer comprising soft block ester units derived from an alpha, omega C6-20 aliphatic dicarboxylic acid or derivative thereof, a dihydroxyaromatic compound, and a carbonate source, wherein the thermoplastic composition has a melt volume rate of 13 to 25 cc/10 min at 250° C. and under a load of 1.2 Kg and a dwell time of 6 minutes, according to ASTM D1238-04, and wherein the camera lens has an effective lens area of 0.5 to 100 mm2. A method of making the camera lens, and a camera lens comprising a thermoplastic composition comprising a redistribution product of a poly(aliphatic ester)-polycarbonate, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A lens has a convex or concave shaped smooth non-spherical surface or non-circular curve which is formed of a medium indicating negative refraction.

Abstract: A lens system with a lens formed of a material having a negative index of refraction in an operational frequency range, a first surface of the material having a convex hyperbolic curvature, and a second surface of the material having a concave circular curvature. A lens system can include two of these lenses, arranged with the concave circular surfaces facing each other. Far field radiation arriving at the hyperbolic surface of the the first lens is refracted by the lens material toward the circular surface, out of the first lens in a direction parallel to the original radiation direction, and into the circular surface of the second lens, where it is refracted toward the hyperbolic surface of the second lens, and exits the second lens in a direction parallel to the original direction. The lens material can have a tunable or fixed negative refractive index and/or resonant frequency.

Abstract: An optical element including a unitary, non-circularly-symmetrical, piece of optically-transmissive material, which has at least first and second surfaces for concentrating light from a light source onto a linear target region, such that at least one of the first and second surfaces is curved, and such that a first portion of the light is concentrated onto the linear target region by reflection from the first surface, while a second portion of the light is concentrated onto the linear target region by refraction at the second surface.

Abstract: There is provided a lighting module of the type having a solid-state light source, in particular a LED, a supporting plate, and a lens; the lens has a recess housing the light source; the lens is supported by and projects from the plate by means of supporting members carried by the lens and for fitting the lens directly to the plate; and the supporting members are formed in one piece with the lens, and are spaced apart and separated from one another by cooling windows.

Abstract: Imaging systems, in particular a projection objectives of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, are provided. The imaging systems can have an optical axis and produce an image field which is extra-axial relative to the optical axis. The imaging systems can include a first optical element which causes a first distribution of the retardation in a plane that lies perpendicular to the optical axis, and at least one second optical element which causes a second distribution of the retardation in a plane that lies perpendicular to the optical axis. The second distribution of the retardation can at least partially compensate the first distribution of the retardation. The first and the second optical elements can be designed without rotational symmetry relative to the optical axis.

Abstract: A lens defines central axis, and includes a light receiving surface, a light reflecting surface, and a light exiting surface. The light reflecting surface is opposite to the light receiving surface along the central axis. The light exiting surface extends between the light receiving surface and the light reflecting surface. When a light source emits a light, a portion of the light emitted by the light source passes through the light receiving surface, and is incident on and is reflected at a plurality of reflections angles by the light reflecting surface to the light exiting surface so as to exit the lens in directions perpendicular to the light exiting surface for all said plurality of reflection angles.

Abstract: A focusing lens for an LED is provided.

Abstract: Imaging systems, in particular a projection objectives of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, are provided. The imaging systems can have an optical axis and produce an image field which is extra-axial relative to the optical axis. The imaging systems can include a first optical element which causes a first distribution of the retardation in a plane that lies perpendicular to the optical axis, and at least one second optical element which causes a second distribution of the retardation in a plane that lies perpendicular to the optical axis. The second distribution of the retardation can at least partially compensate the first distribution of the retardation. The first and the second optical elements can be designed without rotational symmetry relative to the optical axis.

Abstract: There is provided a lighting module of the type having a solid-state light source, in particular a LED, a supporting plate, and a lens; the lens has a recess housing the light source; the lens is supported by and projects from the plate by means of supporting members (25) carried by the lens and for fitting the lens directly to the plate; and the supporting members are formed in one piece with the lens, and are spaced apart and separated from one another by cooling windows.

Abstract: Embodiments include an apparatus, a medical device, a method and a system. The medical device includes an ellipsoidally shaped reflector having a first focus and a second focus. The ellipsoidally shaped reflector also provides a translational coupling of electromagnetic energy from the first focus to the second focus. The medical device also includes a controllable electromagnetic energy source aligned to emit a non-biologically emitted electromagnetic energy in a proximity to the first focus.

Abstract: An optical manifold for efficiently combining a plurality of LED outputs into a single, substantially homogeneous output, in a small, cost-effective package. The optical manifolds can be used to combine multiple LEDs of the same color and provide a high intensity output aperture with very high uniformity and sharp borders, or they can be used to generate a multiwavelength output, such as red, green, and blue LEDs that are combined to generate white light. Embodiments are also disclosed that use a single or multiple LEDs and a remote phosphor and an intermediate wavelength-selective filter arranged so that backscattered photoluminescence is recycled to boost the luminance and flux of the output aperture. The optical manifolds are designed to alleviate substantial luminance inhomogeneities inherent to LEDs. The optical manifold utilizes principles of non-imaging optics to transform light and provide directed, substantially uniform light sources.

Abstract: An optical lens having a body with a front face and a rear cavity for cooperatively receiving and optically aligning a high power light emitting diode source with respect to a primary central optical axis of the lens. Reflective inner side walls of the body project light in a lambertion pattern from the front face at an angle to create a central hot spot. The body includes at least one side flange which is cooperatively received in a guide of a lens holder and further includes a non-optical annular rim extending from the front face for cooperatively seating with the lens holder.

Abstract: A lens for an optical recording and reproducing system includes: a plane of incidence on which a light generated from a light source is made incident; a first reflection side for reflecting a light passing through a plane of incidence; and a second reflection side for reflecting again the light that has been reflected on the first reflection side, the second reflection side being coated with a reflection material and being formed to be parabolic. The lens for an optical recording and reproducing system is very small in its size and weight, compared to the conventional lens for an optical recording system. In addition, the lens has a large numerical aperture and a less light loss by using one focussing lens without an objective lens, so that an information recording and reproducing efficiency can be heightened.

Abstract: An ellipsoidal solid immersion lens (ESIL) for use as a collimator for a waveguide. The ESIL has a refractive index n, an ellipsoidal surface portion defining a geometrical ellipsoid with geometrical foci F1, F2 along a major axis of length M. The ESIL has an attachment surface portion for joining to the waveguide. The attachment surface portion passes near or through the second geometrical focus F2. The geometrical foci F1, F2 are separated by a distance S=M/n, such that a substantially collimated light beam exhibiting a Gaussian type intensity profile propagating along the major axis M and entering the ESIL through the ellipsoidal surface portion converges to a Gaussian beam waist substantially at the second geometrical focus F2.

Abstract: A non-imaging optical coupler that is a figure of revolution combining a light-transmitting body defining a recessed input cavity, a transparent droplet-shaped encapsulant of a light-emitting diode, or array of diodes in the cavity, the body having a curved side wall shaped to totally internally reflect all the light emitted from the LED and encapsulant, traveling toward the side wall, within a predetermined distance from the diode or center of array, the body having a cylindrical transition section extending from a curved side wall and forwardly, and a planar exit face at the forward end of the body, transverse to the central axis of the figure of revolution.

Abstract: An ellipsoidal solid immersion lens (ESIL) for use as a collimator for a waveguide. The ESIL has a refractive index n, an ellipsoidal surface portion defining a geometrical ellipsoid with geometrical foci F1, F2 along a major axis of length M. The ESIL has an attachment surface portion for joining to the waveguide. The attachment surface portion passes near or through the second geometrical focus F2. The geometrical foci F1, F2 are separated by a distance S=M/n, such that a collimated light beam propagating along the major axis M and entering the ESIL through the ellipsoidal surface portion converges to a focus substantially at the second geometrical focus F2.

Abstract: An ellipsoidal solid immersion lens (ESIL) for use as a collimator for a waveguide. The ESIL has a refractive index n, an ellipsoidal surface portion defining a geometrical ellipsoid with geometrical foci F1, F2 along a major axis of length M. The ESIL has an attachment surface portion for joining to the waveguide. The attachment surface portion passes near or through the second geometrical focus F2. The geometrical foci F1, F2 are separated by a distance S =M/n, such that a substantially collimated light beam exhibiting a Gaussian type intensity profile propagating along the major axis M and entering the ESIL through the ellipsoidal surface portion converges to a Gaussian beam waist substantially at the attachment surface portion.

Abstract: An optically curved device and method of fabrication are presented wherein a flexible layer is bonded to a thick epoxy layer which functions to conform the flexible layer to a desired shape. The thick epoxy layer undergoes high viscosity flow under pressure and conforms the flexible layer to a curved surface of a mold. The pressure on the epoxy can be created by squeezing the epoxy using a backing plate. As long as the optically smooth surface of the flexible layer has good contact with the curved surface of the mold under pressure of the epoxy flow, irregularities in the flexible layer optical surface are eliminated and the shape of the flexible layer is maintained when the epoxy is cured and the mold removed. Materials other than epoxies, such as thermal plastics can also be used for bonding and conforming the flexible layer.

Abstract: An optical lens composed of a transparent material, wherein one surface thereof on a light source side is a convex aspherical surface of rotation symmetry defined by a function relative to the radial distance from an optical axis. The aspherical surface is shaped to be a curved one without any stepped region with regard to the radial direction in the defined area, and has a portion where the derivatives of the function are discontinuous at a predetermined radial position. Although not equipped with an iris diaphragm, this optical lens is capable of eliminating an incident light beam outside the optical effective surface thereof without deteriorating the optical characteristics.

Abstract: A solid immersion lens (SIL) of refractive index n having an ellipsoidal surface portion defining a geometrical ellipsoid with geometrical foci F1, F2 along a major axis of length M. The ellipsoidal SIL (or ESIL) has an interface surface which is preferably flat and passes near or through the second geometrical focus F2. The geometrical foci F1, F2 are separated by a distance S=M/n, such that a collimated light beam propagating along the major axis M and entering the ESIL through the ellipsoidal surface portion converges to a focus substantially at the second geometrical focus F2. The ESIL finds application in optical systems such as microscopes and optical recording systems.

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: An optical display system includes a light source, a color wheel, an optical train and a light valve. The optical train includes a diffuser element, a compound parabolic concentrator and an integrator. The diffuser element diffuses incoming light to fill in holes in cone half-angle distribution of light generated by the light source. The compound parabolic concentrator reduces the cone half-angle of the diffused light to a cone half-angle expected by the light valve. The integrator reduces hot spots in the diffused light. The color wheel may modulate optical path length of light traveling through the color wheel. Modulating the optical path length reduces coherence in the light generated by the light source. A color wheel that reduces coherence would allow the light source to be laser or LED-based. If the light valve is a ferroelectric light valve, the color wheel may include pairs of polarizers. Light is polarized in orthogonal directions by the polarizers in a pair.

Abstract: An augmented retinal scanning display device includes a multi-functional eyepiece. One function is to direct an image beam onto a viewer's eye. Another function is to correct the vision of the viewer's eye. The display is worn by a viewing person. The eyepiece includes a reflective surface and a transmissive surface. An image beam reflects off the reflective surface onto the viewer's retina enabling the viewer to perceive a virtual image. Background light, such as from the ambient environment or another display device, enters the eyepiece at the transmissive surface and passes through the eyepiece toward the viewer's eye. While passing through the eyepiece, the background light is refracted to correct the viewer's vision.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an LCD projector illumination system that optimizes the illumination through a liquid crystal screen as well as through the aperture of the system's objective, wherein the shape Zr,.beta. of the reflector is described by a set of elementary surfaces dS each of which is associated with a function Z(.rho.), corresponding to a median plane (r,.beta.) to be illuminated, defined by the distance r between the center and the edges of said screen and the angle .beta. between the horizontal plane and this median plane, the inclination of each elementary surface dS being computed by interpolating said functions Z(.rho.) with a function Z(x,y).

Abstract: A device for directing light longitudinally forwardly, that comprises a lens body having a front face facing forwardly, rearward body extent, and a curved sidewall extending between the rearward body extent and the front face; a rear cavity in the body, the cavity having a sidewall and a front wall defining a corner; and a light source in the cavity, and characterized in that light rays transmitted by the light source toward the curved sidewall, and toward the corner are collimated forwardly.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical element being conveniently useful, for example as an external cover of transmitter and/or receiver for optical communication and more particularly to a surface-curved optical element comprising a transparent body of a refractive index n having a pair of boundary surfaces defined in their cross-section by the corresponding pair of ellipsoidal curves of an eccentricity 1/n. The boundary surfaces of this surface-curved optical element are configured so that they should have their focal points aligned with one another on a straight line and their focal points which are remote from vertices of the respective ellipsoidal surfaces corresponding to the apsides of the respective ellipsoidal curves should be coincident with each other, whereby parallel light rays entering the surface-curved optical element should emerge from this in the form of the parallel light rays without any disturbance.

Abstract: Improved transmitter and receiver units for use in spatial measurement system that are easy and inexpensive to manufacture while providing a high degree of reliability are disclosed. Specifically, the laser transmitter includes a laser emitter, a bearing/motor assembly coupled to the laser emitter, the bearing/motor assembly including a rotatable hollow spindle shaft through which a laser beam generated by the laser emitter passes and a motor for driving the spindle shaft, a prism assembly coupled to the spindle shaft, wherein the prism assembly divides the laser beam generated by the laser emitter into a pair of fanned laser beams, and reflecting means for reflecting the fanned laser beams generated by the prism assembly as counter-rotating fanned laser beams. The receiver unit preferably includes at least one optical receiver coupled to an extension member, a processing unit coupled to the optical receiver, and a receiver interface coupled to the processing unit.

Abstract: The diode is incorporated in a fixed manner on the optical axis of a carrier lens. The carrier lens consists of a front portion with an outer transverse surface, formed concave towards the emitted light, and a longitudinal portion for incorporating he diode. The longitudinal portion has its outer longitudinal surface formed concave towards the diode. The concave transverse surface is surrounded by a further outer transverse system. The concave longitudinal surface is arranged to reflect the diode-emitted light rays towards the further outer transverse surface, which is arranged to transmit the light rays to the outside in a longitudinal direction.

Abstract: Improved transmitter and receiver units for use in spatial measurement system that are easy and inexpensive to manufacture while providing a high degree of reliability are disclosed. Specifically, the laser transmitter includes a laser emitter, a bearing/motor assembly coupled to the laser emitter, the bearing/motor assembly including a rotatable hollow spindle shaft through which a laser beam generated by the laser emitter passes and a motor for driving the spindle shaft, a prism assembly coupled to the spindle shaft, wherein the prism assembly divides the laser beam generated by the laser emitter into a pair of fanned laser beams, and reflecting means for reflecting the fanned laser beams generated by the prism assembly as counter-rotating fanned laser beams. The receiver unit preferably includes at least one optical receiver coupled to an extension member, a processing unit coupled to the optical receiver, and a receiver interface coupled to the processing unit.

Abstract: The lens of the invention is specifically designed for use with a slit lamp biomicroscope in the examination of a patient's eye. One or more lens elements may be used with each lens element having first and second convex aspheric surfaces of revolution. The first and second aspheric surfaces are coaxial and non-symmetrical with respect to one another. The aspheric surfaces are chosen to correct astigmatic imagery of the lens, with the formed aerial image free of excessive field curvature and astigmatism. The lens is held at a distance from the patient's eye pupil corresponding to the secondary focal length of the lens. If the examined eye is emmetropic, and the lens is held in a position wherein the entrance pupil of the lens is conjugate with that of the examined eye, an image of the entrance pupil of the patient's eye will be formed at the pupil aperture of the optical system of the slit lamp biomicroscope used to observe the aerial image of the fundus as produced by the lens.

Abstract: A large-aperture lens system with a lens having aspherical surfaces to be used to read out optical information and to be used in optical communication transmission systems or the like. The lens in the system has a large aperture despite its very small focal length, because it is manufactured using glass with both a high refractive index and a high Abbe number giving the lens excellent aberration characteristics. The system can be manufactured using ultra-precision press-molding technology.