Abstract: A harmonic generation/beam shaping system to generate a shaped beam having a harmonic relationship with a beam generated by a laser, including a first harmonic generation element and a second harmonic generation element arranged sequentially along an axial beam path extending between an input from the laser and an output of the harmonic generation/beam shaping system and at least two beam shaping elements located along the axial beam path. At least one of the least two beam shaping elements is located between the second harmonic generation element and the laser to transform the beam energy profile into a preferred profile to distribute the beam energy across a larger cross sectional area of at least one harmonic generation element or to reduce peaks in the energy distribution profile of the beam, or both, wherein the preferred profile may be a flat-top profile or a Bessel function profile.

Abstract: An optical integrator of a wavefront dividing type permits an arbitrary distance to be set between an entrance surface and an exit surface, without production of aberration and without reduction in reflectance on reflecting films. The optical integrator has a plurality of first focusing elements (first concave reflector elements 18a) arranged in parallel, a plurality of second focusing elements (second concave reflector elements 20a) arranged in parallel so as to correspond to the first focusing elements, and a relay optical system (19) disposed in an optical path between the first focusing elements and the second focusing elements. The relay optical system refocuses a light beam focused via one of the first focusing elements, on or near a corresponding second focusing element so as to establish an imaging relation of one-to-one correspondence between one of the first focusing elements and one of the second focusing elements.

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: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a zoom optical system which includes a plurality of variable power optical units of which optical power varies accompanied by variable power, a fixed optical unit of which optical power does not vary accompanied by variable power, and a moving optical unit which moves accompanied by variable power.

Abstract: Inspection systems and methods are disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises an inspection system including a support for a reticle and a microscope including a lens system. The lens system includes at least one lens comprising at least one Fresnel element, wherein the at least one Fresnel element is non-circular.

Abstract: A variable optical-property element includes a liquid crystal the pitch of twist is less than 60 times the wavelength of light used, so that a spatially uneven electric or magnetic field or temperature is applied to the liquid crystal to thereby form an index distribution, and the electric or magnetic field or the temperature is changed to thereby alter the index distribution. In this way, the variable optical-property element is capable of changing its optical properties as a liquid crystal lens and is used in an optical apparatus.

Abstract: A vehicular lamp that decreases the amount of light blocked by the extension towards the inside of the vehicle and increases the diffused light radiated toward the outside of the vehicle. The vehicular lamp 100 has a projection lens 33, a light source 27, a reflector 29 having a reflecting surface 29a in which the light source 27 acts as an approximate focal point and light from this light source 27 is reflected toward the projection lens 33, a container-shaped body 21, and a cover 23 that along with the body 21 forms a light chamber. The cover 23 has a horizontal cross-section that is slanted with respect to an imaginary line 25 in the transverse direction of the vehicle, and the projection lens 33 has a rear side focal point f, the thickness of the lens 33 decreasing from the center portion toward the outer peripheral portions, and on the outer peripheral portions, a vehicular inside edge portion projects more toward the front side of the vehicle than the vehicular outside edge portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotationally asymmetric optical system which includes at least one reflecting surface rotationally symmetric about a center axis, is rotationally symmetric about the center axis, and is adapted to form a full 360°-direction image on an image plane or project an image located on the image plane at a full 360°-direction angle of view, and a rotationally asymmetric optical element which is located in such a way as to surround the full circumference of the entrance surface of the full-panoramic optical system in order of travel of light rays in the case of an image-formation optical system, and in reverse order of travel of light rays in the case of a projection optical system, and is rotationally asymmetric about the center axis.

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 projection display system comprises an illumination device, a prism assembly, a projection lens and a reflective light valve. The prism assembly has a first light incident surface, a first light emitting surface and a second light emitting surface. The first light emitting surface is an optical curved surface. An illumination beam is incident on the light valve after it enters the prism assembly from the first light incident surface. A modulated beam is generated after it is processed through the light valve. Finally, the modulated beam is projected into the projection lens through the prism assembly. Because a surface of the prism assembly is set to be an optical curved surface to replace a lens in the projection lens or the illumination device, a back focal length of the system is shortened and the projection lens or the illumination device is simplified.

Abstract: Lens aberration in an objective lens for recording and reproducing optical information, which is composed of a molded aspherical single lens, is inhibited while at the same time good lens productivity is attained. Also attained are excellent optical properties and high production efficiency in a mold processing step and a press molding step conducted to manufacture the lens. To this end there is provided an objective lens 1 having a convex aspherical surface formed at a first surface and a numerical aperture NA which satisfies the condition NA?0.8. It is preferable to have an aspherical surface also at the second surface.

Abstract: A compact wide-angle imaging lens system includes, in order from the object side to the image side, a first lens (1) of negative refractive power, a free-form surface prism (2) of positive refractive power, a second lens (3) of positive refractive power and a third lens (7) of negative refractive power. The free-form surface prism has an incidence surface (S3), a reflection surface (S4) and an exit surface (S5). The first lens and the free-form surface prism are arranged in a juxtaposed manner, and the second and third lenses are disposed below the free-form surface prism and adjacent to the image side. The free-form surface prism functions equivalent to a right-angle prism with aspheric surfaces.

Abstract: An optical system has a plurality of optical surfaces and an aperture stop, and has an eccentric reflective surface as at least one of the plurality of optical surfaces. For different conjugate distances, focusing for keeping a position of an entire image surface substantially constant while keeping substantially constant an axial imaging position and an angle of incidence of an axial principal ray on an image surface is performed by parallel and rotational movement of a group provided as a focusing group having at least one surface as the eccentric reflective surface.

Abstract: The combination of a rooftop optical element and a soft edge aperture stop, as well as the introduction of a negative spherical aberration in a positive focusing lens, improve working distance and depth of focus in both moving beam and imaging readers for electro-optically reading indicia such as bar code symbols, especially for close-in symbols, and moreover tend to reduce undesirable light intensity modulation in the beam profile thereby improving reader performance.

Abstract: A step of producing a model of three-dimensionally curved shape of a transparent body, a step of determining an eye point and a virtual evaluation pattern, a step of observing the virtual evaluation pattern through the transparent body and obtaining distance values of adjacent perspective evaluation points, a step of determining an optional value to be a reference value, among these distance values, and a step of evaluating the dynamic perspective distortion of the transparent body by obtaining ratios of the distance values to the reference value, are presented.

Abstract: A lens is provided for converting a laser beam into laser lines of uniform brightness. The lens has an emission plane through which the laser beam passes, the emission plane having a continuous incline. There is also provided a method for designing the lens.

Abstract: A glass sheet includes a first edge, an opposing, second edge, and an intermediate location between the first edge and second edge. The glass sheet has a first portion extending between the first edge and the intermediate location and a second portion extending between the intermediate portion and the second edge, wherein the first portion has a generally uniform thickness and the second portion has a varying thickness. The thickness of the second portion can either increase or decrease from the intermediate location to the second edge. A laminated transparency incorporating the glass sheet as well as a method of forming a glass ribbon having a changing thickness profile along at least a portion of the width of the ribbon are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention has now found out why ghost light occurs in an imaging optical system using a decentered reflecting prism for the purpose of reducing ghost light. The invention provides an imaging optical system comprising at least one decentered prism 10 having a rotationally asymmetric reflecting surface, at least located on an image side of an aperture stop. The prism 10 comprises three or more surfaces including an entrance surface 11, a reflecting surface 12 and an exit surface 13. The reflecting surface has an effective area A+B+C, and a reflection-enhancing member is applied onto an area B+C except a sub-area A at which an effective light beam is totally reflected.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical apparatus enabling diopter adjustment, etc. to be achieved using, for instance, a reflection type variable-optical property optical element or a variable-optical property mirror but without recourse to any mechanical moving part. The variable-optical property mirror 9 comprises an aluminum-coated thin film 9a and a plurality of electrodes 9b. Via variable resistors 11 and a power source switch 13 a power source 12 is connected between the thin film 9a and the electrodes 9b, so that the resistance values of the variable resistors 11 can be controlled by an operating unit 14. The shape of the thin film 9a as a reflecting surface is controlled by changing the resistance value of each variable resistor 11 in response to a signal from the operating unit 14 in such a manner that the imaging capability of the variable mirror is optimized.

Abstract: A real image mode variable magnification finder optical system comprises a variable magnification objective optical system having a positive optical power, an ocular optical system having a positive optical power, and a plurality of reflecting surfaces for erecting an image. The objective optical system comprises a plurality of movable lens units and at least one rotationally asymmetric reflecting surface having an optical power, and the reflecting surface participating in the function of the objective optical system and in the function of erecting an image. Each of the lens unit included in the objective optical system has at least one aspherical surface. The finder optical system satisfies the following condition: 0.02<d·(fw/ft2)<0.4.

Abstract: A lens is provided for converting a laser beam into laser lines of uniform brightness. The lens has an emission plane through which the laser beam passes, the emission plane having a continuous incline. There is also provided a method for designing the lens.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improvement of a total internal reflection lens whereby a tilted symmetry axis leads to a net deflection of the output beam away from the surface normal of the exit surface. Linear TIR lenses have a net deflection transverse to their focal strip. Circular TIR lens profiles going beyond 90° are tilted to bring the rim level with the source, the deflected rays exiting the lens to form an off-axis beam.

Abstract: A high-performance and low-cost image-forming optical system has a reduced number of constituent optical elements and is made extremely thin, particularly in a direction perpendicular to an image pickup device, by folding an optical path using only three reflecting surfaces. The image-forming optical system has a front unit including a first prism 10, an aperture stop 2, and a rear unit including a second prism 20. The first prism 10 has a first transmitting surface 11, a first reflecting surface 12, and a second transmitting surface 13. The second prism 20 has a first transmitting surface 21, a first reflecting surface 22, a second reflecting surface 23, and a second transmitting surface 24. An optical path incident on the first reflecting surface 22 and an optical path exiting from the second reflecting surface 23 intersect each other.

Abstract: A lightweight and homogeneous optical element exhibiting favorably weak birefringence and hygroscopicity as well as superior productivity and producing minimal chromatic aberrations is formed by using an organic-inorganic composite material having both the properties of a glass material and those of a plastic material. The optical element has at least one entrance refracting surface and at least one exit refracting surface. The optical element is formed from an organic-inorganic composite material having an inorganic phase dispersed in the three-dimensional network (matrix) of an organic phase.

Abstract: The invention provides a small-sized projection optical apparatus which uses a decentered prism as a projection optical system and in which some contrivances are provided to how to introduce illumination light into a reflection type display device. The projection optical apparatus comprises a reflection type display device 1, a projection optical system 2 for providing projection of an image displayed thereon and an illumination light source for illuminating a display surface. The projection optical system 2 comprises a catadioptric optical element 10 having two rotationally asymmetric curved reflecting surfaces 12, 13 having positive power.

Abstract: The invention provides a small-sized projection optical apparatus which uses a decentered prism as a projection optical system and in which some contrivances are provided to how to introduce illumination light into a reflection type display device. The projection optical apparatus comprises a reflection type display device 1, a projection optical system 2 for providing projection of an image displayed thereon and an illumination light source for illuminating a display surface. The projection optical system 2 comprises a catadioptric optical element 10 having two rotationally asymmetric curved reflecting surfaces 12, 13 having positive power.

Abstract: A reflecting-type optical system according to the invention includes an optical element composed of a transparent body having an entrance surface, an exit surface and at least three curved reflecting surfaces of internal reflection. A light beam coming from an object and entering at the entrance surface is reflected from at least one of the reflecting surfaces to form a primary image within the optical element and is, then, made to exit from the exit surface through the remaining reflecting surfaces to form an object image on a predetermined plane. In the optical system, 70% or more of the length of a reference axis in the optical element lies in one plane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compact, high-performance yet wide-field real image type zoom finder comprising a positive objective optical system Ob and a positive eyepiece optical system Ep and further including an image-inverting means for erecting an real image formed by the objective optical system. The objective optical system Ob comprises a plurality of moving groups G2 and G3, and the eyepiece optical system Ep comprises positive reflecting surfaces, at least one of which is defined by a rotationally asymmetric surface, and satisfies conditions 1.25<dEP/fOC<2.0 and 0.5<lOC/fOC<1.3 where dEP is the distance as measured along an axial chief ray from a final surface to an eye point of the eyepiece optical system, fOC is the focal length of the eyepiece optical system, and lOC is the length as calculated on an air basis and measured along an axial chief ray from an intermediate image-formation plane to the final surface of the eyepiece optical system.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical system that enables focal length, image-formation position, etc. to be controlled in simple construction by bending the optical system to shift a light beam passing through it and so making use of an arbitrary portion of the optical system. In an image-formation optical system comprising at least two optical elements S1 and S2, the at least two optical elements S1 and S2 are mutually decentered to vary the properties such as magnification.

Abstract: A viewing lens that is divided into at least three sections such that a wearer can see through a center section with both eyes, and can see through a lateral section only with the eye immediately adjacent to that section.

Abstract: An optical system comprises, in succession from the object side, a first optical element of negative optical power, a second optical element of positive optical power, and a third optical element of negative optical power, at least one of the first to third optical elements being a refracting optical element having a reflecting curved surface.

Abstract: A multi-faceted concentrator apparatus for providing ultra-accelerated natural sunlight exposure testing for sample materials under controlled weathering conditions comprising: facets that receive incident natural sunlight, transmits VIS/NIR and reflects UV/VIS to deliver a uniform flux of UV/VIS onto a sample exposure plane located near a center of a facet array in chamber means that provide concurrent levels of temperature and/or relative humidity at high levels of up to 100× of natural sunlight that allow sample materials to be subjected to accelerated irradiance exposure factors for a significant period of time of about 3 to 10 days to provide a corresponding time of about at least a years worth representative weathering of sample materials.

Abstract: A projection optical system has excellent optical performance without substantially being affected by birefringence despite the use of an optical material with intrinsic birefringence such as fluorite, for example. A projection optical system forms a reduced image of a first surface onto a second surface . A first group of radiation transmissive members is formed such that a crystal axis [100] and the optical axis nearly align and similarly a second group of radiation transmissive members is formed such that the crystal axis [100] and the optical axis nearly align. The first grout of radiation transmissive members and the second group of radiation transmissive members have a positional relationship rotated relatively 45 degrees around the center of the light axis. Both the first group of radiation transmissive members and the second group of radiation transmissive members are arranged in an optical path between a pupil position on the second surface side and the second surface.

Abstract: An observation optical system or a photographing optical system comprises, between a pupil surface and an image surface, a first prism 3 and a second prism. The first prism 3 includes a 1st-1st surface 31 which has both of actions of transmitting and reflecting light in the path, a 1st-2nd surface 32 which has both of actions of reflecting and transmitting the light in the path, and a 1st-3rd surface 33 which transmits the light in the path. The second prism 4 includes a 2nd-1st surface 41 which is disposed adjacent to the 1st-2nd surface 32 at an air space away and which transmits the light in the path at least twice and a 2nd-2nd surface 42 which reflects the light in the path. The 1st-1st surface 31 is constructed of a prism face to which a volume hologram 6 is applied.

Abstract: A real image mode finder optical system includes an objective optical system with a positive refracting power, an image erecting optical system having a plurality of reflecting sections for erecting an image formed by the objective optical system, and an ocular optical system for introducing an erected image into an observer's eye. At least one lens of the objective optical system or the ocular optical system is configured to be rotational asymmetrical with respect to the optical axis, and a light-blocking member for blocking reflected light at the end face of the lens is provided adjacent to the lens or spaced away therefrom through air.

Abstract: An imaging lens is used in image reading and adapted to image information of an original on a reading device. In the imaging lens at least one surface out of a plurality of surfaces forming the imaging lens has refracting power rotationally asymmetric with respect to the optical axis.

Abstract: An imaging lens is used in image reading and adapted to image information of an original on a reading device. In the imaging lens at least one surface out of a plurality of surfaces forming the imaging lens has refracting power rotationally asymmetric with respect to the optical axis.

Abstract: A projection lens arranged to project an image formed on a display panel onto a screen includes a plurality of lens units movable along an axis for varying magnification, wherein at least one of lenses constituting the plurality of lens units has at least one lens surface of shape having no symmetry with respect to the axis, so that the trapezoidal deformation which tends to occur when the image formed on the display panel is projected onto the screen is corrected well.

Abstract: A projection system includes a light source, a deformable micromirror device (DMD) having a plurality of mechanical mirrors which pivot about respective tilt axes, and an anamorphic optical system disposed in between the light source and the DMD along an optical path, the anamorphic optical system providing a higher magnification along a first axis and a lower magnification along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis, wherein the first axis is aligned perpendicular to the tilt axes of the mirrors. The light source may have a pre-distorted shape which corresponds to the shape of the DMD as imaged through the anamorphic optical system. For example, the light source has the shape of a parallelogram.

Abstract: An optical system capable of focal length adjustment and so forth with a simple arrangement in which a desired portion of an optical element is selectively utilized by moving an aperture in a direction approximately perpendicular to the optical axis. The optical system has at least two optical elements and includes a first unit positioned at the object side to form a first image and a second unit for projecting the first image onto an image plane. A deflecting mirror for selecting an optical path is positioned in the vicinity of the first image. The first or second unit is formed from a variable focal length optical element having at least two continuous rotationally asymmetric surfaces.

Abstract: A projection lens unit is provided that is reduced in size and profile. The projection lens unit may include a plurality of lenses of which at least one lens disposed at the base end opposite to the projection direction is cut away at the upper portion thereof. The surface of the cut-away portion of the lens is made flat. With this arrangement, a space above the lens can be used when a cooling fan is disposed above an electrooptical unit provided in the vicinity of the projection lens unit, whereby a projector can be reduced in size and profile, because the height of the projector can be reduced because it is not necessary to provide an additional space for receiving the cooling fan in the projector.

Abstract: An optical element is provided with a film having a stress effective to sufficiently suppressing unwanted deformation of the optical element. This accomplishes very small aberration of the optical element and assures precise pattern transfer as the same is used in a lithographic process.

Abstract: A reflecting-type optical system according to the invention includes an optical element composed of a transparent body having an entrance surface, an exit surface and at least three curved reflecting surfaces of internal reflection. A light beam coming from an object and entering at the entrance surface is reflected from at least one of the reflecting surfaces to form a primary image within the optical element and is, then, made to exit from the exit surface through the remaining reflecting surfaces to form an object image on a predetermined plane. In the optical system, 70% or more of the length of a reference axis in the optical element lies in one plane.

Abstract: An optical axis conversion lens includes an incident surface on which the light emerging from a slab light guide is incident, a cylindrical lens surface which has an optical axis C in a position or direction different from an optical axis A of the light incident on the incident surface and which converges the light in the direction of the optical axis C, a first internal reflection mirror which changes the direction of the incident light from the incident surface to an optical axis B, and a second internal reflection mirror which changes light on optical axis B to an optical axis C. By such an arrangement, it is possible to convert light on the optical axis A to the optical axes B and C without being limited by the height of the slab light guide and to form a narrow beam even at a position far away from the slab light guide.

Abstract: An optical element has a first optical member which is a transparent body having two refracting surfaces and a reflecting, curved surface symmetric only with respect to one symmetry plane and a reference axis of which is present in the symmetry plane; and a second optical member which is a transparent body having two refracting surfaces and a reflecting surface and a reference axis of which is not present in the symmetry plane. One refracting surface of the second optical member is coupled to one refracting surface of the first optical member. The reference axis is defined by a ray passing an image center and a pupil center of an optical system including the optical element.

Abstract: An optical system includes an optical element having a plurality of reflective surfaces integrally formed, at least one reflective surface out of the plurality of reflective surfaces of the optical element being a curved surface a normal to which at an intersecting point with a reference axis does not coincide with the reference axis, an image pickup element to which light successively reflected by the plurality of reflective surfaces is incident, and an optical member for making at least part of the light that ought to enter the image pickup element, travel in an optical path different from an optical path toward the image pickup element. The light made to travel in the different optical path by the optical member is utilized for a purpose other than image pickup by said image pickup element.

Abstract: An optical element comprises a glass base having one surface and a resin layer formed on the one surface of the base. The glass base has an optical axis such that the one surface of the base has a contour asymmetrical in rotation about the optical axis. The resin layer extends within the one surface of the glass base and has a contour kept apart from fine chips at the contour of the one surface of the base. Preferably, the distance between the respective contours of the one surface of the glass base and the resin layer is longer than 0.3 mm, and the contour of the resin layer is substantially similar to the contour of the one surface of the base.

Abstract: A monolithic element has a substrate body and at least one macro-optical characteristic integral in a first portion of the optical element. A plurality of surface micro-structures are integral in a portion of the optical element. The micro-structures are designed to homogenize light passing through the optical element to produce a predetermined pattern of smoothly varying, non-discontinuous light exiting the optical element. The light exiting the optical element is therefore altered according to both the macro-optical characteristic of the optical element as well as the homogenizing characteristics of the micro-structures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a slimmed-down, well weight-balanced image display apparatus which, while a wide angle of view is presented, ensures high resolving power and a large pupil diameter, and comprises a viewing optical system for viewing an image displayed on an image display device 3 and having generally positive refracting power. The viewing optical system comprises a relay optical element for forming a relay image 6 and an ocular optical element for forming an exit pupil 2 for guiding relay image 6 to an observer. The relay optical element comprises a prism member 5. The prism member 5 comprises an entrance surface 11, at least one reflecting surface 12 or 13, and an exit surface 14. The reflecting surface is constructed of a rotationally asymmetric surface capable of imparting power to a light beam and making correction for aberrations produced by decentration.

Abstract: A catadioptric projection optical system is provided, which can use a beam splitting optical system smaller in size than a conventional polarizing beam splitter, can set a long optical path from a concave reflecting mirror to an image plane, allows easy adjustment of the optical system, and has excellent imaging performance. A light beam from an object surface forms a first intermediate image through a refracting lens group. A light beam from the first intermediate image passes through a polarizing beam splitter and is reflected by a concave reflecting mirror to form a second intermediate image in the polarizing beam splitter. A light beam from the second intermediate image is reflected by the polarizing beam splitter means to form a final image on the image plane via a refracting lens group. The polarizing beam splitter means is arranged near the positions at which the intermediate images are formed.