Abstract: Various examples are provided related to anisotropic constitutive parameters (ACPs) that can be used to launch Zenneck surface waves. In one example, among others, an ACP system includes an array of ACP elements distributed above a medium such as, e.g., a terrestrial medium. The array of ACP elements can include one or more horizontal layers of radial resistive artificial anisotropic dielectric (RRAAD) elements positioned in one or more orientations above the terrestrial medium. The ACP system can include vertical lossless artificial anisotropic dielectric (VLAAD) elements distributed above the terrestrial medium in a third orientation perpendicular to the horizontal layer or layers. The ACP system can also include horizontal artificial anisotropic magnetic permeability (HAAMP) elements distributed above the terrestrial medium. The array of ACP elements can be distributed about a launching structure, which can be excited with an electromagnetic field to facilitate the launch of a Zenneck surface wave.

Abstract: A system for alerting a user to a state of a weapon includes a safety assembly, operably coupled to the weapon and operable to selectively render the weapon into either a safe mode or a firing mode. A motor is carried by the weapon and is operably coupled to the safety assembly so as to be engaged when the weapon is in the firing mode. The motor is operable to impart vibratory motion to the weapon of sufficient magnitude that a wielder of the weapon can tactilely sense the vibratory motion without visually inspecting the weapon to thereby sense that the weapon is in the firing mode without visually inspecting the weapon.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an optical lens, glasses and a display device. The optical lens includes: a first surface, a second surface, a first lens portion and a second lens portion. The optical lens is a convex lens. The first surface and the second surface are at two side surfaces of the optical lens. The first surface is a convex aspheric surface, and the second surface is a Fresnel surface with a recessed curved base. The first lens portion and the second lens portion are adjacent each other and connected in a direction perpendicular to a main optical axis of the optical lens. A first focal point of the first lens portion and a second focal point of the second lens portion are on the main optical axis, and a focal length of the second lens portion is greater than a focal length of the first lens portion.

Abstract: Concentric shapes (e.g., discs and rings), are nested and displaced from a central plate. The discs are individually positioned by means of mechanical or electro-mechanical actuators such that the over-all result approximates a spherical surface reflector antenna having an adjustable radius of curvature, with the radii of curvature being equivalent to the focal length of the antenna. Another innovation includes reducing the dimensional positioning of the various discs by a modulo of the wavelength of the operating frequency of the antenna, thus reducing the throw accommodation of the actuators to only one wavelength. Each of the discs and the central plate are designed to have substantially the same area, as a nominal configuration. The accuracy of the approximation is improved as the number of discs is increased; however, very acceptable performance is obtained with as few as ten discs when compared to a perfect spherical surface.

Abstract: A lighting unit for a display device includes: a plurality of light sources which emits light; a wedge-shaped light guide having an incident surface disposed close to the light sources and an opposing surface disposed opposite the incident surface; and a lens sheet disposed on the light guide, where the lens sheet includes a plurality of lenses, each having an axis in a direction from the incident surface to the opposing surface, where the light guide is thinner at the incident surface than at the opposing surface, and a radius of curvature of each of the lenses is larger at the incident surface than the opposing surface.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems provide negatively-refractive focusing and sensing of electromagnetic energy. In some approaches the negatively-refractive focusing includes providing an interior focusing region with an axial magnification substantially greater than one. In some approaches the negatively-refractive focusing includes negatively-refractive focusing with a transformation medium, where the transformation medium may include an artificially-structured material such as a metamaterial.

Abstract: Gradient index lenses with no aberrations and related methods for making such lenses are described. In one aspect, a gradient index lens can be a substantially spherically-shaped lens that has at least one side that is flattened such that a locus of focal points resides on a plane. A method for making a gradient index lens can include forming material layers, each of the material layers defining an effective refractive index, and laminating the material layers together to form a substantially spherically-shaped lens having at least one side that is flattened to a substantially planar surface. The material layers can have a gradient refractive index distribution such that a locus of focal points resides on the substantially planar surface.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems provide emitting and negatively-refractive focusing of electromagnetic energy. In some approaches the negatively-refractive focusing includes negatively-refractive focusing from an interior field region with an axial magnification substantially less than one. In some approaches the negatively-refractive focusing includes negatively-refractive focusing with a transformation medium, where the transformation medium may include an artificially-structured material such as a metamaterial.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems provide emitting, field-adjusting, and focusing of electromagnetic energy. In some approaches the field-adjusting includes providing an extended depth of field greater than a nominal depth of field. In some approaches the field-adjusting includes field-adjusting with a transformation medium, where the transformation medium may include an artificially-structured material such as a metamaterial.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems provide emitting and negatively-refractive focusing of electromagnetic energy. In some approaches the negatively-refractive focusing includes negatively-refractive focusing from an interior field region with an axial magnification substantially greater than one. In some approaches the negatively-refractive focusing includes negatively-refractive focusing with a transformation medium, where the transformation medium may include an artificially-structured material such as a metamaterial.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems provide negatively-refractive focusing and sensing of electromagnetic energy. In some approaches the negatively-refractive focusing includes providing an interior focusing region with an axial magnification substantially greater than one. In some approaches the negatively-refractive focusing includes negatively-refractive focusing with a transformation medium, where the transformation medium may include an artificially-structured material such as a metamaterial.

Abstract: A focus extending optical system has optical lenses and a focus extender. The optical lenses form an image of light, from an object, on an image sensor. The focus extender adjusts a wavefront so as to change a position of the image, formed by the optical lenses, in accordance with a distance from an optical axis and thereby extends a focus range. The focus extending optical system satisfies a condition that a value of a second MTF is less than or equal to three times a value of a first MTF. The first MTF is an MTF at a spatial frequency of ½ of a Nyquist frequency of the image sensor. The second MTF is an MTF at a spatial frequency of ¼ of the Nyquist frequency.

Abstract: A condenser lens suitable for a laser rangefinder includes a lens body wherein the lens body is formed with or has attached thereto a deviation correction area that is located on the light emitting side thereof for correcting focus deviation upon reception of light scattered by a close range object. A center of the body is located inside the deviation correction area of the lens. The deviation correction area may include one or more deviation correction zones.

Abstract: An optical system comprising an aberration control optical system is disclosed. An aberration control optical system is operable to produce an image aberration, and an aperture stop is operable to limit a light beam passing through the aberration control optical system. An image pickup device is operable to capture an object image passing through the aberration control optical system, and the aberration control optical system provides inflection points within a diameter of the aperture stop to obtain a depth extending effect.

Abstract: An optical system comprising an aberration control optical system is disclosed. An aberration control optical system is operable to produce an image aberration, and an aperture stop is operable to limit a light beam passing through the aberration control optical system. An image pickup device is operable to capture an object image passing through the aberration control optical system, and the aberration control optical system provides inflection points within a diameter of the aperture stop to obtain a depth extending effect.

Abstract: There is provided a diffraction grating including a convex portion and a concave portion which are used for lights having different wavelengths ?1, ?2 and ?3 and are alternately disposed on at least one surface of a substrate with a predetermined pitch. An average refractive index of the convex portion is smaller than an average refractive index of the concave portion. A phase difference in the lights having the wavelength ?1 which transmit the convex portion and the concave portion and a phase difference in the lights having the wavelength ?2 which transmit the convex portion and the concave portion are both substantially the integral multiple of 2?, and a phase difference in the lights having the wavelength ?3 which transmit the convex portion and the concave portion is substantially the non-integral multiple of 2?.

Abstract: A lens and its method of making. The lens includes a material having a lower index of refraction and a material having a higher index of refraction arranged in a pattern such that the lens has a gradient effective index of refraction.

Abstract: A phase-adjusting element configured to provide substantially liquid-invariant extended depth of field for an associated optical lens. One example of a lens incorporating the phase-adjusting element includes the lens having surface with a modulated relief defining a plurality of regions including a first region and a second region, the first region having a depth relative to the second region, and a plurality of nanostructures formed in the first region. The depth of the first region and a spacing between adjacent nanostructures of the plurality of nanostructures is selected to provide a selected average index of refraction of the first region, and the spacing between adjacent nanostructures of the plurality of nanostructures is sufficiently small that the first region does not substantially diffract visible light.

Abstract: A condensing optical system having a condensed light spot with a small size and a large focal depth without causing a problem of a decrease in intensity of the condensed light spot or discontinuity of an intensity distribution in front and rear areas of a focal position is provided. The condensing optical system that condenses a laser beam generated by a laser source at a predetermined focal length is designed to satisfy Expressions (a) to (d), thereby producing 3rd and 5th spherical aberrations: |Z8|?0.1? or |Z15|?0.05?,??(a) Z8/Z15?3 or Z8/Z15<1,??(b) |Z8|<1.4?, and??(c) |Z15|<0.5?,??(d) where ? is a wavelength, Z8 is an 8th coefficient of coefficients of the Zernike fringe polynomial of wavefront aberration corresponding to a 3rd order spherical aberration, and Z15 is a 15th coefficient of the coefficients of the Zernike fringe polynomial of wavefront aberration corresponding to a 5th spherical aberration.

Abstract: There is provided a diffraction grating including a convex portion and a concave portion which are used for lights having different wavelengths ?1, ?2 and ?3 and are alternately disposed on at least one surface of a substrate with a predetermined pitch. An average refractive index of the convex portion is smaller than an average refractive index of the concave portion. A phase difference in the lights having the wavelength ?1 which transmit the convex portion and the concave portion and a phase difference in the lights having the wavelength ?2 which transmit the convex portion and the concave portion are both substantially the integral multiple of 2?, and a phase difference in the lights having the wavelength ?3 which transmit the convex portion and the concave portion is substantially the non-integral multiple of 2?.

Abstract: A phase-adjusting element configured to provide substantially liquid-invariant extended depth of field for an associated optical lens. One example of a lens incorporating the phase-adjusting element includes the lens having surface with a modulated relief defining a plurality of regions including a first region and a second region, the first region having a depth relative to the second region, and a plurality of nanostructures formed in the first region. The depth of the first region and a spacing between adjacent nanostructures of the plurality of nanostructures is selected to provide a selected average index of refraction of the first region, and the spacing between adjacent nanostructures of the plurality of nanostructures is sufficiently small that the first region does not substantially diffract visible light.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems provide negatively-refractive focusing and sensing of electromagnetic energy. In some approaches the negatively-refractive focusing includes providing an interior focusing region with an axial magnification substantially less than one. In some approaches the negatively-refractive focusing includes negatively-refractive focusing with a transformation medium, where the transformation medium may include an artificially-structured material such as a metamaterial.

Abstract: The lens includes a plurality of lens layers, each lens layer being axi-symmetric and having an extended depth of focus to focus light in a corresponding section of a focal curve in the form of a straight line located on an optical axis. In the optical system, light is focused on an optical axis to obtain a clear image in a wide distance range between a camera and an object. The optical system has a point spread function that is simpler and more symmetric. That is, the optical system provides improved continuity of a lens surface and easiness and flexibility in optical designing.

Abstract: An optical component (10) comprises a transparent set of cells (15; 25) juxtaposed in parallel to a surface of the component. Each cell is hermetically sealed and contains a substance with an optical property. The set of cells comprises cells of several sizes. The size of the cells can be varied between various locations of the surface of the component (10), for making it possible to cut out the component without altering its optical properties. Furthermore, the variation in size of the cells serves to prevent diffraction or scattering from being visible in certain zones of the component.

Abstract: The spherical aberration of an imaging lens changes from an object side of image-plane base position Zo toward the other side thereof as a distance from optical axis Z1 increases, and formulas 0.02<a/f<0.10 and 0.02<b/f are satisfied. In an imaging apparatus to which the imaging lens is applied, a blur is corrected by performing contrast recovery processing on original image data obtained by imaging. In the formulas, a is the magnitude of spherical aberration from the image-plane base position Zo toward the object side thereof affecting a ray passing through a central part of the pupil of the imaging lens, and b is a sum of a maximum spherical aberration from the image plane base position Zo toward the object side thereof and a maximum spherical aberration from the image plane base position Zo toward the other side thereof, and f is the focal length of the imaging lens.

Abstract: A method of constructing a physical lens based on depth of focus characteristics and an axially symmetric lens with an extended depth of focus constructed by the method are provided. An expression is deduced by substituting a depth of focus characteristic and a relation between vectors of arbitrary points on a lens surface into Snell's law, and partial differentiation is performed on the expression to yield a differential equation satisfied with arbitrary points on the lens surface. The differential equation is solved by, for example, numerical analysis to obtain a curve of an axially symmetric physical lens surface.

Abstract: In an imaging lens, one compound lens and two single lenses are arranged in a lens barrel. On the light output side of the lens barrel, a filter is arranged with a distance from lens barrel. With a further distance from the filter, an imaging element is arranged. In the compound lens, a resin lens is bonded to a base member lens, having an output surface center of the resin lens displaced by a prescribed amount relative to an output surface center of the base member lens, so that a transmission decentration amount attributed to the base member lens, not including the resin lens, and the single lenses is cancelled by a transmission decentration amount by the resin lens when taken as a whole lens system. Thus, the imaging lens capable of suppressing reduction in resolving power due to transmission decentration of the lenses is obtained.

Abstract: A phase-adjusting element configured to provide substantially liquid-invariant extended depth of field for an associated optical lens. One example of a lens incorporating the phase-adjusting element includes the lens having surface with a modulated relief defining a plurality of regions including a first region and a second region, the first region having a depth relative to the second region, and a plurality of nanostructures formed in the first region. The depth of the first region and a spacing between adjacent nanostructures of the plurality of nanostructures is selected to provide a selected average index of refraction of the first region, and the spacing between adjacent nanostructures of the plurality of nanostructures is sufficiently small that the first region does not substantially diffract visible light.

Abstract: There is provided a diffraction grating including a convex portion and a concave portion which are used for lights having different wavelengths ?1, ?2 and ?3 and are alternately disposed on at least one surface of a substrate with a predetermined pitch. An average refractive index of the convex portion is smaller than an average refractive index of the concave portion. A phase difference in the lights having the wavelength ?1 which transmit the convex portion and the concave portion and a phase difference in the lights having the wavelength ?2 which transmit the convex portion and the concave portion are both substantially the integral multiple of 2?, and a phase difference in the lights having the wavelength ?3 which transmit the convex portion and the concave portion is substantially the non-integral multiple of 2?.

Abstract: An optical imaging system with extended depth of focus is provided. The optical imaging system includes an optical imaging module, an array type detector and an image restoration module. The optical imaging module has a specific longitudinal spherical aberration corresponding to the depth of focus. The array type detector is coupled to the optical imaging module to obtain a image via the specific longitudinal spherical aberration provided by the optical imaging module. The image restoration module is coupled to the array type detector, wherein the array type detector converts the obtained image to a digitalized image and the image restoration module receives the digitalized image and performs an image restoration operation to the digitalized image to form an image with extended depth of focus.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems provide emitting, field-adjusting, and focusing of electromagnetic energy. In some approaches the field-adjusting includes providing an extended depth of field greater than a nominal depth of field. In some approaches the field-adjusting includes field-adjusting with a transformation medium, where the transformation medium may include an artificially-structured material such as a metamaterial.

Abstract: A lens has a main body for use with at least one light source. The main body has a light-emitting face, a light-collecting face disposed opposite the light-emitting face, and a plurality of focal points, the latter of which form a focal ring. A central axis extends through the light-collecting face and the light-emitting face. The main body is substantially radially symmetrical about the central axis and the focal ring extends around the central axis of the main body of the lens.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems provide negatively-refractive focusing and sensing of electromagnetic energy. In some approaches the negatively-refractive focusing includes providing an interior focusing region with an axial magnification substantially less than one. In some approaches the negatively-refractive focusing includes negatively-refractive focusing with a transformation medium, where the transformation medium may include an artificially-structured material such as a metamaterial.

Abstract: A composite optical device 1 includes a first optical section 10 having an optical functional surface 11 and a second optical section 20 bonded to the first optical section 10 on the optical functional surface 11. The optical functional surface 11 includes a smooth part 13 and a concave-convex part 12 adjacent to each other, and is constructed so that a position P2, along a normal direction of the smooth part 13, of a concave bottom of the concave-convex part 12 can be closer to the center of the first optical section 10 than a position P1 along the normal direction of an end of the smooth part 13 on a side of the concave-convex part 12 in a boundary vicinity portion NR between the smooth part 13 and the concave-convex part 12.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems provide focusing, focus-adjusting, and sensing. In some approaches the focus-adjusting includes providing an extended depth of focus greater than a nominal depth of focus. In some approaches the focus-adjusting includes focus-adjusting with a transformation medium, where the transformation medium may include an artificially-structured material such as a metamaterial.

Abstract: A method of constructing a physical lens based on depth of focus characteristics and an axially symmetric lens with an extended depth of focus constructed by the method are provided. An expression is deduced by substituting a depth of focus characteristic and a relation between vectors of arbitrary points on a lens surface into Snell's law, and partial differentiation is performed on the expression to yield a differential equation satisfied with arbitrary points on the lens surface. The differential equation is solved by, for example, numerical analysis to obtain a curve of an axially symmetric physical lens surface.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems provide focusing, focus-adjusting, and sensing. In some approaches the focus-adjusting includes providing an extended depth of focus greater than a nominal depth of focus. In some approaches the focus-adjusting includes focus-adjusting with a transformation medium, where the transformation medium may include an artificially-structured material such as a metamaterial.

Abstract: A lens system includes a lens (18) and a non-periodic phase structure (16). A temperature-dependence of the spherical aberration of the lens is compensated by a temperature dependence of the spherical aberration of the non-periodic phase structure. A wavelength-dependence of the defocus of the lens is compensated by a wavelength-dependence of the defocus of the non-periodic phase structure. A wavelength-dependence of the spherical aberration of the non-periodic phase structure is compensated by a wavelength-dependence of the spherical aberration of the lens.

Abstract: A lens unit using an aberration control module is disclosed. The lens unit can be operable to intentionally produce aberration. In the lens unit, a point-spread-function of a light beam passing through the lens unit becomes substantially circular.

Abstract: Provided is a Fresnel lens for use with an array of semiconductor pixels that are separated by inactive areas, comprising a faceted surface with a plurality of facets for receiving an imaging beam, the facets being arranged into a plurality of zones separated by zone edges, and wherein the zone edges are generally aligned with the inactive areas throughout the array. Also provided are an optical detector and an imaging system incorporating such a Fresnel lens system.

Abstract: A condensing optical system having a condensed light spot with a small size and a large focal depth without causing a problem of a decrease in intensity of the condensed light spot or discontinuity of an intensity distribution in front and rear areas of a focal position is provided. The condensing optical system that condenses a laser beam generated by a laser source at a predetermined focal length is designed to satisfy Expressions (a) to (d), thereby producing 3rd and 5th spherical aberrations: |Z8|?0.1? or |Z15|?0.05?, ??(a) Z8/Z15?3 or Z8/Z15<1, ??(b) |Z8|<1.4?, and ??(c) |Z15|<0.5?, ??(d) where ? is a wavelength, Z8 is an 8th coefficient of coefficients of the Zernike fringe polynomial of wavefront aberration corresponding to a 3rd order spherical aberration, and Z15 is a 15th coefficient of the coefficients of the Zernike fringe polynomial of wavefront aberration corresponding to a 5th spherical aberration.

Abstract: An optical system comprising an aberration control optical system is disclosed. An aberration control optical system is operable to produce an image aberration, and an aperture stop is operable to limit a light beam passing through the aberration control optical system. An image pickup device is operable to capture an object image passing through the aberration control optical system, and the aberration control optical system provides inflection points within a diameter of the aperture stop to obtain a depth extending effect.

Abstract: An apparatus for compensating for pixel distortion while reproducing hologram data includes an extraction unit, a determination and calculation unit, a table, and a compensation unit. The extraction unit extracts a reproduced data image from a reproduced image frame including the reproduced data image and borders. The determination and calculation unit determines position values of edges of the extracted reproduced data image, and calculates average magnification error values of pixels within line data from position values of start and end point pixels thereof, which are based on the determined position values of the edges. The table stores misalignment compensation values for the pixels within the line data, wherein the misalignment compensation values correspond to predetermined references for average magnification error values.

Abstract: An image processing method and apparatus operable for processing images is disclosed. The image processing method allows for drawing any given image in an output image on which various types of image processing have been performed. Such various types of image processing are, for example, correction of an image having distortion due to the distortion aberration of an imaging lens, an image having unnatural perspective distortion of a subject due to high-angle or overhead photography, generation of an output image with the viewpoint changed from the viewpoint of a captured image, mirror-image conversion of a captured image, and electronic zooming. Embodiments of the present invention also relate to an imaging apparatus that uses the image processing method.

Abstract: A lens particularly suited to elongated grooved lens holders such as heat sinks for light emitting diodes. The lens may have a curved surface which projects light in rectangular beams and a radial flange for engaging grooves of a grooved lens holder. Curvature is that of a flattened or compressed sine wave, with less than one full wave being formed along the lens. In one aspect of the invention, the crest of the wave, which would ordinarily be domed, may be flat. The radial flange has straight sides to enable contiguity when arrayed in abutment as well as for cooperating with the grooves of the lens holder.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and systems provide focusing, focus-adjusting, and sensing. In some approaches the focus-adjusting includes providing an extended depth of focus greater than a nominal depth of focus. In some approaches the focus-adjusting includes focus-adjusting with a transformation medium, where the transformation medium may include an artificially-structured material such as a metamaterial.

Abstract: A solid tunable micro optical device for an micro-optical system is provided. The sold tunable micro optical device includes a first annular piece, a micro-lens with a spherical surface configured on the first annular piece, and a deforming device coupled to the first annular piece for deforming the micro-lens.

Abstract: The lens includes a plurality of lens layers, each lens layer being axi-symmetric and having an extended depth of focus to focus light in a corresponding section of a focal curve in the form of a straight line located on an optical axis. In the optical system, light is focused on an optical axis to obtain a clear image in a wide distance range between a camera and an object. The optical system has a point spread function that is simpler and more symmetric. That is, the optical system provides improved continuity of a lens surface and easiness and flexibility in optical designing.

Abstract: An aspheric plastic lens comprises a spherical surface portion having upper and lower portions at the center thereof, the upper and lower portions having curved surfaces with a different curvature, respectively; a rib formed in a circular plate shape so as to extend from the peripheral edge of the spherical surface portion to the outside, the rib having burrs formed to project on the edges of the upper and lower surfaces thereof; and a pair of two-stage step portions formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the rib, the two-stage step portions being formed symmetrically with each other.

Abstract: A lens is provided with a reflective annular zone face that is approximately perpendicular to the lens optical axis, and tilt of the reflective annular zone face is set to be equivalent to coma aberration resulting from the lens.