Abstract: An image-taking lens apparatus has an image sensor for converting an optical image of a subject into an electrical signal and an image-taking lens system for forming the optical image on the image sensor. The image-taking lens system includes a prism for bending the optical path, and the refractive index of the prism fulfills a prescribed conditional formula.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes a most object-side lens unit remaining fixed on the optical axis when the magnification of the zoom lens is changed and a focusing operation is performed; a most image-side lens unit remaining fixed when the focusing operation is performed; and a plurality of moving lens units lying between the most object-side lens unit and the most image-side lens unit, moved along the optical axis when the magnification is changed. The most object-side lens unit includes, in order from the object side, a negative lens component, a reflective optical component having a reflecting surface for bending the optical path, and a positive lens component. The most image-side lens unit has at least one aspherical surface. An electronic imaging device includes an electronic image sensor located on the image side of the zoom lens.

Abstract: Provided is a retrofocus type optical system including a lens or a layer made of a material satisfying the following conditions of the Abbe constant ?d and partial dispersion ratios ?gd and ?gF, ?d<30, ?gd<?3.333×10?3·?d+1.40, ?gF<?2.615?10?3·?d+0.67. In the case that this layer is disposed on the front side of the aperture stop, the layer is designed to have a positive refractive power, and in the case that the layer is disposed on the rear side of the aperture stop, the layer is designed to have a negative refractive index.

Abstract: A refractive block includes a light-entrance surface configured to be mounted in contact with a refractive boundary of a vehicle, and a light-exit surface wherein the refractive block is configured to refract an optical path of light corresponding to an imaged area and to direct the light to an image-sensing component.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes a most object-side lens unit remaining fixed on the optical axis when the magnification of the zoom lens is changed and a focusing operation is performed; a most image-side lens unit remaining fixed when the focusing operation is performed; and a plurality of moving lens units lying between the most object-side lens unit and the most image-side lens unit, moved along the optical axis when the magnification is changed. The most object-side lens unit includes, in order from the object side, a negative lens component, a reflective optical component having a reflecting surface for bending the optical path, and a positive lens component. The most image-side lens unit has at least one aspherical surface. An electronic imaging device includes an electronic image sensor located on the image side of the zoom lens.

Abstract: A taking lens apparatus has a zoom lens system that is composed of a plurality of lens units and that achieves zooming by varying the distances between the lens units and an image sensor that converts the optical image formed by the zoom lens system into an electrical signal.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes a plurality of lens groups including a first lens group arranged on the foremost side and having negative optical power. Zooming is performed by moving at least one of the plurality of lens groups along a direction parallel to an optical axis of the zoom lens. The first lens group is fixed during the zooming. A first lens arranged on the foremost side, of the first lens group has negative refractive power. When an Abbe constant and a partial dispersion of a material configuring the first lens are respectively represented by ?dn and ?g,Fn, a focal distance of the first lens group is represented by f1, and an air-equivalent back focus upon focusing on an infinity object is represented by bf, the following conditions are satisfied: ?dn<32, 0.008<?g,Fn?(0.644?0.00168×?dn)<0.040, and |f1/bf|<0.9.

Abstract: A lens for chromatic aberration compensation is provided. The lens includes a lens body and a plurality of color filter films. The lens body has a light incident plane, a light exit plane and an optical axis. The light incident plane and/or the light exit plane comprises a plurality of discrete area, wherein the area comprises, for example but not limited to, a plurality of annular areas, fan-shaped areas, or polygon areas. The color filter films are disposed over the areas of the lens body respectively, and comprise red color filter films, green color filter films or blue color filter films. Accordingly, the lens for chromatic aberration compensation of the invention can eliminate the aberration effectively.

Abstract: An observation optical system is disclosed with which the Fresnel reflection at the surfaces of optical members can be reduced, the transmittance can be improved, and the surface reflection ghost that occur among a plurality of optical surfaces can be suppressed. The observation optical system of the present invention comprises a plurality of optical surfaces, and a fine periodic structure, with a period smaller than the wavelength of incident light, is provided at an effective optical region of at least one surface among the aforementioned plurality of optical surfaces.

Abstract: A microlithographic illumination method for imaging a pattern arranged in an object plane of a projection lens onto an image plane of the projection lens, under which a special means for optically correcting the optical path lengths of s-polarized and p-polarized light such that light beams of both polarizations will either traverse essentially the same optical path length between the object plane and the image plane or any existing difference in their optical path lengths will be retained, largely independently of their angles of incidence on the image plane, which will allow avoiding contrast variations due to pattern orientation when imaging finely structured patterns, is disclosed. The contrast variations may be caused by uncorrected projection lenses due to their employment of materials that exhibit stress birefringence and/or coated optical components, such as deflecting mirrors, that are used at large angles of incidence.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical device for focusing a laser beam, comprising a source of emission of a laser beam, for example a substantially elliptic and astigmatic laser beam, a focusing lens of the laser beam and first aperture adapted to select a central portion of the laser beam. The first aperture is directly applied on the focusing lens, and comprises a coating made of a substantially opaque material which are applied (for example, by spraying, sputtering, evaporation, printing, painting) on a peripheral portion of a front surface of the focusing lens so as to allow the propagation of the central portion of the laser beam and obstruct the propagation of a surrounding portion of beam. The device of the invention is extremely simple from the constructive point of view, and is inexpensive and small-sized.

Abstract: A six-element cinema projection lens is described in front of which an aspherized plane-parallel plate is positioned on the screen side. This arrangement permits the cost-effective design of a cinema projection lens with a relative aperture of 1:1.7 having very good image-forming properties. The high relative aperture increases the light utilization and therefore leads to savings in energy and costs. Furthermore, the projection lens can be used both for cinemascope format and for widescreen format, the differences in brightness being compensated by a variable diaphragm.

Abstract: A combiner (10) has a glass reflector (11) with first and second curved surfaces (12, 13) each having an optical coating. A first prism (14) has a surface (15) which complements the surface (12) of the reflector (11) and a second prism (16) has a surface (17) which complements the surface (13) of the reflector (11). The surfaces (12 and 13) and the surfaces (15 and 17) are each primed and allowed to dry before being polished. The reflector (11) and prisms (14 and 16) are arranged with respect to one another such that surface (12) forms a well (18) with surface (15) and similarly surface (13) forms a well (19) with surface (17). The wells (18, 19) are completed with a seal (20) at a lower end (21) and bonding agent (22, 23) is injected into the wells (18, 19). The combiner (10) is placed in a vacuum chamber to remove trapped air bubbles and the agent (22, 23) is allowed to cool at a temperature which does not unduly stress the reflector (11) and prisms (14 and 16).

Abstract: A microlithographic illumination method for imaging a pattern arranged in an object plane of a projection lens onto an image plane of the projection lens, under which a special means for optically correcting the optical path lengths of s-polarized and p-polarized light such that light beams of both polarizations will either traverse essentially the same optical path length between the object plane and the image plane or any existing difference in their optical path lengths will be retained, largely independently of their angles of incidence on the image plane, which will allow avoiding contrast variations due to pattern orientation when imaging finely structured patterns, is disclosed. The contrast variations may be caused by uncorrected projection lenses due to their employment of materials that exhibit stress birefringence and/or coated optical components, such as deflecting mirrors, that are used at large angles of incidence.

Abstract: A part (1) made of transparent material that allows visible light waves to pass therethrough, said part comprising outer faces (11, 12) defining a solid body (10) made of transparent material, the part being characterized in that it further comprises light diffracting means (14) situated inside the solid body (10) at a distance from the outer faces (11, 12).

Abstract: A refractive body includes a lens, holder, and aperture particularly suited for use in raster scanners. The refractive body advantageously can be made from resinous materials, such as plastics, but can be formed from any refractive material as may be appropriate. The aperture is formed from portions of the refractive body surrounding the lens and can act to divert excess light from the optical path of the scanner by refraction or reflection.

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: An optical wavelength demultiplexer includes an optical lens, a first-side waveguide and a plurality of second-side waveguide. The lens has a wave number distribution-surface having a section where an angular frequency is constant, and said section having a shape which generally represents at least a part of an ellipse or a circle; a medium allowing group-velocity directions toward an inside of the section to allow said medium to exhibit a lens effect; a finite thickness defined by a distance between two parallel planarized surfaces of the medium; a first focusing point at an inside position of the lens; and a second focusing point at an outside position of the lens. The first-side waveguide is positioned for incidence of a wavelength-multiplexed optical signal into the lens. The plurality of second-side waveguide is so aligned that terminals thereof are positioned at respective focusing points of respectively different-wavelength components included in the wavelength-multiplexed optical signal.

Abstract: A projection display apparatus having a light source for generating a white light, a liquid crystal panel for modulating an incident light from the light source, a polarizing plate which is located at a light exiting side of the liquid crystal panel for polarizing a light from the liquid crystal panel passed therethrough and a cooling liquid for cooling at least the liquid crystal panel and the polarizing plate. A projection lens device having plural lens elements which is located at a light exiting side of the polarizing plate is provided for projecting the light passed through the polarizing plate. One of the plural lens elements located nearest the polarizing plate has a negative refractive power in a center region containing an optical axis thereof and has a positive refractive power in a peripheral portion of the center region.

Abstract: An optical wavelength demultiplexer includes an optical lens, a first-side waveguide and a plurality of second-side waveguide. The lens has a wave number distribution-surface having a section where an angular frequency is constant, and said section having a shape which generally represents at least a part of an ellipse or a circle; a medium allowing group-velocity directions toward an inside of the section to allow said medium to exhibit a lens effect; a finite thickness defined by a distance between two parallel planarized surfaces of the medium; a first focusing point at an inside position of the lens; and a second focusing point at an outside position of the lens. The first-side waveguide is positioned for incidence of a wavelength-multiplexed optical signal into the lens. The plurality of second-side waveguide is so aligned that terminals thereof are positioned at respective focusing points of respectively different-wavelength components included in the wavelength-multiplexed optical signal.

Abstract: A zoom lens system having multiple lens units including, sequentially in a direction from an enlargement side thereof toward a reduction side thereof, a first lens unit having a negative optical power, a second lens unit having a positive optical power, a third lens unit having a positive optical power, a fourth lens unit having a negative optical power, and a fifth lens unit having positive optical power. Additionally, during a zoom operation from a longest focal length condition to a shortest focal length condition, the zoom lens system can function such that the first lens unit and the fifth lens unit can remain stationary, while the second, third and fourth lens units are able to move.

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 silica glass member is provided for use in an optical system using light of a wavelength equal to or less than about 400 nm as a light source. The silica glass member has striae in a direction different from an optical axis of the optical system. The strength of the striae is equal to or less than about 2×10−6 in terms of refractive index differential.

Abstract: An optical system invention is interposed between a pupil plane and an image plane, and includes a first prism, a second prism, and a holographic element which is sandwiched between the first prism and the second prism and is cemented to these prisms. When a light beam traveling along the optical path connecting the pupil plane and the image plane through the optical system is called a first beam, the first prism has a 1-1 surface placed on the pupil side, combining the function of transmission with the function of reflection of the first beam; a 1-2 surface placed on the opposite side of the pupil with respect to the 1-1 surface; and a 1-3 surface placed on the image side, transmitting the first beam. The second prism includes a 2-1 surface having the same shape as the 1-2 surface and placed opposite thereto, transmitting the first beam at least twice, and a 2-2 surface placed on the opposite side of the pupil with respect to the 2-1 surface of the second prism, reflecting the first beam.

Abstract: A light collecting optical system wherein the position where light is collected is scanned in the optical axis direction by using a wavefront converting element capable of changing power without using a mechanical device, and aberration occurring during the scanning is canceled by using the wavefront converting element to minimize the degradation of light collecting performance due to the scanning in the optical axis direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for acquiring an image of a patterned object such as a fingerprint including a light refracting device, a focusing lens, and a light source. The light refracting device can, for example, be a prism and includes an imaging surface, a light receiving surface and a viewing surface. Incident light from the light source is projected through the light receiving surface and reflected off a surface other than the imaging surface. This reflected light is then projected onto the imaging surface to create an image of the patterned object from substantially all scattered light through the viewing surface. The lens is placed adjacent to the viewing surface to focus the light on an image sensor. The apparatus is configured to reduce or substantially eliminate trapezoidal distortion and improve overall image sharpness in an image of an object created by the apparatus.

Abstract: A photographic optical system for forming an image on a rectangular effective photographing area includes a photographic lens, and an optical member disposed on an object side of the photographic lens, both surfaces on the object side and an image side of the optical member having curvature in the same direction, wherein the following conditions are satisfied: 2.5<|r/f|<100 f/L>4 where r is a smaller one of radii of curvature of the surfaces on the object side and the image side of the optical member, f is a focal length of the photographic optical system, and L is a diagonal length of the effective photographing area.

Abstract: An objective optical system is disclosed having, in a first construction, in relative order from the object side, a first lens element of negative refractive power, a visual field conversion optical element which folds light rays incident thereon, a stop, and either one or two additional lens elements of positive refractive power which form an objective optical system. Certain prescribed conditions are satisfied in order that the objective optical system be compact and have acceptably small aberrations to thereby enable a high quality image to be formed. In a second alternative construction, the stop is positioned after the second lens element and the third lens element includes a convex surface on the image side and satisfies a prescribed condition.

Abstract: Multi-mode laser radiation is focused to a preselected spot size on a recording construction using a controlled-angle diffuser. The diffuser concentrates the radiation, counteracting the dispersive effects of multi-mode output.

Abstract: An optical low-pass filter comprises a phase advancing area which advances a phase of a wavefront of an incident pencil of rays with respect to a phase of a wavefront of a center of the incident pencil of rays, and a phase retarding area which retards the phase of the wavefront of the incident pencil of rays with respect to the phase of the wavefront of the center of the incident pencil of rays, the phase advancing area and the phase retarding area alternately existing in the optical low-pass filter, and an optical apparatus comprises an image forming optical system, an image pickup element, and such an optical low-pass filter.

Abstract: An anti-aliasing filter for use in an incoherent imaging system reduces the resolution of the optical image to prevent aliasing, without requiring a reduction in the amount of light captured by the system, and without adversely affecting image quality or requiring complex optical systems. The filter modifies the wavefront of light emanating from the object in a curved, non-symmetrical manner, in such a way as to effectively attenuate spatial frequencies in the image to values less than some desired small level for all spatial frequencies beyond a predetermined bandlimit. The filter may be reflective or transmissive.

Abstract: A lens is fabricated of an array of parallel rod-shaped dielectric waveguides extending from a generally planar front surface of the array, this front surface constituting a front surface of the lens, to a concave back surface of the array, this back surface constituting a back surface of the lens. The wavguides vary in length, from a maximum length at an outer region of the lens to a minimum length at a central region of the array, to provide the concave back surface. The back lens surface envelops a receptor of radiant energy located at a focus of the lens. This configuration of lens provides an increased spherical angle of impingement of the incident radiation upon the receptor.

Abstract: This invention proposes the fabrication of a polarization-independent air-path isolator based on a beam aperture method. The isolator includes a micro Grin lens (MGL) and three small Grin lenses (SGLs). These lenses focus and collimate the forward and backward beams from the input and output ends of the isolator. In addition, one of the small Grin lenses (SGLs) also acts as a beam expander for the backward beam. Due to the significant difference in widths between the forward and backward collimated beams, the optical power of the forward beam is almost completely collected by the output small Grin lens (SGL) at the output end, while only a very small percentage of the optical power of the backward beam is collected by the small Grin lens (SGL) at the input end. Since a laser beam, in general, has a Gaussian beam-intensity distribution, positioning the micro Grin lens (MGL) at an off axis position will significantly enhance the isolation characteristic of the isolator.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an anti-aliasing apparatus is disclosed. The anti-aliasing apparatus includes an aperture stop including an array of apertures. Each of the apertures on the aperture stop diffracts light passing therethrough and provides spreading of an image of a point object in a controlled image irradiance distribution. In another embodiment, an optical system is disclosed. The optical system includes a detector array having an array of pixels and an aperture stop positioned between an object plane and the detector array. The aperture stop includes an array of apertures, each of which diffracts light passing therethrough and provides a controlled spreading of the light to cover more than one pixel of the detector array.

Abstract: A phase-only filter for approximating a given optical transfer function for monochromatic incoherent light. The filter is designed by solving an integral equation for a phase function, and imposing, on a transparent plate, an optical path length for the incoherent radiation equal, in radians, to the phase function modulo 2.pi. plus an overall constant.

Abstract: A stereoscopic-vision endoscope of the present invention comprises a tubular elongated insertional part, an objective optical system situated in the insertional part, a relay optical system situated in the insertional part for transmitting an object image formed by the objective optical system, a pupil dividing stop for dividing a light beam emanating from an object image formed by the relay optical system into a plurality of portions, an image formation optical system for receiving light beams from the pupil dividing stop so as to form a plurality of object images having parallax, and imaging devices for picking up the object images formed by the image formation optical system. The relay optical system satisfies the condition .phi..sup.2 /L>0.43 (where .phi. denotes an outer diameter of a system of relay lenses, and L denotes a relay length of the relay optical system).

Abstract: A non-deviating prism system (40) and method provides continuously variable dispersion of light with limited deviation. Light is dispersed in a prism arrangement which includes a selected liquid filled in the spaces between adjacent prism elements (41, 51). The indices of refraction and the apex angles of the prisms (41, 51) and the intervening liquid are set to limited deviation according to predetermined relationship. The prisms are mounted near the edges of mutually insertable tubes (62, 64) and a refractive liquid is secured in a containment space bounded by the prism elements (41, 51).

Abstract: An optical subsystem (14) for use in an electronic imaging system (10) utilizes a spatial filter (20) having a concentric optical path profile for removing unwanted structures in the optically formed image. In a first embodiment, the filter (20) includes an axisymmetric conical surface (24) formed on an optical substrate (22) to provide a light path modifying profile designed to achieve a desired circular point spread function in an image plane (16). Other embodiments include an elliptical/conical profile, and an axisymmetric, concentric ring profile. The filter profile may be single-point diamond turned into a flat filter substrate, or can be combined/integrated with the profile of an existing optical system element, such as lens (18). The present invention further provides a method for removing unwanted artificial image structures by generating an imaging system point spread function which is a hollow, closed path.

Abstract: An objective lens system for an endoscope comprises from the subject end to the image end a meniscus lens element of negative optical power having a concave image side surface, a plano-convex lens element of positive optical power having a convex subject side surface, an aperture element, a plano-convex lens element of positive optical power having a convex image side surface and a biconvex lens element of positive optical power.

Abstract: A compact, high-performance zoom lens is disclosed. The zoom lens comprises four lens groups having positive, negative, negative, and positive refractive power, respectively. The lens groups are disposed so as to enable the zoom lens to produce an image of an object on an image plane over a range of magnifications from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end. The second and third lens groups move along the optical axis during zooming. The first lens group preferably includes, objectwise to imagewise, a negative lens element and first, second, and third positive lens elements. The zoom lens satisfies at least the following conditions:0.6<F.sub.T.sup.1/2 (f.sub.1 /f.sub.T)<1.00.7<1.beta..sub.2W .multidot.V.sup.1/21 <1.1wherein f.sub.1 is the focal length of the first lens group, F.sub.T is the F-number of the zoom lens at the telephoto end, .beta..sub.2W is the lateral magnification of the second lens group at the wide-angle end, f.sub.

Abstract: A system for imaging through a tilted plane parallel plate, in which image quality is improved by inserting additional transparent plates between an object that is imaged and the imaging lens, includes at least two plates of preferably identical thickness and material to that of the plate through which the object is imaged. The plates are tilted by appropriate angles around tilt axes that are orthogonal to the optical axis of the lens. The tilt axes themselves are rotated around the optical axis with respect to each other. The invention greatly improves the image quality when imaging through a tilted plane parallel plate. The preexisting optical system remains rotationally symmetric except for the plates inserted therein. Such plane plates are readily manufacturable at reasonable cost, and they require only noncritical alignment within the system.

Abstract: A lens (10) is disclosed for use on automotive vehicles and which forms part of lamp assemblies used on the rear, front or side surfaces thereof. The lens utilizes a combination of optical elements (25) and reflex elements (24) interspersed therewith, the density of the reflex elements (24) relative to the optic elements (25) being graduated in selected areas of the lens surface, for example from the stop or brake light area (12) of the lens through the "running light" area (14) to a fog area (16). One form of the invention has the optic elements (25) and the reflex elements (24) on a single lens surface and, in another embodiment, the optic elements (25) of the lens (10) are located on one lens surface (52) and the reflex elements (24) are located in juxtaposition outwardly thereof on a second lens surface (48) and spaced from one another so that the reflex elements (24) are axially interspersed between the optic elements (25). The method of manufacturing both forms of lenses is also disclosed.

Abstract: A single fold optical magnifier including a plurality of optical elements having an aspheric field flattening light inlet with a light outlet directed at an angle to the inlet and a reflecting surface positioned to direct light from the inlet to the outlet. The optical elements define a light path from the inlet to the outlet with a total average optical length of approximately 15 to 35 millimeters. At least one aspheric surface and one diffractive optical element are positioned in the light path to provide aberration correction, and the optical elements are constructed to angularly magnify images by at least a power of ten.

Abstract: Camera provided with a lens, a diaphragm and a photographic film or plate arranged behind the diaphragm and located on a plane which is normal to the optical axis of the lens. The lens comprises: at least two light inlets; a doublet or triplet for each light inlet, suitable for collimating the incoming light and for correcting any aberrations; and a merging system, suitable for merging the homologous light rays which leave the doublets or triplets before they reach the photographic film. The photographic film or plate is a high-resolution film.

Abstract: An aberration correcting plate for a compatible interchangeable lens which can be detachably attached to a first camera body having a large resultant thickness of filters provided in front of an image pickup device and to a second camera body having a small resultant thickness of filters provided in front of an image pickup device is mounted to a rear end of the compatible interchangeable lens when the rear end is mounted to the second camera body. The aberration correcting plate is made of a parallel-plate whose refractive index N is greater than 1.7 or a lens of negative power. The sum of the thicknesses of the aberration correcting plate and the filters provided in front of the image pickup device of the second camera body is substantially identical to or smaller than the total thickness of the filters provided in front of the image pickup device of the first camera body.

Abstract: A Dyson lens system includes a radiation source, a concave mirror, and a plano-convex lens. There is also incorporated in the system an additional lens that is spaced from the plano-convex lens a large part of the distance from the plano-convex lens to the mirror. A roof prism and a turning prism are provided to conduct radiation from the radiation source to the plano-convex lens and also from the plano-convex lens to an image plane. An image adjustor or compensator is provided between the prisms and either the image plane or an object plane--the latter being disposed between the radiation source and the prisms. An adjustment mechanism is provided to effect highly accurate adjustment of the location of the image, the adjustment mechanism including physical shifting to a slight degree of a portion of one or both prisms.

Abstract: A rear view system for a vehicle (10) includes in combination a light transmitting member (2) and a light reflective medium (16) spatially displaced from the member. The member has a first face (4) for light emergence from which in use light rays are directed towards the medium (16) and a second face (6) for light incidence, each face being disposed on a respective side of a median plane (8). The member (2) comprises a plurality of elemental prismatic sections, the prismatic angles of the elemental sections progressively changing along the length of the member whereby rays of refracted light emerging through the first face are in parallelism or substantial parallelism one with the other irrespective of the angles of incidence of the rays. The shape of the light transmitting member (2) is such as to afford a wide angular scope of view to the system thereby to enhance safety.

Abstract: A nonimaging lens consists of a solid body of light-propagating material defining a first light-refracting surface, a second light-reflecting surface and a third light-refracting surface. To redirect the generally parallel light rays of a directional light beam, the first light-refracting surface diverges the light rays of this beam, the second surface reflects the divergent light rays, and the third surface refracts these reflected light rays. To concentrate dispersed light rays into a generally directional light beam, the third surface first refracts the light rays, the second light-reflecting surface converges these refracted light rays, and the first surface refracts the convergent light rays toward the generally directional light beam. In accordance with one embodiment, the first light-refracting surface and the second light-reflecting surface are conical, open out in opposite directions, and respectively define skewed refraction and reflection axes.

Abstract: An optical axis adjusting apparatus is provided and includes a laser beam source, a beam shaping prism for shaping a laser beam of elliptical flux emitted from the laser beam source into a laser beam of circular flux, a parallel shift mechanism which shifts the light rays of the laser beam in a parallel fashion, and a rotation adjusting mechanism for rotatably adjusting a parallel plate.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an optical system which includes an image region having at least one light source which directs a beam of light along an optical axis and an object region which is adapted to receive the light from the light source. An optical delivery system is between the image region and object region. The optical delivery system receives the light from the image region and directs it to the object region. The optical delivery system is formed of a plurality of optical elements, such as lenses and volume holograms. The optical delivery system is designed to either receive a plurality of beams of light from a plurality of sources or different modes of a single light source and form a single spot of light in the image region having the combined power of all of the beams of light or modes of a single beam. The optical delivery system can also condense or expand the spacing between the beams of light from a plurality of light sources.