Abstract: An optical system comprising two lens cells, each lens cell comprising multiple lens elements, to provide imaging over a very wide image distance and within a wide range of magnification by changing the distance between the two lens cells. An embodiment also provides scannable laser spectroscopic measurements within the field-of-view of the instrument.

Abstract: An exposure apparatus is configured to expose a pattern of an original on a substrate by using light from a light source. The exposure apparatus includes an illumination optical system configured to illuminate the original by polarized light by using the light from the light source, and a correction unit configured to correct misalignment of the optical axis of the light from the light source and the optical axis of the illumination optical system. The correction unit includes a first lens and a deflecting member, the first lens can move in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens, and a deflecting direction of the light deflected by the deflecting member is variable.

Abstract: An electronic still camera includes a photographing optical system, an image pick-up device, and a transmission optical component. Light rays of an object which are passed through the photographing optical system are incident on the image pick-up device through the transmission optical component. The transmission optical component is shaped so as to shift an image point of an object image formed through the photographing optical system rearwards.

Abstract: An imaging lens is provided and includes: a stop; and a lens group disposed between the stop and an imaging plane of the imaging lens and having a positive power as a whole. The lens group has an air lens formed by an air gap between lenses adjacent to each other, and the imaging lens satisfies conditional expression (1): ?8<L×(1/Ra2?1/Ra1)<?3 ??(1) Ra1 represents a radius of curvature of an object-side surface of the air lens which has a convex shape and is closest to an image side of the imaging lens in the lens group, Ra2 represents a radius of curvature of an image-side surface of the air lens, and L represents a distance on an optical axis of the imaging tens from an object-side surface of a lens closest to an object side in the imaging lens to an imaging plane.

Abstract: An aspherical lens formed of a high-refractivity low-dispersion glass, which is useful for constituting a compact and high-function image-sensing optical unit and which is formed by precision press-molding, the optical glass having a refractive index (nd) of over 1.83 and an Abbe's number (?d) of 40 or more and comprising, by mol %, 20 to 45% of B2O3, 5 to 24% of La2O3 and 22 to 42% of ZnO but containing no Li2O, the aspherical lens having an optical thin film formed on a surface thereof.

Abstract: An imaging optical system capable of moving a meridian image plane further closer to an ideal imaging plane vertical to an optical axis with the number of lenses kept constant. At least one plane of at least one optical element and including at least one optical element is divided into at least one zonal area surrounding an optical axis and a center area including the optical axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved optical structures, related manufacturing processes and assemblies incorporating the improved optical structures. In at least one embodiment accurate light source color information is provided throughout substantially the entire associated field of view.

Abstract: An imaging lens unit comprising, in order from the object side, a first lens having a meniscus shape with its convex surface on the object side, an aperture stop and a second lens having a meniscus shape with its convex surface on the image side. A maximal value of a tangent angle within a range of a lens surface effective diameter of the surface on the object side of the first lens is 70 to 90 degrees. A maximal value of a tangent angle within a range of a lens surface effective diameter of the surface on the image side of the second lens is 70 to 90 degrees.

Abstract: The disclosure relates a projection objective of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus. In some embodiments, the apparatus is configured to project a mask which can positioned in an object plane onto a light-sensitive layer which can be positioned in an image plane. The projection objective can include a last optical element at the image plane side having a light entrance surface and a light exit surface. The projection objective can also include an immersion liquid is arranged in a region between the light exit surface and the image plane. At a working wavelength of the projection objective, the immersion liquid can have a refractive index of at least 1.5. At least one interface between the light entrance surface of the last optical element at the image plane side and the immersion liquid can have at least region-wise a microstructuring.

Abstract: A subminiature imaging optical system includes a first lens including a first lens part having a convex object-side surface, a second lens part having an object-side surface in contact with an image-side surface of the first lens part, and a third lens part having an object-side surface in contact with an image-side surface of the second lens part and a concave image-side surface, about the optical axis; and a second lens including a fourth lens part having an object-side surface with a convex center and a concave peripheral portion about the optical axis, a fifth lens part having an object-side surface in contact with an image-side surface of the fourth lens part, and a sixth lens part having an object-side surface in contact with an image-side surface of the fifth lens part, and an image-side surface with a concave center and a convex peripheral portion about the optical axis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optoceramics and refractive, transmissive or diffractive optical elements manufactured thereof, their use and an optical imaging system. These optoceramics and optical elements are transparent to visible light and/or infrared radiation. The optoceramics consist of a crystal matrix, i.e. of polycrystalline material, wherein at least 95% by weight, preferably at least 98% by weight of the single crystallites have cubic pyrochlore or fluorite structure.

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: An electronic camera module includes a lens or refractive element formed by a pair of immiscible liquids and having optical properties which can be varied by applying a voltage so as to deform the meniscus. One of the two liquids extends from the meniscus all the way to the front surface of the sensor, so that light passing through the meniscus does not encounter further changes in refractive index enroute to the sensor.

Abstract: The image forming lens comprises a stop and a single lens placed in this order from the object side, wherein if the object-side surface of the single lens having paraxial curvature radii to form biconvex surfaces is referred to as the first surface while the image-side surface is referred to as the second surface, both the first surface and the second surface of said single lens have an aspherical shape, and the focal length f, the distance d0 along the axis from the stop to the first surface of the single lens, the paraxial curvature radius R1 of the first surface and the distance L0 along the axis from the stop to the focal points satisfy the following conditional expressions: 0.18<d0/f<0.25 ??(1) 0.60<R1/f<0.85 ??(2) 1.40<L0/f<1.55.

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 lens design comprising a positive lens made of barium fluoride crystal material and a negative lens element made of glass with dispersive properties common to the family of Schott type materials enabling an object to be imaged with superior chromatic aberration correction in the spectral range extending from the visible to the near-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The achromatic lens design as described has negligible residual and higher order chromatic aberration throughout the visible, the near-infrared or simultaneously both the visible and near-infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved optical structures, related manufacturing processes and assemblies incorporating the improved optical structures. In at least one embodiment accurate light source color information is provided throughout substantially the entire associated field of view.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical system, in particular an objective or an illumination system for a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, which in particular also permits the use of crystal materials with a high refractive index while reducing the influence of intrinsic birefringence on the imaging properties. In particular the invention relates to an optical system having at least two lens groups (10-60) with lenses of intrinsically birefringent material, wherein the lens groups (10-60) respectively comprise a first subgroup with lenses in a (100)-orientation and a second subgroup with lenses in (111)-orientation, and wherein the lenses of each subgroup are arranged rotated relative to each other about their lens axes.

Abstract: An optical element including a plurality of reference members formed on a first side surface, and a method and apparatus for fixedly joining the optical element with the first side surface facing down. The method includes providing a surface including a specific position where the optical element is placed, applying an adhesive agent to a predetermined spot within the specific position in which the optical element is placed, placing the optical element therein, causing the optical element to have convex warpage, and curing the adhesive agent. The apparatus includes mechanisms configured to apply an adhesive agent to a predetermined spot within a specific position of a surface on where the optical element is placed, and to place the optical element therein, and first and second light sources configured to cause the optical element to have convex warpage, and to cure the adhesive agent, respectively.

Abstract: An exemplary composite lens includes a main body and an embedding member. The main body has a first surface and an opposite second surface. The main body has an optical axis associated therewith. The embedding member is disposed in the main body between the first surface and the second surface. A main plane of the embedding member is perpendicular to the optical axis of the main body. A refractive index of a material of the embedding member is higher than that of the main body. The composite lenses can be made thinner. A method for manufacturing the composite lens is also provided.

Abstract: A mono-bloc catadioptric imaging lens comprising a solid body and a single-focal Maksutov type construction characterized by two refractive surfaces and two reflective surfaces wherein all surfaces are surfaces of revolution and wherein at least one surface is aspheric.

Abstract: The invention encompasses beam expanders and methods of using such beam expanders. A beam expander according to the present invention may advantageously be used with an interferometer. Beam expanders according to the present disclosure contain at least an input and an output lens, with the output lens having a plano-convex arrangement such that the surface of the output lens is optically flat and can be used as the reference surface in a Fizeau interferometer. The beam expander may also encompass a housing, a partially reflective coating and an anti-reflective coating.

Abstract: In certain aspects, the disclosure relates to an imaging system, particularly an objective or an illumination device of a microlithography projection-exposure apparatus having an optical axis (OA), with at least one optical element of an optically uniaxial crystal material whose optical crystallographic axis is substantially parallel to the optical axis (OA) of the imaging system and which at a working wavelength has an ordinary refractive index no and an extraordinary refractive index ne, with the extraordinary refractive index ne being smaller than the ordinary refractive index no; wherein the optical element is arranged in the ray path pattern in such a way that, at least for rays of the working wavelength which meet the optical element at an angle that falls within an angular range from the optical axis, the p-polarized component is reflected more strongly than the s-polarized component.

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 light source includes an LED die with an emitting surface and a plurality of optical elements having input surfaces in optical contact with distinct portions of the emitting surface. The optical elements can comprise tapers or concentrators that have reflective side surface(s) and output surfaces larger than the respective input surfaces. The optical elements can couple both light and heat out of the emitting surface of the LED die.

Abstract: The optical elements are made from an opto-ceramic material that is characterized by high density, transparency for visible light and IR, high refractive index, high Abbe number and outstanding relative partial dispersion. Mixed oxides are sintered to obtain the opto-ceramic material. The mixed oxides contain zirconium oxide and hafnium oxide mixed with one or more oxides of yttrium, scandium, lanthanide elements, and optionally mixed with one or more of SiO2, Na2O, and TiO2. Alternatively the mixed oxides contain zirconium oxide and hafnium oxide mixed with CaO and/or MgO and optionally mixed with one or more of SiO2, Na2O, and TiO2. In addition, the mixed oxides can also include one or more oxides of Al, Ga, In, and Sc; optionally one or more oxides of yttrium, some lanthanide elements; and optionally one or more of SiO2, Na2O, MgO, CaO, and TiO2.

Abstract: An imaging optical system is provided and has a focusing section including a cemented lens (first and second lenses), which includes first and second fluid materials having different refractive indices from each other; and whose cemented surface shape can be electrically controlled. A refractive index Nd1 of the first fluid material, a refractive index Nd2 of the second fluid material, a minimum value RA of a radius of curvature of the cemented surface of the cemented lens, a focal length fa of the whole cemented lens, and a focal length f of the whole lens system satisfy the conditions specified in the specification.

Abstract: A lens optical system is provided with a cemented lens element formed by cementing two constituent lens elements made of different optical materials together, with a diffractive optical surface formed at the cementing interface between the two constituent lens elements. The two constituent lens elements have at their respective interfaces with air a radius of curvature different from the radius of curvature that they have at the cementing interface.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an optical system which includes a compound optical element including a lens element and a resin layer having different optical characteristics and having an aspherical interface therebetween. When Rref is a reference radius of curvature of the interface within an effective diameter, L is a distance from a diaphragm, ndg and ?dg are a refractive index and an Abbe number, respectively, of a material of the lens element at the d-line, and ndj and ?dj are a refractive index and an Abbe number, respectively, of a material of the resin layer at the d-line, the following expressions are satisfied: ?1.5<Rref/L<?0.3 one of 0.1<|ndg?ndj| and 5<|?dg??dj|.

Abstract: An image lens array, from object side, comprises: a first positive meniscus plastic lens with a convex surface facing forward, a second negative meniscus plastic lens with a concave surface facing forward, a third positive meniscus plastic lens with a convex surface facing forward, and an infrared filter disposed in the lens barrel of the image lens array, the central thickness of the first and second lenses are: CT1<1.0 mm, CT2<0.6 mm. The radius of curvature of the front and back surfaces of the first lens are L1R1 and L1R2 that satisfy the condition as: |L1R1/L1R2|<0.5. The radius of curvature of the front and back surfaces of the third lens are L3R1 and L3R2 that satisfy the condition: |L3R1/L3R2|>0.3.

Abstract: A first optical device according to the present invention comprises a base made of a first optical material and a second optical material having a refractive index different from that of the first optical material, and the base has a concavity, and the second optical material is filled in this concavity. A second optical device according to the present invention comprises a base made of a first optical material and a second optical material having a refractive index different from the first optical material, and the base comprises first and second faces facing each other, a first concavity is formed in the first face and a second concavity is formed in the second face, and the second optical material is filled in the first and second concavities.

Abstract: A lens-laminated composite optical element composed of a vitreous optical element having a plane surface to perform inherent optical functions, and a thin and filmy transparent plastic lens portion molded in a curved lens profile and laminated on the plane surface of the vitreous optical element by the use of a mold.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical system in which an adhesive layer of a cemented lens is made of a mixture in which inorganic fine particles dispersed into a transparent medium. Therefore, there is realized an optical system capable of effectively correcting chromatic aberration while having a structure in which a manufacturing cost is low and an environmental resistance is high.

Abstract: A lens-attached light-emitting element for increasing an optical availability efficiency is provided. A lens-attached light-emitting element for structuring a light-emitting element array arranged in one dimension comprises a light-emitting element having an approximately U-shaped light-emitting area; and an approximately U-shaped composite lens including a combination of two cylindrical lenses arranged in a direction of the one dimension, one cylindrical lens, and four hemispherical lenses. Where the width in a direction of the one dimension of the light-emitting area is p, the thickness of the base portion of the composite lens is in the range of 0–0.71 p, a radius of curvature of each of the cylindrical lens and hemispherical lens is in the range of 0.20 p–0.47 p, and a center-to-center distance between at least two cylindrical lenses is in the range of 0.35 p–0.89 p.

Abstract: An optical pickup device and optical disc apparatus of the present invention include an optical element that prevents the incidence of light on unnecessary portions of the optical element so that stray light and noise are eliminated. The optical element include at least one substrate having a plurality of lens substrates that have embedded lenses made of a material with a higher refractive index than the at least one substrate. A shielding means limits the optical path so that incident light propagates only within a prescribed optical path formed on a light incidence-side or emission-side surface of one of the lens substrates. In addition, the shielding means is formed from an absorptive or reflective film placed in a region outside the prescribed optical path or through machining the region outside the prescribed optical path.

Abstract: An optical lens is described. The optical lens comprises a barrel, a first lens and a second lens. The barrel has a light incident opening, and a receiving space, wherein the receiving space is successive to the light incident opening. Additionally, the first lens is disposed in the receiving space, and the first lens is partially exposed by the light incident opening, wherein the first lens has a first annular conical surface at the outer rim of the first lens. Further, the second lens is disposed in the receiving space, and embedded with the first lens. The second lens has a second annular conical surface on outer rim of the second lens, and the first annular conical surface is embedded with the second annular conical surface. Accordingly, the optical lens has better alignment accuracy and assembly performance.

Abstract: A low-cost bright image-pick up lens of a small size is provided which is short in total length, wherein the angle of field is beyond 30°; the angle of incidence onto the image pickup device is narrowed; and various aberrations are appropriately corrected. The image-pick up lens comprises, from the side of an object, an aperture stop, a biconvex positive lens, and a meniscus lens having a concave surface on the object side, and each of the lenses includes at least one aspheric surface.

Abstract: An objective lens for scanning DVD and HD-DVD optical disks, comprising a first part and a second part, wherein said first part is shaped to comprise a first surface and an opposing second surface, said second part is shaped to comprise a third surface and an opposing fourth surface, said first surface is of a convex shape providing a main part of the lens power, said third surface is shaped to fit said first surface, and wherein said fourth surface is a generally aspherical surface, said second part being formed of synthetic resin material and said first part being formed of a material having a refractive index n1 having a value between 1.65 and 2, wherein the Abbe number V1 of the first part and the Abbe number V0 of the second part comply with the following relation (Formula I).

Abstract: A first optical device according to the present invention comprises a base made of a first optical material and a second optical material having a refractive index different from that of the first optical material, and the base has a concavity, and the second optical material is filled in this concavity. A second optical device according to the present invention comprises a base made of a first optical material and a second optical material having a refractive index different from the first optical material, and the base comprises first and second faces facing each other, a first concavity is formed in the first face and a second concavity is formed in the second face, and the second optical material is filled in the first and second concavities.

Abstract: A first optical device according to the present invention comprises a base made of a first optical material and a second optical material having a refractive index different from that of the first optical material, and the base has a concavity, and the second optical material is filled in this concavity. A second optical device according to the present invention comprises a base made of a first optical material and a second optical material having a refractive index different from the first optical material, and the base comprises first and second faces facing each other, a first concavity is formed in the first face and a second concavity is formed in the second face, and the second optical material is filled in the first and second concavities.

Abstract: A first optical device according to the present invention comprises a base made of a first optical material and a second optical material having a refractive index different from that of the first optical material, and the base has a concavity, and the second optical material is filled in this concavity. A second optical device according to the present invention comprises a base made of a first optical material and a second optical material having a refractive index different from the first optical material, and the base comprises first and second faces facing each other, a first concavity is formed in the first face and a second concavity is formed in the second face, and the second optical material is filled in the first and second concavities.

Abstract: An optical component for changing angular magnification of an imaging device. The optical component comprises a chamber having a first substrate on one side and a second substrate on the opposite side for separately disposing a first liquid drop and a second liquid drop along an optical axis. The chamber is also filled with a liquid, which is different from the first and second liquid drops. The optical component also has a first electrode adjacent to the first side, a second electrode adjacent to the second side, and a third electrode layer between the first and second electrode layers for applying different electric fields on the first and second liquid drops to change the focal lengths of the first and second liquid drops, without changing the sum of the focal lengths.

Abstract: An optical element and manufacturing method of the present invention prevent the incidence of light on unnecessary portions of the optical element so that stray light and noise are eliminated. The optical element is configured from at least one substrate having a plurality of lens substrates that have embedded lenses made of a material with a higher refractive index than the at least one substrate. A shielding means limits the optical path so that incident light propagates only within a prescribed optical path formed on a light incidence-side or emission-side surface of one of the lens substrates. In addition, the shielding means is formed from an absorptive or reflective film placed in a region outside the prescribed optical path or through machining the region outside the prescribed optical path.

Abstract: Disclosed are holographic storage systems and lenses for holographic storage systems. The lens units can be of a two-component design. The lenses can be used to both record to photorefractive storage media and to read from photorefractive storage media.

Abstract: Disclosed are holographic storage systems and lenses for holographic storage systems. The lens units can be of a single-component design. The lenses can be used to both record to photorefractive storage media and to read from photorefractive storage media.

Abstract: The system and methods of the present invention are directed to an optical pickup. The optical includes at least a light source, a lens for focusing and irradiating light from the light source on a recording medium, and an optical pickup element. The optical pickup element includes a lens base plate in which a lens made of a material having a high refractive index is embedded within a transparent base plate to pass incident light. The optical element further includes an aberration correction base plate formed of a transparent parallel flat plate-like base plate to pass light and correcting a comatic aberration produced on the lens. The lens base plate and the aberration correction base plate are integrated such that the lens base plate and the aberration correction base plate are parallel to each other. Moreover, the aberration correction base plate is located on the side of a point at which incident light is focused by the lens..

Abstract: A first optical device according to the present invention comprises a base made of a first optical material and a second optical material having a refractive index different from that of the first optical material, and the base has a concavity, and the second optical material is filled in this concavity. A second optical device according to the present invention comprises a base made of a first optical material and a second optical material having a refractive index different from the first optical material, and the base comprises first and second faces facing each other, a first concavity is formed in the first face and a second concavity is formed in the second face, and the second optical material is filled in the first and second concavities.

Abstract: An insertion type lens assembly for an optical system which connects a plastic lens and a plastic lens, a plastic lens and a glass lens, or a plastic lens and a barrel. A separation mold surface is located different sides, and a spacer is located between the lenses. The concentric contact plane is located at the inner periphery of the lens core or the sleeve. The vertical contact plane is located at the inner periphery of the lens core or the machining surface of the sleeve. Such that the present invention can avoid hairs on the separation mold surface and increases the precision of the shape of the surface of insert.

Abstract: A cemented lens group including two lens elements, which are cemented to each other by an adhesive; wherein an adhesive layer formed by the adhesive between the two lens elements has elasticity, and the following condition(1) is satisfied: |&Dgr;&agr;·D/d|<0.03  (1). &Dgr;&agr; designates a difference in linear expansion coefficient between the two lens elements, D designates the diameter of each of the lens elements, and d designates a thickness of the adhesive layer.

Abstract: An optical element of the present invention comprises a fluorite substrate 1, and a lanthanum fluoride film 2 formed directly on the substrate 1. The substrate 1, on which the lanthanum fluoride film 2 is formed, has a plane which is a (111) plane or a plane inclined by an angle within ±30 degrees, preferably within 15 degrees from the (111) plane. Therefore, the lanthanum fluoride film undergoes the crystal growth subjected to the C-axis orientation on the optical substrate. Since the lanthanum fluoride film is dense and has a small surface area, it scarcely involves the oxidation and hydroxylation areas as well as the structural defect. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the optical loss of the optical element in the vacuum ultraviolet region.