Abstract: The invention generally pertains to the field of solid immersion lenses for optical applications in high resolution microscopy. The lens of the invention includes a spherical sector limited by a planar surface and an object having nanometric dimensions arranged on the planar surface at the focus of said solid immersion lens. A light-opaque layer having a central opening with nanometric dimensions can be provided on the planar surface, said opening being centred on the focus of the solid immersion lens. The nano-object can be a tube or a thread having a cylindrical shape. The lens of the invention can be made using lithography techniques.

Abstract: Provided is a drive mechanism comprising a stationary support member, a lever member having a displacement input portion for receiving a moving force from the outside and a bearing portion for abutting against the support member, so that the lever member engages with a driven member and swings on the bearing portion relative to the support member in response to the input of the moving force to the displacement input portion, thereby moving the driven member in a predetermined first axis direction, and a shape-memory alloy actuator for applying the moving force to the displacement input portion. The drive mechanism is characterized in that a displacement input member having the displacement input portion and a bearing member having the bearing portion are formed, in the lever member, of a material different from that of the lever member.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes an output optical element having a thermally conductive and optically transmissive material and a thermal conduit in thermal communication with the output optical element and having at least one surface configured to be in thermal communication with at least one heat dissipating surface of a light delivery apparatus. The optical assembly further includes a coupling portion configured to be placed in at least two states. In a first state, the coupling portion is attached to the apparatus such that the at least one surface of the thermal conduit is in thermal communication with the at least one heat dissipating surface. In a second state, the coupling portion is detached from the apparatus after having been attached to the apparatus in the first state and in which the coupling portion is configured to prevent re-attachment of the coupling portion to the apparatus.

Abstract: A driving apparatus of the present invention comprises: a lead screw which rotationally drives; and a follower section to hold a driven member L and to rectilinearly move based on rotation of the lead screw. The follower section comprises a first tooth and a second tooth that faced a side portion of the lead screw and are opposite to each other and a third tooth provided in a position different from those of the first tooth and the second tooth. When the follower section rectilinearly moves based on the rotation of the lead screw, power is transferred with the lead screw and the first tooth being engaged with each other, and the lead screw is in a non-contact state with the second tooth and the third tooth.

Abstract: A lens arrangement includes two lenses. Each lens includes an imaging portion having an optical axis, a non-imaging portion surrounding the imaging portion, and an annular engagement portion extending outwards from the non-imaging portion along the optical axis. The engagement portions are interferentially engaged with each other. The diameter difference of the engagement portion is greatly smaller than the dimension of the lens to ensure that the engagement portions efficiently and sufficiently deforms while the deformation of the engagement portion is not transmitted to the imaging portion.

Abstract: A monitoring lens device includes a focus ring that is provided in an outer circumferential portion of a fixed cylinder and a zoom ring that is provided in an outer circumferential portion of the focus ring. A screw hole that is engaged with a shaft portion of a lock knob is formed in the focus ring, and an opening portion (long groove) through which the lock knob passes is formed in the zoom ring. A spacer is attached to the lock knob and a convex portion of the spacer is fitted into the opening portion.

Abstract: Optical assemblies for use in medical or other devices so as to image an object under examination onto an image sensor include a plurality of lens elements that can be retained in lens barrel. The lens elements and the lens barrel can be sealed with a compressible gasket. In one example, at least one lens element is made of an injection-moldable plastic and at least one lens element is made of a relatively dispersive optical glass. A lens barrel diameter or lens diameter can be selected to permit access to the object under examination with surgical or other tools. Aperture plates can be situated so as to reduce flare in the object image.

Abstract: A lens arrangement includes two lenses. Each lens includes an optical portion having an optical axis, a non-optical portion surrounding the optical portion, and an engagement portion extending along the optical axis from the non-optical portion. One of the engagement portions includes an outer wall and an inner wall parallel to the outer wall with an annular groove defined therebetween, while the other engagement portion defines a corresponding annular space for receiving the outer wall and the inner wall therein, therefore the engagement portions are interferentially engaged with each other.

Abstract: A lens shifter includes a fixed base and a movable base, which is movable relative to the fixed member and receives a projection lens. A drive mechanism applies driving force to the movable base. The drive mechanism includes a driver that generates force. A gear train transmits the force generated by the driver. A rack converts the force transmitted from the gear train into driving force for the movable base. The rack includes a tooth face extending along a tooth trace direction. A contact surface is formed only on part of the tooth face and receives the force from the gear train.

Abstract: A plurality of lens elements and spacer rings 30-38 for constituting a part of an optical system are inserted into a lens-barrel-like jig 40 in predetermined order. A reception portion 43 for receiving the lens element 38 which will be first inserted is formed in the jig 40. When inserted into the jig 40, the lens elements 30-38 are brought into abutment against one another in one way of the optical axis so that spaces among the lens elements 30, 32-34, 36 and 38 are positioned. After that, adhesive is applied to at least three circumferential places of the outer circumference of each abutment portion where the lens elements and spacer rings 30-38 abut against each other, through opening portions 41 provided in the outer circumference of the jig 40. Thus, the plurality of lens elements and spacer rings 30-38 are formed into an integrated structure.

Abstract: A camera module 1 includes: an optical structure 3 that forms a subject image and moves up and down along an optical path; a solid-state image pickup element 21 that converts, into an electrical signal, a subject image formed by the optical structure 3; a lens holder 4, holding the optical structure 3 therein, which contains the solid-state image pickup element 21, the optical structure 3 having a cushioning member 34 so provided on a back surface thereof as to absorb the impact of contact between the optical structure 3 and the holding section 4. The cushioning member 34 has a removing section for, when in contact with a contact surface 4a of the holding section 4, removing dust D on the contact surface 4a outward from the contact surface 4a. This makes it possible to provide a small camera module 1 while preventing (reducing) dust from causing an image defect.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a lens barrel. The lens barrel includes a fixture cylinder fixed onto an image pickup apparatus body, and provided with a plurality of cam grooves, and a movement cylinder provided with a plurality of cam followers, and configured to move in an optical axis direction as the cam follower rotates around an optical axis. One cam groove includes a non-engagement area that is not engaged with the cam follower. When the cam follower is located in the non-engagement area, a supporting member of a fixture cylinder supports in a radial direction a supported member that is provided to a part of the movement cylinder on an image plane side, and a part of the movement cylinder closer to the object side than the supported member is supported by the fixture cylinder in the radius direction via an elastic member.

Abstract: An optical element and a manufacturing method thereof are described. An optical material is pressed in a holder through a mold, so as to form an optical element with an optical lens embedded in the holder. A groove in the holder has a guiding face, and the guiding face is obliquely disposed in a direction towards a mirror with a relatively smaller radius of curvature of the optical lens, so as to guide the optical material to truly enter the groove, thereby enhancing gas tightness and precision between the optical lens and the holder.

Abstract: A lens module includes a lens barrel, a lens holder, and an extension member. The lens barrel is received in the lens holder. The lens holder includes at least one first guiding portion. The extension member defines a receiving through hole and includes at least one second guiding portion corresponding to the at least one first guiding portion. The lens holder is fixedly received in the receiving through hole by engagement between the at least one first guiding portion and the at least one second guiding portion.

Abstract: To an inventive shopping trolley 11 is attached a device 1 for facilitating the reading of printouts, labels etc. This has a magnifier 2, a weight 3, and a steel cable 4 which connects the magnifier 2 to the weight 3. Moreover, the device 1 has a receiving element 5, which in this case is formed as a metal tube. The upper area of the metal tube 5 has an opening 6 through which the steel cable 4 is guided. The weight 3 is always inside the metal tube 5. The gravitational force G of the weight 3 causes the magnifier 2 to be drawn via the steel cable 4 to the opening 6 and practically onto the metal tube 5. The steel cable 4 can be pulled out from the opening 6 against the restoring force G.

Abstract: A lens displacement device includes a flexible piece, a fixed element and a mobile element. The flexible piece has a support, a flexible part and an oscillation absorber. The flexible part connects to the support and at least one gap exists between the flexible part and the support. The oscillation absorber is installed in the gap between the flexible part and the support. Moreover, the fixed element couples to the support of the flexible piece, and the mobile element couples to the flexible part of the flexible piece. Furthermore, the flexible part of the flexible piece is deformed in shape for providing a restoration force with the mobile element. A manufacturing process of the flexible piece is also disclosed.

Abstract: A lens module and a method for fabricating the same are disclosed. The module comprises a substrate and a lens structure. The substrate comprises a through-hole therein. The lens structure is embedded in the through-hole.

Abstract: A lenses assembly includes a first lens, a second lens, and adhesive material. The first lens includes two axially extending protrusions. The second lens includes two radially extending protrusions. The second lens engages with the first lens by engagement between the axially extending protrusions and radially extending protrusions. The axially extending protrusions and radially extending protrusions are alternately arranged around a circumferential direction of the first lens. The adhesive material is filled into gaps between the engaged protrusions to fixedly interconnect the first lens and the second lens.

Abstract: A high SAG optical lens and method for fast molding the same is disclosed, in which an optical lens is a single optical lens or an optical lens array formed by placing optical material between an upper mold and a lower mold for molding by heating and pressing processes; a formed rim is molded at the joint of the optical surface and the lens flange simultaneously. Therefore, it is convenient to fabricate the optical lens with high SAG and can eliminate the ghost phenomena effect occurring at the edge of the optical surface and the lens flange. Furthermore, since the feature of squeezing the melted optical material by the formed rim during the molding process, fast molding process can be successfully achieved.

Abstract: An optical element mount has an inner member suspended within an outer member by a plurality of flexures. A first and a second translational adjustment apparatus are disposed to translate the inner member within a translation plane that is orthogonal to an optical axis, wherein each translational adjustment apparatus has an actuator movable within the outer member along a linear travel path that is parallel to the translation plane and a shaft extending between the outer and inner members, the shaft coupled to the actuator with a first ball-and-socket joint and coupled to the inner member with a second ball-and-socket joint. The linear travel path of the actuator for the first translational adjustment apparatus is substantially orthogonal to the linear travel path of the actuator for the second translational adjustment apparatus.

Abstract: A holding device (1) holds a lens (6) at its lens edge (5) with the aid of an adhesive connection (16, 17). The adhesive connection (16, 17) is applied only at one adhesive point or only at two spaced apart adhesive points (16, 17). A transport arrangement handles lenses (6) during hard coating in a dip trough. The transport arrangement includes a dip frame with receptacles for holding devices for lenses (6). Each holding device (1) provided with a lens (6) is positioned on the dip frame in such a manner that the lens (6) is positioned above its holding device (1). A method is provided for finishing lenses (6) wherein the lenses (6) are subjected to various sequential finishing steps of a finishing process and the lenses (6) are cemented to the same holding device during finishing. The application of adhesive is only at one adhesive point or at two spaced apart adhesive points (16, 17).

Abstract: A simple and inexpensive magnifying apparatus is removably attachable to most any type of electronic device (30) having a display screen (32) containing information to be viewed by a user of the electronic device. The apparatus has an element that connects (42) a magnifying element (90) to an element that removably attaches (44, 96, 108) to the electronic device, where the device permits the magnifying element to be moved into and out of position over the display screen, and further permits adjustment of the height or distance between the magnifying lens and the display screen while maintaining a parallel relationship between these two.

Abstract: The present invention provides a manufacturing method for a wafer lens module including the steps of providing a plastic material with high thermal resistance, wherein the high temperature plastic material can be used at a reflow temperature above 250?; and forming the high temperature plastic material into a wafer lens module integrally. The method can form an integrated wafer lens module and simplify the manufacturing procedures. Furthermore, a wafer lens unit formed by stacking another wafer lens module on the wafer lens module manufactured by the method can have improved optical image quality.

Abstract: A supporting device that supports an optical element in a gravitational force direction, the supporting device comprises: a supporting member to be connected via an adhesive to an outer circumference of the optical element, the supporting member including a plurality of members each of which has a projection for supporting the optical element. Each of the plurality of members is arranged to have a rigidity lower than that of the adhesive in a direction orthogonal to the gravitational force direction.

Abstract: Embodiments show a support structure for a plurality of lenses having a support plate; and a plurality of adjacent hexagonal portions on the support plate, wherein a central opening penetrating the support plate is provided in each of the hexagonal portions, and wherein the support plate respectively comprises, at the vertices of the adjacent hexagonal portions, recesses for receiving a securing pin of a lens.

Abstract: A method of fixing an optical member for fixing the optical member to a supporting member, wherein an intermediate member that is fused upon irradiation light is disposed between the optical member and the supporting member. By irradiating the light that is transmitted through the optical member onto the intermediate member, the intermediate member is fused, and the optical member is fixed to the supporting member.

Abstract: A plastic optical element for use in an optical scanning device including light effective portions that focus light, and at least one link portion that connects the light effective portions in the sub-scanning direction, the link portion forming a border arc having a curvature radius R of 2 mm or greater and contacting the light effective portions such that the tangent of the light effective portion at the connection point of the light effective portion and the border arc matches the tangent of the border arc at the connection point.

Abstract: Provided is an optical scanning device that can consistently obtain a light beam having a desired beam spot diameter without allowing an aperture to block parallel ray to be admitted, and that can be manufactured at lower cost. The optical scanning device has a light source that emits laser light, a collimator lens that converts the laser light emitted from the light source into parallel ray, and a lens holder that holds the collimator lens and has an aperture portion for fairing the laser light, the aperture portion being formed integrally with the lens holder. The optical scanning device also may have a collimator lens having a lens surface with which an aperture portion for fairing the laser light is brought into close contact.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a lens barrel. The lens barrel is configured to move first and second optical units in an optical axis direction for zooming. The lens barrel includes a linear movement cylinder that includes a key configured to guide the first optical unit, a rotation cylinder that includes an outer circumferential cam and an inner circumferential cam, the rotation cylinder being configured to rotate around an optical axis so as to move the first optical unit in the optical axis direction through the outer circumferential cam and so as to move the second optical unit in the optical axis direction through the inner circumferential cam, and a guide bar held by the linear movement cylinder and configured to guide the second optical unit in the optical axis direction.

Abstract: A laser beam is generated and transmitted within an enclosed pathway through at least one crystal optic at a power density that progressively degrades transmissivity of the crystal optic with accumulating fluence. The crystal optics are cooled below normal operating temperatures to slow the progressive degradation in the transmissivity of the crystal optics with the accumulating fluence or to accommodate a higher power density without correspondingly increasing the progressive degradation in transmissivity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical mount, in particular a lens mount, which is divided by a plurality of cuts in the mount material into a stationary outer mounting ring, a laterally adjustable inner mounting ring and three bent lever manipulator units which are offset by 120° relative to one another and which comprise a bent lever having a first element, one end of which is connected by way of a bent lever flexure hinge to one end of a second element, the other end of the first element being connected to the inner mounting ring, the other end of the second element being connected to the outer mounting ring, and with the first and second elements enclosing a bent angle smaller than 180°. By manipulating the three bent lever manipulator units, any center position of the inner mounting ring can be adjusted relative to the center of the outer mounting ring within an intended displacement range.

Abstract: An improved lens mounting systems for use in lens relay systems in disclosed. The lens mounting system includes at least one lens and a tubular lens mount. The tubular lens mount is portion of a cylinder with a cross section slightly larger than a semicircle. The edges of the tubular lens mount may be beveled. The inner diameter of the tubular lens mount may be equal to, or slightly smaller than, the outer diameter of the lens. In addition, the tubular lens mount may be in three point contact with the mounted lens.

Abstract: A lens tube has two, first and second lenses (1, 2), a tubular lens frame (3) for holding the two lenses (1, 2), and three spacers (7) in contact with the opposite lens surfaces of the first and second lenses (1, 2). The spacers (7) are arranged so as to be in contact with curved surfaces of the first and second lenses (1, 2) and determine the distance between the first and second lenses (1, 2). The lens frame (3) has the same inner diameter between the first and second lenses (1, 2), and the spacers (7) are in contact with the inner wall of the lens frame (3). Since the lens frame (3) has the same inner diameter between the first and second lenses (1, 2), the first and second lenses (1, 2) are held with their centers perfectly aligned with each other.

Abstract: A lens-adjusting module includes a base, a lens device, a second tray, and an adjusting device. The lens device includes a first tray and a lens being fixed to and contacting the first tray. The first and the second trays are movably disposed on and contact the base. The first tray is movably disposed on the second tray and located between the second tray and the base. The adjusting device includes a first lever and a second lever pivoted to the base. A part of the first lever and a part of the second lever are slidingly disposed on the first tray. The first lever rotates to drive the first and the second trays to move relatively to the base along a first axis. The second lever rotates to drive the first tray to move relatively to the second tray and the base along a second axis.

Abstract: An optical module for an electro-optical device with a functional element, in particular for a camera device, and to an electro-optical device with such a module. The optical module includes a lens substrate portion with at least one lens element, and a spacer. The spacer serves to keep the lens substrate at a well defined axial distance from a base substrate portion of the fully assembled electro-optical device. In order to ensure improved performance of the functional element, an EMC shield is provided. The spacer is at least in parts electrically conductive and thus forms the EMC shield or a part thereof. A method of manufacturing a plurality of such modules on a wafer scale is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lens comprising several optical elements that are disposed in a lens housing. At least one sensor array encompassing at least one capacitive sensor unit and/or at least one inductive sensor unit is provided for determining the relative position between a first optical element and a second optical element or between a load-bearing structural element of the lens and a second optical element.

Abstract: A projection lens unit includes a magnifying optical system is provided. A second magnifying lens barrel has a shape of double circular cylinders, and a first magnifying lens barrel is fitted to an outer circular cylinder. Further, a second magnifying lens is in contact with and fixed to a step portion of inner circular cylinder. In a manufacturing step thereof, the second magnifying lens is inserted into the inner circular cylinder of the second magnifying lens barrel to be into contact with the step portion. A front end portion of the inner circular cylinder is plastically deformed by being heated and pressed to fix the second magnifying lens. An outer peripheral edge of the front end portion has a curved surface. The curved surface of the front end portion is made to be smaller in radius of curvature than the second magnifying lens.

Abstract: A liquid lens is mounted in a lens opening provided in a photographic instrument by making use of a mounting member made of a material which transmits light of predetermined wavelength and includes an inner wall shaped and dimensioned to receive the periphery of the lens in spaced, opposed relationship. The mounting member includes a portion mounted or to be mounted to the optical instrument. A bonding material is provided between the lens periphery and the mounting member wall, and the bonding material is activated by exposure to light of the predetermined wavelength, which is injected from outside, through the mounting member. Preferably, the light is injected with a guide member having an opening with an interior wall shaped and dimensioned to conform to an exterior wall of the guide member. The light may be injected from an edge of the guide member remote from the opening, through the guide member, and into the mounting member.

Abstract: In the subject three-axis pointing system, the elevation and tip mirror axes are permanently mounted with their rotation axes orthogonal to each other to eliminate gimbal lock over the hemisphere, to avoid high accelerations as the zenith or nadir pointing directions are approached, and to provide optimal two-axis beam pointing control.

Abstract: A lens module includes: an optical element focusing a subject on an imaging device; a driver moving the optical element forward and backward along the optical axis direction when electric power is applied; and a holding section holding the optical element in at least two positions along the optical axis direction when the driver moves the optical element forward and backward.

Abstract: Flexible arms with structural features revealed by embodiments (22), (26), (30), (34), (38), (50), and (52). Flexible arms have cross sections perpendicular to the longitudinal axis that are elongated in the vertical direction, cross sections being longer in size vertically than horizontally. The above flexible arms are referred generically as novel arms (38). Structures of novel arms (38) derive from the detailed analysis of forces and torques exerted on loaded arms at work. To provide full adjustments of the arms in three dimensions, novel arms (38) are joined linearly with circular arms (46) into combined arms (54) as shown in several exemplifying applications. Other specific applications may employ arms (38) alone. Novel arms (38) and (54) have increased weight-bearing and reduced footprints compared to the prior art.

Abstract: A laser processing system in which a laser beam propagates along a beam axis and through a lens for incidence on a work surface of a target specimen mounted on a support. The lens forms a focal region of the laser beam. The support is operatively connected to a multiple-axis positioning system that moves the laser beam and the target specimen relative to each other to position the laser beam at selected locations on the work surface. An assembly includes at least one flexure that supports the lens and guides movement of the lens along the beam axis in response to a motive force to adjust the focal region of the laser beam relative to the work surface.

Abstract: A lens drive device has (i) an objective lens and (ii) a lens holder, to a side face of which coils for drive control are attached. The surface where the coils are adhered, or the side surface, is an irregular surface where a recess/projection section for restricting the direction of flow of an adhesive is formed. The coils and the lens holder are integrally formed together by the adhesive with the recess/projection section in between.

Abstract: Disclosed are an optical element assembly comprising a base member in which occurrence of cracks in the base member upon cutting can be prevented and a method of manufacturing an optical unit. The optical element assembly comprises a base member and a plurality of lens members, wherein at least the base member of the optical element assembly is composed of an acryl resin having an alicyclic structure which is a polymer of a monomer represented by the following formula (1) in which linkage groups R2 and R3 lie between an atomic group A and R1OCO and between an atomic group A and OCOCR2, respectively.

Abstract: An exemplary lens module includes a barrel and a first lens. The barrel includes a cylindrical sidewall. The sidewall defines an accommodating space therein and has an opening defined therein. The opening communicates with the accommodating space. The first lens is received in the accommodating space of the barrel. The first lens has a first adjusting notch defined at a periphery thereof. The first adjusting notch is exposed at the opening of the barrel.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a lens module is provided. The lens module comprises a lens barrel and at least one optical element received therein. The apparatus includes an element-grasping member, an assembly station and two guiding members. The element-grasping member is configured for grasping the at least one optical element and mounting the at least one optical element into the lens barrel. The assembly station has a support surface. Each of the two guiding members includes a stationary element fixedly positioned on the support surface, a movable element and an elastic element. The movable element includes a positioning surface and a clamping surface. The positioning surface is configured for pressing the element-grasping member. The clamping surface is configured for pressing the lens barrel. The elastic element is positioned between the stationary element and the movable element.

Abstract: The camera module comprises: an insulating substrate 13 having an imaging device 18 on a front face thereof and a plurality of solder balls 21 on a rear face thereof; a cylindrical lens holder 14 securely fixed on the substrate 13, composed of an upper large-diameter portion 14-1 and a lower small-diameter portion 14-2 and having a lens 15 therein; a cylindrical shield 12 fitted onto the small-diameter portion 14-2 of the lens holder and composed of a cylindrical side portion 12-2 fixed on the large-diameter portion 14-1 of the lens holder and a plate-shaped bottom portion 12-1 in contact with the rear face of the insulating substrate 13 and having an opening 12-1a for conduction; and a mounting board 11 connected with the insulating substrate 13 by the plurality of solder balls 21 formed on the rear face of the insulating substrate 13.

Abstract: A lens unit LU in which a lens portion L is formed at least on either a light-receiving surface or a light-emitting surface of a lens holding plate P, wherein a difference in coefficients of linear expansion of the lens holding plate P and the lens portion L is used to suppress mis-focusing by causing changes in a paraxial image point position of the entire lens system due to changes in the surface shape of the lens portion L which accompany temperature changes, and changes in the paraxial image point position of the entire lens system due to changes in the refraction index to cancel each other out. Furthermore, deterioration of performance of the entire lens system caused by rising temperature is suppressed by satisfying a predetermined conditional expression.

Abstract: A technique capable of satisfying both higher functionality and higher accuracy in a compact imaging device is sought to be provided. In order to accomplish the above object, an imaging device is formed by lamination of a plurality of layers including: an imaging element layer that has an imaging element part; a lens layer that has a lens part whose distance from the imaging element part is changeable, and is disposed between a subject and the imaging element part; and an actuator layer that has an actuator part to move the lens part, and is disposed between the subject and the imaging element part.

Abstract: An optical element having an optical surface and at least three convex portions on a surface different from the optical surface, wherein, among the at least three convex portions, two convex portions a space between whose centers is a maximum and one convex portion a length of a perpendicular from whose center to a straight line connecting centers of the two convex portions is a maximum satisfy a relationship of tan?1 (h/p)?a first specification value, wherein h is a greater one of heights of the optical element at centers of the two convex portions with reference to a tangential plane of the optical element at a position of a foot of the perpendicular, and p is a length of the perpendicular.