Abstract: An exemplary apparatus for coupling a first lens to a second lens includes a base, a first plate, a second plate, a recess, and an elastic member. The base has a top surface. The first plate protrudes from the top surface. The second plate is opposite to the first plate and protrudes from the top surface. The recess is defined in the top surface and positioned between the first plate and the second plate. The recess is configured for receiving the second lens. The elastic member is positioned on the top surface. A first end of the elastic member is connected with the first plate. The elastic member is configured for exerting a force on the first lens such that the first lens can be cooperatively clamped between a second end of the elastic member and the second plate.

Abstract: To provide an inexpensive image pickup lens ensuring mass productivity and preventing deterioration of images due to fluctuation of a paraxial image-point position caused by water absorption, image pickup device, digital apparatus, and a manufacturing method of the image pickup lens, the image pickup lens includes: at least one lens block including a lens substrate, and a lens portion or lens portions formed on at least one of an object-side surface or an image-side surface of the lens substrate. The lens portion is formed of an energy-curable resin material which is different from a material of the lens substrate. At least one lens portion has a dimension change rate caused by water absorption which is larger than a dimension change rate caused by water absorption of the lens substrate, and satisfies the predetermined expression about a change in refractive index the energy-curable resin material caused by water absorption.

Abstract: A device or the operation of a device for the holding, especially sealing support of an optical element, especially an optical lens with at least one holding element for mounting the optical element and preferably at least one sealing element for sealing contact at at least a part of the optical element and/or the holding element, wherein the sealing element or at least a part thereof is displaceable between a first position, in which the sealing element rests against the optical element and a second position, in which the sealing element is spaced apart from the optical element, or wherein the sealing element is switchable such that it rests against the optical element under different contact pressure or adjustable contact force. The holding element can either take on the holding function alone and independently of the sealing element or work together with the sealing element in this regard.

Abstract: A lens module includes a first lens, a second lens, a spacer, a seating part, and a protrusion part. The first lens includes a lens surface and a rib. The second lens is laminated on the first lens. The spacer maintains a predetermined interval between the first lens and the second lens. The seating part is disposed between the lens surface of the first lens and the rib and allows the spacer to be seated on the upper part of the first lens. The protrusion part includes a plurality of protrusions protruded from an undersurface of the spacer, which allow a height of the spacer seated on the seating part to change when the spacer is decentered.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a support ring movable in an optical axis direction; a displaceable optical element supported by the support ring movable between a photographing position and a radially-displaced position in which the displaceable optical element is eccentrically displaced from the optical axis; and an advancing/retracting optical element supported by the support ring. When the lens barrel is in a ready-to-photograph state, the displaceable optical element is held at the photographing position, and the displaceable optical element and the advancing/retracting optical element are aligned in the optical axis direction. When the lens barrel moves from the ready-to-photograph state to an accommodated state, the displaceable optical element is held at the radially-displaced position, and the displaceable optical element and the advancing/retracting optical element are relatively moved so as to at least partially coincide with each other in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis.

Abstract: The image display apparatus includes first and second display elements respectively displaying first and second original images, and an optical system presenting an enlarged combined image of the first and second original images with first and second light fluxes from the first and second display elements. The optical system includes at least one reflective surface. When a cross-section of the optical system on which optical paths of the first and second light fluxes are turned by reflections at the reflective surface is defined as a decentering cross-section, the first and second original images correspond to different view angles in the decentering cross-section. Light flux components respectively included in the first and second light fluxes and introduced to a same image point in the enlarged combined image are overlapped with each other on an exit pupil plane.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a barrel main body, a first lens movement frame, a magnetic scale, and a magnetic sensor. The first lens movement frame is arranged movably in the optical axis direction of the optical system with respect to the barrel main body. The magnetic scale is provided to the first lens movement frame. The magnetic sensor is arranged on the outside of the barrel main body, and detects the position of the first lens movement frame with respect to the barrel main body by detecting the position of the magnetic scale with respect to the barrel main body.

Abstract: An apparatus for moving a spherical mirror in which at least three actuators move the spherical mirror, at least five position sensors sense the position of the spherical mirror, and a controller calculates coordinates of a center of curvature of the spherical mirror with three-degrees-of-freedom, based on positions sensed by the at least five position sensors. The controller controls driving of the at least three actuators in accordance with a difference between the calculated coordinates and predetermined coordinates, so that the center of curvature of the spherical mirror is held fixed to the predetermined coordinates.

Abstract: The present invention belongs to a technical field related to a composite optical element including a first optical component and a second optical component coupled to the first optical component. In a composite optical element 1 including a first optical component 10 and a second optical component 20 coupled to the first optical component 10, shape accuracy of the second optical component 20 is improved to prevent reduction in optical performance. A ring member (106) is placed on a peripheral portion of a lens surface (10b) of the first optical component (10), the ring member (106) having a height h1 from the lens surface (10b) substantially uniform in a circumferential direction of the first optical component (10).

Abstract: An optical element module comprising a plurality of module components is provided. The module components comprise an optical element, an optical element holder and a contact element. The optical element has a first coefficient of thermal expansion. The optical element holder holds the optical element via the first contact element and has a second coefficient of thermal expansion, the second coefficient of thermal expansion being different from the first coefficient of thermal expansion. At least one of the module components is adapted to provide at least a reduction of forces introduced into the optical element upon a thermally induced position change in the relative position between the optical element and the optical element holder, the position change resulting from a temperature situation variation in a temperature situation of the plurality of module components.

Abstract: An exemplary lens module includes a lens barrel having a cavity defined therein and a groove defined in an inner sidewall thereof, and a deformable light blocking plate engaged in the groove of the lens barrel. The groove surrounds a central axis of the lens barrel. The deformable light blocking plate defines a central through hole therein for light passing therethrough.

Abstract: Provided are a lens unit, a lens assembly, a camera module, a method of fabricating the camera module and the lens assembly, a method of fabricating an optic member, and an apparatus of fabricating the optic member. The lens unit comprises a lens portion and a supporting portion. The lens portion has a curved surface. The supporting portion extends from the lens portion. The supporting portion comprises a protrusion or a recess. The method of fabricating the optic member comprises injecting a resin composition inside a mold die, pressing the resin composition; and irradiating light onto the resin composition. Due to the pressure, shrinkage of a photo-curable resin composition can be reduced, and thus, the lens unit comprising the protrusion or recess can be easily fabricated.

Abstract: A solid immersion lens optics assembly, a test station for probing and testing of integrated circuits on a semiconductor wafer, and a method of landing a SIL on an object. The optics assembly comprises an objective lens housing for receiving an objective lens, and a solid immersion lens (SIL) housing for mounting an SIL and adapted for connection to the objective lens housing; wherein a peripheral wall of the SIL housing comprises an integrated spring section adapted to provide a biased support for the SIL.

Abstract: An optical control system including a mount for an optical component is disclosed that provides the flexibility of independently adjusting the position and orientation of the optical component along and about one or more axes. In an exemplary embodiment, the mount includes a support element for supporting the optical component; one or more rotational adjustment elements for rotating said support element independently about one or more axes, respectively; and one or more linear adjustment elements for moving said support element independently along one or more axes. The adjustment elements may be manually adjustable and/or may be adjustable by an actuator. In the latter case, the actuator may be electronically controlled by a controller. The optical component may be a reflective, transmissive, or reflective/transmissive optical device, such as diffraction gratings, mirrors, beam splitters, and others.

Abstract: It is to provide an optical element, an optical element molding die, and an optical element manufacturing method, which can easily but surely suppress generation of transcription failure of a resin material and also enables to manufacture an optical element with an excellent optical performance at a low cost while improving the yield. In an optical element formed with a resin material, a gate part is formed on a side face of an optical element main body, and a ratio of the thickness of the gate part with respect to the thickness of an optical function part of the optical element main body is set as 50% or more.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical part holding member made of ceramic and a production method thereof, and provides an optical part holding member made of ceramic such that a sintered body after processes of degreasing and sintering has small dimensional changes over dimensions of a mold, and a production method thereof. An example includes a lens holder to hold an optical part, made of a silicon nitride ceramic base composite material produced through a process in which silicon and nitrogen are reacted to be nitrided and contains silicon carbide and an iron compound.

Abstract: A lens has a flange part at the outer periphery of its surface. A flange surface of the flange part is higher than the lens surface. The flange surface has a marking to identify a production jig, for example.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical part holding member made of ceramic and a production method thereof, and provides an effective permeability to prevent dew condensation. The optical part holding member is made of a silicon nitride ceramic base composite material to hold an optical part, which is produced through a process of nitriding in which silicon is caused to react with nitrogen. By using the silicon nitride ceramic base composite material containing silicon carbide and an iron compound, an airflow volume of 50 ml or more per minute is achieved in an effective airflow area of 1.5 cm2 when an air pressure is added with a pressure difference of 0.4 MPa between both surfaces of a sample of the silicon nitride ceramic base composite material having 1 mm thickness, and the optical part holding member having effective permeability to prevent dew condensation is obtained.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a lens barrel assembly includes forming a lens barrel by deep drawing into a cylindrical shape, forming a lens-retaining portion that retains a lens at one of two open sides of the lens barrel, and forming a component-receiving portion that receives an electric component at the other open side of the lens barrel. The lens-retaining portion has an outer diameter that is smaller than an outer diameter of the component-receiving portion and a wall thickness that is larger than a wall thickness of the component-receiving portion.

Abstract: Provided are a wafer-level lens module and an image pickup module including the same. The wafer lens module includes a plurality wafer-scale lenses. At least one of the plurality of wafer-scale lenses, such as a wafer-scale lens positioned toward an object side, includes a substrate and a glass lens element formed on one side of the substrate. The glass lens element may be a one-sided lens or a double-sided lens. When the glass lens is a double-sided lens, the substrate may have a through hole. The remaining wafer-scale lenses each include a substrate and polymer lens elements made of UV curable polymer and formed on both sides of the substrate. Also, spacers are interposed between the wafer-scale lenses, along the edge portions of the substrates, so as to maintain predetermined intervals between the wafer-scale lenses.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a microlens that serves to prevent damage thereto in the fabrication process is provided. First, a lens body of which the maximum height housed within a recess is lower than the height of the side wall of the recess is formed in the lens formation region by performing patterning that transfers the shape of a first resist pattern to a substrate by using the first resist pattern as an etching mask. Thereafter, a partial region of the substrate which is outside the lens formation region is removed to form an outline by using a second resist pattern as a mask.

Abstract: A second lens (15) of a concave meniscus type is formed from a plastic nanocomposite material. An approximately annular flange (15b) is formed along an outer periphery of a lens body portion (15a). The lens body portion (15a) and the flange (15b) are formed to satisfy 1<(Lt/Ft)<5 and (CA/4)?b. “CA” is a diameter of the lens body portion (15a). “Ft” is a thickness at a center of the lens body portion (15a). “Lt” is a thickness of the flange (15b) in an optical axis direction. “R” is an outer diameter of the flange (15b). “b” is one-half of a difference between the outer diameter R and the diameter CA. Increasing the thickness of the flange (15b) increases mechanical strength of the second lens (15), thus preventing the second lens (15) from being damaged easily.

Abstract: An optical element positioning apparatus capable of moving an optical element from a storage state to a use state and improving the accuracy of positioning the optical element to a use position on an optical path. A holding member that holds the optical element is guided by guide shafts to be movable between the storage state and the use state. The holding member is provided with guide-supporting and receiving portions through which the guide shafts are slidably inserted. The guide shafts are supported by holding portions. A degree of freedom in positioning the holding member at the use position is provided. Holding-member positioning parts of the guide-supporting and receiving portions are pressed by an urging device against ends of the holding portions, whereby the holding member is positioned and held at the use position.

Abstract: A protective shell for an electronic device is adapted to accommodate the electronic device. The electronic device includes a camera lens. The protective shell includes a shell body and a lens device. The shell body is adapted to accommodate the electronic device. The lens device is mounted on the shell body, and includes a plurality of lenses. The lens device is operable to move relative to the shell body such that a selected one of the lenses correspondingly overlaps one side of the camera lens of the electronic device to permit switching among different modes of use, thereby enabling the camera lens to have different functions, such as close-up, filtering, wide-angle, and polarizing functions.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy actuation apparatus comprises a movable element supported on a support structure by a suspension system comprising a plurality of resilient flexures. A shape memory alloy actuator drives movement of the movable element on contraction. An end-stop limits the movement of the movable element in the opposite direction. Rather than using the resilient flexures of the suspension system as the sole biassing means, an additional Massing element biasses the movable element against the SMA actuator. When the moveable element is held against the end-stop, the force applied by the biassing element is greater than the force applied by the flexures of the suspension system. This reduces the design constraints, for example allowing a greater range of movement.

Abstract: To connect N lenses to construct a lens unit for an imaging-device in series, (n?1)-th (where 2?n (integer)?N) lens having an outer periphery rim region which extends with a certain thickness from an outer periphery edge end portion of the lens region directing to the side of the adjacent nth lens and the outer periphery rim region which has a circular-arc tapered surface inclined with respect to an optical axis on a outer part of the lens region, and the nth lens having a bulgy-protrusion-shaped portion with head-top portion milled to be round along an outer part of the lens region on a surface of an outer periphery rim region opposed to the (n?1)-th lens are arranged, and lens position adjustment is made by putting the bulgy protrusion-shaped portion to the circular-arc tapered surface to perform point contact.

Abstract: It is provided that a lens positioning jig, a method of attaching lens barrel, and a lens device. A lens holding portion is inserted through a barrel insertion hole, and then a housing holding portion allows a barrel attachment portion to be thereby positioned and held in a lens housing. When an air pump is operated, a lens holding portion sucks and holds a convergent lens held in a second lens barrel and then positioned with respect to the barrel attachment portion. In addition, the second lens barrel is held in the lens housing so that the second flange does not come in contact with barrel attachment groove. Subsequently, an adhesive is filled into a gap formed between the second flange and the barrel attachment groove to thereby fix the second lens barrel thereto.

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 housing assembly is provided including a housing, a lens panel received in the housing, and a shell. The shell includes latching end portions and secured with the housing by a latching of the latching end portions with the housing. The lens panel is secured between the housing and the shell and partially exposed through the shell.

Abstract: An exemplary portable electronic device includes a main body, a first camera module disposed in the main body, a second camera module disposed in the main body adjacent to the first camera module, and a light diverging lens rotatably mounted on the main body. The light diverging lens has a first surface and an opposite second surface. The light diverging lens is rotatable between a first position and a second position. When the light diverging lens is in the first position, the light diverging lens is optically aligned with the first camera module and the first surface of the light diverging lens faces the first camera module. When the light diverging lens is in the second position, the light diverging lens is optically aligned with the second camera module and the second surface of the light diverging lens faces the second camera module.

Abstract: An optical apparatus according to the present invention comprises an optical base having a bonding surface, and an optical component fixedly bonded to the bonding surface with an adhesive. The optical base has an open hole formed in the bonding surface. The open hole is filled with the adhesive. The optical component contacts the open hole so that a part of the open hole is left unclosed.

Abstract: An optical element is moved in six-degrees-of-freedom. Three first displacement sensors are disposed on a base plate and measure respective displacement amounts of three mutually different points on the optical element in a first direction. A second displacement sensor measures a displacement amount of one point on the optical element in a second direction. Two third displacement sensors measure respective displacement amounts of two mutually different points on the optical element in a third direction. A transformation processor transforms the six measured displacement amounts. A calibration processor calibrates the transformed displacement amounts with a calibration matrix of which coefficients are previously obtained to calibrate the displacement amounts in the six-degrees-of-freedom, which have errors due to measurement errors of the displacement sensors. A controller outputs command values based on differences between the calibrated displacement amounts and target displacement amounts.

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 focus control device for a beam projector allows the focus of a lens assembly to be finely and easily controlled. The focus control device includes: a control member rotatably mounted on the beam projector for controlling the focus of a lens assembly; a rotary eccentric member provided in the control member, the rotary eccentric member having a control axis eccentric to the rotary axis of the control member, and being rotated while depicting an elliptical trace in response to the rotation of the control member; a focus guide member provided in the rotary eccentric member, the focus guide member allowing the lens assembly to be moved rectilinearly in the direction of an optical axis in response to the rotation of the control member; and an actuating member provided in the lens assembly and coupled to the focus guide member, the actuating member moving the lens assembly in the direction of the optical axis in response to the movement of the focus guide member.

Abstract: A lens module includes a barrel defining a first through hole, two or more lenses received in the first through hole of the barrel including at least one movable lens, and at least one driving device moving the movable lens. The driving device includes a fixed portion, a movable portion, hydraulic fluid, and an adjustment pole. The fixed portion is secured on the inner surface of the barrel and defines a trough with an opening facing along the axis of the lens module. The movable portion has a first end and an opposite second end, the first end inserted into the trough and sealing the space between the first end and the bottom wall of the trough, and the second end secured to a movable lens. The hydraulic fluid fills the space. The adjustment pole is inserted into the trough from a second through hole running through the barrel and a wall of the trough adjacent to the barrel, and is movable in the second through hole.

Abstract: A lens actuator includes a lens barrel for accommodating the lens, a coil wrapped around the lens barrel, four magnetic sheets, a bracket, a first resilient plate and a second resilient plate respectively connected between the bracket and the lens barrel to hold the lens barrel on the bracket. The bracket includes a hollow cubic frame body, an accommodating room extending through the top side and the bottom side of the frame body, four mounting holes in communication with the accommodating room respectively defined in the four side faces of the frame body, and a beveled edge formed on an edge of an opening of each mounting hole on the outside of the frame body. The four magnetic sheets are respectively mounted in the four mounting holes. The bracket and the lens barrel are held between the first resilient plate and the second resilient plate.

Abstract: An exemplary apparatus for assembling a lens group comprise a lens tray, a plurality of cylindrical holes and a plurality of guiding grooves. The lens tray has a first surface and an inner side surface in each hole. The cylindrical holes are defined in the first surface for receiving a plurality of optical elements therein. The guiding grooves are defined in each inner side surface and exposed at the first surface, each groove communicats with the corresponding hole for allowing air to flow therethrough.

Abstract: A lens assembly comprises a spacer plate having first and second surfaces, and an array of lens barrels that each comprise a lens opening extending inward from the first surface of the spacer plate and a sensor cavity extending inward from the second surface of the spacer plate. An alignment tool comprising an array of alignment holes or prongs is used to align the lens to the orifices of the lens openings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to collecting sunlight and to transport said sunlight into a space. The sunlight collecting device comprises at least a first focusing lens and at least a first light collector. A first and a second movable sheet are provided with a first vertical distance from each other. A pendulum is provided to hold the focusing lens and to also be coupled to a first sheet by a first joint and to a second sheet by a second joint. Said first and second joint provides movement in at least two orthogonal directions.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a first member; and a second member adjacent to the first member in an optical axis direction. The first member is made of a material that transmits at least part of laser light, and includes a welding recess caving in toward the second member along the optical axis direction, the welding recess being formed on an aspect facing away from the second member along the optical axis direction. The second member is made of a material that is compatible with the material of the first member and that absorbs at least part of the laser light, and is fixed by laser welding to the first member at a position overlapping the welding recess along the optical axis direction.

Abstract: A focusing apparatus having a lead screw made of resin, both ends of which are supported by at least one stationary member to be freely rotatable, and a focusing lens group that is movable in an optical axis direction by rotation of the lead screw, the focusing apparatus includes a position detection sensor for detecting whether the focusing lens group is positioned at a reference position in the optical axis direction, and a focus detector which performs a focus-state detecting operation to detect a focus state of an object. The focusing apparatus moves the focusing lens group to a predetermined lens position in which the focus-state detecting operation is not performed, and the reference position is positioned in a close vicinity of the predetermined lens position.

Abstract: A lens barrel that can be reduced in size and improve drive accuracy. A first cylindrical member is fixed. A rotatable second cylindrical member cam-engages with the first cylindrical member so as to move in an axial direction of an axial center. A third cylindrical member engaging with the first cylindrical member so as not to rotate can move in the axial direction by the rotation of the second cylindrical member. A fourth cylindrical member cam-engaging with the third cylindrical member engages with the second cylindrical member so as to move in the axial direction by following the rotation of the second cylindrical member. A lens holding member engaging with the third cylindrical member so as not to rotate relative to the third cylindrical member can move in the axial direction by cam-engaging with the fourth cylindrical member.

Abstract: A holder for optical components includes a two-part holder housing that forms an essentially ring-shaped enclosure surrounding an optical component; in addition the two housing parts have different thermal expansion coefficients. To create a holder for optical components that is both simple in structure and ensures a low-tension and insulated enclosure of the optical component, it is proposed with the invention that one housing part should be configured as a ring that surrounds the optical component and on whose housing interior close to the optical component a groove should be configured that surrounds and encloses the optical component and serves as a receptacle for the second housing part, which is configured as a tension ring.

Abstract: An optical device (1) includes: a first capillary tube assembly (2) and a second capillary tube assembly (3), in which capillary tubes (6, 10) into which optical fibers (5, 8 (9)) are inserted and fixed, are retained, respectively, by retaining sleeves (7, 11); and a lens assembly (4) including a first lens (12) and a second lens (13), which are opposed to leading ends (5a, 8a (9a)) of the optical fibers (5, 8 (9)), respectively, through a space; a band pass filter (14) interposed between both lenses (12, 13); and an accommodation member (15) for accommodating those components. At least one of the lens (12) is formed of a spherical portion (12b) and a flat surface portion (12a), the flat surface portion (12a) is formed into an inclined surface, and a center of curvature of the spherical portion (12b) is offset from the optical axis of the optical fiber (5).

Abstract: A support for a vibrating component of an optical assembly that is adjacent to a frame includes an elastomeric rod having one end that is attachable to the component. A rigid sleeve is fastened to the frame and movable relative to the frame. The sleeve has a bore that opens to an inner end of the sleeve and is sized to receive the free end of the rod therein.

Abstract: A positioning apparatus for providing relative movement between a first member and a second member has a lever element pivotably coupled to the first member along a fulcrum member and has an actuator arm and a positioner arm. First and second flexure elements extend between the positioner arm of the lever element and the second member. An actuator is coupled to the actuator arm of the lever element.

Abstract: An imaging lens assembly includes a mount which comprises a mount adhering portion on which a light curable adhesive is applied, an imaging lens which comprises a lens portion, and a supporting portion to extend from the lens portion, and a holder coupled to the mount adhering portion by the light curable adhesive, and to support the supporting portion.

Abstract: A lens driving device is provided that moves a lens support frame in an optical-axis direction through a rack engaging with a feed screw functioning as an output shaft of a driving unit. The rack includes a main rack tooth engaging with the feed screw and a pressing portion facing and elastically holding the feed screw through an urging portion. The pressing portion includes a guiding section for guiding a pressing tooth of the pressing portion to a predetermined regular engagement position in incorporating the feed screw even when the pressing tooth facing and holding the feed screw in the rack of the lens driving device is inclined inward.

Abstract: A device for rapidly changing objectives with threaded fastening on an optical instrument comprises an instrument adaptor which has, at one end, an external thread corresponding to the external thread of the objective, and, at the other end, a bayonet mount for fixably holding a bayonet base, and an objective adaptor which has, at one end, a bayonet base which can be connected to the bayonet mount of the instrument adaptor, and, at the other end, an internal thread corresponding to the internal thread of the optical instrument.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for aligning an optical device with an object. The apparatus comprises, a frame (12), a support unit (16) for supporting said optical device or said object and a transportation device (14) arranged to at least tilt the support unit in relation to the frame, wherein a segment of a sphere (18, 22) is provided, which segment defines a spherical surface (20), and the tilting movement of the support unit is controlled by said spherical surface. The apparatus according to the invention allows for a tilting movement between said optical device and said object, while such movement does not lead to a shift in focus. Furthermore the invention relates to an optical instrument and a semiconductor process system comprising said apparatus.