Abstract: A beam splitter apparatus comprises a beam splitter and a plurality of prisms disposed about the beam splitter. The beam splitter apparatus is configured to split an incident laser beam into a plurality of beamlets exhibiting substantially equal energy and traversing substantially equal optical path lengths through the beam splitter apparatus.

Abstract: A solar collector optic system having a plurality of optics and a plurality of concentrators, where the plurality of optics directs light to the plurality of concentrators. The system has a first optic, a second optic, a first concentrator and a second concentrator. Each optic has a plurality of prisms which provide a progressive light distribution function such that as each of the plurality of prisms of the first optic is located further away from a focal line of the first concentrator, each of the plurality of prisms directs a greater amount of light to the second concentrator compared to the first concentrator. Also, as each of the plurality of prisms of the second optic is located further away from a focal line of the second concentrator, each of the plurality of prisms directs a greater amount of light to the first concentrator compared to the second concentrator.

Abstract: A near eye image display system includes an image projector, a beam combiner assembly, and an optical assembly, optically coupled between the image projector and the beam combiner assembly. The image projector projects a display image toward an optical pathway, the optical pathway intersecting a viewing axis, the viewing axis extending from the eye of a user to an ambient scene. The beam combiner assembly includes a plurality of beam combiners optically cascaded along the optical pathway, each of the beam combiners being disposed diagonally to the optical pathway and diagonally to the viewing axis. Each of the beam combiners is arranged such that for each two adjacent beam combiners, the first of the adjacent beam combiners is optically located between the second of the adjacent beam combiners and the image projector.

Abstract: It is disclosed that a color separation optical system improves color reproducibility by obtaining a characteristic which approximates an ideal spectral characteristic in view of influence of polarization separation caused according to the magnitude of an incidence angle. In the color separation optical system, a curve representing a characteristic of a green-reflecting dichroic film DG has a shape along the characteristic curve representing an ideal spectral characteristic corresponding to green light. Further, the characteristic of the blue-reflecting dichroic film DB is associated with that of the green-reflecting dichroic film DG. A part, in which the transmittance of the blue-reflecting dichroic film DB changes from a low transmittance to a high transmittance, in the transmittance characteristic curve representing the characteristic of the blue-reflecting dichroic film DB is included in a predetermined wavelength region associated with the characteristic of the green-reflecting dichroic film DG.

Abstract: An image capturing device includes an image capturing unit, a fitting member, and a cover member. The image capturing unit captures a plurality of unit images having parallax by using a lens array having a plurality of unit lenses, and a prism. The fitting member is provided with a mounting portion upon which said prism is mounted. The cover member is put onto the fitting member from its side which faces the mounting portion. The mounting portion has a shape which, in the state in which the prism is mounted, grips two contiguous faces of the prism. And the cover member has a pair of claws which, when the cover member is put onto the fitting member, squeeze two contiguous faces of the prism which is mounted to the mounting portion.

Abstract: Lightguides, devices incorporating lightguides, processes for making lightguides, and tools used to make lightguides are described. A lightguide includes light extractors arranged in a plurality of regions on a surface of the lightguide. The orientation of light extractors in each region is arranged to enhance uniformity and brightness across a surface of the lightguide and to provide enhanced defect hiding. The efficiency of the light extractors is controlled by the angle of a given light extractor face with respect to a light source illuminating the light guide.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a prism mount that retains a prism. The mount includes a ledge that engages a first side of the prism, a support surface structured that engages a second side of the prism, a retaining member that slidably engages a third side of the prism, and a biasing member that biases the retaining member to an engaged position with the prism. The mount further includes a slot disposed between the ledge and the support surface. The retaining member includes a machine screw, and a nut confines the biasing member between the nut and a prism mount body. The biasing member is retained in a counterbore in the prism mount body, and an end of the machine screw protrudes from the counterbore. The prism mount body further includes an alignment slot at a fixed azimuthal angle, and the laser deposition device includes a protrusion that engages the alignment slot.

Abstract: A light integrator is provided, the light integrator comprising a body for integrating light, the body having a length and a light egress end. The light integrator further comprises a first light entrance device for accepting light from a first lamp into the body, the first light entrance device comprising a first light entrance face, the first light entrance device located distal the light egress end. The light integrator further comprises a second light entrance device for accepting light from a second lamp, the second light entrance device comprising a second light entrance face, the second light entrance device laterally displaced from the first light entrance device in a direction generally perpendicular to the first light entrance face, such that light from the first and second lamps independently enter the integrator via the first and second light entrance devices respectively, and exit the light egress end.

Abstract: An imaging system uses optical modules to capture images of a subject. The optical modules are fixed on a bearing plate of the imaging system by a fastening element of the imaging system. The fastening element is removable and fixed on the support plate. Each of the optical modules has an optical surface. The fastening element has a bevel attached to all the optical surfaces of the optical modules so that all the optical surfaces are coplanar.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to single prism beamsplitters and compound beamsplitters formed from combining one or more of the single prism beamsplitters. In one embodiment, the beamsplitters can be configured to produce one or more split beams of light that can emerge at angles other than 90° to one another. The prisms of the beamsplitter embodiments are configured so that light propagating through prisms encounter one or more intermediate planar surfaces at various angles with respect to the path of the light. A certain number of the intermediate planar surfaces can be angled so that the light transmitted along a particular path undergoes total internal reflection within the prism. A number of other intermediate planar surfaces are angled so that the light transmitted along a particular path does not undergo total internal reflection.

Abstract: A light directing film includes a structured major surface with a plurality of microstructures extending along a first direction. Each microstructure has a first region and a second region different from the first region, a substantially constant height in the first region and a non-constant maximum height in the second region greater than the substantially constant height in the first region, and a same lateral cross sectional shape in the first region and the second region.

Abstract: An optical element includes a plurality of first beam bodies arranged in a first direction on a first plane and being parallel to each other, and second beam bodies placed between adjacent ones of the first beam bodies and provided parallel to the first beam bodies. The first beam body has side surfaces which face the second beam bodies adjacent thereto and are sloped so that the width in the first direction gradually decreases to the upward direction perpendicular to the first plane, the second beam body has side surfaces which face the first beam bodies adjacent thereto and are sloped so that the width in the first direction gradually increases to the upward direction perpendicular to the first plane, and as viewed in the first direction, the spacing between the first beam body and the second beam body is variable.

Abstract: A pair of optical prisms arranged in a complementary relationship provides for anamorphic magnification and cooperates with a refractive or diffractive cylindrical lens element, the later of which generates an aberration that at least partially compensates an aberration generated by the pair of optical prisms. The refractive or diffractive cylindrical lens element is rotated out of normal with respect to the optic axis of the system so as to provide for reflecting stray light away from the optic axis.

Abstract: An illumination system including at least one coherent light source, a light uniforming element, and a prism is provided. The coherent light source is capable of emitting a coherent beam. The light uniforming element is disposed on a transmission path of the coherent beam. The prism is disposed on the transmission path of the coherent beam and between the coherent light source and the light uniforming element. The prism has a light incident end and a light exit end. The light incident end has at least one incident polygonal pyramid portion protruding away from the light exit end. The prism is capable of rotating about an axis, and the axis extends from the light incident end to the light exit end. The illumination system effectively reduces the degree of the speckle phenomenon.

Abstract: An approach for making a master tool used to fabricate optical films involves cutting a series of base structures. Modifying features are superimposed with the base structures, producing abruptly discontinuous variations in the shape of the base structures. Diffraction elements may be formed in one or both of the base structures and the modifying features. The modifying features can be formed by moving the cutting tool in the x-direction, in the z-direction, or along a trajectory having both an x component and a z component.

Abstract: Optical films used for 3D autostereoscopic displays include lenses on one surface of the optical film that are registered to prisms on the opposing surface of the optical film. The lenses may be a-cylindrical lenses or cylindrical, and the rotation of the lenses can vary with position on the surface of the optical film. The prisms may be contiguous or non-contiguous. The prisms of the optical film can have a pitch that is different from a pitch of the lenses, or the prism pitch can be substantially the same as the pitch of the lenses.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a multi-laser system are disclosed. In some embodiments, the multi-laser system includes a plurality of lasers, a plurality of laser beams, a beam positioning system, a thermally stable enclosure, and a temperature controller. The thermally stable enclosure is substantially made of a material with high thermal conductivity such as at least 5 W/(m K). The thermally stable enclosure can help maintain alignment of the laser beams to a target object over a range of ambient temperatures.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems that divert images for image capture devices. An image diversion system includes a deviating optical element to provide a first view to an imager of an image capture device and to provide at least a second view to the imager. An image diversion system includes a first deviating optical element and a second deviating optical element optically coupled to the first deviating optical element. The first deviating optical element provides a first view and at least a second view to an imager of an image capture device. An image diversion system includes a first deviating optical element, a second deviating optical element, and at least one corrective lens. The image diversion system is contained within a housing that is attachable to a housing portion of an image capture device.

Abstract: The method of evaluating an optical defect in a transparent material includes irradiating the material with light to produce scattered light from the defect, rotating the material about a rotation axis passing through the defect, measuring scattered light intensity at a scattering angle (?s) to the rotation axis by means of a detector, determining the dependence of the measured scattered light intensity on rotation angle (?s) around the rotation axis and characterizing size and/or shape of the defect from that dependence. The apparatus for performing the method has a light source, a rotatable holder for the transparent material, a light sensitive receiving device and an imaging optical system for imaging scattered light from the material within a certain angular range on a detector surface of the receiving device.

Abstract: An exemplary prism sheet includes a transparent main body. The transparent main body includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface and the second surface are on opposite sides of the transparent main body. The first surface defines a plurality of a plurality of elongated arc-shaped grooves. The second surface defines a plurality of parallelogram microstructures. Each parallelogram microstructure defines four adjacent triangular pyramid depressions.

Abstract: A composition for forming a prism layer and a prism film manufactured using the same. The composition for forming a prism layer includes a UV-curable monomer A, including a fluorene derivative diacrylate monomer represented by Formula 1 or 2; a UV-curable monomer B, including at least one acrylate monomer; a photoinitiator; and an additive, and thus is excellent in surface strength, adhesion to a substrate film and anti-yellowing properties, with a viscosity suitable for formation of the prism layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for increasing the quantum efficiency of a photocathode used in an intensified an intensified array detector with a photocathode, such as a charge-coupled device (ICCD) are presented. A quantum efficiency enhancement device is disposed in front of an ICCD and is configured to enable or facilitate an increase in the angle of incidence of incoming rays incident on the photocathode. The ICCD itself may be tilted to achieve an increased angle of incidence, and such tilting is preferably only in a direction in which pixel columns of the ICCD extend such that a plane of incidence of incoming light to the ICCD is perpendicular to a direction of wavelength dispersion. The quantum efficiency enhancement device may include re-imaging optics, an optical tilt compensator and optical coupler.

Abstract: A display device includes a display panel, and a prism that is installed on a display face of the display panel and has an inclination face inclined from the display face. An inclination angle of the inclination face of the prism with respect to the display face is set such that an output angle of display light output from the display face and transmitted through the prism is equal to or more than a small angle of an incident angle and a reflection angle of sunlight with respect to the inclination face based on a normal line of the display face.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a prism capable of being utilized in a scanned beam projector comprises a first window disposed on a first surface through which the beam is capable of passing to impinge upon a scan engine at an angle of incidence off axis from an axis normal to a plane of the scan engine, and a second window disposed on a second surface through which the beam is capable of passing. The first surface of the prism is disposed at a non-parallel angle with respect to the second surface to reduce distortion of the scan pattern or image from the scan engine. The prism may further comprise one or more internal surfaces capable of reflecting the beam onto the scan engine off axis, where such reflecting may impart a desired polarization state to the beam reflected onto the scan engine.

Abstract: A skylight cover has an upper dome portion formed with plural prism elements and a lower cylindrical portion extending from the open periphery of the dome portion down to terminate in an open lower end through which light can pass. A cylindrical prism ring is positioned against a surface of the cylindrical portion and bears prisms configured to refract light.

Abstract: A light tunnel apparatus of an optical engine and a projection system comprising the light tunnel apparatus are provided. The projection system comprises an optical engine which includes a body and a light tunnel apparatus. The light tunnel apparatus comprises a light tunnel, a housing, a frame, and a positioning device. The light tunnel has a central axis. The housing is connected to the body while the frame is connected to the housing, and the light tunnel is disposed in the frame. The positioning device, disposed between the frame and the housing, provides at least a thrust substantially perpendicular to the central axis, whereby the thrust allows the frame to be restricted to move along an axial direction substantially parallel to the central axis.

Abstract: A backlight assembly includes a light source and an optical member disposed over the light source and including a surface that has a plurality of lens-shaped portions and at least one prism-shaped portion.

Abstract: A steerable-light-path optical device includes a light transceiver having an external light path associated therewith, and a path-steering device that controls the direction of the light path relative to a steering axis. The path-steering device has a first beam-deviation optical element including a first prism structure having a first diffraction grating thereon, and a second beam-deviation optical element including a second prism structure having a second diffraction grating thereon. The steering axis passes through the first and second beam-deviation optical elements. A rotational drive is operable to rotate at least one of the first beam-deviation optical element and the second beam-deviation optical element, and preferably both of the beam-deviation optical elements, about the steering axis.

Abstract: A conventional light source apparatus that combines incident light from a plurality of light sources by using prism sheets has the problem that the beam aspect ratio of incident light is undesirably changed so that exiting light has an extremely elliptical beam profile. The present invention provides a light source apparatus emitting light of circular beam profile having the same beam aspect ratio as that of incident light. The apparatus includes a plurality of light sources K and a plurality of prism sheets PS1 and PS2 each having a plurality of fine prisms on one surface thereof. The other surface of each prism sheet is a plane surface. The prism sheets are arranged in first and second stages as first and second beam profile transforming units such that their respective prism rows extend perpendicular to each other. The light sources are disposed at the entrance surface side of the first beam profile transforming unit at a predetermined angle thereto.

Abstract: An exemplary prism sheet according to a preferred embodiment includes a transparent main body. The transparent main body includes a light input surface and a light emitting surface opposite to the light input surface. A plurality of curved elongated V-shaped protrusions are formed on the light emitting surface. Each of the curved elongated V-shaped protrusions extends along a circular arc. The circular arcs have a same curvature, and centers of the circular arcs are aligned apart and in a straight line. A liquid crystal display device using the prism sheet is also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an enhanced prism film comprising a plurality of column-like elements extending in a first direction. The plurality of column-like elements abut against one another in a second direction different form the first direction so as to form a light exiting surface of the enhanced prism film with converging effect in both the first and second direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vapor-deposition material for the production of optical layers of medium refractive index which comprises aluminum oxide and gadolinium oxide, dysprosium oxide and/or ytterbium oxide, to a process for the preparation thereof, and to the use thereof.

Abstract: A display device, generating light flux containing image information and making the light flux incident to one-eye of an image viewer by controlling an angle of divergence of the light flux is provided. The device includes a first lens, a second lens and an angle of divergence control device provided between the first lens and the second lens, the angle of divergence control device being configured to control the angle of divergence of the light flux.

Abstract: An objective lens assembly suitable for use in helmet-mounted applications. The objective lens assembly comprises two prisms that collectively are configured, oriented and bonded relative to each other to separate and allow simultaneous imaging of two separate spectral bands (such as VNIR and LWIR bands) received from the same object scene via a common window such that the object scene may be viewed from the same perspective without the effects of parallax.

Abstract: Various embodiments and methods relating to groups of anamorphic prisms that are configured to reduce smile in a multi-beam optical system are disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary prism sheet includes a transparent main body. The transparent main body has a surface. A plurality of first elongated micro-protrusions and second elongated micro-protrusions protrude from the surface of the main body. Each of the first elongated micro-protrusions extends along a first direction. Widths and heights of each of the first elongated micro-protrusions vary along the first direction. Each of the second elongated micro-protrusions extends along a second direction that intersects with the first direction. Widths and heights of each of the second elongated micro-protrusions vary along the second direction. A method for making the prism sheet and a liquid crystal display device using the prism sheet are also provided.

Abstract: An optical path delay scanner, comprising a rotatable mount, a first prism and a second prism disposed on the mount, and a radiation source aligned to project light through the first prism and the second prism. The radiation source may be arranged to project the light on a surface of the first prism at an incidence angle corresponding to the prism's minimum deviation angle. The scanner may be disposed in a reference arm of a Michaelson interferometer.

Abstract: A system for multidirectional electromagnetic wave irradiation of an object to be processed has at least one of a side face irradiation prism system capable of irradiating a top face and one, two or more side faces of the object, and a bottom face irradiation prism system capable of irradiating a bottom face of the object. The side face irradiation prism system has an optical path direction changing prism placed so that each of the optical paths through which electromagnetic waves entering the optical path from above travel extends via the optical path direction changing prism to reach the side face of the object, without being obstructed. In this way, a laser machining apparatus or the like can be implemented which can simultaneously irradiate the faces of the object to be processed with electromagnetic waves with accuracy without moving the object to be processed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical sheet having one generally planar surface and composed of transmissive material, wherein on the other surface of the optical sheet, a concavo-convex pattern formed of a convex portion having a triangular top portion and a concave portion of a surface parallel to the one surface of the optical sheet is formed alternately in a generally parallel array.

Abstract: An exemplary prism sheet includes a transparent main body. The transparent main body includes a first surface and a second surface. The first surface and the second surface are on opposite sides of the main body. The first surface of transparent main body defines a plurality of first elongated arc-shaped grooves and a plurality of second elongated arc-shaped grooves. The first elongated arc-shaped grooves intersect with the second elongated arc-shaped grooves. The second surface defining a plurality of rectangular structures. Each rectangular structure defining four adjacent triangular pyramid depressions.

Abstract: An optical projection apparatus is provided, where a reflective light valve, a light deflecting device and a lens set are arranged on an optical path of the light beam providing by an illuminating system. The light deflecting device is located between the illuminating system and the reflective light valve, and the lens set is located between the reflective light valve and the light deflecting device. When the light beam is incident to the reflective light valve through the light deflecting device and the lens set, the light beam is converted into sub-image beams, and then the sub-image beams are reflected to the lens set. The projection lens set arranged on an optical path of the sub-image beams has a pupil located on the light deflecting device. The lens set converges the sub-image beams on the pupil and then the sub-image beams are incident to the projection lens set for imaging.

Abstract: A prismatic joint for an optical swiveling device has a first prism rotatably mounted about a first rotation axis and a second prism, rotatably mounted about a second rotation axis with respect to the first prism. The first rotation axis and the second rotation axis intersect one another at an intersection angle of 45°. The first prism and the second prism have a respective first side surface and a second side surface, as well as a base surface. The first side surface is inclined through the intersection angle with respect to the base surface, and the second side surface is inclined through half the intersection angle with respect to the base surface. The first and second prisms project substantially mirror-image symmetrically along the first rotation axis, and a third prism is disposed with its side surfaces adjoining, the first and the second prisms.

Abstract: An inspection system is provided. The system includes a rotating prism having a first end and a second end. The first end receives a first image area, such as a circular view, and rotates about a center point so as to cover a field of view area that is larger than the first image area, such as a larger circle that is defined by the smaller circle of view as it rotates around the center point. The second end remains centered on the center point and provides a viewing area that does not change in dimension. An image data system at the second end of the rotating prism generates image data as the prism rotates so as to generate two or more sets of image data that are contained within the field of view area.

Abstract: The multispectral filter for an image detection device comprises a prismatic plate (85) comprising a first internal face (86) and a second external face (87), the first and the second faces (86, 87) being inclined with respect to one another by an angle ?, and comprises at least two different spectral bands (91, 92, 93, 94) deposited either on the first or the second face (86, 87) of the prismatic plate (85), the various spectral bands (91, 92, 93, 94) being spaced a predetermined distance (D) apart. Application to multispectral imagers, in particular to Off Axis imagers. This filter allows the suppression of the ghost images (or spurious echoes) generated at the focal plane of a multispectral imager.

Abstract: An optical medium having a high refractive index without anisotropy and a wide transmission wavelength is obtained. The cubic crystal material is ??O3, where ? is at least one of K, Ba, Sr, Ca, and ? is at least one of Ta, Ti. Optimally, the cubic crystal material is KTa1-xNbxO3, where composition x is 0?x?0.35. This composition enables to raise refractive index while its phase transition temperature is below a room temperature.

Abstract: A prism sheet including a transparent substrate, a plurality of prism rods and at least one optical grating structure is provided. The transparent substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The prism rods are disposed on the first surface, wherein each of the prism rods extends along a first direction, and the prism rods are arranged along a second direction. The optical grating structure is disposed on the first surface and located between two adjacent ones of the prism rods, wherein the optical grating structure extends along the first direction. In addition, a backlight module using the above-mentioned prism sheet is also provided.

Abstract: A brightness enhancement component includes a substrate and a plurality of prism elements. The prism elements are serially disposed on the substrate. A V-shaped trough is formed between each immediately-adjacent two prism elements. All the V-shaped troughs have their bottom ends disposed within a reference plane. A first prism element group each has a relatively high crest higher than the reference plane by a first height. A second prism element group each has a relatively low crest higher than the reference plane by a second height, wherein each of the first prism element group and each of the second prism element group are alternately arranged on the substrate, the first height is larger than the second height.

Abstract: An exemplary prism sheet includes a transparent main body. The main body includes a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, a plurality of spherical depressions formed in the first surface, and a plurality of triangular pyramidal depressions and hexagonal pyramidal depressions formed in the second surface. Each of the triangular pyramidal depressions is surrounded by three adjacent hexagonal pyramidal depressions. A backlight module using the present prism sheet is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dual layer prism sheet including two patterned prism sheets adhered to each other with an adhesive layer interposed therebetween. The adhesive layer includes a polymeric adhesive and a lubricant. A liquid crystal display including the dual layer prism sheet is also disclosed. Each pattern on the prism sheet is arranged to make a predetermined angle with a liquid crystal panel.

Abstract: An optical plate has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The first surface defines a plurality of elongated arcuate troughs therein. The second surface defines a plurality of triangular pyramid depressions and a plurality of hexagonal pyramid depressions therein. Each side of the triangular pyramid depressions borders three hexagonal pyramid depressions. A backlight module using the optical plate is also provided.