Abstract: A single facet wobble free light scanner which eliminates the effects of wobble caused by bearing inaccuracies or other mechanical factors. A pentaprism, pantamirror, right angle prism or right angle mirror monogon 30 is rotated about an axis passing through its sides and through the axis of the applied light beam 8. By reflections off of two mirrored surfaces 22, 24, the output light beam 28 creates a plane of light. When, or if, the pentaprism 30 wobbles about the rotational axis, the effects of the wobble are eliminated because via the internal reflections of the pentaprism, the output light beam 28a is parallel to the original output light beam 28, the parallel light beams 28, 28a being focused onto the scan surface by external optics 70.

Abstract: A single semiconductor laser (10) is utilized in an optical system (2) to record and readback from a recording media such as a spinning disk (24). By means of a retro-reflecting light and optical system, the same optical path can be used not only for recording, but for readback of the recorded data on the recording media (24). A polarizing beam splitter (16) causes the light beam (8) to pass through an optical system whereby both focus error and tracking error as well as the data signal can be generated. By dithering the light beam across the recorded track in accordance with data signal, a tracking error signal is generated to cause the dithering motion of the galvanometer (20) to maintain its center tracking of the recorded information. By the use of a separate beam splitter (30), a focus error signal can be detected by means of error signals from complementary detectors S1, S2 to maintain accurate focus of the applied light beam on the recording media.

Abstract: Integrated laser diode devices are utilized as repeater elements and logic circuit elements in fiber optic and other light transfer systems. One embodiment discloses a six layer device (10) which is triggered not by an external electrical gating source, but by an external light source (8, 9) as from an optical fiber. Another embodiment operates a laser diode in a bilateral mode. That is, depending on the polarity of the applied voltage bias V to the device (50), two separate light pulses are emitted from different regions (56, 52) of the crystal. A further embodiment utilizes the semiconductor laser as a logical AND function. When the electrical bias (V) of the device (60) is set so that when at least two external light sources (67, 68) are applied, the device will emit laser light (69). Still another embodiment utilizes two semiconductor laser devices (911, 913) as an astable optical multivibrator (90).

Abstract: A high density charge coupled device imaging array 58 with a bilinear array 60, 62 of photosites on a single integrated circuit chip is utilized in an image scanning configuration. Offset photosites 60a, 62a in two rows are coupled via transfer gates 64 to storage register 72 and then to two shift registers 74, 76, and via transfer gates 66 directly to two shift registers 68, 70 in a quadrilinear array. The output of these four shift registers 68, 70, 74, 76 are multiplexed to generate a single output pulse train representative of the information scanned.

Abstract: A high density charge coupled device imaging array 28 with a bilinear array 30, 32 of photosites on a single integrated circuit chip is utilized in an image scanning configuration. Offset photosites 30a, 32a in two rows are coupled via transfer gates 36 to storage register 38 and then to shift register 44, and via transfer gates 34 to shift register 42. The output of these two shift registers 42, 44 are multiplexed to generate a single output pulse train representative of the information scanned.

Abstract: A direct focussed gas laser 9 wherein the last surface 40, 48A, 48B of the output mirror, in the case of a laser where the mirrors are integral to the ends of the laser tube envelope, is shaped such that it produces a cone 42, or wedge shaped 70, beam. A spherical surface provides a cone-shaped beam, while cylindrical surfaces produce a wedge shaped beam. In the case of a Brewster type laser, the envelope-enclosing windows are correspondingly shaped.

Abstract: A thin film light modulator (50) for use in an electro-optic line printer (11). A light valve utilizes a thin electro-optic film (54) on a substrate (52) with the index of refraction of the film being higher than the substrate so that the light can be guided in it. A laser beam (48) is caused to be guided in the film, the beam expanding sideways so that a sheet of collimated light is provided. This light is guided beneath an array of electrodes (58), consisting of an extended set of individually addressed metal fingers (60a, 60n)-(62a, 62n). The light diffracted by the electrode set is reimaged onto the recording medium (14), with the zero order diffracted light blocked out, so that each electrode pair acts as a light modulator for one picture element on the output. Alternatively, the zero order is reimaged and the higher order diffraction components are blocked out. By applying each bit of a serial stream of data to the corresponding electrode, a line recording is achieved.

Abstract: A white line skipping technique for data reduction is disclosed for reducing facsimile transmission time. Video processing for white line skipping centers around the use of a five element solid state linear array. The photosensitive area for each of the five elements corresponds to a single picture element for the defined resolution parameters. VID 0 is the active video signal and is processed in the normal manner for transmission. VID 1 through VID 4 comprise the look ahead scan elements. The slicing level is derived from the VID 0 peak detector which controls the video automatic gain control. Any black video elements encountered during a scan line causes a flip-flop to be set. At the end of each scan line, corresponding to one complete drum revolution, and during the lost time interval, the status of each flip-flop is sampled by the microprocessor to determine whether the scan line is entire white. The flip-flops are then reset for the next scan or drum revolution.

Abstract: A projection lens assembly is provided for use in a printed circuit board projection imaging system wherein a reduced image on a glass master is magnified and projected onto a photoresist coated circuit board positioned at a remote location by the assembly. The projection lens comprises eight elements having lens parameters such that the position of a hole in the glass master is projected over the entire 24.times.18 inch format of the PCB panel with minimum distortion and high optical resolution.An adjustment technique may be provided to permit adjustment of the distortion of the assembled lens without affecting the other performance parameters of the lens.

Abstract: An acousto-optic deflector having a plurality of transducers formed on a planar surface of the acousto-optic medium wherein the incident laser beam is maintained at the Bragg angle as the deflection angle is changing by utilizing electronically introduced phase delays between adjacent transducer electrodes.

Abstract: A gas laser for generating multiline emissions when appropriately energized. The laser includes an anode-cathode assembly (18, 16, 18) and, in a first embodiment, adjustable Brewster end sections, or in a second embodiment, integral mirror end sections (70, 72). The anode-cathode assembly comprises two center located short cylindrical anodes (16a, 16b) and two segmented cylindrical hollow cathodes (18) located symmetrically adjacent the split anode (16a, 16b). The anodes and cathodes are electrically insulated by a cylindrical metal ceramic seal (20). The outer surface of each cathode (18) is covered with quartz insulating sleeves (24) to prevent electrical discharge from the outer cathode surface and to encourage effective inner cathode discharge. The cathode (18) is thermally connected to the external environment through a structure (26) coupled to the cathode and the laser tube envelope (11) to improve heat dissipation, thereby allowing higher input power.

Abstract: A thick film line modulator/scanner (50) for use in an electro-optic line printer (14). A light valve utilizes a thin electro-optic layer (212) with the index of refraction of the layer being higher than the neighboring material so that the light can be guided in it. A laser beam (48) is focused into the layer, the beam expanding sideways so that a sheet of collimated light is provided. This light is affected by an array of electrodes (240, 242), consisting of an extended set of individually addressed metal fingers (240) on one side of the film (212), and a broad electrode (242) on the other side of the film. This broad electrode could also be segmented to the individually addressed electrodes. The light diffracted by this electrode set is reimaged onto the recording medium (14) with the zero order diffracted light blocked out, so that each electrode acts as a light modulator for one picture element on the output.

Abstract: A light modulator/deflector which uses acoustic surface waves wherein an illuminating beam 10 enters the side of and strikes the active surface 18 of a transparent and electrooptic acoustic substrate 12 near the grazing angle of incidence and is reflected off that surface 18 through the remaining portion of substrate 12 and out the other side thereof into at least a zero order undiffracted direction and a first order diffracted direction. The light 10 is collimated so that it interacts with as much of the acoustic wave 20 as possible. A set of interdigital electrodes 16 is evaporated on this surface 18 so as to launch acoustic waves 20 in a direction normal to the plane of incidence of the light. Along the path of the travelling acoustic wave in the same substrate are placed one or more repeater acoustic wave sources 72, 74 to boost the decaying acoustic wave 62 back to its original power level.

Abstract: A single component transceiver device for a linear single fiber optical network which allows both reception and transmission of light information onto a linear data line. One embodiment discloses a light source 10 which would apply modulated light signals, or an unmodulated light carrier, onto an optical medium at the end 12 thereof. This light would reach point 14 along the optical fiber and be detected and/or further modulated by diode 16 and this light information is introduced unidirectionally onto the optical fiber. A second embodiment would include a diode 52 along an optical fiber which would detect and/or radiate light signals bidirectionally along an optical fiber. A proposed light transceiver 90 which could be utilized with the above two embodiments is also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical data recording system in which during recording the image of the acoustic pulse at the writing surface is made to move at the same relative velocity with respect to the recording medium whereby motion blur is minimized or reduced. The writing beam, such as that generated by a laser, is incident on acousto-optic device (such as a Bragg cell) and may be diffracted (deflected) at an angle determined by the frequency of a source applied to the device. By selecting the system magnification between the device and the recording medium such that the magnification, in one embodiment, is substantially equal to the ratio of the velocity of the recording medium to the velocity of the sound wave in the acousto-optic device; the image of the acoustic pulse follows the surface of the recording medium and permits imaging of the video signal to the recording medium without blurring.

Abstract: A facsimile transmitter which allows faster scanning and transmission of information on a document by skipping over blank areas on said document and comprises a phase signal generating circuit 7 for generating a phase signal, a reading scanning circuit 1 for reading an original document, memory circuits 2, 3 for storing an image signal for one line, a detecting circuit 4 for testing whether or not the image signals for one line are all white signals, a counting circuit 5 for counting signals being generated by the detecting circuit, a sub-scanning mechanism 8 for performing skips by one line on the original document, a clock controlling circuit 6 for controlling the reading scanning circuit 1, the memory circuits 2, 3, and the sub-scanning circuit 8, an oscillator circuit 9 being controlled by the counted value of the counting circuit 5, and a gate controlling circuit 12 being controlled by the count value in said counter circuit, wherein the content of image information having been obtained by the prior scan

Abstract: A Fresnel zone plate lens in the form of a plurality of electrodes is provided on the transducer surface of a Bragg acousto-optic device (modulator or deflector). The thickness of the electrodes decrease away from the center electrode, the spacing between electrodes also decreasing as the electrodes are spaced from the center electrode. One end of each electrode in the electrode is connected to common the other end of each electrode being connected to a voltage level in a manner such that the voltage applied to adjacent electrodes are 180.degree. out of phase.

Abstract: A light modulator/deflector which uses acoustic surface waves wherein an illuminating beam 10 enters the side of and strikes the active surface 18 of a transparent, piezoelectric, and electrooptic acoustic substrate 12 near the grazing angle of incidence and is reflected off that surface 18 through the remaining portion of substrate 12 and out the other side thereof into at least a zero order undiffracted direction and a first order diffracted direction. For a modulator the light 10 is made to converge in the plane of incidence so that it comes to focus on the active surface 18 of the acoustic device. For a deflector, the light 10 is collimated so that it interacts with as much of the acoustic wave 20 as possible. A set of interdigital electrodes 16 is evaporated on this surface 18 so as to launch acoustic waves 20 in a direction normal to the plane of incidence of the light.

Abstract: A system for projecting an image, via projection optics, from multiple circuits formed on a glass master onto a photoresist coated PCB panel. The projection optics precisely magnifies the reduced pattern formed on the master to full scale while maintaining the image-plane light uniformity. To insure proper magnification, the conjugate distances between the master and the projection optics and between the projection optics and the PCB panel are precisely controlled. Further, the relevant planes containing the master, optics and PCB panel are controlled to insure substantial perpendicularity with respect to the optical axis. A registration subsystem is also provided to register the PCB panelholding platen.

Abstract: A thin layer of MgF.sub.2 is deposited on cleaned surfaces of a single crystal material substrate to promote the adhesion of both a transducer and antireflection coating overlying the MgF.sub.2 layer to the underlying substrate.