Abstract: A lens system for infrared (IR) imaging, including a molded first lens element and an aberration correction second lens element. The first lens element is made of chalcogenide glass and has a first and second surface, one of the first and second surfaces of the first lens element being a diffractive surface. The second lens element has a first and second surface, one of the first and second surfaces being a planar surface and neither of the first and second surfaces being a diffractive surface. The second lens element is of a different material than the second lens element.

Abstract: An integrated optical assembly comprises an optics mount, an optical element comprising material that is optically transparent, the optical element molded in the optics mount, and an optical aperture wherein the optical aperture is secured in fixed position with respect to the optics mount and the transparent optical element.

Abstract: An optical design pattern/method was invented to control the total cost including the material and the manufacturing of IR imaging lenses. This optical design pattern/method comprises a molded lens and an aberration correction lens. This design pattern/method leads to cost-effective IR imaging lenses because the unit cost of the molded lens is low for a volume production and the unit cost of the aberration correction lens is low for its very small manufacturing. This optical design pattern/method comprises any imaging and spectral applications for any partial band of 1 to 14 micron, such as (but not limited to) SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR.

Abstract: A method for making a high-power fused collimator, and a fused collimator made thereby, are provided. A fused collimator is provided that includes an end of a stripped end portion of an optical fiber fused to a proximal face of a silica lens. In an embodiment, a joint formed by the fiber end and the silica lens proximal face is substantially surrounded with a solder glass in a melted form. A cross-sectional area of the solder glass decreases proximally from a distal edge adjacent the lens to a proximal edge located along the fiber's stripped end portion. The solder glass is permitted to harden, forming a fused collimator. In another embodiment, a ferrule surrounds the fiber stripped end portion, and an adhesive is applied to the ferrule's proximal face to surround the fiber. The lens-ferrule joint is surrounded with solder glass, which is then surrounded with a silica sleeve.

Abstract: A method for making a high-power fused collimator, and a fused collimator made thereby, are provided. A fused collimator is provided that includes an end of a stripped end portion of an optical fiber fused to a proximal face of a silica lens. In an embodiment, a joint formed by the fiber end and the silica lens proximal face is substantially surrounded with a solder glass in a melted form. A cross-sectional area of the solder glass decreases proximally from a distal edge adjacent the lens to a proximal edge located along the fiber's stripped end portion. The solder glass is permitted to harden, forming a fused collimator. In another embodiment, a ferrule surrounds the fiber stripped end portion, and an adhesive is applied to the ferrule's proximal face to surround the fiber. The lens-ferrule joint is surrounded with solder glass, which is then surrounded with a silica sleeve.

Abstract: A method for making a high-power fused collimator, and a fused collimator made thereby, are provided. A fused collimator is provided that includes an end of a stripped end portion of an optical fiber fused to a proximal face of a silica lens. In an embodiment, a toroidal element is positioned in surrounding relation to the fiber's stripped end portion, and a joint formed by the fiber end and the toroidal element proximal face is substantially surrounded with a solder glass in a melted form. A cross-sectional area of the solder glass decreases proximally from a distal edge adjacent the lens to a proximal edge located along the fiber's stripped end portion. Then the solder glass is permitted to harden, forming a fused collimator.

Abstract: Embodiments of a peripheral backlighting system for keyboards are shown and described, which include one or more light-emitting panels exterior to the keyswitches of the keyboard. The panels are preferably electroluminescent material and surround at least two sides, and preferably all sides, of the stem of a keyswitch or the space in which the stem slides up and down during use. Alternatively, the electroluminescent panel(s) may extend substantially continuously between and underneath a plurality of keyswitches. The panels extend closely adjacent to the stem or stem path, or under the keyswitch, to be as far under the key cap as possible without extending into the stem or cap of the keyswitch. The EL panels are preferably powered by the computer keyboard port, via voltage inverters. Preferably, the keyswitch is translucent or partially translucent, and the base plate over the EL panels, if any, is at least partially translucent or transparent.

Abstract: A fiber collimator is provided, comprising at least two optical components, one of the optical components (e.g., an optical element such as a collimating lens or a plano-plano pellet) having a surface that has a comparatively larger cross-sectional area than the surface of the other optical component(s) (e.g., at least one optical fiber). The optical components are joined together by fusion-splicing, using a laser. A gradient in the index of refraction is provided in at least that portion of the surface of the optical element to which the optical fiber(s) is fusion-spliced or at the tip of the optical fiber. The gradient is either formed prior to or during the fusion-splicing. Back-reflection is minimized, pointing accuracy is improved, and power handling ability is increased.

Abstract: Embodiments of a peripheral backlighting system for keyboards are shown and described, which include one or more light-emitting panels exterior to the keyswitches of the keyboard. The panels are preferably electroluminescent material and surround at least two sides, and preferably all sides, of the stem of a keyswitch or the space in which the stem slides up and down during use. Alternatively, the electroluminescent panel(s) may extend substantially continuously between and underneath a plurality of keyswitches. The panels extend closely adjacent to the stem or stem path, or under the keyswitch, to be as far under the key cap as possible without extending into the stem or cap of the keyswitch. The EL panels are preferably powered by the computer keyboard port, via voltage inverters. Preferably, the keyswitch is translucent or partially translucent, and the base plate over the EL panels, if any, is at least partially translucent or transparent.

Abstract: A fiber collimator is provided, comprising at least two optical components, one of the optical components (e.g., an optical element such as a collimating lens or a plano-plano pellet) having a surface that has a comparatively larger cross-sectional area than the surface of the other optical component(s) (e.g., at least one optical fiber). The optical components are joined together by fusion-splicing, using a laser. A gradient in the index of refraction is provided in at least that portion of the surface of the optical element to which the optical fiber(s) is fusion-spliced or at the tip of the optical fiber. The gradient is either formed prior to or during the fusion-splicing. Back-reflection is minimized, pointing accuracy is improved, and power handling ability is increased.

Abstract: A device for manipulation of acoustic waves is provided, comprising a functionally-graded material for interposing between a source of the acoustic waves and a target, which may be a detector of manipulated acoustic waves. The functionally-graded material has a gradient in acoustic wave velocity which is obtained by the generation of a gradient in at least one of the following properties: elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio, and density, that is perpendicular to a direction of propagation of the acoustic waves. The gradient is axial. Biaxial acoustic velocity gradients may be used for focusing/waveguiding (high-low-high) or dispersing (low-high-low), while monoaxial acoustic velocity gradients may be used for wave steering. Also in accordance with the present invention, a method of making the device is provided, comprising: (a) providing the source of acoustic waves; (b) providing the target for acoustic waves, e.g.

Abstract: A method is provided for fusion-splicing with a laser beam two optical components, one of the optical components (e.g., an optical element such as a lens) having a surface that has a comparatively larger cross-sectional area than a surface of the other optical component (e.g., an optical fiber).

Abstract: A method is provided for fusion-splicing with a laser beam at least two optical components to a different optical component, the different optical component (e.g., an optical element such as a lens) having a surface that has a comparatively larger cross-sectional area than a surface of the other optical components (e.g., at least two optical fibers).

Abstract: A method is provided for fusion-splicing with a laser beam two optical components, one of the optical components (e.g., an optical element such as a lens) having a surface that has a comparatively larger cross-sectional area than a surface of the other optical component (e.g., an optical fiber).

Abstract: Gradient refractive index elements are fabricated from the melt, using two or more molten glass compositions, to prevent bubble formation in the elements. The individual glass compositions are melted in separate containers, and then added as appropriate to a single crucible. The more dense glasses settle to the bottom of the crucible, while the less dense glasses float on top of the melt layer. As a consequence of using molten glass, no bubbles appear. Batching of the process can be done by the level of the free melt surface, which means that one can control the batched volume of the melted glass by controlling the level of the free melt surface in the crucible.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for depositing a polymeric element having a gradient in index of refraction that traverses the element from one surface to an opposite surface (axially graded refractive index). Two (or more) monomers are mixed in varying proportions and spray-deposited onto a substrate to form a layer. Each layer is then exposed to light to form a polymeric layer, and another layer deposited. Where the light is UV radiation and a light-sensitive catalyst that is also sensitive to the ambient atmosphere is used, then an inert gas dispenser, which provides an inert gas over the monomer layer, may be employed in conjunction with the UV radiation. Several layers are thus spray-deposited and exposed to light, each layer comprising a different mix of the two monomers, thereby providing each layer with a different index of refraction.

Abstract: An optical coupler is provided that comprises a single lens component, comprising two axially-graded index of refraction elements, each having a low refractive index surface and a high refractive index surface and joined along their respective high refractive index surfaces. As configured, the optical coupler is useful as a solar concentrator for concentrating solar radiation onto a solar cell or other solar-receptive medium.

Abstract: A method is provided of manufacturing an optical element having an optical axis, and including a plurality of definable adjacent zones of optical material, each zone having a definable refractive index different from the refractive index of an adjacent zone and an Abbe number, the zones of optical materials being arranged parallel to each other to define a profile of refractive indices which is symmetric about a plane of symmetry along the optical axis of the element and parallel to the zones.

Abstract: An optical coupler is provided that comprises one lens component, comprising at least one axially-graded index of refraction element. When the optical coupler component includes one axially-graded index of refraction element, a homogeneous "boot" element is cemented on entrance surface to provide plano-plano coupling. When the optical coupler includes two or more axially-graded index of refraction elements, both entrance and exit surfaces are planar. The optical coupler component may be sized to provide focusing at its exit surface. The axially graded index-based couplers of the present invention comprise a single component, thereby reducing the number of components and the concomitant complexity of the optical system. Further, many of these couplers can be fabricated with plano-plano entrance-exit surfaces, thereby obviating the need for forming curved focusing surfaces and thus avoiding the introduction of air spaces.

Abstract: An axially-based lens is provided, comprising two biaxial elements, each having entrance and exit surfaces. The exit surface of one of the elements is joined to the entrance surface of the other element, with one of the elements rotated at an angle with respect to the other. In a preferred embodiment, the angle of rotation is 90.degree.. The axially-based lens thus comprises four axial sub-elements, and is called a "quadaxial" lens herein. The axially-based lens element has the ability to gather and focus light to a spot with a minimum of spherical aberration and with a substantially uniform distribution of light intensity from center to periphery of the spot. In a preferred embodiment, the lens element focuses light to a square spot size.