Abstract: An optical ray deflecting means is neutrally supported in and biased in alignment with a window in a fluid filled chamber. The fluid, acting on both the sidewalls of the chamber and the surfaces of the deflecting means, causes the deflecting means to undergo proportional angular motion with respect to an inertial reference system when the chamber is subjected to vibrational angular motion with respect to the reference system. Placement of a deflecting means stabilizer at preselected points along the optical path of an optical instrument having high magnification is disclosed for producing instrument image stabilization.

Abstract: An optical ray deflecting means is neutrally supported in and biased in alignment with a window in a fluid filled chamber. The fluid, acting on both the sidewalls of the chamber and the surfaces of the deflecting means, causes the deflecting means to undergo proportional angular motion with respect to an inertial reference system when the chamber is subjected to vibrational angular motion with respect to the reference system. Placement of a deflecting means stabilizer at preselected points along the optical path of an optical instrument having high magnification is disclosed for producing instrument image stabilization.

Abstract: Optics are stabilized by suspending an optical element in a semi-liquid, either freely or by supports allowing for substantial freedom of movement. The semi-liquid provides support for the optical element, damping of oscillation and minimal distortions resulting from inhomogeneous adsorption of heat by the fluid media.

Abstract: A stabilizer is disclosed which can alone, or in combination with other optics of known magnification, produce stabilized images where ambient instrument vibration occurs. An optically transparent liquid of known index of refraction is confined to a chamber having at least one freely movable transparent wall. A light path is defined into or out of the chamber substantially normal to the neutral position of the freely movable transparent wall. When the chamber is subjected to accidental angular motion, the fluid within the chamber inertially acts upon the freely movable transparent wall to move the wall and thereby create a transparent fluid wedge. This transparent fluid wedge, either alone or in conjunction with other optics of known magnification, produces apparent image movement equal and opposite to the image movement produced by ambient accidental vibration. Optical stabilization results.