Abstract: A double stage isolator is formed of face-to-face slabs or sheets of materials that will suitably split, combine, non-reciprocally rotate to ensure isolation in a reverse direction from output ports to respective input ports of any light launched into the input ports. A right angled Porro-prism is disposed at an end of the affixed together slabs having planar faces to direct light launched in a folded fashion to the output ports. A half waveplate is used in addition to beam splitter combiners and non-reciprocal rotators means that rotate the light by 90 degrees so as to pass a single beam in a forward propagating direction and to interchange the polarization of two sub-beams that pass through from an output port to an input port in a reverse direction.

Abstract: A multilayer mirror aims to reduce incidence angle dependence of reflectivity. A substrate is made of low thermal polished expansion glass with 0.2 nm RMS or less roughness of the surface. On the surface thereof formed is a Ru/Si multilayer having a wide full-width half maximum of peak reflectivity, and on the Ru/Si multilayer formed is a Mo/Si multilayer having a high peak reflectivity value. This enables higher reflectivity than when Ru/Si alone provided and a reflectivity peak having a wider full-width half maximum than when the Mo/Si multilayer alone provided. Since Ru absorbs EUV ray more than Mo does, higher reflectivity is obtainable than that of a structure having the Ru/Si multilayer formed on the Mo/Si multilayer. The multilayer with a wide full-width half maximum has small incidence angle dependence of reflectivity in spectral reflectivity, thereby achieving high imaging performance in projection optical system.

Abstract: An optical system and method for providing a visible light beam with a desired characteristic includes a visible light source producing a visible light beam defining an optical train. An optical element is disposed in the optical train to create a modified beam, and that is capable of introducing an undesired characteristic that continuously transitions across at least a portion of the modified beam. A wire-grid polarizer is disposed in the optical train, and has a plurality of elongated elements with at least a portion that continuously transitions to a different characteristic. The wire-grid polarizer is positioned and oriented in the optical train with the different characteristic corresponding to the undesired characteristic of the modified beam to obtain a visible light beam with a desired characteristic substantially across the visible light beam.

Abstract: A compact spotting scope includes a housing with an outer surface having a grasping region sized and shaped to fit in the palm of a user's hand so that the spotting scope can be held at eye level with one hand in an ergonomic arm and wrist position for steady support. An optical element positioned within the housing is adjusted by manually rotating a side-mounted adjustment knob that extends laterally from the outer surface of the housing opposite the grasping region. The side-mounted position of the adjustment knob allows the arm and wrist of the focusing hand to be maintained in an ergonomic position during manipulation of the adjustment knob, thereby further facilitating steady support. An internal support member of the spotting scope includes a frame portion and a generally tubular portion, which are preferably formed together of unitary one-piece construction for aligning optical elements of the spotting scope.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing optical identification elements that includes forming a diffraction grating in a fiber substrate along a longitudinal axis of the substrate. The grating includes a resultant refractive index variation. The method also includes cutting the substrate transversely to form a plurality of optical identification elements that have the grating therein along substantially the entire length of the elements. Each of the elements has substantially the same resultant refractive index variation.

Abstract: A hologram recording medium, and a recording apparatus and a reproducing apparatus for the same, by which scattered beam noise is minimized and recording capacity is increased using spatial separation and polarization separation in an optical system where a reference beam and an object beam travel through the same optical path. The provided hologram recording medium includes a recording layer into which an object beam and a reference beam are radiated to record data of the object beam as interference fringes, and first and second phase difference layers arranged above and below the recording layer, respectively, to convert the polarization of an incident beam.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating refractive element(s) and aligning the elements in a compound optic, typically to a zone plate element. The techniques are used for fabricating micro refractive, such as Fresnel, optics and compound optics including two or more optical elements for short wavelength radiation. One application is the fabrication of the Achromatic Fresnel Optic (AFO). Techniques for fabricating the refractive element generally include: 1) ultra-high precision mechanical machining, e.g,. diamond turning; 2) lithographic techniques including gray-scale lithography and multi-step lithographic processes; 3) high-energy beam machining, such as electron-beam, focused ion beam, laser, and plasma-beam machining; and 4) photo-induced chemical etching techniques. Also addressed are methods of aligning the two optical elements during fabrication and methods of maintaining the alignment during subsequent operation.

Abstract: Miniature optical devices, including circulator array devices, are fabricated using thin film coating technology. A typical optical device includes two refraction elements arranged opposite each other along a propagation axis and coupled on opposite ends to first and second polarization orientation elements with first and second PBS elements are coupled to the first and second polarization orientation elements, respectively. The refraction elements include complementary Wollaston Prism elements or Rochon Prism elements. Each polarization orientation element includes a Faraday rotator element, and in some embodiments, a half-wave plate formed using thin film coating techniques. The Faraday rotator elements are periodically poled in some embodiments using selective poling techniques to create oppositely oriented magnetic domains so that polarization rotations of 45 degrees in both clockwise and counter-clockwise directions can be simultaneously achieved on the same magnetic garnet.

Abstract: A chromatic dispersion compensator whereby the amount of dispersion and the group delay time can be easily adjusted. A dispersion unit, a transmitting lens and a group delay generation unit are arranged along the optical axis of incident light. The dispersion unit separates the incident light into beams of respective different wavelengths. The transmitting lens is arranged across the optical paths of the beams of different wavelengths separated by the dispersion unit, and refracts the beams at different angles according to their respective incidence positions. The group delay generation unit is arranged across the optical paths of the beams of different wavelengths refracted by the transmitting lens, causes the beams to undergo propagation delay for periods corresponding to their respective incidence positions, and converges and emits the beams of different wavelengths. Consequently, the beams of different wavelengths are imparted group delay corresponding to the refracting angles of the transmitting lens.

Abstract: Optical contact liquid containing an amphipathic molecule is dripped onto a semiconductor device which is a sample as an inspection object (S104), and a solid immersion lens is set thereon (S105). The inserted position of the solid immersion lens is then adjusted (S106). The optical contact liquid is then dried (S108), and thereby the solid immersion lens is brought into optically-close contact with the semiconductor device. As a result, a sample observation method and a microscope or the like can be realized, in which the solid immersion lens can be easily aligned to a desired position on the sample, and the solid immersion lens can be securely brought into optically-close contact with the sample.

Abstract: A narrowband, tunable filter with a wide acceptance angle utilizes two holographic filter elements connected in series. The filter blocks light outside of a narrow spectral band of interest, while enabling light to be seen over a wide range of angles incident on the filter.

Abstract: An optical splitting device is intended to receive at an input two beams of different wavelengths. The device includes a polarizing beam splitter designed to selectively transmit part of the beam having one of the wavelengths towards a first output or a second output depending on the polarization of said beam. The device further includes a polarization variation system placed upstream of the polarizing beam splitter. By combining the polarization variation device with the polarizing beam splitter it is possible to adjust the distribution of the energy of a beam between the two outputs of the device. Such a splitting device is advantageously incorporated into an optical communication terminal.

Abstract: Microparticles 8 includes an optical substrate 10 having at least one diffraction grating 12 disposed therein. The grating 12 having a plurality of colocated pitches ? which represent a unique identification digital code that is detected when illuminated by incident light 24. The incident light 24 may be directed transversely from the side of the substrate 10 with a narrow band (single wavelength) or multiple wavelength source, in which case the code is represented by a spatial distribution of light or a wavelength spectrum, respectively. The code may be digital binary or may be other numerical bases. The micro-particles 8 can provide a large number of unique codes, e.g., greater than 67 million codes, and can withstand harsh environments. The micro-particles 8 are functionalized by coating them with a material/substance of interest, which are then used to perform multiplexed experiments involving chemical processes, e.g., DNA testing and combinatorial chemistry.

Abstract: One or more single mode waveguide devices are fiber coupled such that signals to an optical element affect the coupling of the waveguide device to an optical fiber. A number of systems and methods are disclosed to adjust the coupling of the waveguide device to the optical fiber. These include dithering the tunable optical element at different frequencies along differing axes and using a lock-in technique to derive an error signal for each degree of motion, using a beamsplitter to form a secondary image of the focused beam on a position-sensitive detector, the use of a chiseled fiber to generate reflections from the angled facets, using an additional laser for a secondary image, or obtaining a secondary image from an angled fiber or a parasitic reflection.

Abstract: A of producing a magnetic garnet material of which the light absorption characteristics worsen little even though it is produced through LPE. The crucible for LPE is formed of a material containing Au. The amount of Au to be taken in single crystal formed in an Au crucible is smaller than that of Pt to be taken therein formed in a Pt crucible. As compared with Pt, the influence of Au on magnetic garnet film that increases the insertion loss in the film is small.

Abstract: The contrast of an image produced by epifluorescence microscopy may be increased by placing a high-pass dichroic reflecting film behind the sample. The reflecting film reflects the emission light emitted by the fluorescent tags in the sample back through the objective lens while allowing the shorter wavelength excitation light to pass through the sample holder.

Abstract: Stage apparatus for improving the accuracy of microscope stage positioning, including a stage having a fixed portion, a platform movable relative to the fixed portion, and an integral memory device for storing data relating to the positioning of the platform.

Abstract: An interchangeable microscope stage drive assembly, including a microscope stage, and, a drive mechanism detachably secured to the microscope stage at more than one location of the stage.

Abstract: An image blur compensation device for use with an image capture device including an imaging optical system and an imaging unit which converts a subject image captured on a light receiving surface thereof through the imaging optical system into an image signal. The compensation device includes a variable mirror which is provided on the optical axis of the imaging optical system and which has a displaceable reflective surface and an electrode to control the displacement of the reflective surface. A drive unit supplies the electrode with a drive signal to displace the reflective surface. And a compensation unit produces correction information to correct the drive signal.

Abstract: A polarization pattern assembly produces a polarization pattern. In an embodiment, a polarization pattern assembly includes a frame that supports a polarization pane in a central region of the frame. The polarization pane changes the polarization direction of light incident upon the polarization pane. Different polarization patterns in a pupil of a polarized illuminator can be generated.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composition comprising an isocyanate-reactive compound and a catalyst comprising a bismuth carboxylate and a zirconium carboxylate, wherein the catalyst is present in an amount sufficient to catalyze a reaction with the isocyanate-reactive compound and a polyisocyanate. Also disclosed is a process for preparing a composition, which comprises contacting an isocyanate-reactive compound with a polyisocyanate, in the presence of an effective amount of a catalyst comprising a bismuth carboxylate and a zirconium carboxylate, under reaction conditions sufficient to form a composition containing at least one urethane group.