Abstract: The invention concerns a device for acquiring stereoscopic images comprising a primary mirror (1) or a near-parabolic mirror, a secondary mirror (2) located on the primary mirror optical axis between said primary mirror and its focal point, tertiary reflecting means (4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 7a, 7b, 8) arranged relative to the primary mirror on the side opposite the secondary mirror reflecting along two directions different from that of the primary mirror optical axis the optical beams received by the primary mirror along two specific directions of incidence, the primary mirror being capable of being traversed by the tertiary beams, said tertiary reflecting means comprising means for focusing the optical beams which they receive along said two directions onto image acquisition means.

Abstract: A three-dimensional observation apparatus includes a pair of image projection means, an image display means, a position detecting means for detecting movements of an observer of images displayed by the image display means, and a driving means for tracking movements of the observer and for moving the image display means based on changes of signals that are output from the position detecting means. The pair of image projection means and the image display means are configured such that the pair of image projection means projects a right eye image and a left eye image, and the image display means presents these images to the right eye and left eye, respectively, of an observer. A diffusing means may be provided to enlarge the exit pupils of the three-dimensional observation apparatus.

Abstract: Distributed Bragg reflectors may be formed in fewer layers by the method, which is capable of producing greater differences in indexes of refraction. Group III–V alternating layers are deposited. The microstructure of alternating layers is controlled to be different. A combination of alternating polycrystalline layers or amorphous and polycrystalline layers results. Alternate ones of the layers oxidize more quickly than the others. A lateral wet oxidation of the alternate ones of the layers produces a structure with large differences in indexes of refraction between adjacent layers. The microstructure between alternating layers may be controlled by controlling Group V overpressure alone or in combination with growth temperature.

Abstract: A wavefront modulating optical element device employs two or more materials lithographically patterned with programmed thickness profiles. The spatially-varying thickness profiles are chosen to yield arbitrary relative phase-shift and attenuation upon transmission. The device can be designed to create arbitrary diffractive optical elements with specific applications including diffusers, arbitrary holographic optical elements, null-elements for wavefront compensation and control in interferometry.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for regulating the brightness of a light source (2), configured as an incandescent lamp, in the illumination beam path (8) of a microscope (1), the brightness of the light source (2) being modifiable by increasing or reducing the electrical power delivered to the light source (2), are characterized in that a red shift, associated with the reduction in the delivered electrical power, of the spectrum of the light emitted by the light source (2) in the illumination beam path (8) is compensated for by way of a variable optical filter (16) that brings about a blue shift of the spectrum. A color-neutral regulation of the brightness of the illuminating light is thereby achieved.

Abstract: Input light is split by a PBS into orthogonal polarized waves. One of the polarized waves is reflected by a mirror HR, and input to a 7?/8 plate. The other is phase-controlled by a phase controller, and input to the 7?/8 plate. The respective light beams to which a phase bias is applied by the 7?/8 plate are input from a 2R mirror having reflectances that differ depending on a polarized wave to a GT resonator. The light beams output from the GT resonator again pass through the 7?/8 plate, inversely travel the original optical path, and enter the PBS. Then, the light beams are output from an output 1 or 2 depending on a polarized wave.

Abstract: A diffraction optical device includes a first diffraction element and a second diffraction element arranged adjacent to each other. One of the first diffraction element and the second diffraction element has a positive power, and the other has a negative power. The first diffraction element reduces the incident angle of light upon the second diffraction element. As a result, a lowering of diffraction efficiency due to the dependency thereof upon the incident angle of light is suppressed, and flare light is prevented from occurring due to diffracted light of unnecessary orders.

Abstract: An optical device reflecting a range of wavelengths comprised between 10 nm and 20 nm comprises alternate superposed first and second layers. The first layers are made of metal or metallic compound and the second layers are formed by an amorphous silicon compound chosen from a-Si—Hx, a-Si—CHx, a-Si—Cx, a-Si—OHx, a-Si—Fx, a-Si—FHx, a-Si—Nx, a-Si—NHx, x being comprised between 0.01 and 0.3. The use of second layers of amorphous silicon compound enables the mechanical stresses of the optical device to be stabilized up to at least 200° C. The optical device is preferably used as reflector for a lithography mask in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV).

Abstract: An apparatus and method of maintaining a time-constant heat load on a lithography mirror. The mirror includes a resistive layer formed on a substrate, contacts for coupling a power supply to the resistive layer, an insulating sublayer formed on the resistive layer, a polished layer formed on the insulating layer, and a reflective layer formed on the polished layer. The time-constant heat load on the lithography mirror is maintained by placing an additional electrical heat load on the mirror according to the actinic heat load transmitted by the mask. Maintaining the time-constant heat load can reduce or eliminate variation in image distortion that occurs as a result of changes in actinic heat load on the lithography mirror. Independent temperature control can be used to mitigate “cold-edge effect.

Abstract: A dispersion compensator having relatively uniform transmission characteristics over the bandwidth of a communication channel. The compensator is designed to process an optical signal corresponding to the communication channel by decomposing that signal into spectral components, routing different components along different optical paths that impart relative delays between the components, and recombining the delayed components spatially and directionally to generate a processed optical signal with reduced chromatic dispersion. In one embodiment, the compensator includes a diffraction grating optically coupled to a mirror array, in which different mirrors receive light corresponding to different communication channels. For each channel, a desired group delay value is produced by selecting the curvature of the corresponding mirror. A compensator employing independently addressable, variable-curvature mirrors enables generation of variable, channel-specific group delays.

Abstract: A corrosion and ultra violet-resistant silver mirror for use in solar reflectors; the silver layer having a film-forming protective polymer bonded thereto, and a protective shield overlay comprising a transparent multipolymer film that incorporates a UV absorber. The corrosion and ultraviolet resistant silver mirror retains spectral hemispherical reflectance and high optical clarity throughout the UV and visible spectrum when used in solar reflectors.

Abstract: A diffractive optical element emits substantially zero order diffracted light when light with a wavelength of 0.35 ?m to 0.45 ?m is incident and emits substantially first-order diffracted light when light with a wavelength of 0.6 ?m to 0.7 ?m is incident. The diffractive optical element includes a substrate and a grating portion formed on the substrate. The grating portion has a step-wise cross section with any one of levels selected from four levels, five levels and six levels. The diffractive optical element emits substantially zero-order diffracted light when light with a first wavelength ?1 satisfying the relationship: 0.35 ?m??1?0.45 ?m is incident and emits substantially first-order diffracted light when light with a second wavelength ?2 satisfying the relationship: 0.6 ?m??2?0.7 ?m is incident.

Abstract: An image-taking apparatus includes an image-taking portion provided with a taking lens system. A filter to be brought into close contact with the taking lens system is held by a filter holder. A moving mechanism moves a movable member in the direction of the optical axis of the taking lens system. A spring intervenes between the filter holder and the movable member and urges the filter holder toward the taking lens system in the direction of the optical axis thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting a Gaussian laser beam into a propagating far field diffraction pattern using an off-axis diffractive optic. This propagating far field pattern is focused by a lens to obtain a flattop intensity at the focal plane. The technique is based on the idea of Fourier transform pairs and produces a small spot diameter with a useable depth of field. A focused uniform intensity profile can be useful for many laser applications.

Abstract: A display 1a with a shading means is divided into three areas. A shading part of the shading means shifts by ¼ of a pitch of the shading part in each of the areas. When the shading part shifts by the ¼ of the pitch, an image passes by corresponding to each of areas after shifting. An image display surface is also divided into areas by corresponding to the above division into areas, and a display order of a left eye image and a right eye image in stripe shapes is controlled for each of the areas. Shifting by the ¼ of the pitch is not provided in the H2 area, but is provided in the H1, H3 areas, and replacement of the left eye image and the right eye image is provided only in the H1 area. In this case, the right eye image passes through L1? from the H1 area and enters a right eye of the viewer, the right eye image passes through R2 from the H2 area and enters the right eye of the viewer, and the right eye image passes through R2? from the H3 area and enters the right eye of the viewer.

Abstract: The present invention provides reflective films and other optical bodies which exhibit sharp bandedges on one or both sides of the main reflection bands. The optical bodies comprise multilayer stacks M1 and M2, each having first order reflections in a desired part of the spectrum and comprising optical repeating units R1 and R2, respectively. At least one of the optical repeating units R1 and R2 varies monotonically in optical thickness along the thickness of the associated multilayer stack.

Abstract: A diffractive optical element includes a first diffractive optical part having a phase type diffractive grating, and a second diffractive optical part having a phase type diffractive grating formed of a material differing from that of the first diffractive optical part. The first diffractive optical part and the second diffractive optical part are disposed in proximity to each other with an air layer. Each of the first diffractive optical part and the second diffractive optical part has a mark for aligning them with the optical effective areas thereof.

Abstract: A stereoscopic image display apparatus includes: an image display unit 22 for displaying image information corresponding to parallax in a first division and a second division; a divided wave plate filter unit 12 having a frame 41 and disposed adjacent to the first division and the second division of the image display unit, for rotating polarized light of the image information from the first division to a direction different from polarized light of the image information from the second division; and position adjusting means 35R and 35L for acting on the frame of the divided wave plate filter unit and thereby allowing adjustment of a relative position between the image display unit and the divided wave plate filter.

Abstract: A monocentric autostereoscopic optical apparatus (10) for viewing a virtual image, electronically generated and projected on a curved surface. For each left and right image component, a separate optical system comprises an image generation system (70l, 70r) and projection system (72), the projection system comprising a spherical diffusive surface (40) and a spherical gradient-index ball lens assembly (31) to provide wide field of view. A monocentric arrangement of optical components images the ball lens pupil (48) at the viewing pupil (14) and essentially provides a single center of curvature (C) for projection components. Use of such a monocentric arrangement, diffusive surface (40), and ball lens (30) provides an exceptionally wide field of view with large viewing pupil (14).

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a stereoscopic image displaying method and a stereoscopic image displaying apparatus using the same, which are capable of excellently observing a stereoscopic image.