Abstract: A multi-layer graded reflectivity mirror (GRM) with high effective reflectivity is suitable for use in large aperture laser systems with relatively low gain. The GRMs are manufactured with multiple dielectric layers with a thickness profile that eliminates the interference fringes, while providing a reflectivity which tapers smoothly from a peak to zero. The mirror is formed on a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first. The substrate consists of a material which has low absorption at a given wavelength .lambda.. A first dielectric layer is formed on the first surface of the substrate which has an index of refraction n.sub.1 and having an optical thickness profile with a maximum optical thickness of .lambda./4 at a center which essentially continuously decreases away from the center to a minimum optical thickness of Z at a perimeter P. A second dielectric layer is formed on the first dielectric layer having an index of refraction n.sub.

Abstract: There is disclosed an image reading apparatus in which the scanning optical system having a slit is caused to scan in a short-side direction of the slit, and light passed through the slit and reflected from or transmitted through an original is guided to a solid-state image pickup element through an optical image forming element so that the image is formed on the solid-state image pickup element and is read. In the apparatus, opening portions for detecting a shift in relative positional relationship between the slit and the solid-state image pickup element are formed in both end portions of the slit in its longitudinal direction corresponding to a portion other than an effective image region of the solid-state image pickup element.

Abstract: The sighting device may include a reticle and a strongly magnifying lens or lens segment positioned along the line of slight. The lens, or segment blocks out a part of the object field and focusses an image of the reticle on the user's retina. Alternatively, a holographic image of the reticle may be used in place of the reticle-lens combination. The device may also include a Galilean telescope with the magnifying lens segment positioned at the eyelens and the reticle adjacent to the objective.

Abstract: Holographic apparatus and methods are provided for generating high resolution telescopic images using low cost, small aperture lenses. Holographic media, such as photorefractive crystals, are used in conjunction with multiple and/or synthetic aperture techniques. In a multiple aperture system, a thin nonlinear holographic medium is used with a plurality of small optical lenses to compensate for the inherent piston and tilt errors of the lenses, thereby providing higher resolution. In another embodiment, synthetic aperture techniques are accomplished by illuminating a far field object with coherent light, deriving a reference beam from the coherent light, and changing the position of the reference beam in accordance with a computational formula. A hologram is formed from a sequence of image exposures in the holographic media, each made at different positions with respect to the image.

Abstract: A shatter resistant mirror includes a frangible mirror material for reflecting an image which has a coating of an elastic adhesive material which bonds a rigid backing material to the frangible mirror body. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the adhesive was one of a water-based synthetic polymeric material or a hot melt pressure sensitive adhesive. The rigid support member preferably is a fiberboard material. In some embodiments of the invention, the composite mirror structure includes multiple layers of composite fiberboard material to provide spacing for mounting the mirror in a particular application.

Abstract: An optical diffraction grating element comprising diffraction gratings having a configuration in which grooves and flat lands each positioned between the adjacent grooves are successively alternately formed, wherein the diffraction gratings have the same groove depth, groove width and groove tilt angle in order to obtain a constant 0th-order diffraction efficiency and first-order diffraction efficiency in the optical diffraction grating element while the pitches of the diffraction gratings are made different by setting a different land width for each diffraction grating.

Abstract: A windshield visor or visor attachment having a fixed panel and an extendible panel which may be opaque, mirrored, transparent, tinted or photogray. The extendible panel protects the driver against glare or brightness, and against direct effects of the defrost/defog fan. The extendible panel may be positioned by means of rods on the extendible panel cooperating with opposed serrations on the fixed panel, or by means of a detent on the first panel cooperating with cutouts in one edge of the movable panel. Three different methods of attaching this invention to a conventional windshield visor are disclosed.

Abstract: A binocular telescope mountable on a headgear, which comprises two optical systems, one for each of the user, each system constituting at least an objective lens and an eyelens. The telescope is pivotably attached to the headgear. When the headgear is in position on the user's head, the objective lenses and the eyelenses can be swiveled out of the way to facilitate free and unaided vision, and returned to the position of telescope-aided vision.

Abstract: A binocular-type optical device for night as well as day vision. A night vision optical device is located in a central body. The night vision optical device includes an optical path which is folded through a pair of opposed holes in a central body containing the night vision device. Two lateral bodies are affixed to the central body, each lateral body having a hole facing the holes in the central body. One of the lateral bodies faces an oblong hole in the central body, and is rotatable with respect to the central body. Each of the lateral bodies includes a day vision optical system having an objective at one end and an eyepiece at another end. A mirror contained in each lateral body are adjustable to permit either the folded night vision optical path or the day vision optical path to be received by a pair of common eyepieces.

Abstract: A self amplifying optical pattern recognizer includes a geometric system configuration similar to that of a Vander Lugt holographic matched filter configuration with a photorefractive crystal specifically oriented with respect to the input beams. An extraordinarily polarized, spherically converging object image beam is formed by laser illumination of an input object image and applied through a photorefractive crystal, such as a barium titanite (BaTiO.sub.3) crystal. A volume or thin-film difORIGIN OF THE INVENTIONThe invention described herein was made in the performance of work under a NASA contract, and is subject to the provisions of Public Law 96-517 (35 USC 202) in which the Contractor has elected to retain title.

Abstract: An afocal lens assembly which includes a first and second lens group used r testing an infrared detector assembly. The first lens group includes three lens elements and the second lens group includes four lens elements. The output of the lens assembly includes up to a 60 degree collimated field-of-view. The lens elements are infrared transmissive.

Abstract: A multiple field of view sensor lens assembly suitable for inclusion in an infrared imaging system. The lens assembly includes a rotatable telescope 10 for providing first and second fields of view for the sensor, the first field of view being along a first axis thereof L and the second field of view being along a separate second axis T. A servo mechanism 30 is included for rotating the telescope 10 from a first orientation at which the first axis is aligned with the optical axis to a second orientation at which the second axis is aligned with the optical axis. In a preferred embodiment the inventive lens assembly is disposed to provide fields of view in opposing directions along the first axis L, and a third field along the second axis T.

Abstract: An item is described which renders a pair of eyeglasses more comfortable to the wearer. The item prevents eyeglasses from falling down on the nose of the wearer and thus promotes easier breathing. Glasses feel lighter to the wearer because the item lifts glasses away from the cheeks. Additionally, The item is adjustable to a position opposite the eyes for better vision.

Abstract: The present invention provides variable reflectance mirrors wherein the component of variable transmittance is a single-compartment, self-erasing, solution-phase electrochromic device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-layered coating for an optical part comprising at least a YF.sub.3 layer between a substrate and a dielectric material layer.

Abstract: The improved zoom lens system includes, in order from the object side, a first lens group having a positive power, a second and a third lens group each having a negative power and a fourth lens group having an overall positive power, the fourth lens group being composed of a first sub-group 4a and a second sub-group 4b, which zoom lens system performs zooming by moving the second lens group relative to the overall system, the third lens group being moved relative to the overall system in operative association with the zooming so as to correct the shifting of the image plane due to the zooming which zoom lens system satisfies specific conditions.

Abstract: A scanning optical apparatus includes a deflecting member rotatable to deflect light from a light source, a lens unit for imaging the light on a member to be scanned, and a rotor for rotating the deflecting member, wherein a part of the lens unit is disposed above the rotor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a windshield deflector shield for deflecting insects and debris above the hood and windshield of a vehicle and for increasing the driver's field of vision. The deflector shield includes a lens coupled to the middle deflector section for increasing the field of vision in front of the vehicle. The deflector shield may also include rearview mirrors coupled to the ends of the deflector shield for increasing the driver's field of vision at the sides of the vehicle.

Abstract: A medical laser system for scanning a beam of laser light including an oscillating mirror that repeatedly scans a laser beam in a cyclical pattern, such as a circle or an ellipse, or in a zig-zag pattern within a defined boundary. The oscillating mirror can be included in a myringotomy instrument. Also, the oscillating mirror can be included in a joystick-controlled medical laser system, or in any other system where a cyclically scanned laser beam is useful.

Abstract: An image stabilizing apparatus is disclosed comprising an imaging optical system for forming an image of a subject onto an imaging surface. A deflector has first and second liquid prisms disposed with a movable transparent plate therebetween, and a controller changes vertex angles of the respective prisms by inclining the movable transparent plate in order to correct for a displacement of the image on the imaging surface.