Abstract: Optical systems employing stepped diffractive surfaces (13) are provided. Ray tracing through such systems is performed using the grating equation to represent the stepped diffractive surface (SDS). In this way, the SDS can be used to correct a variety of monochromatic and chromatic aberrations by balancing the aberrations of the SDS against the aberrations of non-stepped optical surfaces in the system.

Abstract: A waveguide designed to minimize bend-induced losses. The waveguide has three regions of varying indices of refraction. The indices of refraction are chosen so that the field is a trigonometric function in the core region, evanescent in the intermediate region, and trigonometric again in the outer region. The widths of each region are calculated to further reduce losses.

Abstract: An optoelectronic component, such as an optical transceiver, contains one or more optoelectronic devices, such as a semiconductor laser or a photodiode. It also contains a metallic or metallized housing within which the optoelectronic devices are mounted, and an optical connector part to allow optical radiation to be coupled between the optoelectronic devices and fibres of a fibre optic communications network. The optical connector is disposed at least partly within an aperture in the housing. A metallic or metallized barrier is disposed between the one or more optoelectronic devices and the optical connector substantially to shield against transmission of electromagnetic radiation through the aperture (except of course for the transmission of optical radiation to be provided to, or received from the fibre optic communications network). This barrier can be provided as part of a metallized clip, adapted to fit around the optical interface between the optoelectronic devices and the outside of the transceiver.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus comprises a light source for illuminating an original, an imaging optical system for forming an image of the illuminated original on the focal plane of the system, and a sensor unit arranged in front of the focal plane. At least two infrared cut filters are arranged on the optical path between the light source and the sensor unit. Those infrared cut filters show respective spectral characteristics that are different from each other. The imaging optical system typically comprises a plurality of lenses and the infrared cut filters are arranged on at least two of the respective surfaces of the lenses.

Abstract: This invention provides a stereoscopic image display apparatus, which allows the observer to satisfactorily observe a plurality of stereoscopic images from a plurality of positions by appropriately setting individual elements such as two lenticular lenses having refractive power in orthogonal directions, a mask pattern on which aperture portions and light-shielding portions are arranged at predetermined pitches, a display for dividing a plurality of parallax images into a large number of horizontal stripe-shaped parallax images and displaying the plurality of horizontal stripe-shaped parallax images at predetermined pitches in the vertical direction, and the like, upon observing a stereoscopic image using the lenticular lenses.

Abstract: A protective cable armor for cable having tensile stiffness and providing structural protection from invasion by foreign objects. The armor comprises a substantially planar sheet member having a length and a width and an intermittent corrugation pattern disposed therein. The intermittent corrugation pattern comprises at least one land extending across the width of the sheet member and having a defined land width. The intermittent corrugation pattern further comprises at least one, groove extending across the width of the sheet member and having a defined groove width, where the defined land width differs from the defined groove width. The land is disposed adjacent the groove. The sheet member can also be disposed in a substantially tubular form.

Abstract: A holographic shrink wrap element containing a shrink wrap film and a layer on the shrink wrap film, wherein the layer contains a holographic image. A process for preparing a holographic shrink wrap element includes providing, in the following order, a holographic polymer film having a holographic surface, a layer on the holographic surface and a shrink wrap film, and removing the holographic polymer film, leaving the holographic image on the layer.

Abstract: In an optical connector, a sleeve is located between an optical fiber 6 and a light receiving/transmitting module 4 and makes an optical connection therebetween. The sleeve has a light guiding passage which is tapered from the optical fiber toward the light receiving/transmitting module, thereby forming a conical shape with its sloped side wall. The end face having a reduced diameter of the light-guiding passage 26 thus formed is arranged oppositely to the light receiving/transmitting module.

Abstract: An optical switch array has row and column waveguide segments, on a waveguide substrate. Each waveguide segment terminates in a trench positioned in one of two patterns. In the first pattern, the trenches are positioned along the diagonal while in the second pattern, the trenches are positioned in a regular array. The row and column waveguide segments are in fixed relation and generally parallel to the surface of the waveguide substrate. A heater substrate has heaters aligned to the waveguide substrate in accordance with the trenches. A liquid, disposable within the trenches, is responsive to the heaters. The liquid has an index of refraction such that optical transmission from a first selected waveguide segment to a second waveguide segment is determined by presence of the liquid within the trenches.

Abstract: A polarization scrambler and a polarization mode dispersion (PMD) compensation system compensate for PMD on an active optic fiber. The polarization scrambler scrambles a state of polarization of an optical signal that carries user information. The PMD compensation system then receives the optical signal over the active optic fiber. The PMD compensation system measuring a differential group delay and principal states of polarization of the PMD in the active optic fiber. The PMD compensation system then determines a modification of the optical signal based on the differential group delay and the principal states of polarization of the PMD. The PMD compensation system modifies the optical signal in the active optic fiber to compensate for PMD based on the determination of the modification. The PMD compensation system then transmits the optical signal.

Abstract: A single-crystal polygonal polarization prism has at least two pairs of mutually parallel prism planes. The prism is characterized by the fact that the e-beam is reflected within the prism with even number of reflections, whereby after the exit from the prism the angular position of the e-beam does not depend on the wavelength. The o-beam is subjected to at least one reflection, and the angular position of o-beam also does not depend on the wavelength. The prism of the invention does not distort the cross sections of the beams and is characterized by minimal optical losses.

Abstract: A system for removably attaching a first object to a second object comprising an attachment member on said first object which cooperates with an opening for receiving the attachment member on the second object. The attachment member is deformable from a static state to an extended state during the application of a force on the attachment member wherein the attachment member has a greater width in its static state than in its extended state. The width of the opening cooperating with the attachment member is less than at least a portion of the width of the attachment member in its static state but substantially equal to or greater than the width of the attachment member in its extended state.

Abstract: A handheld stereographic book-type device which includes a content support portion (8) configured to position and support stereographic content (1A, 1B), and a stereoscopic viewer (5) configured to enable interocular adjustment. The stereoscopic viewer includes adjustable left and right lenses and respective adjustable occluding apertures to enable perception of stereographic content configured with left and right peripheral monocular fields (FIGS. 7-9, 2DL & 2DR). A viewer pivotal chassis (3) is configured to couple the stereoscopic viewer to the content support portion (8). The viewer pivotal chassis includes a plurality of pivotal axes (3) parallel to a line which bisects the left and right lenses of said viewer to enable the user to visually scan and traverse up and down the length of said content while maintaining focus of said content therewith said viewer (5).

Abstract: A light beam deflected by a polygon mirror (20) is incident substantially perpendicularly on a trapezoidal reflecting prism (33) having an incidence surface (33a) and two reflection surfaces (33b, 33c). Then, the light beam incident on the reflecting prism (33) is totally reflected at the first reflection surface (33b) toward the second reflection surface (33c). Next, the totally reflected light beam is totally reflected at the second reflection surface (33c) toward the incidence surface (33a) and is emitted from the incidence surface (33a) in the opposite direction from the incident direction. The emitted light beam passes through a cylindrical lens (34) and is reflected and directed toward a scan surface (40) by a cylindrical mirror (35). The reflected light beam forms a scanning spot-on the scan surface (40).

Abstract: A process for adapting a length of optical fiber with a pure silica core to enable imprinting a Bragg grating in the core without doping the core, the process using an optical fiber having some fluorine in its cladding, and besides the process, a pure silica core optical fiber having a Bragg grating. The process causes fluorine to diffuse from the cladding into the core for a selected length, and then by one of several alternative methods, creates defects in the core within the length. The alternatives include heating and reducing or oxidizing the length; performing flame brushing; or irradiating the length using ionizing radiation, such as gamma radiation. Next, the process uses hydrogenation to load the core with hydrogen, and then exposes the length to a pattern of UV light as is normally done in imprinting a Bragg grating. Finally, the process heats the length, causing hydrogen fluoride to form in the regions exposed to appreciable UV light.

Abstract: In order to provide a color separating and composing prism, or the like, with an improved arrangement of prisms, and the like, having a gap or a space in the color separating and composing prism, to the exclusion of a registration shift, there is provided a color separating and composing prism consisting of first to third prisms 3, 4 and 5 for effecting color separation of a light source beam into an R light, a G light and a B light by the use of dichroic films, characterized in that the second surface of the first prism 3 and the first surface of the second prism 4, and the second surface of the second prism 4 and the first surface of the third prism 5 are respectively bound together along the joint surfaces therebetween at least through the adhesive layers, so that the first, second and third prisms are integrated.

Abstract: An adjustable attenuation adapter mainly comprises a fixing body having a bore centrally disposed therethrough and a connecting member extending outwardly from the bore; a moving body having a cylindrical body with a threaded outer surface; an inner roller being disposed within the central bore of the fixing body, the inner roller having an outer surface with gear teeth and an inner threaded surface for driving the threaded outer surface of the cylindrical body of the moving body; and an adjusting knob disposed within the fixing body and adjacent to the inner roller, the adjusting knob having a gear body for driving gear teeth of the inner roller. Since the threaded outer surface of the cylindrical body is threadedly driven by the inner threaded surface of the inner roller which is also gearedly rotated by the adjusting knob, the rotation of the adjusting knob causes the axial displacement of the moving body with respect to the fixing body.

Abstract: An apparatus for switching one of a plurality of optical signals from a plurality of optical fibers. The apparatus has an input fiber bundle housing comprising an outer side and an inner side. The input fiber bundle housing has a plurality of sites oriented in a spatial manner on the outer side for coupling to a plurality of input optical fibers. Each of the input optical fibers is capable of transmitting an optical signal. The apparatus also has a first mirror array disposed facing the inner side of the input fiber bundle housing. The first mirror array includes a plurality of mirrors. Each of the mirrors corresponds to one of the sites on the outer side of the input fiber bundle housing. A second mirror array is disposed facing the first mirror array. The second mirror array is also disposed around a periphery of the input fiber bundle.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaving optical waveguides to precise differential length are described. A first end of a waveguide is coupled to an input port of a reflectometer. A reference mirror is then positioned in a path of radiation propagating through the second end of the waveguide. A waveguide cutting tool is then positioned proximate to the waveguide and at a distance relative to a reference mirror. A first reflectometry measurement is performed on the waveguide to a second end of the waveguide. A second reflectometry measurement is performed on the waveguide to the reference mirror. The waveguide is then positioned relative to the reference mirror and waveguide cutting tool so that the first reflectometery measurement is a measurement increment apart from the second reflectometry measurement. The waveguide is then cut with the cutting tool positioned at the distance relative to the reference mirror.

Abstract: A method for displaying computer generated holograms of a display object is performed by computing fringe patterns produced by light interference from the display object. The steps are summarized as follows: three-dimensional data of the display object are converted into computational data for fringe pattern generation; a sampling rule for sampling computational data is selected; computational data are sampled according to a selected sampling rule; wavefronts generated by light illumination are computed by assuming that each sampled position has a light source; fringe patterns generated by computed wavefronts and a reference beam are computed; fringe patterns are stored as hologram images; sampling and a wavefront generation are repeated for all data; and a series of hologram images thus generated are displayed successively.