Abstract: A high index of refraction, low softening point, low expansion segment glass is fused into a countersunk photochromic glass blank of lower index of refraction. The high index of refraction segment is primarily composed of SiO.sub.2, B.sub.2 O.sub.3 and PbO with lesser amounts of other oxides.

Abstract: A contact lens comprising at least two components, one of the components is made of a relatively hard optical material, the other component being made of a hydrophilic material and arranged to extend at least partially over the inner surface of the hard component in the form of a peripheral ring, so that a central zone thereon is uncovered and the ring of hydrophilic material, when in a hydrated state, extends rearwardly of the central zone of the hard component, whereby a void is provided between said central zone and the cornea when the lens is placed in position on the cornea, whereby only the hydrophilic component contacts the cornea.

Abstract: A contact lens made of a relatively hard, non-hydrophilic material, arranged to re-surface the major portion of the cornea of the eye, said lens being provided with a liner made of a hydrophilic material which is arranged to cover a portion of the lens, so that only the hydrophilic liner comes in contact with the eye.

Abstract: An optical arrangement, particularly for ground-based flight simulating apparatus using an optical probe moving over a terrain model to provide a visual display of terrain overflown.The optical arrangement provides a fully in-focus image on a television camera tube target which is inclined relatively to the plane of the terrain model.The optical arrangement may equally be applied to a laser beam scanned terrain model.The arrangement comprises first and second optical systems, usually lenses or lens combinations, and a deflecting means therebetween, usually lens, prism and mirror elements, producing a tilt of the in-focus image plane of the overall system.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, generating a relief-like contrast at microscopic images or micrographs of a transparent phase object, wherein the object is obliquely illuminated at one side with respect to the plane of the object and observed during transillumination. For illuminating the object there are employed mutually incoherent beams of light rays possessing axes which are essentially parallel to one another.The microscope for the performance of the aforesaid method aspects embodies an object illumination device encompassing a light source and a light conductor formed of a bundle of glass fibers, the light radiating end of which is arranged at the direct neighborhood of the point of intersection of the optical axis of the objective of the microscope with the object slide or support and encloses with such axis an angle which is preferably in the range of about 40.degree. to 50.degree..

Abstract: Light energy is coupled between a first optical path including a first chel optical waveguide defined by a selected material diffused into a substrate and a second optical path including a second channel optical waveguide defined by a selected material diffused into the same substrate. The two channel optical waveguides are disposed in substantially non-coupling, co-extensive proximity on the substrate. An area of the same substrate between the two channel optical waveguides is diffused with a material for inducing a determinable degree of coupling between the two optical waveguides but is of insufficient depth of diffusion to support light wave propagation in and of itself in the manner of an optical waveguide. By selectively and controllably varying the amount of diffusion between the channel optical waveguide optimum efficiency of coupling may be achieved therebetween with a desirably high degree of precision through the use of relatively simple and inexpensive fabrication techniques.

Abstract: A telescopic sight for use on a firearm, which sight provides an eye relief of greater than about 3.0 inches and an exit pupil of greater than about 25 mm. so that the target as viewed through the scope will substantially fill the eyepiece. The scope reduces the necessity of close alignment of the viewer's eye with the optical axis of the scope, thus enabling the viewer to quickly pick up the target with the scope and fire.

Abstract: Light-conducting optical fibers in which both the core and sheath consist essentially of quartz glass are provided by encasing a relatively anhydrous quartz glass core with a quartz glass sheath having a sufficiently high water content to lower the refractive index thereof. The fibers are ideally suited for the transmission of ultraviolet light with maximum efficiency.

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: A coupling device is provided for a multi optical-fiber cable in which the bared free ends of the individual fibers to be coupled or terminated are geometrically oriented in a substantially focusing relation to each other to enable the propagated light beam patterns being transmitted through each fiber end to be concentrated by being superimposed substantially at a common focal plane thereby enhancing the intensity of light being available for transmission across the coupling.

Abstract: A cam actuated assembly for a microscope. The assembly includes a hollow tubular support member and a nosepiece or multiple objective carrier. The tubular member is provided with a cam surface and is symmetrical with respect to an axis which, in the assembled microscope, is off set from and parallel to the optical axis of the microscope. The carrier, which is also symmetrical with respect to an axis, is partially received within the tubular member and includes a cam follower which cooperates with the cam surface. The carrier also includes at least two openings or cavities each of which is adopted to receive a microscope objective. The axes of these openings are parallel to one another and off set from the axis of the carrier by an amount equal to the off set between the axis of the tubular member and the optical axis.

Abstract: A general purpose ophthalmic lens series incorporating an aspheric, atoric design concept which allows the selection of lens base curves substantially independently of traditional field of view or marginal error performance criteria. Factors of sensitivity of field errors to fitting distance, shape magnification, geometric distortion, eyelash clearance, reflections, applicability to large spectacle frames and general cosmetic appearance are optimized by base curve selection and field corrections are attended to by aspherizing one or both surfaces of the lenses.

Abstract: A passive frequency-selective optical coupler comprises first and second dielectric waveguides disposed in proximate (preferably parallel) spatial disposition relative to each other. A phase propagation constant at a known frequency is common to guided modes of both dielectric waveguides while the phase propagation constants of the guided modes at all other frequencies are different. The portion of the waveguides which are arranged in proximate spatial disposition extends over a sufficient length for selectively coupling light energy between the two dielectric waveguides at the known frequency only, without coupling a significant amount of light energy at any other frequencies.

Abstract: A stabilized optical system consisting of an afocal front inverted Galileian telescopic system section and a relay rear lens system section, said telescopic system being designed to incorporate a plano-convex or plano-concave lens element of forward convexity or forward concavity as the rearmost lens element movable relative to the other lens elements. The rearmost lens element being held in fixed spatial alignment with an original line of sight axis by means of a substantially free gyro coupled thereto, while the remaining lens elements are secured in fixed relation to the housing of an instrument containing the optical system in coaxial alignment with the relay lens for jiggling about the center of curvature of the rearmost lens element. Thus accidental displacement or motion of the housing relative to the original line of sight axis can be exactly compensated to provide for stationary optical images inasmuch as the equation M = N - 1 is satisfied.

Abstract: An improved astronomical telescope mount having a polar axis column which is adjustably positionable; a telescope and supporting bracket with universal means at an end part of the column whereby the optical axis of the telescope lies in the plane of the column. The supporting bracket is rotatable about the polar axis and about an axis of declination which is normal to and intersects the polar axis. The mounting permits manuevering of the telescope to any geometrical orientation without interference. The telescope support bracket is mounted on a platform having a stem rotatably mounted in a hub which is adjustably positioned in the column. The column has an hour angle scale on it, the hub having a reference marker and a sidereal time scale on it, and said platform having a reference marker on it. Tracking means are provided as between the telescope platform and the hub by way of a gear on the hub which can be locked to or released with respect to the hub.

Abstract: The present application discloses a polymeric plastic material suitable for contact lenses. It is made from a monomer having the formula ##EQU1## wherein n is 2 or 3, in the substantial absence of diunsaturated and polyunsaturated monomers. The mixture subjected to polymerization may also contain as an additional comonomer a compound having the formula ##EQU2## wherein R is hydrogen or CH.sub.3, and R' is a lower alkyl group, or a group (C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.m H where m is an integer of at least 1. The application also discloses a post-heating or post-curing step, the machining of the plastic into contact lenses followed by washing in dilute alkali to neutralize any residual acid material within the plastic, followed in turn by heating in normal saline or isotonic solution to make the lens compatible with the eyeball.

Abstract: There is presented a multifocal ophthalmic lens of homogeneous transparent optical material useful for the correction of the refractive error and the accommodative insufficiency or absence of accommodation in presbyopia and in aphakia, the lens characterized by having a unique variable front surface, and a coacting conicoid surface of eccentricity zero or greater, or toric, back surface, said variable front surface characterized by being geometrically and optically regular and continuous and having a pair of intersecting orthogonal principal planes, the first of said planes, generally horizontal, intersecting said variable surface normally at all points in a circular or elliptical or substantially elliptical great arc, the derivative of curvature vanishing at said great arc in sections orthogonal to it; the second of said planes, generally vertical, intersecting said variable surface normally at all points in a principal curve, about which there is symmetry, at least the portion of said principal curve below

Abstract: A source of optical wave energy for an optical communication system. One end of an optical waveguide fiber bundle is disposed in light-receiving relationship with respect to light from a Lambertian-type light source such as a light emitting diode. A spherical bead of transparent material disposed between the diode and the fiber bundle endface provides a rugged and inexpensive optical device that tends to collimate the light emitted from the diode.

Abstract: A rotatable head up display system is provided to furnish target coorindate nformation to the pilot of an aircraft, for example. The head up display may be slaved to a FLIR or TV tracker to display the scene viewed thereby as well as the azimuth with respect to the aircraft. A small cathode ray tube is used for the display and the scene is viewed through a holographic lens so that the display appears at infinity focus. The pilot is also provided with means for controlling the aiming of the sensor (FLIR, TV, or the like).

Abstract: In an optical system including an objective lens to form an image on a focusing plane and a relay lens system to carry the image to another focusing plane, an image rotating prism is inserted in the relay lens system and a field lens is provided between the objective lens and the relay lens. The pupil of the relay lens system is positioned at the center of the optical path of the prism by properly selecting the power of the field lens.