Abstract: A compact sized optical projection system capable of displaying an image of M.times.N pixels in various sizes, wherein M and N are integers, includes a light source, a source stopper, a source lens, a total reflection mirror, an array of M.times.N actuated mirrors, a projection stopper, a projection lens, a projection screen and an array of M.times.N pixel filters, wherein the array of M.times.N pixel filters includes a plurality of sets of R pixel filter, G pixel filter and B pixel filter, and each of the sets is repeated both in a horizontal and a vertical directions, and each of the pixel filters is capable of transmitting only one of the primary light beams.

Abstract: An array of M.times.N thin film actuated mirrors comprises a switching matrix, an array of M.times.N pairs of supporting members, and an array of M.times.N actuating structures, wherein the active matrix includes a substrate and a first, a second and a third conduction line patterns printed on top thereof, and each of the actuating structures is provided with a pair of actuators and a pair of gate actuators. With the presence of the gate actuators in each of the actuating structures in conjunction with the first, the second and the third conduction line patterns on the switching matrix, it is possible to eliminate the use of transistors in the array of M.times.N thin film actuated mirrors.

Abstract: Garnet material according to the invention exhibits a substantially rectangular magnetization loop, with .vertline.H.sub.S .vertline.>.vertline.4.pi.M.sub.S .vertline.Oe, where H.sub.S is the switching magnetic field of the loop, and 4.pi.M.sub.S is the saturation magnetization. The material exhibits "latching" behavior, and can advantageously be used in magneto-optic isolators and other magneto-optic devices. For instance, the material enables manufacture of isolators that do not contain a permanent magnet. An exemplary garnet according to the invention has nominal composition Bi.sub.0.75 Eu.sub.1.5 Ho.sub.0.75 Fe.sub.4.1 Ga.sub.0.9 O.sub.12.

Abstract: Vanadium dioxide (VO.sub.2) based infrared spatial light modulators (SLM) in four embodiments are disclosed:(1) A VO.sub.2 thin film is deposited on a planar diode array. Each diode constitutes a "pixel" of the SLM. Power provided to a diode permits accurate thermal control about the thin film's hysteresis. Initial biasing of the diode array is required to the base of the VO.sub.2 's hysteresis curve.(2) & (3) VO.sub.2 is deposited on a thermoelectric array which can be an array of doped lines of p and n type material or a conductive material between two electrical contacts. The pixels have the ability to both heat and cool the VO.sub.2 film, thereby allowing the array to be operated in a bistable mode. Bistable operation requires external biasing to the center of the VO.sub.2 's hysteresis curve.(4) A VO.sub.2 thin film deposited on a substrate which is spaced a distance, L, from an array of vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers for heating the VO.sub.2.

Abstract: An improved method for manufacturing an array of M.times.N thin film actuated mirrors comprises the steps of: providing an active matrix including M.times.N connecting terminals; constructing a thin film sacrificial layer on the top surface of the active matrix; removing portions of the thin film sacrificial layer surrounding each of the connecting terminals; forming a supporting member in each of the removed portions to thereby form a supporting layer; forming an elastic layer on top of the supporting layer; structuring a conduit in each of the supporting members and the elastic layer; depositing a second thin film layer on top of the elastic layer; patterning the second thin film layer into M.times.N second thin film electrodes; forming a thin film electrodisplacive layer on top of the second thin film electrodes and the elastic layer; patterning the thin film electrodisplacive layer into M.times.N thin film electrodisplacive members; patterning the elastic layer into M.times.

Abstract: An anti-reflection structure for a zoom lens barrel is provided in a camera to prevent harmful internal reflection caused by the surface of a shaft for transmitting rotation force. The anti-reflection structure includes a rotation cylinder linearly movable in the direction of the optical axis while rotating; a shaft positioned in the rotation cylinder and rotated by a drive source, and a pinion fitted on the shaft to be slidable in the axial direction thereof so as to move in a direction parallel to the optical axis together with the rotation cylinder. The pinion transmits the rotation of the shaft to the rotation cylinder. A contact guide portion is formed on the shaft for allowing the pinion to slidably move on the contact guide portion and a non-contact portion is formed on the shaft which does not contact the pinion. An anti-reflection mechanism is formed on the non-contact portion for preventing light from being reflected on the non-contact portion.

Abstract: An optical polarization controller comprises a polarization control element, a polarizer, a light divider and a photo-detector. The polarization control element rotates a plane of polarization of an Input signal light by a rotation angle in a predetermined rotational direction and outputs the result as a rotated signal light. The polarizer extracts a component of the rotated signal light having a predetermined plane of polarization and outputs the component as a polarized signal light. The light divider divides the polarized signal light into a plurality of polarized signal lights which have the same planes of polarization as the plane of the polarized light outputted by the polarizer. The photo-detector detects a level of one of the plurality of polarized signal lights and supplies a control signal indicating the level to the polarization control element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modulating an optical signal, and a method for fabricating such an apparatus. The modulator comprises a membrane having at least one layer, and a substrate, spaced to form a air gap. The membrane is suspended in a first position over the substrate by a flexible support arrangement such that the size of the air gap may vary. The layers of the membrane are formed so that the refractive indices of such layers have a particular relationship to the refractive index of the substrate, and have a particular thickness. Bias is applied to the membrane and the substrate to create a force that causes the membrane to change its position relative to the substrate, causing the size of the air gap to change. The reflectivity of the device to an optical signal varies as the size of the air gap changes.

Abstract: A zoom lens system including three lens groups. A positive first lens group having a negative lens and a positive lens, a positive second lens group having a negative lens assembly and a positive lens assembly, and a negative third lens group. The first, second and third lens groups are moved toward the object to be photographed upon the zooming operation from a short focal length to a long focal length and satisfy the relationship of:0<f.sub.w /f.sub.1 <0.5 (1)1.7<N.sub.1P (2)1.75<N.sub.2aN (3)1.7<N.sub.2bP, (4)wherein f.sub.w designates the focal length of the whole lens system at the wide angle extremity, f.sub.1 the focal length of the first lens group, N.sub.1P the refractive index of the positive lens of the first lens group, N.sub.2aN the refractive index of the negative lens of the first negative lens assembly of the second lens group, and N.sub.2bP the refractive index of the positive lens of the second positive lens assembly of the second lens group.

Abstract: A spatial light modulating apparatus to display a steroscopic image constructed by a light source section, a mirror section, and a light deflecting section. The device structures are two-dimensionally arranged on a substrate surface. The light source sections are 2-dimensionally arranged on the apparatus substrate at a predetermined period interval (P) and modulate a light intensity by an external signal, thereby displaying an image. The reflecting surfaces of the mirror sections are periodically arranged in correspondence to the light source sections. The mirror sections change the direction of each of the reflecting surfaces by an external signal, thereby angle modulating the incident light. Further, the light deflecting sections are arranged in the upper portion in the light emitting direction from the plurality of light source sections and allow the lights emitted from the light source sections to enter the corresponding mirror sections.

Abstract: The aspherical zoom lens of the invention includes sequentially from an object side: a first lens group which has a positive refractive power and is fixed relative to an image plane; a second lens group which has a negative refractive power and is movable on an optical axis of the aspherical zoom lens so as to have a magnification changing function; a third lens group which has a positive refractive power and is fixed relative to the image plane so as to have a light converging function; and a fourth lens group which has a positive refractive power and is movable on the optical axis so that the image plane displaceable in response to travel of the second lens group and movement of the object is fixed at a position spaced by a predetermined distance from a reference face. An air space is provided between the third and the fourth lens groups.

Abstract: A guide device for a zoom lens barrel which includes a movable cylinder linearly guided in a direction of the optical axis of a zoom lens, a pinion rotatably supported on the movable cylinder, with a part of the pinion projecting from an outer surface of the movable cylinder. The guide device further includes a driving mechanism for rotating the pinion, a zooming mechanism for moving a plurality of lens groups of the zoom lens by rotation of the pinion to change a focal length, and a straight guide projection formed on an outer surface of the movable cylinder. The pinion is situated close to the straight guide projection.

Abstract: Solid polymer electrolytes for electrochromic devices are produced by dissolving lithium perchlorate and polymethylmethacrylate in propylene carbonate, all dried to below 10 ppm water, and screen printing or casting a film of the resulting solution followed by removal of solvent to leave a final polymer concentration of about 40% by weight based on the combined weight of polymer and solvent. Screen printability is conferred by a resin modifier such as MODAFLOW (TM).

Abstract: A spatial light modulator includes a reflector which is electrostatically deflectable out of a normal position, whereat a supporting beam is unstressed, into a deflected position, whereat a portion of the mirror contacts a portion of a landing electrode at the same electrical potential as the reflector. An inorganic layer or solid lubricant is deposited on the contacting portions. After the modulator is operated for a period of time, the tendency of the reflector to stick or adhere to the landing electrode is diminished or eliminated by the layer so that the reflector is returned to its normal position without any reset signal or with a reset signal having a reasonably low value. Preferred materials for the layer are SiC, AlN or SiO.sub.2.

Abstract: An underwater wide angle lens is provided, in succession from the object side, with a fore group comprising a first lens group having negative refractive power, a second lens group having negative refractive power, a third lens group having negative refractive power, and a fourth lens group having positive refractive power, and a rear group comprising a fifth lens group having positive refractive power and a sixth lens group having positive refractive power. Preferably, the fifth lens group and/or the sixth lens group is a cemented lens and focusing is effected by one or more of the second to sixth lens groups. Preferably each of the first lens group, the second lens group and the third lens group is a meniscus lens having its convex surface facing the object side.

Abstract: An objective lens for an endoscope includes a first lens group of a positive power having a plurality of lenses, and a second lens group of a negative power. The first lens group is provided with a negative first lens located adjacent to an object to be photographed. The objective lens meets the requirements defined by (1) 0.6<f.sub.F /f<1.0, (2)-6.0<f.sub.s /f<-1.0, and (3) 1.0<L.sub.D /f<4.0, where f.sub.F designates a focal length of the first lens group, f.sub.s designates a focal length of the second lens group, f designates a focal length of the whole lens system, and L.sub.D designates a sum of the whole lens length and back focal distance.

Abstract: A zoom lens system comprises in the following order from the object side: a first lens group of a positive refracting power; a second lens group of a negative refracting power; a third lens group; and a fourth lens group of a positive refracting power, wherein, when changing a focal length of the zoom lens system from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end, the second lens group is shifted in one direction along an optical axis of the zoom lens from the object side toward the image side, the third lens group is shifted so as to reciprocate along the optical axis, and the first lens group has a gradient index lens whose refractive index varies along the direction of the optical axis and which satisfies the following condition:-10.6<(.nu.2-.nu.1)/[(n2-n1).multidot.100]<-0.9whereinn1: a refractive index at an object-side vertex of the gradient index lens,n2: a refractive index at an image-side vertex of the gradient index lens,.nu.1: Abbe number at the object-side vertex of the gradient index lens,.nu.

Abstract: A zoom lens system comprises, in an order from an object side, a first lens group with a positive refractive power; a second lens group with a negative refractive power; a third lens group with a negative refractive power; and a fourth lens group with a positive refractive power, wherein, for varying a focal length from a wide-end to a telephoto-end, the second lens group is moved from an object side to an image side along an optical axis and the third lens group is moved to reciprocate on the optical axis, the second lens group having an aspherical lens surface, and the aspherical lens surface is formed in a shape where the positive refractive power gradually increases or in a shape where the negative refractive power gradually decreases from the optical axis toward a periphery.

Abstract: An acousto-optic modulator utilizing light diffraction by phased acoustic waves in a birefringent crystal. The wavevector of the resultant acoustic wave is selected so that the tangents to the loci of the wavevectors of the incident and diffracted light are parallel. This provides a large acceptance angle for the acousto-optic modulator. By simultaneously choosing the acoustic wavevector to be tangential to the locus of the diffracted light wavevector, the acousto-optic modulator also achieves increased modulation bandwidth.

Abstract: A composite optical modulator comprising a semiconductor laser having thereon an interposed buffer layer and an optical modulating device in this order, the optical modulating device comprising a thin ferroelectric lightguide film which is epitaxial or oriented with respect to a substrate of the semiconductor laser, the optical modulating device modulating a laser light launched from the semiconductor laser and thereafter emitting a modulated laser light.