Abstract: A fiber optic connector module includes a ferrule terminated to at least one optical fiber. The ferrule includes a front mating end and a rear end. A pin keeper is engaged with the rear end of the ferrule. At least one alignment pin extends from the pin keeper through the ferrule and projects beyond the front mating end of the ferrule for operative association with a complementary connecting device. A pusher member is spaced behind the pin keeper. A spring is sandwiched between the pusher member and the pin keeper. The spring has opposite ends fixed to the pusher member and the pin keeper to hold the entire module together as a self-contained unit.

Abstract: In a polarization illuminating device 1, random polarized light emitted from first and second light source sections 101x and 101z is separated into two types of polarized light by a polarization separation section 202, and then secondary light source images deviated in the x-direction are formed, with the directions of polarization being aligned. First through third converging mirror plates 1001x, 1002 and 1001z are obliquely arranged so that, in the light emitted from the first and second light source sections 101x and 101z, the secondary light source images due to the S-polarized light may be superimposed one upon the other, and the secondary light source images due to the P-polarized light may be superimposed one upon the other. Thus, a polarization illuminating device capable of utilizing both polarization components is provided without entailing an increase in the area of the light source image although a plurality of light sources are used.

Abstract: A binocular includes two parallel telescope systems. First and second lens units belong to one of the telescope systems, so that the optical axis of the first lens unit is in line with the optical axis of the second lens unit. The first and second lens units are supported by first and second movable frames, respectively, which are supported by a common guide shaft extending in the direction of the optical axes.

Abstract: Anti-reflection (AR) coatings and coated articles are described. The thickness and composition of the coatings are determined by minimizing the product of the Fresnel reflection coefficients for a coating with the angular- and wavelength-dependent sensitivity of the human visual system to minimize the perceived reflectance for the coated article. A compact chamber is evacuated and flushed with chemically inert gas such as argon or nitrogen. One or more molecular precursors are deposited using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) to form AR films. Single-layer AR coatings based on fluoropolymer films of controlled thickness, as well as organic, organosilicon, and/or inorganic multilayers are described.

Abstract: A backlight luminaire (50) is provided with at least two tubular fluorescent lamps (44, 45), with portions of the lamps (44, 45) exhibiting a variation in spectral characteristic in the longitudinal direction. The portions of the lamps are so positioned relative to each other that the spectral characteristic of a portion of a first lamp (44) and the spectral characteristic of a portion of a second lamp (45), which portions are arranged one beside the other, vary in opposite directions. The luminaire is further provided with a plurality of sub-reflectors (42, 43), the majority of the sub-reflectors (43) being provided with said portion of the first lamp (44) and said portion of the second lamp (45). Preferably, the majority of the lamps (44, 45) is distributed over more than one sub-reflector (43). Preferably, the lamps (44, 45) are U-shaped and alternately connected in series.

Abstract: A backlight luminaire (50) comprising a plurality of fluorescent lamps (44, 45) and a plurality of sub-reflectors (42, 43) is characterized in that the majority of the sub-reflectors (43) are provided with a portion of more than one lamp. In addition, the majority of the lamps (44, 45) are distributed over more than one sub-reflector (43). The lamps (44, 45) are preferably U-shaped and alternately connected in series. The backlight luminaire (50) is employed in liquid-crystal display devices (51) to attain a uniform light distribution.

Abstract: An instrument panel having a light source and a transparent cover in front of the light source. The transparent cover has a first surface at the front side of the cover and a second surface at the back side of the cover, and is formed of a polymeric wall and a polymeric film. The polymeric film has a reflection-reduction layer thereon and is bonded by intermolecular forces to the wall so that the polymeric film is on at least one of the first and second surfaces of the cover and the reflection-reduction layer is sandwiched between the film and the wall. The reflection-reduction layer is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of (a) oxides of magnesium, zinc, or aluminum, or alloys thereof, (b) hydroxides of magnesium, zinc, or aluminum, or alloys thereof, and (c) semi-metals and metals which are non-alkali metals and non-alkaline earth metals, alloys thereof, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A reflector has a plurality of convex/concave portions on a surface of a substrate, Each of the convex/concave portions has a circular or elliptical shape as viewed in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the substrate. The surface of the substrate includes first and second regions adjacent to each other defining a boundary therebetween. In each of the first and second regions, an ellipticity .alpha. of the shape of the convex/concave portions continuously changes away from a respective predetermined central position. The ellipticity .alpha. is about 1.05+(0.005/3)-.beta. or less, where .beta.=.vertline..theta.-90.vertline., and .theta. denotes an angle between long axes of the elliptical shapes of the convex/concave portions on opposite sides of the boundary.

Abstract: An illuminating instrument panel gauge has a movable indicator, a front side for positioning toward a viewer and a back side for positioning away from the viewer. The gauge includes a light source, a subdial surface in front of the light source, a transparent gauge cover in front of and spaced apart from the subdial surface, and graphics corresponding to the movable indicator. The gauge cover has a first surface at the front side of the gauge cover and a second surface at the back side of the gauge cover. Either or both of the first and second surfaces of the gauge cover may be randomly textured. The movable indicator is positioned between the subdial surface and the gauge cover and is preferably closer to the gauge cover than it is to the subdial surface. The graphics are on either the first or second surface of the gauge cover.