Abstract: A microscope and method for high resolution scanning microscopy of a sample, having: an illumination device for the purpose of illuminating the sample, an imaging device for the purpose of scanning at least one point or linear spot across the sample and of imaging the point or linear spot into a diffraction-limited, static single image below a reproduction scale in a detection plane. A detector device for detecting the single image in the detection plane for various scan positions is also provided. An evaluation device for the purpose of evaluating a diffraction structure of the single image for the scan positions is provided. The detector device has a detector array which has pixels and which is larger than the single image.

Abstract: Polarizing beam splitter is disclosed. The polarizing beam splitter includes a first polymeric prism, a second polymeric prism, a reflective polarizer that is disposed between and adhered to a hypotenuse of each of the first and second polymeric prisms, and a hardcoat that is disposed on each of the first and second polymeric prisms. The polarizing beam splitter includes an input major surface and an output major surface. At least one of the input and output major surfaces has a pencil hardness of at least 3H. The polarizing beam splitter has a low birefringence such that when polarized light having a first polarization state enters the optical element from the input major surface and travels through at least 2 mm of the polarizing beam splitter and exits the polarizing beam splitter from the output major surface, at least 95% of light exiting the polarizing beam splitter is polarized has the first polarization state.

Abstract: An optical waveguide element according to an exemplary aspect of the invention includes a first optical waveguide configured by combining a plurality of first element waveguides; and a second optical waveguide configured by combining a plurality of second element waveguides each of which having the same structure as the plurality of first element waveguides.

Abstract: An optical device includes: a diffraction grating; a depolarization plate containing a birefringent material to eliminate polarization dependency of the diffraction grating; and an optical corrector configured to optically correct diffraction angle deviation of diffracted light due to diffraction at the diffraction grating. The optical corrector may be configured to bend back the diffracted light diffracted by the diffraction grating to re-emit the light to the diffraction grating.

Abstract: A rolling beam splitter optical switching mechanism for combination and selection of detector illumination includes a housing and an immersed cube beam splitter supported by the housing. The beam splitter is configured to direct electromagnetic radiation in a first direction and a second direction. The switching mechanism further includes a drive assembly configured to rotate the housing and the beam splitter to change a direction of electromagnetic radiation directed by the beam splitter in the second direction.

Abstract: Passive optical systems and methods for improving polarization of an optical reference beam are disclosed. For example, an optical system includes first and second quarter wavelength plates (QWPs) positioned in a beam path of the optical system. The second QWP is positioned in the beam path such that a fast axis of the second QWP is substantially orthogonal to a fast axis of the first QWP. First and second polarization elements are also positioned in the beam path. The first and second polarization elements are each configured to provide both diattenuation and retardance of the optical reference beam.

Abstract: There is provided an anti-reflection film that has an excellent reflection characteristic (low reflectivity) in a wide spectrum and has an excellent reflection hue that is close to neutral, and a method by which such anti-reflection film can be produced with high productivity and at a low cost. An anti-reflection film according to the present invention includes: a substrate; and a medium-refractive index layer, a high-refractive index layer, and a low-refractive index layer in the stated order from a substrate side. A refractive index nS of the substrate, a refractive index nM of the medium-refractive index layer, and a refractive index nH of the high-refractive index layer satisfy the following expression (1): n H - 1 n H + 1 - 1 - 4 ? n M 2 ? n S n M 2 ? ( 1 + n S ) 2 - ( 1 - n M 2 ) ? ( n M 2 - n S 2 ) ? 0.

Abstract: Reflective optical telescopes and method of observing a scene. One example of a reflective optical telescope includes a primary mirror positioned along a linear axis extending between an entrance aperture and an image plane, configured to receive optical radiation via the entrance aperture, a secondary mirror positioned along the linear axis and configured to receive the optical radiation from the primary mirror and to reflect the optical radiation in a direction of the primary mirror, wherein the optical radiation received by the primary mirror is unobscured by the secondary mirror, a tertiary mirror positioned along the linear axis and configured to receive the optical radiation from the secondary mirror and reflect the optical radiation in a direction of the primary mirror, and a quaternary mirror positioned along the linear axis, configured to receive the optical radiation from the tertiary mirror and reflect the optical radiation to the image plane.

Abstract: A polarizing plate and a liquid crystal display including the polarizing plate include: a polarizer; and a surface protective film on a first surface of the polarizer, and the surface protective film includes a first protective film on the first surface of the polarizer, and a primer layer on at least one surface of the first protective film, a refractive index ratio of the first protective film to the primer layer satisfying the equation: 0.6<R1/R2<1.0, where R1 is an index of refraction of the primer layer, and R2 is an index of refraction of the first protective film, and the first protective film has an in-plane retardation (Re) of about 500 nm or less and an out-of-plane retardation (Rth) of about 10,000 nm or less at a wavelength of 550 nm.

Abstract: A sight includes a main body including a focus lens system and an erecting lens system; a first adjusting member disposed in the main body and configured to move the focus lens system along the optical axis; a second adjusting member disposed in the main body and configured to move the erecting lens system in a first direction which is perpendicular to the optical axis; a focus adjusting module disposed in the main body and configured to drive the first adjusting member so as to move the focus lens system along the optical axis; and a first adjusting module detachably joined to the focus adjusting module and configured to drive the second adjusting member so as to move the erecting lens system in the first direction.

Abstract: A universal polarization converter is provided including a polarizer configured to receive unpolarized light. The polarizer is further configured to split the received unpolarized light into a first and second polarized state. At least two quarter wave phase retarders are configured to convert each of the first and second polarized states to opposite handed polarized beams. A cholesteric mirror is configured to combine the opposite handed polarized beams. In other embodiments, the cholesteric mirror may be replaced by a second polarizer and optional quarter wave retardation plate. Further embodiments may include a single polarization converter and multiple quarter wave retardation plates.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting orbital angular momentum eigenstates of one or more photons includes at least one transformation PBOE configured to sort orbital angular momentum eigenstates of the one or more photons, at least one phase correction PBOE configured to sort spin angular momentum eigenstates of the one or more photons. A method for sorting orbital angular momentum eigenstates of one or more photons includes using at least one transformation PBOE to sort orbital angular momentum eigenstates of the one or more photons, and using at least one phase correction PBOE to sort spin angular momentum eigenstates of the one or more photons.

Abstract: A polarizer according to the present invention includes a thin film with a constant thickness composed of a dielectric, and a plurality of slit-shaped through-holes each having the same width formed in the thin film and extending in a first direction. The plurality of through-holes are arranged on a surface of the thin film at a constant interval in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A head up display for a vehicle, the head up display including a display panel configured to emit image light; a polarized light plate configured to linearly polarize the image light emitted from the display panel; a reflection mirror configured to reflect the image light to a windshield of the vehicle; a phase retardance mirror spaced apart from the reflection mirror to reflect the image light forward while converting a phase of the image light, wherein the phase retardance mirror includes a rear mirror and a phase retarder disposed on a front surface of the rear mirror; and a polarization reflection mirror disposed between the reflection mirror and the phase retardance mirror and configured to reflect the image light passing through the polarized light plate to the phase retardance mirror, wherein the image light reflected to the phase retardance mirror is converted in phase by the phase retardance mirror and reflected by the phase retardance mirror to pass through the polarization reflection mirror.

Abstract: A movable mirror device is provided as a unitary device with a position sensor and an analog-to-digital converter included in the unitary device.

Abstract: An optical scanner comprises a light source and an MEMS mirror. The light source emits a light beam. The MEMS mirror has a reflecting surface for reflecting the light beam coming from the light source. the light source is configured in such a manner that the optical axis of the light beam vertically irradiates the reflecting surface of the MEMS mirror at a specific position.

Abstract: Certain patternable reflective films are used as masks to make other patterned articles, and one or more initial masks can be used to pattern the patternable reflective films. An exemplary patternable reflective film has an absorption characteristic suitable to, upon exposure to a radiant beam, absorptively heat a portion of the film by an amount sufficient to change a first reflective characteristic to a different second reflective characteristic. The change from the first to the second reflective characteristic is attributable to a change in birefringence of one or more layers or materials of the patternable film. In a related article, a mask is attached to such a patternable reflective film. The mask may have opaque portions and light-transmissive portions. Further, the mask may have light-transmissive portions with structures such as focusing elements and/or prismatic elements.

Abstract: An arrangement for light sheet microscopy including illumination optics with an illumination objective for illuminating a sample, located in a medium on a sample carrier aligned with respect to a plane reference surface, with a light sheet. The arrangement also includes detection optics with a detection objective. The arrangement further includes a separating layer system with at least one layer separating the medium from the illumination and detection objectives. The separating layer system contacts the medium by a base surface aligned parallel to the reference surface. A correction lens system, with at least one correction lens serving to reduce those aberrations which occur as a result of the oblique passage of illumination light and/or of light to be detected through interfaces of the separating layer system, is arranged between illumination objective and separating layer system and/or between detection objective and separating layer system.

Abstract: A follow-up fixed focus system includes a fixed focus device, and the second end of the fixed focus device is in contact with a sample plate; when the sample plate has a small protrusion, the second end of the fixed focus device is pushed by the protrusion of the sample plate. When the sample plate has a small depression, the second end of the fixed focus device is in contact with the sample plate all the time under the action of self gravity of an observation device, so that the imaging distance between an object lens and the sample plate is kept unchanged.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a lens moving apparatus including a housing for supporting a first magnet, a bobbin including a coil disposed on an outer surface thereof and inside the first magnet so as to move in the housing in a first direction parallel to an optical axis by electromagnetic interaction between the first magnet and the coil, and upper and lower elastic members, each of which is provided at the bobbin and the housing and includes an inner frame coupled to the bobbin and an outer frame coupled to the housing, wherein at least one of the upper and lower elastic members is constituted by a printed circuit board.