Abstract: A laser scanning microscope having a first scanning optical system that causes coherent light projected from a first laser light source to scan a specimen, and a second scanning optical system that projects coherent light output from a second laser light source at a given position on the specimen. Fluorescence from the specimen is measured by a photoelectric conversion element.

Abstract: A diffraction grating having a wavelength selectivity is disposed at a peripheral region of a filter, and only a wavelength of light whose luminous flux diameter is to be narrowed is diffracted sideways at the diffraction grating, whereby the luminous flux diameter of irradiation light is changed by a simple configuration without complicating an electric control system or restricting the direction of vibration of the irradiation light. On a glass substrate 10, a first region 11 having no diffraction grating 12A and a second region 12 having diffraction gratings 12A with a rectangular cross section are disposed. The second region 12 comprises linearly arranged diffraction gratings 12A each having a rectangular cross section. The thickness (height) of each diffraction grating 12A is set to such a value that the ratio of .+-.

Abstract: A structure, for mounting a base (1) and a base cover (3) constituting a stay of an automobile door mirror, which corrects a deformation of the base cover (3), prevent a generation of an air-striking sound, and prevent an increase in thickness of the stay. Concave (10) are formed on the lower surface of the base (1) such that the concave (10) are positioned in the periphery of an mounting hole (9) and circumferentially discontinuous with each other. The base cover (3) has an opening (12) corresponding to a mounting hole (9) of the base (1) and a hook-shaped engaging part (15) erected along the circumference of the opening (12). A tip engaging part (14) of the engaging part (15) is formed with a thickness substantially equal to a depth of the concave (10) of the base (1). The base cover (3) has a first projection (16) circumferentially continuous relative to the base part (13).

Abstract: A diffractive optical element includes an optically functioning part including a diffraction grating and a flange part disposed around the optically functioning part. On an outer circumferential face of the flange part, there are at least three protrusions at respective different locations. The protrusions project outward from the outer circumferential face.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for displaying large, continuous, autostereoscopic images. The present invention overcomes the size limitation of typical autostereoscopic images by recording a continuous, autostereoscopic image onto separate sheets or segments of recording material, mounting the recorded segments to separate tiles, and then displaying the tiles to display a continuous, autostereoscopic image. Although the autostereoscopic image display of the present invention is comprised of separate segments, the present invention offers viewers of the display a unitary visual impression of a large, autostereoscopic image without apparent discontinuities.In one broad aspect, the present invention provides a system for easily displaying segments of recording material to form a large, continuous, autostereoscopic image. The display can be disassembled into components that are light, compact, easily transportable, and easily storable.

Abstract: A diffraction grating with a wavelength selectivity having one sectional side formed like a step is disposed at a marginal region of a filter, and only a wavelength of light whose luminous flux diameter is to be narrowed is diffracted sideways at the diffraction grating, whereby the luminous flux diameter of irradiation light is changed by a simple configuration without complicating an electric control system or restricting the direction of vibration of the irradiation light, while reducing noise. Disposed on a glass substrate 10 are a first region 11 having no diffraction grating 12A, and a second region 12 having diffraction gratings 12A constituted by long protrusions arranged in parallel at a predetermined pitch, each protrusion being continuous in one direction and having one sectional side formed like a step.

Abstract: Negative group-delay-dispersion mirror (NGDD-mirror) multilayered structures are formed by two interferentially coupled Gires-Tournois interferometer cavities on a common, highly-reflective mirror in a single monolithic multilayered structure.

Abstract: A recessed overhead lighting device adapted to be encased in a mounting opening defined in a ceiling panel which is supported by ceiling joists. The lighting device includes a shade structure for supporting at least one tubular lamp and having a reflective surface and also having opposite side flanges. At least one pair of generally elongated mounting members, each having first and second end portions opposite to each other, are mounted on the shade structure. The mounting members are movable between release and set positions, but are held in the release position during insertion of the shade structure from below into the mounting opening.

Abstract: A low magnification, high resolution macroscope. The macroscope includes a body section, a stage for supporting a specimen, and a lens system including an objective lens assembly having a diameter greater than 22 mm. for forming an enlarged, intermediate image of the specimen on the stage. The macroscope also includes an eyepiece for forming a further enlarged, focused image of the specimen. Preferably, the macroscope further includes an illumination system for illuminating the specimen, and this illumination system includes a light source and a mirror. The mirror directs light from the light source, through the objective lens assembly and onto the specimen, and this mirror has a diameter larger than the diameter of the objective lens assembly. With this arrangement, the mirror directs light onto the entire horizontal cross-sectional area of the objective lens assembly, and also the mirror does not restrict the size of the image of the specimen transmitted from the objective lens assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for steering a complex, spatially-modulated incident beam of coherent light to gain access to data locations in a holographic memory cell (HMC). One of the systems includes: (1) a reflective element, locatable proximate a first focal plane of the incident beam, (2) a rotational steering mechanism, coupled to the reflective element, that orients the reflective element according to a desired rotational angle to steer the incident beam in a desired direction and (3) a refractive element that refracts the beam reflected from the reflective element to create a second focal plane for the beam, the HMC locatable proximate the second focal plane to receive the beam at a location thereon that is a function of the desired direction.

Abstract: A free space imaging system utilizing a doublet form of optic. The doublet is configured with two large Fresnel lenses configured such that their echelon groove components are mutually oppositely disposed within the optical path of the system. The method includes an arrangement wherein the output focal plane deliberately is curved and generated with a relatively wide field of view to evoke an emulation of three-dimensionality.

Abstract: An operation microscope includes an illuminating device and an interference filter in the illuminating beam of the illuminating device. The interference filter is suitable for incorporation into the operation microscope. In order to prevent the yellow tinge that is present in long-known UV interference filters, the interference layer applied directly to the carrier substrate is a layer between 8 and 12 nm thick of yttrium fluoride, thorium fluoride, lanthanum fluoride or cerium fluoride.

Abstract: A photographic optical system using a DOE in which color flare is inconspicuous. The photographic optical system has at least one diffractive optical element. Assuming that a wavelength at which the diffraction efficiency of the diffractive optical element reaches a maximum is defined as a design wavelength .lambda..sub.DOE, it satisfies the following condition:0<E.sub.1 (.lambda..sub.DOE)+E.sub.3 (.lambda..sub.DOE)<0.2where E.sub.1 (.lambda..sub.DOE) is the amount of color flare received by a blue photosensitive layer or a blue light-receiving element, and E.sub.3 (.lambda..sub.DOE) is the amount of color flare received by a red photosensitive layer or a red light-receiving element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating controllable switching an interface between a reflective state in which light incident upon the interface undergoes total internal reflection, and a non-reflective state in which total internal reflection is prevented at the interface. The apparatus incorporates a member (preferably an elastomer) which is deformable with respect to the interface. The member's Young's Modulus in portions of the member adjacent the interface is substantially greater (i.e. stiffer) than the member's Young's Modulus in portions of the member away from the interface. The stiffened portion of the member adjacent the interface may be in the form of a microstructure. A pair of electrodes coupled to a voltage source can be provided to controllably deform the member into optical contact with the interface, within a continuously variable range of optical contact values, to produce the non-reflective state in selectably varying degrees.

Abstract: An inverting and reversing prism system for a stereo microscope having an optical longitudinal axis and left and right eye viewing systems having left and right longitudinal axes, respectively, along which left and right beam paths are transmitted, respectively, comprising: at least four reflecting surfaces (13, 15, 16, 13A and 13A, 15A, 16A, 13) in each beam path (14, 14A), two of the reflecting surfaces (13, 13A and 13A, 13) in each beam path comprising inlet and outlet surfaces, respectively, for deflecting the beam path by 90.degree., the inlet and outlet surfaces in each beam path being oriented 45.degree. relative to the optical longitudinal axis of the microscope and 90.degree. relative to each other, with a line of intersection (26) of planes containing the inlet and outlet surfaces in each beam path defining an angle of 45.degree.

Abstract: The method for designing a diffractive lens to be formed on a refractive lens is disclosed. According to the method, a function of the diffractive lens is expressed as a polynomial optical path difference function using a height from an optical axis as a variable, a boundary of each zone to be formed is determined based on the optical path difference function, an angle of incidence of a ray on a macroscopic shape of the diffractive lens is determined, a shift, in a direction along the optical axis, corresponding to a unit wavelength of the optical path difference for each zone is determined based on the angle of incidence, an optical path difference to be given by each zone is determined based on the optical path difference function, and then a microscopic shape of each zone is determined.

Abstract: A concave light reflecting device for providing substantially uniform illumination across a plane comprising a parabolic reflecting surface, an involute reflecting surface, and a segmented reflecting surface. The parabolic reflecting surface having a first end and a second end, wherein the parabolic radius of the first end is less than the parabolic radius of the second end. The involute reflecting surface having a first end, a second end, and a focal point within the concave portion of the device. Wherein, the distance from the focal point to the involute reflecting surface increases from the first end to the second end. The second end of the involute reflecting surface transitions to the first end of the parabolic reflecting surface, and the first end of the involute reflecting surface is connected to the segmented reflecting surface. The segmented reflecting surface extends outward from the focal point of the involute reflecting surface for decreasing glare from the device.

Abstract: An optical unit coupling mechanism for coupling optical units 10, 11 having a plurality of mutually parallel optical paths 10a, 10b with each other, said optical unit coupling mechanism comprising a round dovetail consisting of a male dovetail 1 and a female dovetail 4, wherein said male dovetail 1 has a minor diameter part 1b of predetermined diameter d.sub.2, part 1d of which is sized larger than the diameter d.sub.2 of the minor diameter part 1b. By virtue of this optical unit coupling mechanism, the system performance can be enhanced without causing a system enlargement and the system compatibility can be maintained.

Abstract: A transmission type optical deflector wherein a prism holder is supported by a yoke member to rotate about a principal axis through an elastic device. A wedge-shaped transmission prism is provided on the prism holder to transmit and refract light. The prism holder and yoke member are respectively provided with a coil and a permanent magnet secured thereto, to produce a rotational motion of the prism holder in the forward and reverse directions about the principal axis due to an electromagnetic function. The transmission prism is partly cut away at the thick portion thereof so that the center of gravity of the transmission prism is identical to the principal axis in a section in which the principal axis appears as a point and the transmission prism appears as a wedge-shape.

Abstract: Displaying data private to a first user and data private to a second, collocated user on a single computer display is achieved by providing two pairs of stereoscopic glasses, one for each user, and modifying the glasses by swapping one of the lens from the first pair with one of the lens of the second pair so that the modified first pair of glasses allows viewing of the display in a first state and the modified second pair of glasses allows viewing of the display in a second state. The data private to the first user is displayed when the display is in the first state and the data private to the second user is displayed when the display is in the second state. The display is alternately switched between the first and second states many times per second, thereby providing private displays for each user. In one embodiment, the stereoscopic glasses are polarized glasses and the display includes a polarizing filter. In another embodiment, the stereoscopic glasses are shutter glasses.