Abstract: A lens assembly for near infrared comprising two double convex elements separated by two double concave elements. The first element being the most durable, the center elements being the least expensive and the last element having the greatest focussing power.

Abstract: A flexible plastic microscope slide which can be folded over such that a viewing portion of the slide can be placed against a specimen to obtain a sample directly therefrom without the need of transferring devices, thereby reducing biological hazards. The slide is designed for on-site collection, staining, and viewing of cells in biological fluid and tissue samples, preferably with an epi-fluorescence microscope. This novel slide permits point-of-care screening in a matter of minutes of any biological fluid or tissue sample for presence of infectious agents.

Abstract: A forensic microscope, particularly for examination of writing, comprising a single-channel microscope with stereo viewing by synchronized interchange of the illumination angle in front of the microscope objective and/or of the angle of observation following the microscope objective and, further, by fluorescence excitation in a range of approximately 340 to 360 nm and/or between 400 nm and approximately 590 nm.

Abstract: A microscopy and apparatus capable of obtaining superresolution, and a fringe projection light-cut microscopy and apparatus capable of obtaining a natural light-cut image and enabling real-time observation. At the component separating step, a plurality of modulated images of an observation object (O) are formed by subjecting the observation object (O) to spatial modulation including a plurality of modulation components while varying the component ratios of the modulation components by moving a diffraction grating (21), which modulates the observation object (O), to a plurality of different positions. The modulated images are detected with an image pickup device (22). Modulated image components corresponding to the modulation components are separated from the number of modulated images that is not less than the number of the modulation components by using linear computation. At the component demodulating step, at least one of the separated modulated image components is demodulated.

Abstract: In an operation microscope, target light flux that is parallel light flux is projected at eyes of an operator, light reflected thereon is used to obtain an image of the pupil of the eye, and the position of a Purkinje image is detected to calculate the direction of the visual line of the operator's eyes. Observation magnification of an observation optical system is also calculated from the output of a potentiometer. The resultant direction of the visual line and observation magnification are used to calculate the position of the visual line of the operator. A liquid crystal display is arranged behind a half mirror when viewed from eyepiece side of a branch observation optical system, and displays as a spot image the position information indicating the calculated position of the visual line of the operator's eye.

Abstract: An objective lens system 10 uses Germanium lens elements including a positively-powered objective lens (A), a positively-powered intermediate lens (B) and a negatively-powered field lens (C). The field lens (C) flattens the Field curvature of the system. The intermediate lens (B) corrects astigmatism and has an aspheric surface (3).

Abstract: A secondary image formation type view finder comprising an objective optical system, a first mirror for folding an optical axis, a relay lens system and a second mirror for folding the optical axis, wherein an optical axis of the relay lens system is disposed so as to be included in a plane nearly perpendicular to an optical axis of the objective optical system, and the first mirror and the second mirror and disposed nearly in parallel with each other, thereby reducing a space to be occupied by the view finder.

Abstract: A stereoscopic objective lens system for video endoscopes and borescopes includes two full-diameter doublets and two lens pairs forming a stereo lens set. A rotatable dual telescope is disposed between the two doublets and the stereo lens pairs, establishing a Galilean telescope associated with each stereo channel. The Galilean telescopes are each rotatable, preferably in convert, to be in or out of alignment with the system optical axis. When out of alignment, the Galilean telescopes have no effect along the optical path. When in alignment, the Galilean telescopes provide an increase or decrease in magnification, depending on orientation of the telescopes. The full-diameter doublets present equal-angle pairs from symmetrically disposed object points to the lenses of the stereo lens pair. This equal-angle property enables accurate object/image mapping onto the final stereo image pair, such that all parts of each left/right image can be mapped to within a fraction of a video pixel to each other.

Abstract: A stereoscopic image display apparatus includes an image display apparatus main body and a multi-angle image information generating unit for generating image information for a plurality of viewing angles from which a three-dimensional object is viewed. The image display apparatus main body includes a liquid crystal panel for displaying an angle-specific image derived from the angle-specific image information supplied from the multi-angle image information generating unit, and an angle-specific image radial distribution unit which, provided at the front of the liquid crystal panel, radially distributes the angle-specific image by providing directivity to a light beam carrying the angle-specific image displayed on the liquid crystal panel and thus directing the angle-specific image to a corresponding angle. When a viewer changes a view position or viewing angle, the viewer can experience one stereoscopic image turning into another.

Abstract: Disclosed are a sleeve for abutting, aligning, and retaining opposed optical connector ferrules and methods for the production thereof. The sleeve has a tubular body provided at three points on the inner wall surface thereof with ridges of an arcuate cross section extending from one to the other end of the tubular body in the longitudinal direction thereof and a slit formed therein in the longitudinal direction thereof. The sleeve is formed of an amorphous alloy possessing at least a glass transition region, preferably a glass transition region of not less than 30 K in temperature width.

Abstract: Disclosed is a diffractive optical element which includes a diffractive grating pattern ion a base plate. The diffractive grating pattern includes a plurality of phase gratings arranged in parallel lines extending along a predetermined direction to cause diffraction of an incident beam. Each of the plurality of phase gratings has an asymmetrical phase pattern. There is a phase gap, &Dgr;P, representing a phase difference (in radians) between an end point and a beginning point of each phase pattern. The phase gap, &Dgr;P, is substantially equal for each of the plurality of phase gratings and satisfies the relationship. 0.7&pgr;<|&Dgr;P|<1.2&pgr;.

Abstract: A high resolution 3D color display, particularly suited to natural three-dimensional representation in computer tomography, is diclosed. In a digital autostereoscopic display, over eighty related or desired perspective views of an object may be represented in 3D, written onto a digital display by lasers in a few minutes, and subsequently deleted. The displays are digitally stored in minute fields of a thin LC layer of a scatter screen and converted into high resolution color pictures by reverse irradiation view color and brightness masks. The individual perspectives may be viewed selectively by a lenticular screen plate. The same displays may also be stored in the same code on a film which, when used in place of the scatter screen, shows the display to a user. The display can therefore be used in modified form to produce display photos when graphic computers are used.

Abstract: A reflector providing directional control of visible and infra-red radiation emanating from a lamp held within the reflector. The reflector includes a first, optical interference coating applied to the interior surface of the dome-shaped portion of the reflector which is operable to transmit infra-red radiation while reflecting visible light. A second coating which is non-transmissive to IR radiation is applied to selected portions of the reflector body, and preferably to the area adjacent the neck portion of the reflector whereby components placed rearwardly of the reflector are protected from IR radiation. Various application techniques are disclosed, and the second coating may be applied in manners allowing for coding of reflectors of different types, as well as creating an aesthetically pleasing effect on surfaces illuminated by the IR radiation transmitted rearwardly of the reflector. Visible light escaping from the neck portion of prior art reflectors is also addressed by the present invention.

Abstract: A fiber optic module includes front adapters for connection to fiber optic connectors, and rear adapters for connection to fiber optic connectors. The module includes two circuits having passive optical couplers inside, and adapters exposed along the front and the rear of the module. The module is usable in cross-connect applications with itself or with other modules. The adapters are selectively connectable to fiber optic connectors. The front adapters of the module include two receive input ports and two transmit output ports. The front of the module also includes two visual indicators, one for each circuit. The visual indicators include a lens cap at least partially transparent to visual light in light communication with an optical fiber. The rear adapters of the module include two transmit input ports and two transmit output ports. Monitor ports are also located on the rear for both the transmit and receive signals.

Abstract: In a multilayer dielectric reflector, treating the surface of the reflector selectively increases the amount of light transmitted through the reflector. Various surface treatments can be used to permit light to transmit through the reflector that would otherwise be reflected by the reflector. In one such reflector, different portions of the surface have different coupling efficiencies for coupling light having a high propagation angle into the multilayer reflector. Those portions having higher coupling efficiencies on each side of the reflector have a higher degree of transmission.

Abstract: An integrated day and night sighting system and a laser rangefinder apparatus includes a daylight objective lens having a night light corrector lens mounted adjacent to and coaxially with the daylight objective lens and having an eyepiece lens. An image converter module may be an image intensifier for night light use and is movably supported for movement between a daylight position out of the light path and a night light position in the light path. The image converter is positioned to focus the night light optics thereon and for the eyepiece lens to view the image intensifier screen. A night primary objective mirror is positioned to reflect light from the night objective lens and a night secondary mirror is positioned to receive light from the primary objective mirror and to focus the night light onto the image converter when the image converter is in the night light position. This allows a refractive day sight to be integrated with a reflective night sight.

Abstract: Distributed fiber optic chemical and physical sensors provide a relatively highly uniform response over the length of the fiber by, for example, varying such properties as the core/cladding index of refraction ratio to compensate for the non-linearity in sensitivity due to the loss of higher order modes in multi-mode fibers. The variation of the ratio changes the absorption coefficient of the fiber and can be used to compensate for any non-linearity in response. Other techniques for compensation also are disclosed.

Abstract: A wide angle imaging system for providing a wide angle field of view area exteriorly of a vehicle comprises an outer negative or wide angle group of lenses for receiving the wide angle field of view and directing a virtual image toward a positive, converging or focusing group of optics, which further refract and focus the image and provide a focused image to an image capture device. The focusing group of lenses preferably comprises three plastic optic elements, which include a diffractive element and aspheric surfaces to correct for color, distortion and other aberrations in the wide angle virtual image received from the wide angle group of lenses. The wide angle group of lenses are also preferably formed of a plastic material, such as polycarbonate or acrylic, and include a diffractive element on one of the elements. The imaging system thus provides a low cost, light weight and compact wide angle focusing system which does not include expensive and fragile precision optic and/or glass elements.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a strain relief apparatus includes a body member incorporating a first end for facing the cable-receiving end of a connector, a second end for facing away from the cable-receiving end of a connector, and a flap extending from the body member. The flap is movable between an unbiased position and a forwardly-displaced position so that in its unbiased position the flap is oriented in an overlying relationship with a trigger of the connector. In its forwardly-displaced position, the flap urges the trigger toward the bottom side of the connector such that the trigger urges a latch of the connector to its unlatched position. Preferably, the flap has a handle extending therefrom, with the handle being configured so that a technician can reposition the flap from its unbiased position to its forwardly-displaced position as well as manipulate the connector, such as during patching operations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compact microscope 4 especially for medical routine applications. The microscope is configured as a closed housing 8 wherein the specimen 30 to be microscoped is drawn in via an input opening 25. All optical components of the microscope are mounted within the housing. Alternatively, the microscope can be mounted in a standard drive bay of a personal computer 3. All movable components of the microscope are motorically driven and controlled by software via the computer. The specimen can be moved in two mutually perpendicular directions within the microscope to select the object detail of interest. An overview diagram of the specimen is produced with a line sensor when the specimen is drawn in.