Abstract: The present invention relates to the analysis of specimens. Specifically, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for reviewing specimen slides, including apparatus for holding the slides. The invention also relates to an automatic focusing method for an imaging system and methods for accommodating vibration in the imaging system. In particular, the methods and apparatus may be applied to the automated analysis of cytological specimen slides.

Abstract: A backlight unit having a polarization film for performing the function of a reflective polarization film, wherein the backlight unit includes a light source, an optical film and a polarization film. The light source emits a light having a certain wavelength, the optical film is located proximate to the light source to transmit the light outputted from the light guiding plate in a certain direction, and the polarization film is located proximate to the optical film. Here, the polarization film has a UV curing resin and lines disposed on the UV curing resin, and polarizes the light transmitted from the optical film. The backlight unit manufactures the polarization film by using an UV curing resin and a metal substance, and thus the manufacture period of the polarization film may be reduced enabling the polarization film to be manufactured in great quantities.

Abstract: A display apparatus comprises: an emissive spatial light modulator comprising an array of pixels each arranged to output randomly polarized light; a birefringent lens positioned to receive light from the spatial light modulator arranged in a first mode of operation of the display apparatus to direct light of a first polarization component into a first directional distribution and in a second mode of operation of the display apparatus to direct light of a second polarization component into a second directional distribution different from the first directional distribution; a quarter waveplate; and a linear polarizer. The quarter waveplate is arranged between the spatial light modulator and the birefringent lens and the linear polarizer is arranged on the opposite side of the birefringent lens from the quarter waveplate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the analysis of specimens. Specifically, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for reviewing specimen slides, including apparatus for holding the slides. The invention also relates to an automatic focusing method for an imaging system and methods for accommodating vibration in the imaging system. In particular, the methods and apparatus may be applied to the automated analysis of cytological specimen slides.

Abstract: A sight includes a housing with first and second openings, and includes an optics section that is disposed within the housing, that has image erecting optics and eyepiece optics, and that optically influences radiation received through the first opening from a scene, so as to deliver through the second opening a viewable image that is a function of the radiation. An adjusting section facilitates adjustment of the position of the image erecting optics and the eyepiece optics within the housing.

Abstract: An autostereoscopic display device (1), includes a display panel (10), a lenticular sheet (15) and an electrically controllable diffuser (80). The electrically controllable diffuser (80) includes an optical medium (94), e.g. polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), with a structured surface (98) against an electro-optic medium (95), e.g. a small droplet polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) layer. The electro-optic material (95) refractive index is varied with an applied electric field (or zero field) and is switchable between at least (i) a value (n2) substantially matching that of the optical medium (94), which provides a substantially non-diffusing mode, hence 3D operation of the display device, and (ii) a value (n1) different to that of the optical medium (94) hence causing refraction at the structured surface (98), the structured surface (98) providing different refraction angles (?0) so as to provide an overall diffusing effect, hence 2D operation. The diffuser (80) may be provided as a stand-alone item.

Abstract: A microscope system having an objective lens (10) defining a central optical axis (14) of the microscope system; an optical beam hub unit (18, 20) having a center coinciding with the central optical axis, a plurality of optical beam ports (24, 26, 30, 32; 214) arranged radially around the central optical axis, a beam multiplexer system (22, 28, 222) arranged in the center of the hub unit, and a device for rotating the beam multiplexer system around the central optical axis for alternatively selecting at least one of the beam ports. The beam ports include at least two elements selected any one of input ports, output ports and dual input/output ports.

Abstract: An ultra-broadband ultraviolet (UV) catadioptric imaging microscope system with wide-range zoom capability. The microscope system, which comprises a catadioptric lens group and a zooming tube lens group, has high optical resolution in the deep UV wavelengths, continuously adjustable magnification, and a high numerical aperture. The system integrates microscope modules such as objectives, tube lenses and zoom optics to reduce the number of components, and to simplify the system manufacturing process. The preferred embodiment offers excellent image quality across a very broad deep ultraviolet spectral range, combined with an all-refractive zooming tube lens. The zooming tube lens is modified to compensate for higher-order chromatic aberrations that would normally limit performance.

Abstract: A microscope system includes an adjustable arm attached at one end to a support mount. A suspension member is configured at an opposite end of the adjustable arm and supports a scope assembly. The scope assembly includes a head harness and a microscope adjustably connected to the harness such that the microscope is disposed along an operator's line of site upon the operator donning the head harness. A weight compensator device is configured on the arm to compensate for the weight of the scope assembly hanging on the suspension member.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a wire grid polarizer includes a plurality of parallel conductors having a pitch (P), a width (W), and a height (H). In example embodiments, a fill-factor (W/P) is greater than approximately 0.18 and less than approximately 0.25. In another example embodiment, a display system includes a light source and a light-valve. The display system also includes a wire grid polarizer that includes a plurality of parallel conductors having a pitch (P), a width (W), and a height (H). In example embodiments, a fill-factor (W/P) is greater than approximately 0.18 and less than approximately 0.25.

Abstract: A polarization stereoscopic display device and a method of its manufacture. A liquid crystal display panel displays an information in accordance with signal data comprised of left-eye and right-eye image information, a polarizer polarizes modulated light through polarizer. A patterned retarder layer separates light by polarization into a left-eye picture and a right-eye picture in accordance with its pattern. A light waveguide disposed between the polarizer and the retarder layer reduces polarization changes between the polarizer and the retarder layer. Beneficially, the polarizer, waveguide, and retarder layer are formed into an integral unit. The retarder layer includes a chiral material, and a waveguide layer for the substrate is beneficially comprised of a solvent-proof polymer.

Abstract: A system microscope has a specimen mounting part which mounts a specimen, an inverted microscope including an illumination path which radiates illumination light from under the specimen mounting part, and an observation optical path which acquires detection light emitted from the specimen to which the illumination light is radiated, a microscope with upright frame including an illumination path which radiates illumination light from above the specimen mounting part, and an observation optical path which acquires detection light emitted from the specimen to which the illumination light is radiated, and a driving unit which moves at least one of the inverted microscope and the microscope with upright frame in a plane perpendicular to the observation optical path of the inverted microscope or the microscope with upright frame.

Abstract: A correct image reflecting telescope with zoom capability comprised of a flat mirror, a parabolic primary mirror, and an image correcting system. The flat mirror reflects the incoming light from the telescope aperture into the parabolic primary mirror. The reflected light from the primary mirror passes back through a small centrally located opening in the flat aperture mirror and into an image correcting lens system. The image correcting system repositions the focal point of the primary mirror from a point in front of the flat aperture mirror to a point behind this mirror for observation with an eyepiece. The image correcting system makes the telescope useful in terrestrial as well as celestial applications and it can be moved with respect to the primary mirror such that a zoom feature results. This intrinsic zoom of the telescope allows an observer to use a single eyepiece in place of many, eliminates the need for an additional finder scope, and also makes the telescope useful in spotting scope applications.

Abstract: A birefringent spectral filter comprises a first birefringent stage and a polarizing beam splitter optically coupled to the first birefringent stage. The first birefringent stage is adapted to generate an optical path difference between light propagating along each of two orthogonal axes. This configuration is most advantageous when light incident on the first birefringent stage is polarized at 45° relative to the extraordinary axis of the birefringent material. The first birefringent stage may advantageously include a first and second layers of birefringent material and a half-wave plate disposed therebetween. Preferably, the first and second layers of birefringent material have orthogonally aligned extraordinary axes.

Abstract: A confocal microscope uses fluorescent or reflected light obtained by irradiating a plurality of beam spots to a sample so as to observe the sample. The confocal microscope has a phase modulator element which modulates phase of laser light to form the beam spots, a liquid crystal element which forms a plurality of pinholes through which only the fluorescent or the reflected light is transmitted, and a control section which controls the phase modulator element and the liquid crystal element.

Abstract: The invention relates to the combination of lower transmittance etalons with higher transmittance filters, including use of a single circular polarizer with high efficiency and optical performance for its filtered polarization, to achieve necessary throughput of a narrow bandpass region. The lower transmittance etalons can be achieved by using lower transmittance solid-state etalon materials, or by control of the coatings on the etalon. Alternate configurations are described that reduce the optical assembly's footprint, and/or include additional filters to remove stray light. An innovative option to heat the etalon directly is disclosed to actively stabilize and maintain the etalon's bandpass.

Abstract: An infrared light condensing apparatus that focuses an infrared light of several tens microns in wavelength at a microfine area of submicron or less and also a near-field from a microfine area of submicron or less, and permits a scanning image to be obtained. It includes a solid immersion lens including a medium of high index of refraction for coupling an incident light or an outgoing light to an antenna, a measured specimen disposed on a base plane of the solid immersion lens, an antenna disposed away from the base plane at a distance ¼ of an effective wavelength of the light for causing the light to geometrically resonate therewith, a rod-like conductive probe having a sharply point end projecting from the antenna, and a position control means such as a triaxial XYZ mechanical stage for controlling the position of the probe with the intermediary of a cantilever.

Abstract: Confocal optical scanning device designed to allow visualization of an object to be observed (1107) and comprising: an optical system designed, on the one hand, to focus an illuminating beam (FX) coming from a light source on to at least one illuminating point (FXO) intended to illuminate a point of the object to be observed (1107) and, on the other hand, to focus a light beam (FE) coming from the illuminated point of the object (1107) on to a luminous point (FEO) in a first image plane (PI); at least one rotatably mounted mobile mirror (1104) on which are reflected, on the one hand, the illuminating beam (FX) to allow the scanning of the object to be observed (1107) along an observed plane and, on the other hand, the light beam (FE) to bring the luminous point (FEO) on to a fixed point on the first image plane; and a first spatial filtering system (1203) arranged in the first image plane and designed to filter the luminous point (FEO) to obtain a beam to be detected (FD).

Abstract: A catadioptric projection objective for imaging a pattern provided in an object plane of the projection objective onto an image plane of the projection objective comprises: a first objective part for imaging the pattern provided in the object plane into a first intermediate image; a second objective part for imaging the first intermediate imaging into a second intermediate image; a third objective part for imaging the second intermediate imaging directly onto the image plane; wherein a first concave mirror having a first continuous mirror surface and at least one second concave mirror having a second continuous mirror surface are arranged upstream of the second intermediate image; pupil surfaces are formed between the object plane and the first intermediate image, between the first and the second intermediate image and between the second intermediate image and the image plane; and all concave mirrors are arranged optically remote from a pupil surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polarization beam splitter including a multilayer film formed by laminating a first layer having a refractive index in a first range, a second layer having a refractive index in a second range which does not overlap the first range, and a third layer having a refractive index in a third range which does not overlap the first or second range in the order of the first layer, the second layer, the first layer, and the third layer in succession, wherein the transmittance of s-polarized light is 60% or more higher than the transmittance of p-polarized light in a first wavelength region, the transmittance of p-polarized light is equal to or higher than 70% in a second wavelength region different from the first wavelength region, and each of the first wavelength region and the second wavelength region has a bandwidth equal to or larger than 30 nm.