Abstract: A surgical fluorescence stereomicroscope (1) for detecting and operating on fluorescing areas of an object field (7) is described, which microscope encompasses a first illumination device (2) for irradiating the object field (7) with light in an excitation wavelength region (E). The surgical fluorescence stereomicroscope (1) further encompasses an observation beam path (21) for guiding the reflected and emitted light received from the object field (7), and a first observation filter (9) in the observation beam path (21) which is transparent in the excitation wavelength region (E) and in a fluorescence wavelength region (F). According to the present invention, means (10a to 10c) for controllable attenuation in the excitation wavelength region (E) are additionally arranged in the observation beam path.

Abstract: A two-dimensional wedge shaped UV and IR filter is formed by or substantially same size pieces of glass forming a two-dimensional wedge. The wedge reflects radiation in four different directions.

Abstract: A stage control device including a position detection portion which detects a position deviation of a support plate relative to a reference position regulated by a convex portion provided in a stage, from an image of a scope including the support plate on which a sample is disposed and which is mounted on the stage; and a stage control portion that presses the stage, which is moved and controlled in a surface direction of the support plate so that the sample is in an imaging scope of an imaging element, from a position of a detection point in time in a direction corresponding to a position deviation at a pressing speed, and returns the stage up to a position of the detection point in time at a return speed slower than the pressing speed, when the position deviation of the support plate relative to the reference position is detected.

Abstract: An optical arrangement for oblique plane microscopy includes a first optical subassembly having an objective lens that receives light from a sample in use, and configured to produce an intermediate image of the sample, and a second optical subassembly focused on the intermediate image. Optical axes of the first and second subassemblies are at an angle to each other at the point of the intermediate image, such that the second subassembly images an oblique plane in the intermediate image, corresponding to an oblique plane in the sample. An oblique plane microscopy method is performed by directing an incident light beam through the objective lens to illuminate or excite the oblique plane in the sample, and receiving light from the sample through the same objective lens. The incident light beam is incident on the sample at an angle of substantially 90° relative to the light beam received from the sample.

Abstract: A system for protecting an emitter/receiver device, including a cover and an active material actuator operable to selectively cause the cover to move between default protective and open positions, wherein the actuator includes at least one active material element, such as an SMA wire configured to cause the retraction of the cover and present a heating net when activated, and an activation signal source, and preferably further including at least one pulley and/or jack mechanism configured to redirect a displacement force vector, synchronization means, an antagonistic element for biasing the cover towards the protective or open position, and a controller presenting overheating protection through control logic.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microscope having a stage for supporting a sample to be examined, a recording sensor, an imaging optic for imaging the sample onto the recording sensor, a moving unit by means of which the distance between the stage and the imaging optic can be changed, a control unit for controlling an image recording of the sample and a focus-holding unit for maintaining a prescribed focal position for image recording of the sample at temporal intervals, wherein the focus-holding device comprises at least one hardware element and one software module, wherein the focus-holding unit is fully integrated in the control unit, on both the hardware and software sides.

Abstract: A microscope stage (14) comprising a platform (16) and a holder (42) for a microscope objective (38), which holder is mounted on the platform (16) pivotally about a bearing axis (46) and movably along the bearing axis (46) and holds the objective (38), an operating element (50) which is coupled to the holder (42) and with which the holder (42) is pivotable about the bearing axis (46) and is movable along the bearing axis (46) for its positioning in an operating position, and a locking mechanism (60) which is actuatable by the operating element (50) and with which the holder (42) positioned in the operating position can be fixed to the platform (16).

Abstract: A method for aligning a plurality of sub-apertures of a multiple-aperture imaging system including, but not limited to, identifying one sub-aperture to serve as a reference sub-aperture, actuating the reference sub-aperture in a series of piston steps of a known amount, collecting data relating to each image of a plurality of images of a point object, each image corresponding to a respective piston step, compiling the data into a three-dimensional data cube, detecting a plurality of fringes positioned within the three-dimensional data cube, determining the relative location of each sub-aperture of the plurality of sub-apertures based on a location of each fringe of the plurality of fringes within the three-dimensional data cube, and actuating a piston associated with at least one sub-aperture based, at least in part, on the relative location to move the at least one sub-aperture into alignment with another sub-aperture and repeating with each remaining sub-aperture until all sub-apertures are at substantially

Abstract: An infrared optical system includes: a first optical element, a second optical element, a third optical element, and a fourth optical element arranged along a direction from an object side toward an image plane side, wherein the fourth optical element has positive refracting power, an aperture is provided between the second optical element and the third optical element, the first and fourth optical elements are made of any one of silicon (Si), chalcogenide glass, and zinc sulfide (ZnS), and the second and third optical elements are made of a resin material, and at least one of a surface facing the object and a surface facing the image plane of each of the second and third optical elements is an aspheric surface.

Abstract: A microscope objective changer includes a changing device for changing at least two objectives. A movable objective holder corresponds to each objective. Each movable objective holder is configured to receive a respective one of the objectives and to transfer the respective objective along a respective displacement path from an allocated stand-by position into an operating position. A carrier is associated with each objective holder and includes a guide groove constituting the respective displacement path. Each displacement path includes a first portion beginning at the respective stand-by position and extends substantially perpendicular to the optical axis and a second portion directly bordering the first portion that includes a downwardly component in a direction parallel to the optical axis such that each objective holder is movable from the respective stand-by position to the optical axis of the operating position when reaching a lower end of the second portion of the displacement path.

Abstract: An optical system according to one embodiment includes a substrate; and an optical absorption layer coupled to the substrate, wherein the optical absorption layer comprises a layer of diamond-like carbon, wherein the optical absorption layer absorbs at least 50% of mid wave infrared light (3-5 ?m wavelength) and at least 50% of long wave infrared light (8-13 ?m wavelength). A method for applying an optical absorption layer to an optical system according to another embodiment includes depositing a layer of diamond-like carbon of an optical absorption layer above a substrate using plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition, wherein the optical absorption layer absorbs at least 50% of mid wave infrared light (3-5 ?m wavelength) and at least 50% of long wave infrared light (8-13 ?m wavelength). Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: A microscope stage (14) comprising a platform (16), a specimen holder (18) resting on the platform (16) and a positioning device (20) for moving the specimen holder (18) in a plane of displacement parallel to the platform (16) is described. The microscope stage (14) includes a positioning device (20) having two displacing devices (34, 36) which are mechanically decoupled from each other and of which a first displacing device (34) is designed to move the specimen holder (18) along a first axis in the plane of displacement, and a second displacing device (36) is designed to move the specimen holder (18) along a second axis in the plane of displacement, which second axis runs transversely to the first axis.

Abstract: An antireflection structure having a high antireflection effect is provided. An antireflection structure (50) reduces reflection of light having a wavelength equal to or larger than a predetermined wavelength, and absorbs the light whose reflection is reduced. The antireflection structure (50) includes a base structure portion (7) which is configured to have a plurality of structural units (70) arranged on a reference plane, and each having a tilted surface (71) so that an angle between the first side surface (71) and a reference plane (51) is a predetermined angle, and a plurality of fine concave/convex portions (8, 8, . . . ) which are formed on a surface of the base structure portion (7), and arranged within a cycle equal to or smaller than the predetermined wavelength.

Abstract: A GPS device comprises a GPS unit, a visor, and an optional attachment means to attach the visor to the GPS unit to improve the viewing of the visual display screen under bright light and/or to eliminate the reflection of the lighted display screen of the GPS unit from a vehicle's windshield during nighttime driving; a visor set comprising said visor and said attachment means; said visor or visor set optionally comprising a GPS antenna for stronger reception and/or a faster acquisition of satellite GPS signals; a method for improving the viewing of the display screen under bright light, for eliminating reflection of the display screen from the vehicle's windshield, and for providing improved satellite GPS signals by using the GPS device or the visor set hereinabove; and an article of manufacture comprising the GPS device or the visor set hereinabove, in association with instructions for use.

Abstract: A thermal infrared camera may be used under a wide variety of target-scene radiation conditions, with interchangeable or zoom lenses requiring matching or different size cold stops. A variable aperture assembly of a thermal infrared camera integrates a rigid open truss-like framework that's capped by an aperture ring and bottomed by a driving ring, and a radiation shield, located inside the framework, that contains an aperture ring at an upper side. A plurality of blades that collectively define an aperture positioned between the upper aperture rings. Opposite blade ends are coupled to respective ones of the two aperture rings, permitting pivotal movement in one ring and radial movement in the other ring, when the rings are rotated relative to one another, to change the size of the formed aperture. Both refractive and reflective infrared telescopes may be retro-fitted with variable aperture devices to enhance infrared imaging performance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a film mirror used for reflection of sunlight, which includes, in the following order from the side where sunlight is entered, an ultraviolet ray reflection film which reflects ultraviolet ray and transmits visible and infrared light, a plastic film layer, a metal reflection-layer which reflects visible and infrared light, and a protective layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical microscope capable of suppressing unnecessary response light as a background and detecting desired response light in nonlinear optical response process with a good S/N ratio.

Abstract: A lens cap includes a ring detachably mounted onto a lens of an optical apparatus and a pair of linkage sets pivotally connected to the ring, wherein the two linkage sets are diametrically corresponding to each other and respectively connected to a covering structure. A sleeve is longitudinally and slidably sleeved on the ring and the covering structure is connected to sleeve. As a result, the covering structure selectively opens/closes the sleeve when the sleeve is reciprocally moved relative to the ring. The covering structure and the sleeve are used as a lens cap when the covering structure closing the sleeve, and used as a lens hood when the covering structure is opened.

Abstract: A microscope apparatus capable of removing liquid from an observation field of view of a dry objective lens, when an immersion objective lens is switched to the dry objective lens, is provided. The microscope apparatus includes a specimen XY stage on which a specimen is placed, a dry objective lens and an immersion objective lens that collect light from the specimen, a movable revolver that selectively disposes one of these objective lenses at a position facing the specimen, and a control unit that controls the specimen XY stage and movable revolver such that the relative positions in the XY direction are changed until the immersion objective lens is disposed at a non-observation region of the dry objective lens, prior to switching of these objective lenses.

Abstract: An interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror casing, a reflective element and a mounting assembly for adjustably mounting the mirror assembly at an interior portion of a vehicle. The mounting assembly has a mounting base and a mounting arm adjustably mounted to the mounting base via a base joint. The reflective element is pivotally adjustable relative to the mounting arm via a mirror pivot joint. The base joint allows for adjustment of the mounting arm in generally a single plane and about a generally horizontal pivot axis when the mirror assembly is normally mounted in the vehicle, with the base joint limiting adjustment of the mounting arm about non-generally horizontal pivot axes. The mirror pivot joint allows for pivotal adjustment of a rearward field of view of the reflective element by a driver of the vehicle when the mirror assembly is normally mounted in the vehicle.