Abstract: An airport inset light adjustable alignment container set provides a light fixture and stainless steel support for airport runway, taxiway, or other aircraft ground traffic areas. A variable length extension means rotatably adjusts height and azimuth by a rotatable vertical displacement. In one aspect, a previously installed, airport inset light and stainless steel base of the present invention receives a variable length extension assembly for rotatably adjusting the height and azimuth alignment of an airport inset light. Rotation locking means are provided for securing the rotatable adjustment apparatus from further rotation. A novel stainless steel base is adapted to receive various different designs of inset lights and, in one aspect, to provide a stainless steel protection ring “mud dam.

Abstract: An optical film containing an anti-glare layer having irregularities on a surface thereof, wherein the irregularities are arranged such that the value of NN determined by the sequence of the following steps is 1,000 or less: dividing the irregular surface of the optical film into 10,000 planes; calculating, for each divided plane, the standard deviation D of the distance between positions where adjacent high or low spots have peaks; determining the mean value M for the values of the standard deviation D; and determining the number NN of divided planes for which the value of the standard deviation D is 50% of the mean value M or lower; and, wherein the frequency at which the angle of inclination to the regular reflecting plane as measured with an aperture of two square microns is 0.5 or less degrees is 2% or lower.

Abstract: One or more single mode waveguide devices are fiber coupled such that signals to an optical element affect the coupling of the waveguide device to an optical fiber. A number of systems and methods are disclosed to adjust the coupling of the waveguide device to the optical fiber. These include dithering the tunable optical element at different frequencies along differing axes and using a lock-in technique to derive an error signal for each degree of motion, using a beamsplitter to form a secondary image of the focused beam on a position-sensitive detector, the use of a chiseled fiber to generate reflections from the angled facets, using an additional laser for a secondary image, or obtaining a secondary image from an angled fiber or a parasitic reflection.

Abstract: The invention relates to a swiveling device (11) of the support panel (12) of an exterior automobile mirror that can be adjusted by means of a motor. Said device functions in a stable manner. The panel (12) is fixed on a housing (13) in such a way that it can swivel, by means of four threaded rods (18—18.18′—18′). Said housing is to be mounted in a fixed position. A geared motor (17, 17′) is provided in said housing for each of the two swiveling directions (11), which are orthogonal in relation to each other. Said geared motors are kinematically connected to two threaded rods (24—24) by a toothed wheel (19, 19′) and by threaded bushings (24—24) which are also toothed on the outside. Said threaded rods (18—18) are diametrically opposite each other in relation to the coaxial axes of rotation of the wheels (19, 19′) and can be moved in opposite directions to each other.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of making a <194 nm wavelength calcium fluoride crystal optical lithography element for transmitting wavelengths less than about 194 nm along an optical axis with minimal birefringence by providing an optical element optical calcium fluoride crystal with an input face {100} crystal plane and forming the input face {100} crystal plane into an optical lithography element surface of an optical lithography element having an optical axis, with the optical axis aligned with a <100> crystal direction of the optical calcium fluoride crystal. In a preferred embodiment, the below 194 nm transmitting optical element is a <100>oriented calcium fluoride lens. In a preferred embodiment, the below 194 nm transmitting optical element is a <100> oriented calcium fluoride beam splitter.

Abstract: A first power mechanism is provided in association with a fixed support and with a swingable structure, and pivots the swingable structure relative to the fixed support between an extended position and a folded position adjacent the vehicle. A second power mechanism is operatively associated with a swingable structure and a mirror housing to move the mirror housing between inner and outer extended positions. A third mechanism moves the mirror unit into desired adjusted position about horizontal and vertical axes. An electronic control controls the operation of the first power mechanism, the second power mechanism and third power mechanism to control the powered pivoting of swingable structure.

Abstract: An automatically dimming mirror includes a dimming element having variable reflectivity, the degree of reflectivity based on a control signal. An ambient light sensor is positioned to receive light from a region generally in front of the vehicle. The ambient light sensor outputs a discrete ambient light signal based on the amount of light incident on the ambient light sensor over an integration period. A glare sensor is positioned to view the scene generally behind the vehicle operator. The glare sensor outputs a discrete glare signal based on the amount of light incident on the glare sensor over an integration period. A dimming logic determines an ambient light level based on the ambient light signal. The glare integration period is determined based on the ambient light level. The glare signal resulting from the glare integration period determines a mirror glare level used to set the dimming element control signal.

Abstract: A reflector for a precision optical device is provided. The reflector comprises a reflective surface, a back surface, a thickness between the reflective surface and the back surface defining an edge of the reflector, at least one mounting pad located along at least a portion of the edge of the reflector for adhesion to a portion of the precision optical device, and a mounting pin extending from another portion of the edge of the reflector for adhesion within a hole in the precision optical device.

Abstract: A micromirror (5), a micro-oscillating mirror in particular, having an at least largely cantilevered mirror surface (10) which may be displaced from the rest position about at least one torsional axis (17) is described. The mirror surface (10) is linked to at least one support body (11, 12) by at least two torsion beams (13, 13′), which are arranged at least approximately parallel to each other. Also described is the displacement of the micrometer from its rest position by an electrostatic or magnetic interaction.

Abstract: A color shifting multilayer interference film is provided which may be used to produce foils or flakes for use in pigment compositions and colorants having color shifting properties. The flakes can be interspersed into a pigment medium to form paints, inks, or cosmetic preparations which can subsequently be applied to objects, papers, or people. Three and five layer designs of the interference film include alternating layers of a dielectric material and carbon in various configurations. The dielectric layers are formed to have an optical thickness at a design wavelength that provides a color shift as the angle of incident light or viewing angle changes.

Abstract: A color shifting multilayer interference film is provided which may be used to produce foils or flakes for use in pigment compositions and colorants having color shifting properties. The flakes can be interspersed into a pigment medium to form paints, inks, or cosmetic preparations which can subsequently be applied to objects, papers, or people. Three and five layer designs of the interference film include alternating layers of a dielectric material and carbon in various configurations. The dielectric layers are formed to have an optical thickness at a design wavelength that provides a color shift as the angle of incident light or viewing angle changes.

Abstract: A rearview mirror has a housing. The housing includes a front surface facing a driver's seat, a rear surface at the opposite side of the front surface. The housing has a slot for receiving a recording medium that stores predetermined data. The slot has a width, which is larger than a width of an insert potion that of the recording medium. The recording medium is inserted into the slot at an arbitrary position in the width direction of the slot. An interface performs at least one of reading of data from the recording medium and writing of data to the recording medium. The interface includes a detector, a data input/output unit and a moving mechanism. The detector detects insertion of the recording medium into the slot. The data input/output unit swaps data with the recording medium. The moving mechanism moves one of the data input/output unit and the recording medium to a position where the data input/output unit faces the recording medium.

Abstract: A stabilizer for an optical instrument, such as a pair of binoculars, including: a forehead mount and an adjustable mechanism for connecting the forehead mount to the optical instrument. The mechanism may include a bracket adapted for attachment to the optical instrument and a support between the forehead mount and the bracket.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical pickup deformable mirror used for correcting a spherical aberration caused by a difference in thickness of a cover glass of a recording medium, wherein the optical pickup deformable mirror is deformed into a rotation-symmetrical surface obtained by rotating a curve represented by the following expression f(r): f(r)=ar2+g(r) where r is the distance from the axis of rotational symmetry, a is an actual number except for 0, and g(r) satisfies |g(r)|≦1 &mgr;m.

Abstract: An optical switching assembly comprised of a substrate, a first plurality of waveguides in a first plane in the substrate, a second plurality of waveguides in a second plane parallel to said first plane in the substrate, the optical signals being selectively transferable from one substrate to the other. The second waveguides cross the first waveguides at an angle and the first waveguides each have a segment extending generally parallel to a segment of the second waveguides at the crossing. Controllable coupling material is disposed between the segments of the waveguides at the crossing and a control circuit is employed for selectively changing the index of refraction of the coupling material by electrical or thermal means.

Abstract: A device 21 comprises a movable structure 44 having a first movable portion 70 hinged to frame portion 60 by a first pair of hinges 81, 82 spaced apart along a first axis 91. The first movable portion 70 has an edge 140 that is substantially perpendicular to the first axis and substantially parallel with and immediately adjacent to an edge 132 of the frame portion 60, such that a tolerance space 120 defined therebetween. At least one projection 122 extends from one or both of the edges 132 and/or 140. The projection 122 is adapted to limit translational motion of the first movable portion 70 relative to the frame portion 60 within the plane. The device 21 motion between the first movable portion 80 and a second pivot axis 112 with translational motion between the first movable portion 70 and the second movable portion 80 limited by a similar projection.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards shock protectors for a pedestal suspended over a lower surface by a plurality of gimbal springs. Each gimbal spring is connected to a linkage arm that attaches to an actuator. A stop located below the bottom of the pedestal prevents the gimbal springs and/or other structures from impacting the lower surface. In addition, the stop prevents excessively high strain in the gimbal springs. A shock absorber extending from at least one linkage arm serves a similar purpose when the pedestal is tilted, rather than simply displaced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for generating light signals, in particular traffic lights. The device according to the invention contains a housing with at least one opening, which is closed by a plate, the absorption of which can be controlled electrically, there being located in the interior of the housing behind the opening a diffuser element, which reflects incident light through the plate. Preferred switched states of the plate are either black (absorption over the entire spectral region of visible light) and colored transparent (slight absorption in specific spectral regions) or transparent (no absorption over the entire spectral region of visible light). The device according to the invention is used to generate light signals by virtue of the fact that the ambient light strikes the plate and, depending on switched state, is absorbed entirely, partially or not at all by the plate.

Abstract: A variable shape mirror comprises a frame member having an opening, and a thin film having a first region including a reflecting plane and a second region of higher rigidity than the first region disposed in the outer periphery of the first region, being supported in the opening of the frame member. Other variable shape mirror comprises a frame member having a first opening and a second opening, a first thin film having a reflecting plane, forming an electrode, and supported in the first opening of the frame member, a second thin film forming an electrode electrically conducting with the electrode of the first thin film, and supported in the second opening of the frame member, and a substrate bonded to the frame member at a specified interval, and having an electrode at a position opposite to the electrode of the second thin film.

Abstract: &lgr;UVt sampling is employed to achieve high resolution imagery without sub-wavelength system tolerances. An exemplary application is a 20 meter outside diameter orbiting, earth-watching ring telescope utilizing 40 identical commercial, off-the-shelf (COTS)-grade convex primary mirrors of 80 cm diameter each. Its nominal orbit is geosynchronous, with a designed ground resolution of approximately 1 m at 500 nm. It is configured such that there is no macro-structure pointing, where the primary mirrors are solely responsible for gross target pointing and no phasing whatsoever. The overall wavefront error budget is on the order of &lgr; or even worse, rather than the more traditional &lgr;/10.