Abstract: An improved automatic rearview mirror system which is particularly adapted for use with automotive vehicles and which may be utilized as a fully integrated inside/outside rearview mirror system or as an inside or an outside rearview mirror system. The system includes a variable reflectance member the reflectivity of which varies as a function of an electrical signal applied thereto, and the system also includes improved means operable to apply an electrical signal to the variable reflectance member to vary the reflectivity of such member as a function of sensed ambient light and sensed glare causing light.

Abstract: A method of modulating light incident to a semiconductor body comprising the steps of: coupling the incident light to the surface plasmon polariton mode at an interface of the semiconductor body; and selectively altering the absorption of the incident light by the semiconductor body so as to decouple the incident light from the surface plasmon polariton mode. The absorption can be selectively altered by establishing a quantum confined optical absorption region within the semiconductor body, and effecting a Stark shift of the quantum confined optical absorption region.

Abstract: A Kerr cell in an electro-optical shutter is coupled in a leg between "H connected" switches so as to reverse the polarity of the actuating potential applied across the cell.

Abstract: A KTP crystal in a nonlinear optical device is heated to and operated at a temperature of at least 50.degree. C. and less than 350.degree. C., and more preferably about 90.degree. C. to about 200.degree. C., and most preferably to about 100.degree. C. to about 125.degree. C., to reduce drift and damage. The KTP crystal is placed in an oven or other heating device, which may be regulated or unregulated. The KTP may be cut at the room temperature phase matching angle and angle tuned for operation at the higher temperature, or the KTP may be cut at the correct angle for phase matching at the operating temperature.

Abstract: A nonlinear optical system for phase conjugating two mutually incoherent beams of light having the same nominal wavelength includes a photorefractive crystal having a preferred fanning direction, a first face whose surface normal is perpendicular to the preferred fanning direction, and a second face parallel to the first face. A first beam of coherent light having a wavelength .lambda. is incident on the first face of the crystal and makes an acute angle with the preferred fanning direction of the crystal, while a second beam of coherent light which is mutually incoherent with the first beam and has the same nominal wavelength is incident on the second face of the crystal and also makes an acute angle with the preferred fanning direction of the crystal. With this arrangement, the first beam and the second beam photorefractively fan toward a third face of the crystal to produce a set of shared photorefractive fanning holograms which channel light from the first and second beams toward the third face.

Abstract: Certain benzophenone derivatives having acentric crystalline space groups are disclosed as second-order nonlinear optical materials. The second harmonic signal of such derivatives is enhanced for compounds containing an electron-donating group attached to one of the benzene rings and which is para relative to the carbonyl group of the benzophenone derivative. Benzophenone hydrazone, 4-aminobenzophenone, and 4-amino-3-nitrobenzophenone are exemplary benzophenone derivatives according to the invention. Also disclosed are nonlinear optical devices which include single crystals of the benzophenone derivatives.

Abstract: An eye protection or equipment filter device for protection from laser eny is disclosed. The device may be in the form of a telescope, binoculars, goggles, or constructed as part of equipment such as image intensifiers or range designators. Optical elements focus the waist of the beam within a nonlinear frequency-doubling crystal or nonlinear optical element or fiber. The nonlinear elements produce a harmonic outside the visible spectrum in the case of crystals, or absorb the laser energy in the case of nonlinear fibers. Embodiments include protectors for the human eye as well as filters for sensitive machinery such as TV cameras, FLIR systems or other imaging equipment.

Abstract: A display system suitable for large color television type images in which a thin membrane is charged electrostatically in a pattern corresponding to the image. The membrane is deformed locally by electrostatic force and the image is rendered visible by an optical arrangement in which the deformation varies the light transmitted through the display, the rear of which is illuminated.

Abstract: The invention comprises a digital frequency generator particularly adapted for use with acousto-optical scanning devices, and particularly for such devices as for producing a scan or a raster scan or the like. The invention electronic circuitry includes a precision timing generator which is made up of a tapped delay line which feeds a multiplexor to produce an output pulse of any desired configuration. The output pulses are produced in a stream, but each pulse is produced individually.

Abstract: A mirror for a motor vehicle comprises reflective means having a primary surface and a secondary surface, the reflective means being arranged to reflect light which is incident on its secondary surface. A layer on its primary surface adapted to change from a transparent state to a reflective state in response to application of a control signal so as to change the field of view or the intensity of the reflected image. In another form of the invention, the reflective means is arranged, when in a first state, to reflect light from a reflective surface having a first configuration adapted to provide a first field of view. The reflective means can be changed to a second state in which light is reflected from a reflective surface having a second configuration adapted to provide a second field of view differing from said first field of view.

Abstract: A selection device for reliable selection of a plurality of lines or of a plurality of contact locations. In order to select at least two of a plurality of lines, at least two selection lines are connected to every line via a photoresistor, whereby every photoresistor is preferably controllably chargeable with light via a deflectable beam. The selection occurs when selected photoresistors are changed to a low resistance state by light impingement. For selecting at least two of a plurality of contact locations arranged in a grid pattern, the contact locations are connected to the lines via photoresistors. The device of the present invention is preferably utilized for the electrical function testing of printed circuit boards.

Abstract: An electrochromic device employing a metal oxide film as an oxidative-coloration layer is provided. The metal oxide film is a porous film comprising grains, 50% in number or more of which have a grain size of 1000 to 5000 .ANG. in diameter, and changes its optical density in a range of 0.3 to 0.65 between a bleached state and a colored state. The metal oxide film is prepared by an anodic oxidation process in which alternating potential is continuously applied to a metallic film initially with a smaller amplitude and subsequently with a larger amplitude.

Abstract: A driving device for a light shutter array having a plurality of serially aligned shutter elements each having an electro-optical effect to polarize an incident light by applying an electric field thereto. The device includes a plurality of individual electrodes each provided on a wall of a shutter element and a common electrode provided on an opposed wall of the shutter element. A driving pulse voltage is applied to the individual electrodes to activate the same according to recording data for turning ON/OFF the respective shutter elements in a first recording period and according to inverted recording data in a subsequent second recording period. The common electrode is grounded in the first recording period. A pulse voltage same as the driving pulse voltage is applied to the common electrode in the second recording period.

Abstract: A variable transmission window comprises outer panes of glass 17 and 19 and a multi layer electrochromic device allowing variation in the optical transmission properties of the window. The device comprises a transparent electrically conductive layer 12 such as indium tin oxide, an electrochromic material 13 such as a transition metal oxide bronze, a solid electrolyte 14 which is a fast ion conductor of ions of the metal which dissolves in the electrochromic material, a second electrochromic material 15, and a second transparent electrically conductive layer 16. The electrochromic material may be MoO.sub.3 or WO.sub.3. The solid electrolyte 14 may be a Bordeaux glass of LiCl, Li.sub.2 O, B.sub.2 O.sub.3. A quantity of metal colouration atoms, for example lithium, may be transferred reversibly between the electrochromic layers 13 and 15 by applying potentials to contacts 21 and 22.

Abstract: An optical device having a material exhibits an optical rectification effect is disclosed. The optical device utilizes direct current polarization which is induced in the material by a control light. The induction of the direct current polarization in the material by the control light changes the refractive index and absorption spectrum of the material. This is based on the so-called electrooptic effect and Franz-Keldysh effect. The present invention provides the optical device according to which external incident light can be modulated at high speed with the control light by utilizing the change of the refractive index or the change of the absorption spectrum.

Abstract: An optical element comprised a pair of plates between which an optical modulation liquid layer is sandwiched, the optical modulation liquid layer exhibiting a light scattering property caused by suspension of fine particle polymer when not heated and exhibiting transparency caused by dissolution of fine particle polymer when heated, the change of such light scattering property to transparency being reversible.

Abstract: A solid state light modulator structure useful in a video display system includes a deformable silica containing gel layer on an array of charge storage elements, and an adherent, highly light reflective metal (e.g., Ag) electrode layer formed directly on the surface of the gel layer by sputtering in a non-reactive atmosphere.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the bandpass characteristic of an acousto-optic tunable filter in which two optically birefringement crystal parts are oriented so that their respective optic axes are tilted with respect to each other. The amount of tilt as well as the angle of incidence to the first part is selected so as to subject the light to a first bandpass characteristic in a first part of the crystal and a second bandpass characteristic in a second part of the crystal such that the bandpass characteristics have a common center frequency. When the bandpass characteristics have a ratio of 1.5, sideband suppression is significantly improved.

Abstract: A method is provided for decreasing radiative heat transfer and adjustably limiting visible light and near infrared radiation transfer and glare through a window.

Abstract: The electronic sun shield is an electronically operated grid that enables the operators of motor vehicles and other vehicles (such as airplanes) to control the shading of their windshields. It employs electrochromic technology to electronically darken section or sections of the windshield in order to minimize the effects of glare from the sun, reflective objects, or the lights of other vehicles, as driving conditions dictate. In addition, all sections of the windshield can be darkened at once when the vehicle is parked, or at other times, to shield the interior from the sun.