Abstract: Each individual light emitter of a LED linear array is imaged by a discrete step-index light guide and gradient index microlens device. The light guides consist of high refractive index cores, each surrounded by low refractive index matter. A multiplicity of light guides are deposited in channels formed in a host material, such as a silicon wafer. The host material between adjacent channels functions as an opaque separator to prevent cross-talk between adjacent light guides. Optically bonded to the LED array, the light guides conduct a large portion of the diffuse light emitted to a series of microlenses optically bonded to and in registration with the exit end of each light guide. The microlenses are constructed in a transparent substrate, with each microlens having a spherical or aspherical gradient index profile and short focal length.

Abstract: An objective lens system consisting of a single lens component, comprising at least one aspherical surface and having aberrations corrected favorably within a range up to relatively high image height.

Abstract: A two lens unit zoom lens of plus, minus configuration where the rear negative group provides the primary variator function and the positive first lens unit consists of a negative sub-unit and a positive sub-unit and where the sub-units may move differentially during zooming.

Abstract: A light scanning system is disclosed which reduces the effects of wobble without the need for complex, cumbersome, or expensive optical equipment. A light source is provided for generating an input light beam. A reflector subsystem receives the input light beam, the subsystem including first and second light-reflective plane surfaces, the planes of which intersect at an obtuse angle. The first light-reflective surface is oriented to receive the input light beam and reflect it toward the second light-reflective surface, and the second light-reflective surface is oriented to further reflect the light beam to be approximately orthogonal the direction of the input light beam. Means are provided for rotating the reflector subsystem on an axis which substantially corresponds to the direction of the input light beam. In a preferred embodiment, the planes of said first and second light-reflective surfaces intersect to include an angle of about 135.degree..

Abstract: A wide-angle lens system of a retrofocus type comprises, in order from the object side, a weakly divergent front lens group and a convergent rear lens group and which effects focusing by moving only the rear lens group. The front lens group comprises, in order from the object side, a positive first lens having a convex surface directed toward the object, a negative meniscus second lens having a convex surface directed toward the object and a biconvex third lens. The lens system satisfies the following conditions:1.1<h.sub.R /h.sub.F <1.3 (1)-0.5<f/f.sub.F <0.0 (2)where h.sub.F and h.sub.R are the heights of paraxial ray intercept of the front and rear lens groups, respectively; f is the focal length of the overall system; and f.sub.F is the focal length of the front lens group.

Abstract: A graded refractive index lens having refractive index distribution in the direction along the optical axis, a meniscus shape and a capability to correct aberrations, especially chromatic aberration.

Abstract: A glass block (10) comprises a plurality of intermediate glass plates (12i) stacked between a top plate (12t) and a bottom plate (12b). The top and bottom plate each have a selected composition, with a particular index of refraction and a softening temperature. The intermediate plates have compositions intermediate those of the top and bottom plates and are stacked so as to provide a gradient in composition from top to bottom. Heating the assembly at a fusion temperature fuses the plates together to form the glass block. After cooling down to room temperature, the glass block can be shaped to make lenses and other light directing devices. Such lenses have a gradient in the refractive index of at least about 0.085, and gradients approaching 0.5 are achievable. The thickness of the glass block along the optic axis is fairly unlimited, and thicknesses on the order of 10 mm and more are routinely achievable by the process of the invention.

Abstract: An optical arrangement is described, which has an optically effective arrement and a supporting structure therefor. The optically effective arrangement has such a slight thickness which alone is not sufficiently stable mechanically and which is designed for the transmission of optical radiation of a predetermined wavelength region. The supporting arrangement has a metallic planar structure with a plurality of apertures separated by webs. The width (a) of the apertures is larger than the half of the wave length and the sum (a+b) of the width of an aperture (14) and of an adjoining web (12) is smaller than the wave length. Such supporting arrangement transmits a vertically incident radiation without loss. Optical arrangement (10) mounted on the support structure can be, for example, an optically effective layer or a grid of parallel thin wires which rung perpendicularly with respect to the slot-like apertures of the supporting structure.

Abstract: A lens adapted for use in vehicular lighting employs a Fresnel configuration despite the fact that the lens has no axis of revolution and is formed as a quadric surface to meet vehicle design needs. The basic lens design is obtained by orthographically projecting a planar Fresnel pattern onto the quadric surface. The surfaces of the Fresnel steps are formed so that light emanating from a rear focus is converted into substantially parallel beams by reflection/reflection through the lens. The surfaces may have continuously or incrementally varying angulation, and may be formed by cutting using a 3 or 5 axis milling cutter.

Abstract: An arrangement for chopping a collimated beam of light traveling in an initial path, includes a flexible mirror which reflects substantially all of the light from the initial path into an auxiliary path in a first configuration thereof. The flexible mirror is deformed by a magnetodistortive actuator from its first configuration to a second configuration in which it disperses the light reaching it in such a manner that all but a minute fraction of the dispersed light propagates outside the path. Further propagation of the light that is reflected by the flexible mirror to the outside of the auxiliary path along the auxiliary path is blocked by an aperture plate having an apeture through which all of the light reflected by the flexible mirror passes when the flexible mirror has its first configuration.

Abstract: Zooming optical systems in which the effective focal length changes required for changing image scale and focus maintenance are brought about by movement of various system elements across the optical axis rather than along it as is the usual case. The zooming systems are suitable for use in a variety of applications including visual instrumentation and photographic systems.

Abstract: A compact, light-weight vari-focal lens system manufacturable at low cost comprising a negative front lens group and a positive rear lens group, said front lens group consisting of a first positive lens unit and a second lens unit having a vari-focal function, said rear lens group having an imaging function and used for correcting deviation of the image point caused due to variation of focal length, said second lens unit consisting of a negative lens component and a positive lens component, and said vari-focal lens system comprising at least one aspherical surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a telecentric f-.theta. lens system which includes first and second lens groups. The first lens group includes: first lens set having an entrance pupil and a positive power first lens in the form of meniscus, a negative power second lens, and positive power third and fourth lenses in the form of meniscus. The second lens group includes a fifth lens having a positive power. The telecentric f-.theta. lens system therefore has a flat image surface.

Abstract: An anti-dazzle screen is formed from a strip provided with notches (4, 5) issuing in alternation from opposing upper and lower edges. The notches form branches (8) therebetween and terminate short of the opposing edge to form upper and lower connection parts (9, 10) along the upper and lower edges, respectively. The connection lower parts (10) are at least partly foldable to form a supporting and fixing tab (12) for the screen on a support. The strip (1) is opened out on being positoned in the direction of setting up to open out the branches (8) around the respective joints formed by the upper and lower parts (9, 10).

Abstract: An apochromatic lens system consisting of three identical glass lens elements and a liquid lens element is disclosed. The glass lens elements are made from an inexpensive and readily available optical glass, and the liquid lens element is made from a commercially available immersion oil. The lens elements coact to focus optical radiation passing through the system onto a focal surface with a change in focus of less than one-quarter wavelength over a wavelength range from 0.48 micron to 0.72 micron.

Abstract: A zoom lens system comprising, in the order from the object side, a first lens unit including a positive lens component, a second lens unit of negative refractive power including two negative lens components, a third lens unit having positive refractive power including a positive lens component, and a fourth lens unit including three or four lens components: a positive lens component, a negative lens component and one or two positive lens components. During zooming, the first and fourth lens units are fixed, and the second and third lens units are shifted in the direction of the optical axis with the distance between both units being varied for zooming and correcting the shift of the image position. This zoom lens system has a small number of lens components, and aberrations are properly corrected.

Abstract: A lens triplet consisting of two identical aspherical acrylic lens elements and a liquid lens element is well-corrected for chromatic aberration and for spherochromatism, and is diffraction limited over the visible spectrum. The liquid lens element is made of an optical liquid selected because of its compatibility with acrylic for achieving paraxial color correction with negligible chromatic variation of spherical aberration. One surface of each acrylic lens element is aspherized to minimize spherical aberration.

Abstract: Generally, in an optical system for recording and reproducing an optical information medium, a semi-conductor laser is used as a light source, an approximately parallel luminous flux is obtained by a collimator lens, and thereafter it is converged on a recording surface by an objective lens. If the semi-conductor laser causes a mode hop to abruptly change an oscillating wavelength, an error results when the objective lens has a chromatic aberration. A collimator lens with a reverse chromatic abberation can be used so that various conventional objective lens may be utilized as they are without any error as described.

Abstract: A zoom lens comprises a front lens group having a positive focal length and a rear lens group having a negative focal length, with the distance between the front and rear lens groups being variable for varying the magnification of the zoom lens. The front lens group comprises a first front lens group having a negative focal length and a second front lens group having a positive focal length, the first and second front lens groups being successively arranged in the order specified from an object side. The first front lens group comprises, in the order named from the object side, at least a positive lens and a negative lens. The second front lens group comprises at least one negative lens and at least two positive lenses. The rear lens group comprises, in the order specified from the object side, a positive lens, a negative lens, a negative lens, and a positive lens. The distance between the first and second front lens groups varies during zooming movement of the zoom lens.

Abstract: In a gradient index type single lens having a gradient index in a direction perpendicular to the optic axis thereof, the surface of the single lens on the light beam incidence side when the single lens is used at a reduced magnification forms a planar surface, the surface of the single lens on the light beam emergence side forms a convex surface and are satisfied the following conditions:0.55.ltoreq.(1-N.sub.0).multidot.f/r.sub.2 .ltoreq.1.200.8.ltoreq.d/f.ltoreq.2.2where r.sub.2 is the radius of curvature of the surface on said light beam emergence side, d is the thickness of the single lens, N.sub.0 is the on-axis refractive index of the single lens, and f is the focal length of the single lens.