Abstract: An optical apparatus of this invention comprises a first spatial light modulator, an array of imaging elements, and a plurality of light sources, and an image surface. Each of the imaging elements of the array is arranged to form an image of the plurality of light sources via the spatial light modulator at a respective position on the image surface.

Abstract: A compact, lightweight and wide-field head-mounted image display apparatus which is effectively corrected for chromatic aberration. The apparatus includes an image display device (1) for displaying an image, a concave mirror (2) provided to face the image display device (1) to project the displayed image into an eyeball pupil (E) as an enlarged image, and a half-mirror (3) disposed between the image display device (1) and the concave mirror (2). A diffraction optical element (20) having reciprocal dispersion characteristics is disposed somewhere in the optical path to correct chromatic aberration.

Abstract: Generally and in one form of the invention this is a periodic surface filter comprising at least one element at a surface of the filter and electronic controls to change the optical characteristics of the element. Other methods and devices are disclosed.

Abstract: A lens assembly includes a third lens group frame having an end face extending in an optical-axis direction provided with an end-face cam having displacement along a peripheral direction, for retaining a third group of lenses, a second lens group frame having a cam follower abutted against the end-face cam for retaining a second group of lenses, a second lens group spring for biasing the second lens group frame toward the third lens group frame, a rotational regulating for regulator rotation of one of the third lens group frame and the second lens group frame around an optical axis, and rotator for rotating the other of the third lens group frame and the second lens group frame around an optical axis when zoom operation is performed, wherein the end-face cam and a cam follower are operated by relative angular movement of the third lens group frame and the second lens group frame, around the optical axis at the time the zoom operation is performed to modify spacing therebetween in the optical-axis direction.

Abstract: Sonoluminescence is an off-equilibrium phenomenon in which the energy of a resonant sound wave in a liquid is highly concentrated so as to generate flashes of light. The conversion of sound to light represents an energy amplification of eleven orders of magnitude. The flashes which occur once per cycle of the audible or ultrasonic sound fields can be comprised of over one million photons and last for less 100 picoseconds. The emission displays a clocklike synchronicity; the jitter in time between consecutive flashes is less than fifty picoseconds. The emission is blue to the eye and has a broadband spectrum increasing from 700 nanometers to 200 nanometers. The peak power is about 100 milliWatts. The initial stage of the energy focusing is effected by the nonlinear oscillations of a gas bubble trapped in the liquid. For sufficiently high drive pressures an imploding shock wave is launched into the gas by the collapsing bubble.

Abstract: Electrochromic devices applied to a substrate are disclosed, including an electrochromic electrode layer, a counterelectrode layer, and an ion-conducting layer sandwiched between those two layers and electrically isolating them from each other, in which the ion-conducting layer is substantially uniform across the substrate and comprises an inorganic superstructure with associated organic material and with a microstructure which facilitates the transfer of ions. Methods for producing these devices are also disclosed, including depositing the ion-conducting layer on the substrate in the form of a solution, and effecting gelation of that solution.

Abstract: A lens (10) is disclosed for use on automotive vehicles and which forms part of lamp assemblies used on the rear, front or side surfaces thereof. The lens utilizes a combination of optical elements (25) and reflex elements (24) interspersed therewith, the density of the reflex elements (24) relative to the optic elements (25) being graduated in selected areas of the lens surface, for example from the stop or brake light area (12) of the lens through the "running light" area (14) to a fog area (16). One form of the invention has the optic elements (25) and the reflex elements (24) on a single lens surface and, in another embodiment, the optic elements (25) of the lens (10) are located on one lens surface (52) and the reflex elements (24) are located in juxtaposition outwardly thereof on a second lens surface (48) and spaced from one another so that the reflex elements (24) are axially interspersed between the optic elements (25). The method of manufacturing both forms of lenses is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly comprising a fixed support structure, a movable mirror housing structure having a mirror unit adjustable mounted therein, and a spring-biased mounting assembly mounting the movable structure on the fixed structure (1) for spring-biased movement into a normal operating position wherein said movable structure extends laterally outwardly from the exterior of the vehicle where it is susceptible to the application of unwanted forwardly directed forces or unwanted rearwardly directed forces, (2) for movement forwardly through a forward range of movement out of said operative position in response to the application of unwanted forwardly directed force so that upon release of the force the spring bias is operable to return the movable structure to its operative position and (3) for movement rearwardly through a rearward range of movement out of the operating position in response to the application of an unwanted rearwardly directed force sufficient to overcome the spring bias which spring b

Abstract: An optical system for viewing data, possibly superpositioned on the view of scenery. The optical system consists of a lens divided into two parts by a beam splitter, and it has a surface facing the viewer and a second surface which is convex and defines a mirror facing the surface close to the viewer. The thick lens has a truncated surface facing the data source and the beam from the data source is reflected by the beam splitter to the concave surface of the mirror which reflects it to the eye of the viewer. When the data is superpositioned on a direct view of the scenery, the mirror is partially reflecting.

Abstract: Modulation mirrors including the deformable cells (CD1 to CDn) locally modified the planarity of a reflecting surface 18. The deformable cells deform under the effect of a voltage and the control of these deformable cells is such that a control voltage V.sub.c is applied between a first and a second electrode 17, 26. A photoconductor element P1 to Pn is inserted between the second electrode 26 and the deformable cell (CD1 to CDn). A light beam (MF1 to MFn) illuminates the photoconductor element in order to obtain an elongation of the deformable cell.

Abstract: An electro-optical device, such as a light valve, has a cell formed of opposed cell walls, a light-modulating unit comprising a suspension containing anisometric particles suspended in a liquid suspending medium between the cell walls, and opposed electrodes operatively associated with the cell walls for applying an electrical field across the suspension, the anisometrically shaped particles having an average particle size of about 0.1 microns or less.

Abstract: A projection apparatus in which in order that an original image, which is compressed in a horizontal direction, may be projected onto a screen at a predetermined location by a master lens, the original image is disposed with the center thereof deviated relative to the optical axis of the master lens and in which an anamorphic lens having an optical axis inclined with respect to the optical axis of the master lens and having refractive power in a horizontal direction is disposed on the screen side of the master lens.

Abstract: An optical system mounted on a helmet (29) for superimposing a collimated image of a display object on the external view of the helmet's wearer comprising: display object means (1a, 1b) mounted on the helmet for generating a display; a concave collimator (6a, 6b) for collimating light from said display; an optical relay unit (3a, 3b) located in the forehead region for generating an intermediate image of said display in the focal plane of the collimator; a reflecting surface (4a, 4b) for reflecting display light from the relay unit towards the collimator; and an inclined combiner (5) essentially transparent to incoming display light and to the wearer's external view, for reflecting display light reflected from the collimator towards the viewer's eye.

Abstract: An optical system for illuminating a multi-element spatial light modulator from a multi-emitter laser array such that each element of the modulator sees light from all emitters targets the light onto the two or more rows of elements, without putting light into the gap between the rows, and without putting light in the spaces between the elements. The element illumination may match a complex shape of the elements. A beamsplitter/staggerer is adapted to split the line of laser light into plural parallel lines of light, and to split the parallel lines of light into regions such that substantially all of the light from the illumination system falls onto the elements of the rows without impinging between the rows of elements or between the elements in the rows.

Abstract: A helmet display system is provided comprising a display visor 3 located on helmet 1 on which helmet is also positioned image projection means for projecting an image via a holographic combiner 4 on the display visor 3. The helmet further comprises an anti-glare visor 2 which has optical transmission characteristics similar to those of a neutral density visor, with the exception that these characteristics are modified to compensate for the low transmission value of the display visor 3 to frequencies within a narrow waveband to which the combiner 4 is tuned. The invention provides a helmet display system which can be used in conjunction with an aircraft head-up display if required.

Abstract: A zoom lens assembly includes a stationary lens barrel and a rotatable cam ring which is supported on the stationary lens barrel for movement in the direction of the optical axis while being rotated, and which includes at least two cam grooves. The zoom lens include first and third lens groups which are both moveable by one of the two cam grooves in the direction of the optical axis. A second lens group movable, by a second of the two cam grooves in the direction of the optical axis is also provided, as well as a focusing mechanism, for moving the second lens group to a position which is determined by focal length data derived from actual positions of the first, second, and third lens groups and object distance data detected by an object distance measuring device. A method of controlling focusing of the zoom lens includes correcting an amount of deviation from focus caused by a zooming operation, by moving the focusing lens group.

Abstract: There is disclosed a partially transparent, directional viewing sheet formed of plastic material with lenses, preferably lenticular lenses, formed on both the front and the back surfaces of the sheet, there being on at least one of the surfaces intervening spaces between the lenses which spaces are not fully transparent and may be imprinted with an image that is viewable through the sheet from some directions. Preferably such lenses separated by non-transparent intervening spaces are concave lenses with a radius of curvature which is less than the radius of curvature of convex lenses, on the other surface, causing the concave lens focal length to be less than, typically about one-half of, the focal length of the convex lenses. The thickness of the sheet and hence the spacing between each concave lens and a corresponding convex lens causes the lenses axial spacing to be about the difference in focal lengths of the lenses producing the effect of a tiny Galilean telescope.

Abstract: An improved electrochromic device of the type having an electrochromic electrode in contact with an ion conductor, the ion conductor in turn being in contact with a layer of gold. The improvement of the instant invention is to interpose a layer of iridium oxide between the ion conductor and the layer of gold wherein the layer of iridium oxide and the layer of gold do not form an electrochromic electrode.

Abstract: A color separator using three joined prisms for color separation in projection displays. The configuration is compact, relatively simple to assemble, and eliminates a requirement for complicated optical components such as crossed dichroic beam splitters and large retrofocus projection lenses. The configuration is particularly advantageous for projectors based upon liquid crystal, reflective light valves or spatial light modulators (SLM). A first prism has a dichroic coating on an interface between the first and a second prism which reflects one primary color and transmits the other two primary colors. The light path through the first prism has a second reflection (total internal reflection) off the side of the first prism, and emerges normal to the third face of the first prism to a first SLM. The second prism has a dichroic coating at an interface of the second and a third prism which reflects one of the remaining two primary colors and transmits the third primary color.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dimmable safety mirror which is adaptable for mounting over a conventional motor vehicle mirror. The safety mirror comprises a dimmable mirror subassembly having a surface selectively switchable between at least a high reflectance state and a low reflectance state and a mounting mechanism for attaching the dimmable mirror to the conventional mirror in a manner to make the dimmable surface a viewing surface of the safety mirror. In the case of a power loss, the dimmable mirror subassembly can be quickly and easily removed to make the conventional mirror the viewing surface.