Abstract: An optical pickup apparatus for reproducing information from or recording onto one of different kinds of optical information recording medium comprises a first light source for emitting first light flux whose wavelength is &lgr;1; a second light source for emitting second light flux whose wavelength is &lgr;2, wherein &lgr;2 is greater than &lgr;1; a converging optical system comprising an objective lens having an optical axis and divided three (first, second and third) portions; and a photo detector. The following conditional formula is satisfied for an amount of the first light flux not less than 30% of the total amount of the first light flux passing the first portion: 0.06≧SC1/f1≧0.

Abstract: An electrochromic medium for use in a normally operating electrochromic device comprising an anodic material and a cathodic material wherein both of the anodic and cathodic materials are electroactive and at least one of the anodic and cathodic materials is electrochromic, an additive, and means associated with the additive for maintaining a colorless or nearly colorless electrochromic medium while the electrochromic medium is in a high transmission state relative to an electrochromic medium without the additive.

Abstract: A novel SH generator based on a photonic band gap (PBG), mixed half-quarter-wave, periodic structure is described. Both energy output and conversion efficiencies are nearly three orders of magnitude greater than for bulk, phase-matched devices of comparable lengths. Similar results for a GaAs/AlAs semiconductor periodic structure are also found. These results have immediate applications in frequency up- and down-conversion lasers, higher and lower harmonic generation, and Raman-type lasers, where either Stokes or anti-Stokes resonances can be enhanced or suppressed near the band edge. In general, the underlying mechanism requires the fields to be strongly confined, allowing for longer interaction times, increased effective gain lengths, and enhanced conversion efficiencies, although strong pump confinement alone can also result in significantly enhanced SH generation.

Abstract: A laser-optical wave mixing technique is provided for forming a high density textured data zone in an efficient and accurate manner. A single coherent laser beam of wavelength &lgr; is split into two beams with roughly the same intensity. These two beams are then overlapped with a cross angle of 2&thgr; and focused at the disk surface, resulting in an intensity grating thereon. The intensity grating creates a wave-form pattern consisting of a series of high-energy laser beam lines that will heat the target surface and make surface topographical changes accordingly.

Abstract: An optical signal processing apparatus includes at least two mirror array chips mounted on an upper surface of a base in close proximity to each other to form a compound array. Each mirror array chip includes a substrate, and a plurality of spaced-apart mirrors mounted on an upper surface of the substrate. The mirrors are movable in response to an electrical signal. A plurality of electrical leads for conduct the electrical signals to the mirrors, at least a portion of the electrical leads extending at least partially along the upper surface of the base between a lower surface of the substrate and the upper surface of the base.

Abstract: A light flux deflecting device includes a light flux deflecting unit displacable along a predetermined plane for deflecting light flux, and a support unit for supporting the light flux deflecting unit in such a manner as to allow the light flux deflecting unit to move in a direction along the plane, but to restrain the light flux deflecting unit from moving in a direction vertical to the plane. The support unit includes a support portion comprising (1) at least three hinge portions having short sides arranged to lie in the direction along the plane, and (2) rigid members each positioned between two adjacent hinge portions and having a predetermined width in the direction along the plane.

Abstract: A zoom lens for projecting an original image onto a screen in an enlarged scale includes, in order from the screen side, a first lens unit of negative refractive power, a second lens unit of positive refractive power, a third lens unit of negative refractive power, a fourth lens unit of positive refractive power and a fifth lens unit of positive refractive power, wherein, during zooming from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end, the second lens unit and the fourth lens unit move toward the screen side.

Abstract: An optical system for focusing an original image on an image sensor has an optical element disposed at the image-sensor-side end thereof. The optical element has a positive optical power as a whole, and at least one surface of the optical element has a positive optical power of diffraction.

Abstract: A light modulator having a reduced parasitic static capacitance includes a semiconductor substrate having a mesa section and a bonding pad section. A primary insulating film on the substrate continuously covers the mesa section and the bonding pad section. After a mask has been formed on a portion of the primary insulating film opposite the bonding pad section, the remaining portion of the primary insulating film is etched, followed by removal of the mask. After the removal of the mask, a second insulating film is formed continuously covering the primary insulating film opposite the bonding pad section and the mesa section so that a relatively thick insulating layer is present only opposite the bonding pad section.

Abstract: A zoom lens set with a fixed distance between lenses comprises at least one gradually changed curvature lens. The surface with a gradually changed curvature surfaces is locally limited by a suitable size pupil along an optical axis. In assembling, gradually changed curvature lenses are installed within a system so that the two lenses are retained within a fixed distance. Thereby, the or more gradually changed curvature lenses are adjusted and chosen by a local pupil to have a desired local curvature pairs or sets by relative transverse movement or rotation of the two or more lenses. Therefore, the focus of the system is changed to achieve the zooming purposed. By a simple design, the system can be completely matched with the zoom lens set with a fixed distance between the lenses so that the manufacturing cost of the system can be reduced effectively.

Abstract: An optical system and, more specifically, an image pick-up optical system having a small size and satisfactory aberration, in which an optical system includes an optical unit having a light incident surface on which light is incident, a light reflecting surface having a curvature to reflect the light incident from the light incident surface, and a light exit surface from which the light reflected by the light reflecting surface emerges, and has a refractive index distribution, is disclosed.

Abstract: Interleavers and deinterleavers for filtering optical signals are described. The interleaver separates subsets of channels. The deinterleavers mix subsets of channels. Interleavers and deinterleavers can be used to increase the bandwidth of an optical network. The interleavers and deinterleavers can be used to interface components designed for a first channel spacing to components designed for a second channel spacing.

Abstract: An optical collimating assembly for imaging light from a display. The optical assembly includes first and second linear polarization filters having polarization directions that are orthogonal to one another. A folded imaging assembly that includes a first beam splitter, a first ¼ wave plate, and a second beam splitter is located between the polarization filters. A second ¼ wave plate is also located between the polarization filters. The first ¼ wave plate has a birefringence axis that is orthogonal to the birefringence axis of the second ¼ wave plate. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ¼ wave plates are constructed from the same birefringent material. One of the reflectors is preferably constructed from a material having a reflectivity that depends on the direction of linear polarization of light striking the beam splitter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for curvature-resistant micro-mirror structures to reduce light beam coupling loss due to mirror curvature in free-space micro-machined optical switches is presented. As a significant contributor to light beam coupling loss is the curvature of the micro-mirrors in these cross-connect systems, an improved thick mirror slab utilizing a phosopho-silicate glass (PSG) core is constructed. The PSG core is sandwiched between two poly-silicon layers, thus providing an enhanced, bending-resistant structure which protects the PSG core from the release etchant used in surface micro-machining and substantially reduces mirror curvature. The reflective layer is laid down on top of the enhanced, bending-resistant structure.

Abstract: An optical switch uses a micromachined adjustable phase hologram device to route optical signals from an input fiber to selected output fibers is described. The adjustable phase hologram includes a large number of micromachined reflective ribbons which can be individually controlled and adjusted to produce a wide range of phase profiles to route the light beams from the input fiber. This optical switch is capable of dealing directly with optical signals, has fast switching speeds, is capable of routing WDM input signals, is polarization independent, is scalable to large switches, and avoids the complexity of other switches.

Abstract: An optical modulator that modulates light through the semiconductor substrate through the back side of an integrated circuit die. In one embodiment, the optical beam enters through the back side of the semiconductor substrate at a first location. The path of the optical beam is altered such that the optical beam passes through and along and through a path parallel or nearly parallel to the front side of the semiconductor substrate. In one embodiment, the optical modulator includes a charged layer through which the optical beam is directed along the path parallel or nearly parallel to the front side. In one embodiment, the charge concentration of free charge carriers is modulated in response to a signal of the integrated circuit die, resulting in modulation of the optical beam.

Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly is disclosed including a housing adapted to be mounted to the vehicle, a mirror disposed in the housing, at least one electrically powered device disposed in the housing, and a power supply for receiving power from a vehicle power source having a voltage in excess of about 24 V and for supplying power at a voltage of about 5 V or less to the electrically powered device. The electrically powered device and the power supply exhibit an electromagnetic interference level of less than about 41 dB&mgr;V/m for emissions in the frequency range from about 0.4 MHz to about 20 MHz. The mirror is preferably an electrochromic mirror, and the electrically powered device may be a control circuit for the electrochromic mirror.

Abstract: A method of digital grayscale control using light source modulation. First, a light valve, grayscale data, and a light source are provided. The light valve includes a spatial light modulator with at least one pixel. The grayscale data indicates desired grayscale level for the pixel during a frame period. The light source is configured to illuminate the pixel, to generate light with increasing intensity for a rise-time after electric power to the light source is substantially increased, and to generate light with decreasing intensity for a decay-time after electric power to the light source is substantially reduced. The light source may be an arc-lamp. The rise-time and the decay-time taken together may constitute a majority of the frame period. During the frame period, the electric power to the light source is substantially increased and is substantially decreased. Substantially decreasing the electric power to the light source may include turning off the electric power.

Abstract: A structure and method for circularizing and collimating incident light involves a substrate having first and second opposing surfaces, a first anamorphic surface positioned on the first surface and a second anamorphic microlens positioned on the second surface, the first and second surfaces being separated by a distance defined by the distance required for the first anamorphic microlens to circularize the incident light. A single microlens structure used to circularize and collimate incident light is manufactured by identifying aligned portions on opposing surfaces of a substrate, and forming microlenses on each of the aligned portions of the opposing substrate surfaces identified. The microlenses formed on the opposing substrate surfaces are fabricated from a high-index material such as GaP.

Abstract: A non-volatile passivation coating for micromechanical devices. The device has at least one surface (10) that contacts other surfaces and requires passivation. The passivation is provided by a monolayer of molecules (16) that has cross links (18) between the monolayers, or is of an highly stable material. The monolayer is applied by vacuum vapor coating, melt coating or coating from solution. The non-volatility of the monolayer eliminates the need for a hermetic package.