Abstract: An optical device includes an insulation layer formed on a lead electrode of an electrode, an electrode having an indium doped tin oxide in which indium/tin is 1.5 or less by the element ratio, an electrode having a laminate including an oxide layer in which indium is doped to tin and a tin oxide layer, and an electrode having conductive particles as a first layer, a polymeric layer as a second layer and a current collector as a third layer, and the second layer is disposed between the first layer and the third layer. A control device controls a driving current to an electrode in accordance with a temperature and a current supply supplies a current to an electrode for supplementing a dissolved portion of electrodeposited material. The optical device includes a polarization device which polarizes an electrode to an oxidation direction before electrodeposition on the electrode.

Abstract: In a ferrule for a multi fiber optical connector of the multi stages where at least two layers of guide grooves and fiber holes are laminated, a distance of from a straight line that connect middle points between the center axes of the fiber holes that make up a fiber hole array at one end side in a laminating direction and the center axes of the fiber holes that make up a fiber hole array at another end side to an upper side of the entry is longer than a distance of from the straight line to a lower side of the entry. A ceiling of the entry is notched so that an inclination of the multi fiber tape is not regulated by the upper side of the entry when a leading end of each of the optical fibers is pressed against the corresponding guide groove while the multi fiber tape inserted from the entry is inclined toward the upper side of the entry. In a method of manufacturing a multi fiber optical connector, the multi fiber tape is inserted into the ferrule from the entry while being inclined obliquely downward.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical scanning device for apparatuses for recording and/or reproducing information on optical recording media, which is suitable in particular for recording and/or reproducing information at high speed, such as, for example, the scanning of a DVD at a twelve-fold speed. According to the invention, the optical scanning device has a lens holder which is formed by a hollow body and whose side walls are arranged such that they run at an angle to a connecting point with its elastic support. The thus hexagonally formed lens holder has advantageous air chambers and an enlarged distance from the lens, and also an elastic support deviating from a parallel guide, which lead to a low degree of lens tilting, improved guidance properties and a natural resonance behaviour which is necessary for scanning at high speed. The field of application relates to the production of scanning devices for optical recording media which are provided for recording and/or reproducing information at high speed.

Abstract: In a magneto-optical switching element with a Faraday rotator, in order to increase the switching speed and to reduce the required switching energy respectively, the rotator consists of a magnetically uniaxial crystal, which features magnetic domains of both signs in each of its stable states, by means of which problems are avoided with the creation of domains of opposite signs at the beginning of the switching process.

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: An optical mount for an optical element which has an optical surface. The mount includes a first plate and a second plate which holds the optical element. The second plate may have a spherical bearing surface that cooperates with the first plate so that the optical element pivots about a point on the optical surface. The mount has a single first adjustment device to pivot the optical element about one axis and a single second adjustment device to pivot the element about a second perpendicular axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing an optical beam has at least one variable optical element to dynamically alter the polarization state of a polarized optical beam to form a polarization-altered optical beam. The polarization-altered optical beam includes elliptical polarization. The at least one variable optical element is a compound birefringent crystal with a designed retardation response to temperature variations. In one embodiment, the compound birefringent crystal has a designed retardation response that is substantially invariant with operating temperature variations. At least one wave plate processes the polarized optical beam. Each wave plate has a selected retardation, order of retardation, and orientation.

Abstract: A controllable phase plate has numerous domains that are randomized as to the orientation of their birefringence and can be used in a power limiting control to produces an electrically controllable diffraction pattern having a portion, especially the zero mode axial spot of the pattern, that is directed onto an output aperture such as a pinhole or an optical fiber end. Controlling the phase plate produces an interference peak or null (or an intermediate level) of light, coupled into the output aperture. The phase plate preferably comprises a liquid crystal with controllable birefringence. The domains have paired orthogonal orientations, which is a condition that is met in randomized domains. The paired orthogonal orientations make the device polarization insensitive. In a controllable attenuating device, collimating lenses are placed before and after the phase plate along a beam path to focus a clear interference pattern on a screen containing the output aperture.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a variable power lens unit, an aperture-variable light-amount adjusting unit having an adjusting member that adjusts the fully open state of the aperture, and a variable power lens control mechanism that shifts the variable power lens unit from a first variable power position to a second variable power position. The variable power lens control mechanism moves the variable power lens unit beyond the second variable power position, then returns it toward the second variable power position, and stops it at the second variable power position. The lens barrel further comprises a cam member having a cam portion with which the adjusting member is engaged, and moves relative to the light-amount adjusting unit in operative association with the control action of the variable power lens control mechanism.

Abstract: A lens assembly especially adapted for mounting in an environment subject to variable temperatures, such as a projection television set, including an automatic thermal focus adjustment. A lens mount is formed from a material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion and carries at least one lens. A focus mount is coupled to the lens mount and is formed from a material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion different from the first coefficient of thermal expansion. Adjustment and locking structure couples the lens mount to the focus mount and allows the lens mount to be axially adjusted relative to the focus mount and then locked in position. In use, the relative axial positions of the lens mount and focus mount automatically change to move the lens in response to a temperature change in the environment of use and after being locked in position with the adjustment and locking structure.

Abstract: To prevent the substrate floating effect that is caused when a transistor channel region fabricated of a monocrystal silicon layer covered with an insulator is in a floating state, and to stabilize the electrical characteristics of the transistor. A channel region of a semiconductor layer includes an extension portion. The end of the extension portion is connected to a contact hole. The contact hole is in turn connected to an interconnect line. The interconnect line is configured with one end thereof connected to the contact hole and with the other end connected to a contact hole leading to a light-shielding layer.

Abstract: A polarization independent optical device is provided wherein the device has two optical paths that include one or more birefringent crystals, a electrically controllable rotator, and a fixed waveplate. The device may operate as a switch, attenuator, coupler, or polarization mode dispersion compensator. The device may also include several folded path embodiments, a multifunctional embodiment, and a temperature insensitive embodiment.

Abstract: A new hybrid method of fabricating optical micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) devices is disclosed that uses both bulk and surface micromachining techniques, and a new optical MEMS device is also disclosed that is fabricated using the new method. The method includes the step of mounting a handle layer to one or more layers of MEMS structural material. Layers of structural and sacrificial material are then built up on the MEMS structural material using surface micromachining techniques. Drive electronics are mounted to the layers of structural and sacrificial material. The handle layer is removed to reveal the MEMS structural layer and the sacrificial material within the various layers is dissolved. The new method is particularly applicable to fabricating optical MEMS devices, with the handle layer being adjacent to a Si mirror layer. The surface micomachining layers form electrode and spring structures.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a micromirror actuator includes forming a trench on a substrate by etching, laminating a film-type organic layer on the substrate to cover but not fill the trench so that the trench is maintained hollow, and depositing and patterning a metal layer on the film-type organic layer and removing the film-type organic layer. According to the method of manufacturing a micromirror actuator, a micromirror can be easily planarized by laminating the film-type organic layer on the substrate including the trench, which reduces the cost of manufacturing the micromirror actuator and increases a reflectivity of the micromirror actuator by increasing the flatness level of the micromirror so as to enhance an optical transmission efficiency.

Abstract: The invention discloses an optical apparatus comprises an optical member, manual operation means for manually driving the optical member, a driving motor for electrically driving the optical member, determination means for determining either manual drive by the manual operation means or electrical drive by the driving motor, connection means for transmitting drive force by the driving motor to the optical member with a predetermined connection torque, and control means for varying the connection torque of the connection means based on the result of determination by the determination means.

Abstract: An apparatus which attenuates a light signal polarized in a first direction. The apparatus includes a polarization rotation unit and an output unit. The polarization rotation unit rotates the polarization of the light signal to produce a polarization rotated light signal having a polarization component in the first direction and a polarization component in a second direction which is substantially 90 degrees with respect to the first direction. The output unit passes, as an output signal, the polarization component in the second direction of the polarization rotated light signal and blocks the polarization component in the first direction. The polarization rotation unit includes an electromagnet and a permanent magnet which apply magnetic fields in specific directions with respect to the light path. Various yoke constructions are provided for the electromagnet and the permanent magnet.

Abstract: An optomechanical mounting includes an upper spring assembly and a lower spring assembly that support and secure a sphere containing an optical element. The materials in the mounting have the same or nearly the same CTEs and spring assemblies provide opposing radial forces so that thermal expansions are compensated, giving the mounting superior thermal stability. Frictional forces on the sphere from the upper and lower spring assemblies maintain the orientation of the sphere (and the optical element) during operation, but smooth surfaces of the sphere and springs still permit sensitive, precision rotation of sphere for alignment without post-alignment clamping of the sphere. The spring assemblies can be ring-shaped to permit an opening through the spring assembly to the sphere for light paths or for tools that adjust the alignment of the sphere.

Abstract: A display device has a white point light source, a condenser lens, a liquid crystal display, and an imaging lens. The white point light source has a substantial conjugate relationship with a user's pupil that is located on the front surface of the user's eyeball. The liquid crystal display has a substantial conjugate relationship with the user's retina. The scattering plate is further provided to broaden the bundle width of the light at a location in the vicinity of the user's pupil.

Abstract: A imaging tool for use with a mask with features oriented along at least an x-axis or a y-axis where the x-axis extends in directions substantially perpendicular to the directions of the y-axis. The tool has a condenser lens with a condenser plate which is located in a condenser lens pupil plane and which has a condenser aperture with four-sides. The sides of the condenser aperture are oriented in substantially the same direction as either the x-axis or the y-axis. The condenser lens is positioned to place at least a portion of any illumination on at least a portion of the mask.

Abstract: A device and system for selectively obfuscating the specific indicia of at least one of a vehicle's license plates having a tinting plate that is capable of becoming opaque upon the input of energy and that fits over the indicia on the vehicle's license plate, a regulation means that controls the energy input into tinting plate, and an attachment means for attaching the tinting plate to the front of a vehicle's license plate.