Abstract: A zoom lens of variable power ratio of the order of 3 in which the whole of the zoom lens is made up of three lens elements groups and the power configuration of each of the groups has an arrangement of negative, positive, and negative. The zoom lens includes, sequentially from an object side thereof, a first lens elements group which has a negative refraction power as a whole, a second lens elements group which has a positive refraction power as a whole, and a third lens element group, which has a negative refraction power as a whole. A variable power is realized by shifting the positions of the first and second lens elements group in the direction of an optical axis thereof.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a micromechanical structure, first a two-dimensional structure is formed in a substrate. The two-dimensional structure is deflected from the substrate plane by action of force and fixed in the deflected state.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spatial light modulator, comprising a mirror modulating a light emitted from a light source, wherein the mirror is further controlled to operate with at least three stationary states whereby an image is projected with a gray scale expression through a combination of modulation of the light operated in the three stationary states.

Abstract: An adjustable apodized lens aperture is described which is constructed using photochromic material. As the excitation energy increases, the aperture constricts so as reduce the amount of light through the aperture. As the excitation energy decreases, the aperture dilates so as increase the amount of light through the aperture.

Abstract: Field widening lens methods and systems are provided. The field widening lens includes a non-planar primary mirror and a secondary mirror. In addition, separate input and output ports are provided. The field widening lens further provides for an optical path difference for rays within the lens that is essentially zero for any ray within the field of view of an optical system including the field widening lens, regardless of the angle at which the ray entered the lens.

Abstract: A projection lens includes, in the order from a large conjugate side to a small conjugate side thereof, a negative lens group having a negative refractive power and a positive lens group having a positive refractive power. The positive lens group includes, in the order from the large conjugate side to the small conjugate side of the projection lens, a front sub-group and a rear sub-group each having a positive refractive power. The projection lens satisfies the formulas: ?1.35<F1/F<?0.35 and 3<F24/F<5, where F1, F24, and F correspondingly represent the effective focal lengths of the negative lens group, the rear sub-group, and the projection lens.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use with a micromirror element includes a micromirror a micromirror having a substantially flat outer surface disposed outwardly from a support structure that is operable to at least partially support the micromirror. The support structure includes at least one layer overlying at least two discrete planes that are both substantially parallel to the outer surface of the micromirror. In one particular embodiment, the support structure includes annular-shaped sidewalls that encapsulate a photoresist plug.

Abstract: A variable focal distance lens system includes a first lens group having positive refractive power, a second lens group having negative refractive power, a third lens group having positive refractive power, and a fourth lens group having positive refractive power, which are sequentially disposed from an object side to an image side. The system satisfies ?0.65<(R33?R34)/(R33+R34)<?0.25 and ?1.0<(R22?R23)/(R22+R23)<?0.6, wherein R33 represents the radius of curvature of the most image-side surface of a cemented lens of the third lens group, R34 represents the radius of curvature of the object-side surface of a positive lens of the third lens group disposed on the most image side, R22 represents the radius of curvature of the image-side surface of a negative lens of the second lens group disposed on the most object side, and R23 represents the radius of curvature of the most object-side surface of a cemented lens of the second lens group.

Abstract: A variable-focal-length lens system includes first to fifth lens groups having positive, negative, positive, negative, and positive refractive powers, respectively, from the object side. As the lens-position state changes from wide-angle to telephoto, the air space between the first and second lens groups increases, the air space between the second and third lens groups decreases, the air space between the third and fourth lens groups changes, the air space between the fourth and fifth lens groups increases, the first lens group moves monotonously toward the object, the second lens group is fixed in the optical-axis direction, and the third and fourth lens groups move toward the object. Conditions 0.2<D23w/ft<0.4, 0.1<f2/f4<0.4 are satisfied, D23w, ft, and f2 and f4 being the air space between the second and third lens groups at wide-angle, lens system's overall focal length at telephoto end, and focal lengths of the second and fourth lens groups, respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus providing a lens master device and use of the same to form a lens template and/or a lens structure. The method includes obtaining a plurality of individual lens masters, each of which has a shaped portion defining at least a portion of a lens structure to be formed. The lens masters are affixed onto a supporting structure to form a lens master device.

Abstract: A lens module includes a lens barrel, a number of lenses, a holder and a polygonal filter. The lens barrel includes an annular plate extending inwards from an inner surface thereof. The lenses are received in the lens barrel. The holder holds the barrel and the lenses. The polygonal filter is received in the lens barrel and positioned on the annular plate. The polygonal filter has six or more sides.

Abstract: A micro lens array sheet includes a sheet type base and a plurality of micro lenses arranged on the base. The surface of each micro lens includes a convex part and a peripheral edge part. The convex part has a spherical or elliptical surface. The peripheral edge part is formed between the convex part and the base and curved in a concave shape. Since the surface of the peripheral edge part is curved in a concave shape, the flat part can be narrower than a conventional micro lens array sheet. Therefore, luminance unevenness attributable to the flat part can be suppressed.

Abstract: A lens module including a first lens group, a second lens group, a third lens group, and an aperture stop is provided. The first lens group disposed between a magnified side and a reduced side has a positive refractive power. The second lens group disposed between the first lens group and the reduced side has a negative refractive power. The third lens group disposed between the second lens group and the reduced side has a positive refractive power. The aperture stop is disposed between the first lens group and the second lens group. Additionally, the distance from a center of the second surface to a center of the third surface is L1, an effective focal length is f, and the lens module satisfies 0.4<L1/f<1.2.

Abstract: A mirror device comprises: a plurality of electrodes disposed on a substrate; a hinge connected to at least one of the electrodes; a mirror connected to the hinge and corresponding to at least one of the electrodes. The mirror device further comprises a barrier layer is disposed between the hinge and mirror, and/or between the hinge and electrode. Also noted is a mirror device production method for producing such-configured mirror device. Furthermore, this invention discloses a projection apparatus implemented with a mirror device manufactured and assembled according to the configuration as described.

Abstract: A beam shaper including a reflection device and a plurality of reflectors. The reflection device is disposed on a transmission path of an incident light beam and has a plurality of reflection surfaces capable of reflecting the incident light beam. The reflection surfaces are capable of splitting the incident light beam into a plurality of reflected light beams. The reflectors are separately disposed on transmission paths of the reflected light beams. The reflectors are capable of reflecting the reflected light beams, so that a shaped light spot is formed by superimposing light spots of the reflected light beams. The reflection device is disposed between the shaped light spot and the reflectors.

Abstract: A collimating module is presented. The collimating module comprises a rounded light entry side and a rectangular light exit side. A collimating device is also presented, and a method for providing collimated light. The collimating device comprises a first collimator having a light entry side and a light exit side, a scattering component having a light entry surface arranged adjacent to said light exit side, and a light exit surface. The collimating device further comprises a collimating module having a light entry side arranged adjacent to said light exit surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for imaging one or more selected fluorescence indications from a microfluidic device. The apparatus includes an imaging path coupled to least one chamber in at least one microfluidic device. The imaging path provides for transmission of one or more fluorescent emission signals derived from one or more samples in the at least one chamber of the at least one microfluidic device. The chamber has a chamber size, the chamber size being characterized by an actual spatial dimension normal to the imaging path. The apparatus also includes an optical lens system coupled to the imaging path. The optical lens system is adapted to transmit the one or more fluorescent signals associated with the chamber.

Abstract: A method for controlling a micromirror device including mirror elements each composed of a micromirror supported on a substrate by an elastic hinge, and a address electrode arranged across the deflection axis of the micromirror comprises deflecting the micromirror by changing a potential to a predetermined waveform for the address electrode.

Abstract: A tunable optical component includes comprises a plurality of individual tunable liquid cells regularly arranged and integrated to at least one cell structure forming an array on the supporting substrate. A single liquid cell comprises several integrated cell walls, the cell walls projecting away from the supporting substrate and having a closed base area and an open cell surface at the cell wall edges. The liquid cell is filled with at least two liquids or fluids to provide at least one tunable interface area for varying the optical characteristic of the liquid cell.

Abstract: An electro-optic display comprises a backplane; a layer of electro-optic material disposed adjacent the backplane; a protective layer; and a sealing layer of a metal or a ceramic extending between the backplane and the protective layer, and thus sealing the layer of electro-optic material from the outside environment.