Abstract: A variable focal length lens has a lens system having optical anisotropy, a polarization plane control device for changing the direction of polarization of a light beam on the lens system. A detector is provided for detecting the direction of polarization of the light beam emergent from the lens or the polarization plane control device which, by a signal, controls the polarization plane control device so that only a light beam of desired direction of polarization emerges from the lens.

Abstract: In an optical isolator device using a Faraday rotator for permitting a forward light beam to pass therethrough but for preventing a reverse light beam from passing therethrough, two Faraday rotators are used in a cascade-connection in order to improve the temperature characteristic of the isolation over a wide temperature range. One of two Faraday rotators is prepared to have the Faraday rotation angle of 45.degree. for a wavelength shorter than the intended wavelength .lambda..sub.0, while the other having the Faraday rotation angle of 45.degree. for a wavelength longer than .lambda..sub.0. A polarizer and an analyzer are disposed on opposite ends of one of the rotators at a rear stage and prevent the reverse light beam from passing therethrough. Another polarizer and another analyzer can further be disposed at opposite ends of the other front stage rotator so that two isolators are arranged in a cascade-connection.

Abstract: A radial or tangential polarization of a beam of light radiation with respect to an optical axis, along which said beam propagates, is effected by causing interaction of the beam with at least one conical interface between a pair of optical media having different indices of refraction. The conical interface(s) may be provided with a polarization-selective coating.

Abstract: A magnetooptic garnet single crystal film for use in a Faraday rotator is Dy.sub.3-x Bi.sub.x Fe.sub.5 O.sub.12 (x=0.2-1). The garnet has a reduced temperature characteristic of the Faraday rotation angle, to thereby insure a reliable and stabilized isolation against temperature variation.

Abstract: Electrooptical light gating methods and apparatus divide pluralities of light gates into distinct groups, each extending along a light gate structure. The light gates are staggered in at least one of these groups relative to light gates in at least another of the groups. At least two of the groups may be arranged on the same light gate structure, and light gates in one of these two groups are then staggered relative to light gates in the other of the two groups on the same light gate structure. On the other hand, at least two of the groups may be arranged on at least two different light gate structures, and light gates on one of the two light gate structures are then staggered relative to light gates on the other of such two light gate structures.

Abstract: A modular device (5) for an optical device, such as a microscope (1), is described. This device has adjacently disposed mountings (24a, 24b) for optical systems which can be introduced alternately into the illumination beam path (2) or optical axis (2a) of the microscope by use of a pull rod (11) provided on the modular device (5). At least one of the mountings (24a) is capable of being uncoupled from the pull rod (11), so that the relative spacing of two mountings (24a, 24b) can be altered. Additionally an optical element (17), for example, a compensating plate disposed in the microscope, can be pivoted into the optical axis (2a). By using the modular device (5), a rapid switch-over from traditional methods of microscopy to, for example, investigations utilizing fluorescence microscopy and vice versa, without any effect on the image section and the image sharpness, is possible without undertaking adapting operations or reconstructing the microscope.

Abstract: An electrochromic display devices using a specific type of diphenylamine as an electrochromic material is described. The diphenylamine compound, which is dissolved in an inert solvent along with an electrolyte, can undergo electrochemically reversible color formation and erasure reactions and form two different colors at one of electrodes on application of two different potentials across the electrodes. Multicolor devices are also described in which the diphenylamine compound capable of forming colors by oxidation is used in combination with an anthraquinone compound which is capable of forming a color, different from the colors of the oxidized species of the diphenylamine coumpound, at the same electrode by reduction.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for driving an objective lens of an optical disk apparatus in both the tracking direction and the focusing direction. The device comprises a rocker arm supported rotatably and axially slidably by a supporting shaft and carrying the objective lens on its front end, a pair of first coils disposed on both sides respectively of an end on rear end of the rocker arm remote from the front end carrying the objective lens for driving the objective lens in the tracking direction, and a second coil mounted to the lower surface of the rocker arm for driving the objective lens in the focusing direction. A pair of magnets for producing a magnetic field for driving the objective lens in the focusing direction and a magnetic field for driving the objective lens in the tracking direction are mounted to a pair of yokes erected on both sides of the supporting shaft respectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating optical information are disclosed. A plurality of electrode wires are arranged on an electro-optical crystal, a light beam passing through the electro-optical crystal is spatially phase-modulated by an electro-optical effect due to a voltage applied to the electrode wires, a portion of light distribution spread by diffraction of the phase-modulated light beam is blocked by an optical system having an aperture or a slit arranged on a focal plane of the optical system, and the light passed through the aperture is focused to generate optical information composed of a minimum unit equal to a multiple of a minimum electrode-to-electrode distance.

Abstract: A central focussing device for internal focussing in binoculars, wherein a focussing wheel engages a displaceable bridge via a threaded spindle and the objectives are connected to the displaceable bridge via driving shafts for the purpose of focussing, a diopter adjustment wheel engages one of the driving shafts with screw drive via a driving toothed wheel, an intermediate toothed wheel and a driven toothed wheel in order to vary the position of an objective for diopter adjustment, the intermediate toothed wheel being directed through the bridge or beside and past it and being of a height such that the driven toothed wheel engages the intermediate toothed wheel over the entire range of stroke of focussing.

Abstract: A mirror is position-adjustably mounted to an upstanding part from which a protective hood rearwardly extends. A hanging device is provided to hang the hood from the top edge of the side window of a vehicle so as to protect the mirror and the adjacent window from rain. The hood preferably has a semicircular cross-sectional configuration and the position thereof relative to the window may be adjusted. In an alternate embodiment, the hood may be affixed directly to the vehicle door by a position-adjustable bracket.

Abstract: There is disclosed a ring field relay optical system incorporating concave spherical mirrors and including magnification achieved, at least partially, by a convex spherical mirror. In further modifications, aberrations introduced by the convex mirror are controlled by lens groups formed from fused silica. The system is usable from the visible through the deep ultraviolet portion of the spectrum.

Abstract: An optical scanning unit with an objective for focussing a beam into a scanning spot on the surface of an information carrier and an electromagnetic drive for continuous correction of the position of the objective with respect to the information carrier. The objective is mounted in a movable ring-shaped magnetic body of a permanent-magnetic material which is arranged coaxially about the optical axis and which has magnetic poles at the axial ends. The drive is provided with sets of fixed coils which interact with the magnetic body via an air gap. Each set of coils has a first segmental coil arrangement having two active coil parts extending parallel in the peripheral direction of the magnetic body and located in the vicinity of the axial ends of the centrally positioned magnetic body. The unit is further equipped with at least one second coil arrangement which is positioned at least partially between the active coil parts of the above-mentioned first segmental arrangement.

Abstract: A polarization preserving reflector for reflecting an incident beam of monochromatic radiation, said beam having a polarization configuration and an angle of incidence. The polarization preserving reflector comprises a substrate; a highly reflective layer positioned adjacent to said substrate; and at least two thin film optical layers one of which being positioned adjacent to the highly reflective layer, one of the thin film optical layers having a high refractive index and another having a low refractive index, for maintaining the incident polarization configuration while producing a high reflectance upon reflection of the beam therefrom in a wide range of the angle of incidence from approximately zero degrees to 75 degrees.

Abstract: An electro-optic display having either variable-color or selectable-color capability is disclosed, with each having particularly efficient electrode patterns for achieving color control. Each implements a passive display utilizing an electro-optic material such as PLZT having one of these types of electrode patterns and aligned with an appropriate multi-colored filter. By applying D.C. control voltages to these sets of electrodes, which are sufficiently small to form unit cells, variable or selectable color is perceived. The patterns may be arranged in a sequence of any length or width, with the three-shutter pattern featuring no surface-mounted crossovers.

Abstract: A polarizing wire grid filter for use at far infrared frequencies is provided through simple photographic method which employs a newly marketed silver diffusion transfer-developer combination package film and a portable instant developing machine, all supplied by the manufacturer of the film.

Abstract: An electrical-optical system is disclosed having a turning mirror (24) for superimposing light rays (44) of an indicator LED (40) into the primary optical path (28) of an image (18). The turning mirror (24) comprises a solid having a frontal mirrored reflective surface (78) with a pinhole (80) etched therein. Offset from the pinhole (80), and disposed on the backside of the turning mirror (24) is a cavity (86) housing an LED indicator light (40). The light rays from the LED (40) pass through the pinhole (80) in such a direction as to be colinear with the image ray bundle (28) reflected from the mirrored surface (78).

Abstract: The supporting device is constructed as a support stand and contains an upright, a first pivot system pivotably mounted at the upright, a second pivot system rotatably and pivotably mounted at the first pivot system, as well as adjustable counterweights and several pivotable and lockable pivot bearings permitting rotary and pivoting movements. The upright has a substantially U-shaped cross-section containing two side members between which there are arranged, in a space-saving manner, a pivot arm which is pivotably mounted about a substantially horizontal axis, and an L-shaped control lever mounted at the pivot arm and receiving a first counterweight. The second pivot system is arranged at the first pivot system using an L-shaped support arm and is constructed such that the extended horizontal axis of a top lockable pivot bearing intersects with the rotary and pivot axis of a front lockable pivot bearing.

Abstract: An opto-mechanical coupler is described for providing a quick-release mechanical and optical connection between a camera and the eyepiece of an endoscope or other optical instrument. The coupler comprises a hollow body member that is adapted to be screwed into the threaded aperture of a camera and is characterized by a center bore for transmitting images from the endoscope to the camera, and eyepiece clamping means attached to the hollow body member.In one embodiment, the eyepiece clamping means comprises a single clamping member defining a channel for receiving the eyepiece, and means rotatably connecting the clamping means to the hollow body so that rotation of the clamping member in one direction will cause the eyepiece to be clamped to the hollow body and rotation in a second opposite direction will unclamp the eyepiece from the hollow body.

Abstract: A spacer adapted for use in an optical system holds lenses in place within a housing. The spacer has a plurality of wire column elements which extend under critical column load between the edges of spaced-apart lens elements. The wires are preformed with a bend which directs any lateral deflection parallel to a surface of the housing and out of the light ray space of the lenses. The ends of the wires are received in holes formed in a pair of spaced-apart, arcuate end members which extend circumferentially along peripheral surfaces of the lenses. The outer surfaces of the end members are shaped to mate with corresponding abutting surfaces of the lenses.