Abstract: A optical spotting scope in combination with an optical alignment viewer which includes a spotting scope body; a optical spotting scope lens system mounted within the spotting scope body to provide an optical axis therethrough and to further provide high power magnification of distant images within the field of view of the spotting scope lens system; a view finder body rigidly joined to the spotting scope body; and a optical viewer lens system selected, mounted and arranged within the view finder body to provide an optical axis therethrough in substantial parallel alignment with the optical axis of the spotting scope lens system so that the field of view of the viewer lens system coincides with and includes the field of view of the spotting scope lens system, the viewer lens system being substantially lower power magnification than the spotting scope lens system; whereby a distant image visible centrally within the field of view of the viewer lens system, will fall within the field of view of the spotting sco

Abstract: A total internal reflection modulator/deflector assembly for use with a focused beam of polarized incident laser light. The application of a low direct current voltage (e.g., less than 50 volts) to a pair of identical stacked crystals exhibiting the Pockel's effect produces an index of refraction difference at their interface. Since the index changes are small, the incidence angle of the impinging polarized laser light is large, e.g., 89 degrees. In the preferred embodiment, one crystal is rotated relative to the other, such that the applied electric field causes index changes of +.DELTA.n in one crystal and of -.DELTA.n in the other crystal. As a result, the impinging polarized laser light is divided into two portions, one of which is totally internal reflected, and transmitted in the desired modulated conditions.

Abstract: A lens holding system is provided for the rear lens system of a camera lens arrangement having front and rear lens systems divided by a shutter housing. The lends holding system includes a first lens holder for biasing the rear lens system in a first axial direction, a second lens holder for biasing the rear lens system in a direction opposite the first axial direction, the first and second lens holder including respective first and second coupling parts extending from peripheral portions of the respective lens holders for interengagement and for supplying the biasing through elastic deformation of at least one of the first and second coupling parts.

Abstract: A long focal length or telephoto lens for photographic purposes has an optical element with a high coefficient of thermal expansion, and special features to impede transmission of heat to this element when the housing of the lens becomes heated by rays of the sun. A thermal insulation bridge, preferably of ceramic material, is interposed in the heat flow path from the rear part of the housing to the lens tube which contains the sensitive optical element. Moreover, this lens tube is spaced inwardly a substantial distance from the surrounding front part of the housing, to provide a substantial air space between tube and housing, with air inlet and outlet openings for circulation of air. The outer surface of the lens tube has a heat reflective coating, to reflect rather than absorb heat radiated inwardly from the surrounding housing when the housing becomes heated by rays of the sun.

Abstract: An optical switch including a first polarization converter and a second polarization converter which is provided in series with the first polarization converter.The first and second converters are able to select as emitted light one of two perpendicular polarized light components of incident light having a desired wavelength (.lambda..sub.0) in a polarized state. The first polarization converter converts the incident light having wavelength .lambda..sub.0 into a polarized light component corresponding to one of two points positioned on opposite sides of a Poincar/e/ sphere. The two points on the Poincar/e/ sphere are obtained by rotating the incident light +90.degree. or -90.degree.. The incident light is rotated around an axis perpendicular to an axis passing through a point corresponding to the incident light on the Poincar/e/ sphere and the center of the Poincar/e/ sphere.

Abstract: This invention relates to an endoscope optical system for macroscopic overall view observation and for microscopic detail observation after contacting an object by an objective viewing aperture, the system comprising an objective lens group, an occular lens group and a relay lens group wherein a displaceable lens or lens group is disposed between the occular and relay lens groups, the displacable lens or lens group being moveable through a first overall view range between limits towards and away from the relay lens group defining a first macroscopic magnification and a second detail view range between limits towards and away from the relay lens group defining a second microscopic magnification, the first range of movement being closer to the occular lens group than the second range and the ranges being spaced apart between the occular and the relay lens groups.

Abstract: A variable light attenuator comprises a pair of spaced optical elements, each having a reflective surface and at least one being adapted to variably polarize a light beam as a function of its angle of incidence. Means are provided for rotatably supporting the optical elements so that the beam, upon being reflected from both elements, is always parallel to the input beam, regardless of its angle of incidence. Preferably, a second pair of reflective elements, similarly structured, arranged and supported, cooperates with the first pair of reflective elements to produce a variably attenuated output beam which is colinear with the input beam.

Abstract: A polarization insensitive mirror (3) comprises a single homogeneous coating (1) coated onto a typically metallic reflective surface (2). The mirror (3) is substantially insensitive to polarization of incident radiation (4) over a wide range of angles of incidence (A). The coating (1) has an index of refraction (n) greater than 2.4, is substantially transmissive to the incident radiation (4), and has a thickness (t) substantially equal to L.sub.0 /2n, where L.sub.0 is the wavelength of the incident radiation (4) in freespace. Germanium makes a good coating (1). The reflective surface (2) is typically gold or silver. Increasing slightly the thickness (t) of the coating (1) increases the range of incident angles (A) over which the mirror (3) exhibits minimized phase differentials (B). Graphs (FIGS. 3-8) are presented comparing the reflectivity, phase differential (B), and average reflectivity of mirrors (3) fabricated according to the teachings of the present invention with those of the prior art.

Abstract: A lens and a lens holding device make it possible to construct a compound lens or to secure a lens to a lens barrel by providing protrusions and/or depressions on a joint surface or surfaces of a lens and/or a lens contact surface of a lens barrel and interconnecting the protrusions and the depressions. Particularly, the protrusions and/or the depressions are provided with undercut areas and at least one of the protrusions and the depressions to be combined are formed so as to be elastically deformable to prevent them from separating after interconnected.

Abstract: The present invention provides a two-axis optical inertial reference system wherein the rotor (12) of a gyro (10) is utilized as a stable reference. A surface (19) of the rotor is made reflective. Sighting on the reference is provided through a window (18) in the gyro case, (16) to access rotor reflective surface (19) the gyro case being hard mounted to a moving surface in the coarse gimbal of the system, since the gyro rotor has a finite angle of travel with respect to the case. A stabilized inertial platform (gyro rotor (12)) is achieved without the need of intermediate servoed gimbals. The gyro torquers are used to precess the rotor's spin axis to provide a means for slewing the spin axis and, hence, the optical system's line-of-sight (60) to the desired direction of the optical system. Specific embodiments for obtaining the required reference beam are disclosed.

Abstract: Travelling oscillation waves are generated in a lens assembly at an oscillation element by impressing a voltage to an electro-restriction element or elements, whereupon a lens driving operation is performed by frictionally driving a moving element which is pressed in contact with the oscillation element. In the case of manual operation, an oscillation ring operating as the oscillation element is separated from a rotation ring which constitutes the moving element by a clutch device and then the rotation ring is manually rotated for effecting the lens driving operation.

Abstract: An epidark illumination device comprising an optical means whereby a light from a light source is rightly reflected within an entrance plane including an optical axis but is diffused within a plane vertical to the entering plane, a light interrupting plate preventing the light from the light source from directly entering an objective and an iris diaphragm provided near an object to be inspected so as to make a uniform epidark illumination possible and to prevent a stray light from entering an observing optical system.

Abstract: A microscope equipped with an electric device for driving a revolver and a stage, having a means capable of rotating the revolver to interchange an objective only when a stage is lowered by a constant amount, a means capable of changing the movement speed of the stage for focusing in accordance with the magnification of the objective brought into a light path, and a means capable of restoring to an original position after the stage is once lowered to a lower limit position in order to be able to focus simply and rapidly and perform securely the interchange of the objective and the like. The electric device involves a step motor and, except when the stage is being driven, the connection between the motor and the stage is released so that the stage may be easily controlled by a manual operation.

Abstract: The goggles include a pair of optical assemblies, each having two intersecting optical paths, including a see-through path with a large field of view on a straight line of sight to the viewed object, and a folded path which includes an objective lens set, an intensifier which converts visible and infrared light to a visible intensified light, and an eyepiece lens set, arranged in a loop in a plane perpendicular to the see-through path. Infrared and visible light from the viewed object enters both paths. A dichroic prism combiner at the intersection of the paths reflects intensified light from the folded path into the see-through path and transmits all other light. In one embodiment a dichroic prism separator is disposed at the intersection of the paths forward of the combiner for transmitting a portion of the incoming visible light along the see-through path and reflecting the remainder of the incoming light to the folded path.

Abstract: An electrochromic device including one electrode layer (A), a cathodically coloring electrochromic layer (B), an ionic conductive layer (C) if required, a reversibly oxidizable layer (D) and another electrode layer (E), at least one of the one electrode layer (A) and the other electrode layer (E) being transparent, and at least one of the cathodically coloring electrochromic layer (B), the ionic conductive layer (C) and the reversibly oxidizable layer (D) being adapted to contain protons or include a proton source for emitting protons upon application of a voltage.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an orthoscopic ultrasonic imaging system which includes an acoustic transducer for insonifying an object to be inspected and an improved liquid crystal detector cell for receiving an imaging beam from the insonified object and for displaying a visible image.An acoustic biasing field is applied to the liquid crystal cell for raising the cell to an acousto-optic threshold which permits detection and display of low intensity imaging signals. Using the improved liquid crystal system, low intensity, acoustic fields [e.g. less than 10.sup.-3 w/cm.sup.2 (watts per square centimeter)] can be detected and displayed, and the object being examined can be insonified with low intensity ultrasonic beams.

Abstract: A method for examining the degree of wear of banknotes containing printing translucent with respect to light in the invisible spectral range. The method comprises irradiating the bank note with light containing portions of the invisible spectral range, such as infrared light; collecting the reflected portion of the applied light; and evaluating same for determining the wear condition of the banknote.

Abstract: A multi-layer assembly includes a support block with a plurality of circular cylinder bores, each receiving optical elements. Juxtaposed along the length of each of the bores in a circumferentially spaced-apart relation is a pair of positioning rods having surfaces extending into the bore. The surfaces are precisely aligned with a desired optical axis to be established by the optical element. A plunger pushes the optical element against the rods to establish the optical axis. Lasers and adjustment apparatus are included in the assembly.

Abstract: An electrochromic device having two electrochromic layers respectively formed on oppositely arranged two electrodes and containing an electrolyte such as a solution of an alkali metal salt in an organic solvent which fills up the gap between the two electrodes. The electrochromic layers are formed of an electrochromic material which can alternately and stably exist in three different oxidation states and assumes three different colors in its respective oxidation states such that there is a clear contrast between the color of this material in its normal or intermediate oxidation state and a composite color given by superposition of the color in the highest oxidation state on the color in the lowest oxidation state. Prussian blue is a preferred example of such an electrochromic material, on condition that an adequate amount of water be present in the electrolyte solution or, alternatively, that the Prussian blue layers be pretreated to substitute alkali metal cation for Fe.sup.

Abstract: The present invention deals with an optical transmission filter for effecting differential phase delay upon light in a beam polarized in a P dimension, as a function of position within the filter aperture for far field correction. The filter employs two lenses of birefrigent material, the crystal optic axes of the respective lens materials being oriented in mutually orthogonal positions and at a 45.degree. angle to the P dimension. The lenses have their adjacent surfaces respectively concave and convex with the same radius of curvature and their non-adjacent surfaces flat. The two lenses may be both spherical or both cylindrical.The correction provides an improvement in beam quality in laser systems operating with larger beam apertures or at higher powers.