Abstract: This application uses an image detector to mitigate field curvature but without the need to curve the detector surface. Gradient-index (GRIN) media, which possesses spatially varying refractive index, is used as “cover piece” for planar detectors or internal images. Field curvature correction can be made at the detector or internal image using plane-parallel GRIN cover piece with a planar detector or an internal image. GRIN cover piece imparts a transversely varying image shift. In doing so, the number of elements in an optical system may be reduced since field curvature can be corrected at the detector, allowing for smaller and more lightweight systems.

Abstract: A light guide includes a light guide layer having a transversely oriented side-end surface that forms a primary output aperture (exit) for light traveling in a forward propagation direction out of the end surface of the light guide (for, e.g., CPV applications) and, which forms a primary input aperture (entrance) for light traveling in a rearward propagation direction into the end surface of the light guide (for, e.g., illuminator applications). A light collection and concentration system includes a light guide apparatus, a light-transmitting medium layer disposed immediately adjacent the single light guide apparatus, and a light concentrator component of multiple optical array layers disposed adjacent the light transmitting medium layer, which is in optical registration with a light injection layer of the light guide apparatus.

Abstract: A light guide includes a light guide layer having a transversely oriented side-end surface that forms a primary output aperture (exit) for light traveling in a forward propagation direction out of the end surface of the light guide (for, e.g., CPV applications) and, which forms a primary input aperture (entrance) for light traveling in a rearward propagation direction into the end surface of the light guide (for, e.g., illuminator applications). A light collection and concentration system includes a light guide apparatus, a light-transmitting medium layer disposed immediately adjacent the single light guide apparatus, and a light concentrator component of multiple optical array layers disposed adjacent the light transmitting medium layer, which is in optical registration with a light injection layer of the light guide apparatus.

Abstract: A light guide apparatus includes a light guide layer and an injection layer further including light injection elements and respective light bypass elements disposed optically upstream of the light injection elements. The light injection elements and/or the bypass elements may take the form of air prisms. There is an axial index of refraction variation between the light guide layer and the injection layer. The axial index of refraction variation may be discrete or may be an axial gradient index variation.

Abstract: A light guide apparatus includes a light guide layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a transversely oriented side-end surface that forms an output aperture of the light guide, characterized by an index of refraction, n1, and further characterized by a length dimension in an intended light propagation direction towards the output aperture, where the intended light propagation direction is a z-axis direction of a Cartesian coordinate system; and a plurality of light injection elements disposed in the form of at least one linear strip in at least one of the top and bottom surfaces of the light guide layer, wherein some of the plurality of light injection elements are disposed on one lateral side of the strip and some other of the plurality of light injection elements are disposed on an opposing lateral side of the strip at a rotation angle ?z about the y-axis.

Abstract: A light guide apparatus includes a light guide layer further including light injection elements and respective light bypass elements disposed optically upstream of the light injection elements. The light injection elements and/or the bypass elements can take the form of injection facets (air prisms), surface diffraction elements, volume diffraction elements, and gradient index profiles. A light collection and concentration system comprises a single light guide apparatus, a light-transmitting medium layer disposed immediately adjacent the single light guide apparatus, and a primary light concentrator component disposed adjacent the light-transmitting medium layer, including a plurality of primary concentrator elements each of which is in optical registration with a respective one of the light injection elements of the single light guide apparatus.

Abstract: A light guide apparatus includes a light guide layer and an injection layer further including light injection elements and respective light bypass elements disposed optically upstream of the light injection elements. The light injection elements and/or the bypass elements may take the form of air prisms. There is an axial index of refraction variation between the light guide layer and the injection layer. The axial index of refraction variation may be discrete or may be an axial gradient index variation.

Abstract: A light guide apparatus includes a light guide layer having a top surface and a bottom surface, and a transversely oriented side-end surface that forms an output aperture of the light guide, characterized by an index of refraction, n1, and further characterized by a length dimension in an intended light propagation direction towards the output aperture, where the intended light propagation direction is a z-axis direction of a Cartesian coordinate system; and a plurality of light injection elements disposed in the form of at least one linear strip in at least one of the top and bottom surfaces of the light guide layer, wherein some of the plurality of light injection elements are disposed on one lateral side of the strip and some other of the plurality of light injection elements are disposed on an opposing lateral side of the strip at a rotation angle ?z about the y-axis.

Abstract: A light guide apparatus includes a light guide layer further including light injection elements and respective light bypass elements disposed optically upstream of the light injection elements. The light injection elements and/or the bypass elements can take the form of injection facets (air prisms), surface diffraction elements, volume diffraction elements, and gradient index profiles. A light collection and concentration system comprises a single light guide apparatus, a light-transmitting medium layer disposed immediately adjacent the single light guide apparatus, and a primary light concentrator component disposed adjacent the light-transmitting medium layer, including a plurality of primary concentrator elements each of which is in optical registration with a respective one of the light injection elements of the single light guide apparatus.

Abstract: A light guide includes a light guide layer having a transversely oriented side-end surface that forms a primary output aperture (exit) for light traveling in a forward propagation direction out of the end surface of the light guide (for, e.g., CPV applications) and, which forms a primary input aperture (entrance) for light traveling in a rearward propagation direction into the end surface of the light guide (for, e.g., illuminator applications), and a first plurality of light injection elements stepped (staggered) in a forward light propagation direction in a first plane along lines parallel to the side-end surface or clocked (tilted) about a y-axis in a z-axis-light propagation direction in a respective first plane, wherein the light injection elements are disposed along parallel lines normal to the side-end surface. The light guide component may further comprise at least a second plurality of light injection elements stepped in at least second plane.

Abstract: Radial gradient index of refraction (GRIN) optical relays for overcorrecting axial chromatic aberration and a method for their manufacture are described. A relay including a radial GRIN rod in combination with a holographic optical element, or simple homogeneous or GRIN lenses, is described for adjusting axial chromatic and monochromatic aberrations, including spherical, coma, astigmatism, and distortion. The invention also describes remote viewing scopes, such as endoscopes and borescopes, which utilize said relays for achromatic, and reduced or corrected monochromatic aberration imaging. The use of segmented said relays provides a slight degree of flexibility in certain remote viewing scopes. A method for producing an exemplary negative dispersion GRIN lens is disclosed.

Abstract: Radial gradient index of refraction (GRIN) optical relays are described for overcorrecting axial chromatic aberration. In particular, a relay including a negative dispersion radial GRIN rod alone or in combination with simple homogeneous or GRIN lenses is described for adjusting axial chromatic and monochromatic aberrations, including spherical, coma, astigmatism, and distortion. The invention also describes remote viewing scopes, such as endoscopes and borescopes, which utilize GRIN relays for achromatic, and reduced or corrected monochromatic aberration imaging The use of segmented GRIN relays provides a degree of flexibility in remote viewing scopes.

Abstract: An objective for an optical data storage read/write head focuses a laser beam at a spot on an optical recording surface protected by a transparent cover of an optical disc. The imaging is provided by a gradient index singlet lens having bending and an index gradient which is selected depending on the thickness of the lens and the thickness of the cover over the recording surface so as to provide aberration correction over a paraxial image height of the spot which tolerates tracking errors (displacements with respect to the track) on the recording surface. The objective desirably obtains its power exclusively from the curvature of its surfaces, with the index gradient providing for aberration correction. The gradient is preferably axial, decreasing from the vertex at the front surface (the surface on which the laser beam is incident) over a sag distance along the optical axis towards the back surface, which is opposite to the cover of the optical data storage device.

Abstract: Gradient-index glass is produced in a sol-gel process by utilizing water or a mixture of water and alcohol. This technique is particularly suitable for production of glass bodies with a ternary system of metal alkoxides, including silicon alkoxide, an index modifying metal alkoxide, such as alkoxides of titanium and zirconium, and an additional metal alkoxide, such as an alkoxide of aluminum, boron, or germanium.

Abstract: A sol-gel method for making gradient-index glass and a novel composition therefor, comprising at least a ternary system of metal alkoxides.

Abstract: A composite gradient index and curved surface anamorphic lens has a gradient index of refraction and at least one curved surface. Combinations of planar and radial gradients with spherical and cylindrical surfaces are described. A corrector for an light source whose beam divergences are different in orthogonal planes using such a lens and a light beam scanning mechanism are disclosed. In the light beam scanning system, a homogeneous toroidal lens is replaced by a toroidal equivalent gradient-index lens, hereafter referred to as a TEGIL. The lens reduces undesirable displacement of the focus light beam from a scan line on a receptor plane and from the receptor plane itself. The TEGIL comprises a body of gradient-index material having cylindrical faces for generating optical power in a first dimension and whose gradient-index generates optical power in an orthogonal dimension.

Abstract: A sol-gel method for making gradient-index glass and a novel composition therefor, comprising at least a ternary system of metal alkoxides.

Abstract: A universal polishing tool comprises a rigid cup having a circular rim to which is attached a relatively thin resilient polishing pad. In accordance with a method for using the tool, the tool is rotated about the axis of a support shaft causing the resilient polishing pad to move with respect to the surface which is being polished. The universal polishing tool is dynamically positioned as a function of time with respect to the surface being polished. The orientation and position as a function of time are determined by a control algorithm according to the geometry of the tool and the particular surface being polished and are controlled by means of a controllable positioning device. In the case of a spherical surface or a rotationally symmetric aspheric surface, the lens is rotated about its axis of symmetry during the polishing operation. In the case of a toric surface, the lens is oscillated about an axis which is normal to its center.

Abstract: Spherical singlet lenses of gradient index design, suitable for use as video disk lenses or the like, are provided wherein all orders of spherical abberation are sufficiently reduced to provide diffraction-limited axial imaging. This imaging is achieved without resorting to sixth-order refractive index profile control; only the profile parameters N.sub.00, N.sub.10 and N.sub.20 defining the radial index profile N(r) in the profile function:N(r)=N.sub.00 +N.sub.10 r.sup.2 +N.sub.20 r.sup.2together with the surface curvatures and thickness of the lens, are used to control lens properties.

Abstract: Riflescope arrangement includes a tube containing an eye piece section fowed by a relay section which is followed by an objective section. The eye piece, relay and objective sections lie along and are aligned with the optical axis of the riflescope. The front optical element of the objective section is in the form of an axial gradient index element to add a degree of freedom for chromatic and other corrections, without adding an extra element or weight to the riflescope.