Abstract: A light source device includes a laser diode configured to emit a laser light used as an illumination light, a determination unit configured to determine one of a plurality of modes as an operation mode of the laser diode based on usage state of the light source device; and a driver configured to drive the laser diode in a condition that a bias current to the laser diode is applied depending on the operation mode determined by the determination unit.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes alight source, a bendable insertion section to be inserted into an observation target, a light guide path which is provided in the insertion section and which guides light emitted from the light source, an illumination light emitter which is provided at the distal end of the insertion section and which emits at least some of the light guided by the light guide path to the observation target as illumination light, a curvature sensor which detects a bending shape of at least part of the insertion section, and an illumination light controller which controls an optical characteristic of the illumination light on the basis of the bending shape of the insertion section detected by the curvature sensor.

Abstract: A subject observation system includes a light source and an image obtaining unit. The light source emits observation light including a spectral component of a wavelength and applies the light to a subject. The image obtaining unit images reflected light from an irradiation region of the subject to which the light has been applied and obtains at least two observation images in different wavelength regions based on image signals corresponding to a blue region, a green region and a red region. The light includes components of light emission spectra in the regions. The light emission spectrum in the blue region is smaller in a wavelength region in which absorption intensity for a specific observation target in the subject is relatively low than in other regions.

Abstract: A light source device includes a laser diode configured to emit a laser light used as an illumination light, a determination unit configured to determine one of a plurality of modes as an operation mode of the laser diode based on usage state of the light source device; and a driver configured to drive the laser diode in a condition that a bias current to the laser diode is applied depending on the operation mode determined by the determination unit.

Abstract: A light source apparatus includes an optical illumination unit that converts optical characteristics of primary light emitted from a light source unit and emits secondary light different from the primary light; and an adapter unit that outwardly emits illumination light generated based on the secondary light emitted from the optical illumination unit and that is attachable to/detachable from the optical illumination unit. A radiation angle control member converts a traveling direction of the secondary light so that the secondary light allowed to emit from a light conversion member toward the radiation angle control member in the secondary light allowed to emit from the light conversion member travels toward the adapter unit through the secondary light emit portion.

Abstract: An endoscope apparatus includes alight source, a bendable insertion section to be inserted into an observation target, a light guide path which is provided in the insertion section and which guides light emitted from the light source, an illumination light emitter which is provided at the distal end of the insertion section and which emits at least some of the light guided by the light guide path to the observation target as illumination light, a curvature sensor which detects a bending shape of at least part of the insertion section, and an illumination light controller which controls an optical characteristic of the illumination light on the basis of the bending shape of the insertion section detected by the curvature sensor.

Abstract: A primary optical unit and a photodetector unit are arranged on a side of a optical branching unit, on which primary terminals are arranged, and a lightconversion unit, which receives primary light, converts the primary light into secondary light, and emits the secondary light, is arranged on a side of the optical branching unit, on which secondary terminals are arranged, to enable guiding of the primary light from the primary optical unit to the lightconversion unit and guiding of the secondary light from the lightconversion unit to the photodetector unit through optical fibers.

Abstract: A light source unit for use with an endoscope. The light source including: a primary light source configured to emit primary light; and a first connector provided on an optical path of the primary light and to which each of a plurality of optical conversion units are attachable and removable. Wherein each of the plurality of the optical conversion units include an optical conversion element having an optical conversion function to convert optical properties of the primary light to generate secondary light and each of the plurality of the optical conversion units further having a second connector configured to detachably engage the first connector to transmit the primary light to the optical conversion element; and an optical conversion unit is selected from the plurality of optical conversion units based on the optical conversion function desired for the secondary light, the secondary light being an illumination light of the endoscope.

Abstract: A light source unit includes a primary light source configured to emit primary light, and a connection portion provided on an optical path of the primary light and to and from which an optical conversion unit is attachable and removable, the optical conversion unit including an optical conversion element configured to convert optical properties of the primary light to generate secondary light.

Abstract: A subject observation system includes a light source and an image obtaining unit. The light source emits observation light including a spectral component of a wavelength and applies the light to a subject. The image obtaining unit images reflected light from an irradiation region of the subject to which the light has been applied and obtains at least two observation images in different wavelength regions based on image signals corresponding to a blue region, a green region and a red region. The light includes components of light emission spectra in the regions. The light emission spectrum in the blue region is smaller in a wavelength region in which absorption intensity for a specific observation target in the subject is relatively low than in other regions.

Abstract: A light source apparatus includes an optical illumination unit that converts optical characteristics of primary light emitted from a light source unit and emits secondary light different from the primary light; and an adapter unit that outwardly emits illumination light generated based on the secondary light emitted from the optical illumination unit and that is attachable to/detachable from the optical illumination unit. A radiation angle control member converts a traveling direction of the secondary light so that the secondary light allowed to emit from a light conversion member toward the radiation angle control member in the secondary light allowed to emit from the light conversion member travels toward the adapter unit through the secondary light emit portion.

Abstract: A light source unit includes a primary light source configured to emit primary light, and a connection portion provided on an optical path of the primary light and to and from which an optical conversion unit is attachable and removable, the optical conversion unit including an optical conversion element configured to convert optical properties of the primary light to generate secondary light.

Abstract: A primary optical unit and a photodetector unit are arranged on a side of a optical branching unit, on which primary terminals are arranged, and a lightconversion unit, which receives primary light, converts the primary light into secondary light, and emits the secondary light, is arranged on a side of the optical branching unit, on which secondary terminals are arranged, to enable guiding of the primary light from the primary optical unit to the lightconversion unit and guiding of the secondary light from the lightconversion unit to the photodetector unit through optical fibers.

Abstract: A light source device includes an excitation light source which generates excitation light, a fluorescent member containing a fluorescent substance which absorbs the excitation light to generate fluorescence, an emitting side optical member which is provided on an emitting end face of the fluorescent member, and a reflector which is provided on the side surface of the fluorescent member. The reflector has an optical property of reflecting the excitation light and the fluorescence. The emitting side optical member has an optical property of reflecting the excitation light and transmitting the fluorescence.

Abstract: An optical encoder includes a scale which is installed on one member of which, displacement is detected, and a detecting head which is installed on the other member which moves relatively with respect to the one member, and is disposed facing the scale. A predetermined optical pattern in a direction of relative movement is provided, and the detecting head includes a light emitting section which irradiates a predetermined light on the scale, a light detecting section which includes a light receiving surface which receives light through the optical pattern, which is irradiated on the scale from the light emitting section, and which detects light distribution formed on the light receiving surface, a first light transmitting member which is disposed in an optical path between the light emitting section and the scale, and a second light transmitting member which is disposed in an optical path between the scale and the light detecting section.

Abstract: A light source device includes an excitation light source which generates excitation light, a fluorescent member containing a fluorescent substance which absorbs the excitation light to generate fluorescence, an emitting side optical member which is provided on an emitting end face of the fluorescent member, and a reflector which is provided on the side surface of the fluorescent member. The reflector has an optical property of reflecting the excitation light and the fluorescence. The emitting side optical member has an optical property of reflecting the excitation light and transmitting the fluorescence.

Abstract: In a triple slit optical encoder, a first grating and a third grating are formed on separate members, and values of a first effective width W1 and a first pitch p1 of an optical pattern on the first grating, and a third effective width W3 and a third pitch p3 of an optical pattern on the third grating are set to values such that a periodic signal having the amplitude effective for detection of a relative displacement of a scale is achieved based on periodicity of the self-image, refractive indices of substances of substances and/or spaces interposed in the optical path from a bare LED up to a photodetector, and the thickness of those substances and/or spaces in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane on which the second grating is formed.

Abstract: An optical encoder includes a scale which is installed on one member of which, displacement is detected, and a detecting head which is installed on the other member which moves relatively with respect to the one member, and is disposed facing the scale. A predetermined optical pattern in a direction of relative movement is provided, and the detecting head includes a light emitting section which irradiates a predetermined light on the scale, a light detecting section which includes a light receiving surface which receives light through the optical pattern, which is irradiated on the scale from the light emitting section, and which detects light distribution formed on the light receiving surface, a first light transmitting member which is disposed in an optical path between the light emitting section and the scale, and a second light transmitting member which is disposed in an optical path between the scale and the light detecting section.

Abstract: In a triple slit optical encoder, a first grating and a third grating are formed on separate members, and values of a first effective width W1 and a first pitch p1 of an optical pattern on the first grating, and a third effective width W3 and a third pitch p3 of an optical pattern on the third grating are set to values such that a periodic signal having the amplitude effective for detection of a relative displacement of a scale is achieved based on periodicity of the self-image, refractive indices of substances of substances and/or spaces interposed in the optical path from a bare LED up to a photodetector, and the thickness of those substances and/or spaces in a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane on which the second grating is formed.

Abstract: An optical encoder is a reflecting triple grating type optical encoder. A light projecting section of the optical encoder which includes a combination of a bare chip LED and a first grating of a first pitch p1, irradiates a predetermined light. A photodetecting section of the optical encoder which includes a combination of a photodetector and a third grating of a third pitch p3 detects a movement of a self image. Each of the first grating and the third grating is disposed substantially parallel with respect to a scale, and a substantially parallel and substantially flat light transmitting area is formed in a predetermined portion of a surface of a detecting head. A light transparent member is disposed in a space between the surface of the detecting head, and the first grating and the second grating.