Abstract: A profile of optical reflectance relative to a depth within a depth range from an epidermis to an upper layer of a dermis is created based on a coherence signal obtained by optical coherence tomography, an evaluation index is determined by calculating a difference between reflectance at a local minimum point and reflectance at a second local maximum point from the created profile, and skin conditions are evaluated based on the evaluation index.

Abstract: A profile of optical reflectance relative to a depth within a depth range from an epidermis to an upper layer of a dermis is created based on a coherence signal obtained by optical coherence tomography, an evaluation index is determined by calculating a difference between reflectance at a local minimum point and reflectance at a second local maximum point from the created profile, and skin conditions are evaluated based on the evaluation index.

Abstract: Provided is a light diffusion film for LED lighting that achieves a balance between concealment and light-utilization efficiency. The light diffusion film for LED lighting includes a sheet of substrate, an internal scattering layer and a surface shaping layer. The internal scattering layer contains a binder and particles; the mean particle diameter A of the particles is from 0.5 ?m to 5.0 ?m; the refractive index difference between the particles and the binder is from more than 0 to 0.15; and the content of the particles is from 10 parts by mass to 120 parts by mass with respect to 100 parts by mass of the binder.

Abstract: An optical tomograph is equipped with: a light source unit for emitting a plurality of light beams, the wavelengths of which are swept within different predetermined wavelength bands respectively with the same period; light divider which divides each light beam into a measuring light beam and a reference light beam; light beam combiner which combines reflected light beams, which are the measuring light beams reflected by a measurement target when the measuring light beams are irradiated thereon, with a reference light. An interference light detector detects an interference light beam, which is formed by the reflected light beam and the reference light combined by the light beam combiner, for each of the light beams as an interference signal. A tomographic image processor generates a tomographic image of the measurement target employing the plurality of interference signals detected by the interference light detector.

Abstract: An elongated probe to be inserted into a tube which is open at a distal end portion of an insertion section of an endoscope includes a sheath constituting the outer circumferential surface of the optical probe, an optical fiber laid in the internal space of the sheath along the longitudinal direction of the sheath, and a deflection scanning means disposed in the internal space of the sheath to deflect light outputted from the optical fiber and is rotated around an axis line extending in the longitudinal direction to scan the deflected light in a circumferential direction of the axis line. A plurality of light transmission sections for transmitting the scanning light is provided, each formed flat on the outer surface, on a side wall of the sheath along the circumferential direction.

Abstract: An optical tomograph obtains tomographic images by administering frequency analysis on an interference light beam formed by interference between a reflected light beam, which is a measuring light beam reflected by a measurement target, and a reference light beam. A tomographic data obtaining section obtains tomographic data to be used for optical path length adjustment each time that the position, onto which the measuring light beam is irradiated, is changed. An optical path length adjusting section adjusts the optical path length of one of the measuring light beam, the reflected light beam, and the reference light beam, based on the obtained tomographic data.

Abstract: Light beams swept in wavelength repeatedly within first and second wavelength ranges respectively are outputted from a light source unit at the same time. Each light beam is split into measuring and reference beams. Reflected beams from a measuring object when the measuring beams are irradiated on the measuring object are combined with the reference beams. The wavelengths of the interference beams produced thereby are divided into three wavelength ranges, for example, a range not greater than 0.9 ?m, a range from 0.9 to 1.2 ?m, and a range longer than 1.2 ?m by a wavelength dividing means to obtain interference signals. In the wavelength range from 0.9 to 1.2 ?m which includes an overlapping wavelength range where the wavelength ranges of the light beams overlap with each other, either one of the light beams is outputted from the light source unit.

Abstract: An optical tomographic imaging apparatus capable of obtaining a high resolution tomographic image rapidly. Light beams swept in wavelength intermittently and repeatedly within first and second wavelength ranges respectively are outputted simultaneously from a light source unit. If the wavelength of either one of the light beams is within a fifth wavelength range, the other light beam is not outputted. The first or second wavelength range includes at least a portion of the fifth wavelength range. Each light beam is split into measuring and reference beams by a coupler. Wavelengths of reflected beams from a measuring object when the measuring beams are irradiated on the object and the reference beams are divided by a WDM coupler. The reflected beams and reference beams are combined by an optical coupler, and each interference beam produced thereby is detected with respect to each light beam as an interference signal.

Abstract: A solid state imaging device has a semiconductor substrate with photodiodes formed thereon. Stacked on the semiconductor substrate are a light shielding layer having openings for the photodiodes, a concave microlens-forming layer having concave lens surfaces on its upper surface, a planarizing layer for covering the concave microlens-forming layer, a color filter, and a convex microlens-forming layer having convex lens surfaces on its upper surface. Each concave lens surface is composed of an arc-shaped incident surface lying at the lowermost part and a reflecting surface extending upwards from a rim of the incident surface. The light rays out of the concave lens surface enter either the incident surface or the reflecting surface of the concave lens surface. The light rays on the reflecting surface reflect off totally and proceed to the incident surface. The light rays on the incident surface are focused toward the photodiode.

Abstract: An elongated probe to be inserted into a tube which is open at a distal end portion of an insertion section of an endoscope includes a sheath constituting the outer circumferential surface of the optical probe, an optical fiber laid in the internal space of the sheath along the longitudinal direction of the sheath, and a deflection scanning means disposed in the internal space of the sheath to deflect light outputted from the optical fiber and is rotated around an axis line extending in the longitudinal direction to scan the deflected light in a circumferential direction of the axis line. A plurality of light transmission sections for transmitting the scanning light is provided, each formed flat on the outer surface, on a side wall of the sheath along the circumferential direction.

Abstract: Light beams swept in wavelength repeatedly within first and second wavelength ranges respectively are outputted from a light source unit at the same time. Each light beam is split into measuring and reference beams. Reflected beams from a measuring object when the measuring beams are irradiated on the measuring object are combined with the reference beams. The wavelengths of the interference beams produced thereby are divided into three wavelength ranges, for example, a range not greater than 0.9 ?m, a range from 0.9 to 1.2 ?m, and a range longer than 1.2 ?m by a wavelength dividing means to obtain interference signals. In the wavelength range from 0.9 to 1.2 ?m which includes an overlapping wavelength range where the wavelength ranges of the light beams overlap with each other, either one of the light beams is outputted from the light source unit.

Abstract: An optical tomographic imaging apparatus capable of obtaining a high resolution tomographic image rapidly. Light beams swept in wavelength intermittently and repeatedly within first and second wavelength ranges respectively are outputted simultaneously from a light source unit. If the wavelength of either one of the light beams is within a fifth wavelength range, the other light beam is not outputted. The first or second wavelength range includes at least a portion of the fifth wavelength range. Each light beam is split into measuring and reference beams by a coupler. Wavelengths of reflected beams from a measuring object when the measuring beams are irradiated on the object and the reference beams are divided by a WDM coupler. The reflected beams and reference beams are combined by an optical coupler, and each interference beam produced thereby is detected with respect to each light beam as an interference signal.

Abstract: An optical tomograph is equipped with: a light source unit for emitting a plurality of light beams, the wavelengths of which are swept within different predetermined wavelength bands respectively with the same period; light dividing means, for dividing each light beam into a measuring light beam and a reference light beam; combining means, for combining reflected light beams, which are the measuring light beams reflected by a measurement target when the measuring light beams are irradiated thereon, with the reference light beams; interference light detecting means, for detecting an interference light beam, which is formed by the reflected light beam and the reference light beam being combined by the combining means, for each of the light beams as an interference signal; and tomographic image processing means, for generating a tomographic image of the measurement target employing the plurality of interference signals detected by the interference light detecting means.

Abstract: An optical tomograph obtains tomographic images by administering frequency analysis on an interference light beam formed by interference between a reflected light beam, which is a measuring light beam reflected by a measurement target, and a reference light beam. A tomographic data obtaining section obtains tomographic data to be used for optical path length adjustment each time that the position, onto which the measuring light beam is irradiated, is changed. An optical path length adjusting section adjusts the optical path length of one of the measuring light beam, the reflected light beam, and the reference light beam, based on the obtained tomographic data.

Abstract: A solid state imaging device has a semiconductor substrate with photodiodes formed thereon. Stacked on the semiconductor substrate are a light shielding layer having openings for the photodiodes, a concave microlens-forming layer having concave lens surfaces on its upper surface, a planarizing layer for covering the concave microlens-forming layer, a color filter, and a convex microlens-forming layer having convex lens surfaces on its upper surface. Each concave lens surface is composed of an arc-shaped incident surface lying at the lowermost part and a reflecting surface extending upwards from a rim of the incident surface. The light rays out of the concave lens surface enter either the incident surface or the reflecting surface of the concave lens surface. The light rays on the reflecting surface reflect off totally and proceed to the incident surface. The light rays on the incident surface are focused toward the photodiode.

Abstract: A channel layer, donor layer, Schottky layer, and cap layer are formed on a substrate. A source and drain are formed on the cap layer. A gate is formed on the cap layer, or at the bottom of a recess which is formed through the cap layer and partially extends into the Schottky layer. The donor and Schottky layers are formed of a semiconductive material which includes an oxidizable component such as aluminum. A passivation or stop layer of a lattice-matched, non-oxidizable material is formed underlying the source, drain, and gate, and sealingly overlying the donor layer. The stop layer may be formed between the Schottky layer and the donor layer, or constitute a superlattice in combination with the Schottky layer consisting of alternating stop and Schottky sublayers. Alternatively, the stop layer may sealingly overlie the Schottky layer, and further constitute the cap layer.