Abstract: Provided is a wavelength distribution measuring apparatus (24), which includes a diffuser plate (52) for dispersing light beams radiated from an object to be measured (11) and a light beam homogenizing optical element (53) for reflecting, by the side surface (53b), at least part of the light beams dispersed by the diffuser plate (52) so that the light beams approximate to the direction of the perpendicular of a light receiving surface and also for guiding the light beams to the light receiving surface, and an optical receiver (56) including a plurality of light receiving elements for detecting the light beams, the light receiving elements being different from one another in spectral sensitivity characteristic. With this configuration, substantially parallel light beams radiated from the object to be measured (11) are homogenized at the light receiving surface including the periphery of the light receiving surface.

Abstract: Provided is a wavelength distribution measuring apparatus (24), which includes a diffuser plate (52) for dispersing light beams radiated from an object to be measured (11) and a light beam homogenizing optical element (53) for reflecting, by the side surface (53b), at least part of the light beams dispersed by the diffuser plate (52) so that the light beams approximate to the direction of the perpendicular of a light receiving surface and also for guiding the light beams to the light receiving surface, and an optical receiver (56) including a plurality of light receiving elements for detecting the light beams, the light receiving elements being different from one another in spectral sensitivity characteristic. With this configuration, substantially parallel light beams radiated from the object to be measured (11) are homogenized at the light receiving surface including the periphery of the light receiving surface.

Abstract: An optical apparatus has an imaging optical system provided with a deformable mirror and an electronic zoom function that an image recorded in an image sensor by the imaging optical system is magnified by image processing. A ray deflecting function of the deformable mirror is changed in accordance with a change of an object area corresponding to an image to be used, and aberration of the imaging optical system is optimized. The deformable mirror is controlled by an arithmetical unit connected to an image processor and a driving circuit. The electronic zoom is performed with respect to the image recorded in the image sensor through a signal processing circuit and the image processor, and when the image is displayed on a display device, the deformable mirror is deformed so that sharpness at nearly the center of an object image formed on the image sensor is improved.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical system that has reduced power consumptions, ensures noiseless operations and fast responses, contributes to cost reductions due to simplified mechanical structure, and, albeit having a small outside diameter and small size, is capable of focusing and zooming. The optical system of the invention comprises a variable mirror and a moving optical element group. The optical element group has a zooming function, and the variable mirror has a focusing function. An optical apparatus of the invention comprises such an optical system as mentioned above.

Abstract: An optical apparatus has an imaging optical system provided with a deformable mirror and an electronic zoom function that an image recorded in an image sensor by the imaging optical system is magnified by image processing. A ray deflecting function of the deformable mirror is changed in accordance with a change of an object area corresponding to an image to be used, and aberration of the imaging optical system is optimized. The deformable mirror is controlled by an arithmetical unit connected to an image processor and a driving circuit. The electronic zoom is performed with respect to the image recorded in the image sensor through a signal processing circuit and the image processor, and when the image is displayed on a display device, the deformable mirror is deformed so that sharpness at nearly the center of an object image formed on the image sensor is improved.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical system that has reduced power consumptions, ensures noiseless operations and fast responses, contributes to cost reductions due to simplified mechanical structure, and, albeit having a small outside diameter and small size, is capable of focusing and zooming. The optical system of the invention comprises a variable mirror and a moving optical element group. The optical element group has a zooming function, and the variable mirror has a focusing function. An optical apparatus of the invention comprises such an optical system as mentioned above.

Abstract: An imaging optical system includes a first lens unit located at the most object-side position and at least one of lens units interposed between the first lens unit and an image. At least one of the lens units is moved along the optical axis. The first lens unit includes, in order from the object side, at least one lens with negative refracting power, a deformable mirror, and at least one lens with positive refracting power, and focusing is performed by the deformation of the deformable mirror.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical system or apparatus such as a lens system capable of focus control and a variable-focus lens, which has reduced power consumptions, ensures noiseless operation and fast response and contributes to cost reductions for the reason of simplified structure. Specifically, the invention provides an optical apparatus comprising an element 409 having variable optical properties and an image plane 612. To correct the optical apparatus for movement of the image-formation surface of an optical system 614 in association with a change in the element 409 having variable optical properties, the image plane 612 is placed in the range of movement of the image-formation surface in association with the change in the element having variable optical properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical system that can be operated with low power consumptions, reduced noises and fast responses, is simplified in mechanical structure and of reduced outer diameter and compact size, and is capable of focusing and zooming. This optical system comprises a rotationally symmetric lens group and an optical element having variable optical properties, whereby focusing or zooming can be performed. Focusing or zooming can be performed by use of a plurality of optical elements having variable optical properties, wherein at least one of the optical elements is configured to a free-form surface shape.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical system or apparatus such as a lens system capable of focus control and a variable-focus lens, which has reduced power consumptions, ensures noiseless operation and fast response and contributes to cost reductions for the reason of simplified structure. Specifically, the invention provides an optical apparatus comprising an element 409 having variable optical properties and an image plane 612. To correct the optical apparatus for movement of the image-formation surface of an optical system 614 in association with a change in the element 409 having variable optical properties, the image plane 612 is placed in the range of movement of the image-formation surface in association with the change in the element having variable optical properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical system that has reduced power consumptions, ensures noiseless operations and fast responses, contributes to cost reductions due to simplified mechanical structure, and, albeit having a small outside diameter and small size, is capable of focusing and zooming. The optical system of the invention comprises a variable mirror and a moving optical element group. The optical element group has a zooming function, and the variable mirror has a focusing function. An optical apparatus of the invention comprises such an optical system as mentioned above.

Abstract: An optical system has at least one deformable mirror, a movable concave lens unit, and a convex lens unit. The deformable mirror is deformed and thereby focusing is performed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical system or apparatus such as a lens system capable of focus control and a variable-focus lens, which has reduced power consumptions, ensures noiseless operation and fast response and contributes to cost reductions for the reason of simplified structure. Specifically, the invention provides an optical apparatus comprising an element 409 having variable optical properties and an image plane 612. To correct the optical apparatus for movement of the image-formation surface of an optical system 614 in association with a change in the element 409 having variable optical properties, the image plane 612 is placed in the range of movement of the image-formation surface in association with the change in the element having variable optical properties.

Abstract: An imaging optical system includes a first lens unit located at the most object-side position and at least one of lens units interposed between the first lens unit and an image. At least one of the lens units is moved along the optical axis. The first lens unit includes, in order from the object side, at least one lens with negative refracting power, a deformable mirror, and at least one lens with positive refracting power, and focusing is performed by the deformation of the deformable mirror.

Abstract: An imaging optical system includes, in order from the object side, a negative lens, a first deformable mirror, an aperture stop, a positive lens unit, and a second deformable mirror. When a horizontal half angle of view of a ray of light incident on the optical system is represented by &ohgr;, the first and second deformable mirrors satisfying a condition, 50°<2&ohgr;<175°, are used to perform focusing. Whereby, the imaging optical system which allows focusing to be performed, irrespective of its small diameter and size, can be provided.

Abstract: An optical apparatus has an imaging optical system provided with a deformable mirror and an electronic zoom function that an image recorded in an image sensor by the imaging optical system is magnified by image processing. A ray deflecting function of the deformable mirror is changed in accordance with a change of an object area corresponding to an image to be used, and aberration of the imaging optical system is optimized. The deformable mirror is controlled by an arithmetical unit connected to an image processor and a driving circuit. The electronic zoom is performed with respect to the image recorded in the image sensor through a signal processing circuit and the image processor, and when the image is displayed on a display device, the deformable mirror is deformed so that sharpness at nearly the center of an object image formed on the image sensor is improved.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical system that has reduced power consumptions, ensures noiseless operations and fast responses, contributes to cost reductions due to simplified mechanical structure, and, albeit having a small outside diameter and small size, is capable of focusing and zooming. The optical system of the invention comprises a variable mirror and a moving optical element group. The optical element group has a zooming function, and the variable mirror has a focusing function. An optical apparatus of the invention comprises such an optical system as mentioned above.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical system or apparatus such as a lens system capable of focus control and a variable-focus lens, which has reduced power consumptions, ensures noiseless operation and fast response and contributes to cost reductions for the reason of simplified structure. Specifically, the invention provides an optical apparatus comprising an element 409 having variable optical properties and an image plane 612. To correct the optical apparatus for movement of the image-formation surface of an optical system 614 in association with a change in the element 409 having variable optical properties, the image plane 612 is placed in the range of movement of the image-formation surface in association with the change in the element having variable optical properties.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical system that can be operated with low power consumptions, reduced noises and fast responses, is simplified in mechanical structure and of reduced outer diameter and compact size, and is capable of focusing and zooming. This optical system comprises a rotationally symmetric lens group and an optical element having variable optical properties, whereby focusing or zooming can be performed. Focusing or zooming can be performed by use of a plurality of optical elements having variable optical properties, wherein at least one of the optical elements is configured to a free-form surface shape.

Abstract: An imaging optical system includes, in order from the object side, a negative lens, a first deformable mirror, an aperture stop, a positive lens unit, and a second deformable mirror. When a horizontal half angle of view of a ray of light incident on the optical system is represented by &ohgr;, the first and second deformable mirrors satisfying a condition, 50°<2&ohgr;<175°, are used to perform focusing. Whereby, the imaging optical system which allows focusing to be performed, irrespective of its small diameter and size, can be provided.