Abstract: An optical quantizing unit includes an optical divider dividing 1st optical pulses to be quantized and sending the divided 1st optical pulses into a plurality of paths; a plurality of optical filters passing with different transmittances the divided 1st optical pulses; and an optical threshold filter sequentially receiving the 1st optical pulses, and sending 2nd optical pulses when light intensities of the 1st optical pulses are above a preset threshold value.

Abstract: A lighting optical apparatus using a deep ultraviolet light source that are easy to adjust due to a configuration with fewer components, has high illuminant and illuminant uniformity on an irradiated surface are provided. The apparatus has a deep ultraviolet light source from which deep ultraviolet rays are emitted, a first double-sided cylindrical lens which has a cylindrical lens array on both sides with a configuration of cylinder axes intersecting at right angles, a second double-sided cylindrical lens which has a cylindrical lens array on both sides with a configuration of cylinder axes intersecting at right angles, and a condenser lens.

Abstract: A semiconductor device fabrication-use mask pattern inspection apparatus having an optical configuration adaptable for achievement of a Koehler illumination system using a light source high in spatial coherency is disclosed. This apparatus includes a laser light source, a beam expander which is disposed between the laser source and a mask for expanding laser light to form an optical path of collimated light rays, and a beam splitter placed in the collimated light ray optical path for splitting the optical path into two optical paths. In one of these paths, a transmissive illumination optics is placed which irradiates transmission light onto the mask; in the other path, a reflective illumination optics is placed for irradiation of reflected light onto the mask. A pattern image of this mask is detected by a photosensitive device to generate a detected pattern image, which is sent to a comparator for comparison with a fiducial image thereof.

Abstract: An optical quantizing unit includes an optical divider dividing 1st optical pulses to be quantized and sending the divided 1st optical pulses into a plurality of paths; a plurality of optical filters passing with different transmittances the divided 1st optical pulses; and an optical threshold filter sequentially receiving the 1st optical pulses, and sending 2nd optical pulses when light intensities of the 1st optical pulses are above a preset threshold value.

Abstract: An optical quantizing unit includes an optical divider dividing 1st optical pulses to be quantized and sending the divided 1st optical pulses into a plurality of paths; a plurality of optical filters passing with different transmittances the divided 1st optical pulses; and an optical threshold filter sequentially receiving the 1st optical pulses, and sending 2nd optical pulses when light intensities of the 1st optical pulses are above a preset threshold value.

Abstract: An optical quantizing unit includes an optical divider dividing 1st optical pulses to be quantized and sending the divided 1st optical pulses into a plurality of paths; a plurality of optical filters passing with different transmittances the divided 1st optical pulses; and an optical threshold filter sequentially receiving the 1st optical pulses, and sending 2nd optical pulses when light intensities of the 1st optical pulses are above a preset threshold value.

Abstract: A light source outputs an optical beam. A condensing unit condenses the optical beam to a first information-recording layer. An optical detecting unit detects a reflected optical beam reflected from the optical storage medium. A limiting element inputs a first reflected optical beam reflected from the first information-recording layer to the optical detecting unit, and limits or shields an input of a second reflected optical beam reflected from a second information-recording layer to the optical detecting unit.

Abstract: An optical quantizing unit includes an optical divider dividing 1st optical pulses to be quantized and sending the divided 1st optical pulses into a plurality of paths; a plurality of optical filters passing with different transmittances the divided 1st optical pulses; and an optical threshold filter sequentially receiving the 1st optical pulses, and sending 2nd optical pulses when light intensities of the 1st optical pulses are above a preset threshold value.

Abstract: A lighting system includes a first light source emitting first light rays; a second light source emitting second light rays, a first lens side which refracts the first and second light rays and collimates the refracted light rays; a second lens side which includes a plurality of first lenticules and refracts the first and second light rays; and a third lens side which includes a plurality of second lenticules and refracts the first and second light rays refracted by the second lens side.

Abstract: An optical recording medium includes a plurality of information layers and an absorption variation layer. Information is recorded in the plurality of information layers. The absorption variation layer is disposed between respective two adjacent information layers. Light transmittance of each absorption variation layer varies in accordance with light applied thereto.

Abstract: An optical disc recording and/or reproducing apparatus in which an opening is provided on a cabinet and a disc tray provided with a through portion is supported so as to be capable of reciprocating so that the opening can be opened and closed. The disc tray is provided with a shutter which is positioned to open at least a part of the through portion when the opening is in the closed state. The shutter is positioned to close at least a part of the opened through portion when the opening is changed from the closed state to the opened state. Accordingly, by such structure and methodology, increase in temperature of the components mounted on an optical pickup can be reduced.

Abstract: Onto a recording medium including a hologram recording layer, there is condensed information light generated based on information to be recorded and including zero-order diffracted light and high-order diffracted light of a first or more order to thereby record onto the hologram recording layer the information as interference fringes generated by interference of the zero-order diffracted light with the high-order diffracted light.

Abstract: An optical recording/reproduction apparatus records and reproduces information onto and from an associated recording medium by use of light from a light source. The apparatus includes a lens capable of generating an evanescent wave which is disposed in a light path from the light source to the recording medium, and a partial beam light intercepter for intercepting at least part of the light passing through the lens without contributing to generation of the evanescent wave. The light intercepter blocks the center part of a laser beam incident to the evanescent wave generating lens, thus reshaping it into a beam of hollow annular cross-section. This improves the optical resolution of the record/reproduction apparatus.