Abstract: A method of forming a preform which has a glass core surrounded by an outer glass cladding with a coating of an particulate optically active material disposed between the core and cladding. The method includes providing a glass core having a viscosity which lies within a given preselected temperature range, followed by forming a coherent coating of an optically active particulate material over the surface of the core, with the coating material having a viscosity which is equal to or less than the viscosity of the glass core. A glass cladding is formed over the coated layer, with the cladding glass having a viscosity which overlaps the viscosity of the core glass. The optically active material is an inorganic material which includes a metal, metal alloy, ferrite, magnetic material and a semiconductor. The invention includes the product formed by the process.

Abstract: A liquid crystal adaptive lens system wherein the index of refraction profile of the liquid crystal is controlled electrically to bring entering light to focus.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for directly converting between optical images and the spatial Fourier transforms of optical images by interacting sound waves and light. Controlled sound waves couple with optical images, and electrical signals may be derived from this coupling which are functions of the spatial Fourier transforms of the entire optical images. In a reverse process, optical images are obtained directly by coupling controlled sound waves with electrical signals which are a function of the spatial Fourier transforms of the optical images and with light.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for directly converting between an image and the spatial or temporal Fourier transform thereof. To convert an image into its Fourier transform representation, the image interacts with strain waves in media that have electrical properties varying as a function of both the intensity pattern of the image and strain waves in the media. The electrical properties are measured to derive signals representing Fourier series terms defining the image. The derived signals are used to detect motion (including motion in the plane of the image), for image stabilization and scaling, and for pattern recognition. A new DEFT device (Direct Electronic Fourier Transform) obtains a Fourier transform representation of an image by utilizing photon assisted tunnelling current through an isolator film junction between two thin conductor films. Another new DEFT device provides spatial scanning similar to television raster scanning but utilizing completely different principles.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for measuring the quality and sharpness of images and for using the measurement results to control parameters such as camera and projector focusing, range finding, optical system modifications and the like. In one embodiment, an image is formed on a medium which has an electrical property that varies predictably with the sharpness of an image incident on it. The property is measured and the derived electrical signal controls automatic focusing of objective and projection lenses, range finder settings, and the like. The invention relies on the discovery of an interaction between images, strain waves and electrical properties in certain devices which allows deriving an electrical signal whose magnitude corresponds to high spatial frequency Fourier components of the image. In addition to other useful characteristics, the electrical signal is at a maximum when the overall sharpness of the image is high and drops off significantly as the image becomes blurred.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for directly converting between optical images and the spatial Fourier transforms of optical images by interacting sound waves and light. Controlled sound waves couple with optical images, and electrical signals may be derived from this coupling which are functions of the spatial Fourier transforms of the entire optical images. In a reverse process, optical images are obtained directly by coupling controlled sound waves with electrical signals which are a function of the spatial Fourier transforms of the optical images and with light.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for directly converting between optical images and the spatial Fourier transforms of optical images by interacting sound waves and light. Controlled sound waves couple with optical images, and electrical signals may be derived from this coupling which are functions of the spatial Fourier transforms of the entire optical images. In a reverse process, optical images are obtained directly by coupling controlled sound waves with electrical signals which are a function of the spatial Fourier transforms of the optical images and with light.