Abstract: An objective lens assembly suitable for use in helmet-mounted applications. The objective lens assembly comprises two prisms that collectively are configured, oriented and bonded relative to each other to separate and allow simultaneous imaging of two separate spectral bands (such as VNIR and LWIR bands) received from the same object scene via a common window such that the object scene may be viewed from the same perspective without the effects of parallax.

Abstract: An objective lens assembly suitable for use in helmet-mounted applications. The objective lens assembly comprises two prisms that collectively are configured, oriented and bonded relative to each other to separate and allow simultaneous imaging of two separate spectral bands (such as VNIR and LWIR bands) received from the same object scene via a common window such that the object scene may be viewed from the same perspective without the effects of parallax.

Abstract: An optical assembly uses a plastic prism with one flat surface and a collimating lens optic to provide the capability of imaging a color micro-display to the eye. The collimating optic and flat prism surface can allow for aberration-free diopter adjustment and an image with very low-magnitude, nearly-symmetric distortion. The collimating optic can also provide environmental protection of the prism involving an optical plastic device. The input illumination from the micro-display enters the prism, is reflected two times within the prism, exits the prism, and passes through the collimating optic before being viewed by the eye. Such an optical assembly can provide a field of view with eye-relief and exit pupil when viewing a full-color micro-display.

Abstract: An optical assembly uses a plastic prism with one flat surface and a collimating lens optic to provide the capability of imaging a color micro-display to the eye. The collimating optic and flat prism surface can allow for aberration-free diopter adjustment and an image with very low-magnitude, nearly-symmetric distortion. The collimating optic can also provide environmental protection of the prism involving an optical plastic device. The input illumination from the micro-display enters the prism, is reflected two times within the prism, exits the prism, and passes through the collimating optic before being viewed by the eye. Such an optical assembly can provide a field of view with eye-relief and exit pupil when viewing a full-color micro-display.

Abstract: An objective lens assembly suitable for use in helmet-mounted applications. The objective lens assembly comprises two prisms that collectively are configured, oriented and bonded relative to each other to separate and allow simultaneous imaging of two separate spectral bands (such as VNIR and LWIR bands) received from the same object scene via a common window such that the object scene may be viewed from the same perspective without the effects of parallax.

Abstract: A high-performance image-forming optical objective lens made compact and thin, particularly in the object side direction, by twice folding the optical path by means of two prism lenses longitudinally separated and arranged in an angular relationship to one another. The prisms have entrance and exit faces each of which is constructed of a curved surface having optical power, as well as having a rotationally symmetric polynomial aspheric attribute. The image-forming optical objective is particularly suited to helmet-mounted applications wherein the angular means for folding the optical path provides for an optical objective configuration that closely conforms to the exterior surface contour of the helmet, while providing a minimal forward projection in object space from the helmet.

Abstract: A high-performance image-forming optical objective lens made compact and thin, particularly in the object side direction, by twice folding the optical path by means of two prism lenses longitudinally separated and arranged in an angular relationship to one another. The prisms have entrance and exit faces each of which is constructed of a curved surface having optical power, as well as having a rotationally symmetric polynomial aspheric attribute. The image-forming optical objective is particularly suited to helmet-mounted applications wherein the angular means for folding the optical path provides for an optical objective configuration that closely conforms to the exterior surface contour of the helmet, while providing a minimal forward projection in object space from the helmet.

Abstract: A positive-powered lens for collecting and organizing the light output from a plurality of light sources into a single secondary source that has an anterior surface, upon which are disposed light-collecting tessellates that are arranged in an ordered geometrical (e.g., a square, rectangular, circular, or oval) pattern surface, and a posterior surface that is convex. The tessellates can have a common surface equation a different surface equation but equivalent focal lengths. The tessellates are associated with a plurality of light sources, each having a proximal face that is coplanar with the focal planes of the tessellates.

Abstract: In an apparatus for treating unsafe water by exposure to ultraviolet radiation, a reactor vessel has a lower chamber provided with an inlet arranged to admit unsafe water flowing into the lower chamber, an upper chamber disposed above the lower chamber and provided with an outlet to discharge irradiated water from the upper chamber, a treatment surface disposed within the upper chamber and facing upwardly within the upper chamber, and one or more conduits arranged to conduct unsafe water flowing upwardly from the lower chamber over the treatment surface. In the apparatus, a medium-pressure mercury arc discharge lamp is disposed above the treatment surface and is arranged to irradiate unsafe water flowing over the treatment surface. A parabolic reflector disposed above the mercury arc discharge lamp is arranged to reflect ultraviolet radiation downwardly onto unsafe water flowing over the treatment surface. The mercury arch discharge lamp is linear and is disposed along the focus of the parabolic reflector.

Abstract: A positive-powered lens for directing and organizing the light output from a single light to a plurality of optical fibers has an anterior surface, which is convex, and a posterior surface, upon which are disposed light-converging tessellates, which are arranged in an ordered geometrical (e.g. a square, rectangular, circular, or oval) pattern. The tessellates can have a common surface equation or can have different surface equations but equivalent focal lengths. The tessellates are associated with a plurality of optical fibers, each having a proximal face, which is coplanar with the focal planes of the tessellates.

Abstract: A rod lens comprises a sleeve having two opposite ends, two correcting lenses, one at each of the opposite ends of the sleeve, and a light-transmitting fluid contained within an enclosed space defined by the sleeve and by the correcting lenses. The correcting lens at one of the opposite ends of the sleeve is non-convex. The correcting lens at the other end of the sleeve is convex. Depending upon what properties are sought, the non-convex lens may be planar or concave, and the light-transmitting fluid may exhibit optical properties of flint glass or of crown glass. If a liquid, the light-transmitting fluid may be water or a non-aqueous liquid.

Abstract: A low cost image transmission optical system for an inflexible type endoscope comprising two rod-like lenses disposed in a front-to-back symmetrical manner, each rod-like lens consisting of two correcting lenses encapsulating therebetween a fluid; said fluid, for example, may be water or an optical liquid. The said encapsulated fluid image transmission optical system being arranged that the image brightness and its chromaticity, curvature of field and astigmatic residuals are favorably corrected, and that the said arrangement is not susceptible to breakage when a bending load is applied to the shaft of the endoscope.

Abstract: A mask illumination system for use in the production of semiconductor devices includes an optical assembly having an internal focal plane corresponding to the mask. A reticle edge masking assembly (REMA) is located at the internal focal plane and serves to define a pattern of light which is projected onto the mask. The provision of the reticle edge masking assembly in a focal plane separate from the mask plane serves to reduce blurriness caused by near field diffraction, as well as facilitating the use of more complex REMA assemblies.

Abstract: A masking apparatus for use in the production of semiconductor devices. In order to achieve alignment beween successive masking operations, alignment targets are formed on a semiconductor wafer adjacent circuit patterns which are exposed onto the wafer. The alignment targets are viewed during subsequent masking steps in order to align the previously exposed circuit patterns with a new pattern contained on a reticle. In many masking steps, the alignment target is covered with one or more highly reflective films, which decreases the ability to view the alignment target. A phase contrast microscope is utilized to enable the embedded alignment targets to be viewed despite the existence of the overlying reflective films. The micrscope incorporates an illumination subsystem containing an annular diaphragm and an observation subsystem containing a phase plate.

Abstract: A multiple apparent source optical imaging system is provided having a paraboloidal assembly of plane mirrors uniformly distributed in a ring about an anisotropic light source. The assembly compensates for source anisotropy and for diffraction effects by providing uniform distribution of light, as if the light originated from multiple apparent sources uniformly distributed in a selected annular fashion in a common apparent source plane. The assembly also includes a variable focus projection lens which, in conjunction with a selected source beam divergence angle, serves to minimize line-width error when objects, such as a mask and a semiconductor substrate, with a finite separation are illuminated. Substantially no loss in image intensity is occasioned by the system.