Abstract: A joint method includes a groove formation step of removing part of a first projection and part of the second projection to form a groove region between the first projection and the second projection, a first welding step of joining a first member and a second member to each other by butt welding, and a second welding step of filling the groove region by buildup welding. The groove formation step forms a first inclined surface in the first projection facing the groove region to be gradually distant from a joint position joined with the second projection so as to be closer to an outer surface of the first projection, and forms a second inclined surface in the second projection facing the groove region to be gradually distant from the joint position joined with the first projection so as to be closer to an outer surface of the second projection.

Abstract: A control apparatus includes a setting unit that sets an evaluation area in an image, and an angle control unit that adjusts a tilt angle based on an evaluation value in the evaluation area. The setting unit sets a first evaluation area relating to a first object, a second evaluation area relating to a second object closer than the first object, and a first partial evaluation area and a second partial evaluation area both of which are obtained by dividing the second evaluation area. The angle control unit adjusts the tilt angle so as to increase a sum of a first evaluation value in the first evaluation area and a second evaluation value in the second evaluation area, and sets the tilt angle based on a third evaluation value in the first partial evaluation area and a fourth evaluation value in the second partial evaluation area.

Abstract: A control apparatus includes a setting unit that sets an evaluation area in an image, and an angle control unit that adjusts a tilt angle based on an evaluation value in the evaluation area. The setting unit sets a first evaluation area relating to a first object, a second evaluation area relating to a second object closer than the first object, and a first partial evaluation area and a second partial evaluation area both of which are obtained by dividing the second evaluation area. The angle control unit adjusts the tilt angle so as to increase a sum of a first evaluation value in the first evaluation area and a second evaluation value in the second evaluation area, and sets the tilt angle based on a third evaluation value in the first partial evaluation area and a fourth evaluation value in the second partial evaluation area.

Abstract: An optical imaging apparatus includes a splitting unit configured to split return light, obtained by applying measurement light from a light source to an object to be examined via a measurement optical path, into a plurality of beams, a light receiving unit configured to measure intensities of the beams, a changing unit configured to change a ratio of signal components of as an image to be displayed based on the measured intensities of the beams, an angle specifying unit configured to specify an angle, and a generating unit configured to generate an image by calculation using the changed ratio of the signal components. The ratio of signal components of an image to be displayed based on intensities of beams is changed in accordance with information about a specified angle to generate an image of an object such that the direction of edge enhancement on the object is changed.

Abstract: An optical imaging apparatus includes a splitting unit configured to split return light, obtained by applying measurement light from a light source to an object to be examined via a measurement optical path, into a plurality of beams, a light receiving unit configured to measure intensities of the beams, a changing unit configured to change a ratio of signal components of as an image to be displayed based on the measured intensities of the beams, an angle specifying unit configured to specify an angle, and a generating unit configured to generate an image by calculation using the changed ratio of the signal components. The ratio of signal components of an image to be displayed based on intensities of beams is changed in accordance with information about a specified angle to generate an image of an object such that the direction of edge enhancement on the object is changed.

Abstract: Provided is an ophthalmologic apparatus including one dichroic mirror, which is arranged eccentrically with respect to an optical axis of light from an eye to be inspected to separate the light from the eye to be inspected; another dichroic mirror, which is configured to separate light separated by the one dichroic mirror by being transmitted through the one dichroic mirror; and a positive lens, which is configured to guide the light from the eye to be inspected to the one dichroic mirror as convergent light, and to guide the light from the eye to be inspected to the another dichroic mirror as divergent light, wherein an eccentric section of the one dichroic mirror and an eccentric section of the another dichroic mirror have a positional relationship of being substantially perpendicular to each other and having substantially the same eccentric amount, to thereby correct astigmatism.

Abstract: Provided is an ophthalmologic apparatus including one dichroic mirror, which is arranged eccentrically with respect to an optical axis of light from an eye to be inspected to separate the light from the eye to be inspected; another dichroic mirror, which is configured to separate light separated by the one dichroic mirror by being transmitted through the one dichroic mirror; and a positive lens, which is configured to guide the light from the eye to be inspected to the one dichroic mirror as convergent light, and to guide the light from the eye to be inspected to the another dichroic mirror as divergent light, wherein an eccentric section of the one dichroic mirror and an eccentric section of the another dichroic mirror have a positional relationship of being substantially perpendicular to each other and having substantially the same eccentric amount, to thereby correct astigmatism.

Abstract: The image display apparatus includes an observation optical system including first and second optical elements which respectively introducing first and second light fluxes from first and second image-forming elements to first and second exit pupils, and a relay optical system. The relay optical system causes third and fourth light fluxes from the second and first image-forming elements to form intermediate images and introducing them to the first and second optical elements. The observation optical system displays images corresponding to the first and second original images in mutually different viewing angle areas by introducing the first and third light fluxes to the first exit pupil through the first optical element, and displays images corresponding to the second and first original images in mutually different viewing angle areas by introducing the second and fourth light fluxes to the second exit pupil through the second optical element.

Abstract: There is provided a fundus imaging apparatus which suppresses generation of a ghost image, and is capable of high-magnification/high-resolution fundus imaging (AO-SLO), and low-magnification/wide-angle fundus imaging for wide-angle monitoring by a compact optical system having high optical performance. In a fundus imaging apparatus which guides light emitted by a light source to an eye to be inspected, through a scanning unit for two-dimensionally scanning a fundus, and obtains a fundus image based on the light reflected by the eye to be inspected, an optical system between the scanning unit and the eye to be inspected is constituted by a plurality of reflecting surfaces. The first reflecting surface from the eye to be inspected is a rotationally asymmetrical aspherical surface.

Abstract: An ophthalmic apparatus which captures an image of a retina by illuminating the fundus of an eye to be examined with light from a light source through a measuring optical path is provided. The ophthalmic apparatus divides light from the light source into light propagating to the measuring optical path and light propagating to a reference optical path different from the measuring optical path, obtains interference light by composing return light returned along the reference optical path and return light from the measuring optical path, images interference fringes generated by the interference light composed at a position conjugate with the position of the pupil of the eye, and corrects a wavefront aberration of light passing through the measuring optical path by using correction data for correcting a wavefront aberration of the eye which is obtained from a captured image of interference fringes.

Abstract: A variable focus prism has a first transmissive solution body, a second transmissive solution body that has a different refractive index to that of the first transmissive solution body, and a reflective solution body. The variable focus prism varies the shape of the transmissive surface and the reflective surface by electrical control of the transmissive surface formed on the interface between the first transmissive solution body and the second transmissive solution body, and the reflective surface formed on the interface between the second transmissive solution body and the reflective solution body.

Abstract: The variable focus lens of the present invention changes the refractive power by changing each of the shapes of a first interface formed by a first liquid and a second liquid that have refractive indices that differ from each other and a second interface formed by the second liquid and a third liquid that have refractive indices that differ from each other. Thereby, this variable focus lens changes the first interface and the second interface such that the sign of the refractive power of the first interface and the sign of the refractive power of the second interface differ from each other.

Abstract: The observation optical system introduces light from a first display element and light from a second display element to an exit pupil to present an enlarged combined image of first and second original images. The optical system includes a first optical element allowing the light from the first display element to enter thereinto, a second optical element allowing the light from the second display element to enter thereinto, and a third optical element. The optical system introduces a first light component from a first display area in the second display element to the exit pupil through the second optical element and at least the first optical element, and introduces a second light component from a second display area in the second display element to the exit pupil through the second and third optical elements, not through the first optical element.

Abstract: A liquid lens includes a vessel having an inner wall and configured to contain liquid, an electrolyte liquid and a non-electrolyte liquid forming an interface therebetween and being contained in the vessel, and a voltage applying unit which applies a voltage to the electrolyte liquid. A shape of the interface between the electrolyte liquid and the non-electrolyte liquid is changed by application of the voltage. The inner wall of the vessel has varying affinity with the non-electrolyte liquid depending on a position on the inner wall where an end of the interface contacts the inner wall; and the affinity on the side of the inner wall where the non-electrolyte liquid is situated is lower than the affinity on the side of the inner wall where the electrolyte liquid is situated.

Abstract: An image display apparatus includes plural image forming devices and an observation optical system that includes at least a first optical system configured to fold in a first section a luminous flux from a first image forming device by using a plurality of reflective surfaces and to guide the luminous flux from the first image forming device to the exit pupil, and a second optical system configured to fold in a second section a luminous flux from a second image forming device by using a plurality of reflective surfaces and to guide the luminous flux from the second image forming device to the exit pupil, wherein the first section intersects the second section on an axis that directs from one point in the exit pupil to one point in the observation field.

Abstract: The image display apparatus forms first and second images in mutually different viewing angle areas to display a combined (joined) image. The apparatus includes first and second image-forming elements respectively forming first and second original images, a first optical system reflecting a first light flux from the first image-forming element at least twice to introduce the first light flux to an exit pupil, and a second optical system reflecting a second light flux from the second image-forming element at least twice to introduce the second light flux to the first optical system. The first optical system introduces the first light flux and the second light flux from the second optical system to the exit pupil such that the first and second images respectively corresponding to the first and second original images are formed in the mutually different viewing angle areas in a first cross section.

Abstract: The image display apparatus includes first and second display elements displaying partial images of a single image, and first and second optical elements each having first, second, and third surfaces. The first and second optical elements respectively allow light fluxes from the first and second display elements to enter the first and second optical elements through the first surface, and then respectively causing the light fluxes to be reflected by the second and third surfaces to emerge from the first and second optical elements through the second surface toward an exit pupil. The second surface of the second optical element has an overlap area facing or contacting the third surface of the first optical element. The second optical element causes the light flux from the second display element to emerge toward the exit pupil through a non-overlap area in the second surface.

Abstract: A variable focus prism has a first transmissive solution body, a second transmissive solution body that has a different refractive index to that of the first transmissive solution body, and a reflective solution body. The variable focus prism varies the shape of the transmissive surface and the reflective surface by electrical control of the transmissive surface formed on the interface between the first transmissive solution body and the second transmissive solution body, and the reflective surface formed on the interface between the second transmissive solution body and the reflective solution body.

Abstract: A liquid lens includes a vessel having an inner wall and configured to contain liquid, an electrolyte liquid and a non-electrolyte liquid forming an interface therebetween and being contained in the vessel, and a voltage applying unit which applies a voltage to the electrolyte liquid. A shape of the interface between the electrolyte liquid and the non-electrolyte liquid is changed by application of the voltage. The inner wall of the vessel has varying affinity with the non-electrolyte liquid depending on a position on the inner wall where an end of the interface contacts the inner wall; and the affinity on the side of the inner wall where the non-electrolyte liquid is situated is lower than the affinity on the side of the inner wall where the electrolyte liquid is situated.

Abstract: The variable focus lens of the present invention changes the refractive power by changing each of the shapes of a first interface formed by a first liquid and a second liquid that have refractive indices that differ from each other and a second interface formed by the second liquid and a third liquid that have refractive indices that differ from each other. Thereby, this variable focus lens changes the first interface and the second interface such that the sign of the refractive power of the first interface and the sign of the refractive power of the second interface differ from each other.