Abstract: A refractive index distribution estimating system includes an illumination optical system configured to illuminate a sample, an imaging optical system configured to form an optical sample image, an image sensor configured to capture optical images of the sample, and a processor configured to reconstruct a refractive index distribution of the sample from images.

Abstract: A data processing method includes an input step S1 of inputting measurement data into a neural network, an estimation step S2 of generating estimation data from the measurement data, a restoration step S3 of generating restoration data from the estimation data, and a calculation step S4 of calculating a confidence level of the estimation data, based on the measurement data and the restoration data. The neural network is a trained model, the measurement data is data obtained by measuring light transmitted through an object, the estimation data is data of a three-dimensional optical characteristic of the object estimated from the measurement data, and the three-dimensional optical characteristic is a refractive index distribution or an absorptance distribution.

Abstract: A refractive index distribution estimating system includes an illumination optical system configured to illuminate a sample, an imaging optical system configured to form an optical sample image, an image sensor configured to capture optical images of the sample, and a processor configured to reconstruct a refractive index distribution of the sample from images.

Abstract: An image-processing apparatus according to the present invention is provided with: a storing portion that stores a pupil-image function of an imaging optical system; and a reconstructing-processing portion that reconstructs, on the basis of the pupil-image function stored in the storing portion and input light-field images, a three-dimensional image of an imaging subject by means of repeated computations that give an initial value. The reconstructing-processing portion uses the three-dimensional image reconstructed on the basis of, among the light-field images of a plurality of frames acquired in a time series, the light field image of a preceding one of the frames in a time-axis direction as the initial value.

Abstract: A lens system is configured to form an image of an object on an imaging surface of an image sensor. A branching optical system is configured such that an image-forming light flux in the lens system is split and propagated into a plurality of optical paths having different optical path lengths and such that the principal rays of a plurality of image-forming light fluxes obtained after the splitting are incident on a predetermined region of the image sensor.

Abstract: An illumination device irradiates a sample with excitation light spatially modulated according to a two-dimensional pattern while temporally varying the pattern. A plate-shaped first optical member has a light receiving face that faces the sample face, receives fluorescence light emitted from the sample via the light receiving face, and guides the fluorescence light in a direction that is in parallel with the light receiving face. A photodetector receives the fluorescence light guided by the first optical member, and outputs a detection signal. A fluorescence image of the sample is generated using the detection signal and an intensity distribution formed on the sample face due to the excitation light acquired for every pattern.

Abstract: An illumination unit emits illumination light to a specimen held by a sample holder, which includes an AF mark that changes at least the amplitude or phase of part of the illumination light. An image sensor includes multiple pixels two-dimensionally arranged on an imaging surface, captures an image of the intensity distribution of an interference pattern formed on the imaging surface, and outputs captured image data. An AF operation unit generates a first intensity distribution representing a measurement value of the interference pattern corresponding to the AF mark based on the captured image data, generates a second intensity distribution representing a calculation value of an interference pattern corresponding to the AF mark by calculation, and executes an autofocus operation wherein the first intensity distribution approaches the second. A reconstruction calculation unit reconstructs a subject image representing the specimen based on the captured image data.

Abstract: An illumination device irradiates a sample with excitation light spatially modulated according to a two-dimensional pattern while temporally varying the pattern. A plate-shaped first optical member has a light receiving face that faces the sample face, receives fluorescence light emitted from the sample via the light receiving face, and guides the fluorescence light in a direction that is in parallel with the light receiving face. A photodetector receives the fluorescence light guided by the first optical member, and outputs a detection signal. A fluorescence image of the sample is generated using the detection signal and an intensity distribution formed on the sample face due to the excitation light acquired for every pattern.

Abstract: An optical unit for a wavelength-selecting switch according to the present invention comprises: an input port; a dispersion section that produces wavelength dispersion of input light that is input from the input port; a light-collecting element that collects the light dispersed by the dispersion section; an output port; an optical path correction section that shifts the light that is dispersed by the dispersion section; an adjustment section that changes the amount of shift produced by the optical path correction section; and a casing that hermetically seals the input port, dispersion section, light-collecting element, output port, and optical path correction section. The casing has an optically transparent section in a location onto which the light that is collected by the light-collecting element is directed. The adjustment section is arranged outside the casing. The optical path correction section can be controlled from outside the casing by the adjustment section.

Abstract: Provided is a wavelength selective switch, which includes: an input/output unit; a dispersive portion; a condensing optical system; and the deflection portion. The input/output unit has input/output ports. The dispersive portion disperses signal light incident from the input/output ports. The condensing optical system condenses a plurality of signal light beams dispersed by the dispersive portion. The deflection portion has a plurality of deflection elements. The deflection elements deflect, along a second direction, the signal light beams condensed by the condensing optical system. In the condensing optical system, the aberration amount of the meridional component in a sagittal coma aberration remains substantially constant irrespective of an angle formed between the optical axis of the condensing optical system and a signal light beam incident on the condensing optical system from the input/output portion, at an incident position of the incident signal light beam at a certain height in the second direction.

Abstract: An optical unit for a wavelength-selecting switch according to the present invention comprises: an input port; a dispersion section that produces wavelength dispersion of input light that is input from the input port; a light-collecting element that collects the light dispersed by the dispersion section; an output port; an optical path correction section that shifts the light that is dispersed by the dispersion section; an adjustment section that changes the amount of shift produced by the optical path correction section; and a casing that hermetically seals the input port, dispersion section, light-collecting element, output port, and optical path correction section. The casing has an optically transparent section in a location onto which the light that is collected by the light-collecting element is directed. The adjustment section is arranged outside the casing. The optical path correction section can be controlled from outside the casing by the adjustment section.

Abstract: Provided is a wavelength selective switch which includes: at least one input port; a dispersive portion for dispersing wavelength-multiplexed light input from the input port into wavelength-demultiplexed lights; a condenser element for condensing the wavelength-demultiplexed lights dispersed by the dispersive portion; a deflection portion having deflection elements for deflecting, for each wavelength-demultiplexed light condensed by the condenser element; at least one output port for outputting the wavelength-demultiplexed lights deflected by the deflection portion. A light-condensing position shift compensating element is disposed in an optical path between the input port and the dispersive portion or in the dispersive portion, for compensating light-condensing position shift of the wavelength-demultiplexed lights relative to the deflection element, light-condensing position shift being generated based on the arrangement of the input ports.

Abstract: A dispersion element includes a prism having a first transmission surface and an oppositely disposed second transmission surface, and an optical element having a third transmission surface and an oppositely disposed diffraction optical surface on which a diffraction grating is arranged. The prism and the optical element are integrated into one body by cementing the first transmission surface to the third transmission surface. The third transmission surface and the diffraction optical surface are non-parallel to each other in a plane perpendicular to grooves of the diffraction grating.

Abstract: Provided is a wavelength selective switch, which includes: an input/output unit; a dispersive portion; a condensing optical system; and the deflection portion. The input/output unit has input/output ports. The dispersive portion disperses signal light incident from the input/output ports. The condensing optical system condenses a plurality of signal light beams dispersed by the dispersive portion. The deflection portion has a plurality of deflection elements. The deflection elements deflect, along a second direction, the signal light beams condensed by the condensing optical system. In the condensing optical system, the aberration amount of the meridional component in a sagittal coma aberration remains substantially constant irrespective of an angle formed between the optical axis of the condensing optical system and a signal light beam incident on the condensing optical system from the input/output portion, at an incident position of the incident signal light beam at a certain height in the second direction.

Abstract: Provided is a wavelength selective switch which includes: at least one input port; a dispersive portion for dispersing wavelength-multiplexed light input from the input port into wavelength-demultiplexed lights; a condenser element for condensing the wavelength-demultiplexed lights dispersed by the dispersive portion; a deflection portion having deflection elements for deflecting, for each wavelength-demultiplexed light condensed by the condenser element; at least one output port for outputting the wavelength-demultiplexed lights deflected by the deflection portion. A light-condensing position shift compensating element is disposed in an optical path between the input port and the dispersive portion or in the dispersive portion, for compensating light-condensing position shift of the wavelength-demultiplexed lights relative to the deflection element, light-condensing position shift being generated based on the arrangement of the input ports.

Abstract: A dispersion element includes a prism having a first transmission surface and an oppositely disposed second transmission surface, and an optical element having a third transmission surface and an oppositely disposed diffraction optical surface on which a diffraction grating is arranged. The prism and the optical element are integrated into one body by cementing the first transmission surface to the third transmission surface. The third transmission surface and the diffraction optical surface are non-parallel to each other in a plane perpendicular to grooves of the diffraction grating.

Abstract: There is provided a small sized imaging apparatus which can measure with high accuracy a color distribution of a surface of an object, in which a light intensity distribution on a predetermined surface in a direction substantially perpendicular to an optical axis is uniform, and a change in an amount of light in a direction along the optical axis is reduced, and an illuminating unit which used in this imaging apparatus. (The imaging apparatus) Includes a light source section (210) which supplies illuminating light, a diffusing section (211) which diffuses by reflecting the illuminating light from the light source section (210), and aperture sections (212a and 212b) which allow to emerge diffused illuminating light, and the aperture sections (212a and 212b) has an aperture diameter D which allows the diffused illuminating light to emerge as a substantially parallel light.

Abstract: A magnetic fluid detection device includes an exciting unit for generating an exciting magnetic field to excite a magnetic fluid staying in a subject, a coil for detecting a local distortion in magnetic field distribution occurring due to the magnetic fluid excited with the exciting magnetic field generated by the exciting unit, and a control unit for signal-processing an output from the coil and informing the resultant signal magnitude.

Abstract: An optical imaging apparatus includes an optical probe and an apparatus main body which controls and drives the optical probe via a connecting cable. The optical probe includes a low-coherence light source, a half mirror, an XY reflecting mirror scan, an objective optical system, a reflecting mirror, a modulating mirror, and a photo detector. In the optical probe, the modulating mirror and the objective optical system, as optical path length interlockingly adjusting elements, are integrally arranged to an optical path length interlockingly adjusting base, together with a reflecting-side lens. The optical probe has an advancing and regressing driving unit which advances and regresses the optical path length interlockingly adjusting base in the optical axis direction (Z direction).

Abstract: A magnetic fluid detecting apparatus for identifying sentinel lymph nodes comprises a probe, which can be inserted into the body cavity, including an exciting magnet and magnetic sensors within the tip side thereof, and a control device, connected to the probe through a connecting cable, for controlling the probe. With the probe, the exciting magnet and the magnetic sensors are vibrated in the longitudinal direction by an actuator so as to modulate the local magnetic field due to magnetic fluid excited by the exciting magnet, the distortion of the local magnetic field distribution (the change in the magnetic flux density) is detected by the two magnetic sensors, the difference between the outputs from the two magnetic sensors is obtained and subjected to demodulation, and accordingly, the magnetic noise other than the modulation frequency from the terrestrial magnetism or other electric devices is removed, thereby detecting magnetic fluid and identifying sentinel lymph nodes.