Abstract: An optical resin, of which the refractive index continuously changes in a specific direction, is produced by filling a polymerization container with a mixed solution containing at least one type of polymerizable monomer or polymerizable monomer sol and at least one type of substance whose solubility parameter differs by 7 (cal/cm.sup.3).sup.1/2 or less and refractive index by 0.001 or more from those of a polymer produced by polymerization of the monomer, and by subjecting the mixture to polymerization reaction by applying heat or energy rays to the container from outside so that the polymerization reaction starts and progresses preferentially from a particular region of the mixture, thus forming a concentration gradient of the substance having different refractive index.The polymerization container may be made of a polymer which swells and dissolves into the mixed solution from an inner wall thereof.

Abstract: A graded-refractive-index optical plastic material composed of an amorphous fluoropolymer (a) which substantially has no C-H bond and at least one material (b) which differs from the fluoropolymer (a) in refractive index by at least 0.001, wherein the material (b) is distributed in the fluoropolymer (a) so as to have a concentration gradient in a specific direction.

Abstract: A wedge shaped parallelized light flux element made of a light scattering guide of an emitting directionality has a specified ranged effective scattering irradiation parameter and correlation distance "a". A light incident into the parallelized light flux element from a fluorescent lamp arranged facing a light incident surface of the parallelized light flux element is emitted from a light output surface as a parallelized light flux G1 by composite factors including forward scattering of the inside, repeated reflection on wedge shaped two sides, critical angular condition and boundary face transmittance for the light output surface. A total amount of parallel light flux G1 emitted from the parallel light flux emitting section F is reflected on a two side prism surface of two prism reflection element PR thereby being converted into sectional area enlarged light fluxes G2 and G3. They are incident on a liquid crystal panel LP through a light diffusion plate DF, and utilized as a backlight.

Abstract: A polymer is placed and heated within a cylinder 1. Then the polymer is subjected to a pressure and extruded in the form of fibers from a nozzle 3. When a diffusible material is injected from a nozzle 5 through a capillary cylinder 4 into the central portion of the polymer melt, the diffusible material gradually diffuses from the central portion toward the peripheral portion while flowing toward the injection port of the nozzle 3. The material extruded from the nozzle 3 is cooled by air and wound on a drum 7 through a roller 6. Fiber-like molded product has a distribution of refractive index which continuously varies from the central portion toward the periphery portion to result in a light-converging or light-diverging plastic optical transmission medium. Reversely, even though the polymer melt is extruded from the nozzle 5, there can be obtained an optical transmission medium also having a region where the refractive index continuously varies.

Abstract: A light scattering light guide, which is capable of converting a light flux of a relatively small cross-sectional area into a light flux of a relatively large area with high efficiency and uniformity, manufacturing method thereof, and applied optical apparatuses such as backlight light source apparatuses and light branching/mixing devices which make effective use of the characteristics of said light scattering light guide. Such light scattering light guide is obtained by utilizing various structures with irregular refraction indexes generated in the process of polymerization of organic materials.

Abstract: A light-scattering light-guiding device includes a light-scattering light guide having an incident surface, an exit surface from which scattered light is emitted, and a volume region having uniform scattering power. The volume region has an effective scattering illumination parameter E (cm.sup.-1) whose value satisfies the relation 0.45.ltoreq.E.ltoreq.100. The light guide has a nonuniform refractive index structure having a correlation function .gamma. (r), which is approximated by exp {-R/A}, where r is the distance between two points in the light guide. This distance a satisfies the relation 0.01 .mu.m.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.50 .mu.m. It is not necessary to form a scattering layer of diffusive ink or the like on the rear surface of the light guide. If an exit direction-modifying device having a prismatic cross section is disposed on the side of the exit surface, the flux of the outgoing light directed in a specified direction can be increased.

Abstract: A light scattering light guide, which is capable of converting a light flux of a relatively small cross-sectional area into a light flux of a relatively large area with high efficiency and uniformity, manufacturing method thereof, and applied optical apparatuses such as backlight light source apparatuses and light branching/mixing devices which make effective use of the characteristics of said light scattering light guide. Such light scattering light guide is obtained by utilizing various structures with irregular refraction indexes generated in the process of polymerization of organic materials. The values of scattering power (effective scattering irradiation parameter E, etc.) are selected according to applications. The mechanism for forming the structures with irregular refraction indexes by the polymerization process of organic materials is based on, for example, the difference in compatibility, reactivity, density, etc. among the organic materials.

Abstract: An optical resin, of which the refractive index continuously changes in a specific direction, is produced by filling a polymerization container with a mixed solution containing at least one type of polymerizable monomer or polymerizable monomer sol and at least one type of substance whose solubility parameter differs by 7 (cal/cm.sup.3).sup. 1/2 or less and refractive index by 0.001 or more from those of a polymer produced by polymerization of the monomer, and by subjecting the mixture to polymerization reaction by applying heat or energy rays to the container from outside so that the polymerization reaction starts and progresses preferentially from a particular region of the mixture, thus forming a concentration gradient of the substance having different refractive index.The polymerization container may be made of a polymer which swells and dissolves into the mixed solution from an inner wall thereof.

Abstract: A corner supply type plane light source device having a simple structure and capable of forming a uniform luminescent part with a small power consumption is disclosed. The corner supply type plane light source device comprises a flat-plate light-scattering light guide 1, diffusion reflective sheets 2, 4, and LEDs 3 disposed at corners. The light-scattering light guide 1 is composed of a material provided with a uniform scattering power, and the effective scattering irradiation parameter E and the correlation distance a satisfy the conditions of 9.ltoreq.E[cm.sup.-1 ].ltoreq.100 and 0.06.ltoreq.a[.mu.m].ltoreq.35. Turning on the LEDs 3, light is supplied from each corner. The LED radiation light having directivity immediately undergoes the scattering in the light-scattering light guide 1 and the propagation direction is expanded in the lateral and vertical directions, and also undergoes the internal reflection on the bottom 12 and sides 13, and diffusion reflection by the diffusion reflective sheets 2, 4.

Abstract: The present invention addresses a polymer optical fiber amplifier consisting of GI type fibers of polymers containing stimulated emission compounds. An amplifier of high efficiency and wide bandwidth using GI type plastic fibers is realized.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multimode optical transmission medium from a synthetic resin having the distribution of refractive index varying continuously in a fixed direction. In the method, a monomer is polymerized while a transparent polymer for constituting the wall of a vessel is being dissolved into the monomer. Therefore, this method is free from the defect of methods using conventional polymerization reactions, and has an extremely high productivity.

Abstract: A hybrid integrated circuit device is provided with: a microcomputer, a plurality of peripheral circuit elements, and a non-volatile memory which is positioned adjacent to the microcomputer, all of which are interconnected by a plurality of specified conductive paths; pair of integrated circuit substrates on which is formed the conductive paths and a casing provided with the pair of integrated circuit substrates secured to the upper and lower surfaces of the casing, forming a sealed space between these surfaces. The microcomputer and the peripheral circuit elements are positioned in the sealed space and only the non-volatile memory is positioned in an exposed space. The hybrid integrated circuit device of the present invention has a compact and simple form with a high degree of mounting density as well as superior handling capabilities and reliability.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a multimode optical transmission medium from a synthetic resin having the distribution of refractive index varying continuously in a fixed direction. In the method, the polymerization is caused to proceed utilizing the effect of diffusion or exclusion of a monomer in the gel formed at the polymerization initiating terminal. Therefore, this method is free from the defects of methods using conventional polymerization reactions, and has an extremely high productivity.

Abstract: In a position closest to the mounting position of a microcomputer in a casing of a hybrid integrated circuit device on which is mounted the microcomputer and its peripheral circuit elements, an insertion hole is formed for a non-volatile memory which feeds data to the microcomputer. A socket for connecting the non-volatile memory is provided at the bottom of this insertion hole. Because of this configuration it is possible to connect the microcomputer and the non-volatile memory at an extremely short distance and the mounting efficiency of the integrated circuit device is increased. In addition, the non-volatile memory can detachably be mounted. Furthermore, the external shape of the insertion hole for the non-volatile memory is essentially the same as the external shape of the non-volatile memory so that when the non-volatile memory is inserted, the entire surface of this hybrid integrated circuit device is almost flat, providing excellent handling characteristics.

Abstract: A process for producing a light-transmitting element of a synthetic resin, which comprises(1) preparing a mixture composed of at least three monomers, said monomers having a difference in the ease of polymerization under given polymerization conditions, and that monomer in the monomeric mixture which is easiest to polymerize being capable of giving a polymer having a lower refractive index than a polymer from any of the other monomers in the monomeric mixture,(2) maintaining the monomeric mixture in a predetermined shape, and(3) thereafter applying to the monomeric mixture maintained in the predetermined shape such polymerization conditions that polymerization begins at the outside portion of the predetermined shape of the monomeric mixture and proceeds gradually toward its inside portion, thereby to form a polymeric article in which the proportion of polymer units derived from the monomer which is easiest to polymerize is largest at said outside portion and gradually decreases toward its inside portion and t