Abstract: Apparatus for real time measurement of optical beam parameters includes an assembly of known dimensions, carrying multiple apertures, occupying parallel planes. The assembly can be moved so that the apertures sequentially intersect an optical beam which is not propagated in the plane of the apertures. At least one pair of the apertures are non-circular and identical with accurately established positions and which are not disposed in the same angular alignment when they intercept the beam but are disposed in the same plane in order to allow determination of the two-dimensional position of the centroid of the beam in that plane.

Abstract: A vehicle alignment sensor system includes a first sensor assembly for measuring at least a first angle with respect to a fixed reference, that angle being related in a predetermined manner to an alignment angle of a vehicle whose alignment is to be measured, and a second sensor assembly for mounting in a known geometrical relationship to a wheel of a vehicle whose alignment is to be measured. The first sensor assembly has at least one detector, and the second sensor assembly has at least a pair of emitters in fixed geometrical relationship with respect to each other. The detector is capable of measuring the apparent geometrical relationship of the pair of emitters to determine a relative alignment angle of the vehicle, so that a true alignment angle of the vehicle is determinable from the first angle and the relative alignment angle. A calibration method using the present system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A laser levelling instrument with a levelling base (7) and fine self-levelling of the laser beam (10) has an inner cylinder (5) which bears aligning elements and is suspended in an oscillating manner inside an outer cylinder (1). The laser levelling instrument is characterized in that the outer cylinder (1) and the inner cylinder (5) form a capacitor system with opposite electrode faces; the outer cylinder (1) is joined at right angles to the base (7) and is centred with respect to the beam axis (11); and signals for detecting the oscillating position of the inner cylinder (5) may be derived from the capacitor system.

Abstract: A surface inspection apparatus is provided which uses at least two sets of surface inspection systems each comprising with a paired surface illumination device (A1, B1) and detection device (A2, B2), with each set of illumination devices and detection devices creating their own irradiation regions (51A, 51B) and detection regions (23A,23B), in which the irradiation and detection regions of one pair of illumination and detection devices does not over lap the illumination and detection regions of the adjacent pair of illumination and detection devices. The surface illumination devices preferably project light at an angle of 80° or more with respect to a normal to the surface being inspected (21). The detection devices detect light scattered by dust or defects on the surface to be inspected. The surface to be inspected can be moved in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the illumination and detection regions on the surface being inspected. Thus, the entire surface can be inspected.

Abstract: Surface-enhanced spectroscopy for quantitative analysis of analytes in biological liquid samples. A device for testing a biological liquid sample for the presence or concentration of an analyte includes: (a) a substrate defining a surface which has electrically conductive particles disposed thereon, wherein the surface is adapted to accommodate the liquid sample; (b) means for generating radiation and directing the radiation to be incident on said surface of the substrate so that radiation is emitted from the electrically conductive particles; and (c) means for detecting the emitted radiation. In another embodiment a matrix having electrically conductive particles that are incorporated in the matrix or that are disposed on a surface thereof, wherein the matrix is permeable to the liquid biological sample is used in place of the substrate. The device is particularly suited for determining glucose in human whole blood.

Abstract: A displacement measuring method and apparatus can measure positions and displacements of measurement objects with high precision without regard to surface roughness. Optical beams emitted from a light source are converged through an objective lens, are incident on a surface of the measurement object, are reflected off the surface of the measurement object, and are received by an optical detector. In measurement of the surface of the measurement object, optical-intensity curves are defined while the objective lens is being shifted in the optical-axis direction. According to optical-intensity curves thus defined, a threshold Pth is defined, a center of gravity of a graph region surrounded by the optical-intensity curve is defined, and the focal point of the objective lens, when positioned at the center of gravity, is determined to be the position of a surface of the measurement object.

Abstract: A position detecting system to be used with a grating mark provided on an object and having different directionalities is disclosed, wherein light is projected to the grating mark, and wherein light from the grating mark is detected through a beam splitter disposed at or adjacent a pupil of a detection optical system, for receiving light from the grating mark, the beam splitter having a reflective coating partially formed thereon.

Abstract: A produce data collector with minimal spectral distortion. The produce data collector includes a light pipe having entrance and exit ends through which a portion of light reflected from a produce item travels, and a spectrometer adjacent the exit end of the light pipe which splits the portion of light into a plurality of wavelengths and which produces signals associated with the wavelengths for identifying the produce item.

Abstract: The invention features an interferometry system which includes at least one dynamic beam steering assembly for redirecting one or more beams within the interferometry system in response to changes in the angular orientation or position of the measurement object. A control circuit controls the beam steering assembly based on a signal derived from one or more beams within the interferometry system. The dynamic beam steering assembly can be incorporated into interferometry systems that measure displacement, angle, and/or dispersion. The interferometry systems can be advantageously incorporated into lithography systems used to fabricate integrated circuits and other semiconducting devices and beam writing systems used to fabricate lithography masks.

Abstract: A host device successively sends print data constituting a plurality of sets of copies of a document to be printed to a printer capable of printing on both sides of printing paper. If each set of copies to be printed consists of an odd number of pages, a blank page is inserted as the reverse side of the last page to make the total number of pages of the set of copies an even number. The print data thus created is sent to the printer as a single job. This makes it possible to prevent the last page of one set of copies and the first page of another set of copies from being printed on the same sheet of paper, thereby allowing each set of copies to be printed as a discrete set independent of other sets. Print job management is performed on the basis of a single print job.

Abstract: Remote printing using incremental font subsetting. A document to be printed on a remote printer is analyzed page-by-page to determine the fonts used on each page and which characters, or glyphs, from each font are needed to print the page. For the first page on which a particular font is used in the document, a “subsetted font” comprising only the glyphs used on the page by that font is generated and copied to a spool file. For each subsequent page on which a font is used, a “font delta” is created in the spool file comprising only the glyphs used on the page which have not been previously copied to a record in the spool file. Once all of the subsetted fonts and font deltas for a given page have been written to the spool file, the text information for the page is written to the spool file and the page may be printed by the print spooler. This process continues for each page in a document to be printed on a remote printer.

Abstract: A print job containing designation of personalization for setup data for image formation is received from, e.g., a computer. Personalizing information is acquired from a server via a network. On the basis of the acquired personalizing information, an image forming unit forms the image based on the print job.

Abstract: A method and structure are provided which allow a print pass to be initiated even if a swath buffer in a multi-pass printer has not stored enough print data to utilize the full printhead. In one embodiment, if the swath buffer is full, a print pass is initiated using the existing print data in the swath buffer, which may result in using less than the full printhead. By allowing a print pass to start when the swath buffer is full, problems such as inconsistent, delayed, or interrupted printing are minimized or eliminated. In another embodiment, if a certain period of time has passed since a previous print pass, a print pass is initiated using existing print data in the swath buffer to print new rows and to print over previously printed partial rows to minimize hue shifts.

Abstract: An operator can freely and easily designate a region, which the operator wishes to extract as an image to be outputted from an image, by designating the position and size of a region setting frame by using an enlargement/reduction handle. Accordingly, no carrier or mask is required for this purpose, and the number of parts required can be reduced. Operability at the time of cropping an image can also be improved greatly. Further, by operating rotation buttons and 90°-rotation keys, the operator can, with simple operations, rotate an image displayed as a test image and can freely and easily designate an image within the region setting frame, i.e., an image to be outputted.

Abstract: An image forming system which reads an image on a document includes a scanner section that serves as an input device for reading an image; a printer section that prints the read image as a hard copy; an operation panel for indicating a characteristic correction data preparation mode on an operation panel, and for inputting an operation start command. An image processing section includes an inner pattern generating section for generating a first reference gradation pattern, a characteristic correcting section that corrects the first reference gradation pattern P1 by use of the first correction data f1 and transmits a second reference gradation pattern P2 to the printer section. A data selecting section transmits the first reference gradation pattern P1 and the first correction data f1 to the characteristic correcting section, and the printer section prints the transmitted second reference gradation pattern P2 on a sheet as a hard copy.

Abstract: Toner/ink is saved while still being able to print any given color value within the full color gamut of a given printer. Combinations of varying percentages of a printer's toners/inks (cyan, magenta, yellow and black) are determined for maximum black substitution with varying percentages of under color addition (UCA) (e.g., 0%, 50%, 80%, and 100%). Patches of varying combinations of CMYK using maximum black substitution and a given percentage of UCA are printed out, and the color value (L*a*b*) of each patch is measured. Tables are generated having the percentage amounts of C,M,Y, and K and the corresponding measured color value. A first table represents maximum black substitution with 0% UCA. If a desired color value falls within this table, the corresponding CMYK combination represents the most toner/ink that can be saved. If a desired color value does not fall within the first table, subsequent tables representing increasing percentage amounts of UCA are examined.

Abstract: There is provided a computer readable program, stored in a storage medium, for controlling a server terminal in a communication system which is structured that a data communication apparatus for transmitting and receiving data via a line and the server terminal for managing a network are at least connected to the same network, the program comprises a notifying step of notifying, in a case where the data communication apparatus received the data from a transmission side via the line, a user on the network of a fact that the data reception was performed, and a sending step of sending, in a case where the notification was performed, information representing such the notification, to the data communication apparatus. Therefore, in case of exchanging the data between the data communication apparatuses at least one of which is connected to the network, when the transmission side inquires whether the data transmitted from the transmission side has been successfully reached the user, i.e.

Abstract: In a film scanner capable of reading images from films of different forms, i.e., a cartridge film and a film strip, and arranged to be simply adjustable, image light from the cartridge film is reflected by a reflecting mirror to be projected on an image sensor which converts the projected image light into an image signal. Image light from the film strip is projected onto the image sensor to be converted also into an image signal with the reflecting mirror rotated counterclockwise away from its position by rotating a motor which moves a cam, etc. In manufacturing the film scanner, the position and inclination of the image sensor relative to the film strip are adjusted with the reflecting mirror retracted from its predetermined position, and a base plate on which the image sensor is mounted is fixed by an adhesive to a lens frame with the image sensor set in the adjusted position.

Abstract: A document size detection device accurately detects document size while reducing the number of document size detection sensors required. The device includes: a document detection sensor positioned at a first location on a document insertion line across a document feed path, the first location being positioned within the width of a first-sized document; a document position sensor positioned at a second location on a scan stand-by line across the document feed path, the second location being positioned within the width of the first-sized document; a document size detection sensor positioned at a third location between the document insertion line and the scan stand-by line, and within an area formed between lateral boundaries of the first-sized document and a second-sized document; a document feed roller for feeding the document; and a controller for driving the document feed roller to feed the document up to the scan stand-by line if the document detection sensor detects the document.

Abstract: A processing time is reduced without using expensive hardware. A head reads images of originals which are contained in an i-th original photo film Fi all at one time as it moves in a subscanning direction and as an original drum rotates in a main scanning direction. At this stage, a switch connects the head to a first band memory and a switch connects a second band memory to an image processing circuit. During the reading of the images, image signals are stored in memory sectors of the first band memory original by original while image signals regarding an (i−1)-th original photo film (F(i−1)) are serially read, processed and stored in a magnetic disk original by original. When the head read images of an original photo film (F(i+1)) all at one time, the switches are switched each other so that writing in the second band memory and reading from the first band memory are performed simultaneously.

Abstract: A document passage in an image reading device, which is defined between an upper frame having means for transporting a given document and a base frame having a document setting surface and means for optically reading an image on the given document, is open at its one side by supporting the upper frame above the base frame in a cantilever state, so that the document of any size such as a name card and envelope can be dealt with to be subjected to image processing regardless of the size of the document. The document transporting means brings about a laterally urging force to be imparted to the document being forwarded on the document setting surface, so that the document can be stably forwarded without causing wobbling widthwise, thus effecting automatic document feeding and image reading with a high accuracy.

Abstract: The invention concerns a holographic screen for the laser back-projection of at least one or a plurality of laser wavelengths, said holographic screen selectively and diffusely front-scattering the incident narrow-band laser radiation in a predetermined solid angle and simultaneously allowing through the disruptive spectrally broad-band ambient light from the observation area. To that end, the holographic screen comprises at least one holographic transmission grid which is coupled to a light absorber.

Abstract: Optical signals in an optical communication system are transmitted as a train of optical pulses which are multiplexed to provide a large number of channels. Error correction coding is applied to data carried by the channels using both interchannel coding and serial coding of individual channels. When multiplexed by wavelength division multiplexing, a waveguide array is used as a dispersive device having a characteristic of frequency selectivity which is locked by a monitoring and control system to a set of spectral lines from the single pulsed laser which generates the pulses. In the receiver, clock signals are generated by extracting clock signals from the earliest and latest received channel signals and performing interpolation to obtain clock signals for the remaining channels. When multiplexed using a spectral modulation technique, individual channels are represented by distinct sinusoidal modulations in frequency space which are then detected in the receiver by Mach-Zehnder filters.

Abstract: A bidirectional wavelength division multiplex transmission apparatus includes first and second optical circulators, an optical amplifier, and a demultiplexing unit. The first optical circulator is connected to a first optical transmission line to branch/insert reverse and forward wavelength division multiplex optical signals having different wavelengths. The second optical circulator is connected to a second optical transmission line to branch/insert reverse and forward wavelength division multiplex optical signals having different wavelengths. The multiplexer performs wavelength division multiplexing of the signals from the optical circulators. The optical amplifier amplifies the optical signal output from the multiplexer. The demultiplexing unit demultiplexes the optical signal amplified by the optical amplifier on the basis of the wavelengths, and outputs the demultiplexed optical signal to one of the first and second optical transmission lines.

Abstract: A measurement scheme characterizes chromatic dispersion of an optical system having physically separated access points. A modulation signal at a local access point of the optical system and a reference signal at a remote access point of the optical system are generated and the signals are synchronized via timing signals derived from global positioning satellites (GPS). The modulation signal modulates optical test signals having predetermined optical wavelengths and the modulated optical test signals are applied to the local access point of the optical system. Modulated optical test signals are transmitted through the optical system from the local access point to the remote access point where the signals are demodulated. The time delay of the demodulated signal relative to the reference signal is measured at the remote access point by a phase comparison of the demodulated signal and the reference signal or alternatively by measuring the relative time delay directly.

Abstract: A scanning optical apparatus including a rotatable polygon mirror for deflecting laser light flux with equal angular velocity, an f lens for compensating the laser light flux deflected by the rotatable polygon mirror with equal angular velocity to equal velocity deflection, a surface falling-down compensating lens for compensating the surface falling-down of the rotatable polygon mirror for the laser light flux compensated by the f lens and focusing the laser light flux on the surface to be scanned, and a light intercepting member for intercepting laser light flux transmitted through the f lens and directed toward the edge portion at the side of ending the scanning of the surface falling-down compensating lens. The light intercepting member may be a mounting member for mounting the surface falling-down compensating lens, an element mounted on the mounting member. The light intercepting member may also be painted or stuck on the surface falling-down compensating lens or on the mounting member.

Abstract: A switch device and method is disclosed that is capable of switching wavelength division multiplexed optical signals. The device comprises a switch element that may include a beam splitter, a plurality of wave plates, and a plurality of micro-electromechanical mirrors. The beam splitter is adapted to transmit light in one polarization and reflect light another polarization. The wave plates are adapted to change the polarization of the light so that the beam splitter either reflects or transmits the light. The micro-electromechanical mirrors are adapted to position the beam of light so that it is directed to a selected target.

Abstract: A spatial light modulation device is formed by creating forming an electromagnetic field within a substrate with at least one movable element, fixedly attached to the substrate at a first end, from a soft magnetic material with an anisotropic stress created within the movable element such that the element exists in a first position as a result of the anistropic stress and an actuating device comprising a magnetic layer placed within close correspondence with the soft magnetic material for placing the soft magnetic material into a second position.

Abstract: Provided is a planar lightwave circuit module in which the required optical components constituting an optical fiber amplifier and representing components other than amplifying optical fibers are formed into a unitary structure on a common substrate. This planar lightwave circuit module comprises signal light input ports, signal light output ports, and first and second connection ports. The first connection port is connected to the signal light output ports and to one end of an amplifying optical fiber. The second connection port is connected to the signal light input ports and to the other end of the amplifying optical fiber. Optical coupling means for feeding pumping light from an pumping source to the amplifying optical fiber are also provided in the form of waveguides or in integrated form. Amplifying optical fibers are connected from the outside to the first and second connection ports of this planar lightwave circuit module, yielding an optical fiber amplifier.

Abstract: An optical phase oscillator with a maximum output amplifier generates an oscillating phase signal and employs an amplifier that is operated at maximum output to maintain a constant magnitude oscillator output signal. A non-maximum output amplifier with a signal limiter can also be used. The device receives a continuous or semi-continuous wave input signal and produces an oscillating phase output signal that has the same wavelength as the input signal. The phase oscillator consists of a combiner, an amplifier, a phase inverter, and a splitter. The coherent input signal is used as an initialization signal to start the oscillations and does not need to remain on for steady-state operation. An inverted phase feedback signal advances the oscillations. The amplifier provides a signal large enough to be split into the output signal and a feedback signal.

Abstract: Each of a series of optical amplifiers is arranged such that, in response to detecting particular stimuli occurring at an input or receipt of an adjustment start message from an upstream amplifier, adjusts certain amplifier parameters using small steps and completes the adjustment using large steps if it does not receive the adjustment start message within a predetermined period of time of starting the adjustment in response to detecting the stimuli. If the optical amplifier receives the adjustment start message, then it continues to perform the adjustment and completes the adjustment using large steps when it receives an adjustment done message from the upstream optical amplifier. At that point, the optical amplifier sends an adjustment done message to the next downstream amplifier if it is not the tail-end amplifier.

Abstract: An optical amplifier that can easily cope with alteration of characteristics and whereby a prescribed characteristic can be obtained in a stable fashion. In an optical amplifier, a plurality of optical components including optical amplification media that amplify input signal light are cascade-connected. There are provided (1) a temperature adjustment member capable of changing the temperature of one or a plurality of optical components in accordance with a temperature control signal that is input, and (2) a characteristic control device that supplies in respect of the temperature adjustment member a control signal that controls a prescribed optical characteristic having temperature dependence in one or a plurality of optical components that are the subject of adjustment by the temperature adjustment member, being a prescribed optical characteristic that is demanded for the optical amplifier.

Abstract: A variable magnification optical system comprises at least three optical units which are a first moving optical unit, a fixed optical unit and a second moving optical unit. The three optical units are arranged in that order in a propagation direction of light, and a variation of magnification is effected by a relative movement between the first moving optical unit and the second moving optical unit.

Abstract: In order to provide an underwater microscope which can obtain a sharp picture of live underwater microorganisms in motion, an underwater microscope 10 comprises at least a camera 12 having an optical axis of an optical system, a channel 22 introducing a water sample, a sample chamber 16 having a thickness ranging from 0.

Abstract: A microscope turret assembly and a microscope with the turret assembly are provided so that active use is made of the space formed on an underside surface of a turret by providing an illuminator or an optical detector therein. The turret retains multiple objective lenses and, by rotation thereof, enables the selection of a single objective lens. At least a part of an illuminator that casts light on an observed specimen via the selected objective lens, or a part of an optical detector that detects light from an observed specimen, is located in the space.

Abstract: A stage apparatus of a microscope comprises a base element fixed to a main body of a microscope, a first moving element movable in a first direction relative to the base element, a second moving element movable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction relative to the first moving, element, a first rotary operation disposed on the base element for moving the first moving element, a second rotary operation disposed on the base element for moving the second moving element, a first drive disposed between the first operating and the first moving element for transmitting the rotational force of the first operation to the first moving element. A rotary shaft disposed on the base element, extend along the first direction and rotates in response to the rotary operation of the second rotary operation. A transmitting disposed coaxially with the rotary shaft, is movable in the direction of the axis of the rotary shaft, and is rotatable integrally with the rotary shaft.

Abstract: A screen is disclosed for viewing depth of field images. The screen includes a prismatic screen mounted between a flat image and a viewer. Additional optical elements may be provided to enlarge a viewed image. A light hood may be provided to reduce glare and other effects of ambient light. Coating the screen with an anti-reflective coating may provide further protection from ambient light. Restructuring the image into smaller image elements provides image quality for a video image or the like. An aspherical lens may be used to minimize or remove distortion of the image perceived by a viewer to the side, above or below the center viewing axis of the screen. The present invention may find particular application in computer monitor systems, medical and obstetric imaging such as sonograms, musculo-skeletal imaging, vascular imaging, angiograms, angioplasty, dental probes, catheter probes, ear probes, endoscopy, laparoscopy, pelviscopy and arthroscopy.

Abstract: A light polarizing glass article comprising a base glass and metallic copper particles dispersed in said base glass wherein said metallic copper particles have aspect ratios in the range of from about 2:1 to 15:1 and said base glass is selected from the group consisting of silicate, borosilicate, borate and phosphate glasses which contain at least one reductant element. The article is prepared by heating a batch of glass containing copper and halogen containing constituents to develop copper halide particles in the glass, elongating said glass containing copper halide particles at a temperature where said glass exhibits a viscosity of from 1×108 to 1×1011 poises, and reducing at least a portion of the copper halide particles in the elongated glass to produce metallic copper particles therein. An optical isolator employing the above light polarizing glass articles is also provided.

Abstract: An optical beam shaper for production of a uniform sheet of light for use in a parts inspection system having a light source including a coherent light generator, a diffractive beam shaper, and lens elements.

Abstract: A fly eye lens has cells in an optical functional portion, and first, second, and third positioning portions on an outer edge. The first and second positioning portions are located in a region of a plane normal to the optical axis of the lens, divided by a first reference line extending through a center of thermal expansion and located in the plane. The first and second positioning portions have side surfaces located on the first reference line. The third positioning portion has a side surface located on a second reference line intersecting the first reference line, extending through the center of thermal expansion, and located in the plane. Even when the fly eye lens thermally expands, the position of the center of thermal expansion does not change in an optical system, and desired optical performance can be continuously achieved.

Abstract: An optical system for an ocular optical system or a projection optical system, in which a plurality of illuminating light sources of different colors can be placed in a side-by-side relation to each other, and which makes it possible to reduce the overall size and weight of an apparatus such as a head-mounted image display apparatus or a color film projection apparatus. The optical system has an image-forming optical system (1) that projects a real image or virtual image of an object placed in an image plane (3). The image-forming optical system (1) has an entrance pupil (5) at a position on the side of the image plane (3) remote from the image-forming optical system. An exit pupil (4) is located in a conjugate relation to the entrance pupil (5) with respect to the image-forming optical system (1). A chromatic aberration producing device (6) is provided between the entrance pupil (5) and the exit pupil (4).

Abstract: An optical system includes a curved window, an optical corrector adjacent to a curved inner surface of the window, an optical train positioned such that the optical corrector lies between the curved window and the optical train, a movable optical train support upon which the optical train is mounted, and a sensor disposed to receive an optical ray passing sequentially through the window, the optical corrector, and the optical train. The optical corrector has an inner surface and an outer surface, at least one of which has a shape described by a modified Zernike polynomial surface.

Abstract: An adapter lens for a Greenough-type stereomicroscope (SM1), the adapter comprising a negative lens group (4) and a positive lens group (5) along an optical axis (AX3). The adapter lens attaches to the objective lens side of the Greenough-type stereomicroscope. Variation of the distance (D54L, D54H) between the positive and the negative lens group allows an operator of the stereomicroscope to position the eye pieces (8 and 8′) of the stereomicroscope to a comfortable height for ease of use.

Abstract: Systems and methods of achieving optimal light transmittance through a gas and light transmittance region. This invention is directed at the application of specific activated carbon based materials for the protection of imaging lenses which are targeting optimal transmittance at specific wavelengths. Specifically, it outlines a use of a specific type of carbon to obtain improved/constant transmittance at a specific wavelength or range of wavelengths. In addition, it also presents the use of a mixture of activated carbon types in order to obtain improved/constant transmissions over a broad range of wavelengths.

Abstract: A corrective lens for copying pages of a book pressed flat upon a document support glass of a xerographic copying machine or document scanner. The corrective lens is shaped to fit in the space between the book pages to be copied and the document glass of the copier. The corrective lens has a pyramidal center extending into the crease of a typical book. The lens extends outwardly from the pyramidal center to form substantially flat side portions that hold the pages of the open book in place.

Abstract: A rear-focusing telephoto lens system includes a positive front lens group, and a positive rear lens group, in this order from the object The front lens group includes at least two positive lens elements, each of which has a large-curvature convex surface facing toward the object, and a negative lens element having a large-curvature concave surface facing toward the image. The rear lens group includes at least one lens element which has a convex surface facing toward the object, and is positioned at the most object-side in the rear lens group. Upon focusing, only the rear lens group moves along the optical axis, and the lens system satisfies the following condition: 0.5<f/fF<0.8  (1) wherein f designates the focal length of the entire lens system; and fF designates the focal length of the front lens group.

Abstract: An optical pickup apparatus for reproducing information from or recording onto one of different kinds of optical information recording medium comprises a first light source for emitting first light flux whose wavelength is &lgr;1; a second light source for emitting second light flux whose wavelength is &lgr;2, wherein &lgr;2 is greater than &lgr;1; a converging optical system comprising an objective lens having an optical axis and divided three (first, second and third) portions; and a photo detector. The following conditional formula is satisfied for an amount of the first light flux not less than 30% of the total amount of the first light flux passing the first portion: 0.06≧SC1/f1≧0.

Abstract: A photosensitive layer of or for a cathode ray tube is illuminated by means of a laser illumination arrangement. The laser illumination arrangement comprises a homogenizer which serves to reduce the coherence of the laser beam.

Abstract: An optical system includes positive and negative refractive optical elements and positive and negative diffractive optical elements for diffracting light from the positive and negative optical elements.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting an optical element onto a mounting plate is disclosed. In one embodiment, a mounting support structure defines a plurality of apertures therein. The mounting support structure is positioned between the optical element and the mounting plate with the apertures of the mounting support structure aligning with apertures defined by the optical element and the mounting plate. Connection hardware inserted through the aligned apertures secures the optical element, the mounting support structure, and the mounting plate together.