Abstract: An optical sampling method and apparatus use a probe pulse source of a predetermined optical wavelength range, e.g., 1560 nm, to sample incoming optical pulses in approximately the same wavelength range. The probe pulse source is frequency-doubled e.g., using a frequency doubler such as a nonlinear PPLN crystal, to obtain an intermediate second harmonic which may be filtered with a 780 nm bandpass filter to eliminate at least source frequency noise background. The filtered intermediate second harmonic is then mixed with the user input signal using an optional polarizing beam splitter and a dichroic beam splitter. The mixed signal is sent to a sum frequency generating (SFG) nonlinear crystal, e.g., a PPLN crystal, where the resulting frequency is near the third harmonic. The output from the SFG PPLN crystal may be filtered using a bandpass 515 nm filter to remove unwanted wavelengths and processed to measure/sense the near third harmonic content using a photomultiplier tube (PMT).

Abstract: An optical monitor device and method are disclosed for measuring characteristics of optical signals in an optical communications network. The optical monitor device may include an array of optical detector elements on which the optical signals, each having a different wavelength, may be substantially concurrently imaged, and a processing element. The array of optical detector elements may be controlled so that for each optical signal, a plurality of measurements may be obtained, with each measurement occurring at a distinct optical sensitivity level. The processing element may select, for each optical signal, the measurement providing the most accurate measurement of the optical signal. In this way, the dynamic range of the optical monitor device is increased relative to the dynamic range of the array of optical detector elements.

Abstract: An optical signal transmitter has an optical source for generating broad-band optical radiation, a wavelength division multiplexer optically linked to the optical source and operable to receive and slice spectrally the broad-band optical radiation, and at least one optical signal generator optically linked to the wavelength division multiplexer to receive a spectral slice of the broad-band optical radiation.

Abstract: Wavelength-multiplexed light including wavelength lights is separated at periodic intervals of wavelength by means of a periodic optical filter, thereby generating wavelength groups composed of the following wavelength lights. Then, an optical switching section selects any one of the wavelength groups and introduces the selected wavelength group into a periodic optical filter. Making the period p of the periodic optical filter different from the period q of the periodic optical filter causes the wavelength lights included in each wavelength group to be outputted at the different separation ports of the periodic optical filter. As a result, each wavelength light is separated completely from the other wavelength lights.

Abstract: In a WDM optical network, optical components of optical add/drop multiplexers (OADMS) at different nodes are made independent of the optical channel wavelengths to be dropped and added. Groups of optical channels each comprise a respective channel in each of a plurality of optical bands of channels having adjacent wavelengths, and the OADMs use tunable optical filters to drop and add channels in a selected group. A remote source supplies unmodulated optical carriers at channel wavelengths via an optical carrier fiber to each node, and at least one, conveniently all, of the optical carriers in a respective optical band is/are modulated with a signal to be transmitted via the add filter.

Abstract: An optical transmitter of a subscriber optical interface and an optical receiver of a laser transceiver node can be designed to a frequency of data that is formatted according to a predetermined network protocol, that is encoded with a predetermined coding scheme, and that is transmitted according to a predetermined data transmit timing scheme. The frequency of data is an occupied frequency of a protocol when the data comprises a maximum number of like bits permitted by the protocol. An optical transmitter and optical receiver can be designed to a lowest occupied frequency of data that is encoded with 8B/10B encoding, and that is propagated upstream according to time division multiple access (TDMA). In this way, upstream optical communications can be maximized for speed.

Abstract: A fiber optic, ethernet-based, TDMA communications system that addresses issues of cost, quality of service, and operational efficiency. An aggregating optical node is placed between a hub and end users. This allows the use of less expensive lasers, and permits a variety of connection topologies (e.g., fast ethernet point-to-point, shared broadcast, and gigabit ethernet) between the optical node and the end users. The use of an optical node also allows allocation of certain functions (e.g., bandwidth allocation) to the optical node. Moreover, an adaptive equalizer can be used in conjunction with any laser in the system to improve its signal to noise ratio.

Abstract: A system for management of bandwidth, cost control, and operational efficiency in a fiber optic, ethernet-based, TDMA communications system. The invention features an aggregating optical node between a central office and end users. The optical spectrum is divided according to end user, direction (i.e., upstream or downstream), and/or according to function (e.g., video or non-video). In an embodiment of the invention, a wavelength coupler can be used to couple multiple upstream wavelengths from respective end-user devices, for forwarding to a central office. Moreover, adaptive equalization can be used for noise cancellation purposes.

Abstract: The invention refers to a fiber optical time division multiplexing device for modulating a laser carrier by some modulation signal, comprising at least one interferometrical unit The interferometrical unit comprises a first and a second optical path each one of said optical paths comprising one semiconductor optical amplifier, and one input port for some optical control signal. The interferometrical unit further comprises one input port for said laser carrier and one output port for some optical output signal, said carrier input port and said output port beeing common to both said optical paths. The laser carrier is split into two portions at the common carrier input port. One portion is travelling along the first optical path, while the other portion is travelling along the second optical path, both portions beeing individually amplified by the according SOA and beeing interferometrically reunified at the common output port.

Abstract: The present invention is a network system of radio base stations comprising base stations provided in a plurality of cells and a control station controlling the base stations, in which the base stations and the control station are connected by optical fibers using a wavelength multiplexing transmission method, wherein: the base station comprises a variable-wavelength transmitter for transmitting an optical signal having a predetermined wavelength, and an optical coupler for combining optical signals from the variable-wavelength transmitter in order to transmit the optical signals using the wavelength multiplexing transmission method, the control station comprises a plurality of optical receivers for receiving wavelengths of the optical signals transmitted using the wavelength multiplexing transmission method, and an optical coupler for splitting the wavelength-multiplexed optical signals transmitted from the base stations into the optical receivers by wavelength, and when the radio communication terminal comm

Abstract: A transceiver card for a telecommunications box for transmitting data over a first optical fiber and receiving data over a second optical fiber. The card has transmitter for transmitting data over the first optical fiber, the transmitter having a laser and a modulator, a fiber output optically connected to the laser for connecting the first optical fiber to the card, a fiber input for connecting the second optical fiber to the card, a receiver optically connected to the fiber input for receiving data from the second optical fiber, and an OTDR optically connected between the transmitter and the fiber output or between the receiver and the fiber input. An energy level detector is also provided between the receiver and the fiber input.

Abstract: Phase shift keying (PSK) or differential phase shift keying (DPSK) used as the coding scheme in a high bit rate, long haul dispersion-managed optical transmission system, in which the signaling format is RZ. The system can combine multiple individual channels with different wavelengths in a WDM or dense wavelength division multiplexed (DWDM) arrangement. Dispersion management can be provided using several techniques, such as by using dispersion managed solitons, quasi-linear transmission or conventional RZ transmission with pre-compensation and post-compensation.

Abstract: In the high-bit-rate transmission of optical signals in an optical transmission system having N optical fiber link sections with, in each case, one optical fiber and one dispersion compensation unit, the absolute-magnitude compensations of the first to Nth dispersion compensation units are dimensioned in such a way that the first to N−1-th fiber link sections is/are overcompensated, in each case, by approximately the same absolute magnitude overcompensation. Furthermore, the absolute-magnitude compensation of the Nth dispersion compensation unit is dimensioned in such a way that the accumulated fiber dispersion at the output of the optical transmission system is virtually completely compensated.

Abstract: A method is provided for routing optical data, which method comprises transmitting optical addressing data to a first network element having routing capabilities, assigning an appropriate optical link connecting the first network element with a second network element where the assignment is based on the optical addressing data, and transmitting the optical data via the assigned optical link.

Abstract: In order to set up a bidirectional connection path in an optical transmission system composed of a number of switched optical network nodes having a number of unidirectional terminating units, in which each unidirectional terminating unit of a network node is connected to a unidirectional terminating unit of a further network node via a unidirectional connection path section, an adaptation layer is provided via which at least two unidirectional terminating units of an optical network node which have opposite transmission directions are combined to form one bidirectional terminating unit and addressed together. As a result, the setting up of the bidirectional connection paths is improved in a particularly advantageous way in terms of the duration and the signaling complexity.

Abstract: The present invention is generally drawn to optical network architecture that can include a multi-subscriber optical interface that can service a plurality of subscribers that are located in close proximity relative to one another. For example, the multi-subscriber optical interface can service multiple dwelling units such as an apartment complex that has many different subscribers to the optical network system. Further, the invention can also service subscribers over the same optical waveguide who may have different bandwidth needs, such as businesses, personal/home users and the like.

Abstract: A device, system and method for measuring the one-way velocity of light using selective transmission technology to provide a superluminal energy flow is provided. The superluminal transmitter comprises a transmission source, a receiver, and a selective-transmission device for receiving the transmission wavepacket from the transmission source and selectively transmitting the high-energy or wavefront component of the transmission wavepacket through a barrier such that the energy transmission tunnels through the barrier at superluminal velocities. The measured daily oscillation of the tunnel time can then be utilized to measure the one way light velocity. A system and method for measuring the vector velocity of light using the superluminal transmitter system of the invention is also provided as well as a method of calibrating temporal data and a device which can be utilized as a speedometer, a compass, a calender and/or a clock.

Abstract: There is provided a flexible transmission device capable of automatically setting an optimal point for a signal decision making with high accuracy, so that highly reliable high-quality signal regeneration control is achieved. A clock timing extraction circuit dynamically sets a frequency-dividing ratio based on the transmission rate of an input signal to perform a phase synchronization control so that there is a fixed phase difference between the input signal and an oscillation output, whereby clock timing based on the transmission rate can be extracted. A regeneration control circuit sequentially sweeps a voltage threshold level and the phase of the extracted cock with respect to the input signal and determines whether the levels of adjacent monitor points match, whereby a decision point within the valid zone of the eye pattern can be automatically measured and used as the optimal point for regeneration control.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide an optical receiver for an OCDM system which has improved compensating characteristics. The receiver according to the invention comprises two filters which are fed by received optical signals and have different pass frequencies. One of the filters is matched to the optical signals to be received. The other filter is not matched to the optical signals to be received. The optical signals passed by the other filter serve as compensation signals that are used to compensate for disturbances in the desired optical signals passed by the first-mentioned filter. As a result of the symmetrical design of the receiver with two filters, two optical-to-electrical converters, and a comparator, optimized compensation is provided and the receiver can be used in a wide frequency range.

Abstract: It is aimed at providing an optical receiving apparatus and an optical receiving method, which can assuredly receive and process signal lights having different transmission rates, by a simple and single device. To this end, the signal light received by the present optical receiving apparatus is converted into an electric signal by a light receiving element and thereafter sent to an equalizing amplifier whereby the signal is amplified. The transmission rate of this received signal is detected by a transmission rate detecting part, and a band of the equalizing amplifier is optimally controlled by an equalizing band controlling part, corresponding to the detected transmission rate. In case of adopting a PLL (phase-locked loop) circuit as a clock generating circuit, there is also controlled a band of a loop filter corresponding to the transmission rate detected by the transmission rate detecting part.

Abstract: A wide range tunable filter is provided. A randomly polarized incoming beam is converted into two orthogonally polarized beams. A ½ wave plate and filter block turns these two beams into four beams. Two of the four beams have a single range of wavelengths and two beams have the remaining wavelengths. Each pair of beams is orthogonally polarized. A ½ wave plate and birefringent crystal positioned after the filter block combine the two beams having the single range of wavelengths and combines the two beams having the remaining wavelengths. The invention includes a thermal compensator to correct the angle of the filter with respect to the incident light.

Abstract: A microstructure for steering light is provided that may be stepwise controlled to provide tilt positions in two dimensions. The arrangement is two-dimensional since a tilt axis may be defined as the axis along which the base is tilted to move from one of the two tilt positions to the other. At least one additional tilt position is provided that cannot be reached from either of those two tilt positions by tilting the micromirror assembly along the tilt axis. Instead, such an additional tilt position requires that there at least be a tilt component in a direction orthogonal to the tilt axis.

Abstract: A display device is provided for making images of a movie, a TV or the like invisible to a driver while the vehicle is traveling, but at the same time visible to a passenger riding in a front passenger seat. A viewing angle control shutter 20 using a liquid crystal is disposed facing a front surface of a liquid crystal display panel 19. When the vehicle is in a stopping state, the viewing angle control shutter 20 is set to off, thereby making the image that is displayed on the display panel 19 visible from the driver's seat side and the front passenger seat side. While the vehicle is traveling, the viewing angle control shutter 20 is driven such that the driver can watch an image produced by the navigation device 13, but cannot watch an image reproduced by a DVD reproduction device 14.

Abstract: To attain a low-voltage driving, a high optical output, a wide band, and better return loss, an optical modulator is provided with an optical waveguide 1 for propagating inputted light, an optical modulator part 2 for varying an intensity of light by applying voltage, a modulator driver circuit 3 for producing or amplifying an electrical signal to be communicated, a terminal resistor 4 disposed on an end opposite to the driver circuit with respect to the optical modulator part, a transmission line 5 which is disposed between the driver circuit and the optical modulator part and transmits an electrical signal to the optical modulator part, and a transmission line 6 disposed between the optical modulator part and the terminal resister.

Abstract: A system for producing modulated light is disclosed. The system comprises a spatial light modulator including a light modulating medium switchable between different states so as to act on light in ways which form overall patterns of modulated light. The system also includes an arrangement for switching the modulating medium between the different states in a controlled way and an illumination arrangement for producing a source of light. The system further includes an optics arrangement for directing light from the source of light into the spatial light modulator and for directing light from the spatial light modulator through a predetermined source imaging area. The optics arrangement cooperates with the illumination arrangement and the spatial light modulator so as to produce a real image of the source of light within the source imaging area such that an individual is able to view a virtual image of the overall patterns of modulated light from the source imaging area.

Abstract: Optical signal storage devices are described. In one aspect, an optical signal storage device includes an optical memory loop and a substrate. The substrate carries an input optical port, an output optical port, an optical signal path that is coupled between the input and output optical ports, an optical memory path that is coupled to complete the optical memory loop, and an optical read/write controller that is coupled between the optical signal path and the optical memory path. The optical read/write controller is operable to selectively transmit light between the optical signal path and the optical memory path based on received control light. In another aspect, the optical read/write controller comprises at least one saturable absorber optical switch having a transmittance that varies nonlinearly with received light intensity so that light is selectively transmittable between the optical memory loop and the input and output optical ports based on received control light.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for variable duty cycle generation of optical RZ data signals uses a single, NRZ-driven phase modulator followed by a optical delay-line interferometer. If desired, a differential encoder precodes an NRZ data signal before being applied to the data input of a phase modulator arranged to modulate the light emerging from a continuously operating laser. The output of the modulator is then applied to an optical delay interferometer, such that the optical signal is split into first and second optical signals, each of which is applied to a respective one of the two interferometer arms. The interferometer is arranged such that the signal in one of the arms is controllably delayed with respect to the other (a) by a fine delay (on the other of the optical wavelength) to produce destructive interference in the absence of phase modulation by said phase modulator, and (b) by a coarse delay (on the order of a bit period), to produce RZ pulses having the desired duty cycle.

Abstract: A low dispersion comb filter or interleaver comprises a first birefringent element assembly having at least one birefringent element and a second birefringent element assembly having at least one other birefringent element. The first birefringent element assembly and the second birefringent element assembly are configured so as to cooperate with one another in a manner which mitigates dispersion of the interleaver. By aligning the polarization directions of the odd channels and the even channels so as to be parallel with respect to one another prior to entering the second birefringent element assembly, zero or nearly zero dispersion is obtained simultaneously for both the odd and even channels.

Abstract: The invention is related to an optical device comprising, in an housing (1) with a defined gas atmosphere:

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 includes a two-dimensional micro-electromechanical mirror. The two-dimensional micro-electromechanical mirror is adapted to reflect an optical signal so that it is directed to a selected target. The switch element may also comprise a beam splitter and a plurality of wave plates. The beam splitter is adapted to transmit light in one polarization and reflect light in 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.

Abstract: A micromirror actuator includes: a substrate; spring units elastically supported by protrusions formed on the substrate; a micromirror connected to the spring units and formed to be capable of rotating; trenches formed in the substrate at either side of the protrusions to correspond to the surface of the micromirror; and lower electrodes formed in each of the trenches. Accordingly, it is possible to expand the range of the driving angle of the micromirror with the use of a lower voltage.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for focusing an elastically deformable lens by making small changes in the equatorial diameter of the lens. A plurality of micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS) microengine assemblies are coupled to the periphery of the lens. The lens is focused by exerting and relaxing radial tension in a plane generally perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens. Each microengine assembly utilizes thermal beam actuator arrays in combination with mechanical links to move a slider unit that is coupled to an aperture in the periphery of the lens. The movement of the slider unit alters the diameter of the lens to change the focus of the lens. The lens diameter may be changed by amounts as small as one micron.

Abstract: A microstructure is provided which facilitates alignment by allowing movement of the microstructure between one of a plurality of positions. The microstructure is included in an electromechanical machine which comprises a base layer, an actuator and two or more structural plates. One of the structural plates can be deflected to select a movement limit for the other structural plate. Methods for configuring the structural plates relative to each other to facilitate alignment are also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to an electrophoretic display comprising cells which are filled with charged particles dispersed in a solvent and are individually sealed with a polymeric sealing layer which is an integral part of the display and is curved.

Abstract: A colored rotating granular body 21 has a surface color-coded in two different colors and electrification characteristics for each color and rotates by an effect of an electric field to display an associated color face. For producing the colored rotating granular bodies 21, a suspension 11 of granular bodies 1 each already in a colored state and functioning as a base and an emulsion 12 of a monomer 2 sill in an uncolored state are mixed, the monomer 2 is unevenly attached to a part of a surface of each of the granular bodies 1, the monomer attached to the granular bodies 1 are polymerized to obtain granular bodies 3 composed of the polymerized monomer, thereafter only the granular bodies 3 are selectively colored, and snowman-shaped complexed resin granular bodies 4 composed of the granular bodies 1 and the granular bodies 3 are integrally spheroidized.

Abstract: A mirror assembly including an active lens and a reflective surface. The mirror assembly may change its refractive index when a voltage is applied to the active lens, thereby changing the field of view in the lens. Exemplary applications include a blind spot system in a motor vehicle, in which, upon sensing another vehicle in a driver's blind spot, the mirror assembly changes the driver's field of view to include the blind spot. Additional applications include a magnifying mirror for shaving or applying cosmetics.

Abstract: An optical direct amplifier device can detect failure of an excitation light source without using an electric circuit even when a monitoring system of the optical direct amplifier device based on a line turning back is employed. The optical direct amplifier device includes first and second optical amplifiers respectively amplifying signal lights of first and second transmission path. The optical direct amplifier device has a monitoring circuit branching only monitoring light wavelength of different from a wavelength of the signal lights and extracting means for extracting a part of an excitation light incided to the optical amplifiers.

Abstract: An enhanced scanning probe microscope is provided with means for controlling the atmosphere surrounding the probe tip and the sample or surface to be scanned. Additional enhancements include a tip holder which can be tuned to reflect the laser light of the apparatus on the photodiode, a brace to stabilize the optical microscope relative to the sample and a mirror placed to allow visualization of the sample and tip from the side. Also provided is an enhanced method of nanolithography using an enhanced scanning probe microscope in which it is possible to control the atmosphere surrounding the probe tip and the substrate to be patterned or etched.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a 3D image display body which is used to display 3D images in which right-eye image display parts a and left-eye image display parts b are mixed, the method having a phase-difference film that is disposed on a transparent support with an adhesive agent interposed. Specified portions of the above-mentioned phase-difference film are then cut away by means of an ultra-hard blade, so that a plurality of grooves that extend from one side of the phase-difference film to the other side are formed side by side in the phase-difference film. A display member is then superimposed on or bonded to the phase-difference film.

Abstract: This invention discloses a four-port loop optical circulator. The circulator includes a first, a second, a third and a fourth optical ports for receiving optical beam therein. The circulator further includes a plurality of optical components for guiding a beam received from the first port to project from the second port, for guiding a beam received from the second port to project from the third port. The optical components are further used for guiding a beam received from the third port to project from the fourth port, and for guiding a beam received from the fourth port to project from the first port. In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of optical components further include a walk-off crystal for generating a vertical optical path displacement for a vertical polarized optical beam and for passing a horizontally polarized optical beam therethrough maintaining a same optical path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus or configuration generates light of a given polarization state (P). A polarization state-sensitive beam splitter is acted upon by light (L) at an input (E1), light (LP) of the given polarization state being output by the beam splitter (1) at a first beam splitter output (A1). Light (LS) with polarization state (S) that is perpendicular to the given state (P) is changed with respect to this state and also output. The light of the changed polarization state again acts upon the polarization state-sensitive beam splitter at the input (E1). The apparatus or configuration achieves this by having the optic input (E3) of a polarization state-changing structural element whose optic output (A3) is operationally connected to the optic input (E1) of the polarization state-sensitive beam splitter, operationally connected to the second optic output (A2).

Abstract: A low dispersion comb filter or interleaver assembly has a first interleaver element and a second interleaver element. The first interleaver element is configured so as to provide a dispersion vs. wavelength curve wherein each dispersion value thereof is approximately opposite in value to a dispersion value at the same wavelength for the second interleaver element, so as to mitigate net or total dispersion in the interleaver assembly.

Abstract: The invention provides a simple temperature insensitive optical retarder (waveplate) having a first and a second wedge shaped birefringent crystals, and a crystal mount comprising a first material having a low thermal expansion coefficient and a second material having a high thermal expansion coefficient, wherein the first and the second wedge shaped birefrigent crystals are attached onto the first and second materials, respectively, so that the total retardance by the first and second birefringent crystals at a first temperature is substantially the same as that at a second different temperature at a given wavelength. Advantageously, the temperature insensitive optical retarder is simple, easy to construct, can be used for any birefringent crystal and does not require the use of different birefringent crystals.

Abstract: An apparatus for channel interleaving comprises a spatial birefringent element assembly and a reflector which is configured so as to direct light from the spatial birefringent element assembly back through the spatial birefringent element assembly. The spatial birefringent element assembly comprises at least one spatial birefringent element. Directing light from the spatial birefringent element assembly back through the spatial birefringent element assembly substantially mitigates cross-talk and/or dispersion of the apparatus for channel interleaving in communications.

Abstract: A low dispersion comb filter or interleaver assembly has a first interleaver element and a second interleaver element. The first interleaver element is configured so as to provide a dispersion vs. wavelength curve wherein each dispersion value thereof is approximately opposite in value to a dispersion value at the same wavelength for the second interleaver element, so as to mitigate net or total dispersion in the interleaver assembly.

Abstract: A Bragg grating that has an average index of refraction that changes with temperature to compensate for variations in grating spacing caused by temperature changes.

Abstract: This invention has the polarizing function of polarizing an input beam and a non-reflecting function of suppressing reflection of the input beam, wherein at least one side of a light-transmissive substrate 1 has a polarizing portion 4 with a striped structure formed by multiple alternating light-transmissive dielectric layers 2a, 2b . . . and metallic film layers 3a, 3b . . . . Its characteristics are improved if the metallic film layers are very thin and flat, with a target thickness in the range from 5 to 20 nm and variation of film thickness within the range of ±10%.

Abstract: In a color separating optical system, a first filter adapted to eliminate from light emitted from a red light exit face a light component in a wavelength range longer than a longer-wavelength-side boundary wavelength of a red visible light wavelength region is disposed at a prism surface in an optical path for guiding red region light, whereas a second filter adapted to reflect a light component in a wavelength range longer than a reference wavelength which is longer than the longer-wavelength-side boundary wavelength by a predetermined wavelength but transmit therethrough a light component in a wavelength region shorter than the reference wavelength is placed at the red light exit face.

Abstract: The invention relates to a large-apertured microlithography projection lens. The diaphragm error is also systematically corrected, so that the pupil plane is slightly curved and the lens can be stopped down without comprising quality. The system diaphragm of the projection lens is located in the area of the last lens cluster of positive refractive power on the image side. The telecentrics of the projection lens remain stable on the image side during stopping down.

Abstract: A series of optical elements is used to produce multiple simultaneous adjoining images on a single image plane. A first, intermediate, image is produced using the first telecentric imaging lens. This intermediate image is produced at a plane coincident with an adjustable-size rectangular field stop. The rectangular field stop is mounted in a sub-housing that allows its free rotation. A second telecentric lens collimates the light from the intermediate image. This collimated light is next passed through an optical splitting means, which uses the principal of refraction to separate the light into multiple components. The optical splitting means is mounted in a sub-housing that allows its free rotation. From here, the light next passes through a third and final lens, which produces a second, final, image on a single, planar detection device. The final image consists of a plurality of identical copies of the intermediate image.