Abstract: Disclosed is an optical compensator for a liquid crystal display comprising a transparent polymeric support, an orientation layer, and an optically anisotropic layer, in order, and located between the support and the orientation layer, a barrier layer comprising a crosslinked polymer impermeable to the components of the support. Embodiments exhibit improved optical properties.

Abstract: A process for making an optical compensator, comprising the steps of coating a orientable resin in a solvent onto a support; drying the resin-containing coating; orienting the resin-containing layer in a predetermined direction; coating a nematic liquid-crystal compound in a solvent carrier onto the orientation layer; drying the nematic liquid-crystal-containing coating; thermally treating the nematic liquid-crystal compound layer, cooling the nematic liquid-crystal compound layer, polymerizing or curing the anisotropic nematic liquid-crystalline layer to form an integral component; and optionally repeating the above steps on top of the integral component so that the optical axis of the first anisotropic nematic liquid-crystal layer is positioned orthogonally relative to the respective optical axis of the second anisotropic nematic liquid-crystal layer about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the support.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical compensator and process for liquid crystal displays comprising a transparent polymeric support, an orientation layer, and an optically anisotropic layer, in order, wherein the anisotropic layer contains a surfactant. The uniformity and quality of this film is enhanced by the use of a surfactant in the optical anisotropic layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical compensator film for a liquid crystal display and a process for forming the film comprising the steps of (1) coating an anisotropic layer containing liquid crystal prepolymer materials and an organic solvent system that is both miscible with said materials and has a weight average boiling point of from 85 to 130° C. and subsequently (2) drying the layer. The compensator widens the viewing angle characteristics of liquid crystal displays and is readily manufactured with improved quality and uniformity of coated layers.

Abstract: The liquid crystal display device of this invention includes: a liquid crystal display element including a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal layer interposed between the pair of substrates, and an alignment film formed on a surface of at least one of the pair of substrates facing the liquid crystal layer; a pair of polarizers disposed on both surfaces of the liquid crystal element to sandwich the liquid crystal element; and at least one optical phase element disposed between at least one of the pair of polarizers and the liquid crystal element, wherein three principal refractive indices na, nb, and nc of an index ellipsoid of the optical phase element have the relationship of na=nc>nb, a direction of the principal refractive index nb is tilted clockwise or counterclockwise from the normal of a surface of the optical phase element with respect to a direction of one of the principal refractive indices na and nc which is substantially parallel to the surface of the optical phase element as an axis,

Abstract: The liquid crystal display device of this invention includes: a liquid crystal display element including a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal layer interposed between the pair of substrates, and an alignment film formed on a surface of at least one of the pair of substrates facing the liquid crystal layer; a pair of polarizers disposed on both surfaces of the liquid crystal element to sandwich the liquid crystal element; and at least one optical phase element disposed between at least one of the pair of polarizers and the liquid crystal element, wherein three principal refractive indices na, nb, and nc of an index ellipsoid of the optical phase element have the relationship of na=nc>nb, a direction of the principal refractive index nb is tilted clockwise or counterclockwise from the normal of a surface of the optical phase element with respect to a direction of one of the principal refractive indices na and no which is substantially parallel to the surface of the optical phase element as an axis,

Abstract: A system for processing a multilayer liquid crystal film display material, with multiple irradiation apparatus (60) for applying a zone of polarized UV irradiation onto a substrate fed from a web (16) with incident light at a desired angle. Each irradiation apparatus (60) includes a UV light source (64), and one or more optional filters (82). A polarizer (90) is provided, sized and arranged to polarize light over the web (16) as it moves. The irradiation apparatus (60) employs an array of louvers (81) and/or a prism array (72). One irradiation apparatus (60) irradiates a first LPP1 layer (22) at a 0-degree alignment, in the web movement direction, the other irradiation apparatus (60) irradiates an LPP2 layer (26) with an orthogonal 90-degree alignment.

Abstract: In order to provide an active matrix display device in which a thick insulating film is preferably formed around an organic semiconductive film of a thin film luminescent device without damaging the thin film luminescent device, the active matrix display device is provided with a bank layer (bank) along a data line (sig) and a scanning line (gate) to suppress formation of parasitic capacitance in the data line (sig), in which the bank layer (bank) surrounds a region that forms the organic semiconductive film of the thin film luminescent device by an ink-jet process. The bank layer (bank) includes a lower insulating layer formed of a thick organic material and an upper insulating layer of an organic material which is deposited on the lower insulating layer and has a smaller thickness so as to avoid contact of the organic semiconductive film with the upper insulating layer.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display (LCD) device is disclosed, which obtains a high aperture ratio and a wide viewing angle. The LCD device includes first and second substrates; a plurality of gate and data lines on the first substrate to define a plurality of pixel regions; a pixel electrode in each pixel region; a common electrode on the second substrate, the common electrode having an electric field inducing window dividing each pixel region into at least two domains; an auxiliary electrode on the first substrate, the auxiliary electrode corresponding to the periphery of the pixel electrode in one of at least two domains; and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates.

Abstract: An LCD device includes first and second substrates; an insulating layer on the first substrate, the insulating layer comprising an inclined sidewall portion exposing a portion of the first substrate; gate and data lines crossing each other and defining pixel region on the first substrate; a common auxiliary electrode on the inclined sidewall portion of the insulating layer; a pixel electrode on the first substrate; a common electrode on the second substrate; and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a display device including a pair of substrates opposed to each other, a pixel region provided between the substrates, and an external wiring provided on an extension of one of the substrates. The external wiring is disposed in a recess formed on the extension. With this structure, the external wiring provided on the extension can be reliably protected to thereby improve the reliability of the display device.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a ferrodielectric liquid crystal display device includes the steps of injecting melted ferrodielectric liquid crystal in a cell formed between a lower structure body and an upper structure body each having a substrate, an electrode layer, and an orientation film and sealing the cell; cooling to obtain phase transitions of the ferrodielectric liquid crystal corresponding to a bookshelf structure; applying dc potentials to the electrode layers at temperatures ranging from temperatures higher than phase transition temperatures to temperatures lower than phase transition temperatures, stopping the dc potential applications and cooling until below a predetermined temperature, and applying a reverse potential to the electrode layers and cooling again. The ferrodielectric liquid crystal display device produced by such a manufacturing method can display clear black-and-white states with the liquid crystal layers having a mono domain of the bookshelf structure.

Abstract: A smectic liquid crystal, typically, ferroelectric liquid crystal is uniformly orientated as follows: a space is provided as a dummy region in an area outside a panel region where a liquid crystal inlet is placed; two substrates are overlapped and cut into panels of a desired size, leaving the panel region and the dummy region whereas the rest is cut off; a liquid crystal is injected with the dummy region left in the liquid crystal inlet portion; and, immediately after the liquid crystal is injected, the dummy region is cut off to carry out monostabilization treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process or method for transferring a coating onto at least one surface of a lens blank which can be implemented in a short period of time without any risk of deformation of the lens blank.

Abstract: A specially designed eyewear system is provided. The frame or clip element utilizes multi-filament cable in order to define the lens openings. Such cable is both flexible and strong so that it can easily wrap around the lens elements during assembly. Various types of locking units or assemblies can be used once the cable is wrapped around the lens element in order to maintain engagement of the cable around the lens.

Abstract: Optical elements are made using micro-jet printing methods to precisely control the type, position and amount of polymer deposited onto a substrate. In preferred embodiments, the proportions of two or more different polymer compositions are varied over the course of the deposition process to deposit adjoining polymer pixels in the form of a film on the substrate surface. The optical properties of each adjoining polymer pixel can be selected to provide a predetermined optical property, including a specific value of index of refraction. Preferably, the film has a radially non-monotonic refractive index profile and/or an angularly non-monotonic refractive index profile.

Abstract: There is provided a multifocal spectacle lens having a front surface and a back surface each of the front surface and the back surface is formed as a multifocal surface or a progressive-power surface, distributions of surface power of the front surface and the back surface being different from each other.

Abstract: There is provided an ophthalmologic apparatus capable of changing a gain to a digitized image signal according to observation and image taking operations by rewriting data in an LUT or selecting a suitable LUT from a plurality of LUTs.

Abstract: An ophthalmologic apparatus includes alignment driving means for aligning an examinee's eye, detecting means for detecting an alignment state of the examinee's eye, and alignment controlling means for controlling the alignment driving means based on the result detected by the detecting means. The alignment controlling means includes determining means for determining a quality of the result detected by the detecting means and counting means for counting outputs from the determining means within a predetermined period of time. The alignment controlling means performs interruption processing or warning processing of the alignment control based on the output of the counting means.

Abstract: A vision metric, called the sharpness metric, indicates the subjective sharpness of a patient's vision by taking into account both the wavefront aberration and the retinal response to the image. A retinal image quality function such as the point spread function is convolved by a neural quality function, and the maximum of the convolution over the retinal plane provides the sharpness metric. The sharpness metric can be used to control eye surgery or the fabrication of a lens.

Abstract: An image projecting apparatus including a light source emits a plurality of monochromatic rays of light with different wavelengths. A condenser lens concentrates the plurality of monochromatic rays. A first color separating unit rotates and selectively causes the plurality of monochromatic rays to be reflected therefrom or passed therethrough. A second color separating unit selectively causes the plurality of monochromatic rays that are passed through the first color separating unit to be reflected therefrom or passed therethrough. A square beam generating unit is inputted with the plurality of monochromatic rays reflected from the first and the second color separating units and transforms the monochromatic rays as inputted into square beams. A panel unit is inputted with the square beams of the monochromatic rays and forms a plurality of monochromatic images corresponding to the monochromatic rays.

Abstract: A projective display apparatus having an illumination unit which includes a light source, an integrator lens and a collimator lens, a light splitter unit which splits light beams from the illumination unit into a plurality of color components, a plurality of light valves, a cooling fan, and a wind guiding unit. A respective one of the light valves corresponds to a respective one of the color components. The wind guiding unit guides the cooling wind from the cooling fan to the illumination unit and the light valves. The wind guiding unit splits and forms at least two branch wind guiding paths. One of the branch wind guiding paths guides cooling wind from the cooling fan to the illumination unit and another of the branch wind guiding paths guides the cooling wind to the light valves.

Abstract: A projection type image display apparatus which suppresses deterioration in luminous efficiency of an organic EL element and reduces flickering of projected images and an amplitude of a power supply capacity is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an electroluminescence (EL) element, a projection optical system, and a controller which generates drive signals to control the emission amount from the EL element. An EL material used for a luminescent layer of the EL element is a phosphorescent material which emits phosphorescence by priority, which is emitted from an excited triplet state. The controller generates drive signals by superimposing an intermittent turning-on signal on emission amount modulating signals to modulate current values to be injected into pixels according to display image signals.

Abstract: An image printing apparatus includes a print head for printing images. A microcontroller that includes a wafer substrate is provided. Processor circuitry is positioned on the wafer substrate. Print head interface circuitry is also positioned on the wafer substrate and is connected between the processor circuitry and the print head. The print head interface circuitry is configured to facilitate communication between the processor circuitry and the print head. Bus interface circuitry that is discrete from the print head interface circuitry is connected to the processor circuitry so that the processor circuitry can communicate with devices other than the print head via a bus.

Abstract: A reticle (R) is irradiated with an ArF excimer laser beam to transfer a pattern on the reticle (R) onto a wafer (W) through a projection optical system (PL). Each of a plurality of illuminating lens units (2) arranged in the illuminating optical passage has a barrel containing a plurality of lenses, and caps are so provided as to be spaced from the lenses at both ends. Lens chambers among the lenses are filled with an inert gas, and the spaces between the caps and the lenses are also filled with an inert gas. When the illuminating lens unit (2) are housed in and illuminating optical path housing, the caps are removed while purging the spaces. Therefore, the lenses at both ends are prevented from being contaminated and the transmittance of the optical lens device for exposure with light having a wavelength of shorter than 300 nm is prevented from lowering.

Abstract: To obtain an exposure condition determined in accordance with properties of each aligner without performing complicated processes for verification of the exposure condition, a database 10 included in an exposure condition determination system 100 stores information about exposures performed in the past. Specifically, the database 10 stores mask information 11, aligner information 12, resist process information 13 and past exposure condition information 14. An exposure condition determination unit 15 determines an exposure condition suitable for a new mask in accordance with an exposure condition determination program, based on various information extracted from the database 10 and information about the new mask. Then, the exposure condition determination unit 15 outputs an exposure condition 21 for the new mask resulted from the determination.

Abstract: A method of nanolithography comprising: transporting a patterning compound from a nanoscopic tip to a substrate to form a pattern on the substrate, wherein the patterning compound has a first electrostatic charge and the substrate has a second electrostatic charge which is opposite to the first electrostatic charge. The patterning compound can be an electrically conductive polymer having a charged polymer backbone. The patterns can be dots and lines having lateral dimensions of less than one micron. No electrical bias from an external voltage source between the tip and the substrate is needed.

Abstract: A lithographic projection apparatus in which a reaction force is generated between a balance mass and a substrate table. The balance mass is elastically coupled to the base frame with a suspension eigenfrequency of between 0.3 and 10 Hz.

Abstract: In order to provide an exposure device by which aligning of an exposure pattern is realized when manufacturing a build up wiring board or the like, an exposure device which exposes a photosensitive material with a light beam modulated in accordance with image information comprising a reading section which reads a radioscopic image of a specific pattern provided on an inner layer of a laminated structure, and an aligning section which aligns an exposure position of the photosensitive material laminated on a surface of an outer layer of the laminated structure on the basis of the position information of the read radioscopic image of the specific pattern, is provided.

Abstract: Focus adjustment of an optical writing unit is performed based on an image of a test pattern formed on a paper sheet. The pattern includes bars of density levels associated with adjustment quantity information indicating numerical values corresponding to the numbers of rotation of adjustment motors and adjustment screws. The density levels decrease as the amount of displacement of the unit with respect to a photosensitive drum increases. A focus adjustment device accepts an input of the numerical values indicated beside the unprinted bars of the lowest density levels and causes the motors to turn by the numbers of rotation indicated by the input numerical values to move the unit to the position of correct focus. It is possible to perform focus adjustment of the unit with ease and high accuracy regardless of whether the unit is for forming binary or multi-valued images.

Abstract: Described are systems for patterning a substrate by imprint lithography. Imprint lithography systems include an imprint head configured to hold a template in a spaced relation to a substrate. The imprint lithography system is configured to dispense an activating light curable liquid onto a substrate or template. The system includes a light source that applies activating light to cure the activating light curable liquid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for monitoring the flow rate of a fluid stream which comprises heating the stream with a heating member for a time sufficient to induce a change in the refractive index of the fluid; detecting the change in the refractive index of the fluid at a location remote from the heating member; and calculating the flow rate of the fluid from the change in the refractive index.

Abstract: A plasma processing system that comprises a process chamber, a plasma source, a light detection device and a controller. The controller is useful for determining a seasoning state of the plasma processing system. The present invention further provides a method of determining the seasoning state of a plasma processing system comprising the steps of forming a first plasma in the process chamber utilizing the plasma source; measuring a first signal related to light emitted from the first plasma using the light detection device and storing the first signal using the controller; forming a second plasma in the process chamber utilizing the plasma source; measuring a second signal related to light emitted from the second plasma using the light detection device and storing the second signal using the controller; and correlating a change between the first signal and the second signal with a seasoning state of the plasma processing system.

Abstract: A spatial tracking system tracks movements of sources of radiated energy. In the one embodiment of the invention, three sensor sets are included each containing a pair of sensors. Movements of a single radiation source with a radially symmetric emission pattern is tracked in up to six dimensions; X, Y, Z, yaw, pitch and radiation intensity. Sources with different radiation ranges or types are tracked at the same time using sensors tuned to the different radiation ranges or types. The sensor sets may include more than two sensors which increases the spatial range monitored and increases tracking accuracy and optionally include sensors tuned to different radiation sources, such as light of different wavelengths. Individual sensors can be included with the sensor sets which increase the rotational range of the system beyond the range for translation tracking.

Abstract: Field-deployable spatial positioning or measurement systems are provided for improved versatility, reliability and performance. The spatial positioning or measurement systems use rotating laser fans or beams for positioning and measuring and include a system integrated field-deployable length standard that uses a reelable tape with positional indents. The systems further include the use of labyrinth seals at interface volumes between rotating laser heads and transmitter assemblies to prevent ingress of contaminants and allow for elimination of the use of rotary seals. Further, new dynamic leveling techniques are provided to plumb positional laser transmitter systems. Still further, strobe beam configurations are provided for improved near/far performance and a vertical mode sensing scheme that allows switching to measuring tall structures when needed.

Abstract: Light emitted from a light source module and introduced to an optical fiber is detected with a photodetector. An amplification unit amplifies an output from the photodetector. Using a piezoactuator, the light source module is subjected to reciprocal scanning by repeating one-dimensionally in the X axis direction. In this way, one-dimensional optical intensity distribution in the X-axis direction is obtained based on an output of an amplification unit obtained in accordance with the reciprocal scanning. Based on the one-dimensional optical intensity distribution in the X-axis direction, relative positions between the light source module and the optical fiber are adjusted.

Abstract: A tool for evaluating a pin connector of a backplane preferably includes at least one connector having receptacles for receiving pins of a pin connector of a backplane. The receptacles are open at both ends so that ends of the pins are visible in the receptacles when the tool is seated on the pin connector.

Abstract: A lighting optical machine and defect inspection system having high reliability and safety when a laser beam is used as a light source. The lighting optical machine comprises: a housing, which accommodates a laser source, a beam polarization mechanism having first and second plane mirrors enabling a beam emitted from the laser source to be reflected so that the beam travels in the direction almost parallel to the beam emitted from the laser source, a beam expander for converting the beam to a parallel beam having a larger cross-sectional area, an objective lens, through which the parallel beam is reduced and applied to the surface of a sample; a first control mechanism for controlling the directions of the two plane mirrors of the beam polarization mechanism with an electric signal; and a second control mechanism for controlling the focus position of the beam expander with an electric signal.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring an optical element of a processing head of a machine for thermal processing of a workpiece includes a light source for coupling a light beam into an optical surface of an optical element and a detector for detecting a portion of the light beam scattered in the region of the optical surface facing the workpiece.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermally stable reference member comprising, at least one radiation attenuating element and at least one radiation scattering element. The radiation attenuating element comprising at least one aperture for transmission of radiation therethrough. The attenuating and scattering elements placed in series so that radiation transmitted through the reference member passes through each of the attenuating and scattering elements. The attenuating and scattering elements of the reference member may further comprise a thermally stable mount to hold the elements in a selected position relative to each other, and in relation to an instrument, or the elements may be bonded together.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus for sampling interstitial fluid includes a sampler having an external geometry selected to mate with an internal geometry of a testing apparatus such that the sampler may be inserted within the testing apparatus in a predetermined alignment and with a sampling location positioned accurately within a light path for detecting an amount of a desired constituent collected by the sampler.

Abstract: A particle detector has a chamber defining a pathway that a target particle follows between an entry and an exit point, a solid-state energy source such as an LED, and a re-emission sensor. The energy source imparts energy to the particle between the two points, and the sensor includes an arcuate or multi-planar lens to focus energy re-emitted by the particle. The particle is identifiable by its re-emitted energy spectrum. A scanner re-directs the beam from a single energy source to track the particle between the entry and exit points. Alternatively, the energy source is a plurality of source elements that each scan the particle at a single position. Another embodiment is a chipscale detector system wherein energy source elements are disposed on a source layer, sensor elements are disposed on a sensor layer, and one or more target particles to be detected are retained on a capture layer disposed therebetween.

Abstract: There is provided an optical system for measurement of optical constant capable of measuring the absolute reflectance and the absolute transmittance for determining the optical constant of a substance with excellent accuracy without replacing the optical system during the measurement by using a different system for measuring the absolute reflectance and the absolute transmittance of the sample, comprising an incoming side beam switching mirror for selectively switching the direction of the light from a light source to a first or second converged light reflecting means side, first and second converged light reflecting means for projecting the light from the beam switching mirror so as to be converged in an intersecting manner at the position of a sample holder, the sample bolder capable of selectively positioning a sample fitting hole or a through hole at the converging position by the converged light reflecting means by advancing/retracting the sample fitting hole or the through hole, first and second receive

Abstract: A microdensitometer system capable of micrometer resolution for reading radiochromic films, includes: a film holder for supporting a radio chromic film sample; a high-precision scanning stage including a monochromatic light source for illuminating the film sample; a CCD microscope camera for a photographing light from the light source that is transmitted through the film sample; and a microcomputer for analysing data relayed from the CCD microscope camera. The film sample is translated by the scanning stage to enable analysis of the whole film sample.

Abstract: A birefringence measurement apparatus for calculating information of polarization of light emitted from an object to be measured includes a light source, a first polarization element for extracting a beam in a specific polarization direction from light emitted from the light source, a sample stage that holds an object to be measured, at least one beam splitting unit that splits the light emitted from the object into two beams having the same polarization as that of the light emitted from the object, at least two second polarization elements for extracting beams in a specific polarization direction of the light split by the beam splitting unit, at least two light-quantity detectors for detecting light quantity of beams that have transmitted through the second polarization element, and an operation part for operating a light quantity received by the light-quantity detectors.

Abstract: Achromatic optics may be employed in spectroscopic measurement systems. The achromatic optics comprises a spherical mirror receiving a beam of radiation in a direction away from its axis and a pair of lenses: a positive lens and a negative meniscus lens. The negative meniscus lens corrects for the spherical aberration caused by off-axis reflection from the spherical mirror. The positive lens compensates for the achromatic aberration introduced by the negative lens so that the optics, as a whole, is achromatic over visible and ultraviolet wavelengths. Preferably, the two lenses combined have zero power or close to zero power. By employing a spherical mirror, it is unnecessary to employ ellipsoidal or paraboloidal mirrors with artifacts of diamond turning which limit the size of the spot of the sample that can be measured in ellipsometry, reflectometry or scatterometry.

Abstract: A ring laser gyro having a high temperature seal. The ring laser gyro includes a laser block of known construction having a closed loop passage formed within the block in the shape of a polygon. Mirrors positioned at the intersection of each side of the polygon-shaped closed loop passage create an optical closed loop path through passage. A lasing gas is sealed within the closed loop passage, and electrodes mounted to the block and in fluid communication with the passage create at least one laser that traverses the optical closed loop path in the passage. The electrodes are mounted on the laser block with a high temperature seal comprising a washer having a low coefficient of thermal expansion and an optical bond between the washer and the laser block. In a preferred embodiment, the laser block and the washer are formed from the same material to ensure that these structures expand at substantially the same rate when the ring laser gyro is used in a high temperature application.

Abstract: Current control biasing of a ring laser gyroscope is employed to protect electrode seals. A frame of a ring laser gyroscope has more than one electrode attached to it. An electric field is created between the electrodes during the operation of the gyroscope, which causes ions in the frame to migrate towards a lowest electrical potential. Electrode seals are located between the electrodes and the frame. By providing a positive power supply voltage and connecting the current control to the non-ground side of the power supply, the mounting structure may be at the lowest electrical potential. The ions will then migrate towards the mounting structure, which significantly reduces migration to the electrodes.

Abstract: A high precision size measuring apparatus for measuring a degree of alignment accuracy for elements such as semiconductor elements formed on an object to be measured, such as a semiconductor wafer. The apparatus has a holding portion for fixing thereon the object to be measured, a movable bed for moving the object to be measured, for a first optical system for detecting alignment accuracy of a plurality of elements formed on the object to be measured, and a second optical system different from the first optical system, for detecting alignment of the object to be measured which serves as a reference point for alignment accuracy, having dimensions different from that of the plurality of elements.

Abstract: A method for modeling diffraction includes constructing a theoretical model of the subject. A numerical method is then used to predict the output field that is created when an incident field is diffracted by the subject. The numerical method begins by computing the output field at the upper boundary of the substrate and then iterates upward through each of the subject's layers. Structurally simple layers are evaluated directly. More complex layers are discretized into slices. A finite difference scheme is performed for these layers using a recursive expansion of the field-current ratio that starts (or has a base case) at the lowermost slice. The combined evaluation, through all layers, creates a scattering matrix that is evaluated to determine the output field for the subject.