Abstract: An optical antenna collects, modifies and emits energy at light wavelengths. Linear conductors sized to correspond to the light wavelengths are used. Nonlinear junctions of small dimension are used to rectify an alternating waveform induced upon the conductors by the lightwave electromagnetic energy. The optical antenna and junctions are effective to produce harmonic energy at light wavelengths. The linear conductors may be comprised of carbon nanotubes that are attached to a substrate material, which may then be connected to an electrical port.

Abstract: A simple and low-cost apparatus amplifies short optical pulses (e.g., in the femtosecond domain) to high pulse energies using energy stored in an enhancement cavity. The enhancement cavity is first filled with pump light from a pump laser; and a signal laser then directs a signal pulse into the cavity, where the signal pulse and pump laser both pass through a non-linear medium for parametric amplification of the signal pulse, wherein energy from the aggregated pump light is transferred to the signal pulse, which then exits the enhancement cavity.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns a vertical lasing semiconductor optical amplifier (VLSOA) having a quantum dot active region. In one example, a VLSOA includes a quantum dot active region comprising a semiconductor gain medium. The semiconductor gain medium defines at least a portion of an amplifying path. The VLSOA also includes a laser cavity within which a portion of the semiconductor gain medium is disposed. The laser cavity has a gain characteristic, with respect to an optical signal traversing the amplifying path, that is responsive to a pump input to the laser cavity.

Abstract: In a day-night vision device according to the invention, it is intended that observations made via a day or night vision channel will be observed in a common receiving channel or via an eyepiece unit as a day or night image, by forming and arranging a deflection means in such a way that radiation from the day or night vision channel can be deflected by the same deflection means into the common receiving channel. In particular, it is also intended that further images, such as thermal images, can be guided to the observer and can be superposed, in particular fused, with the day or night image.

Abstract: A IR absorbing reflector is formed with a substrate that supports a first IR absorptive multilayer part having multiple layers of partial IR absorbing thin films. The first IR (infrared) absorptive multi-layer part supports a second visible light reflecting multilayer part.

Abstract: A near-field microscope using one or more diffractive elements placed in the near-field of an object to be imaged. A diffractive covers the entire object, thus signal may thereby be gathered from the entire object, and advantageously increase the signal-to-noise ratio of the resulting image, as well as greatly improve the acquisition speed. Near-field microscopy overcomes the limitation of conventional microscopy in that subwavelength and nanometer-scale features can be imaged and measured without contact.

Abstract: The object in an automatic microscope and a method for true-color image reproduction in automatic microscopes is to provide a monitor image which corresponds to the optical impression of an eyepiece image with respect to color and contrast. According to the invention, the spectral distribution of a light source which can be controlled with respect to brightness and/or color temperature is determined upon initial startup, and the intensity of spectral components is associated with control parameters for the light source. Measurements of the spectral distribution of the light source when operating the microscope and of the ratio of the intensity of spectral components to the control parameters which is determined upon initial startup are used for the regulated control of the light source.

Abstract: A confocal microscope with improved light use efficiency is provided. Thus, the confocal microscope has a section which concentrates illumination light to a target point of a specimen and non-target points adjacent thereto for simultaneous illumination; a section which receives light entering into a light reception portion conjugated with the target point, without distinguishing light emitted from the target point and light emitted from the non-target points, and outputs a light reception signal according to the intensity of the light; a section which changes the number of non-target points and successively captures the light reception signals before and after the change in the number of the target points; and a section which generates a confocal signal according to intensity of light emitted from the target point, based on a relationship between the captured light reception signals and the number of non-target points.

Abstract: The present invention is a dark field illumination system including a light source which is fixed on an entrance slit of a condenser and an objective aligned with the condenser such that the objective and the condenser are adjusted to find a focus spot on a sample. The present invention essentially uses structured illumination to achieve an improved illumination system. The present invention also includes a system and method wherein the objective is coupled to an iris and aligned with the condenser such that when the iris is closed only dark field images are produced, and when the iris is open, direct entrance of light is allowed into the objective and bright field illumination is produced.

Abstract: In an observation device according to the invention, it is possible to coordinate a multiplicity of functions with the device by using and exchanging optical modules. By means of existing optical components in the observation device, transmitted and/or received beams of the modules can be reflected in and/or reflected out. For example, field glasses, binoculars and measuring glassed can be equipped according to the invention with modules. The modules can be produced for special purposes, can be carried in particular as convenient units and can be inserted into the device and removed therefrom an can be exchanged. An optical module may be, for example, in the form of a camera, graphic display or IR laser. The modular multifunctional observation device according to the invention can be designed as a compact and light device by using optical components already present in the “basic system.

Abstract: Projection screens include a substrate, a reflective layer on the substrate and a refractive layer on the substrate. The reflective layer includes reflective microstructures of about 5 ?m to about 500 ?m in size, and arranged in a first pattern to reflect light at a first spatial frequency. The refractive layer includes refractive microstructures of about 5?m to about 500?m in size, and arranged in a second pattern that is different from the first pattern, to refract light at a second spatial frequency that is different than the first spatial frequency. Related fabrication methods also are described.

Abstract: A rear projection display device is provided. In an embodiment, the display device includes a laminate screen including a microstructure lamina having a non-planar input surface, a substantially planar output surface and a first index of refraction. The laminate screen further may include a diffusion screen lamina having a substantially planar input surface, an output surface and a second index of refraction. The diffusion screen lamina may be in optical communication with the microstructure lamina. Moreover, the planar output surface of the microstructure lamina and the planar input surface of the diffusion screen lamina may be in facing relationship.

Abstract: In order to make a reflection coefficient in boundary surface between materials to be zero and permeate 100% of a light independent of a polarization direction, an optical device made of an optical material composed of a metamaterial prepared by arranging a plurality of at least either of electrical resonators or magnetic resonators each being smaller than a wavelength of a light wave in only a predetermined plane, and at least either of the electrical resonators and the magnetic resonators arranged functioning with respect to s-polarization, whereby at least either of the dielectric constant or the magnetic permeability is controlled in response to the function to induce a Brewster phenomenon in the s-polarization wherein the incident plane of a light wave being set out at a Brewster's angle with respect to the p-polarization and further at least either of the dielectric constant and the magnetic permeability of the optical material being controlled with respect to the s-polarization of the optical material,

Abstract: A light pipe is obtained by laminating on one or both surfaces of a light-transmitting resin plate a polarized-light scattering plate having fine birefringent domains dispersed therein and hence showing anisotropy in scattering. The polarized-light scattering plate comprises a transparent film having fine domains dispersed therein comprising a liquid crystal polymer which exhibits nematic at temperatures lower than the glass transition temperature of the polymer constituting matrix of the transparent film and has a glass transition temperature of 50° C. or higher. The light pipe as a laminate may further comprise a specular reflection layer, a polarization-retaining lens and a light diffusion layer laminated thereon. The light pipe may further comprise a light source mounted at least on one side face thereof to provide a planar polarized-light source.

Abstract: A birefringent beam displacer assembly includes a light source that produces a polarized initial light beam having a first portion and a second portion. A halfwave plate changes a polarity of the first portion of the polarized initial light beam. A birefringent beam displacer receives, at an input side, the first portion from the halfwave plate and the second portion. The birefringent beam displacer has an optic axis for producing a vector walkoff of the second portion. The first portion of the polarized initial light beam passing substantially parallel to the length of the birefringent beam displacer, and the second portion moves at an angle toward the first portion such that the first portion and the second portion substantially overlap at an output side of the birefringent beam displacer to form a combined beam.

Abstract: A reflective polarizer suitable for use in a display device is disclosed herein. The reflective polarizer comprises: a multilayer optical film comprising alternating layers of first and second polymeric layers that reflects light of a first polarization state and transmits light of a second polarization state, wherein for normally incident light of the second polarization state, the reflective polarizer has an internal percent transmission of at least 95% at 410 nm, and at most 25% at 380 nm. Also disclosed herein is a display device comprising the reflector polarizer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to lamina(e) comprising cube corner elements, a tool comprising an assembly of laminae and replicas thereof. The invention further relates to retroreflective sheeting.

Abstract: A retroreflective article 10 has a body portion 14 and a multitude of cube-corner elements 12 that project from a rear side 20 of the body portion 14. The body portion 14 includes a body layer 18 that contains a light-transmissible polymeric material having an elastic modulus less than 7×108 pascals. The cube-corner elements 12 contain a light transmissible polymeric material having an elastic modulus greater than 16×108 pascals. A retroreflective article of this construction can be highly flexed while maintaining good retroreflective performance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to lamina(e) comprising cube corner elements, a tool comprising an assembly of laminae and replicas thereof. The invention further relates to retroreflective sheeting.

Abstract: A refractive index controlled diffractive optical element having a two-dimensional refractive index distribution to be written on a transparent material, wherein a first refractive index region with a refractive index n1 and width d1 is formed in a transparent material, and the ith refractive index region with a refractive index ni (assuming ni?ni-1) and a width di is formed adjacent to the (i?1)th refractive index region and opposite to the (i?2)th refractive index region (at an arbitrary side of the (i?1)th refractive index region when i=2) where i is an integer within a range of 2?i?x. Accordingly, a diffractive optical element simultaneously having high diffraction efficiency to a particular order and thinness of the element itself can be obtained.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an optical device having high quality, excellent productivity and optical characteristics, and capable of suppressing a refractive index of a substrate surface from increasing when a dopant is thermally diffused into, or a heat treatment is performed in order to compensate of process distortion in stoichiometric lithium niobate crystal or a crystal substrate in which Mg is doped into the crystal, and a method of manufacturing the same. According to the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing an optical device including the steps of: forming a dopant layer on a substantial stoichiometric lithium niobate single crystal substrate; and diffusing a dopant in the dopant layer into at least a portion of the substantial stoichiometric lithium niobate single crystal substrate, wherein, in the diffusing step, a heat treatment is performed at a diffusion temperature of 1000° C. to 1200° C.

Abstract: A method for correlating a structural parameter of a plurality of gratings acquires images from a plurality of gratings, which have different structural parameters. A focus metrics algorithm is then performed to find the off-focus offset of the orders of each grating from the intensity variation of these images, and the variation ratio of the off-focus offset to the order for each grating is calculated later. Consequently, the structural parameters of these gratings can be correlated based on the variation ratio of the off-focus offset to the order. The present method acquires images from an unknown grating at different off-focus offsets, and performs a focus metrics algorithm to find the off-focus offset of the orders of the unknown grating. The variation ratio is calculated and the structural parameter of the unknown grating is determined based on the variation ratio.

Abstract: A system of visual authentication of digital media. A visual means is provided at the point of purchase for a user to verify that the source of software is genuine. An authentication image is embedded into a portion of a media. The authentication image is not visible to the naked eye. Embodiments of the invention further include a view port integrated in the packaging for the media. The viewing port includes a decoder lens that allows the user to see the hidden authentication image, marking the authenticity of the media.

Abstract: This invention relates to a platform (11) and a method for generating electromagnetic field distributions. The invention relates in particular to optical sensors for measuring biological or chemical substances. The platform (11) according to the invention comprises a substrate (13), a structured layer (19) and, positioned between the substrate (13) and the structured layer (19), a multilayer assembly (17), said components being so matched relative to one another that upon appropriate impingement by electromagnetic radiation an electromagnetic field distribution is generated that is at a maximum within the structured layer (19).

Abstract: Methods of protecting internal components of an optical device are described by providing a hardcoat surface layer on an internal component of an optical device. Also described are certain internal components having hardcoat surface layers, as well as methods of assembling internal components of an optical device.

Abstract: A microlens array having microlenses that correspond to more than one color filter and underlying pixel. In one particular embodiment, each microlens is formed to cover one Bayer pattern set, out of a plurality of repeated sets over an entire color filter and pixel array. A semiconductor-based imager includes a pixel array having embedded pixel cells, each with a photosensor, and a microlens array having microlenses that cover more than one embedded pixel cell.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymeric optical film comprising a base provided with integral optical features on at least one side, wherein the features have two or more sides that form a ridge line, wherein the optical film has light leakage through crossed polarizers of less than 1.0%.

Abstract: A light projection device at least comprising a light source and a light valve consisting of an array of light processing elements, wherein a lens unit is provided in between the light source and the concerned light valve.

Abstract: An optical lens array featuring low cost and simple manufacture. The lens array has two lens sections separated by spacers, with a stop on the front surface. An optional wraparound frame protects the lens array from external light. The spacers and stop, as well as the optional frame, are made of black polymer to block unwanted scattered or external light. The lens sections, stop, spacers, and frame can all be made by injection-molding. Notches, locating holes, posts, and ears serve to orient and align the parts, and to prevent incorrect assembly.

Abstract: A lenslet array having variously shaped and sized lenslets, where the lenslets are rotated and/or tilted, reducing gap images in an image formed by pixels/subpixels, where the pixel/subpixels have gaps between each other forming the gap images.

Abstract: To provide an imaging optical system which is compact (thin) and can provide high performance (high resolution, high aberration correcting ability or the like). In the imaging optical system OS of the present invention, at least three or more prism elements (for example, prisms PR1 to PR3) have a positive power, and an emission surface of one of the prism elements and an incident surface of at least one of the residual prism elements are arranged so as to be opposed to each other. The imaging optical system OS prevents a light ray which passes through the prisms from being intermediately imaged. Further, since an asymmetrical optical surface (for example, reflection surface) is provided, an optical path can be bent, so that the system can be made to be compact. Further, an asymmetrical optical surface or the like is adopted, so that asymmetry-specific aberration is corrected.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to A retro focus optical system that is capable of sufficiently correcting and/or reducing various aberrations including the chromatic aberration. The optical system includes a refractive optical element including a solid material. The Abbe number ?d and the partial dispersion ratio ?gF of the solid material along with a shape of the refractive optical element can reduce various aberrations.

Abstract: A projection device includes an image source unit, a first projecting optical system, an intermediate optical system, and a second projecting optical system. The image displaying area of the image source unit is tilted with respect to a first virtual plane, and an intermediate image is tilted with respect at least the first virtual plane. A following relationship is satisfied: - 1 > tan ? ? ? ?2 tan ? ? ? ?1 > f ? ? ? 1 H 2 ? sin ? ? ? ?1 where, f1 denotes a focal length of the first projecting optical system, ?1 denotes a tilt angle of the image display surface of the image source unit with respect to the first virtual plane, H represents a length of the image source unit which corresponds to the image projected on the screen in the vertical direction, and ?2 denotes a tilt angle of the intermediate image with respect to the first imaginary surface.

Abstract: A projection device is provided with an image source configured to emit light carrying an image having a rectangular shape, a first projecting optical system configured to form an intermediate image carried by the light emitted by the image source, the intermediate image having a trapezoidal shape due to trapezoidal distortion, an intermediate optical system configured to deflect light forming the intermediate image, a second projecting optical system configured to obliquely project light deflected by the intermediate optical system to a screen of the projection device, the image projected on the screen having a shape similar to the image provided by the image source. Each of the first projecting optical system and the second projecting optical system may be configured to be substantially telecentric toward the intermediate image.

Abstract: A reticle-masking (REMA) objective for imaging an object plane onto an image plane has a condenser portion, an intermediate portion, and a field lens portion. The three portions together have no more than 10 lenses with a combined total of no more than five aspheric lens surfaces. Each of the three portions of the REMA objective has one or two aspheric lens surfaces.

Abstract: A soft zoom lens system includes an axially expandable or shrinkable holding portion, a supporting portion, a first lens and a second lens. This holding portion has an inner space, a first end and a second end. The supporting portion is made by a soft material. The first lens is disposed between the first end and the supporting portion. The second lens is disposed between the second end and the supporting portion. When this holding portion is applied by predetermined electricity, it will expand or to shrink axially. So, the curvatures of the first lens and the second lens will be changed. The zooming is performed. The invention's structure is simple. The adjusting of focal length is easy. The production is easy with low cost.

Abstract: Disclosed is a zoom lens having a first lens group having a negative refractive power, a second lens group having a positive refractive power, and a third lens group having a positive refractive power arranged in the mentioned order from an object side, wherein the first lens group includes a negative lens and a positive lens having at least one aspherical surface arranged in the mentioned order from the object side and satisfies a following inequality (1): 0.4<D1/fw<0.66 ??(1) where D1 represents a distance, inside the first lens group, between a lens surface closest to an object and a lens surface closest to an image, and fw represents a focal distance with the zoom lens set to a wide-angle position.

Abstract: A variable magnification optical system of the present invention for forming an optical image of an object on a light-receiving surface of an image sensor with variable magnification includes: from the object side, at least a first lens unit having a positive optical power, a second lens unit having a negative optical power, a third lens unit having a positive optical power, and a fourth lens unit having a positive optical power. The variable magnification is performed by movement of at least the first lens unit and the third lens unit. A bending optical element for bending an optical axis is provided between the second lens unit and the third lens unit. Moreover, prescribed conditional formulae are fulfilled.

Abstract: A zoom lens wherein the image plane movement upon lens shifting is minimized. A power variation section and a final lens group are disposed in order from an object side. The power variation section includes at least two lens groups movable in an optical axis direction to vary a lens position state. The final lens group is fixed in the optical axis direction and includes first to third sub groups having negative, positive and positive refracting powers and disposed in order from the object side. The second sub group is shiftable substantially perpendicularly to the optical axis to shift an image. A conditional expression 0.2<ft/fBt<0.8 is satisfied where ft and fBt are the focal distances of the lens system and entire lens groups disposed on the object side of the third sub group in the telephoto end state.

Abstract: An imaging lens is provided and includes: a first lens of a positive lens; a second lens of a negative lens whose concave surface faces to an image side of the second lens; a third lens of a positive lens, whose both surfaces are aspheric, having a concave surface facing to an object side of the third lens; and a fourth lens of a meniscus lens, whose both surfaces are aspheric, having a convex surface facing to the object side near the optical axis, the lenses being arranged in this order from an object side, the first imaging lens satisfying the conditional expressions specified in the specification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a diffusion plate used in a direct-type backlight module and a method for making the same. At least one of the surfaces of the diffusion plate has a microstructure constituted by repeated undulation that can refract and diffuse the incident light beams that enter the diffusion plate. Therefore, the paths of the light beams after entering the diffusion plate are changed, which raises the luminance of the backlight module.

Abstract: A nonimaging optical system for processing a first and second light distribution. The nonimaging optical system includes at least two refractive surfaces, at least one reflective surface nearer to the first light distribution along at least one ray path than the nearer of the two refracting surfaces and the reflective surface and the refractive surfaces cooperating to redirect light edge rays of the first light distribution into the neighborhood of the edge of the second light distribution with a single reflection from the reflecting surface.

Abstract: A retainer for holding an optical element having three first grooves includes a first support member that supports the optical element through the first grooves, and a second support member that has three second grooves corresponding to the first grooves, and supports the first support member through the second grooves.

Abstract: An optical subassembly with an optical element, for example a mirror element (7), has an optical surface (9) and bearing points (12) arranged on the circumference. The optical element (7) is connected to a mount (13) at the bearing points (12) via connecting elements (14, 15, 16, 17, 18). Stress-decoupling cutouts, for example curved slots (11), are provided between the optical surface (9) and the bearing points (12).

Abstract: A arrangement serves for the adjustment of an optical element (1), in particular of a lens in an optical system, in particular in a projection lens system for semiconductor lithography. The optical element (1) is mounted in a mount (3) by means of a number of bearing feet (2) distributed over the circumference of the optical element (1) and is selectively deformable by actuators (5). At least some of the bearing feet (2) are engaged by the actuators (5) in a region of the respective bearing foot (2) in such a way that the respective bearing foot (2) can be displaced in the direction of the optical axis (7).

Abstract: A reflector module for a projection system includes a base, a reflecting component provided with a reflecting surface, an axle unit, and at least one actuator. The base has a surrounding wall with a bottom side, and a bottom wall connected to the surrounding wall for closing the bottom side of the surrounding wall. The reflecting component is disposed in the base, and has side edges and an underside surface. The axle unit is disposed on the side edges of the reflecting component, and interconnects the surrounding wall of the base and the reflecting component such that the reflecting component is mounted tiltably in the base about the axle unit. The actuator is mounted between the bottom wall of the base and the underside surface of the reflecting component, and is operable to drive movement of the reflecting component to cause the reflecting surface to oscillate about the axle unit.

Abstract: A vehicle side mirror that can visually confirm the blind spot of the main mirror without providing a prism or a fresnel lens on the window glass is provided. The vehicle side mirror is equipped with mirror housing attached to the side of the vehicle body and main mirror attached to the rear surface of mirror housing. The first sub-mirror that reflects the blind spot at the front side of the vehicle is provided on the side surface of mirror housing so as to face the vehicle body and second sub-mirror that reflects the blind spot at the center side of the vehicle is provided at the bottom portion of the rear surface of mirror housing.

Abstract: A method for predicting the failure of a data storage device having a slider heater is disclosed. For slider heaters exhibiting a decreasing resistance aging characteristic, a failure warning is produced when heater resistance suddenly increases 2 to 5%, or dR/dt changes sign from negative to positive. For slider heaters exhibiting an increasing resistance aging characteristic, a failure warning is produced when the heater resistance suddenly drops 2 to 5%, or dR/dt changes sign from positive to negative. Additionally, random changes in heater resistance exceeding nominal measurement error may also be utilized to produce a failure warning. This method provides advance warning of potential data read/write errors well before the open circuit failure of the slider heater occurs.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for presenting various levels of detail about successful error recoveries and background hardware optimizations during the recording and retrieval of digital information on magnetic tape. A first, Band Summary, report presents a high-level summary of recovery methods by data band and wrap. A second, Detail Summary, report presents a mid-level summary of recovery methods by track and longitudinal position (LPOS) region within one wrap of a band on the tape. A third, ERP Summary, report presents a low-level summary of errors and specific recovery methods and optimizations by LPOS region within each wrap. Such “telescoping” views permit pattern analysis to be performed at different resolutions. Thus, correlations of possible interactions between hardware and microcode activities that result in changes of the nominal operating point of the drive may be identified.

Abstract: A method of determining a size of an error generated in a servo sector, a write control method of controlling whether to write data to data sectors successive to a servo sector according to the size of the error generated in the servo sector therein, a HDD using the write control method, and a recording media storing computer programs for executing the methods. A method of determining a size of an error generated in a servo sector of a HDD includes: reading servo information from the servo sector in which the error was generated; and determining the size of the error by a number of corresponding bits that differ from each other between the read servo information and a normal servo information.