Abstract: An optical scanner includes a light source, an optical coupler, an optical line image unit, a deflector, and an optical scanning unit. The optical scanning unit includes scanning lenses that guide the beams to a surface to be scanned. A surface on the deflector side of the scanning lens closest to a deflection reflecting surface has a negative power in a vertical scanning direction, and is a special toric surface in which a radius of curvature in a vertical scanning changes from an optical axis of the lens surface toward a periphery of the horizontal scanning direction. An F number of the beams toward the surface to be scanned of the scanning lens in the vertical scanning direction is larger in a peripheral part than in a central part in an effective scanning width.

Abstract: A light scanning device includes a polygon mirror configured to be rotatable around a rotation axis to reflect and deflect a light beam with a plurality of reflecting surfaces, a light source that makes a light beam incident onto the polygon mirror from an outside of a scanning range of the light beam being scanned in a main scanning direction by the polygon mirror, and an image forming optical system that converges the deflected light beam as a spot scanned in the main scanning direction on a scanned surface. In a state where the light beam is directed to a center of the scanning range on the scanned surface, a chief ray of the light beam intersects with a reflecting surface at a point shifted by a predetermined amount in a direction toward a side opposite the light source front a center of the reflecting surface in the main scanning direction.

Abstract: A module for an optical information reader, wherein a light emitting unit (22), a collimator lens (23), a vibration mirror (31) for scanning, a condensing mirror (40), and a light receiving unit (50) are installed in a module casing (10) for modularization, and a lens-barrel hole (13b) opening at one end thereof and having an aperture (13a) formed at the tip face thereof is provided in the module casing (10), the collimator lens (23) is installed in the lens-barrel hole (13b) so as to come into contact with the tip bottom part thereof, and the light emitting unit (22) is press-fitted into the press-fit part (13c) of the lens-barrel hole in front of the collimator lens to form a laser beam generating part (20).

Abstract: In a display unit which makes coherent light perform scanning on a screen to display an image, it is necessary to rotate a polygon mirror at ultrahigh speed for display of a high resolution image such as HDTV, and therefore, a high-performance polygon mirror must be employed, and further, noise and power consumption during rotation of the polygon mirror cause problems. Mirrors for multiple reflection (6a) and (6b) are inserted in a coherent light scanning optical system, whereby plural scanning lines can be obtained while one plane of the polygon mirror (5) scans one line of coherent light, leading to reduction in the rpm of the polygon mirror.

Abstract: A scanning optical apparatus having stable optical performance even if the characteristic of a vertical cavity surface emitting laser is fluctuated due to increase in drive current, and an image forming apparatus using the same are provided. The scanning optical apparatus comprises a converting optical system for converting a beam from the light source means having plural emission points into a beam of another state, deflecting means, and an imaging optical system for directing the deflected beam onto a scanning surface, and either pair of conditions is satisfied, 3?Fnos<Fnom?15 and d?s/dT<d?m/dT, or 3?Fnom<Fnos?15 and d?m/dT<d?s/dT, where Fnom and Fnos represent F numbers of the light source means side of the converting optical system in main and sub-scanning directions, ?m and ?s half value angles of far field pattern in the main and sub-scanning directions, and d?m/dT and d?s/dT the fluctuations of ?m and ?s due to temperature change.

Abstract: An adjustable pinhole for a laser scanning microscope. The adjustable pinhole includes first and second silicon apertures movable relative to each other, each of the silicon apertures having a rectangular mirror-inverted opening, the relative movement of the openings defining a pinhole of varying size. The relative movement can be in two directions, whereby the first and second silicon apertures are displaceable with respect to one another in a first direction and whereby at least one of the silicon apertures is displaceable in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction for adjustment to obtain an exact square form for the configuration of the pinhole.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for modulating one or both of spectral phase and amplitude of a received optical signal. The apparatus includes a spatial dispersion mechanism for spatially dispersing the received optical signal to enable optical communication of the received optical signal to an array of modulators. The apparatus includes a modulating mechanism having a first modulating component and a second modulating component. A first portion of the spatially dispersed optical signal is incident on the first modulating component and a second portion of the spatially dispersed optical signal is incident on the second modulating portion. The apparatus further includes a controller coupled to the modulating mechanism. The controller is adapted for moving the first and second modulating components in a direction normal to their planes for modulating one or both of phase and amplitude of the received optical signal.

Abstract: Adjustments to the optical subsystem of an electro-optic imaging system take into account different subsystems within the overall electro-optic imaging system. In one implementation, end-to-end imaging performance is predicted based on determining propagation of a source through the optical subsystem, the detector subsystem and the digital image processing subsystem. The optical subsystem is then adjusted after taking into account these other subsystems. For example, the compensators for the optical subsystem and the digital image processing subsystem may be jointly adjusted based on a post-processing performance metric that takes into account the effects of the image processing. Unlike in conventional approaches, the intermediate optical image produced by the optical subsystem is not required to be high image quality since, for example, the image may be subsequently improved by other adjustments in the digital image processing subsystem.

Abstract: Micromirror devices, especially for use in digital projection are disclosed. Other applications are contemplated as well. The devices employ a superstructure that includes a mirror supported over a hinge set above a substructure. Various improvements to the superstructure over known micromirror devices are provided. The features described are applicable to improve manufacturability, enable further miniaturization of the elements and/or to increase relative light return. Devices can be produced utilizing the various optional features described herein, possibly offering cost savings, lower power consumption, and higher resolution.

Abstract: An optical component for gain-flattening multiplexed passband signals amplified with optical pump power, comprises a launch port optical waveguide operative to communicate multiplexed passband signals in a passband wavelength range and optical pump power in a different wavelength range; a thin film demux filter oriented to receive combined multiplexed passband signals and optical pump power from the launch port optical waveguide, and operative to pass the multiplexed passband signals and to reflect the optical pump power; a bypass port optical waveguide operative and oriented to receive and carry optical pump power reflected by the demux filter; a gain-flattening filter positioned to receive from the thin film demux filter and operative to pass the multiplexed passband signals with a desired attenuation profile for gain-flattening; and an output port optical waveguide oriented to receive and operative to carry at least multiplexed passband signals passed by the gain-flattening filter.

Abstract: The invention provides low-emissivity coatings that are highly reflective of infrared radiation. The coating includes three infrared-reflection film regions, which may each comprise silver.

Abstract: The invention provides multiple cavity low-emissivity coatings. The coating includes three infrared-reflection film regions, which may each comprise silver.

Abstract: Multilayer-film (MLF) reflective mirrors are disclosed that have a highly precise surface profile. An exemplary MLF reflective mirror includes multilayer film in which layers of molybdenum (Mo) and layers of silicon (Si) are periodically deposited in an alternating manner on the surface of a mirror substrate. One or more selected regions of the multilayer film have been “shaved” away layer-wise as required to impart an in-plane distribution of removed material sufficient to correct a wavefront error in light reflected from the mirror. After such “layer-machining,” a single-layer film of Si (or Si-containing material) is applied to fill in the machined areas and restore the original contour, as designed, for the surface of the multilayer film. I.e., the Si film has a thickness distribution corresponding to the depth profile of material removed from the multilayer film. A capping layer can be deposited uniformly on the surface of the single-layer film.

Abstract: An ergonomic microscope (1) and a microscope carrier (2) are disclosed. The microscope encompasses a stand (3) which possesses a stand base (3a) that defines an external contour (3b). The microscope (1) is placed onto the microscope carrier (2). The microscope carrier (2) comprises a body (4) and a left and a right hand rest (6). The left and the right hand rest (6) are attached to the body (4) so as to pivot freely and independently of one another. A height adjustment of the microscope carrier (2) results in a pivoting of the hand rests (6) in such a way that their front edges (6a) rest on the bench surface (50) regardless of the height adjustment.

Abstract: A microscope apparatus includes a capture unit for capturing a microscopic image of a specimen in a predetermined microscopy, a capture control unit controlling the capture unit and capturing a microscopic image about the same specimen with a plurality of predetermined resolutions, and a microscopy switch unit switching the microscopy. With the configuration, the capture control unit at least includes a first capture control unit allowing the capture unit to capture the specimen with a first resolution controlled in advance, a definition unit defining a plurality of small sections obtained by dividing a first microscopic image captured by the capture unit under control of the first capture control unit; and a second capture control unit allowing the capture unit to capture a portion corresponding to the small section of the specimen with a predetermined second resolution as a resolution higher than the first resolution.

Abstract: A microscope system according to the present invention comprises a stage on which a specimen is placed, an image forming optical system that forms an image of the specimen placed on the stage, an image-capturing device that captures the image of the specimen formed by the image forming optical system, a focused position detection device that detects a focused position for the specimen based upon the specimen image captured by the image-capturing device and a focused position storage device that stores in memory the focused position detected by the focused position detection device. The focused position detection device sets a search range centered around the focused position stored in memory at the focused position storage device and detects the focused position anew by causing the stage and the image forming optical system to move relative to each other over the search range thus set each time a focusing operation is executed.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a scanning-laser microscope apparatus and a light-amount detection unit that can perform quantitative observation by reporting to the operator the light intensity irradiating a specimen due to optical stimulation. There is provided a laser microscope apparatus including a stimulus optical system for irradiating a stimulus laser beam for applying a stimulus to a specific position of a specimen; a light detector for measuring the light intensity of the stimulus laser beam; a light-intensity correction circuit for correcting the measured value from the light detector; an integrating circuit for integrating the detected value from the light-intensity correction circuit; and a display device for displaying the detected integrated value from the integrating circuit.

Abstract: A scanning microscope (1) and a scanning method are disclosed. The scanning microscope (1) has, arranged in the illuminating light beam path (3), an outcoupling element (60) that couples out at least a fraction of the illuminating light beam (3) and directs it to a detector (61) that detects the pulse frequency of the light source that generates the illuminating light beam; and the pulse frequency serves as a basic clock frequency for the scanner.

Abstract: Providing a microscope capable of movably adjusting an observation field of a sample without moving the sample. The microscope includes a first objective lens, a second objective lens, a mirror, an angular adjustment mechanism, and a shift mechanism. The first objective lens is disposed to the sample side. The second objective lens forms an intermediate image of the sample together with the first objective lens. The mirror is disposed with a tilt on an optical path between the first objective lens and the second objective lens. The angular adjustment mechanism rotatably adjust the mirror in the tilt direction. The shift mechanism makes a shift adjustment of the second objective lens in an axial direction of a rotation axis of the mirror. With the configuration, the observation field can be moved two-dimensionally by the angular adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: Method, apparatus and arrangement according an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be provided for generating an image of at least one portion of an anatomical structure. For example, the portion can have an area greater than about 1 mm2, and the image can have a resolution a transverse resolution that is below about 10 ?m. For example, light can be scanned over such portion so as to generate first information which is related to the portion, where the light may be provided through a diffraction arrangement to generate a spectrally dispersed line. Method, apparatus and arrangement according to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be provided for positioning a radiation or optical beam within an anatomical structure based on signals generated by scanning a portion of the structure using the same or a different beam.

Abstract: An examination apparatus that has a simple structure and that is capable of determining the condition inside the apparatus and improving the ease of use of the apparatus when a specimen is changed is provided. The examination apparatus includes a stage on which a specimen is disposed; an optical system configured to form an enlarged or reduced image of the specimen; a cover configured to cover the stage and the optical system; an opening and closing member provided as part of the cover; a detection unit configured to detect whether the opening and closing member is in a closed state or an open state; and a stage driving unit configured to move the state. Only when the detection unit detects that the opening and closing member is open, the stage is moved by the stage driving unit to the outside of the cover through an opening covered by the opening and closing member.

Abstract: A color-filtering device for enhancing color from a binocular view includes a first variable color filter element a second variable color filter element: and a mechanical assembly for communication of axial rotation to the first and second filter elements.

Abstract: Embodiments of adjusting an optical characteristic of one or more sections of a screen are disclosed.

Abstract: The graphic representation and structure of physical inspection results focuses on renovation of previous health reports primarily including words and numeral data of patient information. The human body system has a unique background of color or gray standard system diagram, while the complaints, physical examination, laboratory data and instrumental examination results of patients are prepared into a patient transparent film (drawing), which shall correspond to standard system diagram with respect to the human size. Then, the patient transparent film is superimposed into a standard system diagram, thereby offering an innovative graphic display of physical inspection report thanks to the transparency of films. And, the reporter may track and collect the medical history and records to prepare a clear and complete report optimally suited for bridging the gap between patients and physicians.

Abstract: An external laser light introducing device is constructed to introduce laser light from outside of an optical apparatus into inside so that the laser light is condensed on a target by a condenser lens located inside the optical apparatus. In this case, the external laser light introducing device comprises a pupil projection optical system for projecting the entrance pupil of the condenser lens on an external pupil located outside the optical apparatus and an optical axis aligning mechanism for practically aligning the optical axis of the laser light with that of the external pupil.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for optical switching using nanoscale optics are disclosed herein. A nano-optics apparatus for use as an optical switch includes a metallic film having a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of cylindrical channels containing a dielectric material, the metallic film acting as an outer electrode; and an array of non-linear optical components penetrating the metallic film through the plurality of cylindrical channels, the array acting as an array of inner electrodes.

Abstract: A drape (101) for a surgical microscope (100) is attached to the surgical microscope (100) with a holding device (103) in the region of the surgical microscope main objective (104). The holding device (103) can accommodate a cover element (105). A tongue-shaped section is provided on the holding device (103) which applies a spring force to an outer peripheral surface of the surgical microscope main objective (104) when the holding device is arranged on the surgical microscope main objective (104) so that the holding device is held force-tight and friction-tight on the surgical microscope main objective. The cover element (105) can be inserted laterally into the holding device (103).

Abstract: A corner cube reflector includes a two-dimensional arrangement of unit elements. The unit elements are arranged at a pitch of 200 ?m or less. As viewed in a direction from which incoming light is coming, each unit element has a peak point and a bottom point. A peak portion, including the peak point, has an excessive portion and/or a missing portion as compared with an ideal peak portion of an ideal corner cube. The level of the peak point is lower than that of the ideal peak point of the ideal corner cube. An average level difference h2 between the level of the bottom point and that of an ideal bottom point of the ideal corner cube is smaller than an average level difference h1 between the level of the peak point and that of the ideal peak point.

Abstract: The present invention relates to retroreflective sheeting.

Abstract: The diffractive optical device (1) can be used as a security device in the fields of authentication, identification and security. It comprises a zero-order diffractive color filter (3). The diffractive color filter may consist of a microstructured high-index layer (32) embedded between two low-index layers (31, 33). A mirror layer (4) for reflecting towards the diffractive color filter (3) at least part of light transmitted through the diffractive color filter (3) are provided beneath the diffractive color filter. Thanks to the mirror layer (4), the device (1) has a much higher reflected intensity and much more complex spectra than prior-art diffractive color filters.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical telecommunications network that includes at least one of a filter having equal group delay ripple and minimized phase non-linearity which is formed by the process including limiting at least one of the group delay ripple and the phase non-linearity of the filter between a predetermined upper boundary and a predetermined lower boundary, wherein such limiting includes selecting a baseline filter of a predetermined order having a given transmission at a given frequency from a center frequency of the baseline filter; deriving a scaling factor by, where the given transmission of the baseline filter is equal to a predetermined transmission of the filter, comparing the given frequency from the center frequency of the baseline filter to a predetermined frequency from a center frequency of the filter; applying the scaling factor to a denominator polynomial of the baseline filter to obtain a denominator polynomial of the filter; and performing simplex-type multi-parameter optim

Abstract: A reflector includes a substrate having a first end and a second end and an optical coating of at least first and second materials having differing refractive indices deposited on the substrate. The optical coating includes a plurality of alternating layers of the first and second materials with each layer having a thickness which increases from the first end to the second end of the substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical system for reducing the reflection of optically transparent substrates. A layer system consisting of alternately arranged layers is formed on the surface of the respective substrate. The aim of the intention is to reduce the proportion of reflected light within a broad wavelength range, whereby it is possible to have a specific influence upon the value of the reflection, the respective wavelength range wherein a reduction is obtained, and, optionally, upon a colour impression arising therefrom. According to the invention, the alternately arranged layers of materials having lower and higher optical refraction indexes form stacks of layers. Said stacks of layers have an equivalent optical refraction index, in relation to a predefinable wavelength lambda, which is lower than the optical refraction index of the substrate.

Abstract: A protective automatic darkening filter (ADF) and an associated tool, such as a welding torch, are controlled by a corresponding communication unit. The invention helps to ensure that the tool is not activated before the ADF has reached its dark state. A communication channel between the communication unit and the ADF may be established using a wired or wireless medium.

Abstract: A method for controlling a rearview mirror, in particular for motor vehicles, provided with a reflection part with variable reflectance, includes supplying a control unit assigned to the reflection part with a nominal value for the reflectance. To provide a nominal value which is particularly favorable for the respective driving situation, the nominal value is specified by taking into consideration a first characteristic value characteristic of the sensitivity which adjusts in the viewer's eye due to the light situation, and/or a second characteristic value characteristic of the kind of ambient light.

Abstract: A single panel reflective-type color optical engine makes use of a grating matched with a reflecting mirror set for adjusting the traveling directions of three primary color lights or at least a beam-splitting rotating disk and a reflecting mirror to split an incident light into the three primary color lights and separately adjusts their reflected directions and orders, or makes use of three reflecting mirrors with continually varying angles to reflect three primary color lights to adjust their reflected directions and orders, thereby simultaneously projecting the three primary color lights onto different regions of a single panel in the red-green-blue, green-blue-red, and then blue-red-green order. The single panel reflective-type color optical engine can apply to LCOS and DLP reflective-type projection systems, and has the advantages of high brightness, good uniformity, small size, and low price.

Abstract: A light-emitting device includes: a light-emitting section disposed on a reference plane and supplying light; and a structure disposed on the light-exiting side of the light-emitting section, wherein the structure includes: a reflective polarizer that transmits polarized light vibrating in a first vibrating direction and reflects polarized light vibrating in a second vibrating direction substantially orthogonal to the first vibrating direction; and an optical section that transmits the light from the reflective polarizer and that cyclically changes in refraction index in the two-dimensional plane substantially parallel to the reference plane.

Abstract: Microlens sheetings with composite images are disclosed, in which the composite image floats above or below the sheeting, or both. The composite image may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. Methods for providing such an imaged sheeting are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for receiving a Gaussian profile optical input signal and splitting the input signal into two or more homogenized, top-hat profile output beams. In one embodiment first and second hexagonally shaped homogenizer tubes are coupled perpendicularly to one another. A beam splitting element is disposed within the second tube. A Gaussian profile input optical signal is directed into an input end of the first tube and reflects off highly reflective interior surfaces of the first tube as it propagates therethrough and impinges the beam splitting element. As it is split into two or more subcomponents by the beam splitting element, it continues reflecting off of highly reflective interior surfaces of the second tube until each of the output beams reaches a respective output end of the second tube.

Abstract: Virtual displays with micro-display engines are arranged in compact, lightweight configurations that generate clear virtual images for an observer. The displays are particularly suitable for portable devices, such as head-mounted displays adapted to non-immersive or immersive applications. The non-immersive applications feature reflective optics moved out of the direct line of sight of the observer and provide for differentially modifying the amount or form of ambient light admitted from the forward environment with respect to image light magnified within the display. Micro-display engines suitable for both non-immersive and immersive display applications and having LCD image sources displace polarization components of the LCD image sources along the optical paths of the engines for simplifying engine design. A compound imaging system for micro-display engines features the use of reflectors in sequence to expand upon the imaging possibilities of the new micro-display engines.

Abstract: An optical system includes a primary lens group having a central beam path therethrough and including a front lens group and a rear lens group. An anamorphic lens group lies on the central beam path and is positioned between the front lens group and the rear lens group. The anamorphic lens group includes at least one optically powered anamorphic lens that has different enlargements of a light beam along different axes perpendicular to the central beam path. The anamorphic lens group may be mounted on structure that allows it to be removed from the central beam path. An image transceiver is either an image source that directs a light beam through the primary lens group and the anamorphic lens group, or is an image receiver that receives a light beam through the primary lens group and the anamorphic lens group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a compact and high resolution imaging lens array that comprises successively from the object side: a first positive lens is a meniscus plastic lens with a concave surface facing forward, a second glass biconvex lens, a third negative lens is a meniscus lens with a concave surface facing forward, a fourth positive lens is a biconvex lens made of plastic, and an aperture is located between the first lens and the second lens. The respective lenses are provided with aspherical surface, and thus the size of the imaging lens array can be reduced and the resolution also can be improved.

Abstract: An imaging lens array that has stable performance and improved precision, wherein a first lens is a positive meniscus lens with a convex surface facing the object side; a second lens is a negative meniscus lens with a convex surface facing the object side; a third lens is a positive meniscus lens with a convex surface facing image side; and fourth lens is a positive meniscus lens with a convex surface facing the object side. When the second, third and fourth lenses are double-sided aspherical lenses, the respective lenses of the present invention can be ensured to have an appropriate power, it also can minimize error, and improve the image quality.

Abstract: A projection apparatus including an optical engine, a ring, a lens and multiple casings is provided. The optical engine is suitable for producing an image light beam to project an image onto a screen. The ring is fixed on the optical engine. The lens is disposed outside the optical engine and located at a transmission path of the image light beam. The casings are assembled to the ring and connected to each other to form a lens barrel for fixing the lens, and the lens is driven to move relative to the optical engine and the ring by the lens barrel. The projection apparatus has a smaller overall dimension.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an image has one or more lenses in an optical path, at least one angular-sensitive light transmission filter in the optical path, in which transmission varies with change in angular orientation of the filter with reference to the direction of light in the optical path, and a mechanism for adjusting the angle of the light transmission filter.

Abstract: An apparatus for displaying an image of a blind spot area to which driver's view is obstructed by a pillar, includes: an monitor on the pillar; a camera to take an image of a peripheral area including the blind spot area; and an image converting device to convert the camera image and create an output image to be displayed on the monitor. The image converting device sets in the peripheral area a reference surface defined as a surface of a sphere around a reference point at which the driver's eye point is assumed to exist; obtains positions of intersecting points at which half-lines extending from the reference point and passing through respective screen pixels of the monitor intersect with the reference surface; identifies pixels of the camera image corresponding to the respective intersecting points based on the camera's parameters; and creates the output image using data of the identified pixels.

Abstract: A vibration type tilting device, according to an embodiment of the invention, which comprises a mirror holder, supporting a mirror on one side, which tilts together with the mirror such that the mirror periodically tilts light on a light path in a minute angle; a holder support part supporting the mirror holder; a driving part, which supplies driving power to the mirror holder; and a damping part comprising a gap adjustment member capable of changing the gap between a portion of the mirror holder and a portion of the holder support part, provides superior vibration characteristics, as the viscous fluid is not heated by the driving part.

Abstract: An optical low pass filter includes: a plurality of optical elements formed by bonding together and an adhesion layer of adhesive that is installed at each of interfaces of the plurality of optical elements to be bonded. The transmitted wave aberration is ±1.5 ? or less (? representing incident wavelength).

Abstract: A color wheel unit and a fabrication method thereof are disclosed. The color wheel unit comprises a color wheel positioned on a light path and having RGB segments, which are rotated to be inserted in order into the light path, and a driving apparatus for providing rotational force to the color wheel, where the color wheel is secured to the driving apparatus by laser welding. This allows a simplified process for joining the color wheel to the driving apparatus.

Abstract: A disk drive clock circuit includes a servo clock generator and a disk locked frequency converter. The servo clock generator generates a servo clock signal in response to servo information read from a data storage disk in a disk drive. The disk locked frequency converter responds to the servo clock signal by generating a modified clock signal having a different frequency, and adjusts timing of an edge of the modified clock signal in response to a timing event identified from the servo information read from the disk. The disk locked frequency converter can include a divide-by-n counter that is configured to divide the frequency of the servo clock signal by a number n to generate the modified clock signal. The disk locked frequency converter can reset the divide-by-n counter to a defined value in response to the timing event. The modified clock signal can thereby be phase locked to the servo information on the disk.