Abstract: A printing file processing method of an image forming apparatus which prints images on media includes receiving printing files, displaying an alignment menu comprising a plurality of alignment standards to align the received printing files, selecting an alignment standard in the displayed alignment menu, aligning the received printing files on the basis of the selected alignment standard, and displaying at the image forming apparatus the received printing files in the aligned order. Accordingly, a user can search and select a desired printing file conveniently using a printing file processing method of an image forming apparatus.

Abstract: An image data sequencing method for a memory unit inside an optical scanning device. The image data sequencing method is particularly suitable for scanning a line of pixels with each pixel comprising a plurality of primary colors. The image data sequencing method involves scanning a line of pixels to obtain the data for a primary or secondary color. The pixels within the scan line are subdivided into groups. A storage space is reserved both before and after the address space inside the memory unit for holding the scanned primary or secondary color data so that all the primary or secondary color data constituting a pixel are in a fixed sequence next to each other inside the memory unit. When all the primary or secondary color data of pixels within a group are secured, the group of data is released from the memory unit.

Abstract: A Buffer devices and scanners with buffer capability are provided. A buffer device includes a body, a movable component, and an elastic structure. The body includes a groove. The movable component is slidingly disposed in the groove. The elastic structure is connected between the body and the movable component.

Abstract: An image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a first reading unit that reads an image on a front side of a document being transferred along a transfer path; a second reading unit that reads an image on a rear side of the document; a reversing unit arranged downstream of the first and the second reading units that turns the document over and place it on the transfer path; and a controller that causes, when a error is detected in the first or second reading units, the reversing unit to turn the document over and place it on the transfer path, so that a reading unit in which the error is not detected reads the image on the side to be read by the reading unit in which the error is detected.

Abstract: A document deciding apparatus includes: a light source; a light-quantity detection unit detecting a reference light quantity based on irradiation of the light source, and respective light quantities of plural colors based on reflection from or transmission through a document; a decision unit deciding whether the document is colorless or colored, in accordance with a predetermined criterion on the basis of the light quantities of plural colors detected by the light-quantity detection unit; and a control unit performing a control so as to alter the criterion of the decision unit or a value corresponding to the light quantities detected by the light-quantity detection unit, on the basis of a change of the reference light quantity detected by the light-quantity detection unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image processing method for color correction.

Abstract: The invention relates a to an optical holographic device for reading out a data page recorded in a holographic medium (106). The device comprises means for receiving the holographic medium, means for imaging the data page and means (114) for detecting the imaged data page. It also comprises, between the receiving means and the detecting means, an electro-optical system (200, 300, 400) which magnification can be changed by application of a voltage between electrodes.

Abstract: An optical device diffracts incident light with a hologram element 19 and receives the diffracted light with light receiving regions 20A to 29 on a light receiving element 12. The light receiving element 12 separately receives reflected main beams used to read information from an optical disc and reflected sub-beams used for a tracking operation with different ones of the light receiving regions. The light receiving regions to receive the reflected main beams are common irrespective of the wavelengths of the reflected main beams. The light receiving regions to receive the reflected sub-beams are different depending on the wavelengths of the reflected sub-beams. The optical device can record and/or reproduce information signals to and/or from optical discs, which need light sources of different wavelengths, without the influence of unnecessary reflected light from the optical discs or without complicating operation of output signals.

Abstract: The hologram recording sheet according to the invention is made up of a base film and hologram sensitive materials sensitive to different wavelength regions formed therein in a desired pattern, or a film and at least two hologram recording sensitive materials sensitive to different wavelength regions laminated on the film with a transparent plastic spacer layer located therebetween, thereby enabling the required diffraction light wavelengths to be recorded on the required sites without producing unnecessary interference fringes. At least two hologram recording sensitive materials sensitive to different wavelength regions are formed on different sites on a film in dotted or striped configuration, the size of which is up to 200 mm or at least twice as large as the thickness of the sensitive material layers, thereby enabling regions diffracting light of different wavelengths to be formed in the form of independent sets of interference fringes.

Abstract: The hologram recording sheet according to the invention is made up of a base film and hologram sensitive materials sensitive to different wavelength regions formed therein in a desired pattern, or a film and at least two hologram recording sensitive materials sensitive to different wavelength regions laminated on the film with a transparent plastic spacer layer located therebetween, thereby enabling the required diffraction light wavelengths to be recorded on the required sites without producing unnecessary interference fringes. At least two hologram recording sensitive materials sensitive to different wavelength regions are formed on different sites on a film in dotted or striped configuration, the size of which is up to 200 mm or at least twice as large as the thickness of the sensitive material layers, thereby enabling regions diffracting light of different wavelengths to be formed in the form of independent sets of interference fringes.

Abstract: To properly reproduce information from a holographic memory even when a tilt error occurs in a direction vertical to a surface including optical axes of data light and reference light. During reproduction, a holographic memory (10) is fed stepwise from an initial access position with respect to a reproduction target block within a fixed back and forth range in a disk circumferential direction. In each stepwise-fed position, an SNR of a reproduction signal is calculated by an SNR calculation circuit (19) to detect the quality of the reproduction signal. A disk circumferential direction position in which an SNR becomes best is set in a circumferential direction position with respect to the reproduction target block.

Abstract: The invention uses optically active dyes or other optically active materials to perform digital data processing and logic functions on optical data. The data is carried in pulses of photons of wavelengths appropriate to interact with the optically active materials to excite or de-excite them. The use of the invention in performing various optical processing functions is described.

Abstract: An optical pickup device, which reduces the size of an optical spot formed on an optical disk, and prevents the degradation of a tracking error signal due to coherent light from a layer adjacent a target recording/reproducing layer of the optical disk. The optical pickup device includes a light source emitting light at a designated wavelength; an object lens concentrating the light incident from the light source thereupon and forming an optical spot on an optical disk having multiple recording layers; and an optical detector receiving the light reflected by the optical disk and detecting a data signal and an error signal, wherein at least one diffraction pattern region partially diffracting or intercepting the light, emitted from the light source and being incident upon the object lens, and the light, reflected by optical disk and being incident upon the object lens, is formed on the object lens.

Abstract: Disclosed is an oscillating device such as an optical deflector, by which a resonance frequency of an oscillating system can be adjusted and controlled without the provision of any additional heating element, wherein, in one preferred embodiment, the oscillating device includes an oscillating system, a stationary member for holding the oscillating system, and a driving system having a coil, for driving the oscillating system, wherein the oscillating system includes a movable element, a supporting member and a resiliently supporting portion, wherein the movable element is resiliently supported relative to the supporting member by the resiliently supporting portion for oscillating motion about a predetermined oscillation axis, wherein the supporting member is fixed to the stationary member, and wherein the amount of heat generation of the coil can be controlled by applying, to the coil, a heating electric current of a frequency different from the natural oscillation mode frequency of the oscillating system, whe

Abstract: A light deflecting apparatus is employed in a light scanning unit of an image forming device. Such a deflecting apparatus includes a stator having a sleeve disposed at a printed circuit board (PCB), and a core disposed around the sleeve, to which coils are wound; a rotor having a rotor frame connected to an axis which is rotatably supported in the sleeve, and a rotor housing fixed to the rotor frame to surround the core; and a polygon mirror supported on the rotor frame. At least one of the rotor frame and the rotor housing is formed of a plastic material. Because the rotor frame and/or the rotor housing is formed of the plastic material, the high precision manufacture of such a light deflecting apparatus which requires mechanical machining and press working, is not needed. As a result, the manufacture of such a light deflecting apparatus is made simpler and easier; and, likewise, a working time and an exhaustion of manpower are reduced, so that a manufacturing cost is reduced.

Abstract: A multi-beam scanning unit includes a light source having a plurality of light emitting portions, each light emitting portion emitting a laser beam, and a beam deflector deflecting each of the laser beams emitted from the light emitting portions in a main scanning direction of a photosensitive medium. The light emitting portions are arranged in a line on a light exit surface of the light source, and an angle A between a section on a light exit surface of the light source corresponding to a sub-scanning direction that is a direction in which the photosensitive medium moves and a section connecting the light emitting portions satisfies the following inequalities: 0°<A?35° or 55°?A?80°.

Abstract: A method for increasing the resonant frequency of a torsional hinged device having a reduced attaching area between the torsional hinges and the supporting anchors. The resonant frequency is increased by adding a material over the reduced area to stiffen the connection between the torsional hinges and the support anchors.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a process of forming a device that has an improved usable lifetime due to the addition of a gas-phase lubricant that reduces the likelihood of stiction occurring between the various moving parts in an electromechanical device. One advantage of the disclosed device is that a gas-phase lubricant has a high diffusion rate and, therefore, is self-replenishing, meaning that it can quickly move back into a contact region after being physically displaced from the region by the contacting surfaces of the device during operation. Consequently, the gas-phase lubricant is more reliable than conventional solid or liquid lubricants in preventing stiction-related device failures.

Abstract: One embodiment of an micromechanical device includes a first contact surface, a moveable component having a second contact surface, where the second contact surface interacts with the first contact surface during device operation, and a gas-phase lubricant disposed between the first contact surface and the second contact surface, where the gas-phase lubricant is adapted to reduce stiction-related forces between the first contact surface and the second contact surface. One advantage of the disclosed device is that a gas-phase lubricant has a high diffusion rate and, therefore, is self-replenishing, meaning that it can quickly move back into a contact region after being physically displaced from the region by the contacting surfaces of the device during operation. Consequently, the gas-phase lubricant is more reliable than conventional solid or liquid lubricants in preventing stiction-related device failures.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a device that has an improved usable lifetime due to the presence of a lubricant that reduces the likelihood of stiction occurring between the various moving parts in an electromechanical device. Embodiments of the present invention also generally include a device, and a method of forming a device, that has one or more surfaces or regions that have a volume of lubricant disposed thereon that acts as a ready supply of “fresh” lubricant to prevent stiction occurring between interacting components found within the device. In one aspect, components within the volume of lubricant form a gas or vapor phase that reduces the chances of stiction-related failure in the formed device. In one example, aspects of this invention may be especially useful for fabricating and using micromechanical devices, such as MEMS devices, NEMS devices, or other similar thermal or fluidic devices.

Abstract: A microcapsule includes an electrophoretic dispersion liquid including at least one kind of electrophoretic particle having a polarity, and a capsule body encapsulating the electrophoretic dispersion liquid and made of a polymeric material including one of a nonpolar resin without having a polarity and a resin material having a nonpolar group without having a polarity as a side chain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microcapsule that can be used to form a rewritable medium for visual displays that are stable in the presence of electric fields having a strength that is typical in the work environment. The microcapsule of the invention comprises charged particles of one or more colors that are suspended in a phase change material that has a melting temperature in the range of between about 30° C and about 200° C. The microcapsules can be used to form an electrophoretic coating that includes microcapsules of the invention distributed throughout a polymer matrix. The electrophoretic coating can be used to coat a substrate to form a rewritable medium.

Abstract: The lifetime of optical components used in deep-UV (DUV) excimer laser systems, including systems in a MOPA configuration, can be increased by reducing the intensity of pulses incident upon these components. In one approach, an output pulse can be “stretched” in order to reduce the peak power of the pulse. A pulse stretching component can be used, which can be mounted outside the laser enclosure with a horizontal beam path in order to provide a delay line with a minimum impact on the laser system footprint. The horizontal beam path also can minimize the number of optical components in the arm containing the high power beam. A beamsplitting prism can be used with the delay line to avoid the rapid degradation of coatings otherwise exposed to intense UV beams. The prism can expand the beam in the delay line in order to minimize beam intensity and losses due to reflection.

Abstract: A Raman amplifier for a use in optical transmission systems. The Raman amplifier comprises a Raman active optical fiber and a Raman pump in operative connection with said optical fiber. The Raman pump further comprises a plurality of pairs of pump light sources which emit polarized pump light. Each pair of pump light sources generates a pair of mutually orthogonal pump fields with respective central frequencies (?1a-c, ?2a-c). The Raman pump also comprises a pump field combiner in operative connection with the pump light sources. The pump field combiner is adapted to couple each of the plurality of pairs of pump fields at mutually orthogonal directions of polarization into said optical fiber. It is proposed that the respective central frequencies (?1a-c, ?2a-c) of the pump fields of at least one, preferably each pair of mutually orthogonal pump fields are different from each other and exhibit a frequency shift (??) below 1.8 THz.

Abstract: A method of adjusting Raman gain in an optical amplifier assembly (1a). The method comprises inputting a plurality (N) of optical signals (OS) on different wavelength channels to a backward-pumped Raman active medium (4a) pumped by means of a Raman pump source (5). The proposed method is characterized in that a slope with respect to time in a quantity representative of a respective amplified optical signal (OS?) on at least one existing/surviving channel is determined in case of channel add/drop, and in that the Raman pump source (5) is tuned depending on said change. In this way, fast and reliable Raman pump tuning can be achieved even in an optical amplifier assembly (1a) and an optical transmission system, respectively, which suffer from channel adds/drops.

Abstract: An optical amplification unit comprises at least one optical amplifier for amplifying an optical signal and a filter preceding or following the optical amplifier. The optical amplifier comprises a first measuring device for measuring a property of an input signal of the optical amplifier, a second measuring device for measuring a property of an output signal of the optical amplifier, and a control circuit for controlling a gain characteristic of the optical amplifier in dependence of said input and output signal properties. The filter exhibits a wavelength-dependent attenuation of the optical signal. The optical amplification unit is connectable to an optical fiber span and the filter is adapted to compensate for a span loss tilt caused by said optical fiber span. An optical transmission system with at least one such optical amplification unit and corresponding methods.

Abstract: An optical amplifier assembly for submarine applications. The optical amplifier assembly comprises: a first and a second double stage fibre amplifier with respective first and second fibre amplifiers for amplifying optical signals (OS, OS') each propagated on a respective optical fibre, said optical fibres being operated in opposite operating directions (W-E, E-W), and a common pump source comprising a plurality of pump light sources, the common pump source being coupled via a coupler as a co-propagating pump to the first and second fibre amplifiers of the first and second double stage fibre amplifiers. The proposed optical amplifier assembly further comprises a gain flattening filter between the two fibre amplifiers of the first and second double stage fibre amplifiers. Thus the proposed optical amplifier assembly presents an increased efficiency with respect to an output power at a constant pump power and allows to adjust the pump power for maintaining a given output power without excessive NF degradation.

Abstract: An electromagnetic resonance device includes an input reflector, an output reflector, and a negative index material (NIM) disposed between the input reflector and the output reflector. The input reflector and output reflector are configured to be reflective to radiation having a wavelength of interest. The NIM is configured to have a negative refraction at the wavelength of interest. A first radiation is reflected by the input reflector toward the first surface of the NIM, passes through the NIM, and is focused on the output reflector as a second radiation. The second radiation is reflected by the output reflector toward the second surface of the NIM, passes through the NIM, and is focused on the input reflector as the first radiation. A gain medium may be included to amplify the first radiation and the second radiation to generate a laser radiation.

Abstract: A high power integrated fiber laser system includes cascaded amplifiers that utilize low numerical aperture fiber amplifiers. The system is rugged and lightweight.

Abstract: A microscope system having a selectively mountable optical element, comprises: a first noncontact type storage medium, being equipped in the optical element, for enabling a noncontact readout of information externally; and a first readout unit for reading information non-contactingly from the first noncontact type storage medium, wherein the first noncontact type storage medium stores information related to the optical element.

Abstract: An easily viewable examination image in which blurring occurring in an image is reduced without operating an examination optical system in real time matching the motion of a specimen is obtained. There is provided an examination method comprising, prior to examining an examination site of a specimen, acquiring an image of the specimen surface of an examination region including the examination site, over a predetermined time range; extracting a plurality of feature points by processing the acquired image of the specimen surface; calculating a motion trajectory for each of the extracted feature points over the time range; and disposing an optical axis of an examination optical system at a position where the motion trajectory of a feature point disposed in the examination site is minimized.

Abstract: A laser scanning microscope comprises at least one selectively switchable micro-mirror arrangement (DMD) in the illumination beam path and/or detection beam path which is used for the wavelength selection of dispersively divided illumination and/or object light such as reflection, fluorescence.

Abstract: A manual controller commands a telescope mount to automatically track a specific bright star after the image of the star is located to center of an electronic eyepiece and a timer is started. The average moving speed of the bright star is calculated after a predetermined elapsed time to acquire the right ascension (RA) and the declination (DEC) coordinates of this bright star. Subsequently, the RA and DEC coordinates are compared with pre-stored data contained within a database used to identify the bright star. The celestial sphere coordinates of the telescope can be determined after a minimum of one bright star is identified. In the auto-tracking procedure, the manual controller controls movement of telescope by feedbacks of the drifting speed and direction of the specific bright star in an electronic eyepiece for the purpose of keeping the specific bright star in the center of the electronic eyepiece.

Abstract: A projection screen for displaying an image projected as a combination of primary colors, the projection screen comprising a coating applied to a substrate. The coating contains one or more pigments whose colors correspond to the primary colors.

Abstract: In a particular, a high contrast projection system configured for front or rear projection includes a screen having a viewing side and a back side opposite thereto. The screen includes a transparent layer of material having louver members disposed therein to provide fractional reflective coverage across the width of the transparent material. The screen discriminates an image signal light from a source, such as a projector, from ambient light incident upon the viewing surface. The image signal light is redirected over a range of angles relative to a normal to the viewing side, while the majority of ambient light is directed generally toward the back side, for example passing through the transparent material between louver members. A light absorbing back panel adjacent to the back side absorbs the ambient light further improving contrast.

Abstract: The rear projection type display apparatus includes: a translucent type screen having a Fresnel lens sheet in which lens patterns having a Fresnel surface becoming a light beam transmission surface and a rise surface becoming a light beam non-transmission surface are concentrically formed, and an optical axis of the Fresnel lens being the center of the lens patterns is positioned outside the Fresnel lens sheet and an optical diffusion plate; a projector capable of projecting picture images onto the translucent type screen; and a reflection mirror between the projector and the translucent type screen; wherein the reflection mirror is roughly installed at an intermediate position between the projector and the translucent type screen.

Abstract: An image display system includes a reflecting screen that has a reflecting surface. The reflecting surface includes micro-ridges having a plurality of reflecting ridge-surfaces wherein the reflecting ridge-surfaces constituting a Fresnel mirror whereby the reflecting ridge-surfaces reflecting parallel reflecting light beams for all incident light beams projected from a light source located at a focal point of the Fresnel mirror. The micro-ridges further include a plurality of darkened ridge-surfaces with reduced reflectance for reducing ambient reflections. The micro-ridges further constitute a continuous concentric ridge having the reflecting ridge-surfaces facing a bottom direction toward the focal point of the Fresnel mirror for disposing a light source near a bottom location of the projecting screen. The continuous concentric ridge further has reduced reflectance ridge-surfaces facing a top direction away from the focal point of the Fresnel mirror.

Abstract: A composition for multi-color display material, including: a periodic structure having a void structure inside that communicates with the outside; and a mobile particle that is selectively disposed inside or outside of the void structure of the periodic structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to apparatus and methods for converting spatially homogeneously polarized light into spatially inhomogeneously polarized light having a fast axis orientation that varies in a smooth and continuous manner over a pupil aperture. A space-variant waveplate referred to herein as a polarization converter includes an optically transmissive window characterized by a symmetric stress birefringence that provides at least ?/4 retardance and, more particularly, ?/2 retardance over an annular region centered about the optical axis of the window. Structural embodiments of the polarization converter include a mechanical compression housing and a thermal compression housing. Radially and azimuthally polarized vortex beams including cylindrical vector beams and counter-rotating beams can be generated from uniformly plane polarized input beams propagating through the polarization converter.

Abstract: A polarization beam splitter (PBS) and combiner includes a multilayer birefringent stack adjacent to a dichroic coating, sandwiched between glass prisms. This configuration overcomes the reflected wave distortion associated with a conventional multilayer birefringent cube PBS while maintaining excellent polarization performance. An exemplary application of the PBS and combiner is in a four-port LCOS imaging system. LCOS projection architectures based on the PBS are also disclosed.

Abstract: A sub-wavelength grating structure that has a very broad reflection spectrum and very high reflectivity comprising segments made of high refractive index material disposed on a layer of low refractive index material and a low refractive index material disposed above and between the segments. The index differential between the high and low index materials determines the bandwidth and modulation depth. The larger difference in refractive indices gives rise to wider reflection bands. The reflection is sensitive to parameters such as the grating period, the grating thickness, the duty cycle of the grating, the refractive index and the thickness of the low index layer underneath the grating. The design is scalable for different wavelengths, and facilitates monolithic integration of optoelectronic devices at a wide range of wavelengths from visible to far infrared.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an antireflective viewing surface comprising a viewing surface; and a textured layer disposed upon the viewing surface; wherein the textured layer comprises randomly distributed protrusions having randomly distributed dimensions that are smaller than the wavelength of light. Disclosed herein too is a method of manufacturing and antireflective viewing surface comprising electroforming a metal upon a first template to form an electroformed metal template; wherein the first template comprises random, columnar structures; disposing a layer of a polymeric resin on a viewing surface; pressing the electroformed metal template against the viewing surface; and solidifying the polymeric resin.

Abstract: An optical image is formed in a radiation-sensitive layer (5), by a number of sub-illuminations, in each of which an array of light valves (21-25) and a corresponding array of converging elements (91-95) are used to form a pattern of spots (111-115) in the resist layer in accordance with a sub-image pattern. Between the sub-illuminations, the resist layer is displaced relative to the arrays. Bright and well-defined spots are obtained by using refractive lenses (43) as converging elements. The radiation-sensitive layer may be a resist layer on top of a substrate wherein a device is to be configured by means of lithography or an electrostatic charged layer used in a printer.

Abstract: Optical display systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A refractive optical system may be a collimator, focusing optical system, reducer, or expander and includes an entrance optical element, an exit optical element, and a volume disposed between the entrance and exit optical elements. The volume is configured to have an index of refraction that is insensitive to changes in atmospheric conditions of the ambient environment. A surface of curvature of an input surface of the entrance optical element is parallel to a wavefront curvature of an input light beam and an output surface of the exit optical element is parallel to a wavefront curvature of an exit light beam. Accordingly, the wavefront curvature of the exit light beam is insensitive to the ambient environment permitting the production and operation environments to change without a change to the performance of the optical system.

Abstract: At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to a zoom lens, which includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit of negative refractive power, and a second lens unit of positive refractive power. An interval between the first and second lens units changes during zooming. The first lens unit includes a negative lens and a positive lens in order from the object side to the image side. A refractive index of a material of the negative lens, a refractive index of a material of the positive lens, a focal length of the first lens unit satisfy appropriate conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides a zoom lens system suitable for an image gathering system using a solid-state imaging device, having a zoom ratio of about three, a small lens length, and superb optical performance. The zoom lens system includes, in order from an object, a first lens group having negative refractive power, a second lens group having positive refractive power, and a third lens group having positive refractive power. The first lens group consists only of a negative lens and a positive lens. The second lens group includes at least two positive lenses and at least one negative lens. The third lens group consists of one lens. Zooming from a wide-angle end state to a telephoto end state is conducted by decreasing a distance between the first and second lens groups, increasing a distance between the second and third lens groups, and fixing the third lens group. Given conditions are satisfied.

Abstract: To obtain a high imaging performance even for a relatively long focal length in a zoom lens provided with an optical-path bending member for bending an optical path. The following are included: a first group of lenses G1 having a positive refracting power, a second group of lenses G2 having a negative refracting power, a third group of lenses G3 having a positive refracting power, and a fourth group of lenses G4 having a positive refracting power arranged in that order from the object side to the image surface side. Zooming is performed by moving the second group of lenses G2 and fourth group of lenses G4 along an optical axis. The first group of lenses G1 is constituted of a group of positive lenses L1 having a positive refracting power and an optical-path bending member L2 for bending an optical path arranged in that order from the object side to the image face side.

Abstract: A zoom lens for imaging an image onto a photosensitive element includes a first lens group, a second lens group, a third lens group and a fourth lens group. The second lens group is located and suitable for moving between the first lens group and the third lens group; the fourth lens group is located and suitable for moving between the third lens group and the photosensitive element. The first lens group, the second lens group, the third lens group, and the fourth lens group have a positive refractive power, a negative refractive power, a positive refractive power and a positive refractive power, respectively. Besides, the third lens group includes at least a hybrid lens and the second lens group includes at least an aspheric lens, the number of the aspheric lens is smaller than or equal to 2. Thus, manufacturing cost of the zoom lens mentioned above is lower.

Abstract: Disclosed is a zoom lens system, in order from an object side to an image side, including: 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, in which during zooming, intervals of the lens units are changed. In such a zoom lens system, a material having a large refractive index is adopted for a material constituting a negative lens element disposed on the most object side in the second lens unit, whereby high optical performance is realized while the whole lens system is miniaturized.