Abstract: Three green EC materials based on thiophene, and a green EC material based on pyrazine are disclosed. A first thiophene derivative (2,3-Di-thiophen-2-yl-thieno[3,4-b]pyrazine), which was previously investigated as a nonlinear optical material, is here disclosed for its use as an EC material, and for its incorporation into an EC device. Synthesis of two new thiophene derivatives (2,5-di(thien-2-yl)-3,4-di(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxy)-thiophene and 2,5-(2,3-dihydro-thieno[3,4-b][1,4]dioxin-5-yl)-3,4-di(2,2,2-trifluoro-ethoxy)-thiophene), and a new pyrazine derivative (2,3-dibenzyl-5,7-di(thien-2-yl)thieno[3,4-b]pyrazine) are also disclosed, since these materials are all able to selectively change to a green color state, and can be polymerized to achieve a green EC polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and a system for forming alignment marks on a transparent substrate. A light reflective layer is deposited over an optically transparent substrate of a wafer. A region is defined around an alignment mark on the optically transparent substrate. The light reflective layer is removed from a substantial portion of the transparent substrate excluding the region. In addition, a micro electro-mechanical systems device is disclosed. The device comprises an optically transparent substrate, at least one optically partially transparent alignment mark on the optically transparent substrate, and a plurality of reflective elements or imaging pixels attached to the optically transparent substrate.

Abstract: An optical modulator having a protective film on a reflective layer is disclosed. One aspect of the invention provides an optical modulator having a protective film on a reflective layer, including a substrate; an insulation layer positioned on the substrate; a ribbon layer which has its center portion spaced apart from the insulation layer by a predetermined distance; an upper reflective layer, positioned on the center portion of the ribbon layer, which reflects or diffracts incident light; an upper-reflective-layer protective film, positioned on the upper reflective layer, which protects the upper reflective layer; and a piezoelectric element, positioned on the ribbon layer, which moves the center portion of the ribbon layer vertically. Certain embodiments of the invention prevent the deterioration and oxidation of the reflective layer surface due to heat or humidity, to maximize the light diffraction property and reliability of the optical modulator.

Abstract: One embodiment provides an anchor to hold getter materials in place within a micromechanical device package substrate, said anchor comprising: a first cavity face; and a second cavity face. The cavity faces define an anchor cavity and mechanically retain a getter away from a region holding the micromechanical device. Another embodiment provides an anchor to hold a getter in place within a micromechanical device package. The anchor comprises: a package substrate; and a member attached to the package substrate, the member shaped to provide mechanical retention of the getter material formed over said member. Another embodiment provides a micromechanical device package comprising: a package substrate; a package lid enclosing a package cavity; a micromechanical device in the package cavity; and a getter anchor in the package cavity. Other embodiments provide methods of packaging and forming packages having a getter anchor. One getter anchor is formed in a substrate 906 comprised of at least three layers.

Abstract: Improvements in an interferometric modulator that has a cavity defined by two walls.

Abstract: An electrophoretic device includes an electro-optical panel including an electrophoretic layer having an electrophoretic dispersion containing electrophoretic particles dispersed in a liquid-phase disperse medium, wherein the electro-optical panel is enclosed with a single protective film folded, and a first portion of the protective film is bonded to a second portion of the protective film at a first bonding portion.

Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a display medium, the manufacturing apparatus including an image data storing unit that stores image data for text or image to be displayed on the display medium; an electrode pattern generating unit that generates an electrode pattern based on the image data stored in the image data storing unit so that when the text or image is configured of a plurality of independent regions, the electrode pattern has a plurality of integrally and electrically connected electrodes corresponding to a plurality of regions; an electrode forming unit that forms the first electrode on either an electrophoretic medium integrally configured of the second substrate, the second electrode, and the electrophoretic layer or the first substrate based on the electrode pattern generated by the electrode pattern generating unit; and a bonding unit that bonds the electrophoretic medium to the first substrate after the electrode forming unit has formed the first electrode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the multi-dimensional control of a light source's brightest point over a targeted area is disclosed. Control and drive electronics are presented to the beam-steering device causing the beam-steering component to steer the spot of light toward a targeted area in at least a two-dimensional scanning pattern about a vertical and horizontal axis. The result is an illuminated pattern displayed on a targeted area that appears to be a solid, uniformly illuminated light pattern, having the intensity of a spot beam and the area of a broad beam.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical scanning device which comprises a phase structure system than can be used in various modes of operation of the optical scanning device. The optical device comprises a first phase structure (105) comprising a first birefringent material (203) having a first extraordinary axis and a second phase structure (106) comprising a second birefringent material (208) having a second extraordinary axis perpendicular to the first extraordinary axis. The first and second phase structures have substantially the same pattern. The optical device further comprises means (202, 205, 207, 210) for modifying the extraordinary refractive index of the first and the second birefringent material such that the extraordinary refractive indices of the first and the second birefringent materials remain substantially equal.

Abstract: In a light modulating apparatus of an external modulating type which is used in an optical communication system, there are provided an LN modulator, a light branching circuit, a photoelectric converter, a bias control circuit, a driver for an LN modulator which serves to drive the LN modulator in response to an input electric signal, a capacitor for cutting off DC and low frequency components of the input electric signal, a low frequency component compensating circuit for compensating the DC and low frequency components of the input electric signal, and an adding circuit for adding an output of the bias control circuit and that of the low frequency component compensating circuit and generating a bias control signal of the LN modulator.

Abstract: Optical parametric oscillator including a semiconductor microcavity being configured to spatially localize polaritons of at least three quantized polariton energy levels to effect an optical parametric oscillation.

Abstract: A system and method for providing eye-safety protection during operation of a lumped optical amplifier. The method is based on monitoring of continuous out-of-band Raman amplified spontaneous scattering (ASS) created by the amplified signal in an optical communication network span coupled to an output port of the lumped optical amplifier. The system includes at least one gain stage for providing an amplified signal introduced into the span, a monitoring unit for performing the continuous Raman ASS monitoring, and a control unit operative to detect and analyze in real-time changes in the ASS power, and upon determination that such changes indicate an open span, to reduce the power of the amplified signal or shut down the gain stage.

Abstract: A transparent small object such as a cell can be simply observed without using any special modulating element needed for special observing methods. An observing tool for containing an object to be observed is used for a method for observing the object by illuminating the object with vertical illuminating light through an optical system having an objective lens. The observing tool has a reflective surface that reflects vertical illumination light when the object is observed. The reflective surface is provided on the front surface of the observing tool facing to the objective lens or on the back opposed to the front surface. The observing tool has a container holding a liquid. Using the observing tool, a cell or the like can be observed along with the culture solution.

Abstract: The invention provides a microscope examination apparatus including a light source; an illumination optical system configured to guide light from the light source to a specimen; an objective lens configured to collimate return light from the specimen, the objective lens being provided in such a manner as to be displaceable at least in a direction intersecting an optical axis of the objective lens; an image-forming lens configured to image the return light from the specimen, which is collimated by the objective lens; an optical detector configured to detect the return light imaged by the image-forming lens; a microscope main body including the image-forming lens and the optical detector; and an objective-lens driving mechanism configured to drive the objective lens in a direction correcting image blur due to a displacement of the specimen.

Abstract: A confocal optical device comprising a separation and redirection unit with two parallel mirrors (321, 320) which are placed in an afocal area.

Abstract: An arrangement for micromanipulation of biological specimens includes a microscope, a motor-adjustable micromanipulator, and a common operating console having a motor-adjustable microscope functional element. The motor-adjustable micromanipulator has an injector. The common operating console includes a first operating element and a second operating element. Each of the first and second operating elements are selectably configurable to independently operate either of the motor-adjustable microscope functional element and the motor-adjustable micromanipulator.

Abstract: The present invention provides an examination apparatus which includes a base; a stage on which a specimen is mounted, the stage being movable relative to the base; and a movable image acquisition apparatus for acquiring an image of the specimen, the movable image acquisition apparatus being fixed on the stage.

Abstract: A singlet telescope is provided for reshaping the laser beam to a larger or smaller diameter while maintaining the inherent quality of the beam. Applications for the singlet telescope include intercavity expansion to accommodate the damage thresh-old of various components, expansion of beams to match the size of different wavelengths for final collimation, and shrinking of beams to provide high irradiance for nonlinear processes such as optical parametric oscillation and frequency doubling, with the above applications usually requiring low power magnification or demagnification. Problems involving the utilization of these telescopes over wide temperature ranges and ghost reflections in which a light is reflected back to a pumping laser are minimized with the singlet construction, with the ghost reflections potentially creating damage of components including self-damage or breakdown of air, as well as damage to a Q-switched resonator which causes pre-lasing.

Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein comprise a telescope comprising primary and secondary mirrors and a corrector. The primary mirror has a first curved reflecting surface having a non-hyperbolic shape. The second secondary mirror has a second curved reflecting surface having a hyperbolic shape. The corrector comprises substantially optically transmissive material. The primary mirror, the secondary mirror, and the corrector are disposed along an optical path such that light propagates through the corrector to the primary mirror and from the primary mirror to the secondary mirror. In certain embodiments, the shapes of the first and second curved reflecting surfaces of the primary and second mirrors, respectively, and the shape and the index of refraction of the optically transmissive material of the corrector are such that the telescope is aplanatic.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transmissive screen having as a member an extruded resin sheet (A) obtained by extrusion of a transparent resin (P) in a heat melt state from a die (D) in one direction, and provides a transmissive screen, wherein in the case where the extruded resin sheet (A) is subjected to a heating test of maintaining the resin sheet at 150° C. for 1 hour, the shrinkage factor (S) in the extrusion direction evaluated from Equation (1): S=(L0?L1)/L0×100??(1) wherein S represents the shrinkage factor (%) in the extrusion direction, L0 represents the length (mm) in the extrusion direction prior to the heating test, and L1 represents the length (mm) in the extrusion direction after the heating test, satisfies Equation (2): 2/X?S?18/X??(2) wherein S means the same as S in Equation (1), and X represents the sheet thickness (mm) of the extruded resin sheet (A).

Abstract: A rear projection-type screen and a rear projection-type projection device, in which contrast is enhanced, unevenness of an external light absorption layer is reduced, moiré trouble is suppressed, damage due to contact between sheets is suppressed, and the entire projection device can be reduced in size and weight. The rear projection-type screen is the so-called oblique projection system where the optical center of a Fresnel lens sheet 7 is located at a position outside a display screen area, above or below the screen. The lens array 12 of a lenticular lens sheet 1 is arranged substantially in the vertical direction. Moiré can be reduced by setting the pitch of Fresnel lens and the lens pitch of the lenticular lens sheet within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A simple-structure, small-size, inexpensive optical isolator mounted in an amplifier. The PMD and PDL are reduced to desired numerical levels to improve the characteristics. The optical isolator is composed of two double refraction elements, a 45 DEG Faraday rotator, a magnet, a lens, and a total reflection member. The directions of crystal axes of the two double refraction elements and the direction of the rotation of the Faraday rotator are appropriately set. Therefore, going-returning optical paths where incident unpolarized light is separated into ordinary light and extraordinary light, totally reflected by a total reflection member, and outputted are formed. The direction of the crystal axis with respect to the direction of the normal on the element surface of either of the two double refraction elements and the thickness in the direction of the normal on the element surface are corrected.

Abstract: A device for protecting the bodywork of a motor vehicle includes a flexible laminar element, able to be laid out to cover the motor vehicle, and a mainly longitudinal developed housing structure, provided with a connection unit means to the motor vehicle, which contains the laminar element when it is in an inoperative conditions. The device includes a cleaning unit coupled with the housing structure. Moreover, it is provided that the flexible laminar element is a support element for advertisements, information, and decorative elements.

Abstract: An optical module includes: an optical element; a support member for supporting the optical element; a lid member that seals the optical element with respect to the support member; a sealing member that is provided to bond the lid member with the supporting member; and a case with a lens provided such that the lens is disposed on an optical path of light oscillated by the optical element, wherein the case with the lens is opposed in an optical axis direction of light passing through the lens to and in contact with the supporting member.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus for an expansion card (11) with a shield plate (12) includes a rear plate (10), a locking member (20) and a latch (30). A bent portion (17) extends out of the rear plate for the shield plate being disposed thereon. The locking member is pivotably attached to the bent portion of the rear plate for pressing against the shield plate. The latch is attached to one of the rear plate and the locking member, and capable of being rotated on the rear plate above the bent portion, for preventing the shield plate releasing from between the locking member and the rear plate.

Abstract: A process for making molds for retroreflective sheeting and like articles includes making a substrate having a structured surface of geometric structures such as cube corner elements. The structured surface is in one embodiment partially replicated from a previous generation structured surface, and partially machined in the substrate. At least one of the faces of the structured surface is a compound face that has one machined portion and one non-machined portion, such as a replicated portion. The process can be used to manufacture substrates with desirable geometry cube corner elements, such as cube corner elements having a hexagonal outline in plan view, without requiring the use of pin bundling techniques or laminae. The process can also be used to manufacture articles having cube corner elements in which at least one face of the cube corner element has two constituent faces disposed on opposed sides of a transition line that is nonparallel to a nondihedral edge of such cube corner element.

Abstract: A snow plow light or reflector system comprising a molded U, L, Z, S or flat shaped light or reflector clip for attachment to the side edge of a snow plow, said clip having a plurality of active or inactive light reflectors attached or attached thereto and means for affixing the clip to the snow plow.

Abstract: Novel methods are disclosed for designing and constructing miniature optical systems and devices employing light diffractive optical elements (DOEs) for modifying the size and shape of laser beams produced from a commercial-grade laser diodes, over an extended range hitherto unachievable using conventional techniques. The systems and devices of the present invention have uses in a wide range of applications, including laser scanning, optical-based information storage, medical and analytical instrumentation, and the like. In the illustrative embodiments, various techniques are disclosed for implementing the DOEs as holographic optical elements (HOEs), computer-generated holograms (CGHs), as well as other diffractive optical elements.

Abstract: An antireflection film is provided and has at least one hard coat layer and a low refractive-index layer having a refractive index of 1.47 or less as the outermost layer on a transparent support. The roughness Ra of the antireflection film is 0.03 ?m or more and when it is assumed that average 5° specular reflectance is A and average integrated reflectance is B in a wavelength range of 450 nm to 650 nm, B?A<4 Ra.

Abstract: A multilayer film includes a first layer of a first polymeric material and a second layer of a second polymeric material. The first material has a first index of refraction and the second material has a second index of refraction less than the first index of refraction. In one embodiment, the second material includes a polydiorganosiloxane polyamide block copolymer. In another embodiment, the second material includes a polydiorganosiloxane polyoxamide block copolymer.

Abstract: A composite film includes a first film and a second film contiguous to the first film. The first film includes a light transmissive material. In one embodiment, the second film includes a polydiorganosiloxane polyamide block copolymer. In another embodiment, the second film includes a polydiorganosiloxane polyoxamide block copolymer.

Abstract: An optical element includes plural multilayer mirrors, wherein the multilayer mirrors are renewable.

Abstract: Certain embodiments include a head mounted display for displaying images that can be viewed by a wearer when the display is worn on the wearer's head. The display can include a spatial light modulator having an array of pixels selectively adjustable for producing spatial patterns. The array of pixels can define a substantially planar reflective surface on the spatial light modulator. The display can further include a light source. The display can also include illumination optics disposed to receive light from the light source and direct light onto the planar reflective surface of the spatial light modulator at an angle with respect to the surface normal of the planar reflective surface. The display can include imaging optics disposed with respect to the spatial light modulator to receive light from the spatial light modulator.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical electrowetting device comprising a conductive fluid (5; 101) and a non-conductive fluid (4; 102), said fluids being non miscible, and an insulating substrate (2; 103) on which both fluids are in contact and form a triple interface, wherein the natural contact angle (105) of the non-conductive fluid (102) on the substrate (103) in presence of the conductive fluid (101) is comprised between 0° and about 20°. This device may be a variable focus liquid lens, an optical diaphragm, an optical zoom. The invention further relates to an apparatus such as a camera, a cell phone, an endoscope or a dental video camera, comprising said electrowetting device and a driver or electronic means for controlling the lens.

Abstract: Provided is a zoom lens which is telecentric on a reduction side, including a plurality of lens units, in which the zoom lens satisfies the following conditions: ?dp>75 fw/fp<0.6 where ha indicates a height of a paraxial marginal ray passing through the zoom lens, and hb indicates a height of a paraxial chief ray passing through the zoom lens, where, among a plurality of positive lenses in the zoom lens, a positive lens whose hb/ha is the smallest is defined as a smallest positive lens in at least a part of a zoom range from a wide-angle end to a telephoto end, and where ?dp indicates an Abbe constant of a material of the smallest positive lens, fp indicates a focal length of a lens unit including the smallest positive lens, and fw indicates a focal length of an entire system at the wide-angle end.

Abstract: The imaging lens is configured to include, in an order arranged from an object side: a first lens 101 having a substantially convex surface formed at the object side and having a positive refractive power; a second lens 102 constituted of a meniscus lens having a substantially concave surface formed at the object side and having a negative refractive power; a third lens 103 having substantially convex surfaces formed at both sides, respectively; and a fourth lens 104 constituted of a meniscus lens having a substantially convex surface at the object side and having a positive refractive power. Further, a space of at least 1.0 mm is ensured between the first lens 101 and the second lens 102. This allows a diaphragm mechanism 106 of a certain thickness having a diaphragm 105 to be arranged between the first lens 101 and the second lens 102.

Abstract: The present invention provides a camera device which can be applied to communication devices such as a mobile phone. The camera device of the present invention has divided movement regions of a movable lens group. The movable lens group is actuated at a large width in any one movement regions to perform a zoom operation. The movable lens group is actuated at a small width in the other movement region to perform a focusing operation. Accordingly, the camera device of the present invention allows miniaturization, and can provide a zoom and a focusing function.

Abstract: An image pickup system includes one or more optical elements, wherein an infrared cut coating in which a maximum value of reflectance at the wavelength ? of 800 to 1200 nm is 30% or more, is formed on at least two optical surfaces of the optical elements.

Abstract: The optical lens (1) includes a circular edge (2) in which is made a notch (3) whereby the lens (1) may be held by at least a portion of its edge (2) and angularly indexed by the notch (3) vis à vis the support.

Abstract: A holding device 100A according to one preferred form of the invention includes a holding member having holding portions 121 with an approximately V-shaped recess by which a subject member 110 having approximately V-shaped protrusions 111 is held, wherein the V-shaped protrusions 111 are disposed at a pitch of about 120 degrees with respect to the center of the subject member 110 and the holding portions 121 are disposed at positions to be opposed to the V-shaped protrusions, wherein the V-shaped protrusions 111 and the supporting portions 121 have supporting flat surfaces 112 and 112, and 114 and 124 which are opposed to and in parallel to each other, and wherein rolling members 131 are disposed between these parallel flat surfaces.

Abstract: In an objective lens driving means of an optical pickup, the accuracy of the boundary position of magnets is improved, the generation of angular moment through coils is suppressed, and the inclination of the objective lens is reduced. An optical pickup for reading or writing information on an optical disc using an objective lens includes a lens holder for holding an objective lens, three magnets disposed facing to each of the two sides of the lens holder that are parallel to the focusing direction and the tracking direction, and a yoke for mounting these magnets. The yoke includes a central yoke surface for mounting the central one of the three magnets, and outer yoke surfaces for mounting the outer two of the three magnets. A step is formed between the central yoke surface and each of the outer yoke surfaces.

Abstract: Mirror having an epoxy paint layer covering a silver layer have at least one of the following properties: (a) a scratch resistance determined by the Clemen test showing scratches of less than 10 ?m when applying a weight of 1500 g; (b) a hardness determined by the Persoz pendulum of at least 250 s; (c) a commercially acceptable resistance to at least one glue selected from the group consisting of oxime, alcoxy, MS polymer and rubber. The mirrors have good resistance to handling.

Abstract: An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle including an extendable mirror for improved rearward viewing is disclosed. Several embodiments of the rearview mirror assembly each comprise a mirror housing, a mirror disposed in the mirror housing, and some structure to allow extension of the mirror between an inboard position and an outboard position. In one embodiment, the mirror assembly includes structure to allow rotation of the mirror between inboard and outboard positions. The mirror may comprise a post disposed in a mirror shell and extending along a longitudinal horizontal axis which extends through a plane defined by the mirror, offset from a central vertical axis of the mirror. In another embodiment, the means for rotating the mirror comprises a pivot part having a shaft disposed in an aperture in the mirror shell, which is disposed along the longitudinal horizontal axis.

Abstract: A vehicle side mirror (10) that includes an internal case frame (30) having a spherical concave support portion (38) and a ‘T shaped’ retention post (40). The spotter mirror (28) also includes a backing plate (54) having a dish portion (56) with a center opening (58). The backing plate (54) is positioned against the case frame (30) so that the support portion and the dish portion (56) cooperate and the retention post (40) extends through the opening (58) in the dish portion (56). The spotter mirror (28) further includes a single piece retention ring (66) having ramped cam surfaces (72, 74) and leaf springs (78). The retention ring (66) is positioned within the dish portion (56) so that the retention post (40) extends through a center slot (58) in the ring (66). The retention ring (66) is rotated so that ramped cam surfaces (72, 74) push against a back surface of the post (40). The pointing direction of the glass (86) can be manually adjusted by rotating the dish portion (56) on the support portion (30).

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a mirror having high verticality and less surface roughness, comprising forming a mask material to the surface of a silicon substrate, applying anisotropic dry etching and anisotropic wet etching, thereby anisotropically dry etching the surface substantially parallel with the crystal face in perpendicular to the surface of the substrate and then forming a reflection surface by the anisotropic wet etching step.

Abstract: A gimbal for a gimbaled mirror optical sensor system includes a mirror support rotatable about a first axis along which an optical sensor suite lies, the first axis being spaced apart from a desired pivot point of a variable line of sight, which may be for example a fixed-size window in the outer wall of an aircraft. The gimbal further includes two generally planar mirrors supported by and rotatable with the mirror support. A first mirror is spaced apart from the optical sensor suite along the first axis and is non-orthogonal to the first axis so as to reflect light from a second axis to the optical sensor suite, wherein the second axis sweeps an arcuate path about the first axis upon rotation of the mirror support. A second mirror lies along the second axis so as to follow the arcuate path upon rotation of the mirror support. The second mirror is pivotable so as to reflect light from the variable line of sight to the first mirror along the second axis.

Abstract: An optical filter and a plasma display panel (PDP) employing the same, where the optical filter includes a substrate and a selective absorption layer having a maximum transmittance of about 50% or less in a wavelength range of from about 450 nm to about 680 nm, and wherein a difference between a maximum transmittance and a minimum transmittance at about 450 nm, about 530 nm, and about 630 nm is about 10% or less.

Abstract: A magnetic transferring apparatus allows attachment of a first magnet to a first holder. A second magnet is attached to a second holder. The first and second holders are located in a space between first and second magnets. A magnetic disk and a master member are located in a space between the first and second holders. The magnetic attraction is generated between the first and second magnets. The magnetic attraction serves to bring the first and second holders closer to each other, so that magnetic pieces of the master member is brought in a close contact with the magnetic disk between the first and second holders. The magnetic flux runs between the first and second based on the contact between the magnetic pieces and the magnetic disk. A servo pattern can in this manner be established in the magnetic disk.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of initializing a perpendicular magnetic recording medium in which a magnetic field having a magnetic field strength Hex is applied to a perpendicular magnetic recording medium having a magnetic layer having a coercive force Hc to initialize the magnetic layer, the method comprising the steps of: controlling a magnetic field strength HexP in a direction parallel to the medium surface of the magnetic field so that HexP>1.3×Hc; and controlling a magnetic field strength HexV in a direction perpendicular to the medium surface of the magnetic field so that HexV<Hc.

Abstract: Provided is a read channel, storage drive, and method to process signals read from a storage medium. At least one data channel including an interpolator and equalizer and a servo channel includes an interpolator. A timing recovery function processes a timing error from the interpolator in the servo channel to calculate interpolation timing information used by the interpolator to interpolate a servo channel signal. A path is coupled to the timing recovery function and the interpolator in the at least one data channel to communicate the interpolation timing information to the interpolator in the at least one data channel. The interpolator in the at least one data channel is configured to use the interpolation timing information to interpolate an asynchronous data channel signal.