Abstract: According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display device includes a main pixel electrode which extends in a second direction, a sub-pixel electrode which extends in a first direction and crosses the main pixel electrode, a color filter which includes a first aperture portion defined by a first edge surrounding a position opposed to cross points between the main pixel electrode and the sub-pixel electrode, main common electrodes which extend in the second direction on both sides of the main pixel electrode.

Abstract: Disclosed is a color filter substrate that includes: a first colored layer (22r), a second colored layer (22g), and a third colored layer (22b) that are arranged on a transparent substrate (10b) and that have mutually different hues; and a common electrode (25) that is provided so as to cover the colored layers. The common electrode (25) includes: a first transparent electrode (23a) and a second transparent electrode (23b) that are formed of a first transparent conductive film and that are arranged so as to overlap the first colored layer (22r) and the second colored layer (22g), respectively; a third transparent electrode (24b) that is formed of a second transparent conductive film, which is different from the first transparent conductive film, and that is arranged so as to overlap the third colored layer (22b); and a fourth transparent electrode (24a) that is formed of the second transparent conductive film and that is arranged so as to overlap the first colored layer (22r).

Abstract: A display device includes a pair of substrates, a display medium interposed between the pair of substrates, and a pixel including a reflective region for performing reflective display and a transmissive region for performing transmissive display. A voltage is applied to the display medium through at least a pixel electrode and a common electrode, at least one the pixel electrode and the common electrode being provided with a slit. The pixel electrode can be provided with the slit in at least the reflective region, and the common electrode is provided with the slit in the reflective region and/or the transmissive region.

Abstract: An optical system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a reflective imaging element having a first principal face which is struck by light emitted from a display panel, a second principal face parallel to the first principal face, and two mutually-orthogonal specular elements being perpendicular to the first principal face, and causes an image displayed on a display surface of the display panel to form an image at a position of planar symmetry with respect to the reflective imaging element as a plane of symmetry. A transparent substrate which is disposed on at least either the first principal face side or the second principal face side of the reflective imaging element is further included, and first light striking the transparent substrate is linearly polarized light, with a large proportion of p-polarized light.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display apparatus includes a liquid crystal layer held in a gap formed by providing a spacer between an array substrate and a counter substrate. The spacer is formed on a primary pixel electrode or a common electrode.

Abstract: A vertically aligned type liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal layer disposed between pixel electrodes and a common electrode and containing vertically aligned liquid crystal molecules, the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules being controlled by an electric field. An orientation controller is formed on the common electrode at a position opposing the pixel electrode and an aspect ratio, i.e., a vertical to horizontal length ratio of the pixel electrode is set to at least 2. Alternatively, the pixel electrode is partitioned into at least two electrode regions so that each region represents a divided pixel electrode. An orientation controller is formed on the common electrode so as to correspond to each divided pixel electrode, an aspect ratio of each divided pixel electrode is set to at least 2. As such, the influence at the edge sections of the pixel electrode is reduced, viewing angle characteristic and transmittance are improved, and average response time is shortened.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display includes a first substrate including a gate wire, a source wire intersecting with the gate wire, a pixel electrode with a contact portion and a main pixel electrode extending from the contact portion, and a semiconductor layer arranged under the source wire and intersecting with the gate wire and bending under the source wire so as to extend to below the contact portion, a second substrate opposed to the array substrate, and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrate. The semiconductor layer is electrically connected to the source wire on one side of a position of the gate wire and to the contact portion on another side of the gate wire.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display apparatus includes a first substrate, a second substrate and a liquid crystal layer. The first substrate includes a gate wiring, a source wiring, an insulating film, a shield electrode, a primary pixel electrode, a peripheral wiring and a peripheral connecting electrode. The shield electrode is opposite to at least a portion of the gate wiring and the source wiring. The peripheral connecting electrode electrically connects the shield electrode and the peripheral wiring. The second substrate includes a pair of primary common electrodes.

Abstract: An apparatus to facilitate wearing eyewear and a wireless headset at the same time is disclosed. The apparatus may include a first tubular element that may be configured to be slipped over a temple of the eyewear. The apparatus may also include a second tubular element that may be configured to receive an around the ear securing element coupled with, or included with, the wireless headset.

Abstract: A device has an image and a mirror for demonstrating and testing in comparative manner the effectiveness of an anti-reflection treatment of an ophthalmic lens. The device has a part (1) having a first face (1A) supporting the image (2) and a second face (1B) supporting the mirror (3). The image (2) is backlit by a light source (7), the second face (1B) forms an angle of at least 90° relative to the first face and is placed facing a third face (1C) for positioning at least one ophthalmic lens (4A) with its concave face facing outwards. The third face is provided with an arrangement for positioning the lens and including at least one orifice (4) arranged in the third face.

Abstract: The invention relates to a finished or semi-finished lens which comprises: a disc containing all the points of the lens that have the same abscissa and the same ordinate as points located within a circle in the reference plane having a diameter of 30 millimetres and centred on the prism reference point; a progression length of less than 14.5 millimetres; a first specific point having a cylinder value equal to the maximum cylinder value of all the points of the lens located in the nasal area and in the disc; and a second specific point having a cylinder value equal to the maximum cylinder value of all the points of the lens located in the temporal area and in the disc; a first ratio between: the maximum gradient of the cylinder for the points of the lens that have the same abscissa and the same ordinate as the points located on segments connecting the mounting cross to the first and second specific points, and surface addition of less than 0.

Abstract: This invention relates to an ophthalmic lens with a low reflection both in the ultraviolet region and in the visible region, comprising a substrate provided on its rear main face with a multilayered antireflective coating (3-7 layers) comprising a stack of at least one layer with a high refractive index and at least one layer with a low refractive index, having a mean reflection factor on the rear face in the visible region R m lower than or equal to 1.15%, a mean light reflection factor on the rear face in the visible region R v lower than or equal to 1%, a mean reflection factor R UV on the rear face between 280 nm and 380 nm, weighted by the function W(l) defined in the ISO 13666:1998 standard, lower than 5%, for angles of incidence of 30° and 45°, the antireflective coating outer layer being a silica-based layer. The lens according to the invention does especially prevent the reflection of the UV radiation produced by light sources located behind the wearer.

Abstract: The microscope for ophthalmologic surgery 1 can perform astigmatism measurement for a patient's eye E by using a projection-image forming part 13 attached to a microscope 6. The projection-image forming part 13 is provided with multiple bright points (LEDs 131-i) for astigmatism measurement that are arranged in a ring, and a fixation target 131c arranged inside the ring-shaped arrangement. Based on a photographed image of the patient's eye E in a state in which the LEDs 131-i and the fixation target 131c are projected thereto, a displacement calculating part 92 detects the fixation state of the patient's eye E relative to the fixation target 131c. A controller 60 controls the LEDs 131-i and the fixation target 131c based on the detection result of the fixation state.

Abstract: A pattern-generating intraocular probe is provided that includes a cannula including a diffractive optical element (DOE), the DOE being patterned such that an on-axis illumination of the DOE produces an emitted beam forming a linear pattern; and a handpiece connected to a proximal of the cannula.

Abstract: An imaging system (300) configured to reduce perceived flicker in three-dimensional images is provided. The imaging system (300) can include a plurality of light sources (305,306,307), a light combiner (302), a light modulator (303) and a polarization rotator (301). The light combiner (302) combines light received from each of the light sources into a combined beam (304). A first light portion (313) in the combined beam has a first light portion polarization state that is different from a second light portion polarization state of a second light portion (314). The light modulator (303) produces images by modulating the combined beam (304) along a projection surface (316). The polarization rotator (301) selectively rotates a polarization state of the combined beam (304) in synchrony with an image refresh cycle of the imaging system. A circular polarizer (1004) can be used to transform linear polarization states to circular polarization states.

Abstract: A pixel array display system which has an illumination source with a plurality of emitters in a sparse array, collimators in front of the emitters, a condenser lens downstream of the collimators, an optical homogenizing element downstream from the condenser lens, a relay lens downstream from the optical homogenizing element, a pixel array downstream from the relay lens, a rear group of lens elements of a projection lens downstream from the pixel array, a polarization converter stack downstream from the rear group of lens elements and a front group of lens elements of the projection lens downstream from the polarization converter stack, so that light from the emitters is imaged onto input apertures of the polarization converter stack.

Abstract: An optical device includes: a light transmissive first substrate; a light transmissive second substrate; a polarizing layer as a resin layer disposed therebetween; a first bonding film which is an adhesive and bonds the polarizing layer to the first substrate; and a second bonding film which is formed of a plasma-polymerized film and bonds the polarizing layer to the second substrate, wherein the outer shapes of the first substrate and the second substrate are larger than that of the polarizing layer, and a sealing part for sealing with a sealant is provided on a lateral surface of the polarizing layer such that the sealing part is interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate.

Abstract: The present application in particular is directed to a cooktop-interface 2 comprising at least one display device 5, a display sign layer 3 comprising at least one display sign provided in connection with the display device 5 and a back illumination lighting 4 for projecting the at least one display sign to a lower side of a cooktop-panel 1 arranged upstream the back illumination lighting 4 and display sign layer 3.

Abstract: A light source device includes a plurality of solid-state light sources, and a base member on which the plurality of solid-state light sources are provided, wherein each of the solid-state light sources includes a stem on which a light-emitting element is provided and terminals connected to the light-emitting element, and the base member includes a hole portion into which one of the terminals is inserted and a planar portion that is in contact with the stem.

Abstract: Alight source device includes a solid-state light source emitting light, a base member having an arrangement surface (front portion) on which the solid-state light source is arranged, and a pressing member having a pressing portion (projection) provided on the base member to fix the solid-state light source through pressing of the solid-state light source toward the arrangement surface (front portion). Through this, the solid-state light source can be easily arranged on the base member as compared with a case where the solid-state light source is fixed by welding.

Abstract: The high pressure discharge lamp ballast of the present invention includes: power supply means for supplying an AC current to a lamp; and control means for cyclically changing a current value of the AC current to be supplied and a time interval between polarity inversions.

Abstract: A light source device including a discharge lamp that has a first electrode and a second electrode opposed to each other in a hollow portion in which a discharge medium is enclosed; and a driving device that supplies a driving voltage to the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the driving voltage is applied to the discharge medium through the first electrode and the second electrode such that the discharge medium emits light, wherein the driving device changes a relative potential of the first electrode with respect to the second electrode at a plurality of frequencies.

Abstract: An optical projection system and a lens position adjustment mechanism thereof are provided. The lens position adjustment mechanism includes a fixed cover, a lens mount, a force-exertion element, and a movable element. A pivot part of the lens mount is inserted into a pivot hole of the fixed cover so as to allow the lens mount to pivot on the fixed cover. The force-exertion element is disposed on the pivot part of the lens mount, and two ends of the force-exertion element are respectively connected to a fixed pillar of the fixed cover and a fixed part of the lens mount to force the lens mount to rotate along a first rotation direction. The movable element pushes a block part of the lens mount to force the lens mount to rotate along a second rotation direction opposite the first rotation direction.

Abstract: A projection display device has an illumination optical system that includes a light-intensity equalization element, a first optical system, and an aperture regulation member. The aperture regulation member is disposed at a position that is not optically conjugate with the screen, and the aperture regulation member has at least one of the following, using measured or calculated relative illuminances at each of multiple segments of the image formation region or screen: an aperture expansion part provided at a position corresponding to a segment with a low relative illuminance, the aperture expansion part being a cutout that narrows the light-blocking section and widens the aperture section; an aperture contraction part provided at a position corresponding to a segment with a high relative illuminance, the aperture contraction part being a protrusion that widens the light-blocking section and narrows the aperture section.

Abstract: The present invention seeks to realize a small etendu illumination optical system, a longer operating life and a higher brightness. The illumination optical system comprises: a laser light source that generates an excitation light; a fluorescent substance that generates a fluorescent light in response to the excitation light, a light tunnel that outputs the excitation light input at one end thereof to the fluorescent substance from the other end thereof, and that outputs the fluorescent light generated by the fluorescent substance from the one end thereof; and a mirror that is placed within a light path between the laser light source and the light tunnel, and that reflects the fluorescent light, the mirror having an aperture formed thereon that allows the excitation light to pass through.

Abstract: Optical devices that have at least one optical element and a plurality of kinematic components are disclosed. The number m of the kinematic components of one type exceed the number n of degrees of freedom in which the optical element can be manipulated. At least one of the n degrees of freedom can be x-displacement, y-displacement, z-displacement or tilt.

Abstract: An optical component for transmitting radiation includes a radiation protective layer, which includes at least one oxide material selected from germanium dioxide (GeO2), antimony pentoxide (Sb2O5), aluminum oxide (Al2O3), niobium(V) oxide (Nb2O5), tin oxide (SnO2), metal oxides of rare earths, in particular lanthanum oxide (La2O3) or cerium oxide (CeO2), yttrium oxide (Y2O3), yttrium aluminum oxides, zinc oxide (ZnO), indium oxide (In2O3), bismuth trioxide (Bi2O3), barium titanate (BaTiO3) and spinels, such as magnesium aluminate (MgAl2O4). The radiation protective layer can be varnish-like, and the oxide material can be contained in a binder of the varnish-like radiation protective layer.

Abstract: An illumination system and a projection objective of a mask inspection apparatus are provided. During operation of the mask inspection apparatus, the illumination system illuminates a mask with an illumination bundle of rays having a centroid ray that has a direction dependent on the location of the incidence of the illumination bundle of rays on the mask.

Abstract: A light source device having a large cooling action on the base member of a discharge lamp. A connector on the sides of the power supply and the air blower and the base-side connector of a discharge lamp are connected to each other through a connection cable having a power cable in which an air blow pipe is contained. An electric power is supplied from the power supply to a base part through the power cable of the connection cable, the base-side connector and a flow passage bending member. The cool air from the air blower is supplied to the groove part of the base part through the air blow pipe of the connection cable, the base-side connector and an air blow passage in the flow passage-bending member.

Abstract: A reticle removing apparatus adapted to remove a reticle in a reticle library of an exposure apparatus is provided. The reticle removing apparatus includes a bracket and a reticle removing module movably coupled to the bracket, wherein the reticle removing module is configured to be moved into the reticle library in a first direction to remove the reticle in the reticle library. A reticle removing method using the reticle removing apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A nanometer precision six-DOF magnetic suspension micro-stage and the application thereof are provided which are mainly used in semiconductor photolithography devices. The micro-stage includes a cross support and four two-DOF actuators. Each 2-DOF actuator comprises a vertically polarized permanent magnet, a horizontal force coil and a vertical force coil; the permanent magnet being mounted on an end of the cross support, the horizontal force coil and the vertical force coil being arranged on a side of and below the permanent magnet respectively and being spaced apart from the permanent magnet; the cross support and four vertically polarized permanent magnets constitute a mover of the micro-stage; the horizontal force coil and the vertical force coil being fixed by a coil framework respectively and constituting a stator of the micro-stage; and the stator being mounted on a base of the micro-stage.

Abstract: A substrate table assembly, an immersion lithographic apparatus and a device manufacturing method are disclosed. The substrate table assembly includes a substrate table to support a substrate; and a gas handling system to provide a gas to a region between the substrate table and a substrate mounted on the substrate table, wherein the gas provided by the gas handling system has a thermal conductivity greater than or equal to 100 mW/(m.K) at 298 K.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lithography apparatus which transfers a pattern onto a substrate using an original including a pattern region in which the pattern is formed, the apparatus including a stocker configured to store the original, a processing unit configured to perform a transfer process of transferring the pattern onto the substrate, and a conveyance hand configured to convey the original between the stocker and the processing unit, wherein the conveyance hand includes a protective plate configured to protect the pattern region upon being placed to cover the pattern region, and a holding portion configured to hold the original via a portion other than the pattern region of the original upon being placed on the protective plate.

Abstract: Determination of a sensor device location in a sensor network is described. A system can include rotating optical beams having a known location. Detectors can be located with each of the rotating optical beams. The system can include a sensor device placeable as part of the sensor network. A reflector can be near the sensor device and can reflect at least two optical beams back to the detectors associated with each of the respective optical beams. A triangulation module can triangulate a position of the reflector, and thus the sensor, based on the reflected optical beams.

Abstract: A spectrum measurement device that recognizes objects to be measured on the basis of spectral data of observed light that is detected by a spectrum sensor capable of measuring wavelength information and light intensity information. The spectrum measurement device comprises a lighting device capable of projecting light that includes a wavelength region with a high atmospheric absorption index and recognizes the distance from a vehicle to an object to be measured through a computation that uses spectral data of observed light that is obtained from the object to be measured whereupon light of at least the wavelength region with the high atmospheric absorption index is projected.

Abstract: A laser light receiver used to detect pulsed laser light that is produced by a rotating laser light source on a construction jobsite is disclosed. In this manner, the laser receiver acts as an elevation detector and provides an equipment operator, or a construction worker, with the current elevation status with respect to the plane of laser light. The laser receiver is a unitary device that can detect multiple light frequencies/wavelengths, including laser beams that are in the green, red, and infrared spectra. The laser receiver also is capable of discriminating between such laser beams and other interference light sources, particularly fluorescent light sources.

Abstract: A reflected dark field structure includes a bottom plate, a support tube, a light unit, a diffuser structure, and a reflector unit that provides reflected dark field illumination, such that a gem held by the support tube and surrounded by the diffuser structure is illuminated and viewable through an aperture in the reflector unit. A method for imaging and analyzing a gem includes placing the gem onto a support tube where it is illuminated with dark field and reflected dark field illumination, and viewing the gem via an aperture located on a top reflector unit, which provides a top cover for the gem. Furthermore, a method and apparatus for obtaining images of a gem includes a dark field stage, a reflector unit, and an image-acquiring device, such that a gem placed in the dark field stage is illuminated, and such that the reflector unit covers the dark field stage and provides reflected dark field illumination, and such that the image-acquiring device is directed towards an aperture in the reflector unit.

Abstract: A blood analysis apparatus includes an analysis section. The analysis section is configured to compare a measurement spectrum obtained regarding red blood cells with a standard spectrum of heme, biliverdin, and bilirubin, and cause the measurement spectrum to belong to any one of the standard spectra.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of measurement technology and concerns a method and an apparatus, such as may be used, by way of example, in thin-layer technology for organic dielectric semi-conducting or conducting layers on substrates. The object of the invention is to indicate a method and an apparatus with which both the surface topography of the coating and that of the surface may be determined independently of one another, at the same position. The object is achieved by a method wherein the three-dimensional topography of the coating is determined using chromatic white light measurement and, subsequently, the thickness of the coating is determined using UV interferometry, and the surface topography of the coated surface is determined by a comparison with the overall dimensions of the coated surface. The object is further achieved by an apparatus wherein an apparatus for chromatic white light measurement and an apparatus for UV interferometry are disposed on a test bench.

Abstract: When size of a defect on an increasingly miniaturized pattern is obtained by defect inspection apparatus in the related art, a value is inconveniently given, which is different from a measured value of the same defect by SEM. Thus, a dimension value of a defect detected by defect inspection apparatus needs to be accurately calculated to be approximated to a value measured by SEM. To this end, size of the defect detected by the defect inspection apparatus is corrected depending on feature quantity or type of the defect, thereby defect size can be accurately calculated.

Abstract: A microscope device for inspecting structured objects, including: a camera; an optical imager capable of producing, on the camera, an image of the object according to a field of view, and including a distal lens arranged on the side of the object; and a low-coherence infrared interferometer including a measurement beam capable of producing measurements by means of interferences between retroreflections of the measurement beam and at least one separate optical reference. The device also includes coupler for injecting the measurement beam into the optical imaging means in such a way that the beam passes through the distal lens, and the low-coherence infrared interferometer is balanced in such a way that only the measurement beam retroreflections, taking place at optical distances close to the optical distance covered by the beam to the object, produce measurements.

Abstract: A fiber optic inspection microscope including an objective lens, an optical detector, an image detector, an illumination source, and first and second beamsplitters, wherein the first beamsplitter is in a first optical path between the objective lens, the image detector and the optical detector, wherein the first beamsplitter allows passage of an optical image to the image detector, wherein the first beamsplitter directs optical energy to the optical detector, wherein the second beamsplitter is in a second optical path between the illumination source and the objective lens, and wherein the second beamsplitter directs light from the illumination source to the objective lens.

Abstract: Fiber-optic communications systems are provided for optical communications networks. Fiber-optic communications links may be provided that use spans of transmission fiber to carry optical data signals on wavelength-division-multiplexing channels at different wavelengths between nodes. An apparatus and method are disclosed to use one optical light source per node to perform OTDR and LCV to satisfy safety concerns and accelerate the verification of the integrity of optical fiber links, before the application of high Raman laser powered light sources to a fiber link. A system using only one receiver per node is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a high speed, spinning chuck for use in a semiconductor wafer inspection system. The chuck of the present disclosure is configured with a turbulence-reducing lip. Spinning of the chuck produces radial airflows proximal to a surface of the wafer and proximal to the bottom of the chuck. The turbulence-reducing lip of the chuck of the present disclosure directs the radial airflows off of the top surface of the wafer and the bottom surface of the chuck in a manner that minimizes the size of the low pressure zone formed between these radial airflows. The minimization of the low pressure zone reduces air turbulence about the periphery of the chuck and substrate, thereby reducing the possibility of contaminants in the system being directed onto the surface of the substrate by such air turbulence.

Abstract: A spectrocolorimeter comprises: a calculation unit configured to calculate wavelengths of dispersing light rays respectively received by a plurality of pixels included in a light detection unit using a correspondence relationship between pixels and wavelengths of a plurality of extremal value points in a profile of dispersing light rays detected by the light detection unit upon execution of colorimetry of a reference object to be measured, wherein when the calculation unit calculates the wavelengths of the dispersing light rays respectively received by the plurality of pixels, the calculation unit adjusts a colorimetry condition for respective extremal value points so that signals to be output from pixels corresponding to the plurality of extremal value points have output levels which are not less than a reference and are not saturated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying an object having a pattern of plasmon resonant particles (PREs) distributed in or on the object are disclosed. In the method, a field containing the pattern is illuminated, and one or more spectral emission characteristics of the light-scattering particles in the field are detected. From this data, an image of positions and spectral characteristic values in the field is constructed, allowing PREs with a selected spectral signature to be discriminated from other light-scattering entities, to provide information about the field. The image may be compared to a database of reference images to identify or validate the object.

Abstract: A waveguide for use with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy is provided that includes a base structure with an inner surface that defines a cavity and that has an axis. Multiple molecules of an analyte are capable of being located within the cavity at the same time. A base layer is located on the inner surface of the base structure. The base layer extends in an axial direction along an axial length of an excitation section. Nanoparticles are carried by the base layer and may be uniformly distributed along the entire axial length of the excitation section. A flow cell for introducing analyte and excitation light into the waveguide and a method of applying nanoparticles may also be provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrate and a trace detection method of a biological and chemical analyte using the same. The substrate includes: a substrate having a periodic nanostructure; a reflection layer formed on the substrate; a dielectric layer formed on the reflection layer; and a metal thin film layer formed on the dielectric layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for detecting a resonant non-linear optical signal induced in a sample (805) comprising a resonant medium (61) and a non-resonant medium forming an interface, the device comprising: an emission source (801) of at least one first excitation light beam of a resonant medium, called a pump beam, at a first given angular frequency ?p, said pump beam being incident on a sample along an optical axis, and intercepting the sample at a given position of a transverse interface between the resonant and non-resonant medium, a first optical detection module (803) for detection of the nonlinear optical signal resulting from the interaction of said beam or beams with the sample, means of reflection (813) of said excitation beam or beams, the excitation beam or beams thus reflected intercepting said transverse interface substantially at the same position as the incident excitation beam or beams, a second optical detection module (806) for detection of the nonlinear optical sig

Abstract: A probe includes an optical system which irradiates a site of a biological tissue and receives light emitted from the site, and an imaging device. The imaging device is disposed ahead of the optical system closer to the end of the probe. The probe rotates the incident direction of the light and the imaging direction of the imaging device around a rotation axis directed to the longitudinal direction of the probe while fixing an angle between the incident direction and the imaging direction. The optical system receives the light from the site which always falls in the field of view of the imaging device, or brought with a time lag into the field of view of the imaging device as a result of rotation, the light being incident in the direction normal to, or inclined away from the rotation axis.