Abstract: An illumination system is disclosed for providing dual-excitation wavelength illumination for non-linear optical microscopy and micro-spectroscopy. The illumination system includes a laser system, an optical splitting means, a frequency shifting system, and a picosecond amplifier system. The laser system includes a laser for providing a first train of pulses at a center optical frequency ?1. The optical splitting means divides the first train of pulses at the center optical frequency ?1 into two trains of pulses. The frequency shifting system shifts the optical frequency of one of the two trains of pulses to provide a frequency shifted train of pulses. The picosecond amplifier system amplifies the frequency shifted train of pulses to provide an amplified frequency-shifted train of pulses having a pulse duration of at least 0.5 picoseconds.

Abstract: A Raman amplifier comprising a gain control unit adapted to control a pump power of an optical pump signal in response to at least one monitored optical feedback signal reflected back from a transmission line fiber connected to said pumped Raman amplifier.

Abstract: A downhole optical system can include an optical fiber disposed in a subterranean well, and an optical fiber amplifier which amplifies optical power in a core of the optical fiber in the well, the amplifier being optically pumped with optical power in another core of the optical fiber in the well. Another downhole optical system can include an optical fiber disposed in a subterranean well, the optical fiber comprising multiple cores, and an optical fiber amplifier comprising multiple cores optically coupled respectively to the optical fiber multiple cores in the well.

Abstract: There is provided an optical amplifier including a diffusing unit configured to be driven by a first current density and to increase a beam diameter of an incident laser beam that passes through a first waveguide that guides the laser beam, and an amplifying unit configured to be driven by a second current density that is higher than the first current density and to amplify intensity of the laser beam that passes through a second waveguide that guides the laser beam whose beam diameter has been increased by the diffusing unit. The first waveguide of the diffusing unit has a tapered shape in which a cross-sectional area of the first waveguide is gradually increased toward a travelling direction of the laser beam.

Abstract: A beam shaping system including: a first and second optical modules that are accommodated in a spaced-apart relationship in an optical path of light through the system to sequentially apply beam shaping to light incident thereon. The beam shaping system includes first and second alignment modules respectively carrying the first and second optical modules and operable for laterally positioning the optical modules with respect to the optical path. A calibration module of the beam shaping system is connectable to the first and second alignment modules and is operable to sequentially calibrate and align the respective lateral positions of the first and second optical modules with respect to the optical path. The system thereby enables shaping of an incoming light beam of given predetermined wave-front and lateral intensity distribution to form an output light beam having desired wave-front and desired lateral intensity distribution.

Abstract: A polarization conversion system includes a lens element, a polarization grating comprising a diffractive element having a spatially-varying local optical axis, and a retarder element. The polarization grating is arranged to receive light that is output from the lens element, and the retarder element arranged to receive polarized light of different polarization states that is output from the polarization grating and change the different polarization states to a same polarization state. Related devices and fabrication methods are also discussed.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a pane construction, particularly to be used in a motor vehicle, comprising transparent panes, layers and/or foils made of glass, ceramic, plastic or organic material, which are connected in a layered manner in a laminate, wherein the pane construction has transparent infrared (=IR) filtering layer means or a IR filtering foil for filtering of infrared (IR) radiation of the sunlight impinging the pane construction.

Abstract: A telescope, mirror assembly and method of forming an aspheric mirror is disclosed. The telescope includes the mirror assembly which has a substantially spherical surface contour in a relaxed state. A plurality of actuators distributed substantially along an outer edge of the mirror is configured to apply a load to the mirror assembly to deform the mirror to obtain a substantially aspheric surface contour.

Abstract: A super-resolution microscope comprises: an illumination optical system that condenses a first illumination light beam for exciting the molecule from a stable state to a first quantum state and a second illumination light beam for further transitioning the molecule onto a sample in a manner that the first and the second illumination light beams are partially overlapped; a scanning section that scans the sample by relatively displacing the first and the second illumination light beams and the sample; a detection section that detects an optical response signal emitted from the sample; and a phase plate that is arranged in the illumination optical system and has M surface areas for modulating the phase of the second illumination light beam, wherein the phase plate comprises a monolayer optical thin film with M surface areas formed on an optical substrate with a thickness that satisfies the predetermined conditional expression.

Abstract: A telescopic sight has an objective lens system, an eyepiece lens system and an inversion system disposed in the optical path between the objective lens system and the eye piece lens system and pivotably supported by means of a height adjustment device, a lateral adjustment device, a reticle, and a projection means disposed at the end of the inversion system on the eyepiece side. The inversion system generates an image plane at the end on the eyepiece side having a perpendicular alignment relative to the inversion system optical axis. The projection means generates a projection in the field of view of the sight, which is located in a projection plane, wherein the projection plane is aligned perpendicularly relative to the optical axis and in the image plane of the inversion system. A display means allocated to the inversion system generates information and/or an a target mark in the projection plane.

Abstract: Liquid lens cells are used in a compound variable power optical system that forms an intermediate image between the object and the final image. A first variable power optical component is located between the object and an intermediate real image. The first variable power optical component varies power to change the magnification of the intermediate real image. A second variable power optical component is located between the intermediate real image and the final image. The second variable power optical component varies power to change the magnification of the final image. At least one of the first and second variable power optical components is stationary on the optical axis and comprises at least two liquids with different refractive properties and at least one variable shape contact surface between the two liquids, with variations in the shape of the contact surface producing a change of optical power in the optical system.

Abstract: An optical product that includes a transparent lens sheet, which has a first side with a plurality of side-by-side sets of linearly arranged lenses. Each of the sets of lenses is at a slant angle in the range of 10 to 46 degrees from a vertical or a horizontal axis of the lens sheet. The product includes an image layer that includes pixels from a number of digital images. The pixels are arranged in a pattern of pixel locations providing non-orthogonal interlacing of the digital images relative to each of the sets of the linearly arranged lenses. The pattern of pixel locations aligns a number of the pixels from each of the digital images to be parallel to a line extending through a center of the linearly arranged lenses in each set. Each of the linearly arranged lenses may have a round base, a hexagonal base, or a square base.

Abstract: Integral imaging 3D films for use with a display panel. The films include a flexible transmissive substrate having a first surface on a viewer side and a second surface for placement on the display panel. Convex lenses are located on the first surface. The second surface is planar for a plano-convex design or has concave lenses registered with the convex lenses for a convex-concave compound lens design. In the plano-convex design, the lens focus is in front of or behind the pixels. In the convex-concave design, the convex and concave lenses combined focus is in front of, at, or behind the pixels. In use the 3D films produce 3D images with motion parallax.

Abstract: Embodiments of a stereoscopic viewer including first and second eyepieces spaced apart from each other at a distances substantially corresponding to the distance between human eyes. Each eyepiece includes a first window that is planar, optically transparent, and has a first thickness and a first refractive index, a second window that is generally planar, optically transparent, and has a second thickness and a second refractive index, the second window positioned opposite the first window at an optical vertex angle relative to the first window; and a fluid reservoir formed between the first window and a second window and bounded by at least the first window and the second window. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A method of producing a polarizing plate according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: stretching and dyeing a laminate including a resin substrate and a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin layer formed on one side of the resin substrate to produce a polarizing film on the resin substrate; laminating a first protective film on the polarizing film on an opposite side to the resin substrate; and peeling the resin substrate, followed by laminating a second protective film on the polarizing film on a side from which the resin substrate has been peeled. The laminating of at least one of the first protective film and the second protective film is performed through an adhesive having a moisture content of 10% or less.

Abstract: A retardation film insusceptible to color dropout or color shift even under environment of severe temperature or humidity conditions and capable of being produced by a melt film-forming method. The retardation film is obtained by molding at least one polymer selected from polycarbonate and polyester carbonate each having a glass transition temperature of 110 to 180° C. and satisfies the relationships of the following formulae (A) and (B): 0.7<R1(450)/R1(550)<1??Formula (A): |R2(450)/R2(550)?R1(450)/R1(550)|<0.020.

Abstract: The inventors of the present application developed novel optically active materials, methods, and articles. One embodiment of the present application is an optically active article, comprising: an infrared-reflecting material positioned adjacent to an optically active substrate such that the infrared-reflecting material forms a pattern that can be read by an infrared sensor when the optically active substrate is illuminated by an infrared light source. Another embodiment of the present application relates to a method of manufacturing an optically active article, comprising: obtaining an optically active sheeting; and positioning an infrared-reflecting material on the optically active sheeting to form a pattern. The optically active article may be, for example, a license plate.

Abstract: The present application relates generally to retroreflective sheeting and the tools and methods used to make retroreflective sheeting. Microreplication tools and sheeting include controlled surface structure or haze. The surface structure or haze can be introduced, for example, by chemical etching of the tool surface and/or electroplating.

Abstract: A method producing a refractive or diffractive optical device, including: production, in a first layer, of at least one inclined general profile approximated by a staircase profile including plural stairsteps; production of the profile including: forming buffer patterns on the first layer and at least one sequence including: forming masking patterns, so each masking pattern includes at least one edge situated above a buffer pattern and covers at least one area of the first layer not masked by the buffer patterns, the forming the masking patterns also defining, for the first layer, plural free areas not masked by the masking patterns or by the buffer patterns; etching the free areas to form trenches in the first layer. The production of the profile also includes: removing the masking patterns, removing the buffer patterns revealing walls previously covered by the buffer patterns, and then an isotropic etching to remove the walls.

Abstract: According to one aspect, the invention relates to an optical security component (10) intended to be observed in a spectral band between 380 and 780 nm and in direct reflection mode, comprising: a layer of dielectric material (101), transparent in said observation spectral band, a continuous metallic layer (102) forming, with said layer of dielectric material, a metal-dielectric interface, having a sufficient thickness (t) to allow the reflection of the incident light on said interface in the observation spectral band with a maximum residual transmission as a function of the wavelength of 2%, and structured at said interface to form, in a first coupling area, two sets of undulations extending in two directions and forming a first grating with two dimensions, of subwavelength periods (?1, ?2) in each of the directions.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is providing optical systems for controlling with propagation of light beams in lateral and angular space, and through optical apertures. Said light beams include laser beams as well as beams with wide spectrum of wavelengths and large divergence angles. Said optical systems are based on combination of diffractive waveplates with diffractive properties that can be controlled with the aid of external stimuli such as electrical fields, temperature, optical beams and mechanical means.

Abstract: A phase grating includes a substrate and a first dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer is disposed on the substrate and includes a column and a plurality of rings. The top sides of the column and the top sides of the rings align with one another to form a flat plane. The column and the rings are concentric.

Abstract: An optical filter device includes a wavelength variable interference filter provided with a movable substrate on which respective electrode pads are provided; a base substrate on which the wavelength variable interference filter is mounted, facing the movable substrate; and a fixing member that is disposed between the movable substrate and the base substrate and fixes the movable substrate and the base substrate. The fixing member is disposed at a position that overlaps the respective electrode pads, in a filter plan view.

Abstract: Provided are an optical reflective film which is a system that permits the employment of a water-based coating method in view of environmental conservation and which, even in a case where the optical reflective film is produced by simultaneous multilayer coating with high production efficiency, exhibits excellent light reflecting properties at a desired wavelength and a low haze due to the suppression of an interlaminar mixing level and interfacial disorder; and an optical reflector using the same.

Abstract: There is provided a sol of modified metal oxide composite colloidal particles including titanium oxide having a high refractive index and excellent light resistance and weather resistance that discoloration of the colloidal particles by photoexcitation is almost completely inhibited. A titanium oxide-tin oxide-zirconium oxide-tungsten oxide composite colloidal particle having a primary particle diameter of 2 to 50 nm, and a SnO2/TiO2 molar ratio of 0.1 to 1.0, a ZrO2/TiO2 molar ratio of 0.1 to 0.4, and a WO3/TiO2 molar ratio of 0.03 to 0.15.

Abstract: The invention relates to a display comprising an optical imager (5) for shaping light beams emitted by a light beam generator system (4), said beams being introduced into said imager via an inlet face, and for directing the beams towards the eye (O) of a wearer in order to enable an image (I) to be viewed, two hooks (10, 11) being in reference positions relative to the imager, and said light beam generator system including a connection arrangement for connection to said hooks (10, 11), the connection between said system and said hooks being releasable and said hooks (10, 11) being designed to be received in housings carried by the connection arrangement. According to the invention, said housings are arranged in such a manner that said connection arrangement is assembled on said hooks by applying thrust against one of said hooks (11), by turning about said hook, and by snap-fastening onto the other hook (10).

Abstract: The present invention provides a projection system (10), preferably for a head-up display e.g. on board a vehicle, comprising a laser source (1), a diffuser (3) and telecentric optics (2) disposed between the laser and the diffuser so that the telecentric optics outputs parallel rays to the diffuser, the diffused light being thus independent from the incidence angle; each pixel of the projected image has the same brightness, regardless of the angle or of the position from which it is viewed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a head assembly for a laser processing system, preferably a fiber laser processing system. An assembly system allows a secure and a slidingly focusing displacement of a focusing lens assembly relative to a beam path in a laser processing system. The assembly system provides easy replacement of desired focusing lens assemblies. Adaptive modifications are operative to provide computerized processor control of the focusing displacement and detection of an installed optical assembly and position thereof.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes, in order from the object side, a negative first lens group, a positive second lens group and a positive third lens group, wherein, during magnification change from the wide-angle end to the telephoto end, at least the first and second lens groups are moved such that the interval between the first and second lens groups decreases and the interval between the second and third lens groups increases. The first lens group includes a negative meniscus first-group first lens with a convex object-side surface, a negative meniscus first-group second lens with a convex object-side surface, and a positive first-group third lens with a convex object-side surface, and the second lens group includes a positive lens, a cemented lens formed by a positive lens and a negative lens, a positive lens and a negative lens, in order from the object side. The zoom lens satisfies given conditional expressions.

Abstract: A zoom lens includes a first lens group, a second lens group and a third lens group, all of which are arranged in sequence from an object side to an image side along an optical axis. The first lens group is with negative refractive power and includes a first lens, a second lens and a third lens, wherein the first lens is with negative refractive power, the second lens is with positive refractive power and the third lens is with negative refractive power. The second lens group is with positive refractive power. The third lens group is with positive refractive power. The third lens satisfies |R31/R32|?0.39, wherein R31 is a radius of curvature of an object side surface of the third lens and R32 is a radius of curvature of an image side surface of the third lens.

Abstract: The imaging lens substantially consists of a front group having positive refractive power, an aperture stop, and a rear group having positive refractive power in this order from the object side. The front group includes two positive meniscus lenses with convex surfaces toward the object side, and one negative meniscus lens with a convex surface toward the object side; and the rear group includes an aspheric lens and a three-cemented lens in this order from the object side.

Abstract: There is provided a lens barrel with a high degree of design latitude, with which an index display portion can be driven regardless of the amount of drive of the lens. This lens barrel comprises a first driver first driver that moves a lens frame in a rectilinear direction, a position sensor that senses the position of the lens frame, a computer that computes an optical characteristic on the basis of the position of the lens frame sensed by the position sensor, a display portion that displays the optical characteristic, and a second driver that drives the display portion on the basis of the computation result of the computer.

Abstract: The present application provides a micromechanical (MEMS) based zoom lens system, for use in miniature device applications, such as miniature electronic imaging devices. The MEMS-based zoom lens system comprises at least four optical elements, or two Alvarez or Lohmann lenses, that are configured for passage of optical signals therethrough along an optical signal path. Each optical element is MEMS-driven and displaceable in a direction substantially transverse to the optical signal path. In use, the transverse displacement of the optical elements vary an overall focal length of the MEMS zoom lens system such as to provide an optical zoom function. A method of manufacturing a MEMS zoom lens system is also provided in a further aspect.

Abstract: An optical image capturing lenses includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element with refractive power, a second lens element with negative refractive power, a third lens element with refractive power, a fourth lens element with positive refractive power, a fifth lens element with refractive power and a sixth lens element with refractive power. The first lens element has a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface. The second lens element has a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface. The fifth lens element is made of plastic material, and two surfaces of the fifth lens element are aspheric. The sixth lens element has a convex object-side surface and a concave image-side surface and is made of plastic material, the surfaces of the sixth lens element are aspheric, and the image-side surface thereof has at least one inflection point.

Abstract: An imaging lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element and a fifth lens element. The imaging lens assembly has five non-cemented lens elements with refractive power and further includes a stop located between an imaged object and the first lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has a convex object-side surface. The second through fifth lens elements all have refractive power. The third lens element has a convex image-side surface. The fifth lens element has a concave image-side surface at a paraxial region thereof, wherein the image-side surface of the fifth lens element has a convex shape at a peripheral region thereof, and both of an object-side surface and the image-side surface of the fifth lens element are aspheric.

Abstract: An image capturing system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element, a third lens element and a fourth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has a convex object-side surface at a paraxial region. The second lens element with negative refractive power has a concave image-side surface. The third lens element with positive refractive power has a convex object-side surface at a paraxial region and a convex image-side surface at a paraxial region. The fourth lens element with negative refractive power has a concave image-side surface at a paraxial region, wherein the image-side surface of the fourth lens element has a convex shape at a peripheral region, and both of the surfaces of the fourth lens element are aspheric. The image capturing system has a total of four lens elements with refractive power.

Abstract: An image lens is disclosed. The image lens includes, arranged in succession from the object side to the image side, an aperture stop S1, a first lens L1 having two convex surfaces and having a positive refractive power, a second lens L2 having a meniscus shape convex toward the object side and having a negative refractive power, a third lens L3 having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens L4 having a meniscus shape convex toward the image side and having a positive refractive power, and a fifth lens L5 having a meniscus shape convex toward the object side and having a negative refractive power.

Abstract: An imaging lens includes plastic-made first, second, third, and fourth lens elements arranged in the given order from an object side to an imaging side. The first lens element has a positive focusing power and is biconvex. The second lens element has a negative focusing power, is biconcave, and has an abbe number not greater than 30. The third lens element has a positive focusing power and has a convex imaging-side surface facing toward the imaging side. The fourth lens element has an imaging-side surface formed with a concave area in a vicinity of an optical axis of the fourth lens element. The imaging lens further includes an aperture stop disposed between the first and second lens elements.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a housing, a deformable lens, and a lens shaper. The lens shaper defines the shape of the deformable lens. A first mechanism is positioned within the housing to adjust an optical property of the deformable lens. A second mechanism is positioned within the housing to adjust an optical property of the deformable lens. The second mechanism is at least one of an electromechanical actuator or motor. The first mechanism and the second mechanism are different types of mechanisms.

Abstract: A brightness enhancement film includes a plurality of linear prisms disposed on a birefringent substrate. A light ray that enters the film from the substrate side and exits the film from the linear prisms side undergoes substantially a same phase retardation for mutually orthogonal polarization states while travelling within the film. The light ray exits the film at an angle from a normal to the substrate that is greater than 20 degrees.

Abstract: A moveable mirror assembly can be used in connection with a case for a portable electronic device. The assembly can include a mirror housing and a mirror positioned within the mirror housing to redirect light to a portable electronic device within the case. The assembly can also include a rotational member coupled with the mirror housing and the case.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a display device is disclosed. The method can include bonding a display body to a filter body, irradiating light and separating. The display body includes a first support unit and a display unit. The first support unit includes a first substrate, a first metal layer, and a first resin layer. The display unit has a first region and a second region. The filter body includes a second support unit and a filter unit. The second support unit includes a second substrate, a second metal layer and a second resin layer. In the bonding, the display unit and the filter unit are disposed between the first and second substrates. The light is irradiated onto the first and second metal layers. The first substrate is separated from the first resin layer and the second substrate is separated from the second resin layer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, in a disk storage apparatus, a cancel controller cancels interference on a read target track from adjacent tracks from equalization waveform data obtained by applying waveform equalization processing to a read signal of the read target track based on an interference amount between adjacent tracks. An ITI controller determines whether or not an interference amount for a next read target track exceeds a prescribed value based on the interference amount corresponding to the read target track, and stores, when the interference amount exceeds the prescribed value, the equalization waveform data for the read target track in the memory as cancel data used to cancel interference on the next read target track.

Abstract: An implementation of a system disclosed herein provides a method of deferring decoding of a data sector received at a read channel of a storage device, in response to determining that a data sector cannot be decoded by a first decoder and storing the data sector for further processing by a second decoder.

Abstract: A method and computer program product identify the location of a bad block on a disk platter of a hard disk drive, determine an avoidance area extending from the bad block, and prevent data from being written to the avoidance area.

Abstract: The present inventions are related to systems and methods for data processing, and more particularly to systems and methods for bit error rate prediction in a data processing system.

Abstract: The thermally-assisted magnetic recording head includes: a magnetic pole having an end exposed on an air-bearing surface; a waveguide; a plasmon generator formed essentially of a first metallic material, and having a first region and a second region, the first region extending backward from the air-bearing surface to a first position, and the second region being coupled with the first region at the first position and extending backward from the first position; and a metallic layer filling a part in the second region, and formed essentially of a second metallic material that has a higher melting temperature than a melting temperature of the first metallic material.

Abstract: A tape cartridge includes a drive gear that is rotatably driven by a driving device, a first reel that winds a first tape-like storage medium therearound and is rotatable by a driving force transmitted from the drive gear, a second reel that winds a second tape-like storage medium therearound and is rotatable by a driving force transmitted from the drive gear, and a blocking unit that blocks transmission of the driving force from the drive gear to the first or second reel.

Abstract: There is provided a spindle motor including: a stator core fixedly installed on a stator; a driving magnet having a center thereof disposed to coincide with that of the stator core in an axial direction; and a rotor hub including a hub body having a disk shape, a magnet mounting part extended from an edge of the hub body in a downward axial direction and having the driving magnet installed on an inner peripheral surface thereof, and a disk supporting part extended from the magnet mounting part in a radial direction, wherein the stator includes a base member, and a pulling magnet is installed on at least one of a lower surface of the disk supporting part and an upper surface of the base member disposed to face the lower surface of the disk supporting part.

Abstract: A magnetic disk device includes a magnetic disk, a head and a control section. The head writes data to the magnetic disk. The control section controls the head to move along a virtual circular orbit of the magnetic disk that includes a first servo sector region and a second servo sector region. The second servo sector region has a larger servo interval than the first servo sector region, and stores a larger number of write bits than the first servo sector region.