Abstract: An observation device includes a handle having on a lower end side thereof an end portion including a tapered rod portion. The handle includes a protruding portion that protrudes outwardly from a side of the handle with respect to the tapered rod portion. The handle is formed so as to be held by a user to stick the rod portion into soil in a state that an index finger is applied on the handle from underneath and that a finger pad of a thumb presses against an upper end surface of the handle.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus that includes an estimation module that estimates a probability of an ice crystal icing engine event based on infrared satellite data, numerical weather prediction data, and empirical data corresponding with at least one actual ice crystal icing engine event. The apparatus also includes a data product module that generates a data product that indicates the estimation of the probability of an ice crystal icing engine event. Additionally, the apparatus includes an output module that communicates the data product to a recipient.

Abstract: Method, system, apparatus, and computer program product for displaying weather data on a computer display screen. Received weather data can be parsed into weather data layers, based on ranges of altitude. The weather data can be separated into different weather products. A pilot can select products and altitude ranges for weather data to be displayed. Additional products and altitude ranges can be suggested to pilots based on detected weather hazards located outside of the pilot-selected products and altitude range. Additional products and altitude ranges can be automatically displayed on the display screen for severe weather hazards. A flight plan for the aircraft can be automatically recalculated to avoid a weather hazard. Parsing of the weather data can be performed at a first rate commensurate with a rate at which the weather data is received. Further processing based on pilot selections can occur at a second faster rate.

Abstract: An optical waveguide for optical interconnection including a polymer sheet comprising a crosslinked product of a prepolymer, the prepolymer prepared by condensation reaction between a first compound represented by the formula Ar—H, where Ar comprises (a) a crosslinkable moiety at one end, (b) a moiety selected from the group consisting of —O—, —S—, —COO—, —CO—, —COS—, —SO2—, and —NH—, and (c) one or two repeating units selected from the group consisting of: where A is carbon or nitrogen, and X is hydrogen or halogen; and a second compound consisting of an aromatic moiety.

Abstract: A method of forming an anti-glare coating on a substrate is provided. The method comprises: (a) heating the substrate to a temperature of at least 100° F. (37.8° C.) to form a hot substrate; (b) applying a curable film-forming sol-gel composition on at least one surface of the hot substrate, to form a coated substrate with a sol-gel network layer having a surface roughness; and (c) subjecting the coated substrate to conditions for a time sufficient to effect cure of the sol-gel layer and form an anti-glare, coated article. The sol-gel network layer is essentially free of inorganic oxide particles and comprises: (i) a tetraalkoxysilane; (ii) an epoxy functional trialkoxysilane; (iii) a metal-containing catalyst; and (iv) a solvent component. Coated articles prepared by the method above and demonstrating anti-glare properties are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to material composites composed of a ceramic substrate having a functional coating and to the production and use of said material composites.

Abstract: An anti-reflection structure includes a substrate including a planar portion, a protrusion portion disposed over the planar portion, and a coating layer, wherein the protrusion portion is integrated with the planar portion, and the coating layer conformably covers the planar portion and the protrusion portion.

Abstract: A display panel according to the present invention includes a first substrate and a second substrate which are arranged opposite to each other, and an outer surface of the second substrate includes a display region and a border region surrounding the display region. Wherein, the display panel further includes a plurality of light guides provided on the outer surface of the second substrate, and the light guides include first light guides, which are provided at edges of the display region so as to guide light emitted from the edges of the display region towards an upside of at least a part of the border region. Since the first light guides guide light emitted from the edges of the display region towards an upside of at least a part of the border region, display with a narrow border or even display without a border can be achieved.

Abstract: Provided is a compound optical system that can obtain high-resolution images by solving the problem of aberration in a field-of-view separation-type optical system, and that enables a super thin image pickup device to be achieved. Also provided is an image pickup device using the compound optical system. With respect to the image pickup range of a central individual-eye lens, by narrowing the image pickup range of a peripheral individual-eye lens, the field curvature amount at the image pickup region can be reduced, and therefore, the eccentricity amount of the lens surface (or the lens group) can be reduced. As a result, an individual-eye lens with little defocus and good image forming characteristics can be obtained, and a compound optical system with favorable image forming characteristics can be configured.

Abstract: This optical film comprises: a recessed and projected structure layer that forms one surface of the optical film; and an adhesive layer that forms the other surface of the optical film. The recessed and projected structure layer contains 1-28% by mass of first fine light diffusing particles relative to the total mass of the recessed and projected structure layer, and the adhesive layer contains 1-40% by mass of second fine light diffusing particles relative to the total mass of the adhesive layer. This surface light emitting body comprises the above-described optical film.

Abstract: An optical film may include a light diffusion portion including light scattering particles dispersed in a light transmissive media, and a light transmission portion including the light transmissive media. The light diffusion portion may be adjacent the light transmission portion.

Abstract: An anti-glare cover for a display screen viewable by a user is disclosed herein. The anti-glare cover has a substantially transparent film with a substantially flat first surface and a second surface having multiple indentations with a first angled surface and a second angled surface. The multiple indentations are arranged in substantially parallel vertical rows. The film is positionable over the display screen with the first film surface facing the display screen and the second film surface facing the user so that when the display screen is viewed by the user the first angled surface reflects incident light from a light source away from the user and towards the light source.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to lamina(e) comprising cube corner elements, a tool comprising an assembly of laminae and replicas thereof. The disclosure further relates to retroreflective sheeting.

Abstract: The present invention provides a display substrate and a manufacturing method thereof, and a display apparatus. The display substrate comprises a base substrate and a black matrix provided above the base substrate, the black matrix comprises a first black matrix and a second black matrix, the first black matrix and the second black matrix are intersected with each other, a photo spacer is provided over the first black matrix, wherein, the first black matrix comprises a non-spacer part not provided correspondingly to the photo spacer and a spacer part provided correspondingly to the photo spacer, and the non-spacer part has a line width smaller than width of the spacer part. In the present invention, the line width of the non-spacer part is reduced, the first black matrix will have a reduced area, that is, shading area of the first black matrix is reduced, and transmittance of the manufactured product is improved.

Abstract: The display device includes a backlight unit, a color filter and a shutter panel. The color filter is formed on the backlight unit and includes a red color filter, a green color filter and a blue color filter. Each of the red color filter, green color filter, and blue color filter includes first dielectric layers including a first material having a first refractive index and second dielectric layers including a second material having a second refractive index smaller than the first refractive index, the first dielectric layers and the second dielectric layers being alternately stacked. The sum of the number of the first dielectric layers and the number of the second dielectric layers in the red color filter is different from the sum of the number of the first dielectric layers and the number of the second dielectric layers in the green color filter.

Abstract: A method for fabricating an absorptive neutral density optical filter comprising one or more graphene layers disposed on an optical substrate. The optical substrate can be a solid material (e.g. glasses or crystals such as silicon carbide, sapphire, germanium, or potassium bromide), or a polymer, or even a wire mesh. The graphene can be grown on the optical substrate or can be growth on a growth substrate and then transferred to the optical substrate.

Abstract: A bird anti-collision film prevents birds from flying into windows by disrupting visible habitat reflections that might appear on the outside of the windows. The anti-collision film blocks and/or absorbs light that may normally be reflected by a window and also actively scatters, and fluoresces light creating an active light disturbance. The disrupted light includes a light range highly visible by many birds but only partially visible by humans. A textured surface in combination with a fluorescent dye in the anti-collision film increases the intensity and range of the light disturbance. The anti-collision film may be attached to the inside of a window providing the unique advantages of easy inside window installation and insulation from external weather conditions.

Abstract: A method for producing an optically anisotropic film is provided. The method includes a step of coating a composition for forming an optically anisotropic layer containing a polymerizable liquid crystal compound and a photopolymerization initiator onto the surface of an orientation layer, and a step of irradiating the coated composition for forming an optically anisotropic layer with light in an atmosphere of 0.5% or less of oxygen concentration, while keeping the composition for forming an optically anisotropic layer at a liquid crystal-liquid phase transition temperature of the polymerizable liquid crystal compound or less.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a highly-transmissive polarization plate that can express achromatic white when a polarization element is arranged parallel to an absorbing axis, and achromatic black when the polarization element is arranged orthogonal to the absorbing axis. [Solution] A polarization element, which is obtained from a base material containing a dichromatic dye formed from an azo compound, is characterized in that the single-body transmittance is 35-60%, and a* and b* values, which are acquired for a polarization element or a polarization plate using JIS•Z•8729, have an a* and b* absolute value that is: less than 1 in a single-body transmittance measurement; less than 2 when two sheets of the base material are arranged parallel to the absorbing axis direction and the a* and b* values are measured; and less than 2 when two sheets of the base material are arranged orthogonal to the absorbing axis direction and the a* and b* values are measured.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide a highly-transmissive polarization plate that can express achromatic white when a polarization element is arranged parallel, to an absorbing axis, and achromatic black when the polarization element is arranged orthogonal to the absorbing axis. [Solution] a* and b* values, which define, the hue of a polarization element or a polarization plate using JIS.Z.8729, are adjusted such that the absolute value of the a* and b* values is: less than 1 during a single-body transmittance measurement; less than 2 when two sheets of a base material are arranged parallel, to the absorbing axis direction and the a* and b* values are measured; and less than 2 when two sheets of the base material are arranged orthogonal to the absorbing axis direction and the a* and b* values are measured.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for illumination, such as for illuminating displays, including reflective displays. An illumination device may include a light-extracting, diffusive holographic medium. The holographic medium may be a holographic film and may be disposed on the surface of a light guide, and includes a hologram that both extracts light out of the light guide and diffuses this extracted light for propagation towards the display elements of the display. The hologram can extract light by redirecting light, which is propagating within the light guide, so that the light propagates out of the light. The diffusion occurs upon the light being redirected, as the hologram redirects the light towards the light guide in a controlled range of angles.

Abstract: An LED lighting system includes an LED assembly for emitting light when energized through an electrical path. An optic element in the enclosure receives the light emitted by the LED assembly and disperses the light from the enclosure. The optic element comprises a light guide for transmitting light from the LED assembly to a light emitting portion where the light emitting portion is configured to visually appear like a filament in a traditional bulb.

Abstract: Disclosed is a display device. The display device includes: a light source; an optical sheet into which light is incident from the light source; a display panel disposed on the optical sheet and including an effective display region and a non-effective display region around the effective display region; and a light conversion/light-blocking sheet corresponding to the non-effective display region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a backlight module structure, which includes a backplane (1), a light guide plate (3) arranged inside the backplane (1), and at least two backlight sources (5) arranged inside the backplane (1). The backplane (1) includes a bottom board (11) and a plurality of side boards (13) perpendicularly connected to the bottom board (11). The light guide plate (3) includes at least two sub light guide plates (4) that are sequentially connected in such a way that a recess (33) is formed in a connection between two adjacent ones of the sub light guide plates (4). The recess (33) has an opening facing the bottom board (11). The bottom board (11) includes a protrusion (111) formed thereon to correspond to the recess (33). The at least two backlight sources (5) are mounted on the protrusion (111) and located between the recess (33) and the protrusion (111) so that the two backlight sources (5) emit lights respectively toward the two adjacent sub light guide plates (4).

Abstract: A display device including a light source; a wavelength conversion member to convert a wavelength of light generated from the light source; a light guide member to guide the light converted by the wavelength conversion member; and an adhering member. In addition, the wavelength conversion member includes a first surface facing the light source; a second surface facing the light guide member; a top surface extending from the first surface to the second surface; and a bottom surface facing the top surface. Furthermore, the adhering member is disposed on the top surface and the bottom surface. Also, the wavelength conversion member includes a tube, the tube receives a sealing member, an air layer and a matrix therein, and the air layer is formed between the sealing member and the matrix.

Abstract: A light guide plate and a backlight module are described. The light guide plate includes a main body and a plurality of stripe microstructures. The main body includes a light incidence surface, a light-emitting surface and a light reflective surface. The light-emitting surface is opposite to the light reflective surface, and the light incidence surface is connected between the light-emitting surface and the light reflective surface. The light-emitting surface includes a microstructure region adjacent to the light incidence surface. The stripe microstructures are arranged in the microstructure region, and parallel to a normal line of the light incidence surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable electronic device including a backlight module having a first light output surface toward a foreside and a second light output surface opposite to the first light output surface and toward a rear side, and providing a first surface light source and a second surface light source through the first light output surface and the second light output surface respectively; a lightening unit configured in proximity to the first light output surface and lightened by receiving the first surface light source; and a lightening pattern layer configured in proximity to the second light output surface, receiving the second surface light source and including a mask part and a light-transmittable part formed with a mark pattern, wherein the second surface light source is masked by the mask part and passes through the light-transmittable part whereby the mark pattern is accordingly lightened and defined.

Abstract: A backlight module includes a frame structure, a heat sink, a light source and a light guiding plate. The frame structure includes a cover unit that defines an airgap therein. The heat sink is located below the airgap of the cover unit. The light source directly contacts the heat sink. The light guiding plate is disposed to correspond in position to the light source for receiving light emitted from the light source. The heat sink is located between the light guiding plate and the cover unit.

Abstract: A glazing unit includes a transparent display located in only one portion of the glazing unit, at least one light-guiding substrate located nearer the exterior than the display, at least one light source located on the periphery of the substrate, for example facing an edge face of the light-guiding substrate, and a light extraction device for extracting the light emitted by the light source. The light source may be formed from a plurality of light emitting diodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to multimode optical fibers (MMFs) and methods for optimizing said MMFs for transmission for at least two optical wavelengths. In an embodiment, the present invention is a multimode optical fiber optimized for multi-wavelength transmission in communication systems utilizing VCSEL transceivers, where the MMF has a bandwidth designed to maximize channel reach for multiple wavelengths, and/or where the MMF minimizes for wavelength dependent optical power penalties at one or more wavelength.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a photonic bad gap fiber and/or fiber preform with a central structured region comprising a first non-silica based glass and a jacket comprising a second non-silica based glass surrounding the central structured region, where the Littleton softening temperature of the second glass is at least one but no more than ten degrees Celsius lower than the Littleton softening temperature of the first glass, or where the base ten logarithm of the glass viscosity in poise of the second glass is at least 0.01 but no more than 2 lower than the base ten logarithm of the glass viscosity in poise of the first glass at a fiber draw temperature.

Abstract: The inventions relates to an imaging system and a method for three-dimensional imaging of the interior of an object. The imaging system comprises illumination means (10), detection means (11) and reconstruction means. The illumination means is adapted to illuminate the interior of the object with light, wherein the illumination means (10) is capable of generating different spatial light intensity distributions on the interior of the object. The detection means (11) is adapted to detect the different spatial light intensity distributions, and the reconstruction means is adapted to reconstruct a three-dimensional image from the detected different spatial light intensity distributions. The invention relates further to an optical fiber system comprising a transfer mechanism to transfer the optical fiber system from a first condition, in which optical fibers diverge from each other, to a second condition, in which optical fibers are parallel to each other, and vice versa.

Abstract: A rectifier comprising a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) structure. The insulator may be a native oxide with an adjacent layer of graphene. In one implementation, the rectifier is used in an electromagnetic energy collector consisting of a planar waveguide formed of multiple material layers having at least two different dielectric constants. MIM rectifiers are aligned with mirrors are formed within the waveguide core. In some arrangements, a plurality of MIM rectifiers are disposed in a column or 3D array beneath each mirror.

Abstract: An optical coherent transceiver comprising a polarization and phase-diversity coherent receiver and a polarization and phase-diversity modulator on the same substrate interfaced by three grating couplers, on grating coupler coupling in a signal, one grating coupler coupling in a laser signal, and a third grating coupler coupling out a modulated signal.

Abstract: An integrated photonic component (100) for polarization insensitive wavelength multiplexing includes an arrayed waveguide grating, AWG, (1) having a predetermined polarization splitting and a MZI-based polarization beam splitter (8) that is configured to compensate the predetermined polarization splitting of the AWG (1). The result is a fabrication tolerant integrated photonic component (100) that is operable over a wide number of limited bandwidth wavelength channels of a wavelength division multiplexing, WDM, system. A photonic integrated circuit, PIC, (200) for use in a WDM system is provided. The PIC (200) includes the integrated photonic component (100). A method of designing the integrated photonic component (100) is also described.

Abstract: An optical end coupling type silicon optical integrated circuit is provided using an SOI substrate. This optical integrated circuit is constituted so as to connect with an external optical circuit at an end coupling part and have signal light incident to an optical circuit that includes a curved part. In the plane of the optical integrated circuit, the position of one end coupling part selected from among any thereof and the position of any multimode optical waveguide element to which a respective optical waveguide is connected via a respective curved part satisfy a positional relationship defined on the basis of a beam divergence angle [theta] of stray light.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical waveguide with a vertical slot including the steps of a) providing a substrate successively including an electric insulator layer and a crystalline semiconductor layer, b) forming a trench on the semiconductor layer to expose the electric insulator layer and defining first and second semiconductor areas on either side, step b) being executed so that the first semiconductor area has a lateral edge extending across the entire thickness of the semiconductor layer, c) forming the dielectric layer having the predetermined width across the entire thickness of the lateral edge, the method being remarkable in that the trench formed at step b) is configured so that the second semiconductor area forms a seed layer.

Abstract: An optical coupler structure may include a substrate, a waveguide section and an anchored cantilever section. The substrate may include a main body and a sub-pillar structure formed on the main body. The waveguide section may be disposed on the substrate, and may include a core waveguide of a first material surrounded by a cladding layer of a second material. The anchored cantilever section may be disposed on the sub-pillar structure on the substrate, which may be configured to support the cantilever section and separate the cantilever section from the main body of the substrate. The anchored cantilever section may include a multi-stage inverse taper core waveguide and a cladding layer, of the second material, which surrounds the multi-stage inverse taper core waveguide.

Abstract: A monolithic optical element and system is used for collimating or focusing laser light from or to optical fibers. The optical fiber terminates in a tip that directly abuts against the first surface of the optical element. The optical element may provide a collimation or focusing function depending upon whether the abutting fiber delivers light for collimation or receives focused light from a collimated beam. The optical element may be a standard or modified barrel or drum lens, with the first and second surfaces being convex curved surfaces having the same or different radii of curvature. The end of the optical element to which the fiber abuts may have a diameter to match the inner diameter of a ferrule for positioning the fiber. A pair of the elements may be used for collimation and focusing in a Raman probehead or other optical detection system.

Abstract: A fiber optic and electrical connection system includes a fiber optic cable, a ruggedized fiber optic connector, a ruggedized fiber optic adapter, and a fiber optic enclosure. The cable includes one or more electrically conducting strength members. The connector, the adapter, and the enclosure each have one or more electrical conductors. The cable is terminated by the connector with the conductors of the connector in electrical communication with the strength members. The conductors of the connector electrically contact the conductors of the adapter when the connector and the adapter are mechanically connected. And, the conductors of the adapter electrically contact the conductors of the enclosure when the adapter is mounted on the enclosure.

Abstract: A multi-channel optical transceiver includes a multi-channel transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA), a multi-channel receiver optical subassembly (ROSA), and a dual fiber type direct link adapter directly linked to the multi-channel TOSA and the multi-channel ROSA with optical fibers. The dual fiber type direct link adapter is also configured to receive pluggable optical connectors, such as LC connectors, mounted at the end of fiber-optic cables including optical fibers for carrying optical signals to and from the transceiver. The dual fiber type direct link adapter thus provides the optical input and output to the transceiver for the optical signals received by the ROSA and transmitted by the TOSA. The multi-channel optical transceiver may be used in a wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical system, for example, in an optical line terminal (OLT) in a WDM passive optical network (PON).

Abstract: The present invention is a multi-fiber optical connector apparatus and method of fabrication. The fibers are precisely aligned by means of holes etched or machined into a substrate. The fibers are centered in the holes by means of a plurality of flexible fingers at the exit end of the holes. Alignment between fiber arrays is achieved by means of guide pins inserted into the substrate and engaging with matching holes in the mating connector. The fibers may be terminated at an angle and an anti-reflection coating applied to the termination in order to reduce back reflection. An expanded beam version of the connector includes a beam expansion section and micro lens array attached to the fiber array. An integrated, self-opening and sealing dust cap is used to prevent contamination of the multi-fiber ferrule.

Abstract: An optical connector cleaning tool includes a supply reel (11) having a belt-like cleaning cloth (3), and a winding bobbin (12) for winding the cleaning cloth (3). The optical connector cleaning tool also includes a housing (7) which rotatably supports the supply reel (11) and winding bobbin (12), a cleaning head (13) which comes in contact with the cleaning cloth (3), and a pressing member (5) which supports the cleaning head (13) and moves in a longitudinal direction with respect to the housing (7). The optical connector cleaning tool further includes a slide spring (53) which biases the pressing member (5) forward, and a transmission mechanism (33) which transmits an action of the pressing member (5) to the winding bobbin (12). The transmission mechanism (33) includes a rack (32) on the side of the pressing member (5), and a pinion on the side of the winding bobbin (12).

Abstract: A fiber optic connector includes a ferrule having a mating end and an insertion end and a ferrule holder having a first end portion in which the ferrule is received and a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The first end portion defines a first bore having a first bore width for receiving the ferrule. Additionally, the first end portion defines a bore surface and at least one groove formed in the bore surface. The at least one groove extends from where the insertion end of the ferrule is located within the first bore to a front face of the ferrule holder. Ridges are formed around the first bore because the at least one groove also extends in a circumferential direction. The ridges contact the ferrule and are deflected by the ferrule in a direction toward the insertion end of the ferrule.

Abstract: A multi-fiber ferrule includes a ferrule body made of a first material and has at least one alignment passage in the front face. The alignment passage has first and second sections. An insert is positioned within the first section of the alignment passage and is formed of a second material that is tougher than the first material. The insert has an insert hole coaxial with a central axis of the alignment passage.

Abstract: Disclosed are optical connectors for electronic devices that are disposed at a hinge of the device. The electronic device has an optical connector comprising a base portion having a hinge with a hinge attachment structure and a base connector having one or more base optical channels, and a display. The display comprising a display attachment structure and a display connector having one or more display optical channels for mating with the base connector. The concepts disclosed allow an optical connection for electronic devices having a display that is separable from a base portion.

Abstract: A direct attached pluggable module with a cable attachment and actuation sub-assembly is described. The cable attachment and actuation sub-assembly can have a boot, crimp sleeve, core housing, actuator inner-housing, pull-grip, and springs. The cable attachment actuation and sub-assembly can combines the functions of cable retention, bend radius control and actuation into a single sub-assembly.

Abstract: An optical coupling lens includes a first lens portion and a second lens portion. The first lens portion includes a substrate portion and a coupling portion. The substrate portion includes a supporting surface and a bottom surface opposite to the supporting surface, the bottom surface includes at least two lenses. The coupling portion is substantially a cuboid and includes at least one lens corresponding to one of the least two lenses and a top end surface. The top end surface defines a recess, the recess is arranged at least one reflecting portion. The second lens portion is formed on the supporting surface. The second lens portion includes a coupling surface and a fourth reflecting surface. The coupling surface is arranged an eighth lens corresponding to the other lens of the at least two lenses arranging on the bottom surface.

Abstract: An optical fiber holding device for holding optical fibers includes an assembling member and a base. The assembling member includes a top surface, a bottom surface opposite to the top surface, a front surface, and a rear surface opposite to the front surface. The front surface and the rear surface are interconnected between the top surface and the bottom surface. The front surface defines a number of receiving holes for receiving front portions of the optical fibers. The base includes an assembly portion and a support portion connecting the assembly portion. The assembly member is detachably mounted on the assembly portion. The support portion supports main portions of the optical fibers.

Abstract: Optical bench structure provides a platform for integrating optical transmitters, particularly Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers (VCSELs), with monitor photodetectors. A substrate with photodetectors on the front side is aligned with flip-chip bonding bumps so the emission of the transmitters is aligned with the monitor photodetectors and passes through the monitor photodetectors with a portion of the transmitted light absorbed by the monitor photodetectors. The photodetectors have a thin absorption region so the percentage of light absorbed may be relatively small, providing sufficient photocurrent to monitor the transmitted power having a minimal effect on the transmitted power. Microlenses are integrated on the backside of the substrate focus, steer and/or collimate the emitted optical beams from the transmitters. The structure enables photodetectors to be integrated on the optical bench allowing the received optical power to be monitored.