Abstract: The invention relates to a fiber-optic connection arrangement, with the connection arrangement (21) comprising a fiber-optic adapter (2), with the fiber-optic adapter (2) having a first connecting device (38) for a first connecting plug (11) and a second connecting device (6) for a second connecting plug (17), with the first and the second connecting devices (38, 6) being different, with the fiber-optic adapter (2) having at least one first adapter-side attachment means, with the first adapter-side attachment means being in the form of an external thread (8) with a first adapter-side nominal diameter, wherein the connection arrangement (21) furthermore comprises an adapter sleeve (26), with the adapter sleeve (26) having a first end section (27) with a first opening (28), and a second end section (29) with a second opening (30), with the first end section (27) having a first sleeve-side attachment means, with the first sleeve-side attachment means being in the form of a first internal thread (36), with the fi

Abstract: An optical path direction changing optical fiber connector, comprising: a base having an optical fiber mechanical splice at one edge of the base for securing a first end of an optical fiber ribbon; a retention block having a curved surface for guiding a portion of the optical fiber ribbon laid upon thereof, wherein the curved surface curving from a first end to a second end of the optical fiber ribbon such that the first end being at a bending angle to the second end of the optical fiber ribbon, wherein the curved guiding surface having a curvature radius of no more than approximately 2 mm, and wherein the retention block being positioned on top of the base; and a cover for covering the retention block and retaining the portions of the optical fiber ribbon laid upon the curved guiding surface of the retention block.

Abstract: A crimp connector is disclosed for enhancing pull-retention of a fiber optic cable in a fiber optic connector assembly housing. The connector has a flange for engaging with the housing and crimp member for engaging with the cable.

Abstract: When a moving member moves to a fixing position, a fixing member moves to a second fixing position, a blade of the fixing member cuts into a protection layer of a cord, and thereby the cord is fixed. When the moving member moves to a releasing position, the fixing member moves to a second releasing position, the blade leaves the protection layer, and thereby the cord is released.

Abstract: A terminal for making a hydraulic, electrical, or optical connection in an ink jet printing machine. The terminal extends along an axis XX?, and its external surface includes: a cylindrical portion, including a contact end and having a first diameter (d1), this end being provided with hydraulic or electrical or optical connection structure. The external surface also includes a collar, having a diameter (d2) higher than the first diameter (d1), and a throat, the bottom of which has a cross-section, in a plane perpendicular to the axis XX?, having at least one arc of circle portion having a third diameter (d3) lower than that of the collar, at least one planar part, and a part of this cross-section having a width lower than the third diameter. The throat continues with a connection device, for connecting to at least one hydraulic conduit or one electrical cable or one optical fibre.

Abstract: Two semiconductor chips are optically aligned to form a hybrid semiconductor device. Both chips have optical waveguides and alignment surface positioned at precisely-defined complementary vertical offsets from optical axes of the corresponding waveguides, so that the waveguides are vertically aligned when one of the chips is placed atop the other with their alignment surface abutting each other. The position of the at least one of the alignment surface in a layer stack of its chip is precisely defined by epitaxy. The chips are bonded at offset bonding pads with the alignment surfaces abutting in the absence of bonding material therebetween.

Abstract: An optical device package includes a metal base body including a cutout portion formed from an outer circumferential surface of the metal base body toward the center portion thereof, and a wiring board connected on a side surface of the cutout portion of the metal base body. The wiring board includes an optical device mounting region provided on a portion of the wiring board located inside the cutout portion of the metal base body, and a pad arranged on a portion of the wiring board located outside the optical device mounting region.

Abstract: A system is provided for improved coupling of photodetectors to optical demultiplexer outputs, for example an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG), using a refractive index matched material. In one embodiment, the system may include an optical demultiplexer including multiple optical outputs corresponding to multiple signal channels and a photodetector array including a plurality of photodiodes aligned with the multiple optical outputs. The system may also include an epoxy disposed within a gap between each of the photodiodes and each of the corresponding optical outputs of the optical demultiplexer. The epoxy may be configured to provide an index of refraction that is matched to the optical demultiplexer.

Abstract: There is provided a bidirectional optical communication module including a bidirectional optical communication chip configured to include an optical circuit board in which a light receiving element constituting a receiving section, a transmitting element constituting a transmitting section, and a wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) filter that divides transmission signal light and reception signal light from each other are hybrid-integrated, a reflecting section configured to direct a propagation direction of the transmission signal light output from the transmitting section and the reception signal light received by the receiving section to a direction orthogonal to the optical circuit board, and an optical coupling element configured to spatially optically-couple an input-output port for the transmission signal light and the reception signal light provided at the bidirectional optical communication chip to an input-output port of an optical fiber.

Abstract: A localized hermetic sealing of a photonic integrated circuit component chip mounted in a photonic integrated circuit device chip to protect a chip-to-chip interface from contamination, thereby enhancing functionality and reliability. A covering lid mounted on or over the component chip is hermetically sealed to the device chip surrounding the component chip forming a localized hermetically sealed area.

Abstract: An optical communications system and a pluggable optical communications module for use in the system are provided. The configuration of the pluggable optical communications module is such that no optical turn in any light path is required. Embodiments of the optical communications module include an EMI shielding solution and an electrical interface for electrically interfacing an electrical subassembly (ESA) of the module with a system printed circuit board (PCB) in a way that obviates the need for an optical turn.

Abstract: An optical module includes a first circuit board, an optical sub-assembly, a first flexible printed circuit and a second flexible printed circuit. At first electrical connection terminals and a first electrical connector are provided on the first circuit board. The optical sub-assembly includes a second circuit board that includes second electrical connection terminals and a second electrical connector. The first flexible printed circuit is connected to the first electrical connection terminals and the second electrical connection terminals. The second flexible printed circuit is connected to the first and second electrical connectors. A high-speed electrical signal of 1 GHz or higher is transmitted between both the circuit boards through the first flexible printed circuit, and a power source signal and a low-speed electrical signal of 1 MHz or lower are transmitted between both the circuit boards through the second flexible printed circuit.

Abstract: An optical module may include a case, an optical assembly, a circuit board interface positioned on the case, and a circuit board attached to the case through the circuit board interface. The optical assembly may be arranged in the case. The circuit board may include a first area that may electrically connect the circuit board to the optical assembly. The circuit board may also include a second area that may secure the circuit board to the circuit board interface. An optical module manufacturing method is also provided.

Abstract: A communication module includes a printed circuit board, a housing including a left and right sidewall, a top and bottom panel, and a catch pin extending from the bottom panel, the housing enclosing the circuit board and configured to be inserted into and removed from the host device, and a delatch assembly slidably engaged with the bottom panel of the housing, including first and second delatch arms extending underneath the bottom panel of the housing and configured to removably engage with the host device, and a delatch cross-member extending underneath the bottom panel of the housing, including a hooking member configured to selectively engage the catch pin as the delatch assembly slides along the housing.

Abstract: An interconnect system includes a first circuit board, first and second connectors connected to the first circuit board, and a transceiver including an optical engine and arranged to receive and transmit electrical and optical signals through a cable, to convert optical signals received from the cable into electrical signals, and to convert electrical signals received from the first connector into optical signals to be transmitted through the cable. The transceiver is arranged to mate with the first and second connectors so that at least some converted electrical signals are transmitted to the first connector and so that at least some electrical signals received from the cable are transmitted to the second connector.

Abstract: A cable assembly may include a plurality of cable connectors and a cable jacket. Each cable connector may include a ferrule and a cable boot. Each ferrule may have a ferrule passage between a leading end and a trailing end and may be configured to receive an optical fiber. Each cable boot may include a first end with a recess configured to receive at least a portion of the ferrule and a second end having a boot passage connected to the recess and configured to receive at least a portion of the optical fiber. The cable jacket may include a jacket passage between a first portion and a second portion and may be configured to selectively release the plurality of cable connectors in the first configuration and receive the plurality of cable connectors in the second configuration.

Abstract: A fiber optic ribbon cable includes a stack of fiber optic ribbons, strength members surrounding the stack, and a jacket defining an exterior of the cable. The jacket forms a cavity through which the stack and the strength members extend. The stack has a bend preference, but the strength members are positioned around the stack or are flexible in bending such that the strength members do not have a bend preference. Furthermore, the jacket is structured such that the jacket does not have a bend preference. The cavity is sized relative to the stack in order to allow the stack to bend and twist within the cavity with respect to the jacket as the cable bends, facilitating movement of the optical fibers of the fiber optic ribbons to low-stress positions within the cavity and decoupling the bend preference of the stack from transfer to the jacket.

Abstract: A traceable cable and method of forming the same. The cable includes at least one data transmission element, a jacket at least partially surrounding the at least one data transmission element, and a side-emitting optical fiber incorporated with and extending along at least a portion of the length of the cable. The side-emitting optical fiber has a core and a cladding substantially surrounding the core to define an exterior surface. The cladding has spaced apart scattering sites penetrating the exterior surface along the length of the optical fiber. The scattering sites scattering light so that the scattered light is emitted from the side-emitting optical fiber at discrete locations. When light is transmitted through the core, light scattered from the side-emitting optical fiber allows the cable to be traced along at least a portion of the length thereof.

Abstract: An optical fiber cable has a sectional area of Ac [?m2] and housing a number N of optical fibers. A transmission loss ?dB [dB/km], a mode field diameter W [?m], an effective area Aeff [?m2], an effective length Leff[km], and a wavelength dispersion D [ps/nm/km] of each of the optical fibers at a wavelength of 1550 nm satisfy a predetermined equation.

Abstract: A micro-duct cable includes a center member and a plurality of buffer tubes surrounding the center member. A plurality of fibers are disposed in each of the plurality of buffer tubes. Each of the plurality of buffer tubes contains greater than or equal to 24 fibers. The micro-duct cable further includes a cable jacket surrounding the plurality of buffer tubes and the center member. A maximum outer diameter of the cable is less than 13 millimeters and a modulus of elasticity of the cable is greater than or equal to 800 kpsi.

Abstract: A cable supporting device includes a first support and a second support. The first and second supports have respective first and second channel members with an inwardly facing opening. The channel members support and retain a cable or fiber optic component, for example a fiber optic cable or drop wire. The supports may be used in an enclosure.

Abstract: Optical assemblies include a barrel defining a cavity having a center axis, a sleeve inserted in the cavity, one or more optical elements mounted within the sleeve and a retaining ring inserted into the cavity and securing the sleeve. The sleeve engages the barrel inner wall through a thread engagement allowing a longitudinal displacement of the sleeve within the cavity. The retaining ring is also threadably engaged within the barrel, and the profile of the corresponding threads, as well as the spatial profile of a peripheral transversal surface of the sleeve engaging the retaining ring, are selected to provide centering of the sleeve with respect to the center axis of the cavity throughout the longitudinal displacement of the sleeve.

Abstract: A lens barrel includes a filter ring retainer, an OIS base frame, and a ring-shaped filter ring. The filter ring retainer has a male screw. The OIS base frame has a female screw locking the male screw. The ring-shaped filter ring has an inner circumferential projection inserted into between the filter ring retainer and the OIS base frame, and is disposed on the outer circumferential side of the filter ring retainer and the OIS base frame.

Abstract: A lens housing includes a main housing, a lens array, a lens housing, and an athermalization bushing. The lens array has a thermally variable focal length that determines a focal point along a focal axis. The lens housing contains the lens array and is situated within the main housing, and is capable of translating relative to the main housing along the focal axis. The athermalization bushing is situated axially between the lens housing and the main housing, such that thermal expansion of the athermalization bushing translates the lens housing along the focal axis. This translation causes the focal point to remain substantially fixed relative to the main housing as the focal length of the lens array varies across an operational temperature range.

Abstract: A lens-driving device includes a lens frame; a base member; a support that supports the lens frame such that the lens frame can move, relative to the base member, along the optical axis; a driving means that drives the lens frame along the optical axis; and a focus control unit that controls the driving means so as to move the lens frame to a focus position. The support has an elastic support member that supports the lens frame in a suspended manner in an elastic equilibrium position when the driving means is powered off. To set a focus baseline, the focus control unit controls the driving means so as to make the lens frame abut against a mechanical focus baseline position.

Abstract: A lens driving device is provided, the lens driving device includes: a housing; a bobbin disposed at an inner side of the housing; a support member coupled to the bobbin and the housing; and a sensor sensing a position of at least one of the bobbin and the housing, wherein the support member may include a first support unit, and a second support unit disposed not parallel to the first support unit, wherein the sensor may be disposed more adjacent to the first support unit than to the second support unit, and wherein an elastic modulus of the fist support unit may be lower than an elastic modulus of the second support unit.

Abstract: An objective (1) having an outer holder (2) and optical elements (3) held therein, in an inner holder (30), wherein the inner holder (30) is linearly guided in the outer holder (2) and mounted so as to be axially displaceable in a curved support (14), and the curved support (14) can be driven by an electric motor, is characterized in that a hollow-shaft drive (5) is present as the drive for the curved support (14), which drive consists of a rotor (9) connected with the curved support (14) and a stator (6) connected with the outer holder (2), wherein the rotor (9) is configured as a cylinder element (11) forming a circumferential groove (10), having permanent-magnet elements (13, 13?, 13?) disposed on at least one inner wall surface (12), and the stator (6) consists of a cylindrical coil (7), which is inserted into the groove (10), locally fixed in the axial direction, for an electromagnetic interaction with the magnet elements (13, 13?, 13?), coaxially to the axis of rotation of the curved support (10).

Abstract: The image pickup apparatus has a focus lens that adjusts focus on a subject, an operating section (an MF operation ring) that accepts user's operation, and a focus-lens driver that drives the focus lens in response to the user's operation. The focus-lens driver drives the focus lens so that a rotation amount at the operating section, which is required for moving a focus position by unit distance, is maintained at a constant level with no regard to a subject distance.

Abstract: An imaging lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element (100), a second lens element (120), a third lens element (130), and a fourth lens element (140). The first lens element (110) with positive refractive power has an object-side surface (111) being convex. The second lens element (120) with negative refractive power has an object-side surface (121) being concave. The third lens element (130) with positive refractive power has an object-side surface (131) and an image-side surface (132) being both aspheric. The fourth lens element (140) with refractive power has an object-side surface (141) and an image-side surface (142) being aspheric.

Abstract: An optical element includes a first optical component, a second optical component cemented to the first optical component, and a third optical component cemented to the second optical component. At least either one of the first and third optical components and the second optical component are cemented to each other via a cement member. Following conditional expressions are satisfied: ?0.5<Log(E1×E3/E22)<10, and ?0.2<Log(E2/Ec)<10, where Young's moduli of the first to third optical components and the cement member are respectively denoted by E1, E2, E3, and Ec.

Abstract: An inner focusing lens has sequentially from the object side, a first lens group having a positive refractive power, a second lens group having a negative refractive power, and a third lens group having a negative refractive power. The first lens group has negative meniscus lenses disposed farthest on the object side thereof. The second lens group is moved along the optical axis whereby focusing from a focus state for an object at infinity to a focus state for the minimum object distance is performed. The inner focusing lens satisfies predetermined conditions and thereby, realizes a compact inner focusing lens having high imaging performance at wide angles, suitable for compact cameras having a function of capturing video.

Abstract: An inner focusing lens has sequentially from the object side, a first lens group having a positive refractive power, a second lens group having a negative refractive power, and a third lens group having a negative refractive power. The first lens group has negative meniscus lenses disposed farthest on the object side thereof. The second lens group is moved along the optical axis whereby focusing from a focus state for an object at infinity to a focus state for the minimum object distance is performed. The inner focusing lens satisfies predetermined conditions and thereby, realizes a compact inner focusing lens having high imaging performance at wide angles, suitable for compact cameras having a function of capturing video.

Abstract: An optical lens 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, a fifth lens element and a sixth lens element. The first lens element with negative refractive power has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof. The second lens element has refractive power. The third lens element has positive refractive power. The fourth lens element with positive refractive power has an image-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof. The fifth lens element with negative refractive power has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof and including one convex shape in an off-axial region thereof. The sixth lens element with refractive power has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof and including one convex shape in an off-axial region thereof.

Abstract: An optical lens assembly includes five lens elements and provides a TTL/EFL<1.0. In an embodiment, the focal length of the first lens element f1<TTL/2, an air gap between first and second lens elements is smaller than half the second lens element thickness, an air gap between the third and fourth lens elements is greater than TTL/5 and an air gap between the fourth and fifth lens elements is smaller than about 1.5 times the fifth lens element thickness. All lens elements may be aspheric.

Abstract: An imaging lens system 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, a fifth lens element and a sixth lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has an object-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof. The second lens element has refractive power. The third lens element with refractive power has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof. The fourth lens element has refractive power. The fifth lens element with positive refractive power has an object-side surface being convex in a paraxial region thereof. The sixth lens element with negative refractive power has an image-side surface being concave in a paraxial region thereof, wherein the image-side surface of the sixth lens element has at least one convex shape in an off-axis region thereof.

Abstract: Zoom digital cameras comprising a Wide sub-camera and a folded fixed Tele sub-camera. The folded Tele sub-camera may be auto-focused by moving either its lens or a reflecting element inserted in an optical path between its lens and a respective image sensor. The folded Tele sub-camera is configured to have a low profile to enable its integration within a portable electronic device.

Abstract: An imaging lens consists of, in order from the object side, a front group having a negative refractive power, a stop, and a rear group having a positive refractive power. The front group consist of a front-group negative lens group that consists of three negative lenses and has a negative refractive power, and a front-group positive lens group that includes one positive lens and one negative lens and has a positive refractive power, where the negative lens is disposed at the most image-side position. The rear group includes two positive lenses and two negative lenses. The imaging lens satisfies condition expression (1): 0.95<?fAn/f<2, where fAn is a focal length of the front-group negative lens group, and f is a focal length of the entire system.

Abstract: A telecentric lens (100) comprises a front optical group (112) adapted to receive the rays coming from an object observed and a rear optical group (114) adapted to convey said rays towards a sensor (30). At least one between the front optical group (112) and the rear optical group (114) consists of only two positive focal lenses (112; 114?). An artificial vision device (1) comprises the telecentric lens (100) and a lighting device (20) having a paraboloidal semi-reflector element (22).

Abstract: A plurality of imaging optical systems includes at least two imaging optical systems, and each imaging optical system includes an identical diaphragm member. Each imaging optical system includes in order from an object side, a front lens unit having a positive refractive power, a focusing lens unit having a negative refractive power, and a rear lens unit having a positive refractive power. The diaphragm member is disposed near the focusing lens unit. At the time of focusing, only the focusing lens unit moves on an optical axis. Each imaging optical system satisfies the following conditional expression (1), and the plurality of imaging optical systems satisfies the following conditional expressions (2) and (3). 0.5<fff/ffb<1.9 ??(1) 1?AP?max/AP?min?1.15 ??(2) 1.02<ffoLA/ffoSM<2.

Abstract: A variable-magnification optical system has five lens groups, namely, from object side, positive, negative, positive, positive, and negative lens groups, and achieves magnification variation by varying all axial distances between the lens groups. Focusing is achieved by moving the fourth lens group in optical axis direction. Vibration correction is achieved by moving all or part of the fifth lens group perpendicularly to optical axis. Fulfilled are formulae 4.0<|f1/f2|<6.0, 1.0<f4/f1<1.5, and 2.0<|f4/fv|<4.0, f1 representing a focal length of the first lens group, f2 a focal length of the second lens group, f4 a focal length of the fourth lens group, and fv a focal length of the vibration correction group.

Abstract: A projection zoom lens includes: a first lens group having a negative refractive power provided most toward the magnification side, which is fixed when changing magnification; and at least two movable lens groups that move to change the relative distance therebetween in the direction of an optical axis when changing magnification. The first lens group is constituted by, in order from the magnification side to the reduction side, a front group which is fixed during focusing operations and a rear group having a negative refractive power that moves in the direction of the optical axis during focusing operations. The front group moves in the direction of the optical axis to correct field curvature. Conditional Formula (1) related to the focal length fw of the entire lens system at the wide angle end and the focal length fla of the front group is satisfied. |fw/fla|<0.

Abstract: A projection zoom lens includes: a first lens group having a negative refractive power provided most toward the magnification side, which is fixed when changing magnification; and at least two movable lens groups that move to change the relative distance therebetween in the direction of an optical axis when changing magnification. The first lens group is constituted by, in order from the magnification side to the reduction side, a front group having a negative refractive power and a rear group having a negative refractive power. The front group is fixed and only the rear group moves in the direction of the optical axis during focusing operations. Conditional Formula (1) related to the focal length f1a of the front group and the focal length f1b of the rear group is satisfied: f1b/f1a<0.8 ??(1).

Abstract: A method (200) is proposed for furnishing a digital resulting image, using a microscope system (1) that comprises means (R, L, 41) for furnishing microscopic images at different numerical apertures as well as a digital image capture unit (50). The method encompasses: capturing by means of the digital image capture unit (50), in the form of digital individual images, at least two microscopic images at different numerical apertures; and comparing respective mutually corresponding image regions of the digital individual images to one another in terms of their image sharpness, the image regions of the digital individual images having the greatest image sharpness being in each case combined to yield the digital resulting image.

Abstract: An optical transmission system configured to image a selected region of a sample arranged in a first medium in an object plane on or in a sample carrier, which includes plane-parallel plate, from the object plane into an intermediate image plane in a second medium. The plane-parallel plate is located between the optical transmission system and the sample during the imaging. The object plane and the intermediate image plane form an angle between 0° and 90° with an optical axis of the transmission system. The optical transmission system is positioned relative to region of the sample such that the sample is located within the focal length of the lens of the optical transmission system closest to the sample. The intermediate image plane and the object plane are located on the same side of the optical transmission system, and the intermediate image is a virtual image.

Abstract: An arrangement for light sheet microscopy including illumination optics with an illumination objective for illuminating a sample, located in a medium on a sample carrier aligned with respect to a plane reference surface, with a light sheet. The arrangement also includes detection optics with a detection objective. The arrangement further includes a separating layer system with at least one layer separating the medium from the illumination and detection objectives. The separating layer system contacts the medium by a base surface aligned parallel to the reference surface. A correction lens system, with at least one correction lens serving to reduce those aberrations which occur as a result of the oblique passage of illumination light and/or of light to be detected through interfaces of the separating layer system, is arranged between illumination objective and separating layer system and/or between detection objective and separating layer system.

Abstract: An illumination system and method for operating the same is disclosed. The illumination system includes a spatial light modulator (SLM), first and second optical systems, a controller and a mask. The SLM is positioned to receive an incident light beam. The first optical system images light leaving the SLM onto the mask that blocks part of the light. The second optical system images light leaving the mask onto a sample to be illuminated. The controller causes the SLM to display an SLM pattern that generates an illumination beam and a spurious light beam from the incident light beam, the illumination beam passing through the mask, wherein the mask includes a fixed part having a plurality of openings and a moveable part that moves in relation to the fixed part and that includes an opening.

Abstract: A cell imaging apparatus captures images of cells contained in a liquid specimen comprising: an image capture unit including an objective lens, specimen cells each including an inner space which is capable of holding a liquid specimen and which is elongated in one direction, the specimen cells arranged such that the inner spaces are aligned in a row in a longitudinal direction of the inner spaces, a drive unit that moves at least one of: a) one or more specimen cells; and b) the objective lens; and a controller that controls the drive unit to move at least one of: a) one or more specimen cells; and b) the objective lens in the longitudinal direction and controls the image capture unit to capture images of cells contained in a liquid specimen held in the inner space of each of the specimen cells at multiple image capture positions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to autofocus subsystems within optical instruments that continuously monitor the focus of the optical instruments and adjust distances within the optical instrument along the optical axis in order to maintain a precise and stable optical-instrument focus at a particular point or surface on, within, or near a sample. Certain embodiments of the present invention operate asynchronously with respect to operation of other components and subsystems of the optical instrument in which they are embedded. In one embodiment the autofocus detector comprises a beam splitter arranged to split the autofocus light beam into a plurality (n) of down-stream light beams and a photodetector arrangement for registering the intensity of each one of the down-stream light beams.

Abstract: A microscope assembly for use in an automated microscope apparatus has a support frame; a cartridge magazine actuator assembly connected to the support frame; a subframe; a plurality of vibration isolators connecting the support frame to the subframe; an XYZ drive connected to the subframe; and an optical stage connected to the subframe. In some embodiments the assembly further includes a cartridge gripper connected to said XYZ drive. In some embodiments, the cartridge magazine actuator assembly includes an input element, an output element, and a transfer assembly interconnecting the input element and the output element, with the transfer assembly configured to linearly advance the output element upon linear depression of the input element.

Abstract: A stage apparatus includes a plate-like stage plate having a spread in a first direction and a second direction intersecting with the first direction and a plate member having a linear expansion coefficient different from that of the stage plate. The stage apparatus includes: a first holding unit configured to hold the plate member on the stage plate; a second holding unit configured to hold the plate member on the stage plate, allow relative deformation caused between the stage plate and the plate member in the first direction, and constrain the relative deformation in the second direction; and a third holding unit configured to hold the plate member on the stage plate, constrain the deformation in the first direction, and allow the deformation in the second direction.