Abstract: A frame for a work of art includes at least one side panel defining an inner opening in which the work of art is displayable. The inner opening extends in a plane. The at least one side panel includes a longitudinally extending light guide having a longitudinally extending light emitting face that faces inwards towards the inner opening in a direction generally parallel to the plane. The light emitting face has an inner side positioned proximate the plane and a spaced apart outer side and at least one LED providing a light source for the light guide. A backlight frame for a work of art is also disclosed.

Abstract: A housing for packaging an optical transmitter module includes a body, a focusing structure, a first three-dimensional (3D) optical waveguide, and an optical fiber interface. The optical fiber interface is located inside the body and configured to accommodate a single-mode optical fiber. The first 3D optical waveguide is embedded in the body. The focusing structure is configured to receive a first single-mode optical signal and enable the received first single-mode optical signal to be focused for a first time at a focal point of the focusing structure. The first 3D optical waveguide is configured to receive the first single-mode optical signal, and output the first single-mode optical signal to the single-mode optical fiber. The focal point of the focusing structure coincides with an input end of the first 3D optical waveguide.

Abstract: A device and associated methods for using surface electromagnetic waves (SEWs) generated at the surface of photonic band gap multilayers (PBGMs) in place of surface plasmons (SPs) in metal films. One device is a photonic circuit comprising a multilayer apparatus to generate surface electromagnetic waves, wherein the surface electromagnetic waves comprise the signal medium within the circuit. The circuit may be formed or etched on the surface of the multilayer apparatus.

Abstract: An optical fiber cutting system includes: a pair of clamps disposed at an interval in a longitudinal direction of an optical fiber and that grips the optical fiber; a disk-shaped blade member including an outer peripheral edge portion, the blade member scratches the optical fiber by moving between the pair of clamps and by bringing the outer peripheral edge portion into contact with a surface of the optical fiber and changes a position of the outer peripheral edge portion where the outer peripheral edge portion is in contact with the optical fiber; a pressing member that cuts the optical fiber by pressing and bending a scratched portion on the optical fiber; and an sensor that acquires position information of the outer peripheral edge portion where the outer peripheral edge portion is in contact with the optical fiber.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a tunable microring resonator, comprising a primary waveguide having first and second ends, a plurality of secondary waveguides each having a different length and each having first and second ends and a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) adjustable to optically couple at least a first end of the primary waveguide with a first respective end of a selected secondary waveguide thereby allowing light to circulate within the tunable microring resonator.

Abstract: Methods and systems for mode converters for grating couplers may include a photonic chip comprising a waveguide, a grating coupler, and a mode converter, with the waveguide being coupled to the grating coupler via the mode converter. The mode converter may include waveguide material and tapers defined by tapered regions, where the tapered regions do not have waveguide material. The photonic chip may receive an optical signal in the mode converter from the waveguide, where the received optical signal has a light profile that may be spatially deflected in the mode converter to configure a desired profile in the grating coupler. A long axis of the tapers may be parallel to a direction of travel of the optical signal. The long axis of the tapers may point towards the input waveguide of the grating couplers, which may be linear.

Abstract: An optical multiplexer (10) that multiplexes a plurality of light beams having different wavelengths includes a first waveguide (101) that receives first-wavelength light, a second waveguide (102) that receives second-wavelength light having a shorter wavelength than the first-wavelength light, a third waveguide (103) that receives third-wavelength light having a shorter wavelength than the second-wavelength light, a first multiplexer (110) in which the light propagates between the first waveguide (101) and the second waveguide (102), and a second multiplexer (120) in which the light propagates between the first waveguide (101) and the third waveguide (103). The second-wavelength light is propagated to the first waveguide (101) at the first multiplexer (110). The third-wavelength light is propagated to the first waveguide (101) at the second multiplexer (120).

Abstract: An alignment assembly of a first connector part for aligning a first fiber ferrule of the first connector part with a second fiber ferrule of a second connector part during mating of the first connector part with the second connector part. The alignment assembly includes a ferrule carrier to which the first fiber ferrule is mounted. The ferrule carrier is mounted to the first connector part by a support structure. The support structure is configured to allow a movement of the ferrule carrier relative to the first connector part in at least a lateral direction that is substantially perpendicular to an engagement direction of the first fiber ferrule with the second fiber ferrule. A first guiding structure is mounted to or forms part of the ferrule carrier. The first guiding structure is configured to mechanically interact with a complementary second guiding structure that is provided in the second connector part.

Abstract: In general, certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide an adapter for routing, supporting and protecting a filamentary medium from sharp bends and kinking. According to various embodiments, an adapter is provided comprising a body having an entrance end, the entrance end including a hemi-toroidal portion to form a through-hole in the body for receiving a distal portion the filamentary medium. In some embodiments, a proximal portion of the filamentary medium bends over a curved surface of the hemi-toroidal portion away from the through-hole while the distal portion of the filamentary medium is passed through the through-hole.

Abstract: An optical sub-module comprises a lens and a optical fiber ferrule assembled with the lens, the lens comprises a receiving hole receiving the optical fiber ferrule; wherein the optical fiber ferrule includes a mating surface mating with the lens and a refractive index matching epoxy disposed on the mating surface for reducing optical return loss, and the mating surface has an APC-type end.

Abstract: A fiber optic ferrule includes a body extending from a first end to a second opposite end, with the body including an axial passage extending between the first and the second ends. The axial passage includes a first diameter portion having a diameter of at least 125 microns, a second diameter portion having a diameter of at least 250 microns and less than a diameter of a buffer, and a smooth and continuous transition between the first and the second diameter portions. The second diameter portion is positioned between the first diameter portion and the second end. The axial passage further defines a tapered shape at the second end extending inward from the second end toward the second diameter portion. In certain embodiments, another smooth and continuous transition can be provided between the taper shape and the second diameter portion. In certain embodiments, the axial passage is smooth and continuous between the first and the second ends of the body. A hub holds the ferrule.

Abstract: Devices and methods for connecting optical fibers are provided. In some embodiments, connectors and adaptors for two-fiber mechanical transfer type ferrules are disclosed. In some embodiments, MT connectors, such as simplex, duplex, and quad micro-MT adaptors are disclosed. In some embodiments, MT adaptors, such as simplex, duplex, and quad adaptors are disclosed. In some embodiments, optical fiber cables that modularly coupled with at least one optical fiber connector, adaptor, and other optical fiber cable the cable is configured to provide a remote release from an adaptor receptacle.

Abstract: An optical connector includes: a ferrule that has a brim part; an elastic member that presses the ferrule; a housing that houses the ferrule retractably, and the housing has a protrusion that contacts the brim part of the ferrule, which is pressed by the elastic member in which the protrusion prevents the ferrule from falling out forward; and a regulating part that regulates a rear side limiting position of the ferrule. An interval from a position of the ferrule to the rear side limiting position when the connector is connected is smaller than a retraction amount that the ferrule has retracted when the connector is connected.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an optical assembly for high speed optical communications by combining a cover assembly including a lens and a cover post with a body assembly including a lens, reflection prism and body hole, which takes only a few passive optical alignments for providing aligned optical elements that have required multiple complex and sophisticated processes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for two-dimensional mode-matching grating couplers may include in a photonic chip comprising a grating coupler at a surface of the photonic chip, the grating coupler having increased scattering strength in a direction of a light wave traveling through the grating coupler: receiving an optical signal from a first direction within the photonic chip; and scattering the optical signal out of the surface of the photonic chip. A second optical signal may be received in the grating coupler from a second direction within the photonic chip. The second optical signal may be scattered out of the surface of the photonic chip. The increasing scattering strength may be configured by increased width scatterers along a direction perpendicular to the direction of light travel. The increased scattering strength may be configured by a transition of shapes of scatterers in the grating coupler.

Abstract: A bidirectional optical sub assembly includes a base made of a conducting material, and the base has a first part and a second part. An input port transmits a first electrical signal to a transmitter, the transmitter converts the first electrical signal into a first optical signal, and transmits the first optical signal to a wavelength division multiplexing element. A wavelength division multiplexing element reflects an optical signal of a first wavelength, or transmits an optical signal of a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. The wavelength division multiplexing element reflects the first optical signal, and transmits a second optical signal to a receiver. The receiver converts the second optical signal into a second electrical signal, and outputs the second electrical signal using an output port. An isolation element electromagnetically isolates the receiver from the transmitter.

Abstract: A method comprises applying a frit material to a plurality of fibers in a fiber bundle. The frit material has a first melting temperature lower than a second melting temperature of the plurality of fibers in the fiber bundle. The method also comprises heating the frit material at a temperature between the first melting temperature and the second melting temperature to bind the frit material to the plurality of fibers without melting the plurality of fibers in the fiber bundle and to create a seal between the plurality of fibers.

Abstract: Apparatuses and associated methods of manufacturing are described that provide an optical connector cage configured to receive an optical cable connector. The optical connector cage includes a body defined by a top portion, a bottom portion, two side portions, a first end, and a second end. The body defines a receiving space that can at least partially receive an optical cable connector therein and one or more openings. The optical connector cage defines one or more heat dissipation units disposed within the one or more openings, and each heat dissipation unit further includes a first set of heat dissipation elements having a first height, and a second set of heat dissipation elements having a second height. The second height is different than the first height such that the one or more heat dissipation elements allow heat to be transferred from the body to an external environment.

Abstract: An apparatus includes, an Integrated Circuit (IC), first electrical connections and second electrical connections. The IC is mounted on a substrate and is configured to exchange one or more communication signals with one or more electro-optical transducers, and to exchange one or more control signals with external circuitry. The first electrical connections extend from the IC on a plane parallel to the substrate, and are configured to conduct the communication signals. The second electrical connections extend from the IC on one or more planes not parallel to the substrate, and are configured to conduct the control signals.

Abstract: An optical module includes a waveguide interconnect that transports light signals; a Silicon Photonics chip that modulates the light signals, detects the light signals, or both modulates and detects the light signals; a coupler chip attached to the Silicon Photonics chip and the waveguide interconnect so that the light signals are transported along a light path between the Silicon Photonics chip and the waveguide interconnect; and one of the Silicon Photonics chip and the coupler chip includes first, second, and third alignment protrusions. The other of the coupler chip and the Silicon Photonics chip includes a point contact, a linear contact, and a planar contact. The point contact provides no movement for the first alignment protrusion. The linear contact provides linear movement for the second alignment protrusion. The planar contact provides planar movement for the third alignment protrusion.

Abstract: An optical communication cable bundle is provided. The cable bundle includes a bundle jacket having an inner surface defining a bundle passage and an outer surface defining an exterior surface of the cable bundle, and a plurality of optical fiber subunits located within the bundle passage and surrounded by the bundle jacket, each optical fiber subunit having a subunit jacket defining a subunit passage and a plurality of optical fibers located with the subunit passage. A thickness of the bundle jacket is less than a thickness of each of the subunit jackets and the bundle jacket is extruded tight around the subunit jackets to couple the subunits and the bundle jacket.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes systems and apparatuses for an optical fiber management system. One embodiment of an optical fiber management system includes a cabinet comprising a system of building blocks that make up a rail-mounting system and an optical fiber management apparatus housed within one of the building blocks. The optical fiber management apparatus can comprise a housing, an adaptor plate resiliently connected to the housing, a splice tray, a housing cover, a radius limiter, and a base configured for integrated slack storage of at least one of buffer tube and ribbon cable.

Abstract: An optical connection terminal assembly for a fiber optic communications network includes an optical connection terminal. The terminal includes a base, the base including an exterior wall, and a cover connected to the base wherein an interior cavity is defined between the base and the cover. The terminal further includes an all-dielectric self-supporting (“ADSS”) cable port defined in the cover, and a plurality of connector ports defined in the exterior wall of the base. The terminal assembly further includes an ADSS cable connector including a main body and a connector body, the ADSS cable connector positionable such that the connector body extends through the ADSS cable port into the interior cavity. The terminal assembly further includes an ADSS cable connected to the cable connector, wherein optical fibers of the ADSS cable extend through the ADSS cable connector and through the ADSS cable port into the interior cavity.

Abstract: A closure (15) is installed at a network distribution point to facilitate upgrading a subscriber network (10) to extend optical fibers closer to the subscribers (18). The closure (15) may include active equipment to convert optical signals to electrical signals. The closure (15) enables a plug-and-play connection to the active equipment to facilitate installing and/or upgrading active equipment at the closure (15). The closure (15) also is expandable to enable drop cables (or other optical cable) to be routed from the closure (15) towards the subscribers (18).

Abstract: A fiber optic telecommunications device includes a frame defining a right vertical support and a left vertical support. A chassis is mounted to the right and left vertical supports, wherein the chassis is configured to pivot about a pivot axis that is defined by one of the right and left vertical supports. A plurality of modules are mounted on the chassis, each of the modules slidable on the chassis along a direction extending between the right and left vertical supports, wherein the chassis is configured to pivot about a plane parallel to the sliding direction of the modules, each module defining fiber optic connection locations.

Abstract: An adapter assembly includes a single-piece or two-piece multi-fiber adapter defining a recess at which a contact assembly is disposed. The adapter assemblies can be disposed within adapter block assemblies or cassettes, which can be mounted to moveable trays. Both ports of the adapters disposed within adapter block assemblies are accessible. Only one port of each adapter disposed within the cassettes are accessible. Circuit boards can be mounted within the block assemblies or cassettes to provide communication between the contact assemblies and a data network.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes devices and systems for optical fiber management. One embodiment includes a device comprising an integrated separation surface separating an upper level of storage and a lower level of storage and an integrated adapter plate comprising a number of optical connectors and arranged at a first angle with respect to a floor of the device.

Abstract: A tool for removing insulation in mid-span of a cable carrying a signal-transmitting conduit comprising a lower body section and an upper body section movable toward and away from the lower body section. The tool includes a curved mandrel disposed on the lower body section, the curved mandrel having a central peak portion and adjacent portions curving downward away from the peak portion, to present a mid-span portion of the cable insulation on a side away from the mandrel peak portion. The tool includes a blade disposed on the upper body section, the blade movable toward and away from the curved mandrel. The cable is securable in the curved mandrel in a curved position, allowing the blade to shave the cable insulation allowing access to the signal-transmitting conduit. The tool may include an adjustment barrel having a plurality of height adjustment surfaces disposed at a different distance from the barrel axis, each height adjustment surface positioning the blade a different distance from the mandrel.

Abstract: An optical image capturing system and an electronic using the same are disclosed. The optical image capturing system includes at least two lenses, an image plane, and a first position element. In certain condition, the design of the optical image capturing system may simantaneously inhibit the deviation of effect focal length and improve the imagining quality in response to temperature fluctuation.

Abstract: An embodiment comprises: a housing supporting a first coil; a bobbin supporting a magnet, the bobbin being moved inside the housing in a first direction, which is parallel with an optical axis, by an electromagnetic interaction between the magnet and the first coil; an elastic member coupled to the bobbin and to the housing; a first circuit board electrically connected to the elastic member; a second circuit board arranged below the housing; a second coil arranged on the second circuit board; and a support member electrically connecting the first circuit board and the second circuit board or electrically connecting the elastic member and the second circuit board.

Abstract: A projection optical system capable of, for example, in application to a projector that performs short-throw projection, facilitating position adjustment of lenses (in particular, focus position adjustment in a manufacturing process) and a projector in which the projection optical system is used. A rotation restricting section is provided that is capable of restricting rotation ranges of a cam in focus position adjustment (position adjustment among lenses) during a manufacturing process according to rotating motions of the cam in a lens-barrel guide cylinder and a position-adjustment cam cylinder.

Abstract: A lens apparatus of the present invention includes: a first barrel configured not to be moved; a second barrel fitted to an inside of the first barrel and configured to be moved relative to the first barrel; and an elastic member fixed to an outer surface of the first barrel, and biasing an outer surface of the second barrel to an inner surface of the first barrel through a bore formed in the first barrel.

Abstract: A lens barrel is removeably attachable to an image pickup unit, wherein a large amount of shake can be corrected. This lens barrel includes a mounting part that is removeably attachable to an image pickup unit, including: an image forming optical system that forms a subject image for the image pickup unit; a support unit that supports at least a portion of the image forming optical system; and a fixed unit that is disposed outside of the support unit and that is fixed to the mounting unit. The support part is relatively rotatable and moveable with respect to the fixed unit, about at least two axes which are substantially orthogonal to the light axis of the image forming optical system.

Abstract: Multifunction autofocus for automated microscopy includes automatic coarse focusing of an automated microscope by reflective positioning, followed by automatic image-based autofocusing of the automated microscope performed in reference to a coarse focus position. In some aspects, the image-based autofocusing utilizes astigmatism in microscope optics for multi-planar image acquisition along a Z axis direction of a microscope. In some other aspects, the image-based autofocusing utilizes astigmatism in microscope optics in combination with chromatic aberration for multi-planar image acquisition along the Z axis direction.

Abstract: Provided are an optical lens assembly and an electronic device including the optical lens assembly. The optical lens assembly includes a front group closest to an object side and including a first lens having a positive refractive power and an image side surface that is concave, and a second lens having a negative refractive power, a third lens having a negative refractive power, and a fourth lens having a positive refractive power. Other embodiments may be provided.

Abstract: An optical imaging lens is configured to allow imaging rays to pass through a first curved surface of an optical element and the optical imaging lens in sequence. The optical imaging lens includes first, second and last lens element arranged in a sequence. One of the object-side surface and the image-side surface of the last lens element is a second curved surface. A cross-sectional line of the second curved surface of the last lens element obtained by cutting the second curved surface of the last lens element along a plane parallel to the XZ plane is a second curved line. A material of at least one of the first lens element to the last lens element is a plastic material.

Abstract: A method of making a lens assembly is provided, including: providing a first plurality of lenses; providing a lens barrel; receiving the first plurality of lenses in the lens barrel; fixedly aligning the first plurality of lenses in the lens barrel; providing at least one additional lens having at least one degree of freedom of movement with respect to the first plurality of lenses; and fixing the at least one additional lens in a desired alignment position with respect to the first plurality of lenses.

Abstract: A camera system for a vehicle comprising a capturing unit which comprises an optical element and image sensor with surface, to capture a section of a vehicle environment. The optical element has a distortion curve r=f(?), wherein r is the distance between an object point displayed on the image sensor surface and the intersection point of the optical axis with the image sensor surface, and ? is the angle between the optical axis of the optical element and the beam incident on the optical element from the object point. The distortion curve r=f(?) has, for rw=f (?w) within 0<r<rmax, a turning point ?w; rw, for which r?=f?(?w)=d2r/d?2 (?w)=0 applies, wherein rmax is the distance r=f(?max) on the image sensor surface from the optical axis to the most distant edge of the image sensor.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an image forming optical system which includes an aperture stop and a plurality of lens components, and an image pickup section which is disposed on an image side of the image forming optical system, and has a light-receiving surface which is not flat and is curved to be concave toward the image forming optical system. The image forming optical system includes a first lens component having a negative refractive power, a second lens component having a positive refractive power, and a third lens component having a positive refractive power. A shape of the first lens component is a meniscus shape, and a shape of the third lens component is a biconvex shape, and the following conditional expressions (1) and (2) are satisfied: 0.7<|PS×Rimg|<1.5??(1), and 0.7<|?out 90/?img 90|<1.5??(2).

Abstract: A variable magnification optical system comprising, in order from an object side, a first lens group G1 having negative refractive power, a second lens group G2 having positive refractive power, a third lens group G3 having negative refractive power and a rear group comprising at least one lens group and having positive refractive power as a whole; upon varying magnification, air intervals between the neighboring lens groups being varied; and said first lens group G1 consisting of lens component(s) having negative refractive power, thereby a variable magnification optical system having excellent optical performance, an optical apparatus and a method for manufacturing the variable magnification optical system, being provided.

Abstract: Comprising, in order from an object side: a first lens group G1 having negative refractive power; a second lens group G2 having positive refractive power; a third lens group G3 having negative refractive power; a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractive power; a fifth lens group G5 having negative refractive power; and a sixth lens group G6 having positive refractive power; upon varying magnification, air distances between the neighboring lens groups G1-G6 being varied; and a predetermined conditional expression being satisfied, thereby providing a variable magnification optical system which has excellent optical performance, an optical apparatus, and a method for manufacturing a variable magnification optical system.

Abstract: High resolution printing systems that utilize high power laser diode bars and digital mirror devices (DMD) require side-by-side stacking of illumination modules to stitching of the image from each module to form a longer total image width. An inline illumination optical system having a refractive prism and Total Internal Reflection (TIR) prism pair with an air gap along with a light guide transporting light beams at a compound angle to the prism pair eliminates the need for any axial rotation of the laser and light guide, and enables side-by-side module stacking. The illumination optical system includes an illumination module having a light source, the light guide, a DMD array and a Refractive TIR (RTIR) prism. The system also includes a DMD housing containing the DMD array and having a width within which the illumination module is confined to allow side-by-side stacking.

Abstract: In order to provide an optical element in which the occurrence of a region where no light beams are present (omission) is prevented, an optical element is provided with a main substrate which is manufactured from a light-transmitting material and in which a front surface and a rear surface are parallel to the setting directions, wherein at least one main beam splitter surface is provided obliquely to the setting directions and formed inside the primary substrate. The optical element is also provided with a sub substrate which is manufactured from a light transmitting material and in which a front surface and a rear surface are parallel to the setting directions, wherein a sub beam splitter surface is arranged at least between the front surface or the rear surface of the single sub substrate, and the rear surface or the front surface of the main substrate.

Abstract: A projection optical system is constituted by, in order from the reduction side, a first optical system for forming an image displayed by image display elements as an intermediate image, and a second optical system for forming the intermediate image on a magnification side conjugate plane. The second optical system is constituted by, in order from the reduction side, a first lens group having a positive refractive power, a first optical path bending means that bends an optical path with a reflective surface, a second lens group having a positive refractive power, a second optical path bending means that bends an optical path with a reflective surface, and a third lens group having a negative refractive power. Conditional Formulae (1) and (2) below are satisfied. 0.05<|f23|/D223<0.50??(1) 5.0<D212/|f|<20.0??(2).

Abstract: A microscope system and method allow for a desired x?-direction scanning along a specimen to be angularly offset from an x-direction of the XY translation stage, and rotates an image sensor associated with the microscope to place the pixel rows of the image sensor substantially parallel to the desired x?-direction. The angle of offset of the x?-direction relative to the x-direction is determined and the XY translation stage is employed to move the specimen relative to the image sensor to different positions along the desired x?-direction without a substantial shift of the image sensor relative to the specimen in a y?-direction, the y?-direction being orthogonal to the x? direction of the specimen. The movement is based on the angle of offset.

Abstract: Certain aspects pertain to aperture-scanning Fourier ptychographic imaging devices comprising an aperture scanner that can generate an aperture at different locations at an intermediate plane of an optical arrangement, and a detector that can acquire lower resolution intensity images for different aperture locations, and wherein a higher resolution complex image may be constructed by iteratively updating regions in Fourier space with the acquired lower resolution images.

Abstract: The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an infrared microscope with good measuring accuracy and less crosstalk. The infrared microscope 10 comprises a light source 12, an irradiating unit 14 for irradiating the infrared light from the light source to a sample 16, a focusing unit 18 for focusing the infrared light transmitted through or reflected by the sample 16, and a detector 20 for detecting the focused infrared light. The irradiating unit 14 comprises a first aperture 24, and the first aperture is disposed at a position where the infrared light from the light source passes therethrough. The focusing unit 18 comprises a second aperture 30, and the second aperture is disposed at an imaging position of the infrared light at the first aperture 24. The first aperture has a plurality of holes, and the holes are disposed at intervals corresponding to the arrangement of the light-receiving elements provided in the detector 20 to detect the infrared light as a detecting light.

Abstract: According to some examples, an instrument for scanning a specimen on a specimen holder. The instrument includes a scanning stage for supporting the specimen, and a detector having a plurality of pixels. The scanning stage and the detector are movable relative to each other to move the specimen in a scan direction during a scan. At least some of the pixels of the detector are operable to collect light from different depths inside the specimen during the scan and generate corresponding image data. The instrument also includes a processor operable to perform MSIA on the image data to generate a 3D image of the specimen.

Abstract: Various embodiments for a multi-focal selective illumination microscopy (SIM) system for generating multi-focal patterns of a sample are disclosed. The multi-focal SIM system performs a focusing, scaling and summing operation on each generated multi-focal pattern in a sequence of multi-focal patterns that completely scan the sample to produce a high resolution composite image.

Abstract: An immersion objective lens for a microscope includes a first lens group having positive refractive power, a second lens group having positive refractive power, a third lens group having negative refractive power and a fourth lens group having positive refractive power disposed in this sequence from the object side. The second lens group is moveable along an optical axis so as to achieve a corrective effect with respect to a spherical aberration, such that a sum of a distance between the second lens group and the first lens group and of a distance between the second lens group and the third lens group is constant. The corrective effect of the second lens group is predetermined such that the spherical aberration is minimized for a light incidence that corresponds to a mean numerical aperture that lies between zero and a nominal aperture of the immersion objective lens.