Abstract: Described is an optical element for guiding electromagnetic radiation. The optical element includes a base body and at least one film, wherein the film is configured to adhere to the base body to form an intimate connection with the base body without using an adhesion promoting interlayer and is arranged such that the electromagnetic radiation passes through it.

Abstract: A laminated glazing with variable liquid-crystal-induced scattering, includes a first glass sheet; a first interlayer film for laminating the first glass sheet, made from a first plastic material; an electrically controllable, variable scattering system including the liquid crystals between a first support for a first electrode and a second support for a second electrode, the electrodes making contact with the liquid crystals; a second interlayer film, made from a second plastic material for laminating a second glass sheet; links to the electrodes; electrical wiring with two wiring inputs; a polymer material, for protecting the wiring inputs, which makes contact with the glass sheets; and a seal for sealing the liquid crystals and the electrodes from water. The protective polymer material forms a seal for sealing the electrode links and the wiring inputs from liquid water.

Abstract: A planar illumination device includes a light source unit, including a substantially planar emitting surface, configured to emit light to illuminate a substantially planar object, and a frame, formed in a frame shape enclosing the light source unit, disposed on an outer circumferential side of the light source unit, configured to hold the light source unit. The frame includes a reflecting part configured to reflect the light, and an absorbing part, formed integral with at least a part of an outer circumferential surface of the reflecting part, configured to absorb the light. The reflecting part and the absorbing part include joint interface therebetween that is inclined to a direction vertical to the emitting surface.

Abstract: According to a method of manufacturing a light guide of this invention, a shaping member is provided that covers a molding frame. In a releasing step, when the shaping member is lifted up in a direction apart from the molding frame, the light guide is lifted and pulled out from an aperture of the molding frame accordingly. As a result, there is no need to pull out the light guide by conventionally providing a pressing plug on a bottom of the molding frame and pressing the plug in a direction. In addition, there is no need to perform a grinding process to the light guide.

Abstract: The shape of the exterior surface of a portion of an optical fiber that is to be attached to, or embedded in, an external structure or material is modified to improve the adhesion characteristics of that portion of the fiber. Improving the adhesion characteristics of that portion of the fiber allows a very strong bond to be formed between it and the structure or material to which it is attached or in which it is embedded. Strengthening this bond helps prevent relative movement from occurring between the fiber and the exterior material or structure to which it is attached or in which it is embedded.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and method for collecting and directing light from a source via a light guide and modulated display assembly in an efficient manner through the design and use of prismatic optical structures, diffusers and/or light redirectors.

Abstract: A light-guide member includes a transparent light-guide body, a reflective layer and a shading layer. The light-guide body includes a light incident surface, a light-emitting surface and a peripheral surface connecting the light incident surface and the light-emitting surface. The peripheral surface includes at least one reflective surface for transmitting the light entering form the light incident surface out of the light-emitting surface. The reflective layer may be painted on the reflective surface. The shading layer may be painted on the reflective layer.

Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus for an optical waveguide structure including a clad structure having grooves in a curved surface thereof and a clad film attached to the curved surface includes a clad film shape retaining portion that has a curved surface along which the clad film is held. a position checking portion that checks the position of the clad film on the clad film shape retaining portion, and a first position adjusting portion that adjusts the position of the clad film shape retaining portion so that the clad film on the clad film shape retaining portion is disposed at a reference position while checking the position of the clad film with the position checking portion.

Abstract: A light guide plate includes a light guide portion, and a number of light gathering portions. The light guide portion defines a plurality of openings. The light gathering portions are formed on the light guide portion. Each light gathering portion includes a light receiving part and a light reflecting part. The light receiving part partially surrounds one of the openings. The light reflecting part includes a sloping reflecting surface formed between the light receiving part and the light guide portion.

Abstract: A light guiding device and in particular to a light guiding device that can be used for illumination, backlighting, signage or display purposes is described. The light guiding device comprises a transparent base substrate, upon a first surface of which are mounted light sources, and a guide substrate arranged so as to encapsulate the light sources upon the first surface. In this way the guide substrate provides a means for guiding light produced by the one or more light sources over the first surface. The incorporation of scattering structures along with appropriate choice of the refractive indices of the various layers provides a highly flexible light guiding device that is typically less than 1 mm thick. The described light guiding device provides particular application as a seven segment display.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for forming a fiber optic cable is disclosed. A first pattern of a phase mark is formed at a first location in the fiber optic cable. A relational parameter between the fiber optic cable and the phase mask is changed and a second pattern of the phase mask is formed at a second location in the fiber optic cable. The second pattern is related to the first pattern via the change in the relational parameter between the fiber optic cable and the phase mask. A controller can be used to control the relational parameter.

Abstract: A handheld computing device includes a screen to receive input from and provide graphical output to a user, a housing engaging a peripheral portion of the screen, a light source, at least one light guide to receive incident light from the light source and direct the incident light to the screen to illuminate a portion of the screen, and a light guide bracket to engage the housing and the at least one light guide, the light guide bracket maintaining a position and orientation of the light guide relative to the light source.

Abstract: A low cost, high performance, low profile flexible reinforcement member that can be used for both optical and copper communications cable. The reinforcement members made according to the preferred process are more rigid than known reinforcement members, but are less rigid than glass pultruded rods. Communications cables utilizing these members are lightweight and exhibit an improved combination of strength and flexibility compared to traditional communications cables. Further, these communication cables may then be installed into underground ducts using more economical and faster installation techniques.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an optical waveguide includes: step A of forming a first resin layer 23 by allowing a first liquid-state resin to flow to be extended in a manner so as to bury and enclose cores 22; step B of forming a second resin layer 25 by allowing a second liquid-state resin having a viscosity higher than that of the first liquid-state resin to flow to be extended on the first resin layer 23, after or while the first resin layer 23 is heated; and step C of forming an over-cladding layer 26 by curing the first resin layer 23 and the second resin layer 25.

Abstract: A modified optical fiber comprises one Surface Light Field Emulation (s-LiFE) segment, comprising a core; a cladding; and multiple controlled nanoscale diffusion centers to emit light through the side of the optical fibers. Optionally, the modified optical fiber has a coating. The nanoscale diffusion centers are physical geometric patterns or composition patterns in the cladding or the coating. The s-LiFE optical fiber is a member of an illumination system further comprising a light source. The method of making of said s-LiFE optical fiber comprises a fiber spooning step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a two-dimensional polymer optical waveguide, which is used for manufacturing a two-dimensional optical waveguide through simplified processes using a single imprint original master.

Abstract: A splitter module, comprising an enclosure and a splitter device with one or more splitter legs mounted in the enclosure. Each splitter leg has an optical fiber therein extends for a certain length from the splitter. At least one of the splitter legs, and, thereby, the optical fiber, is cut. The cut may be at an angle to the longitudinal axis of optical fiber. The angle may be about 45 degrees. The coating may be stripped off such that the cut end of the optical glass fiber of the at least one output leg is exposed a certain distance. The cut end of the optical glass fiber positions in the interior of the enclosure. A glass-index-matching material, at least partially fills the interior of the enclosure such that the cut end of the optical fiber is embedded in the glass-index-matching material.

Abstract: A compound optical film comprises an unitary two-layer structure consisting of a light guide layer and a light reflective layer attached on the light guide layer. A plurality of light scattering particles are dispersed in the light guide layer adjacent to an interface between the light guide layer and the light reflective layer. The compound optical film can reduce the thickness of backlight module while the compound optical film is used in backlight module. The present art also relates to a manufacturing method for the compound optical film.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, wedge light guides are constructed that are monolithic in nature and include integrally-formed optical concentrators. The wedge light guide and its associated optical concentrators are defined by a mold. In at least some embodiments, structure within the mold that defines the optical concentrators can be used as injection ports through which formation material can be injected to form the monolithic wedge light guide.

Abstract: In an optical component, a part of a waveguide type optical device is fixed to a convex portion of a mount. The optical component includes an optical support base, a pressure member and a pressure support base. The optical device support base is interposed between the mount and the presser member enough to be slidable in a direction parallel to surfaces of the mount and the presser member.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a light guide plate includes the follow steps. First, an injection mold including a cavity plate is provided. Then a plurality of microstructures is formed on the cavity plate by laser etching. Each microstructure includes a recess having a concave surface, and a protrusion formed around a periphery of the recess, wherein at least half of the concave surface is a mirror-like surface. Finally, a light guide plate is molded in the injection mold.

Abstract: A patterned light guide panel, a manufacturing method thereof, and a backlight unit including the patterned light guide panel, the patterned light guide panel including a base layer; and a skin layer stacked on the base layer, the skin layer having a lenticular pattern extending orthogonally to a light entrance plane of the light guide panel.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid crystal display device including: an optical switching member; a light guide panel; and a light source, the light guide panel including, on at least one of a front surface and a back surface thereof, a plurality of surface structures including: a first raised surface extending outward being formed as a free surface; a first light reflection surface entering inside from the first raised surface; a second light reflection surface extending outside from the first light reflection surface; and a second raised surface which continues from the second light reflection surface and is formed as a free surface, whereby a liquid crystal display device may be obtained, which includes a thin light guide panel with a thickness of, for example, 1 mm or less.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a light guide plate includes the following steps. Injection molding a light guide plate to obtain a light guide plate with a stub. Cutting away the stub to obtain a light guide plate with a cut edge. Providing a thermal resetting apparatus having an nano release material layer. A thermal melting temperature of the nano release material layer is higher than that of the light guide plate, heating the thermal resetting apparatus to make a temperature of the nano release material layer higher than the thermal melting temperature of the nano release material layer. And resetting the cut edge of the light guide plate by contacting the nano release material layer of the thermal resetting apparatus with the cut edge of the light guide plate to obtain a light guide plate with a smooth edge.

Abstract: An optical wave guide includes an optical waveguide layer in which a core layer is surrounded by a cladding layer, a light path converting portion provided to a light entering side and a light emitting side of the optical waveguide layer respectively, a light entering portion demarcated in an outer surface of the cladding layer, in which a light is entered to the light path converting portion of the light entering side; and a light emitting portion demarcated in an outer surface of the cladding laver, in which a light from the light path converting portion of the light emitting side is emitted, wherein an outer surface of the cladding layer except the light entering portion and the light emitting portion is formed as a roughened. surface.

Abstract: Provided is a method of manufacturing an all-in-one type light guide plate. The method includes: fabricating a master including a plurality of inverse-prism shape structures; forming an elastic mold by applying an elastomer on the master; and fabricating the all-in-one type light guide plate, on which a plurality of inverse-prism shape structures are integrally formed, by applying a light transmissive material on the elastic mold.

Abstract: An apparatus that comprises an optical-mode-converter. The optical-mode-converter includes a optical waveguide including a segment directly located on a substrate and a cantilevered segment located over said substrate and separated from said substrate by a cavity, and, said cantilevered segment includes a core surrounded by a cladding. The optical-mode-converter also includes a dielectric material filling said cavity and contacting said cantilevered segment over said cavity, wherein said dielectric material has a refractive index that is less than a refractive index of said cladding and that is no more than about 20 percent less than said refractive index of said cladding.

Abstract: Described are embodiments of a process including patterning one or more reflectors on a surface of a substrate of a material, the surface oriented at a selected angle relative to a (100) crystallographic plane of the material, and etching one or more reflectors in the surface, each reflector including one or more reflective surfaces formed by (111) crystallographic planes of the material. Also described are process embodiments for forming a molded waveguide including preparing a waveguide mold, the waveguide mold comprising a master mold including one or more reflectors on a surface of a substrate of a master mold material, the surface oriented at a selected angle relative to a (100) crystallographic plane of the material, each reflector including one or more reflective surfaces formed by (111) crystallographic planes of the material, injecting a waveguide material into the waveguide mold, and releasing the molded waveguide from the waveguide mold.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) composite structure and a method of making the same. In one embodiment, the 3D composite structure includes a 3D ordered microstructure and a second continuous material. The 3D ordered microstructure includes first truss elements defined by first self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a first direction, second truss elements defined by second self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a second direction, and third truss elements defined by third self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a third direction. The first, second, and third truss elements interpenetrate each other at nodes to form a first continuous material with the three-dimensional ordered microstructure. In addition, the second continuous material has different physical properties than the first continuous material and shares an interface with the three-dimensional ordered microstructure, and wherein the interface is everywhere continuous.

Abstract: A microstructure forming device for forming an optical plate includes: a roller unit including a pressing roller, and first and second embossing rollers that respectively have first and second micropatterned surfaces; an extrusion die for extruding a substrate material to a first nip between the first embossing roller and the pressing roller to form a lower microstructure; and a photosensitive resin-applying unit disposed immediately above the second embossing roller for directing a photosensitive resin onto the second embossing roller to form an upper microstructure that is opposite to the lower microstructure.

Abstract: A lightguide includes a film including a body with opposing faces having a thickness not greater than 0.5 millimeters therebetween. An array of strips has an array direction extending from the body of the film, wherein each strip in the array of strips has a curved or angled lateral edge. A method for manufacturing a lightguide is also disclosed.

Abstract: A polarization-maintaining (PM) optical fiber has a pure silica core surrounded by a cladding having a region with randomly arranged voids. Stress members are arranged in the cladding on opposite sides of and in line with the core, and impart birefringence to the PM optical fiber. The PM optical fiber is resistant to aging effects and has a broad single-mode spectral range of 400 nm to 1,600 nm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a movable lens structure that comprises the steps of: forming a lens from a lens material disposed on a carrier of another material (step 58), and forming a micromechanical structure from the carrier (step 60), wherein the forming of the lens takes place before the forming of the micromechanical structure. With this method a simplified production method is obtained that simplifies difficult compatibility requirements between micromechanics and lens that can otherwise be hard to meet.

Abstract: An optical fiber includes an interlocking microstructure formed on an outer periphery of the fiber that configures the fiber to be interlocked with another optical fiber including a complementary interlocking microstructure coating.

Abstract: An optical film formed of a cellulose acylate and having a first region and a second region that differ from each other in the birefringence, wherein the angle between the slow axis of the first region and the slow axis of the second region is at least 45 degrees can be produced at a low cost and used for 3D stereoscopic image display.

Abstract: An optical waveguide device includes: a substrate having an electro-optical effect; an optical waveguide formed on the substrate; and a control electrode for applying an electric field to the optical waveguide. The optical waveguide device has the following characteristics. A thickness of the substrate is 30 ?m or less. The control electrode has a signal electrode and a ground electrode. A low-permittivity layer is formed at least on a surface portion of the signal electrode in contact with the substrate.

Abstract: An optical device includes an optical grating coupler and a plurality of optical waveguides coupled thereto. The optical grating coupler is formed along a planar surface of a substrate, and includes a pattern formed by ridges concentrically located on the surface about a center thereon. Each adjacent pair of ridges is separated by a groove. Each waveguide of the plurality of waveguides is oriented about radially with respect to the center, and has a first end that terminates near an outermost one of the ridges. The first ends are about uniformly spaced along the outermost one of the ridges.

Abstract: A sensor for force is formed from an elastomeric cylinder having a region with apertures. The apertures have passageways formed between them, and an optical fiber is introduced into these passageways, where the optical fiber has a grating for measurement of tension positioned in the passageways between apertures. Optionally, a temperature measurement sensor is placed in or around the elastomer for temperature correction, and if required, a copper film may be deposited in the elastomer for reduced sensitivity to spot temperature variations in the elastomer near the sensors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a solar concentrator from a transparent material. The solar concentrator comprises a light coupling surface and a light decoupling surface, the solid body comprises a supporting frame with an outer edge between the light coupling surface and the convex light decoupling surface and the transparent material is precision moulded between a first mould and a second mould to form the solar concentrator in such a way that the outer edge is moulded or formed without any or with only partial contact with said mould.

Abstract: In the optical waveguide board, simultaneously with pattern formation of mirror members at arbitrary positions on a clad layer 11, guiding patterns 14 having convex shapes are formed respectively at arbitrary positions on peripheral parts of mirror patterns 13, and the mirror patterns 13 are worked into tapered shapes. Next, in a state that a mask member 100 having through holes at desired positions, and the guiding patterns 14 are guided by mating, a metal film is formed on surfaces of slope parts 22 of the mirror patterns and the guiding patterns 14. Furthermore, in a state that the guiding patterns 14 and the photomask 16 are guided, wiring core patterns 20 are formed on the clad layer 11 adjacent to the mirror patterns 13.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention include composite articles having specific optical properties. In one embodiment of this invention, a composite comprises high and low refractive index light transmitting material and surface relief features. In further embodiments, the composite comprises volumetric dispersed phase domains that may be asymmetric in shape. In one embodiment of this invention, the composite is an optical film providing light collimating features along two orthogonal planes perpendicular to the surface of the film. In another embodiment, the composite has improved optical, thermal, mechanical, or environmental properties. In further embodiments of this invention, the composite is manufactured by optically coupling or extruding two or more light transmitting materials, and forming inverted light collimating surface relief features or light collimating surface relief features.

Abstract: A fiber fuse terminator which is used to terminate a fiber fuse, comprising: an optical fiber which includes a core and a cladding having holes extending in a longitudinal direction thereof, in which: a refractive index of the core of the optical fiber is higher than a refractive index of a portion of the cladding excepting portions of the holes; when it is assumed that a mode field diameter at a used wavelength of the optical fiber is MFD, and a distance in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the optical fiber between a center of the core and a position, closest to the center of the core, of the hole that is closest to the core is Rmin, a value expressed by 2×Rmin/MFD is no less than 1.2 and no more than 2.1; when it is assumed that a width, in a diameter direction, of a region where the holes present in the cladding is W, a value expressed by W/MFD is no less than 0.3; and when it is assumed that a diameter of the cladding of the optical fiber is Dfiber, W?0.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of making rare earth (RE) doped optical fiber using BaO as co-dopant instead of Al or P commonly used for incorporation of the RE in silica glass by MCVD and solution doping technique. The method comprises deposition of particulate layer of GeO2 doped SiO2 with or without small P2O5 for formation of the core and solution doping by soaking the porous soot layer into an aqueous solution of RE and Ba containing salt. This is followed by dehydration and sintering of the soaked deposit, collapsing at a high temperature to produce the preform and drawing of fibers of appropriate dimension. The use of Ba-oxide enables to eliminate unwanted core-clad interface defect which is common in case of Al doped fibers. The fibers also show good RE uniformity, relatively low optical loss in the 0.6-1.6 ?m wavelength region and good optical properties suitable for their application in amplifiers, fiber lasers and sensor devices.

Abstract: A touch panel optical waveguide production method that ensures improved productivity while suppressing occurrence of voids. For formation of an over-cladding layer, a coating layer (4a) of an uncured or half-cured photopolymerizable resin composition as an over-cladding layer material is formed over a surface of an under-cladding layer (2) formed with cores (3). In turn, a molding die (6) composed of a light-transmissive material is pressed against the coating layer (4a) with a predetermined die surface of the molding die (6) being properly positioned with respect to the coating layer (4a), and then the coating layer (4a) is exposed to light through the molding die (6). After the exposure, the molding die is removed. Thus, the over-cladding layer is formed, in which the cores (3) are buried.

Abstract: A component, device and improved electro-optical modulation system for increasing compactness, favouring the adaptation of optical and electrical waves, and a method of fabrication. Such a component exhibits a waveguide architecture devised so that the length of the path followed by the luminous flux exhibits, with the length of the path traversed by the electrical control signal, a determined difference for decreasing or compensating for the difference in the speeds of propagation of the luminous flux and of the electrical signal. In particular, the modulation zone includes a path of the luminous flux winding around itself and successively crossing at least two indentations emanating from at least two of these control elements. It thus exhibits a length greater than that traversed by the electrical signal, for example between a first and a second region of interaction between this control signal and this luminous flux.

Abstract: A hydrogen-resistant optical fiber particularly well-suitable for downhole applications comprises a relatively thick pure silica core and a depressed-index cladding layer. Interposed between the depressed-index cladding layer and the core is a relatively thin germanium-doped interface. By maintaining a proper relationship between the pure silica core diameter and the thickness of the germanium-doped interface, a majority (preferably, more than 65%) of the propagating signal can be confined within the pure silica core and, therefore, be protected from hydrogen-induced attenuation problems associated with the presence of germanium (as is common in downhole fiber applications). The hydrogen-resistant fiber of the present invention can be formed to include one or more Bragg gratings within the germanium-doped interface, useful for sensing applications.

Abstract: A light guide apparatus for a backlight module is provided. The light guide apparatus comprises a light guide plate and a light source module. The light guide plate is configured with a circuit contact. The light source module is integrated with the light guide plate in contact with the circuit contact. Besides, a method of fabricating a light guide apparatus for a backlight module is also provided with simpler process and lower fabrication cost.

Abstract: A light guide plate mold insert includes a molding surface and a number of uniformly distributed dot-shaped recesses. The molding surface is used for forming a reflective surface of a light guide plate. The uniformly distributed dot-shaped recesses are formed in the molding surface. The molding surface includes a number of frosted regions formed by machining the molding surface using a sand-blasting process. Each of the frosted regions includes a number of dot-shaped micro recesses. A distribution density of the micro recesses are greater than that of the recesses.

Abstract: A polymer waveguide including a polymer matrix and particles, wherein the particles are embedded in the polymer matrix and have lower optical bulk losses than the polymer matrix.

Abstract: A two-layer optical waveguide includes a core layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a cladding layer laminated on the first surface of the core layer. The two-layer optical waveguide further includes a mirror structure provided at a plurality of positions on the first surface of the core layer, the mirror structure directing a light signal which travels in the core layer, toward the second surface of the core layer. Each mirror structure includes an inclined plane formed on the first surface of the core layer, and a metal film formed on the inclined plane.