Abstract: The invention relates to a process for forming an optical element. A forming tool is used having a plurality of molding or hot-embossing portions formed on a surface thereof for molding or hot-embossing optical structures onto a substrate. On the surface of the substrate there is formed at least one preformed portion. The substrate is heated to a temperature above a transition temperature and the forming tool and the substrate are pressed against each other for forming an optical element having a plurality of structures having an optical effect, wherein the shape of the structures having an optical effect is given by the respective associated molding or hot-embossing portion.

Abstract: A method for making a plurality of lenses, includes steps of: providing a transparent substrate; jetting a plurality of first lumps of a first molding material on a first surface of the substrate using a first nozzle; press-molding the first lumps of the first molding material into a plurality of first optical structures using a first mold including a plurality of first molding surfaces corresponding to the first optical structures; jetting a plurality of second lumps of a second molding material on a second surface of the substrate using a second nozzle; press-molding the second lumps of the second molding material into a plurality of second optical structures using a second mold including a plurality of second molding surfaces corresponding to the second optical structures; and dicing the substrate to form a plurality of lenses each with one of the first optical structures and one of the second optical structures.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are presented for mass production manufacturing of micro-mirrored balls for solar energy and related applications such as optical switches, etc. For these applications it is imperative to provide accurate specular reflection from the mirror. The mass production process utilizes laminate sheets containing reflective material, assembly rollers, and extrusion and die rollers. The micro-mirrored balls are in the size range of 4 microns (4×10?6 m) to 1 mm (10?3 m), and in one form are transparent in at least one hemisphere with a reflecting mid-plane mirror. In other forms the micro-balls vary in geometry from cylinders to oblate ellipsoids to disks. The term “elements” is used to encompass all these shapes, which have one thing in common—a flat specularly reflecting mirrored surface. These elements can track the light source, and aim and focus the reflected light.

Abstract: A shaped article comprising a plurality of semiconductor nanocrystals. Devices incorporating shaped articles are also provided. Methods of manufacturing shaped articles by various molding processes are also provided.

Abstract: It is to provide an optical element, an optical element molding die, and an optical element manufacturing method, which can easily but surely suppress generation of transcription failure of a resin material and also enables to manufacture an optical element with an excellent optical performance at a low cost while improving the yield. In an optical element formed with a resin material, a gate part is formed on a side face of an optical element main body, and a ratio of the thickness of the gate part with respect to the thickness of an optical function part of the optical element main body is set as 50% or more.

Abstract: An optical glass lens set and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. An optical glass lens is used as an insert that is set into a cavity of a mold. By injection molding of the molded insert or press molding, an optical glass lens set with a lens holder is formed. The optical glass lens set includes at least one optical glass lens and a lens holder for fixing the optical glass lens. The manufacturing method simplifies processes and improves the yield rate. Moreover, the produced optical glass lens set is easily packaged into a camera lens, especially suitable for mini-cameras and camera phones.

Abstract: When a core lens is introduced into a cavity, resin is injected into the cavity, and a resin layer is formed around the core lens, the core lens is centered by sandwiching the core lens between first and second bell clamp type holders and applying a load to the core lens, and the resin layer is molded by injecting the resin from the outer periphery of the core lens to the lens center of the core lens in the first and second bell clamp type holders.

Abstract: A non-uniform thickness lens has a portion of a peripheral edge trimmed for secure engagement within a groove of blade style frame. Frame parameters are determined, such as by tracing the frame. The frame parameters include the plan layout as well as the contour and width of the engagement groove in the frame. The lens is edged to match the plan shape of the frame. The edged lens is then milled to reduce the thickness of the edge of each lens to a determined thickness along the contour corresponding to the non visual portion of the edge of the lens that will be engaged within the frame. The milled lens will fit securely in place in a blade style frame and without impairing the wearer's vision.

Abstract: Described herein are silicone fluids and silicone materials that posses high glass transition temperatures (Tgs) when compared to conventional silicone materials. In one embodiment, an increased Tg allows the formation of objects and materials by cryogenic lathing. The fluids and materials can be formed by curing silicone fluid with a cross-linker mixture comprising a cross-linker and a monofunctional hydride compound. Upon formation, the silicone materials can be extracted over long periods of time without loss of optical quality. The silicone materials can be sufficiently soft allowing folding and insertion through small incisions in the eye. Additionally, methods of forming optical silicone materials, lenses and silicone materials in general are also disclosed. In one embodiment, the method of forming a silicone based lens using cryogenic lathing techniques is described.

Abstract: An exemplary prism sheet includes a transparent main body. The transparent main body has a surface. A plurality of elongated protrusions protrude from the surface of the main body. Each of the elongated protrusions extends along a first direction. A width and a height of one or more elongated protrusions vary along the first direction. Methods for making the prism sheet are also provided.

Abstract: An image forming system is described that includes a light source that provides a light beam and an anamorphic refractive optical element. A first outer surface of the anamorphic element faces the light source and includes a toric surface. The light beam is incident upon the first outer face and then an incident surface of the anamorphic element. The anamorphic element directs the light beam to an image forming device. An illumination system is also described where an anamorphic element includes a toric surface and a facet surface.

Abstract: In the case of a method of producing aspherical optical surfaces of optical elements (1), in particular for use in microlithography for producing semiconductor elements, the optical element (1) is ground for example in the form of a meniscus. In a first method step, the optical element (1) is introduced into a basic form (2), which has a spherical form bed and is being held at a distance over the form bed (3). After that, an intermediate medium (6) is introduced in the basic form (2) between the optical element (1) and the form bed (3) and, subsequently the optical element (1) being removed together with the intermediate medium (6) from the basic form. Then, the spherical form bed (3) of the basic form (2) or a second basic form is transformed into an aspherical form bed (3?) computationally determined in advance.

Abstract: In a microlens formation step, the portions of a lens material film (32) supported on elevations (BG) are melted by heat so that part of the lens material film (32) flows into trenches (DH); thus, the shape of the portions of the lens material film (32) supported on the elevations (BG) is so changed as to be formed into microlenses (MS).

Abstract: A method for in-mold coating of an injection molded thermoplastic lens that resides in an injection molding machine oriented to a horizontal parting line. An optical lens is initially formed by injecting molten thermoplastic resin into an edge-gated lens-forming cavity held closed under a primary clamp force. The mold is opened at a time when the lens is rigid enough to retain its shape. An unpressurized full metered charge of coating is applied onto the center of the lens. The coating is co-molded by ramping up the clamp force from zero to a secondary clamp force less than the primary clamp force to compress the coating into a uniformly thick, fringe-free layer.

Abstract: A method of producing a lens that includes shifting a first die relative to a second die, and pressing an optical material shaped in a preliminary form between the first die and the second die so as to form a lens having a configuration corresponding to a hollow portion formed by the first die and the second die while shifting the first die relative to the second die. The produced lens includes an effective optical surface configured to converge a light flux. The effective optical surface includes a light entrance side, a light exit side, and an optical axis. The effective optical surface is a convex surface shaped such that when a maximum normal line angle is defined as an angle formed between the optical axis and a normal line at the outermost circumference of the effective optical surface, the maximum normal angle is 60° to 90°.

Abstract: A display or lighting element comprising at least one pixel element for producing or controlling light is provided. The pixel element has a light emitting surface. The display or lighting element furthermore includes a substantially transparent material above at least the light emitting surface. The substantially transparent material above the light emitting surface has a modified roughness so as to decrease the reflectivity of the substantially transparent material above the light emitting surface.

Abstract: The present invention is a diaphragm-fiber optic sensor (DFOS), interferometric sensor. This DFOS is based on the principles of Fabry-Perot and Michelson/Mach-Zehnder. The sensor is low cost and is designed with high efficiency, reliability, and Q-point stability, fabricated using MEMS (micro mechanic-electrical system) technology, and has demonstrated excellent performance. A DFOS according to the invention includes a cavity between two surfaces: a diaphragm made of silicon or other material with a rigid body (or boss) at the center and clamped along its edge, and the endface of a single mode optic fiber. By utilizing MEMS technology, the gap width between the diaphragm and the fiber endface is made accurately, ranging from 1 micron to 10 microns.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel ophthalmic lens elements and eyewear having wide field of view, low distortion, improved astigmatism correction where required and enhanced eye protection properties. Series of lens elements have steeply curved spherical reference surfaces. The edged lenses of the series have approximately consistent aperture size, shape and hollow depth across a range of common prescriptions. Novel sunglasses, laser protective eyewear, and lens edgings, coatings and frames are included in the invention.

Abstract: An optical glass contains, based on a total weight of the optical glass: 12 to 30 weight percent of P2O5; 1 to 5 weight percent of B2O3; 1 to 8 weight percent of Li2O; 0.5 to weight percent of Na2O; 0.5 to 15 weight percent of K2O; 1 to 5 weight percent of CaO; 0 to 20 weight percent of BaO; 0 to 5 weight percent of SrO; 1 to 10 weight percent of TiO2; 1 to 20 weight percent of Bi2O3; 3 to 35 weight percent of Nb2O5; 13 to 60 weight percent of WO3; and 0 to 1 weight percent of Sb2O3, wherein a total weight of Na2O and K2O is in a range of 3 to 20 weight percent based on the total weight of the optical glass.

Abstract: An exemplary method for cutting a semi-finished molding lens is provided. The semi-finished molding lens includes a lens portion, a runner forming portion, and a joint, the joint connected between the lens and the runner forming portion. The method includes the steps of: securing the semi-finished molding lens on a base; holding the lens portion by a suction force using a suction device; and cutting the lens portion off from the runner forming portion by a laser beam.

Abstract: In the method of the present invention at least a portion of the surface of a plastic article (e.g., a molded article of thermoplastic polycarbonate) is contacted with (e.g., immersed in) a treatment composition which includes one or more performance additives. The treatment composition contains: (i) at least one performance additive (e.g., an ultraviolet light absorber); (ii) water; (iii) at least one carrier represented by the following general formula I, wherein R1 is a radical selected from the group consisting of linear or branched C1-C18 alkyl, benzyl, benzoyl and phenyl, R2 is a radical selected from the group consisting of linear or branched C1-C18 alkyl, benzyl, benzoyl, phenyl and H, n is 2, 3 or 4, and m is 1 to 35; and (iv) a diol selected from at least one of linear or branched C2-C20 aliphatic diols, poly(C2-C4 alkylene glycol), cycloaliphatic diols having from 5 to 8 carbon atoms in the cyclic ring, monocyclic aromatic diols, bisphenols and hydrogenated bisphenols.

Abstract: The present invention provides uniaxially stretched polymer films that have a refractive index profile suitable for use as negative A-plates or biaxial birefringent plates in a liquid crystal display (LCD) device. These wave plates can be used to compensate for the phase retardations existing in various modes of LCDs including TN (twisted nematic), VA (vertically aligned), IPS (in-plane switching), and OCB (optically compensated bend), and therefore improving the viewing quality of the displays.

Abstract: An optically-driven actuator includes a condensation polymer containing, on its backbone chain, a photoisomerizable group that undergoes structural change under optical stimulation and deforming depending on the structural change of the photoisomerizable group. The condensation polymer deforms under optical stimulation and is functional as an actuator.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for producing a pattern forming sheet efficiently. The method and apparatus for producing a sheet having a first pattern formed on at least one side by a first roll forming die and a second pattern formed by a second roll forming die is characterized in that the rotational angular speeds of the first and second roll forming dies are substantially equalized and relative positional variation of the first and second patterns is substantially minimized by synchronizing the phases of the periodic positional variation caused by the rotation of the rolls.

Abstract: A diffuser prism sheet includes a transparent base film having a first surface and a second surface, a light refractor at the first surface of the base film, the light refractor including a plurality of unit prisms having a major axis extending in a first direction and having a predetermined cross sectional shape that defines valleys between adjacent unit prisms, and light diffusers including amorphous polygonal bosses in the valleys between adjacent unit prisms.

Abstract: Information carrier, comprising a disc (101) which is provided with at least one data layer (102) for optically reading and/or writing information, wherein the disc comprises an annular clamping part (C), to be held by a clamper (121) during use, wherein the disc comprises at least one integrated circuit (103), wherein said integrated circuit comprises a first communicator (104) for communication with at least a second, external, communicator (111) during use, wherein the first communicator extends in a centre area (T) which is enclosed by said annular clamping part.

Abstract: A method for thermoforming a thin thermoplastic carrier with uniformity of thickness at optical quality. The sheet to be thermoformed is heated and placed on a vented platform equipped with a mold insert. The thermoformer's platens clamp a shroud over the sheet. A low pressure air stream is introduced into the shroud and deflected from a direct path leading to the mold insert.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a discernable marking within a contact lens including forming a marking section substantially simultaneously with the formation of a bulk section of said lens. The marking section may be formed entirely during formation of the bulk section or may include preformed elements and may be extruded, inlaid, embedded, injected, or dyed within the bulk section. The bulk section may be formed as a rod, a sheet, or as an injection molded lens. The marking section extends substantially from the front to back surfaces of the lens.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an optical disk with a topographical surface. The topographical surface may be formed in the optical disk to create an aesthetic label for the optical disk. The topographical surface may include raised features that refract, diffuse, reflect, or diffract light that makes images of the label viewable to a user. The topographical surface may be at least partially radially coincident with a data surface of the optical disk. An optical disk that includes a topographical surface as the label may not require an additional layer or process to create the label. In some examples, the topographical surface may include raised features of high spatial frequency and configured to create a hologram label that displays images to the user.

Abstract: An accommodating intraocular lens where the optic is moveable relative to the outer ends of the extended portions. The lens comprises an optic made from a flexible material combined with extended portions that are capable of multiple flexions without breaking. The optic has a blended central area of increased power of 1 diopter or less to give the patient a single focal point on wavefront examination after implantation into the eye increasing the depth of focus to aid near vision.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a flexible plastic substrate, its manufacturing process and optical components for optical display applications. In so doing, cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) is placed between upper and lower heat-resistant sheets, then heated and pressurized by hot press to form a COC film. Next, the film is subjected to quenching treatment in ice water, and then heat treatment in vacuum drying oven after being placed between two flat plates. Finally, a COC plastic substrate with a high degree of optical penetration, low water permeability and low roughness is shaped, which can be efficiently applied to optical display thanks to its simple processing, lightweight, thin-profile and flexibility.

Abstract: A spiral wound fiber that includes birefringent interfaces is useful in different optical devices. One type of wound fiber includes at least first and second material layers. At least one of the layers is polymeric and at least one of the layers is birefringent. The spiral wound fiber may be used alone, or in an optical device. Such an optical device can include the fiber embedded within a matrix or attached to a substrate. The spiral wound fiber can be made by rolling a stack of at least two layers, by coextruding the two layers or by coating a rotating form.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide a touch-screen user interface system for a dishwasher. In one aspect, the system includes an illuminated display operably engaged with a door of the dishwasher having a plurality of touch-responsive surfaces associated therewith, and a cover operably engaged with the illuminated display so as to enclose the illuminated display in a substantially fluid-tight arrangement and such that each of the plurality of touch-responsive surfaces are visible and accessible to a user of the dishwasher via the cover. Various embodiments of the present invention also provide a method of manufacturing an integrally-formed lens member and console member for such a touch-screen user interface system.

Abstract: An inflatable membrane pressing apparatus (1) for a film or coating application or lamination process comprising:—a supporting means (20) for supporting an article, —an inflatable membrane device (30) comprising a pressurized fluid accumulator (35,36) a face of which is partly formed by an inflatable membrane (35); —a holding frame (10) for holding the supporting means and the inflatable membrane device in a spaced apart relationship with the inflatable membrane facing the supporting means; and—a pressurized fluid admission/release means (40) for introducing and releasing pressurized fluid in and from the fluid accumulator to inflate and deflate the membrane, wherein the pressurized fluid admission/release means comprises a pressure relief valve (42) for controlling the pressure of the fluid within the accumulator.

Abstract: The wavefront aberrator is applicable to correct aberrations of the human eye. In one embodiment, the aberrator device comprises a pair of transparent lenses separated by a layer of curable resin comprising monomers and polymerization initiators. By controlling the extent of its curing, this monomer layer provides an adjustable index of refraction profile across the layer. Curing of the resin may be made by exposure to light, such as ultraviolet light. By controlling the extent of light exposure across the surface of the curable resin, for example, a particular and unique refractive index profile can be produced.

Abstract: A lenticular sheet, in one exemplary embodiment, includes a first surface having at least two portions, an opposing second surface, and a plurality of lenticular lenses formed in the first surface. Each portion of the first surface includes a number of lenticular lenses per centimeter that is different from the number of lenticular lenses per centimeter of an adjacent portion of the first surface.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a wafer scale package including at least one substrate having replicated optical elements. The method uses two substrates, at least one of which is pre-shaped and has at least one recess in its front surface. Optical elements are replicated on a first substrate by causing a replication tool to abut the first substrate. The second substrate is then attached to the first substrate in an abutting relationship in such a way that the optical element is contained in a cavity formed by the recess in one of the substrates in combination with the other substrate. Thereby, a well defined axial distance between the optical elements and the second substrate is achieved. Consequently, well defined axial distance between the optical elements and any other objects attached to the second substrate, e.g. further optical elements, image capturing devices, light sources, is also established.

Abstract: [Purpose] To provide a light regulating film and a laminated light regulating film with relatively large crazes or cracks, capable of controlling optical properties such as transmissivity and scattering to a high degree, as well as a method for producing a light regulating film and a method for producing a laminated light regulating film. [Constitution] Linear notch patterns at fixed intervals are formed by contacting blades 6a on a drum 6 with a film F and mechanically transferring the shape of the blades 6a to the film F. The notch pattern is formed to be approximately parallel to the axial direction of the drum 6. When a flexural stress is applied in the direction of the film F transport by passing the film over the bending roll 8 while applying a predetermined tension thereto, crazes or cracks are formed inside the notch patterns, with the notches in the notch patterns serving as starting points thereof.

Abstract: A face protector includes a one piece shield in which an optical center is displaced away from the normal straight ahead line of sight toward an activity specific line of sight to minimize image shift that occurs when a direction of gaze passes across the edge of the shield. An apex of the shield is formed at a forwardmost point of the shield, or a virtual extension of the shield, when the shield is in an as worn position on a wearer. In particular examples, an optical axis extends through the optical center, at a non-zero angle to the normal straight ahead line of sight and substantially parallel to the activity specific line of sight, with the optical center being placed away from the apex. In particular examples, the optical axis is closer to (or coincident with) an activity specific line of sight of one of the right or left eye. The face protector is particularly useful in activities such as sports, for example hockey, football, or baseball which involve activity specific lines of sight.

Abstract: A method for fabrication of a lens element from a lens blank shaped from a high index, high thermal property thermoplastic resin conditions the surface of the lens blank by an extended annealing process. The temperature of the lens blank is increased to a soak temperature greater than 165 degrees C. over a ramp-up period of more than 2.5 hours, increasing the temperature during the ramp-up period by no more than 2 degrees C. per minute, on average. The lens blank is maintained at the soak temperature for a soak period of at least 3 hours. The temperature of the lens blank is lowered back to room temperature during a ramp-down period at a rate no faster than 1.5 degrees C. per minute, on average. This forms a conditioned lens blank that is diamond-turned to obtain an optical quality surface.

Abstract: Methods of making optical films having continuous phase/disperse phase morphology are disclosed which can control the nature of the disperse phase in such films to yield enhanced optical properties. When used in liquid crystal displays and the like, the films can increase the screen luminance beyond that achievable with known continuous phase/disperse phase optical films.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for molding a diffusion board of a direct type backlight module, including the steps of providing a board made of a material in which diffusion particles are mixed, passing the board through a roller set including an upper roller and a lower roller, the upper roller having a surface opposing the board and forming a micro-structure thereon, and heating and passing the board with the upper roller so as to transfer the micro-structure of the upper roller to a surface of the board and thus forming at least an optic micro-structure on the surface of the board so as to obtain a diffusion board. As such, when the diffusion board is applied to a backlight module, spreading and focusing of light can be effected without any optic film, so that the costs of the backlight module can be reduced.

Abstract: A method for producing a roll of an optical compensation film, in the effective width of which an angle of the slow axis in the film face with the width direction of the film is within the range of ±1° and an angle of the fast axis in the film face with the length direction of the film is within the range of ±1°, wherein the angle of the fast axis in the film face with the length direction is cyclically varied by a cycle of from 1.5 m to 500 m in the length direction of the film and the minimum amplitude of the variation is within the range of from 0.1° to 1°.

Abstract: Exemplary methods include includes providing a film comprising at least one polymeric material; widening the film under a first set of processing conditions in a first draw step along the crossweb direction such that in-plane birefringence, if any, created in the film is low; and drawing the film in a second draw step along a downweb direction, while allowing the film to relax along the crossweb direction, under a second set of processing conditions, wherein the second set of processing conditions creates in-plane birefringence in at least one polymeric material.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical film includes stretching a polymer film in first draw gap of a first length along a machine direction, at a first draw ratio; and further stretching the polymer film in second draw gap along a machine direction, wherein the step of stretching in the first draw gap is isolated from the step of stretching in the second draw gap.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing an optical fiber probe in which an optical fiber is formed as an optical fiber probe by etching a tip section and sharpening a core region of the optical fiber, the optical fiber is a polarization maintaining optical fiber including the core region, a stress-applying region, and a clad region. The optical fiber probe is formed by mechanical-grinding of the edge of the optical fiber into a sharpened shape so that the core region is located at the tip of a sharpened portion, and by dipping the formed edge of the optical fiber in an etchant for further sharpening the core region. Accordingly, a new optical fiber probe both with a high transmission efficiency and with a large polarization degree is obtained.

Abstract: There is described a molding method for molding a product, having a microscopic structure of high aspect ratio. The molding method includes the steps of: setting a temperature of a mold, having a microscopic shape, at a value higher than a glass transition temperature of a material being deformable with heat; pushing the mold against the material at a first velocity, after the material is positioned opposite to the mold so that the microscopic shape contacts the material; pushing the mold against the material at a second velocity being faster than the first velocity; and releasing the mold from the material. The pushing pressure for pushing the mold against the material at the first velocity is equal to or smaller than a half of that for pushing the mold against the material at the second velocity.

Abstract: An improved method is disclosed, for forming a wafer into a complex, curved shape, for use in an optical part. The method includes a step of moving the wafer into contact with a molding surface having a predetermined non-cylindrical, aspheric curved shape, to form the wafer into a corresponding shape. The step of moving is sufficient, by itself, to form the wafer into the desired non-cylindrical, aspheric curved shape, without the need for additional forming steps.

Abstract: Provided are processes for enhancing the resolution of a thermally transferred pattern on an imaged thermal transfer receiver, wherein the imaged thermal transfer receiver comprises a surface having an exposed portion and a non-exposed portion of one or more thermally transferred layer(s), comprising: (a) contacting said surface with an adhesive layer for a contact period to provide a laminate; (b) separating said adhesive layer from the laminate to provide a treated thermal transfer receiver having a surface substantially free of said non-exposed portion of one or more thermally transferred layer(s). The processes are useful in the fabrication of electronic devices including thin film transistors, circuits, electromagnetic interference shields, touchpad sensors and other electronic devices.

Abstract: Method of forming a plastic element include dispensing a quantity of a liquid precursor material into a first die mold, positioning a carrier tape on the first die mold above the dispensed liquid precursor material, bringing a second die mold into contact with the carrier tape and the first die mold, and applying pressure to the first die mold and the second die mold. The liquid precursor material may include a liquid silicone.