Abstract: A glass article (10) as a transparent article has a haze value of 15% or less and a clarity value of 9% or less. Preferably, the product of the haze value, the clarity value, and the sparkle value is 0.5 or less.

Abstract: A LiDAR system which includes an optical system that encompasses a first lens, which is preferably statically positioned, and a second lens, which is preferably rotatably supported in relation to the first lens. The first lens and the second lens are situated along a shared optical path, and at least either the first lens or the second lens is configured to be set into rotation in order to bring about a beam deflection from the optical path in at least one spatial direction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for confocal microscopy using dispersed structured illumination. In certain embodiments the apparatus also comprises an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system, and OCT images acquired from two or more regions of a sample are registered using a corresponding set of two or more larger area images acquired with the confocal microscopy system. In preferred embodiments the apparatus is suitable for analysing the retina of an eye. The confocal microscopy system can be operated in a purely intensity mode or in a coherent mode. In other embodiments a confocal microscopy system using dispersed structured illumination is utilised for surface metrology.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspecting object surface according to an embodiment includes: an imaging device including an imaging area; an optical source; and a group of optical devices including a mirror and a lens, and causing a reflected light other than a regular reflection light from an object to be reflected by a mirror surface of the mirror, and to form an image in the imaging area of the imaging device through the lens, the regular reflection light being caused by a light incident to a surface of the object from the optical source, wherein the optical source, the mirror, the lens, and the imaging device are arranged in such a manner that the regular reflection light is not incident to the imaging area of the imaging device through the mirror and the lens.

Abstract: A LIDAR apparatus can include a polygon deflector that includes a plurality of facets. The LIDAR apparatus can include a motor rotatably coupled to the polygon deflector. The motor is configured to rotate the polygon deflector about a first axis orthogonal to a first plane. The LIDAR apparatus can include an optic positioned within an interior of the polygon deflector. The optic collimates a first beam to be incident on a particular facet of the plurality of facet. The particular facet of the plurality of facets refracts the first beam in the first plane between a first angle and a second angle as the polygon deflector rotates about the first axis to output a second beam.

Abstract: An optical splitter includes a housing, a diffraction grating, and an optical filter. An incidence unit and an emission unit are provided in the housing. The optical filter is disposed between the emission unit and the diffraction grating in the housing. An anti-reflection coating is formed on a surface of a filter main body of the optical filter on the emission unit side. Therefore, from light dispersed by the diffraction grating and having passed through the optical filter, light reflected at a back surface of the emission unit passes through the optical filter without being reflected by a back surface of the optical filter and is directed toward the inside of the housing. As a result, light having passed through the optical filter and having a wavelength other than a target wavelength is inhibited from being emitted from an emission slit of the emission unit.

Abstract: Provided is an image display device capable of effectively enhancing image quality of a display image with a simple configuration. The image display device includes a light source, a screen configured to be two-dimensionally scanned with laser light to draw an image on the screen, a scanning unit configured to scan the screen with the laser light, a mirror drive circuit configured to drive the scanning unit, and an optical system configured to generate a virtual image of the image drawn on the screen. On the screen, a plurality of lens regions are arranged so as to individually line up in two directions different from each other. Rows of the lens regions in one of the two directions are inclined relatively at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to main scan directions of the laser light to the screen.

Abstract: Machining device (100) comprising: a light source (33); an optical system (2) for obtaining a spatially offset outgoing light beam (7) remaining parallel to a given position upstream focusing means (9), said optical system (2) comprising: a movable mirror (19) such that its normal is able to depict a trajectory in a three-dimensional space, said optical system (2) being configured such that said first incident light beam (4) and said normal to the movable mirror (19) are separated by an angle (15) comprised between 0° and 15° for all possible positions and orientations of said movable mirror (19); driving means (6) for moving said movable mirror (19); a retro reflection system (21) able to provide a second incident light beam (8) parallel to a first reflected light beam (23) on said movable mirror (19); focusing means (9) for focusing outgoing light beam (7) on a target (10).

Abstract: The invention relates to an interferometric distance measuring arrangement for measuring surfaces, using at least one laser which can be tuned for generating measurement radiation modulated by a wave length ramp, an optical beam path with an optical transmitting system for emitting the measurement radiation to the surface and an optical capturing system for capturing the measurement radiation back-scattered by the surface, comprising a measuring arm and a reference arm and a radiation detector and an evaluation unit for determining the distance from a reference point of the distance measuring device to the surface. Channels are defined by at least one beamsplitter n?2 for the parallel emission of measurement radiation, respectively, one different sub area of the wave length ramp is allocated to said channels at a predetermined emission time point.

Abstract: An ophthalmic illumination apparatus can include a movable support. The apparatus can also include an optical array coupled to the movable support and positioned to interact with a light beam from a light source. The optical array can include first and second optical elements. The first optical element can be configured to reflect and transmit first associated amounts of the light beam. The second optical element can be configured to reflect and transmit second associated amounts of the light beam different than the first optical element. The apparatus can further include a drive mechanism coupled to the movable support. The drive mechanism can be configured to cause the movable support to selectively move the optical array such that the light beam is selectively incident upon one of the first optical element or the second optical element. Associated devices, systems, and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A beam steering device includes a housing and a transceiver that emits and receives light beams through at least one opening in the housing. A rotator includes a cylindrical body rotatably mounted within the housing axially between the transceiver and the at least one opening. A wedge-shaped prism is secured within the body and includes a first surface extending perpendicular to the axis and a second surface extending transverse to the axis. An encoder member and a drive member are provided on an outer surface of the body. Sensors are mounted to the housing to sense the encoder member and provide an encoder signal indicative of a rotational position of the prism about the axis. At least one drive element is mounted to the housing and applies force to the drive member to rotate the body and prism about the axis for steering light beams propagating through the prism.

Abstract: One or more strain sensors can be included in an electronic device. Each strain sensor includes a strain sensitive element and one or more strain signal lines connected directly to the strain sensitive element. The strain sensor(s) are used to detect a force that is applied to the electronic device, to a component in the electronic device, and/or to an input region or surface of the electronic device. A strain sensitive element is formed or processed to have a first gauge factor and the strain signal line(s) is formed or processed to have a different second gauge factor. Additionally or alternatively, a strain sensitive element is formed or processed to have a first conductance and the strain signal line(s) is formed or processed to have a different second conductance.

Abstract: A spatial light modulation device includes a liquid crystal layer modulating a phase of incident light according to a level of an applied electric field, a temperature sensor generating a temperature signal corresponding to a temperature of the liquid crystal layer, a plurality of pixel electrodes provided for each of a plurality of pixels and applying a voltage to the liquid crystal layer, and a driving device providing a voltage to the plurality of pixel electrodes. The driving device has a nonvolatile storage element storing in advance a coefficient ? included in a function expressing a correlation between a temperature change amount in the liquid crystal layer and a variation in phase modulation amount in the liquid crystal layer, and performs a calculation for correcting a level of voltage by use of a temperature indicated by the temperature signal and the coefficient ?.

Abstract: A spatial light modulation device includes a liquid crystal layer modulating a phase of incident light according to a level of an applied electric field, a temperature sensor generating a temperature signal corresponding to a temperature of the liquid crystal layer, a plurality of pixel electrodes provided for each of a plurality of pixels and applying a voltage to the liquid crystal layer, and a driving device providing a voltage to the plurality of pixel electrodes. The driving device has a nonvolatile storage element storing in advance a coefficient ? included in a function expressing a correlation between a temperature change amount in the liquid crystal layer and a variation in phase modulation amount in the liquid crystal layer, and performs a calculation for correcting a level of voltage by use of a temperature indicated by the temperature signal and the coefficient ?.

Abstract: Described are a method and apparatus for high-speed phase shifting of an optical beam. A transparent plate having regions of different optical thickness is illuminated by an optical beam along a path of incidence that extends through the regions. The transparent plate can be moved or the optical beam can be steered to generate the path of incidence. The optical beam exiting the transparent plate has an instantaneous phase value according to the region in which the optical beam is incident. Advantageously, the phase values are repeatable and stable regardless of the location of incidence of the optical beam within the respective regions, and phase changes at high modulation rates are possible. The method and apparatus can be used to modulate a phase difference of a pair of coherent optical beams such as in an interferometric fringe projection system.

Abstract: An optical LOS toggle uses two refractive optical elements located in the afocal space of an optical sensor. Optical surfaces of the two elements are shaped appropriately to work in combination with lateral displacements of the two elements such that the LOS angle is shifted. For a prescribed, discrete LOS shift, the optical image quality of the toggle module is corrected by a combination of aspheric shapes and diffractive surfaces on the optical surfaces of the two elements. To maintain performance along any radial direction and simplify fabrication, these aspheric or spheric shapes and diffractive surfaces should be rotationally symmetrical. Image quality is further improved through proper selection of the optical materials used to construct the optical elements.

Abstract: A solar powered rainbow-making device produces a visual display that is created by the interplay of light and a light refractive element that form constantly changing patterns from a rotating crystal. The rotating display device includes a circular-shaped refractive element that is mounted on a base and is turned by a motor driven transmission gear train. The crystal rotates about a horizontal axis as sunlight is transformed into a color spectrum that moves in a circular fashion. The color images can include a plurality of distinct rainbow images that are projected onto the walls and other structures in the immediate environment.

Abstract: A portable optical tomography design for performing elastographic deformation mapping of tissues comprises a coherence light source providing one light beam; a scanning microscope comprising a waveguide having two terminals, a coupler disposed on one terminal, an actuating member connected to the waveguide or the coupler, a first optical reflection member, a beam splitter, and a Fourier-domain spectrometer. The waveguide is actuated by the actuator to traverse a horizontal and vertical motion to prescribe a two-dimensional plane for scanning the tissue sample. Optical fiber is used to connect above elements therebetween. The Fourier-domain spectrometer is coupled with the beam splitter and comprises a second reflection member and an interferogram capturing member. An interferogram produced from the Fourier-domain spectrometer is carried over to a digital signal processor and subsequently an optical coherence tomography image device to generate a three-dimensional image for the scanned tissue.

Abstract: Optical scanning devices and systems are disclosed. In one aspect, an optical scanning device comprises a first rotatable optical component and a second rotatable optical component. The first and second optical components are configured to rotate about a common optical axis and further configured to deflect an optical path of light transmitted or received through the optical scanning device. The device further comprises a mounting bracket positioned between the first and second optical components and comprises first and second motor assemblies configured to rotate the corresponding first and second optical components about the optical axis independently of each other. An inner portion of each of the first and second optical components is mounted to an outer portion of the corresponding first and second motor assemblies such that the optical axis is configured to extend through the center of the first and second optical components and tubes.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a scanning system comprises optical elements and a movement system. The optical elements comprise an optical fiber and a focusing element. The optical fiber transmits a light ray and has a fiber axis that extends to an imaginary fiber axis. The focusing element refracts the light ray and has a focusing element optical axis that is substantially aligned with the imaginary fiber axis. The movement system rotates the focusing element about the focusing element optical axis to scan the light ray. In other embodiments, a scanning system comprises optical elements and a movement system. The optical elements comprise an optical fiber, a focusing element, and a prism. The prism has a prism optical axis and receives the light ray from the focusing element. The movement system rotates the prism about the prism optical axis to scan the light ray.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a scanning system includes optical elements and a movement system. The optical elements include an optical fiber and a gradient-index (GRIN) lens. The optical fiber has a fiber axis that extends to an imaginary fiber axis, and is configured to transmit a light ray. The GRIN lens has a GRIN perimeter and a GRIN lens optical axis, and is configured to refract the light ray. The movement system moves a first optical element relative to a second optical element in a closed path such that the GRIN lens optical axis substantially aligns with the imaginary fiber axis at at least one point of the path and the GRIN perimeter intersects the imaginary fiber axis at at least two points of the path.

Abstract: For achieving balance between manufacturing effort and spectrometer accuracy, a spectral decomposition device is not completely integrated into a substrate stack, but, for example, after manufacturing the substrate stack in the manufacturing process, the opportunity of compensating inaccuracies in substrate stack manufacturing is given by mounting a component with a suitable optical functional element to a window, like, e.g., an entry, exit or intermediate window of the substrate stack, to at least partially cover the respective window, wherein the optical functional element is, for example, an entry aperture, an exit aperture or also part of an optics or an optical element having a spectrally decomposing effect.

Abstract: A scanning endoscope system includes: a fiber that guides illuminating light from a light source; a first actuator provided on a side of the fiber and expands/contracts according to an applied voltage, thereby swinging the fiber; a second actuator disposed at a position facing the first actuator across the fiber and expands/contracts according to an applied voltage, thereby swinging the fiber; a drive signal output section applying a first voltage for setting a reference position of the fiber where the first actuator is in a contracted state, to the first actuator, and applying a second voltage for setting the reference position of the fiber where the second actuator is in a contracted state, to the second actuator; and a controller that in order to change the reference position of the fiber, controls the drive signal output section to change at least one of the first voltage and the second voltage.

Abstract: Described are a method and apparatus for high-speed phase shifting of an optical beam. A transparent plate having regions of different optical thickness is illuminated by an optical beam along a path of incidence that extends through the regions. The transparent plate can be moved or the optical beam can be steered to generate the path of incidence. The optical beam exiting the transparent plate has an instantaneous phase value according to the region in which the optical beam is incident. Advantageously, the phase values are repeatable and stable regardless of the location of incidence of the optical beam within the respective regions, and phase changes at high modulation rates are possible. The method and apparatus can be used to modulate a phase difference of a pair of coherent optical beams such as in an interferometric fringe projection system.

Abstract: A light scattering element 1 is equipped with a transparent, thin film-like optical element 2 which scatters incident laser light, and a thin film-like piezoelectric element 4, which is sandwiched between two electrodes 3a, 3b and which is laminated on a surface of the optical element 2 that is different from an optical scattering surface 2a. The light scattering element 1 averages a speckle pattern of laser light scatted by the optical scattering surface 2a and emitted therefrom by vibration of the piezoelectric element 4 generated when alternating voltage is applied between the two electrodes 3a, 3b.

Abstract: An illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus includes an optical raster element configured to produce a plurality of secondary light sources located in a system pupil surface. The optical raster element has a plurality of light entrance facets, each being associated with one of the secondary light sources. A beam deflecting device includes a beam deflection array of reflective or transparent beam deflecting elements, each being configured to illuminate a spot on one of the light entrance facets at a position that is variable by changing a deflection angle produced by the beam deflecting element. A control unit is configured to control the beam deflection elements such that variable light patterns assembled from the spots can be formed on at least one of the plurality of light entrance facets.

Abstract: There are provided a lens, a method of fabricating the lens, and a light scanning unit. The lens includes a lens portion having an effective optical surface, and a gate-side flange portion between the lens portion and a gate-side end of the lens. If the lens is disposed between two polarizers configured to polarize light linearly in perpendicular directions and is illuminated in an optical axis direction, interference fringes are generated on the lens, and peripheral interference fringes of the interference fringes extend continuously from the gate-side end and are longer than the gate-side flange portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical probe (1) suitable for miniature applications. An example application is a fiber-based confocal miniaturized microscope. The optical probe comprises a coil-based actuation system (9, 10) comprising drive coils (9) capable of displacing the distal end (3) of an optical guide (2) housed (4) by the optical probe. The probe makes use of a feedback loop which alternate between driving the displacement of the optical guide by driving a current through the drive coils and switching off the current through the drive coils, and while the drive current being switched off, measure the speed of the distal end of the optical guide. The measured speed is compared to the set-point speed, and if a difference is detected, the drive current is adjusted to eliminate, or at least bring down, this difference.

Abstract: Described are a method and apparatus for high-speed phase shifting of an optical beam. A transparent plate having regions of different optical thickness is illuminated by an optical beam along a path of incidence that extends through the regions. The transparent plate can be moved or the optical beam can be steered to generate the path of incidence. The optical beam exiting the transparent plate has an instantaneous phase value according to the region in which the optical beam is incident. Advantageously, the phase values are repeatable and stable regardless of the location of incidence of the optical beam within the respective regions, and phase changes at high modulation rates are possible. The method and apparatus can be used to modulate a phase difference of a pair of coherent optical beams such as in an interferometric fringe projection system.

Abstract: An opto-mechanical switch produces different optical paths from two optical path sections out of a plurality of optical path sections that are oriented in different spatial directions. The switch has an optical component on which one end of each optical path section impinges, and which is adapted to be moved linearly in a direction of movement at right angles to the optical path sections between different switching positions, in which it selectively couples different optical path sections optically with each other. Further provided is a measuring system for the analysis of fluids, having such an opto-mechanical switch.

Abstract: A device for treating an area of skin by scanning radiation to form a pattern of treatment spots on the skin includes an automated scanning system configured to receive an input beam generated by a radiation source and scan the received input beam to provide a sequential series of output beams that form a pattern of treatment spots on the skin, the automated scanning system including a generally cup-shaped scanning element configured to rotate about a rotational axis. The generally cup-shaped scanning element may include a plurality of lenslets arranged around the rotational axis, each lenslet configured to provide one of the output beams, such that as the rotating scanning element rotates about the rotational axis, the input beam is sequentially reflected by different lenslets surfaces to provide the sequential series of output beams.

Abstract: A self-contained, hand-held device for providing a dermatological treatment includes a radiation source configured to generate one or more radiation beams, and an optical system configured to deliver the one or more radiation beams to the skin to provide a dermatological treatment. Each radiation beam includes a first axis beam profile and an orthogonal second axis beam profile. The optical system includes a first axis optic configured to influence the first axis beam profile of each radiation beam by a greater extent than the second axis beam profile of each radiation beam, and a second axis optic configured to influence the second axis beam profile of each radiation beam by a greater extent than the first axis beam profile of each radiation beam.

Abstract: A light beam is scanned, for use in laser radar and other uses, by an optical system of which an example includes a beam-shaping optical system that includes a first movable optical element and a second movable optical element. The first optical element forms and directs an optical beam along a nominal propagation axis from the beam-shaping optical system to a target, and the second optical element includes a respective actuator by which the second optical element is movable relative to the first optical element. A controller is coupled at least to the actuator of the second optical element and is configured to induce motion, by the actuator, of the second optical element to move the optical beam, as incident on the target, relative to the nominal propagation axis.

Abstract: An actuation system for at least two mobile elements with dynamically compensated and opposite relative motions, without disturbance of the elements fixed in the same rigid structure as it, and resistant to exterior loadings, in the case of a translational motion of the mobile elements, includes, in a rigid structure, at least one linear actuator linked to a motion transmission device with four rigid arms, articulated at their ends and forming a lozenge, of which each of two first opposite vertices is linked to a corresponding mobile element, and whose other two opposite vertices have a single translational degree of freedom.

Abstract: A numerical aperture (NA) controlling unit and a variable optical probe including the same are provided. The NA controlling unit includes: an aperture adjustment unit which controls an aperture through which light is transmitted; and a focus control unit that is disposed in a predetermined position with respect to the aperture adjustment unit, that focuses light transmitted through the aperture, and that has an adjustable focal length. The variable optical probe includes: a light transmission unit; a collimator that collimates light transmitted through the light transmission unit into parallel light; an NA controlling unit that focuses light on a sample to be inspected; and a scanner that varies a path of light transmitted through the light transmission unit such that a predetermined region of the sample is scanned by light that passes through the NA controlling unit.

Abstract: A beam steering device is disclosed which includes an outer assembly rotatable about an axis by a motor assembly, and an inner assembly rotatable about the axis by another motor assembly and positioned radially within the outer assembly. The beam steering device also includes a first prism or grating connected to the outer assembly and a second prism or grating connected to the inner assembly. Both motor assemblies are axially displaced from the steering devices. The beam steering device also consists of beam expansion optics carried by either the inner assembly or the stationary assembly. In a further embodiment, an array of steerable sub-apertures are maintained within the inner and outer assemblies.

Abstract: A miniature rotating transmissive optical scanner system employs a drum of small size having an interior defined by a circumferential wall rotatable on a drum axis, an optical element positioned within the interior of the drum, and a light-transmissive lens aperture provided at an angular position in the circumferential wall of the drum for scanning a light beam to or from the optical element in the drum along a beam azimuth angle as the drum is rotated. The miniature optical drum scanner configuration obtains a wide scanning field-of-view (FOV) and large effective aperture is achieved within a physically small size.

Abstract: An optical code reader of the imager type includes: at least one non-collimated light source having an illumination optics associated therewith including at least one lens; and a photodetector device having a receiving optics associated therewith including at least one lens, wherein the at least one lens of the illumination optics and the at least one lens of the receiving optics are displaceable together to change their distance from the at least one light source and from said photodetector device respectively.

Abstract: For achieving balance between manufacturing effort and spectrometer accuracy, a spectral decomposition device is not completely integrated into a substrate stack, but, for example, after manufacturing the substrate stack in the manufacturing process, the opportunity of compensating inaccuracies in substrate stack manufacturing is given by mounting a component with a suitable optical functional element to a window, like, e.g., an entry, exit or intermediate window of the substrate stack, to at least partially cover the respective window, wherein the optical functional element is, for example, an entry aperture, an exit aperture or also part of an optics or an optical element having a spectrally decomposing effect.

Abstract: A light scattering element 1 is equipped with a transparent, thin film-like optical element 2 which scatters incident laser light, and a thin film-like piezoelectric element 4, which is sandwiched between two electrodes 3a, 3b and which is laminated on a surface of the optical element 2 that is different from an optical scattering surface 2a. The light scattering element 1 averages a speckle pattern of laser light scatted by the optical scattering surface 2a and emitted therefrom by vibration of the piezoelectric element 4 generated when alternating voltage is applied between the two electrodes 3a, 3b.

Abstract: An oscillation drive device includes an oscillating unit that includes attaching portions on either sides thereof, the attaching portions being arranged on an oscillation axis; a base that includes an oscillating fulcrum that supports the oscillating unit on the oscillation axis and supporting portions that firmly support the oscillating unit; and a pair of strip-shaped leaf springs that is arranged so as to intersect with the oscillation axis and oscillates the oscillating unit on the oscillation axis, each of the strip-shaped leaf springs includes a fixing portion attached to the attaching portions of the oscillating unit; and a flexible beam portion that both ends of which are attached to the supporting portions of the base, and causes the oscillating unit to oscillate on the base by flexure behavior thereof.

Abstract: A scanning objective lens for scanning on an observation target with light emitted from an exit end face of an optical fiber moving on a curved plane formed to be convex on an objective lens side, including first and second lens groups each having a positive power, wherein the first lens group and the second lens group are arranged in this order from the optical fiber's exit end face side, and the scanning objective lens satisfies conditions: 0.60<f1/f2<1.25??(1); and 0.95<|R1a/R1b|<2.50??(2) when f1 denotes a focal length of the first lens group, f2 denotes a focal length of the second lens group, R1a denotes a curvature radius in the first lens group nearest to the exit end face of the optical fiber, and R1b denotes a curvature radius of a lens surface in the first lens group nearest to the observation target.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a scanned beam display, comprises a light source to generate a beam to be scanned and a scanning platform to scan the beam into an exit cone. The scanning platform receives the beam at a selected feed angle, and the scanning platform has a surface structure to redirect the exit cone at an exit angle that is less than the feed angle.

Abstract: A beam of incident light may be positioned on a target by directing the beam towards the target and transmitting the incident beam of light through one or more refractive plates having first and second parallel refracting surfaces in a path of the beam and adjusting an angular orientation of one or more refractive plates.

Abstract: An optical scanning device includes, in an effective scanning area in the target surface, a mechanism that causes a scanning speed at each scanning position with respect to a scanning speed at an approximately center in the effective scanning area to be within a range under a predetermined condition.

Abstract: A laser beam steering apparatus includes a beam steering cell with an adjustable shape, with the cell having opposing Fabry-Perot filters, and a steering mechanism coupled to the cell to adjust its shape so that the direction of a laser beam emitted from the cell is changed in response to a change in the cell shape.

Abstract: A system and method are used to form incoherent beams from at least a partially coherent beam, such that interference or speckle patterns are substantially eliminated. A rotating optical element directs the partially coherent beam to reflect from an angular distribution changing element to form an incoherent beam. The partially coherent beam can be directed at varying angles or positions onto the angular distribution changing element through rotation of the rotating optical element. The angles can vary as a function of time.

Abstract: To provide an optical scanning device capable of scanning with a simple configuration. It includes a laser unit 10 for emitting a light beam, a laser control unit 42 for adjusting the light beam emitted by the laser unit 10, first and second prism units 20 and 30 through which an incident light beam is passed as a scanning beam, an angle between the incident light beam and the scanning beam being variable, and a prism control unit 44 for supplying an instruction to the first and second prism units 20 and 30 in order to change the angle between the incident light beam and the scanning beam. The first and second prism units 20 and 30 receive the light beam emitted by the laser unit 10 and emerge the scanning beam according to an instruction from the prism control unit 44 about the incident light beam.

Abstract: This invention relates in general to methods and systems of rapid focusing and zooming for the applications in the projection of volumetric 3D images and in the imaging of 3D objects. Rapid variable focusing or zooming is achieved by rapid and repeated change of the object distance or the spacing between lens groups of the projection lens or a combination of both. One preferred approach inserts thin wedge prisms into the optical path and changes their positions relative to the optical path. This changes the thickness traveled through by the optical path and results in effective optical path length change. Another approach folds an optical path by mirrors and moves the mirrors to change the optical path length. For focusing purpose, small and precise displacement is achieved by moving a wedge-shaped optical device obliquely with respect to the optical path. The wedge-shaped optical device can be a thin wedge prism or a mirror on a wedge-shaped base.

Abstract: A Risley integrated steering module is disclosed. The beam steering device consists of an outer assembly rotatable about an axis, and an inner assembly rotatable about the axis and positioned radially within the outer assembly. The beam steering device also includes a first prism connected to the outer assembly and a second prism connected to the inner assembly, and a stationary assembly, with the outer and inner assemblies being rotatable about the portion of the stationary assembly. In an alternative embodiment, the inner assembly rotates within the stationary assembly. The beam steering device also consists of beam expansion optics carried by either the inner assembly or the stationary assembly.