Abstract: The invention provides an autostereoscopic display device having an adjuster for adjusting the direction of a light beam (5). The adjuster (1) has an off-state and on-state and comprises a stack (10) of layers. The stack (10) comprises a first solid material layer (100) having a first optic axis (111), a second solid material layer (200) having a second optic axis (211), and switchable birefringent twisted nematic liquid crystal material (30) or chiral nematic liquid crystal material. Further, the stack includes a first interface (130) between the first solid material layer (100) and birefringent material (30) and a second interface (230) between the second solid material layer (200) and birefringent material (30). In the off-state, the birefringent material (30) at the first interface (130) is configured to have an optic axis parallel to the first optic axis (111) and the birefringent material (30) at the second interface (230) is configured to have an optic axis parallel to the second optic axis (211).

Abstract: A system and method for scanning a wide band beam is presented. An apparatus includes a pair of prism triplets. Each prism triplet includes a first wedge prism, a second wedge prism and a third wedge prism all formed with different optical materials. In operation, a beam passing through the wide band team scanning apparatus first passes through the first, second and third wedge prisms of the first prism triplet. The beam then passes through the wedge prisms of the second prism triplet in a mirrored order (the third, then second, then first wedge prisms) than that of the first prism triplet. This apparatus with two prism triplets allows wide band light transmitted through it to emerge with its plurality of different wavelengths of light travelling in the same direction to equalize net dispersive effects each of different wavelengths.

Abstract: Two-dimensional optical scanner includes: a first acousto-optical deflector (AOD) and a second AOD that deflects light according to a signal; a first driving unit that rotates the first AOD around axis perpendicular to a first plane including the light on and light from the first AOD; a first prism that is arranged adjacent to an emission end of the first AOD and compensates angular dispersion of the light; a second driving unit that rotates the second AOD around axis perpendicular to a second plane including the light on and light from the second AOD and perpendicular to the first plane; a second prism that is arranged adjacent to an emission end of the second AOD and compensates angular dispersion of the light; and a relay lens that allows the emission end of the first AOD and an incident end of the second AOD to be optically conjugate.

Abstract: An optical path delay scanner, comprising a rotatable mount, a first prism and a second prism disposed on the mount, and a radiation source aligned to project light through the first prism and the second prism. The radiation source may be arranged to project the light on a surface of the first prism at an incidence angle corresponding to the prism's minimum deviation angle. The scanner may be disposed in a reference arm of a Michaelson interferometer.

Abstract: A light-beam-scanning system includes two counter-rotating prism wheels. Each prism wheel has a set of prisms at its periphery, selected so that prisms of equal half-angle deflections are sequentially aligned. A light transceiver structure directs a light beam parallel to the rotational axes of the prism wheels and at a distance from the rotational axes so that the light beam passes through the aligned prisms. A prism-wheel drive is operable to drive the prism wheels in opposite rotational directions.

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 light-beam-scanning system includes two counter-rotating prism wheels. Each prism wheel has a set of prisms at its periphery, selected so that prisms of equal half-angle deflections are sequentially aligned. A light transceiver structure directs a light beam parallel to the rotational axes of the prism wheels and at a distance from the rotational axes so that the light beam passes through the aligned prisms. A prism-wheel drive is operable to drive the prism wheels in opposite rotational directions.

Abstract: A light-beam-scanning system includes two counter-rotating prism wheels. Each prism wheel has a set of prisms at its periphery, selected so that prisms of equal half-angle deflections are sequentially aligned. A light transceiver structure directs a light beam parallel to the rotational axes of the prism wheels and at a distance from the rotational axes so that the light beam passes through the aligned prisms. A prism-wheel drive is operable to drive the prism wheels in opposite rotational directions.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus which can be reduced in size and secure a sufficient tilt angle. In the imaging apparatus, light is incident along a first optical axis on a first prism that is rotated by a tilting mechanism about a second optical axis, and is bent by the first prism in a direction of the second optical axis. Then, the light is incident along the second optical axis on a second prism disposed coaxially with the second optical axis, is bent by the second prism in a direction of a third optical axis, and passes through a photographic lens system disposed coaxially with the third optical axis. The light is received by an image pickup element from which an image signal is output.

Abstract: A scanning system, including a main housing, and at least one optical wedge (12) rotatable about a shaft means (40) located within the main housing (26), wherein a laser beam having an optical axis and incident on the optical wedge (12), is refracted at least once by the wedge; characterized in that the shaft means (40) passes through the center of the at least one wedge (12) and that the optical axis of the incident laser beam is substantially parallel to, but laterally offset from, the shaft means (40).