Abstract: A band narrowing laser having a band narrowing module which narrows by a band narrowing element a band of the laser beam generated from a laser medium, in which wavefront correction means (10) that corrects the wavefront of an incident laser beam and and projects the corrected beam is intalled in the band narrowing module (6) to produce a laser beam with a narrow and stable spectral line width.

Abstract: A viewing optical system for display apparatus allows observation of a bright displayed image favorably corrected for aberrations and is easy to assemble, resistant to impact such as vibration, lightweight and compact. An ocular optical member for leading an observation image formed by an observation image forming member to an exit pupil has a first prism member and a second prism member. The first prism member has a first entrance surface, a reflecting surface and a first exit surface disposed to face each other across a first prism medium. The second prism member has a second entrance surface and a second exit surface disposed to face each other across a second prism medium. The first and second prism members are cemented together with a holographic element interposed between the first exit surface and the second entrance surface. The reflecting surface has a positive power. The first exit surface and the second entrance surface are each formed from a plane or cylindrical surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus and methods for increasing visual acuity through the use of a bioptic telescope which is at least partially embedded in a spectacle lens. In one embodiment, the telescope includes a vision lens having a vision axis and a first surface for placement substantially in front of an eye of a user. The telescope further includes a plurality of optical elements defining an optical path for viewing an object in front of the first surface. At least one of the plurality of optical elements is positioned such that at least a portion of the optical path is located within the vision lens in a plane substantially orthogonal to the vision axis.

Abstract: An aberration-correcting optical relay for an optical system. The relay comprises front and rear converging optical units together with a correcting meniscus or two correcting meniscuses placed symmetrically relative to each other, the meniscus(es) having main faces that are substantially concentric, and preferably exactly concentric, the two converging optical units being placed on a common axis and the correcting meniscus(es) being placed on said axis between the two converging optical units. The front converging optical unit situated upstream from the correcting meniscus(es) is placed in such a manner that the distance from an image point of the portion of the optical system upstream from the optical relay to the front converging optical unit is equal to the focal length of the front converging optical unit, said unit thus transforming a beam coming from said image point into a parallel beam.

Abstract: An endoscope optics is fitted with a rigid stem and an objective lens is received in a distal end of the stem. The stem also receives an image transmission device for transmitting images away from the objective lens toward a proximal end of the stem. The image transmission device consists of a plurality of spaced apart optical lenses. At least one ofthe plurality of spaced apart lenses is made of sapphire.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a microlens array comprising forming microlenses by dropping or injecting to a plurality of through holes formed on a substrate a liquefied lens material so as to dispose the lens material at each of the through holes, the lens material being curable and has a predetermined transmittivity and a predetermined viscosity.

Abstract: A laser beam delivery system for supplying a laser beam to a computer generated hologram which shapes and divides the supplied laser beam into a plurality of pseudo flat top laser beams. The plurality of pseudo flat top laser beams are then passed through collimated optics which alter the beams so that the beams are conveyed along the optical axis in a parallel manner. The plurality of collimated laser beams then passes through a converging mechanism which facilitates converging of the plurality of separated collimated laser beams through a clear aperture of a mirror of a first repeat positioning device so that all of the light is received by the repeat positioning device and appropriately reflected thereby to a second mirror of a second repeat positioning device and then to a rear surface of an F-Theta lens. The F-Theta lens focuses the plurality of separated collimated laser beams at the object to be processed.

Abstract: An optical imaging system having several imaging optical components (L1-L16) sequentially arranged along an optical axis (16), a means for creating radially polarized light arranged at a given location in that region extending up to the last of said imaging optical components, and a crystalline-quartz plate employable in such a system. A polarization rotator (14) for rotating the planes of polarization of radially polarized light and transforming same into tangentially polarized light, particularly in the form of a crystalline-quartz plate as noted above, is provided at a given location within a region commencing where those imaging optical components that follow said means for creating radially polarized light in the optical train are arranged. The optical imaging system is particularly advanteous when embodied as a microlithographic projection exposuresystem.

Abstract: An optical scanner that may assemble the lens design for varying the focus and resolution, having a light source, a reflection compound mirror, a charge coupled device, a basic objective lens and a compound lens. The basic objective lens is designed by simulation software. According to the lens design theory, the compound lens is designed. By incorporating the basic objective lens and the compound lens, different resolutions such as 1200 dpi, 1600 dpi and 2400 dpi of the optical scanner are obtained without redesigning the lens device, the current specification of the optical scanner is also varied.

Abstract: An optical lens device assembly containing an optical lens device and an optical device sealed without causing complication of optical module configurations is provided.

Abstract: A rigid endoscope optical system which can obtain both a wide angle image for finding an organ and a high resolution image used for a precise treatment. The rigid endoscope optical system has objective optical systems for stereoscopic observation which forms right and left images. The rigid endoscope optical system also has a secondary objective optical system which has a field of view different from the objective optical system for stereoscopic observation, and one relay optical system which transmits the images of the objective optical system for stereoscopic observation and the secondary objective optical system.

Abstract: An optical projection system includes an image source that is configured to generate an array of image pixels. A lens assembly is configured to project the array of image pixels onto a hemispherical surface at a projection angle greater than 180°. The lens assembly may include a wide-angle lens assembly and an image relay lens assembly that is configured to reduce dispersion in the array of image pixels between the image source and the wide-angle lens assembly. The wide-angle lens assembly may include a meniscus lens assembly and a wavefront shaping lens assembly. The lens assembly may be further configured to project the array of image pixels onto the hemispherical surface such that there is a constant angular separation between adjacent image pixels.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved Wavefront Coding imaging apparatus and methods composed of optics, detector, and processing of the detected image. The optics are constructed and arranged to have the characteristic that the transverse ray intercept curves form substantially straight, sloped lines. The wavefront coding corrects for known or unknown amounts of “misfocus-like” aberrations by altering the optical transfer function of the imaging apparatus in such a way that the altered optical transfer function is substantially insensitive to aberrations. Post processing then removes the effect of the coding, except for the invariance with regard to aberrations, producing clear images.

Abstract: A UV-absorbing filter absorbs a UV component of incoming light to reduce an amount of the UV component of transmitted light. The UV-absorbing filter comprises a transparent UV-absorbing glass plate which contains a UV-absorbing substance; a transparent first and second heat-resistant glass plates which face respective surfaces of the UV-absorbing glass plate; a first and second distance pieces which are made of heat-resistant resin and which are respectively interposed between the UV-absorbing glass plate and the first and second heat-resistant glass plates, in the vicinity of an outer edge of the UV-absorbing glass plate, so as to form a space between them.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for acquiring an image of a patterned object such as a fingerprint including a light refracting device, a focusing lens, and a light source. The light refracting device can, for example, be a prism and includes an imaging surface, a light receiving surface and a viewing surface. Incident light from the light source is projected through the light receiving surface and reflected off a surface other than the imaging surface. This reflected light is then projected onto the imaging surface to create an image of the patterned object from substantially all scattered light through the viewing surface. The lens is placed adjacent to the viewing surface to focus the light on an image sensor.

Abstract: An illumination system and exposure apparatus and method involving illuminating a surface over an illumination field (IF) having an arcuate shape. The illumination system comprises a light source (54) for providing a light beam (100), and an optical integrator (56). The optical integrator comprises a first reflective element group (60) having an array of first optical elements (E) each having an arcuate profile corresponding to the arcuate shape of the illumination field. Each of the first optical elements has an eccentric reflecting surface (RSE) comprising an off-axis section of either a spherical surface (S) or an aspherical surface (ASE). The array of first optical elements is designed so as to form a plurality of arcuate light beams (108) capable of forming a plurality of light source images (I).

Abstract: A rigid video-endoscope system includes a front-end insertion section and a camera head. The rigid video-endoscope system has, in order from an object side thereof and in the direction of the front-end insertion section to the camera head, an objective optical system, a relay optical system, an imaging optical system and a solid-state image sensor, wherein the front-end insertion section and camera head are detachable in the region of said relay optical system.

Abstract: A refocusing device for an optical image display consisting of back-to-back optical eyepieces and other optical elements that creates at least one additional displaced optical image and permits reverse viewing through optical imaging systems.

Abstract: An optical procedure and system for aligning a beam of light to an optical fiber is described. The beam may originate from a diode laser, a light emitting diode, a collimated laser, or an optical fiber. The system controls as many as eight degrees of freedom of the beam incident upon the fiber. The system employs optical leverage to relax assembly tolerances while still achieving the necessary fine tolerances for singlemode fibers. The adjustments are achieved by translation of components along a single direction across the optical axis and along a flat planar base on which the elements are mounted. The optical leverage, the single direction of translation, and the flat-base interface are features that facilitate automated assembly of fiberoptic packages. Planar graded index of refraction lenses are used in a preferred embodiment that enhances the optical coupling efficiency by practically eliminating the reflections at component interfaces.

Abstract: A bonding apparatus with an optical detecting device that detects any positional discrepancy between first and second parts which are to be bonded together, the optical detecting device including an optical probe that comprises: first and second image acquisition prisms which respectively reflect, in different directions, first and second images of the first and second parts respectively; a first optical system introduction prism (or mirrors) which causes the first image of the first part that passes through the first image acquisition prism to be reflected an even number of times and then sends this first image to a first image pick-up device through a first focusing device; and a second optical system introduction prism which causes the second image of the second part that passes through the second image acquisition prism to be reflected an odd number of times and then sends this second image to a second image pick-up device through a second focusing device.

Abstract: A vehicle image acquisition and display assembly 10 which is deployed within conventional vehicle rear-view mirror housing or shroud members 20, 22 and which selectively provides images of areas/regions and/or objects residing within the front and/or along the side of a vehicle 12

Abstract: The relay optical system comprises, in order from the intermediate image position I toward the the exit pupil EXP side, a first unit G1 having a negative refracting power and a second unit G2 having a positive refracting power, wherein the distance from the rearmost surface of the second unit to the exit pupil position is at least 30 mm. The relay optical system allows a photographing apparatus to be mounted on a microscope without the microscope and the photographing apparatus excluding each other from their predetermined positions.

Abstract: The surgical microscope with a stand, the microscope having altogether up to six degrees of freedom and being fixed on the microscope mounting by means of elements of the stand which has two vertical pivoting axes and for the height adjustment a parallelogram linkage with weight compensation is distinguished by the fact that the microscope is mounted on the stand by means of a third vertical axis, a first further axis perpendicular to said third vertical axis and a second further axis perpendicular to the first further axis, the further axes being designed such that they are essentially perpendicular to the optical axis of the microscope objective and can be adjusted by motor, and the further axis that is closer to the microscope permitting a lateral pivoting of the viewing direction and the further axis that is arranged between the third vertical axis and the further axis that is closer to the microscope permitting a pivoting of the viewing direction forward/backward or upward/downward.

Abstract: A real image mode variable magnification finder includes, in order from an object side, an objective optical system with positive power, having at least three lens units; an image erecting device; and an ocular optical system with positive power. This finder also satisfies the following condition: 0.1≧&bgr;W Z/DW≧0.080 where &bgr;W is a magnification at a wide-angle position of the finder, Z is the variable magnification ratio of the finder, and DW is an axial distance, in millimeters, from the object-side surface of the first lens unit of the objective optical system to the pupil-side surface of the third lens unit thereof at the wide-angle position of the finder. In this way, the real image mode variable magnification finder which is small in size, high in magnification, large in angle of emergence, and easy to observe can be provided.

Abstract: Optical pickup head which makes a fine movement by a driver, and focuses an incident laser beam to a recording medium for recording/reproducing a data, including a micro mirror having at least one 45° mirror surface for reflecting the incident laser beam perpendicular to an incident direction, a focusing lens under the micro mirror for primary focusing of the laser beam reflected at the micro mirror, and an SIL (Solid Immersion Lens) under the focusing lens for secondary focusing of the laser beam focused primarily, thereby permitting fast and high precision data search.

Abstract: The invention proposes a method of predicting the curvature radius of the microlens. By adjusting a spin speed of spin coating and exposure energy during a photolithography step, a volume of the patterned microlens material layer is controlled. Then a lens-forming step is performed to transform the patterned microlens material layer into a microlens. After measuring a diameter of the microlens, the volume of the microlens material layer is multiplied by a contraction coefficient to calculate a volume of the microlens. Then the diameter and the volume of the microlens are used to calculate a curvature radius.

Abstract: A viewfinder apparatus includes an objective lens unit, an eyepiece unit, an image display element for displaying an image formed by an image pick-up element, an illuminating device for illuminating the image display element, an optical system for introducing a light ray from the image display element illuminated by the illuminating device backward, and a reflecting member for introducing a light ray from the optical system to the eyepiece unit, and wherein the values of a focal length fr of the optical system and a focal length fe of the eyepiece unit satisfy the condition 1<fe/fr<6.

Abstract: A lens frame guiding mechanism of a zoom lens includes lens frames having projections which extend radially outwards, wherein a cam follower is formed on each projection; a linear guide barrel; linear guide slots formed on the linear guide barrel parallel to the optical axis, wherein the projections of each lens frame are respectively engaged in the linear guide slots to be slidable therealong; a cam barrel fitted outside the linear guide barrel to be relatively rotatable about the optical axis thereto; and bottomed cam grooves formed on an inner peripheral surface of the cam barrel, in which the cam followers of a corresponding lens frame are respectively engaged. The lens frames are moved in the direction of the optical axis, without rotating about the optical axis, to change a focal length of said zoom lens via rotation of said cam barrel.

Abstract: This invention relates to an optical apparatus for observation which is provided with drive control means for driving a variable angle prism on the basis of an output signal from vibration detecting means and in which the variable angle prism is installed between an objective lens and an erect prism.

Abstract: A real image type finder optical system includes, in order from the object side, an objective optical system, a first prism, a second prism, and an eyepiece lens. The first prism includes a first face as an entrance surface confronting the exit plane of the objective optical system, a second face making an angle of 22.5° with respect to this first face and a third face for transmitting the finder optical axis bent in order by the second face and the first face. The second prism includes a first face as an entrance surface confronting the third face of the first prism with a space therebetween, a second face opposed to the first face so as to bend the finder optical axis toward the object side within a horizontal plane, a third face for turning the finder optical axis bent in order by the second face and the first face to a direction generally coaxial with the eyepiece lens and a fourth face for transmitting the optical axis turned from the third face.

Abstract: An optical element for changeable traffic signs consisting of a light source, in particular, a light-emitting diode (LED), at least one converging lens and one diverging lens, which are arranged coaxially in a shared housing. The light exiting from the light source is captured as completely as possible by the converging lens, concentrated in a focal spot, which is preferably surrounded by a diaphragm and directed further onto the diverging lens which distributes it according to certain specifications. The refracting power of the diverging lens is dimensioned such that light exiting from it features a smaller angle of exit &bgr; than a prescribed limit angle &agr;. The distance between the converging lens and the diverging lens is dimensioned such that sunlight incident from the outside at an angle &ggr; greater than or equal to the limit angle &agr; is completely blocked, either by the diaphragm or by absorption on the housing wall, so that no phantom light is generated.

Abstract: A housing for a magnification loupe is provided having a body portion for an eyepiece lens and a nose portion for an objective lens. The body portion for the eyepiece lens includes outer circumferential threads over which the objective nose portion fits. The objective nose portion includes a pin slot defining an arc across the body of the nose. The arc is configured such that a pin may be secured through the holes in the nose piece to co-act with the threads of the eyepiece body such that radial movement is prohibited.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for making microstructures. In one method, the resist layer is reversibly deformed during exposure. When the resist is flattened and developed after exposure, non-vertical features result that are not obtainable through other existing means. One application of this method is to make nested cones suitable for use as a highly efficient x-ray lens. In another disclosed method, “halftone” lithography is used to generate microstructures having features whose height may vary continuously. One application of this method is to make a novel telescope array, a thin film having telescopic magnification properties.

Abstract: A housing for a magnification loupe is provided having a body portion for an eyepiece lens and a nose portion for an objective lens. The body portion for the eyepiece lens includes outer circumferential threads over which the objective nose portion fits. The objective nose portion includes a pin slot defining an arc across the body of the nose. The arc is configured such that a pin may be secured through the holes in the nose piece to co-act with the threads of the eyepiece body such that radial movement is prohibited.

Abstract: Even when a surface temperature of an illumination optical system becomes high, detection accuracy of a reticle alignment detection system is not negatively affected. An illumination optical system irradiates an illumination light to a mask and exposes a substrate with the illumination light through the mask. A gas supply device supplies gas, which has been cleaned, to a case in which is disposed at least part of an illumination optical system. A temperature adjusting device adjusts the temperature of the case and the temperature in the vicinity of the case.

Abstract: The light-weight clinical viewer includes a two-element objective lens and a single-element eyepiece lens. Use of multiple lenses allows for a more compact package. The doublet objective serves to reduce vignetting while providing a wide field of view and reduced chromatic aberration. Image quality is further enhanced, while keeping the weight of the viewer down, through the use in the objective of light-weight high index glass. Moreover, the invention permits the use of a single mounting barrel assembly for different eyepieces to reduce manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A refractometer and a method for measuring the refractive index of a lens, wherein a thin insert in the form of a pad of a flexible transparent material attached to a rigid transparent sheet, is lightly pressed onto a surface of the lens under test, such that the pad surface effectively acquires the same profile as the lens surface. The focal length or power of the lens is first measured without the insert, and the measurement is then repeated with the insert positioned first in contact with one surface of the lens, and then in contact with the other surface. The use of equations derived from the classical lens formula then enables the refractive index of the lens to be easily and quickly determined. The apparatus and method also enables the measurement of the refractive index of lenses of low power.

Abstract: A miniature microscope is extremely small, fitting in a palm of a user's hand while providing powerful magnification and enhanced brightness so that the details of an object which cannot be resolved by an unaided eye can be easily seen. The microscope includes a housing have a holder for supporting an object to be viewed. At least one light source is position in the housing off-axis with respect to the object to be viewed. A first prism includes a first prism surface for reflecting light from the light source to a beam splitter surface wherein the beam splitter surface reflects light from the first prism surface to the object to be viewed. The beam splitter surface also passes light reflected from the object therethrough to a second prism. The second prism is positioned with respect to the first prism to provide refraction correction.

Abstract: A real image mode variable magnification finder has an objective system with positive refracting power, an image erecting optical system for erecting an object image formed by the objective system, and an eyepiece system with positive refracting power. The objective system includes a first lens unit with negative refracting power, a second lens unit with positive refracting power, and a third lens unit with positive refracting power, so that a space between the first lens unit and the second lens unit and a space between the second lens unit and the third lens unit are changed when the magnification of the finder is changed in the range from a wide-angle position to a telephoto position. The image erecting optical system has a first prism and a second prism so that a field frame is interposed between the first prism and the second prism. The finder also satisfies the following condition:-0.5<n/m<0.

Abstract: A branch image pickup and view system includes an objective lens system, an eyepiece lens system through which an image formed by the objective lens system is viewed, an image pickup surface which is adapted to pick up an image formed by the objective lens system, an optical separation system provided behind the objective lens system to split a bundle of light into a light bundle for the image pickup surface and a light bundle for the eyepiece lens system, an optical reduction system which is provided between the optical separation system and the image pickup surface, a condenser lens which is provided in the optical separation system to relay an image formed by the objective lens system to the eyepiece lens system, and an optical enlargement system which is provided between the optical separation system and the condenser lens.

Abstract: A real-image finder optical system is provided with an information display element located between an image plane of an objective optical system and a moving lens group of the objective optical system, and a partial mirror surface provided on an object side with respect to the information display element. The finder optical system includes the objective optical system having a positive power, an erecting optical system for erecting a reversed real image formed by the objective optical system, and an eyepiece optical system for observing the real image. Magnification of the finder optical system varies with the movement of at least one moving lens group of the objective lens system in a direction of an optical axis.

Abstract: A magnification viewer system includes a pair of magnification viewers adapted to be inserted into apertures in a pair of spectacle lenses to provide a relatively wider field of view and a lighter viewer system. Each magnification viewer includes a two-element objective lens and a single-element eyepiece lens. The doublet objective lens serves to reduce vignetting while providing a wide field of view and reduced chromatic aberration. Image quality may be further enhanced while keeping the weight of the viewer down through the use of light-weight high index glass for the objective lens. Moreover, the invention permits the use of interchangeable eyepiece lenses to provide a series of working distances, as well as interchangeable eyepiece segments to enable the magnification viewers to be corrected to the user's ophthalmic prescription. In order to reduce the criticality of the interpupillary distance, eyepiece lenses are formed with a 16 millimeter (mm) diameter.

Abstract: An afocal telescope operating in the thermal infra-red waveband has a three-element objective comprising a positively-powered central lens element disposed between positively powered and negatively powered lateral lens elements, the positively powered lateral lens element being located proximal to the inter-mediate image and incorporating a hybrid surface simultaneously to correct longitudinal and field colour, and wherein one of the positively powered lens elements of the objective is made of a material having a negative temperature refractive index co-efficient and has an optical power selected to render the telescope athermal.

Abstract: An optical system for non-flexible endoscopes comprising an illumination optical system and an observation optical system which are disposed in an insert section, wherein the observation optical system comprises, in order from a tip thereof, an objective optical system and a single cycle type relay optical system, and an outside diameter D1 of a lens component in the objective optical system whichever has a largest outside diameter, an outside diameter D2 of a lens component in the relay optical system whichever has a largest outside diameter and an outside diameter D3 of the insert section are in relationship expressed by the following conditions (1) and (2):L/D1<20 (1)0.7<D2/D3<0.9 (2).

Abstract: An optical element for microscopic inspection of a surface. The optical element has an elongated body defining an optical axis, with a first end adjacent the surface and a second end directed toward an imaging instrument. The body has a curved reflective surface and an optical aperture at the first end, and defines first and second associated focal points on the optical axis. The first focal point is spaced apart from the first end of the body, such that positioning the surface at the first focal point generates an image of the surface at the second focal point. The reflective surface may be paraboloidal, with a concentrating lens focusing collimated rays to the second focal point, so that a conventional microscope may view the image generated at the second point.

Abstract: An optical instrument is described in which a diffractive element (25) is located at a focal or image plane (3) of the instrument and the diffractive element (25) is effective to produce an array (6) of a plurality of exit pupils at a viewing position for the instrument and thereby to form an enlarged exit pupil for the instrument.

Abstract: An illuminator system for a film scanner of the type having a linear image sensor, a film gate through which an area of film to be scanned can be positioned, and an aperture at the film gate for defining the area of film to be scanned. The illuminator system includes a light source which produces a light beam; an optical condenser between the lamp and the film gate to condense and shape the beam; and optics adapted to diffuse and direct the light beam so as to produce a uniform line of controlled diffuse illumination at the film gate. A spherical relay lens between the lamp and the optical condenser has a focal length nominally equal to a distance between the relay lens and the optical condenser to constrain the beam within the entrance pupil of the optical condenser. A spectral filter is between the lamp and the film gated to remove unwanted wavelengths of radiation from the light beam.

Abstract: A real image finder system is disclosed. The finder system includes a common objective optical system for forming a real image of an object. A first erecting optical system for erecting an object image formed by the objective optical system, a first eyepiece optical system for observing an image erected by the first erecting optical system, a branch plane which is constructed as one plane of a plurality of reflection surfaces included in the first erecting optical system, and guides a luminous flux from the objective optical system to proceed along a first optical path and/or along a second optical path different from the first optical path, a second erecting optical system which is arranged on the second optical path and erects an object image formed by the objective optical system, and a second eyepiece optical system for observing an image erected by the second erecting optical system.

Abstract: An optical system includes a first optical element formed of a noncrystalline polyester resin having a copolymer ratio of 9,9-bis [4(2-hydroxyethoxy) phenyl]fluorene in a range of 35 molar percent to 45 molar percent when the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 molar percent, and a second optical element formed of material incorporating an ultraviolet light absorption agent and disposed at least either anteriorly or posteriorly to the first optical element.

Abstract: An endoscopic telescope has a system tube in which spacer tubes are alternatingly stacked with rod lenses each having an external diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the system tube and which have convex end faces supported against the axial ends of the spacer tubes. An end of at least one of the spacer tubes protrudes axially at an angle and at a rotational position so that it abuts the adjacent convex surface of a rod lens, thereby tilting the rod lens relative to the system tube axis. The spacer tubes and the rod lenses are mounted spring loaded between end holding devices in the system tube.