Abstract: An optical film, a fabrication method thereof, a windshield, and a driving apparatus, which pertains to the field of in-vehicle devices. The optical film includes a birefringent layer. The birefringent layer splits light transmitted through the optical film into two light beams, and exit directions of the two light beams are different from each other. A head up display is disposed above an instrument panel, and the optical film is disposed on a windshield. Light incident into an automobile through the windshield is split into two light beams. By adjusting relative positions of the head up display and the optical film, it is possible to enable only one of the light beams to be incident into the head up display. Since the total amount of light entering the head up display is reduced, the temperature rise inside the head up display can be mitigated.

Abstract: An illumination optical system includes a diffusion element that diffuses illumination light entering from a light source, the diffusion element emitting the illumination light. The diffusion element is formed by dispersing fine particles of at least one kind in a homogeneous medium that is made of a material different from the fine particles, and the diffusion element satisfies a specific conditional expressions.

Abstract: An optical coaling structure is provided that when applied to a surface of an object to imparts a color to the object, the optical coating structure including: a base layer; a reflector on the base layer; and profile elements on the base layer under the reflector, the profile elements having a width and length which are each in the range of 5 to 500 ?m in size, and being arranged in non-periodic manner or a periodic manner. The reflector may be a multilayer structure of alternating dielectric materials. A method of forming the optical coating structure is also provided.

Abstract: A system may include one or both of a light emitter and a light receiver. The system may include an optical filter adjacent one or both of the light emitter or the light receiver. The optical filter includes a wavelength selective scattering layer. The wavelength selective scattering layer may have a near-infrared scattering ratio of less than about 0.9. The filter may have a visible reflective haze ratio of greater than about 0.5. A method may include disposing the wavelength selective scattering layer adjacent one or both of the light emitter and the light receiver. An article may include the optical filter. The wavelength selective scattering layer may have an average near-infrared scattering of less than 60%, an average visible scattering of greater than 10%, and a difference between the % total visible reflectance and the % diffuse visible reflectance of less than 20.

Abstract: A photoacoustic probe which prevents foreign substances from entering and of which a portion of a light emitting unit to be easily damaged can be replaced is provided. An acoustic wave detector 24 detects acoustic waves. First and second light guide members 21 and 23, which form the light emitting unit, are arranged in series in a traveling direction of light. A frame body 11 holds the first light guide members 21, the second light guide members 23, and the acoustic wave detector 24. The first light guide members 21, is positioned close to a subject, is undetachably fixed to the frame body 11. Meanwhile, the second light guide members 23, which is positioned close to a light source, is detachably fixed to the frame body 11.

Abstract: A light conversion system and method for use with at least one light source providing at least one beam of polarized light. The system includes a support structure being rotatable around one of its axes, the support structure having a reflective surface which is fully or partly covered with at least one type of light conversion layer, which is in turn covered with at least one segment of a reflective polarizing sheet.

Abstract: A width-direction multilayer laminated film having a large area and uniform optical properties is provided. A light guide, a light diffusion film, a light collecting film, a viewing angle control film, and an optical waveguide film, which are low cost and have excellent optical properties, as well as an illuminating device, a communication device, and a display using these films. The laminated film may include at least a structure in which a layer made of resin A (layer A) and a layer made of resin B (layer B) are alternately laminated in the width direction, wherein the width of the film is 400 mm or more and the number of layer Bs, each having a cross-sectional width from 0.1 ?m to 10,000 ?m, is 10 or larger.

Abstract: An optical element includes an optical anisotropic medium. A difference between a minimum refractive index nl and a maximum refractive index nh of the optical anisotropic medium at a used central wavelength is at least 0.1, and a refractive index nt1 of a first medium optically adjacent to the optical anisotropic medium at the used central wavelength satisfies the following condition: (nt1?nl)·(nt1?nh)?0.

Abstract: An optical element including a first layer (011) made of a medium having optical anisotropy, wherein a difference between refractive indexes nh and nl (nh>nl) at a central wavelength ? for first and second polarized lights which enter the optical element and whose polarization directions are different from each other is at least 0.1, and wherein conditions (nt1?nl)·(nl?nt2)?0 and nt1<nl are satisfied, where nt1 and nt2 denote refractive indexes of a second layer (012) and a third layer (013) optically adjacent to the first layer in both sides of the first layer and made of isotropic media at the central wavelength.

Abstract: A multi-layer stretched film has 251 or more alternating layers which consist of first layers and second layers, wherein the first layers are made of a polyester which contains (i) 5 to 50 mol % of a naphthoic acid component as a dicarboxylic acid component and (ii) a diol having an alkylene group with 2 to 10 carbon atoms as a diol component; and the second layers are made of a thermoplastic resin having an average refractive index of 1.50 to 1.60 and differences in refractive index among a uniaxial stretching direction, a direction orthogonal to the uniaxial stretching direction and a film thickness direction of 0.05 or less before and after stretching, and the film has specific reflectance characteristics for a P polarization component and an S polarization component.

Abstract: An optical element including a first layer (011) made of a medium having optical anisotropy, wherein a difference between refractive indexes nh and nl (nh>nl) at a central wavelength ? for first and second polarized lights which enter the optical element and whose polarization directions are different from each other is at least 0.1, and wherein conditions (nt1?nl)·(nl?nt2)?0 and nt1<nl are satisfied, where nt1 and nt2 denote refractive indexes of a second layer (012) and a third layer (013) optically adjacent to the first layer in both sides of the first layer and made of isotropic media at the central wavelength.