Abstract: A system for improving safety while providing privacy for a vehicle. The system includes a display screen located within the vehicle, configured to alternate between a displaying state and a non-displaying state. The system includes a window configured to alternate between an opaque state and a transparent state. The system includes an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to determine whether the display screen is powered on. The ECU is configured to alternate the display screen between the displaying state and the non-displaying state at a predetermined frequency when the display screen is powered on. The ECU is configured to alternate the window between the opaque state and the transparent state at the predetermined frequency, the display screen being in the displaying state when the window is in the opaque state and the display screen being in the non-displaying state when the window is in the transparent state.

Abstract: A selection device (2) for a beverage preparation machine (1), comprises a fixed selection element (3) and a mobile selection element (4), the fixed selection element (3) comprising a set of marks (33) each corresponding to a parameter value, the mobile selection element (4) being movable in relation to the set of marks (33) for selecting a parameter value by positioning the mobile selection element (4) in visual association with a selected mark (33X).

Abstract: A laser system and method includes control of the direction of polarization of a laser beam that forms laser-induced channels in a substrate along a process path. Control of the direction of polarization is useful while forming laser-induced channels in substrate materials having a crystalline component. An optical element, such as a waveplate, imparts the laser beam with a direction of polarization that is controllable with respect to an axis of the substrate when the substrate is supported by the system for processing. The direction of polarization is changeable and controllable with respect to the direction of the process path and/or a crystalline plane of the substrate via movement of the optical element or the substrate or both.

Abstract: A drive system includes a rotational driving member, a rotational driven member, to which a rotational resistance is applied, a holding member of a rotatable optical element supported by the rotational driving member and the rotational driven member, an insertion controller preventing the holding member from rotating when the holding member is in an inserted position, and a removal controller allowing the holding member to move to a fully removed position and prevents the holding member from rotating at a limited removed position. An insertion/removal operation of the holding member is performed by relative rotation between the rotational driving member and the rotational driven member, and when the holding member is prevented from rotating by the insertion controller and the removal controller, the rotational driven member and the holding member rotate with the rotational driving member about the optical axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical system, in particular of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, with a polarization-influencing optical arrangement. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, this polarization-influencing optical arrangement comprises: at least one polarization-influencing optical element, which consists of an optically active material with an optical crystal axis and has a thickness profile that varies in the direction of this optical crystal axis, at least one lambda/2 plate; at least one rotator, which causes a rotation of the polarization direction of light incident on the rotator about a constant polarization rotation angle, and an actuator apparatus, by which the lambda/2 plate and the rotator can be moved independently of one another between a position within the optical beam path and a position outside of the optical beam path.

Abstract: A polarization optical apparatus including a reflection-type polarization element for transmitting a predetermined polarization component light. A slidably supported reflection-type optical modulation element is held by a holding member that includes a sliding support surface for slidably supporting the reflection-type polarization element. The reflection-type polarization element is urged toward the sliding support surface while the reflection-type polarization element is enabled to be slid along the sliding support surface.

Abstract: A polarization-modulating optical element consisting of an optically active crystal material has a thickness profile where the thickness, as measured in the direction of the optical axis, varies over the area of the optical element. The polarization-modulating optical element has the effect that the plane of oscillation of a first linearly polarized light ray and the plane of oscillation of a second line early polarized light ray are rotated, respectively, by a first angle of rotation and a second angle of rotation, with the first angle of rotation and the second angle of rotation being different from each other.

Abstract: A polarized film apparatus comprising printed bands of successively alternating polarization orientations is disclosed. The printed bands of alternating polarization orientations repeat throughout the length of the film. The polarized film can be installed in an object, for example a window where the amount of energy through the object has to be controlled. Two identical films are superimposed to create polarization patterns that can be varied when one film is displaced with respect to the other. The resulting variable polarization patterns can be utilized to control the amount of energy allowed through this arrangement. The polarized films with bands of alternating polarization orientations can be utilized to control the amount of energy for example sunlight, radiated heat transmission, illumination level, electromagnetic radiation, etc.

Abstract: The reflectivity and transmissivity of building and vehicle surfaces is maintained while employing partial, variable, selective, or asymmetric diffusers between a surface and an external light source such that the reflected light is diffused to produce a reduction in glare, while minimally effecting the specular or collimated transmission (if any) of light through the surface. Glare is also reduced by utilizing diffuser devices that reflect light in a temperature dependent manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical system, in particular of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, with a polarization-influencing optical arrangement (150). In accordance with one aspect of the invention, this polarization-influencing optical arrangement (150) comprises: at least one polarization-influencing optical element (200, 230), which consists of an optically active material with an optical crystal axis and has a thickness profile that varies in the direction of this optical crystal axis, at least one lambda/2 plate (250), at least one rotator (240), which causes a rotation of the polarization direction of light incident on the rotator (240) about a constant polarization rotation angle, and an actuator apparatus, by means of which the lambda/2 plate (250) and the rotator (240) can be moved independently of one another between a position within the optical beam path and a position outside of the optical beam path.

Abstract: Element for homogenizing the illumination with simultaneous setting of the polarization degree, wherein the element consists of at least two components. The first component is a microlens array, and the second component is a filter for setting the desired polarization.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a polarization-maintaining reflector arrangement comprising a reflector group including at least one polarizing reflector and at least one compensating reflector, wherein the incident plane for the polarizing reflectors is perpendicular to the incident plane for the compensating reflectors, and the product of s-wave reflectance of all the polarizing reflectors and p-wave reflectance of all the compensating reflectors is equal to the product of s-wave reflectance of all the compensating reflectors and p-wave reflectance of all the polarizing reflectors. One or more reflector groups can be used in the light path. The invention can conveniently and effectively eliminate the polarization caused by reflection.

Abstract: A light transmissive panel comprising a first sheet and a second sheet, wherein each sheet is made up of a non-birefringent substrate and a wire grid polarizer pattern of continuously varying absorption axis orientation formed on the non-birefringent substrate. The wire grid polarizer patterns on each of the first and second sheet are mechanically translatable relative to each other, wherein the mechanical translation controls transmission of light through the light transmissive panel. Light transmissive panels wherein each sheet of the panel is made of a wire grid polarizer that is laminated with a continuous variable thickness wave plate retarder, wherein the continuous variable thickness wave plate retarder rotates input light by an amount determined by the thickness of the wave plate retarder.

Abstract: A polarized film apparatus comprising printed bands of successively alternating polarization orientations is disclosed. The printed bands of alternating polarization orientations repeat throughout the length of the film. The polarized film can be installed in an object, for example a window where the amount of energy through the object has to be controlled. Two identical films are superimposed to create polarization patterns that can be varied when one film is displaced with respect to the other. The resulting variable polarization patterns can be utilized to control the amount of energy allowed through this arrangement. The polarized films with bands of alternating polarization orientations can be utilized to control the amount of energy for example sunlight, radiated heat transmission, illumination level, electromagnetic radiation, etc.

Abstract: A polarization-modulating optical element consisting of an optically active crystal material has a thickness profile where the thickness, as measured in the direction of the optical axis, varies over the area of the optical element. The polarization-modulating optical element has the effect that the plane of oscillation of a first linearly polarized light ray and the plane of oscillation of a second linearly polarized light ray are rotated, respectively, by a first angle of rotation and a second angle of rotation, with the first angle of rotation and the second angle of rotation being different from each other.

Abstract: A polarization-modulating optical element formed of an optically active crystal material has a thickness profile where the thickness, as measured in the direction of the optical axis, varies over the area of the optical element. The polarization-modulating optical element has the effect that the plane of oscillation of a first linearly polarized light ray and the plane of oscillation of a second linearly polarized light ray are rotated, respectively, by a first angle of rotation and a second angle of rotation, with the first angle of rotation and the second angle of rotation being different from each other.

Abstract: An optical arrangement includes a polarization-modulating optical element and a compensation plate is disclosed. The polarization-modulating optical element includes a first optically active material having a first specific rotation with a sign, the polarization-modulating optical element having a first optical axis. The polarization-modulating element has a first thickness profile that, as measured in the direction of the first optical axis, that is variable. The compensation plate includes a second optically active material having a second specific rotation with a sign opposite the sign of the first specific rotation. The compensation plate has a second thickness profile configured so that, when radiation passes through the optical arrangement, the compensation plate substantially compensates for angle deviations of the radiation that are caused by the polarization-modulating optical element.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for influencing a light beam arrangement comprising a plurality of light beams (4) arranged alongside one another, wherein provision is made of at least one optical element (5, 15, 25) which is movable transversely with respect to the light beams and by which the light beams can be influenced if the light beams pass through the optical element, and which has at least one light-absorbing region (9, 19, 29), wherein the apparatus comprises a drive device for the optical element, a measuring device for detecting the light of the light beam and a control unit, wherein the control unit is designed such that the drive device is controlled in a manner dependent on the position of the light-absorbing region.

Abstract: The conversion of linear polarized light into radial-polarized light is accomplished through a radial polarization generator containing multiple layers of polarizing film, or polarization converters, for converting the beam of light to a different orientation. Using the radial polarization generator, a quasi radial-polarized beam of light can be obtained quickly and easily by simply aligning the light at the center of the polarization generator. True radial-polarization can be obtained by passing the laser through a spatial filter. With such a radial polarization generator, a large frequency range of light may be converted from a linear orientation to a radial orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for allowing multiple individuals to view discrete images while remaining in close proximity to each other. It encompasses a split screen polarized lens, with alternate polarization portions, fitting over a viewing monitor and pairs of corresponding polarized glasses. Each pair of polarized glasses matches a portion of the screen lens with the same polarization so that the human viewer wearing vertically polarized glasses may only view the vertically polarized portion of the screen and the human viewer wearing horizontally polarized glasses may only view the horizontally polarized portion of the screen.

Abstract: A dual-beam laser cutting system uses laser beam polarization to output two identical laser beams. The dual identical laser beams are spaced appropriately to simultaneously cut a water thus increasing the laser cutting system's throughput as compared to a single-laser cutting system. In one implementation, the dual-beam laser cutting system 100 utilizes a beam expander 220, two half-wave plates 224, 238, a polarizing beam splitter 228, a mirror 236, and two lenses 234, 242 to provide two identical laser beams 202, 204 from a single laser source 214. The identical laser beams 202, 204 are tuned to have the same power, cross-sectional diameter, and polarization direction. One of the half-wave plates 224 is rotated to yield laser beams with the same power. The other half-wave plate 238 is rotated to yield laser beams with the same polarization direction.

Abstract: Two types of layers are simultaneously formed on a substrate and another substrate under the same layer forming condition, the heights of which are equal to a half height of an intended retardation compensation layer. Physical properties of the respective two types of layers formed on the substrates are identical to each other, and if deviations are produced in retardation distribution characteristics for azimuth angles of incident light, these deviations are commonly provided in the respective two types of layers. When one substrate is superposed with the other substrate and these superposed substrates are integrated with each other in order to make a single sheet of retardation compensation element, after one of these substrates is rotated by an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the other substrate, these substrates are stuck to each other by an adhesive agent.

Abstract: A polarization component, capable of efficiently reflecting an obliquely transmitted light beam toward a light source without degrading the transmission-polarization property of a perpendicular incident light beam, is provided. A C-plate having an oblique retardation of at least ?/8 with respect to a light beam inclined by at least 30° is disposed between at least two reflective circular polarizer layers whose selective reflection wavelength bands of polarized light overlapping each other. A combination of a reflective linear polarizer and a quarter wavelength plate may be used instead of the reflective circular polarizer. Alternatively, a combination of two reflective linear polarizer layers and two quarter wavelength plate layers (Nz?2) disposed therebetween can provide a similar effect. Further, a combination of two reflective linear polarizer layers and a half wavelength plate (Nz?1.5) disposed therebetween may be used.

Abstract: A polarizing plate of the present invention comprises: main four sides which form a quadrangle or a substantially quadrangular shape, wherein the quadrangle or the substantially quadrangular shape is a non-rectangular shape having four interior angles each of which is in the range of 80° to 100°, provided that at least two of the four interior angles are not 90°, the non-rectangular polarizing plate has an in-plane absorption axis, a largest rectangle having four sides in directions parallel and perpendicular to the absorption axis of the polarizing plate can be drawn as a hypothetical rectangle in the plane of the non-rectangular polarizing plate, the hypothetical rectangle has a side which is closest to the non-rectangular shape and makes angles in the range of 0° to 5° with the non-rectangular shape, and at least one of the angles is an acute angle in the range of 1° to 5°. The polarizing plate can smoothly undergo reworking even when it has a reduced thickness.