Abstract: A spectral beam combining system includes a spectral channel splicer comprising a plurality of reflectors and a spectral beam combiner comprising a diffraction optical element such as a diffraction grating. This spectral beam combining system may facilitate combining an increased number of spectral channels thereby producing higher optical power of the combining beam system.

Abstract: A WDM seed beam source for a fiber laser amplifier system that includes a number of master oscillators that generate seed beams at different wavelengths and a spectral multiplexer that multiplexes all of the seed beams onto a single fiber. An EOM modulates the combined seed beams on the single fiber and a spectral demultiplexer then separates the modulated seed beams into their constituent wavelengths on separate fibers before the seed beams are amplified and spectrally combined. The fiber laser amplifier system includes a separate fiber amplifier that amplifies the separated seed beams, an emitter array that directs the amplified beams into free space, beam collimating optics that focuses the uncombined beams, and an SBC grating responsive to the collimated uncombined beams that spatially combines the collimated uncombined beams.

Abstract: A beam combining device and method for a Bragg grating external-cavity laser module has a plurality of side by side light-emitting modules that use a Bragg grating to perform wavelength locking. Output light of the modules is incident to a beam combining element after passing through a focusing optical element for beam combining, and light subjected to beam combining is reflected partially and transmitted partially under the effect of a light splitting element. A part is incident into a dispersion element at a diffraction angle of the element. Parallel light is formed under the effect of a conversion optical element. Spots of the light beams of corresponding wavelengths of the light-emitting modules are formed on an image acquisition mechanism. Whether the wavelengths of the corresponding light-emitting modules are locked is determined by whether there is a deviation between preset spots and spots formed by the module on the acquisition mechanism.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes an eye width adjustment mechanism that includes a first connecting member configured to connect a connecting portion of the right eyepiece unit on one side of a reference plane and a connecting portion of the left eyepiece unit on the other side of the reference plane to each other where the reference plane is a plane including the rotation center axes of the right and left eyepiece units, and a second connecting member configured to connect the connecting portion of the right eyepiece unit on the other side of the reference plane and the connecting portion of the left eyepiece unit on the one side of the reference plane.

Abstract: An anti-vibration device includes first reflective members, second reflective members, barrels, a first link member, and a second link member. The barrels each hold the first reflective member and the second reflective member. The first link member connects the pair of left and right barrels with each other, and rotates the barrels. The second link member engages with the pair of left and right second reflective members, and rotates the second reflective members. In a case where the barrel is viewed in a direction parallel to a second rotational axis, at least a part of the first link member and the second link member is disposed in a triangle region on a rear side of the second reflective member.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and techniques related to projecting dynamic feature patterns onto a scene for use in stereoscopic imaging are discussed. Such techniques may include implementing a dynamic transmissive element in an optical path between a projector and the scene to modify a static pattern emitted from the projector to illuminate the scene with a dynamic pattern.

Abstract: A laser oscillator includes: a plurality of laser media to emit laser beams having different wavelengths; a diffraction grating to emit, in a superimposed state, the laser beams incident from the laser media; a partially reflective element to reflect part of the laser beams emitted from the diffraction grating and return the part of the laser beams to the diffraction grating, and to transmit a remainder; and a plurality of lenses each disposed between a corresponding one of the laser media and the diffraction grating. The lenses are each disposed in an optical path formed between a corresponding one of the laser media and the diffraction grating, and the lenses superimpose the laser beams from the laser media on an incident surface of the diffraction grating such that the laser beams have an equal outer diameter.

Abstract: An integrated optical module is provided. The optical module includes multi optically-coupled channels, and enables the use thereof in an Artificial Neural Network (ANN). According to some embodiments the integrated optical module includes a multi-core optical fiber, wherein the cores are optically coupled.

Abstract: An image blur correction device capable of effectively preventing occurrence of image blur with a simple configuration. A movable member holds a correction lens. A first drive section moves the movable member in a first direction orthogonal to a direction of an optical axis of the correction lens, and a second drive section moves the movable member in a second direction orthogonal to the direction of the optical axis. The first drive section includes a first vibrator unit and a first slider fixed to the movable member and in contact with the first vibrator. The second drive section includes a second vibrator unit and a second slider. When viewed in a direction of the optical axis, the first and second drive sections at least partially overlap each other.

Abstract: Provided is a beam projector including: an image generation unit configured to generate an image light for an image signal; an optical unit configured to enlarge the image light to project toward a screen; a housing provided with the image generation unit; a motion sensor configured to detect movement of the housing; and a compensation driving unit configured to move at least one of the image generation unit and the optical unit so as to countervail the movement.

Abstract: An optical image stabilizer for correcting an image blurred by shaking of a hand while an object is photographed using a mobile communication terminal is provided. The optical image stabilizer includes an image sensor. A lens assembly is mounted on an optical axis of the image sensor. A housing contains the lens assembly. A rotator provided between the housing and the lens assembly surrounding the lens assembly rotates the lens assembly around a first axis perpendicular to the optical axis and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis in engagement with the lens assembly. A driving member rotates the rotator around the first and second axes. The optical image stabilizer can be mounted in a miniaturized lightweight photographing device, so that a clear image can be captured even during vibration of a photographing device caused by hand-shaking.

Abstract: Thermal wake proximate to an optical element of a telescope may be reduced. Signal(s) related to respective temperatures of support struts supporting the optical element may be generated. The respective temperatures of the support struts may be determined based on the signal(s). Individual support struts may be heated based on the respective temperatures of the support struts. Heating a given support strut may cause the given support strut to thermally expand. Individual support struts may be at least partially enclosed with corresponding shrouds. Airspaces may be disposed between individual support struts and the corresponding shrouds. Heat emitted in the airspaces by the support struts may be ejected away from the optical element to prevent a thermal wake from reaching a volume proximate to the optical element.

Abstract: Systems and methods have been provided to scale wavelength beam combining (WBC) systems, which are systems configured to increase output power, as well as spatial and/or spectral brightness when utilizing or combining a plurality of beam emitters.

Abstract: A Compact Interdependent Optical Laser System and Method is designed for use with wavelength beam combining (WBC) systems that utilize both slow-axis and fast-axis WBC. Multiple optical elements having individual and interdependent functionality allow for the system to compact reducing the overall footprint of the system. Additional, configurations incorporating the compact system described herein allow for high-power and brightness scaling.

Abstract: A display unit for binocular representation of a multicolor image including a control unit triggering an imaging element such that the imaging element generates in a temporal successive manner the image to be displayed for a first beam path and a second beam path as a first image and second image, respectively. The images are generated in a pre-distorted manner, opposite of the chromatic aberration of the respective beam path, such that the chromatic aberration generated in the respective beam path is compensated when the first and second image is displayed. The display unit includes a switching module which operates in temporal synchrony with the first and second image being generated, such that a user can see the first image only via the first beam path and the second image only via the second beam path.

Abstract: A system and method for producing a multi-output laser by reconfiguring and apportioning a plurality of electromagnetic beams produced by various wavelength beam combining techniques. The reconfiguring of beams includes individual rotation and selective repositioning of one or more beams with respect to beam's original input position.

Abstract: Systems and methods have been provided to increase output power, as well as spatial and/or spectral brightness when utilizing or combining a plurality of laser elements.

Abstract: A system and method for reconfiguring a plurality of electromagnetic beams to take advantage of various wavelength beam combining techniques. The reconfiguring of beams includes individual rotation and selective repositioning of one or more beams with respect to beam's original input position.

Abstract: A ring-laser system that includes a plurality of ring-laser gain elements and a spectral-beam-combining output stage configured to combine a plurality of beams coming from the gain elements into an output beam and that includes chromatic-dispersion compensation. In some embodiments, the output stage includes a plurality of highly reflective dielectric-coated focussing elements. In some embodiments, the output stage includes a plurality of high-efficiency dielectric-coated grating elements. In some embodiments, the output stage includes a mostly reflective but partially transmissive output mirror and a highly reflective beam-reversing mirror configured to reflect a majority of a backward-traveling signal beam such that it becomes forward traveling. In some embodiments, each gain element further includes a photonic-crystal-rod power amplifier.

Abstract: A laser projector comprises an oscillation device for displacing at least one of a plurality of optical elements, which constitute the projection optical system of the laser projector, periodically along the direction of the optical axis of laser light. The laser projector reduces the speckle of a projection image on an arbitrary screen to such an extent as it cannot be recognized with human eyes, without having a significant effect on the image resolution, by periodically displacing the position of the smallest spot of laser light projected from the projection optical system. An image projection method is also provided.

Abstract: A handheld projector is provided with an image stabilization system that acts to reduce (or even eliminate) unwanted motion of the projected image due to unintended movement of the projector. In certain preferred embodiments, a solid-state motion sensor provides input to an image stabilization system that computes a corrective signal. In embodiments having optical image stabilization, the corrective signal is supplied to a mechanical actuator that moves one or more optical elements within the projector. Other embodiments have electronic image stabilization. In these embodiments, the corrective signal from the image stabilization system is used by the image generator to shift the image so as to compensate for movement of the projector.

Abstract: Device for stabilizing a light beam or images of the type that can be used to stabilize film cameras or light beam emitters, such as a laser emitter or a pulsed laser beam emitter, which includes means for detecting movements in several axes, means for coding the latter and driving means for correcting the unwanted movements of the object to be stabilized (1), in which a stabilized mirror (4) is arranged, upon which the light beam (2) falls, which light beam related the object to be stabilized (1) to the lens captured or emitted by said light beam (2); said device includes a base with a hollow-shaft pan motor (3) which allows said light beam (2) to pass.

Abstract: An optical device, in particular a microscope (1), that includes a beam path in which is arranged at least one deflection element (5, 6a to 6f) for deflecting the beam path, at least one vibration sensor (34) being arranged in or on the optical device; at least one of the deflection elements (5, 6a to 6f) including a mirror having a controllably deformable mirror surface (50); and a control unit (32) being provided that, as a function of the output signal of the vibration sensor (34), applies control to the at least one deflection element (5, 6a to 6f) in order to adjust the mirror surface (50) in such a way that vibrations of the optical device are compensated for by a correspondingly opposite-phase adjustment of the mirror surface (50).

Abstract: A light valve assembly comprises a holographic optical element and a light valve that comprises an array of individually addressable pixels. The light valve assemblies can be fabricated on the die level or on a wafer-level.

Abstract: An image stabilizer that stabilizes images by moving a correcting lens for stabilizing images formed by a lens system in a first direction and a second direction which are perpendicular to an optical axis of said lens system and which are perpendicular to each other, includes a driver which is provided at one side of the correcting lens and which moves the correcting lens in the first direction and the second direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing specified output intensity distribution requirements from a single LED source, wherein the apparatus includes a single LED source and a cover, including a lens, that captures and controls the non-collimated light of the LED source and limits its spread vertically and horizontally as well as producing intensity variations within the output pattern. In one aspect of the invention, the lens is on the same order of size as the LED source, the cover has an exposed surface area several times larger than the area of the lens and is primarily configured to have retroreflective properties.

Abstract: An image stabilizer that stabilizes images by moving a correcting lens for stabilizing images formed by a lens system in a first direction and a second direction which are perpendicular to an optical axis of said lens system and which are perpendicular to each other, includes a driver which is provided at one side of the correcting lens and which moves the correcting lens in the first direction and the second direction.

Abstract: An image stabilizer can steady blurry images. The image stabilizer includes first and second Hall elements and a yoke with a magnet fixed thereto, the yoke including a projected portion to escape magnetic flux from the edge portion of the magnet. In the state in which one of magnets and a coil supporting holder are fixed to a moving frame and in which the optical axis of the correcting lens is matched with the optical axis of the lens system, the first and second Hall elements are moved to the first and second directions so that the first and second Hall elements are properly positioned at the positions in which magnetic force received by the two Hall elements from the magnet becomes a reference value, whereafter the other of the magnets and the coil supporting member are fixed to a supporting frame.

Abstract: To operate an optical device comprising an SLM with a two-dimensional array of controllable phase-modulating elements groups of individual phase-modulating elements are delineated, and control data selected from a store for each delineated group of phase-modulating elements. The selected control data are used to generate holograms at each group and one or both of the delineation of the groups and the selection of control data is/are varied. In this way upon illumination of the groups by light beams, light beams emergent from the groups are controllable independently of each other.

Abstract: An anti-shake apparatus comprises a movable-unit, a fixed-unit, a signal-processor, and a controller. The movable-unit has an imaging-device and is movable in first-and second-directions, supported by the fixed-unit. The fixed-unit has a horizontal-hall-element for detecting a first-location, and a vertical-hall-element for detecting a second-location. The signal-processor outputs a first-signal specifying the first-location, from output signals of the horizontal-hall-element, to a first A/D-converter of the controller, and outputs a second-signal specifying the second-location, from output signals of the vertical-hall-element, to a second A/D-converter of the controller. The controller calculates the first-location in an A/D-converting-operation for the first-signal, and the second-location in an A/D-converting-operation for the second-signal.

Abstract: A projector assembly includes a multi-pixel frame projector that sequentially projects each pixel making up a frame to a viewing surface, a movement detector coupled to the projector to detect a physical movement of the projector, and a movement compensator coupled to the projector, the movement compensator operable to transmit a correction signal to the projector, the correction signal capable of causing the projector to compensate for the detected movement.

Abstract: An anti-shake apparatus of a photographing apparatus comprises a movable unit and a fixed unit. The movable unit has an imaging device and is movable in first and second directions. The fixed unit slidably supports the movable unit in both the first and second directions. The movable unit has a hall-element unit. The magnetic-field change-detecting unit has a horizontal hall-element which is used for detecting a position of the movable unit in the first direction as a first location, and a vertical hall-element which is used for detecting a position of the movable unit in the second direction as a second location. Application of voltage to input terminals of the horizontal hall-element and the vertical hall-element is performed during a position detecting operation of the movable unit, and is stopped at a time other than that for the position detecting operation.

Abstract: An anti-shake-apparatus comprises a movable-unit, a fixed-unit, a signal-processor, and a controller. The movable-unit has an imaging-device and is movable in first-and second-directions. The fixed-unit has a hall-element-unit. The controller controls the movable-unit, the fixed-unit, and the signal-processor, and has first- and second-A/D-converters. The hall-element-unit has first and second horizontal-hall-elements for detecting a first-location, and first and second vertical-hall-elements for detecting a second-location. The movable-unit has a magnetic-field-generating unit having a coil for detecting the first- and second-locations. The signal-processor outputs a first-signal, specifying the first-location from the horizontal-hall-elements, to the first-A/D-converter, and a second-signal, specifying the second-location from the vertical-hall-elements, to the second-A/D-converter.

Abstract: A hand-held laser pointer is disclosed wherein the laser beam is isolated from unwanted hand tremor motions of the laser pointer housing. A laser beam is directed toward a pair of passively inertially stabilized mirrors disposed within the housing that are biased to a neutral position by a spring and damper. Both the laser beam that exits the housing and the laser dot appearing at a target are minimally affected by laser jitter associated with hand tremor.

Abstract: A stage apparatus includes a stationary support member, a movable stage plate supported by the stationary support member to be movable in a plane relative to the stationary support member, at least one magnetic force generator which is provided integral with the stationary support member, and at least one coil which is mounted on the movable stage plate and receives a magnetic force generated by the magnetic force generator to produce a driving force for driving the movable stage plate in the plane. At least one hole in which the coil is fixedly fitted is formed on the movable stage plate.

Abstract: A spectral filter includes a two-dimensional array of Fabry-Perot cavity structures, a controller, and a sampling circuit used to switch the Fabry-Perot cavity. The filter receives an incoming image, the sampling circuit switches the cavity to generate a filter image, and the filtered image is detected by the photodetectors to convert a filtered image into digital data. The controller coordinates all the image capture functions of the spectral filter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for demultiplexing multiple wavelengths of light. In one embodiment, an optical signal having a plurality of wavelengths is provided to an optical-to-electrical (OE) circuit configured to convert optical signals into electrical signals. The optical signal may include a plurality of wavelengths. The OE circuit converts the optical signal into a first electrical signal. The first electrical signal is received by a demodulating circuit, which also receives a demodulating signal. The demodulating circuit combines both the first electrical signal and the demodulating signal in order to produce a second electrical signal. Both the second electrical signal and the demodulating signal correspond to one of the wavelengths in the optical signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a capacitive micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) device includes a dielectric spacer between a bottom electrode and a movable member. The movable member may serve as a top electrode. A gap separates the top electrode from the dielectric spacer. The movable member may be actuated to deflect towards the bottom electrode by electrostatic force. The dielectric spacer reduces the height of the gap that would otherwise be formed between a top surface of the bottom electrode and a bottom surface of the movable member, thereby improving squeeze-film damping. The movable member may be a ribbon of a ribbon-type diffractive spatial light modulator, for example.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for spectral-beam combining light from a plurality of high-power fiber lasers that, in some embodiments, use two substantially identical diffraction gratings in a parallel, mutually compensating configuration to combine a plurality of separate parallel input beams each having a slightly different successively higher wavelength into a single output beam of high quality. In other embodiments, a single diffraction grating is used to combine a plurality of different wavelengths, wherein the input laser beams are obtained from very narrow linewidth sources to reduce chromatic dispersion. In some embodiments, diagnostics and adjustments of wavelengths and/or positions and angles are made dynamically in real time to maintain the combination of the plurality input beams into a single high-quality output beam.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for spectral-beam combining light from a plurality of high-power fiber lasers that, in some embodiments, use two substantially identical diffraction gratings in a parallel, mutually compensating configuration to combine a plurality of separate parallel input beams each having a slightly different successively higher wavelength into a single output beam of high quality. In other embodiments, a single diffraction grating is used to combine a plurality of different wavelengths, wherein the input laser beams are obtained from very narrow linewidth sources to reduce chromatic dispersion. In some embodiments, diagnostics and adjustments of wavelengths and/or positions and angles are made dynamically in real time to maintain the combination of the plurality input beams into a single high-quality output beam.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an optronic passive surveillance device, especially for infrared surveillance. It comprises a front optic (1) of given useful instantaneous field, means (2) for scanning a scene with a given total field of observation, means (3) for forming the image of the scene and means (4) for detecting said image. According to the invention, the detection means (4) comprise a two-dimensional matrix detector (41), the field of the detector along each of the dimensions being greater than or equal to said useful instantaneous field of the front optic along said dimension, and allow the acquisition, for each elementary area of the scene corresponding to the useful instantaneous field of the front optic, of N subimages formed on said detector (N?1), with a given integration time for each subimage.

Abstract: A zoom lens which has a high variable magnification ratio and high optical performance and an optical apparatus having the zoom lens are provided. A zoom lens according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises, in order from an object side, a first, second, third, and a fourth lens unit respectively having positive, negative, positive and positive optical powers. For zooming from the wide angle end to the telephoto end, the first lens unit is moved to an object side, the second lens unit is moved to an image plane side, the third lens unit is moved to the object side, and the fourth lens unit is moved to the object side. The third lens unit is movable in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis to correct an image blur.

Abstract: In a reflective type liquid crystal display unit which is provided with a reflective plate, there is provided a reflective liquid crystal display unit free from color mixture by preventing color mixing of reflected light is presented. The unit includes a substrate, a reflective layer disposed on the substrate, and a color filter, wherein the reflective layer has a plurality of reflective unit regions each of which has a first reflective surface for reflecting a light in a predetermined direction, and an inclination angle of the first reflective surface is defined so that an incident light which passes through a pixel of a determined color of the color filter to enter the first reflective surface is reflected by the first reflective surface to pass through the pixel of the same color as the color through which the incident light of the color filter has passed.

Abstract: An image-blur correcting viewing-optical system includes an objective optical system, an image-erecting optical system and an eyepiece optical system. The objective optical system includes a front lens group having a positive lens element, a negative lens element and a positive lens element, and a rear lens group constituting an image-blur correcting lens element which is driven in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis; and the image-blur correcting viewing-optical system satisfies the following condition: 0.5≦hc/hmax≦0.8  (1) wherein hc designates the radius of an axial open aperture of the first surface of the image-blur correcting lens element; and hmax designates the radius of an axial open aperture of the first surface of the front lens group of the objective optical system.

Abstract: A plastic lens includes refractive and diffractive optical apparatus configured to produce optothermal changes substantially canceling each other over a predetermined working temperature range to render the plastic lens substantially athermalized over the range.

Abstract: A stabilizer for an optical instrument, such as a pair of binoculars, including: a forehead mount and an adjustable mechanism for connecting the forehead mount to the optical instrument. The mechanism may include a bracket adapted for attachment to the optical instrument and a support between the forehead mount and the bracket.

Abstract: An imaging lens, is formed of, in order from the object side, a zoom section for focusing and zooming, and a master section for imaging and vibration control. The master section is formed of, in order from the object side, a front lens group, and a rear lens group. The front lens group is afocal so that collimated light enters the rear lens group. The rear lens group includes, in order from the object side, a lens subgroup which is movable normal to the optical axis of the imaging lens for vibration control, and a lens subgroup for macro-imaging adjustment and tracking adjustment, which is movable along the optical axis. Preferably, a fixed lens subgroup is positioned between the lens subgroup for vibration control and the lens subgroup for macro-imaging adjustment and tracking adjustment.

Abstract: The rays of light from an object under observation are condensed by objective lens. The incident light from the objective lens is reflected by plane reflector mirror to form a focused image on a detector. The plane reflector mirror floats in at least three reflector mirror floating vessels and even if the telescope tilts, a surface of the fluid in the vessel remains leveled and the plane reflector mirror does not vibrate. Further, the plane reflector mirror includes at least three pads, each of the pads floating in a corresponding reflector mirror floating vessel.

Abstract: A reconnaissance pod for viewing a scene has a structural backbone extending generally parallel to a pod axis, a forward housing affixed to the backbone, and an aft housing affixed to the backbone. The aft housing is separated from the forward housing along the pod axis. A central housing is mounted between the forward housing and the aft housing along the pod axis. The central housing includes a central body, a window through the central body, and at least a portion of a sensor assembly supported within the central housing from the forward housing and/or the aft housing. A rotational drive assembly has a forward support rotationally supporting the central body from the forward housing, with a forward bearing oriented to permit rotation of the central housing about the pod axis. The rotational drive assembly also includes an aft support rotationally supporting the central body from the aft housing, with an aft bearing oriented to permit rotation of the central housing about the pod axis.

Abstract: A diffraction grating for generating a plurality of beams includes a plurality of gratings. The plurality of gratings are formed to have an axis of symmetry perpendicular to the direction in which a beam is divided on a surface of diffraction grating and include at least two gratings having different fundamental cycles. The plurality of gratings are formed such that they have an axis of symmetry perpendicular to the direction in which a beam is divided on a surface of the diffraction grating, for generating a plurality of beams. The fundamental cycle increases as a function of the distance from the axis of symmetry, and therefore aberration in the periphery of scattering light may be reduced.