Selective Wavelength Transmission Or Reflection Patents (Class 359/589)
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Patent number: 7113338Abstract: A thin-film structure includes plate-shaped metals or plate-shaped structures in which a plate-shaped metal and a plate-shaped dielectric are in contact. The plate-shaped metal or structures are formed on a transparent base having a surface with line-shaped corrugated structures. The plate-shaped metals or structures are perpendicular to or oblique to the surface of the base. The thin-film structure has characteristics suitable for polarizers used in liquid crystal projectors and the like.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2004Date of Patent: September 26, 2006Assignee: Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd.Inventors: Terufusa Kunisada, Satoru Kusaka, Kenichi Nakama
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Patent number: 7108383Abstract: An optical system includes a reflection-angle-selective mirror having a substrate, and a reflection-angle-selective coating structure deposited on the substrate. The reflection-angle-selective coating structure has a higher reflectance for light that is incident upon the reflection-angle-selective coating structure at a first incidence angle within an acceptance-angle deviation from a design incidence angle than for light that is incident upon the reflection-angle-selective coating structure at a second incidence angle greater than the acceptance-angle deviation from the design incidence angle. The optical system may also include a light source.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2005Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventor: Daniel Bruce Mitchell
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Patent number: 7106514Abstract: An optical tunable filter includes a first substrate 3 having a light transmitting property which includes a movable portion 31, a second substrate 20 having a light transmitting property which is provided so as to be opposed to the first substrate, a first gap 21 and a second gap 22 which are respectively provided between the movable portion 31 and the second substrate 20, an interference portion which causes interference of incident light between the movable portion 31 and the second substrate 20 through the second gap 22, and a driving portion which changes a distance of the second gap 22 by displacing the movable portion 31 with respect to the second substrate 20 using the first gap 21. This makes it possible to provide an optical tunable filter having a simpler structure and a smaller size, which can be manufactured through a simplified manufacturing process without using a release hole and can achieve stable driving of a movable portion, and a method for manufacturing such an optical tunable filter.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2004Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventors: Akihiro Murata, Ryosuke Nakamura, Shinichi Kamisuki
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Patent number: 7106516Abstract: A material with spectrally selective reflection in the primary valences of red, green and blue is applied preferably onto laser projection screens in order to make possible the projection even in daylight. In a first embodiment, a first layer of a material that is highly reflective over the entire range of visible light, e.g., aluminum is applied onto a substrate, e.g., glass or a synthetic material, followed by a second layer of a material that is essentially non-absorbing over the entire range of visible light, e.g., SiO2. A third layer in contact with air is applied to the second layer and is made of a material that is partially transmissive over the entire range of visible light, e.g., of NiCr An alternative embodiment comprise five layers, The first layer is made a material with a high index of refraction, e.g.; TiO2, a second of a material with a low index of refraction, e.g., SiO2, the third of a material with a high index of refraction, e.g.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2003Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Applied Films GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Hans-Georg Lotz, Peter Sauer
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Patent number: 7099555Abstract: An optical filter is disclosed which adjusts the contours of blurred images and maintains the size of blurred images. The optical filter includes a substrate being substantially transparent and a first layer whose optical density changes continuously, formed on the substrate. A transmission rate of the first layer decreases substantially linearly from a center toward a periphery of the optical filter, and the transmission rate distribution is symmetric with respect to the center.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2004Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Ichiro Onuki, Eriko Namazue, Akio Kashiwazaki, Osamu Kanome, Kohei Watanabe
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Patent number: 7088514Abstract: A particle size (or particle diameter) variable reactor comprises a granular substrate and a capturing unit fixed onto the surface of the granular substrate. The capturing unit comprises a rod-shaped body having a length of 810 nm or less, a configuration variable element which may be structurally transformed when stimulation is applied, and a capturing structured body which specifically captures an object to be captured. The particle size variable reactor is highly biodegradable and environmentally friendly, and can specifically act on and thus selectively capture its target alone. The reactor may preferably be used in various fields including medical and industrial fields.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2005Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takatoshi Kinoshita, Shintaro Washizu
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Patent number: 7088518Abstract: A multiband wavelength multiplexed optical device for bidirectional communication over one light path. The device may use dichroic filters or reflectors, or other mechanisms for wavelength or bandwidth separation or discrimination of sent or received light signals. It may have a multitude of light sources and detectors for sending and receiving light signals such as those for optical-based communications, controls and so forth. For instance, the optical device may be utilized in transceiver systems.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2002Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: Finisar CorporationInventors: Jimmy A. Tatum, James K. Guenter
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Patent number: 7086738Abstract: An optical projection system has a parallel light source for producing a parallel light beam. A first color splitter splits the parallel light beam into a first color beam and a color mixing beam. The color mixing beam includes a second color beam and a third color beam. A first both-side telecentric group is disposed on a first light path of the first color beam, so as to transform into a first light beam. A second both-side telecentric group is disposed on a second light path of the color mixing beam. A second color splitter is disposed on the second light path to split the color mixing beam into a second light beam and a third light beam. A light-combining unit receives the first, second, and third light beams and combines into a mixed beam. Then the mixed beam is projected.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2004Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: United Microelectronics Corp.Inventors: Ho Lu, Chung-Jung Chen, Shih-Po Yeh
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Patent number: 7085059Abstract: A light modulator and a method of manufacturing the same are provided having a substrate with reflectivity enhancing layers formed thereon. The layers include at least a top surface for receiving incident light, a first layer overlying the substrate, and a second layer between the top surface and the first layer, the second layer overlying and abutting the first layer. The second layer has a predetermined thickness selected in relation to an index of refraction of the second layer and to a wavelength of the incident light such that the light reflecting off an interface between the first and second layers constructively interferes with light reflected from the top surface. Preferably, the first layer also has a predetermined thickness selected such that the light reflecting off an interface between the first layer and the substrate constructively interferes with light reflected from the top surface.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2005Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: Silicon Light Machines CorporationInventors: Alexander P. Payne, James A. Hunter, David T. Amm
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Patent number: 7083847Abstract: Birefringent optical films have a Brewster angle (the angle at which reflectance of p-polarized light goes to zero) which is very large or is nonexistent. This allows for the construction of multilayer mirrors and polarizers whose reflectivity for p-polarized light decreases slowly with angle of incidence, are independent of angle of incidence, or increase with angle of incidence away from the normal. As a result, multilayer films having high reflectivity (for both planes of polarization for any incident direction in the case of mirrors, and for the selected direction in the case of polarizers) over a wide bandwidth, can be achieved.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2003Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: James M. Jonza, Michael F. Weber, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Carl A. Stover
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Patent number: 7078090Abstract: A decorative foil is in the form of a layer composite structure (1) and comprises at least a transparent base foil (2), a transparent cover layer (4) and a transparent dielectric layer (3) arranged between the base foil (2) and the cover layer (4). When the decorative foil serves as a lamination foil for a substrate (5) the material of the cover layer (4) is an adhesive. A reflective metallic layer (6) is arranged at least in surface portions between the dielectric layer (3) and the cover layer (4) and optionally a metal film (11) is also arranged on the side of the dielectric layer (3) facing the base foil (2). General items of information shown by the decorative foil are produced by means of modulation of the thickness (s) of the dielectric layer (3). Transparent locations (7) form individual items of information, wherein the transparent locations (7) are produced with a laser beam (19) by perforating the metal layer (6; 11).Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2001Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: OVD Kinegram AGInventors: Wayne Robert Tompkin, René Staub
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Patent number: 7068430Abstract: Highly discriminating optical edge filters and methods of making the same are disclosed. The optical edge filters have an edge steepness greater than about 0.8% as measured by dividing (a) the edge width from the 50% transmission wavelength to the optical density 6 (“OD6”) wavelength by (b) the 50% transmission wavelength. The optical filters also have an average transmission above about 95%. The methods for making such filters accurately determine when deposition of each layer of the filter should terminate. The methods include calculating theoretical transmission data for a layer of the filter and calculating an expected deposition duration for the layer. The methods also include measuring transmission through the layer during deposition for a period less than the expected deposition duration.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2004Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Semrock, Inc.Inventors: Glenn Clarke, Turan Erdogan, Joseph T. Foss, Ligang Wang
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Patent number: 7061946Abstract: Apparatus and methods for compensation of asymmetric mode pulling in external cavity lasers and the like. An apparatus includes a wavelength locker or etalon device to provide an asymmetric power transfer function and generate a transmission peak or peaks of asymmetric shape. The asymmetry of the transmission peak may be in the form of a steeper slope on the long wavelength side of the peak than on the short wavelength side. The asymmetry of the transmission peak or peaks may be structured to compensate or correct for asymmetric mode pulling effects that arise in laser gain media during single mode laser operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2002Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Sergei L. Sochava, William B. Chapman
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Patent number: 7048387Abstract: An image projection system includes a light source for generating a light beam, a reflective housing, and an invisible-light reflector. The reflective housing includes an opening and forms an accommodating space for accommodating the light source so that the light beam can emit from the opening along an optical path. The invisible-light reflector, whose normal is arranged to form an acute angle with the optical path, is installed at a reflecting position intersecting with the optical path outside the opening of the reflective housing. The invisible light of the light beam will be reflected back to the accommodating space by the invisible-light reflector without any destruction caused by the invisible light.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2003Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: BenQ CorporationInventors: Hung-Jen Wei, Chih-Chang Chou, Ming-Kuen Lin
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Patent number: 7050215Abstract: A correlation filter is provided having passbands at wavelengths corresponding to the absorption spectrum of an atmospheric gas of interest. In particular, the correlation filter features narrow, non-linearly spaced passbands having center wavelengths that are correlated to the non-linearly spaced absorption lines of an atmospheric gas. A correlation filter in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a compensation stack having a number of thin film layers, at least some of which have an optical thickness that is not equal to an integer multiple of one-quarter of a wavelength of an absorption line of the gas of interest. The correlation filter may be provided in association with an etalon, or may comprise a number of optical cavities.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2003Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp.Inventors: Brian R. Johnson, Thomas Ulrich Kampe
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Patent number: 7048380Abstract: A projection apparatus including a polarization conversion system to convert light having a first polarization component; a color recycling system, which separates the light into first and second color lights, to transmit and reflect the first and second color lights; an image forming system including a first reflective panel and a second reflective panel, which respectively modulate the first and second color lights, and a third reflective panel, which modulates the third color light; and an optical path conversion system, which splits the optical paths of fourth and fifth color lights incident from the color recycling system such that the first color light in the fourth color light is directed to the first reflective panel, the second color light in the fifth color light is directed to the second reflective panel, and the third color light in the fourth and fifth color light is directed to the third reflective panel.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2003Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kirill Sokolov
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Patent number: 7042616Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electrochromic rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes an electrochromic mirror having a variable reflectivity, a glare sensor for sensing levels of light directed towards the front element from the rear of the vehicle, an ambient sensor for sensing levels of ambient light, a display positioned behind the partially transmissive, partially reflective portion of the reflector for displaying information therethrough; and a control circuit coupled to the sensors and the display. The control circuit determines whether daytime or nighttime conditions are present as a function of the ambient light level sensed by the ambient sensor. During daytime conditions, the control circuit responds to light levels sensed by the glare sensor to control a contrast ratio of light originating from the display and light reflecting from the partially transmissive, partially reflective area of the reflector.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2004Date of Patent: May 9, 2006Assignee: Gentex CorporationInventors: William L. Tonar, Jeffrey A. Forgette, John S. Anderson, David J. Cammenga, Robert R. Turnbull, Philip B. Hall, Mark D. Bugno, Alan R. Watson
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Patent number: 7035006Abstract: A screen for image display apparatus according to the present invention has a base member, a light absorption layer formed on the base member and adapted for absorbing light of a visible light range, and a light control layer formed on the light absorption layer. The light control layer reflects projected image display light to form an image and has a reflection wavelength selection function of selectively reflecting light of the wavelength range of the image display light. By using the screen for image display apparatus according to the present invention, a user can easily enjoy large-screen image display even in a bright environment.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2003Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Shinjiro Umeya, Yoshinori Tanaka
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Patent number: 7031058Abstract: An image display screen which is composed of a multi-layer film consisting of at least 11 layers and formed by alternately laminating first thermoplastic resin layers having a thickness of 0.05 to 0.03 ?m with second thermoplastic resin layers having a thickness of 0.05 to 0.3 ?m and a parallel ray transmittance of 50% or more, and which has at least a reflection peak with a maximum reflectance 5 to 80% higher than the base line of reflectance and a half-value width of 20 to 200 nm in its reflectance curve for visible light having a wavelength of 380 to 780 nm, and an image display device comprising the same as a screen. This screen has improved transparency while maintaining the definition of an image.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2002Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: Teijin LimitedInventors: Taro Oya, Tadashi Shingu
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Patent number: 7023592Abstract: A band-pass filter has a reflecting optical element having a fixed reflection angle selection region for wavelengths of a given region, and has an optical path such that reflection is performed at least once and transmission is performed at least once at the reflecting optical element.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2002Date of Patent: April 4, 2006Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tetsuya Noda, Yasushi Tanijiri, Takeshi Endo, Hiroaki Ueda
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Patent number: 7019906Abstract: A DWDM thin film filter includes a substrate (11) and a film stack (12). The film stack comprises a plurality of cavities (13). Each cavity includes a first group of mirror layers (21), a second group of mirror layers (22), and a spacer layer (23). Each group of mirror layers includes a plurality of high refractive index thin films (31) and low refractive index thin films (32) alternately deposited one on another. The material of the high refractive index films is a composition of indium-tin oxide. In the preferred embodiment, a thin film filter having 160 layers of film can be produced. Such a thin film filter attains the same or better optical characteristics as a conventional DWDM thin film filter having 180 layers of film.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2002Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.Inventors: Charles Leu, Ga-Lane Chen
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Patent number: 7019905Abstract: A multilayer interference reflecting film has individual optical layers arranged to form optical repeat units throughout the film. Each of a plurality of optical repeat units has six individual layers, at least three of which have different refractive indices at a design wavelength ?0. Individual layers having nominally the same refractive index and physical thickness, arbitrarily labeled “A”, “B”, “C”, and “D”, are arranged in a six-layer optical repeat unit in a cyclic permutation of CACDBD, where the A and B layers are each thicker than the C and D layers. The thicknesses and refractive indices of the individual layers can be selected to suppress the second, third, and fourth order reflections, while reflecting light at the design wavelength.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2003Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Michael F. Weber
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Patent number: 7015457Abstract: A spectrally tunable optical detector and methods of manufacture therefore are provided. In one illustrative embodiment, the tunable optical detector includes a tunable bandpass filter, a detector and readout electronics, each supported by a different substrate. The substrates are secured relative to one another to form the spectrally tunable optical detector.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2002Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Barrett E. Cole, Robert E. Higashi, Arunkumar Subramanian, Subash Krishnankutty
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Patent number: 7016115Abstract: A system for and method of generating electromagnetic radiation in which the radiation has both a first and second utility. The electromagnetic radiation is modulated to produce electronically detectable variations to achieve the second utility, the variations not affecting the first utility. In one embodiment, the electromagnetic radiation is visible light. In this embodiment, the first utility is illumination and the second utility is the transmission of data. In another embodiment, the invention provides a lamp for generating visible light capable of providing illumination and transmitting data to a receiver. Any variations in the visible light resulting from the data transmission are imperceptible by a human eye regardless of the nature of the data being transmitted. In yet another embodiment, a power line carrier modem or wireless network may be used with the present invention to transmit information to the source.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2004Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: Talking Lights, LLCInventors: Steven B. Leeb, Gary Livshin, Al-Thaddeus Avestruz, Roderick T. Hinman, Elmer C. Lupton, Deron K. Jackson, George B. Hovorka
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Patent number: 7012752Abstract: An active type tunable wavelength optical filter having a Fabry-Perot structure is disclosed. A tunable wavelength optical filter which comprises a lower mirror in which silicon films and oxide films are sequentially laminated in a multi-layer and the silicon film is laminated on the highest portion; an upper mirror in which silicon films and oxide films are sequentially laminated in a multi-layer and the silicon film is laminated on the highest portion and which is spaced away from the lower mirror by a predetermined distance; a connecting means for connecting and supporting the lower mirror and the upper mirror to a semiconductor substrate; and electrode pads for controlling the gap between the lower mirror and the upper mirror by an electrostatic force and the method of manufacturing the same are provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2005Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research InstitueInventors: Chang Auck Choi, Myung Lae Lee, Chang Kyu Kim, Chi Hoon Jun, Youn Tae Kim
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Patent number: 7012751Abstract: The invention relates to a semitransparent mirror and a method for producing and for operating the semitransparent mirror. The semitransparent mirror has a transparent substrate, a first protective layer that is arranged on the substrate, and a layer with a phase change medium, which is arranged on the first protective layer. The layer is covered by a second protective layer that protects the phase change medium.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2004Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Infineon Technologies AGInventor: Horst Theuss
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Patent number: 7005186Abstract: A new damage resistant and tolerant optical element is disclosed. Prior art solid or liquid host matrices are replaced by a soft crosslinked polymer or similar host material. The viscoelastic properties of the matrix host material are controlled during formation so that there are regions of different softness, of stiffness, within the matrix, to form a stiffness gradient. Preferably, the matrix will be softest at a preselected focal plane where maximum electromagnetic radiation or energy output may be expected. The host matrix is doped with an appropriate dopant having a concentration distribution, preferably such that the concentration of dopant is highest in the region where the host matrix material is most soft. Two important disclosed example embodiments are an optical limiter and a solid state dye laser.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2003Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air ForceInventors: Daniel G. McLean, Michael E. DeRosa, Donna M. Brandelik, Angela L. Campbell, Mark C. Brant
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Patent number: 7006292Abstract: The invention provides a multi-cavity filter, and in particular, a multi-cavity bandpass filter having a predetermined centre wavelength. The filter includes a plurality of cavities, each cavity including two partially reflecting films separated by a layer of dielectric material. The two partially reflecting layers are formed from layers of material having alternating high and low refractive indices. Each layer of dielectric material has a thickness that is an integral number of half-waves of the centre wavelength. The filter has an asymmetric structure that causes the reflected chromatic dispersion from one side of the filter to be reduced relative to the reflected chromatic dispersion from the other side.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2004Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: JDS Uniphase CorporationInventors: Karen Denise Hendrix, Charles Andrew Hulse, Frederik Kevin Zernik
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Patent number: 6992826Abstract: Devices based on surface plasmon filters having at least one metal-dielectric interface to support surface plasmon waves. A multi-layer-coupled surface plasmon notch filter is provided to have more than two symmetric metal-dielectric interfaces coupled with one another to produce a transmission spectral window with desired spectral profile and bandwidth. Such notch filters can form various color filtering devices for color flat panel displays.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2001Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventor: Yu Wang
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Patent number: 6985652Abstract: An optical switching device including a substrate and at least an organic film as a light control part formed on the substrate. Optical switching is performed by applying signal light and control light to the organic film, the wavelengths of the signal light and the control light being set in a region in the vicinity of resonance on the longer wavelength side in the absorption spectrum of the organic film; and by changing a real part or real and imaginary parts of the refractive index of the light control part by using the control light, to thereby cause a phase difference in the signal light.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2004Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.Inventors: Satoshi Tatsuura, Minquan Tian, Makoto Furuki, Izumi Iwasa, Yasuhiro Sato, Hiroyuki Mitsu, Takashi Matsubara
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Patent number: 6975453Abstract: The present invention comprises a multilayer inorganic anti-reflective coating with predetermined optical properties, for application on a flexible substrate. The coating comprises a stack consisting of five material layers, whereby the third layer is a dummy layer consisting of an electrically conductive material, preferably indium-tinoxyde, which provides the coating with an adjustable electrical sheet resistance of between 25 and 2000 ?/sq without thereby influencing its optical properties. The anti-reflective coating can be applied onto a flexible substrate (e.g. a polymer film) by means of a single 12 or double pass vacuum magnetron sputtering operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1998Date of Patent: December 13, 2005Assignee: Innovative Sputtering TechnologyInventors: Paul Lippens, Peter Persoone
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Patent number: 6972136Abstract: A method is provided for coating optical lenses and other optical articles with anti-reflection (AR) coatings. The lenses have low reflectivity, provide a substantially white light reflection and have a low stress AR coating and are ideally suited for optical lenses made using a molding procedure which provides a low stress lens substrate. In one aspect the method uses special coating compositions with one being a high index of refraction composition and the other being a low index of refraction composition. In another aspect a method is also disclosed using an optical monitor in conjunction with a conventional vapor deposition apparatus whereby an optical reference lens is used and a particular light frequency of reflected light is measured and this measurement is then used to determine when the desired optical coating is achieved. In a still further aspect the method also preferably calculates the optical thickness of each layer using a specific ratio of blue to green to red colors in the reflected light.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Optima, Inc.Inventors: Glen A. Koenig, Nicholas G. Niejelow
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Patent number: 6965477Abstract: An optical shutter including a multi-layer fixed filter and a multi-layer movable filter arranged with a gap therebetween controls the transmittance of light passing through the multi-layer filters. The optical shutter includes minute driving elements provided on the movable filter. Operating the minute driving elements varies a distance of the gap defined between the fixed filter and the movable filter. Operation of the movable filter is restricted by a stopper that comes into contact with the movable filter when the gap has the maximum distance and by a bump formed on the fixed filter. The minute driving elements are joined to the movable filter with elastic bonding layers therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2004Date of Patent: November 15, 2005Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshihiro Someno, Seiichi Ohgoshi
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Patent number: 6956702Abstract: A projector projects pixels to form an image in accordance with image data. The projector includes a modulator which modulates light from a light source and outputs projected pixels in a plurality of color spectral bands. The projector has a light source with a non-uniform spectral power distribution with spectral energy within each of the plurality of color spectral bands. A first notch filter removes spectral energy from a first spectral range within a first color spectral band to improve gamut.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2003Date of Patent: October 18, 2005Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventor: Michael A Pate
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Patent number: 6956551Abstract: Device comprising: matrices of reflecting elements which can be electrically driven, and means for deconstructing a beam of polychromatic light and means for reconstructing complementary reflected beams, comprising two dichroic filters with a gradient where, for at least one of these filters, the direction of the gradient HOG, H?OG? makes an angle of inclination of non-zero gradient ?, ?? with a plane (DOE, D?OE?) orthogonal to the reflecting surfaces of the matrices. By virtue of the inclination of the gradient, the chromatic performance of the device is substantially improved.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2002Date of Patent: October 18, 2005Assignee: Thomson LicensingInventors: Jean-Jacques Sacre, Nicolas Pitaval
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Patent number: 6954294Abstract: The invention provides a tunable filter that can minimize adjacent channel cross talk despite an increase of a number of available wavelengths and quickly switch a wavelength to be used, and manufacturing method thereof, and also an optical switching device comprising such tunable filter. In a tunable filter having a Fabry-Perot etalon structure, not less than two cavity gaps 114 to 116 are provided and separation between the cavity gaps is controlled by any of electrostatic drive, electromagnetic drive or piezoelectric drive. In this case, the cavity gaps can be formed through the steps of forming a sacrificial layer in advance where a cavity gap is to be formed; forming a plurality of optical multilayer films 100 to 103; and removing the sacrificial layer by etching. Substrates 107 and 109 are combined through a supporting column 108.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2004Date of Patent: October 11, 2005Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Akinobu Sato
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Patent number: 6954309Abstract: An optical component for effecting frequency selective reflection in the gigahertz and terahertz frequency ranges and for effecting wave permeability includes at least one first layer (1, 3, 5) made of a first material (m1). The first material is optically permeable to electromagnetic radiation of a reference frequency (f) between 5 gigahertz (GHz) and 10 terahertz (THz) and has a first refractive index (n1) and an optical thickness of approximately one-fourth the wavelength (?) of the electromagnetic radiation of the reference frequency (f) in the first material (m1).Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2001Date of Patent: October 11, 2005Assignee: Technische Universität Braunschweig Carolo-WilhelminaInventors: Pascal Knobloch, Dimitry Turchinovich, Thomas Dobbertin, Martin Koch
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Patent number: 6951681Abstract: A method for optically coupling a thermoplastic material to an outer surface layer of an organic, dielectric, optical film and the resulting optical filter. Initially, a dielectric film is selected that includes (i) repeating optical layers of at least two polymers having different refractive indexes from each other, (ii) an exterior film surface, (iii) a refractive boundary along the exterior film surface, and (iv) a delamination threshold based on total thermal energy delivered to the film. A thermoplastic material which is miscible with the exterior film surface is fused to the refractive boundary with thermal energy below the delamination threshold to form a polydisperse region having a higher optical transmission than the refractive boundary. Add-on filters in the form of hardcoat layers, anti-reflection layers, holograms, metal dielectric stacks and combinations of these may be combined with the thermoplastic-film construct.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2003Date of Patent: October 4, 2005Assignee: GENTEX CorporationInventors: Scott M. Hartley, Robert A. Sallavanti
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Patent number: 6950236Abstract: An antireflection film having a low reflectance and giving non-tinged reflected light with a low cost, which comprises: a transparent substrate; and a low-refractive layer having a lower refractive index than said transparent substrate, wherein the antireflection film has an average specular reflectance of 0.5% or less at an incidence angle of 5° in a wavelength region of from 450 to 650 nm, and, when CIE standard illuminant D65 in a wavelength region of from 380 to 780 nm is incident on the antireflection film at an incidence angle of 5°, the regular reflection light has a color having a* and b* values in a ranges specified by ?7?a*?7 and ?10*?b*?10 in the CIE 1976 L*a*b* color space.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2002Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hirohisa Hokazono, Kazuhiro Nakamura
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Patent number: 6947218Abstract: The invention relates generally to optical interference filters and interferometers. Methods, devices and device components for optical signal generation and processing using optical interference filters and interferometers are presented. The invention provides optical interference filters and interferometers having a selected cumulative reflectance phase dispersion capable of providing substantially independent selectable resonance frequency and free spectral range. An exemplary interference filter of the present invention provides a multi-peak transmission spectrum with substantially independent, selectable control over absolute transmission band frequencies and relative transmission band spacing. The methods and devices provided herein are particularly well suited for frequency matching optical signals to a selected frequency standard, such as the International Telecommunication Union frequency standard.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2002Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: Research Electro-Optics, Inc.Inventor: Nelson C. Turner, III
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Patent number: 6934086Abstract: An optical component in the form of a right angled triangular prism having a first side, a second side orthogonal to the first side, and a third side generally inclined to the first and second sides to reflect optical radiation incoming from the first side towards the second side. The first and second sides have semi-reflecting surfaces acting as etalon surfaces providing an interferometric pattern. The optical transmittance between the first and the second sides is wavelength dependent and the radiation exiting the second side of the component is rotated 90 degrees to the radiation entering the first side.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2004Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Simon Meadowcroft
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Patent number: 6934085Abstract: A first surface mirror includes a reflective layer and one or more dielectric layers. A chromium (Cr) inclusive layer is provided under the reflective layer in order to improve durability and/or optical characteristics of the first surface mirror. In certain example embodiments, a silicon nitride inclusive layer may be located under the Cr inclusive layer to provide for still further improvements.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2003Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.Inventors: Anna Stachowiak, Grzegorz Stachowiak
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Patent number: 6927387Abstract: The invention relates to an optoelectronic device including filter means (3) for transmitting a selected spectral portion of light waves and for reflecting a complementary spectral portion thereof, placed between means (4) for reflecting the chosen spectral portion towards the filter means and converter means (1) for transmitting the light waves to be filtered to the filter means. The converter means are at a first distance (d1) from the filter means chosen so that the waves that they transmit to them and the reflected complementary spectral portion create a first standing wave whose associated electric field has a node in the converter means (1) and at a second distance (d2) from the chosen reflector means so that the chosen spectral portion and the chosen and reflected spectral portion create a second standing wave whose associated electric field has an antinode in the converter means.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2002Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignees: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Ecole Centrale de LyonInventors: Pierre Viktorovitch, Michel Garrigues, Jean-Louis Leclercq
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Patent number: 6909550Abstract: An optical apparatus for producing chromatic dispersion. The apparatus includes a virtually imaged phased array (VIPA) generator, a mirror and a lens. The VIPA generator receives an input light at a respective wavelength and produces a corresponding collimated output light traveling from the VIPA generator in a direction determined by the wavelength of the input light, the output light thereby being spatially distiguishable from an output light produced for an input light at a different wavelength. The mirror has a cone shape, or a modified cone shape. The lens focuses the output light traveling from the VIPA generator onto the mirror so that the mirror reflects the output light. The reflected light is directed by the lens back to the VIPA generator. In this manner, the apparatus provides chromatic dispersion to the input light.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2004Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Masataka Shirasaki, Simon Cao
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Patent number: 6909549Abstract: A tunable filter includes a polarizing beam splitter and a half-wave plate that produce two equally polarized beams from an arbitrarily polarized input light. The polarized beams are directed toward a tunable component that consists of an optical substrate coated with a filter and a reflective element on its back and front surface, respectively. The pass and stop beams emerging from the tunable component are retro-reflected by roof structures and passed again through the filter. As a result of this combination of components, the filter's performance is not dependent on polarization and the filter's output channels are not shifted or deviated by tuning.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2003Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Inventors: Yung-Chieh Hsieh, Chiayu Ai, Hong Li, Dar-Yuan Song
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Patent number: 6909548Abstract: This invention relates to a new optical geometry for using a linear variable filter as an optical spectral filter. An elliptical beam geometry with the minor beam axis oriented along the linearly varying axis of the filter is used. The beam is incident at a slight angle relative to the long axis of the beam. Ultimately this geometry produces a filter which has minimum spectral broadening from both angular and beam extent effects. Furthermore, this geometry results in low back reflectance and higher input beam power damage thresholds. The optical filter includes means for tuning a wavelength response of the filter. Further, the optical filter can afford Add/Drop functionality by providing optical circulators at the input and output ports.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2002Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: JDS Uniphase Inc.Inventor: Philip Patrick Duggan
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Patent number: 6899954Abstract: A cadmium-free optical steep edge filter comprising I-III-VI compound semiconductor systems of stoichiometric or non-stoichiometric composition, where the I-III-VI compound semiconductors are systems with one or more of the following elements: for the univalent (I) elements: Cu, Ag for the tervalent (III) elements: Al, In, Ga for the hexavalent (VI) elements: S, Se, Te.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2002Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: Schott AGInventors: Uwe Kolberg, Helge Vogt, Simone Ritter, Burkhard Speit, Hans-Werner Schock, Christine Köble, Raymund Schäffler
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Patent number: 6894838Abstract: A dielectric mirror including a substrate and a reflector portion disposed directly on the substrate. The reflector portion includes alternating layers, e.g. in excess of 150 alternating layers, of high and low index of refraction material. In one embodiment, the layers are configured for reflecting each wavelength in a bandwidth of 400 nm at greater than 97.5% reflectivity. In another embodiment, the layers are configured for reflecting an s-polarization and p-polarization of each wavelength in the range from 350 nm to 100 nm at greater than 98% reflectivity. High reflectivity is achieved for a wide range of angle of incidence.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2003Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Semrock, Inc.Inventors: Victor Mizrahi, Ligang Wang
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Patent number: 6888677Abstract: Optical bodies, comprising: a plurality of first optical layers comprising a first polymer composition that comprises (i) a polyester portion having terephthalate comonomer units and ethylene glycol comonomer units, and (ii) a second portion corresponding to a polymer having a glass transition temperature of at least about 130° C.; and a plurality of second optical layers disposed in a repeating sequence with the plurality of first optical layers. Also disclosed are optical bodies comprising: (a) a plurality of first optical layers, each first optical layer being oriented; and (b) a plurality of second optical layers, disposed in a repeating sequence with the plurality of first optical layers, comprising a blend of polymethylmethacrylate and polyvinylidene fluoride. Methods of making the above-described optical bodies, and articles employing such optical bodies are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2003Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Peter D. Condo, Timothy J. Hebrink, John A. Wheatley, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Andrew T. Ruff, Yaoqi J. Liu, Milton H. Andrus, Jr.
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Patent number: 6885504Abstract: A complementary comb filter pair, and method for making same, are described, wherein each comb filter element of the complementary pair can be fabricated during the same deposition run. The complementary comb filter is masked so as to retard the thin film growth of the coating, for example, a dielectric material, so as to produce a desired wavelength transmission profile.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2001Date of Patent: April 26, 2005Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Randolph L. Hall, William H. Southwell