Abstract: The present invention relates to an optical device for privacy or contrast enhancement of a viewing display. Also disclosed are a system including the optical device and methods of improving privacy or contrast of a viewing display, such as a plasma display panel, a liquid crystal display panel, an inorganic light emitting diode display panel, or an organic light emitting diode display panel.

Abstract: An input light pulse Pi, input at a constant incident angle to a transmission-type diffraction grating 20, is dispersed according to the wavelengths to be output at output angles according to the wavelengths, to be reflected by reflecting mirrors 41, 42, and 43 in series, and thereafter, the light rays are input at incident angles according to their wavelengths to the transmission-type diffraction grating 20, to be output at a constant output angle from the transmission-type diffraction grating 20.

Abstract: In a mirror including a substrate and a dielectric multilayer coating structure formed on the substrate, the multilayer coating structure includes two mirror-function layer portions, each formed by a plurality of layers deposited one on another, and a cavity layer that is arranged between the two mirror-function layer portions, and which causes light having a predetermined wavelength to resonate between the two mirror-function layer portions. Further, a dispersion value with respect to the light having the predetermined wavelength is in the range of ?600 fs2 to ?3000 fs2 and a reflectance with respect to the light having the predetermined wavelength is in the range of 97% to 99.5%.

Abstract: The optical fiber delivery system for delivering optical short pulses includes: a chirped pulse source (10) for emitting an up-chirped optical short pulse having high peak power; optical waveguide unit (20) for delivering the optical short pulse emitted from the chirped pulse source (10); negative group-velocity dispersion generation unit (30) for providing negative group-velocity dispersion to the optical short pulse exited from the optical waveguide unit (20); and an optical fiber (40) for delivering the optical short pulse exited from the negative group-velocity dispersion generation unit (30), along a desired distance, in which the optical short pulse emitted from the chirped pulse source (10) is adapted to be exited, from the optical fiber (40), as a down-chirped optical short pulse that is substantially free of waveform distortion resulting from higher-order dispersion.

Abstract: An optical element that has a fine textured structure formed on an exit surface thereof. The fine textured structure satisfies the following conditions: ?min/1.71nsub<p<?min/2 and 0.6?min<h<1.5?min, where ?min is the shortest wavelength used in the optical element, nsub is the refractive index of a substrate on which the fine textured structure is formed, p is the pitch of the fine textured structure, and h is the height of the fine textured structure. The textured structure includes a part where some rays incident parallel to the optical axis are totally reflected.

Abstract: In an embodiment of methods and systems for optical focusing For laser guided seekers using negative index metamaterial, the methods and systems comprise a light focusing system comprising: a lens comprising a negative index metamaterial to focus at least one selected wavelength while defocusing other wavelengths, and a sensor upon which the lens focuses the selected wavelength.

Abstract: A capsule includes a bottom portion for holding a liquid used for making bubbles, and a separate top portion. The top portion can be used to blow bubbles, where the bubble, after at least partially air drying, can be formulated to rest on a surface. The top portion also includes an aperture that houses a hologram lens. After a bubble is blown and at least partially immobilized on a surface, the top portion is placed in an optimal viewing position near the bubble. Viewing of the bubble through the lens of the top portion separates the light reflected off the bubble into a spectrum. The top portion and the bottom portion of the capsule can temporarily be attached to one another by forming a seal, by being temporarily affixed into one another. The top portion and bottom portion of the capsule can also be at least partially separated from each other.

Abstract: A laser source assembly (210) for generating an assembly output beam (212) includes a first laser source (218A), a second laser source (218B), and a dispersive beam combiner (222). The first laser source (218A) emits a first beam (220A) having a first center wavelength, and the second laser source (218B) emits a second beam (220B) having a second center wavelength that is different than the first center wavelength. The dispersive beam combiner (222) includes a common area 224 that combines the first beam (220A) and the second beam (220B) to provide the assembly output beam (212). The first beam (220A) impinges on the common area (224) at a first beam angle (226A), and the second beam (220B) impinges on the common area (224) at a second beam angle (226B) that is different than the first beam angle (226A). Further, the beams (220A) (220B) that exit from the dispersive beam combiner (222) are substantially coaxial, are fully overlapping, and are co-propagating.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device able to reduce the number of manufacturing steps and attain the rationalization of a manufacturing line is disclosed. The semiconductor device is a high-frequency module assembled by mounting chip parts (22) and semiconductor pellets (21) onto each of wiring substrates (2) formed on a matrix substrate (27) after inspection. A defect mark (2e) is affixed to a wiring substrate (2) as a block judged to be defective in the inspection of the matrix substrate (27), then in a series of subsequent assembling steps the defect mark (e) is recognized and the assembling work for the wiring substrate (2) with the defect mark (2e) thereon is omitted to attain the rationalization of a manufacturing line.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical filter comprising an optical source (2), emitting a light beam comprising a plurality of wavelengths, an optical receiver (3), and, optically aligned between the source (2) and receiver (3), at least one collimating and converging optical element (10), one dispersive optical element (20) capable of angularly separating the wavelengths, and a reflecting element (30) mobile about an axis (AA) capable, depending on its orientation about the axis (AA), of reflecting a specific wavelength toward the optical receiver (3). The optical elements (10, 20, 30) are arranged so that the light beam passes at least once through the dispersive element (20) before reaching the optical receiver (3). According to the invention the reflecting element (30) includes at least two faces (31, 32) defining a first and a second plane intersecting on a line parallel to the axis (AA) of rotation of the reflecting element (30).

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a scratch-resistant optical film, which comprises: (a) a transparent substrate having a first surface and a second surface; (b) a diffusion layer on the first surface of the substrate, which has a convex-concave structure and is comprised of a first hard coat layer comprising organic particles; (c) a scratch-resistant layer on the second surface of the substrate, which is comprised of a second hard coat layer; wherein the organic particles in the first hard coat layer are formed from a polyacrylate resin which comprises at least one multi-functional acrylate monomer as polymerization units, said multi-functional acrylate monomer being in an amount from 30 to 70 wt % based on the total weight of the monomer used, and wherein the organic particles have a single mean particle size and have a particle size distribution in the range within about ±5% of the mean particle size.

Abstract: Optical assembly includes a generally planar light output surface located on a first major plane, and a generally planar second surface located on a second major plane approximately parallel to the first major plane and superimposed thereon. Both the light output surface and the second surface have respective first and second patterns of well defined optical elements that are quite small in relation to the length and width of the optical assembly. The optical elements of the first pattern have an apex angle formed by a first sloped surface that is larger in an area closer to at least one light input edge of the optical assembly and smaller in another area further away from the light input edge.

Abstract: Temporal focusing of spatially chirped femtosecond laser pulses overcomes previous limitations for ablating high aspect ratio features with low numerical aperture (NA) beams. Simultaneous spatial and temporal focusing reduces nonlinear interactions, such as self-focusing, prior to the focal plane so that deep (˜1 mm) features with parallel sidewalls are ablated at high material removal rates.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an optical system including an optical spectrometer, a first negative power mirror configured and arranged to receive radiation from a far-field object, a second positive power mirror configured and arranged to receive radiation reflected by the first negative power mirror, and a third positive power mirror configured and arranged to receive radiation reflected by the second positive mirror and to direct the radiation towards an entrance slit of the optical spectrometer.

Abstract: Provided is an antistatic white polyester film for a surface illuminant reflector, which has practically adequate reflective performance in a visible light region, can form a film with stability even if inorganic fine particles are added in a high concentration, prevents dirt and dust from adhering to the surface of the film due to having an antistatic coat, can control the gloss levels of the front and back sides of the film, and thereby can control a diffusing property of light, and can be suitably used as a base material for a reflector used for a liquid crystal display or an internally illuminated electric ornament signboard. An antistatic white polyester film for a surface illuminant reflector, having a base material layer formed by using a polyester resin and an antistatic applied layer having the surface resistivity of 3×1012?/? or less at a temperature of 23° C.

Abstract: An optical element 20A which is composed of a light transmission characteristic medium, that has a refractive index higher than a refractive index of air, the optical element causes an incident laser beam to be propagated inside while reflecting the laser beam by a wall surface 20a a plurality of times, the optical element includes an incident window 21 which is located in a part of the wall surface 20a, that is for allowing the laser beam to be incident, an emitting window 22 which is located in a part of the wall surface 20a, that is for allowing the laser beam propagated inside to be emit, and wavelength dispersion compensating units 31 and 32 which are integrally located in parts of the medium, the wavelength dispersion compensating units compensate for wavelength dispersion by causing the laser beam to be transmitted or reflected at least twice.

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 textured window film has a prismatic effect that allows a substantial amount of incoming light to pass through a window while refracting the light at random or semi-random angles in a manner that distorts viewed images. The result is a window film that is brighter and more vibrant while also providing visual privacy. The textured window film can therefore better simulate real textured and colored glass.

Abstract: There is provided a light source unit which includes a luminescent light source which receives excitation light so as to emit light of a predetermined wavelength band, excitation light sources which shine excitation light on to the luminescent light source, a reflection space having the luminescent light source in an interior thereof and an emission space which emits luminescent light source light emitted from the reflection space from an emission port whose area is made smaller than the area of the luminescent light source and a projector which employs the light source unit.

Abstract: Various embodiments related to rear-projection image display are disclosed. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a projector for projecting an image and a screen configured to display the image. The screen comprises a filter layer having a light reception side and an image display side. The filter layer includes an array of trapezoidal transmissive elements and an array of trapezoidal absorption elements, where a wider base of each of the trapezoidal transmissive elements faces the light reception side of the filter layer, and where a wider base of each of the trapezoidal absorption elements faces the image display side of the filer layer.

Abstract: An optical element includes a plurality of first beam bodies arranged in a first direction on a first plane and being parallel to each other, and second beam bodies placed between adjacent ones of the first beam bodies and provided parallel to the first beam bodies. The first beam body has side surfaces which face the second beam bodies adjacent thereto and are sloped so that the width in the first direction gradually decreases to the upward direction perpendicular to the first plane, the second beam body has side surfaces which face the first beam bodies adjacent thereto and are sloped so that the width in the first direction gradually increases to the upward direction perpendicular to the first plane, and as viewed in the first direction, the spacing between the first beam body and the second beam body is variable.

Abstract: A housing for mounting a display device is provided. The display device includes a display screen capable of displaying an executable function and an input selector which corresponds to the displayed function such that upon actuation of the input selector the displayed function is executed. The housing includes a generally planar surface disposed spaced apart from the display screen. An aperture is formed in the generally planar surface so that the display screen is visible through the generally planar surface. A ledge bounding at least a portion of the aperture extends from the generally planar surface to the display screen. A guide formed on the ledge links the input selector to the displayed function. The ledge has a first reflectance and the guide has a second reflectance which is different than the first reflectance so as to provide a contrast between the ledge and the guide due to the different amounts of light emitted from the display screen reflecting off the ledge and the guide.

Abstract: Dual-function laser systems and methods are disclosed. In one implementation, an apparatus includes a laser source configured to emit a beam; an optical element spaced apart from the laser source; and a diffractive element positioned to diffract the beam to provide a diffracted beam to the optical element such that the optical element refracts the diffracted beam to form an approximately collimated central portion and a diverging outer portion.

Abstract: An optical emission spectroscopic system contains multiple distinct light paths that provide increased light to a spectrometer, thereby increasing sensitivity and signal-to-noise of the system.

Abstract: A highly adaptable system for creating colorful spectral displays or for achieving a prismatic effect using visible light is provided. The invention includes a fixed-angle or monolithic prismatic element fabricated from plate glass mirror material. A compound version of this monolithic element wherein multiple single elements have been affixed to one another for the purpose of creating a more complex spectral display is also provided. The invention also includes a prism-like device that utilizes a standard mirror, mirrors, or other materials with highly reflective surfaces and water or a similar fluid that disperses light in a predictable manner at or on a specific target. Both the fixed prismatic elements and the adjustable light dispersing elements may be arranged into one or more arrays that may be used to create complex spectral displays on a variety of surfaces while utilizing one or more available light sources or a moving light source such as the sun.

Abstract: An article for use in light spreading includes a body having first and second surfaces, and first and second in-plane axes that are orthogonal with respect to each other and a third axis that is mutually orthogonal to the first and second in-plane axes in a thickness direction of the body. A portion of the first surface is a birefringent structured surface. The portion is structured such that, when the article receives a light signal within a particular range of wavelengths, the structured surface causes splitting the light signal into a plurality of divergent light signals. The article can be used for color mixing such as in a cavity providing a backlight for LCD devices or other display devices requiring a backlight.

Abstract: The carrier-envelope phase in a train of optical pulses is varied utilizing the dispersive properties of lossless plates while the total dispersion in transmission is maintained practically constant. The plates include sloped surfaces and are mounted for displacement such that the ratio of the thicknesses of the two plates through which the optical pulses will pass can be varied by displacing the plates so as to shift the carrier-envelope phase in the optical pulses. In one embodiment, the plates include a barium fluoride wedge and a fumed silica wedge, wherein the wedges are bond together to form a composite structure with thicker and thinner portions of the wedges inversely matched.

Abstract: The invention extends classical time-invariant optical design to include optical amplitude modulated light, using tools from communications theory. Effects of dispersion are derived from first principles.

Abstract: The carrier-envelope phase in a train of optical pulses is varied utilizing the dispersive properties of lossless plates while the total dispersion in transmission is maintained practically constant. The plates include sloped surfaces and are mounted for displacement such that the ratio of the thicknesses of the two plates through which the optical pulses will pass can be varied by displacing the plates so as to shift the carrier-envelope phase in the optical pulses. In one embodiment, the plates include a barium fluoride wedge and a fumed silica wedge, wherein the wedges are bond together to form a composite structure with thicker and thinner portions of the wedges inversely matched.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. A method of manufacturing an antiglare film comprising: forming a film by applying a coating liquid to a transparent substrate; and forming an antiglare layer by curing the film by irradiating the film with ionizing radiation, wherein the coating liquid includes a binder matrix forming material including an ionizing radiation-curable material, particle A and particle B, wherein difference in refractive index between either or both of particle A and particle B, and a cured binder matrix is equal to or more than 0.03, and wherein difference between average refractive index of particle A and particle B calculated based on respective weight of particle A and particle B and refractive index of a binder matrix is equal to or less than 0.03.

Abstract: The present invention provides a slit-scan multi-wavelength confocal lens module, which utilizes at least two lenses having chromatic aberration for splitting a broadband light into continuously linear spectral lights having different focal length respectively. The present invention utilizes the confocal lens module employing slit-scan confocal principle and chromatic dispersion techniques and the confocal microscopy with optical sectioning ability and high resolution in spectral dispersion to establish a confocal microscopy method and system with long DOF and high resolution, capable of modulating a broadband light to produce the axial chromatic dispersion and focus on different depths toward an object's surface for obtaining the reflected light spectrum from the surface.

Abstract: A programmable spectrum light source is disclosed. In one embodiment, the programmable light source comprises a light source, a spectrum separation system that splits the light into its constituent spectral components, a light modulator that modulates the spectral components according to a required spectral envelope and a light recombination system that recombines the shaped spectral components to produce light with a required spectrum.

Abstract: A mechanism for bandwidth selection includes a dispersive optical element having a body including a reflective face of dispersion including an area of incidence extending in a longitudinal axis direction along the reflective face of the dispersive optical element. The body also includes a first end block, disposed at a first longitudinal end of the body and a second end block, disposed at a second longitudinal end of the body, the second longitudinal end being opposite the first longitudinal end.

Abstract: Described herein are electromagnetic traps or tweezers. Desired results are achieved by combining two recently developed techniques, 3D negative refraction flat lenses (3DNRFLs) and optical tweezers. The very unique advantages of using 3DNRFLs for electromagnetic traps have been demonstrated. Super-resolution and short focal distance of the flat lens result in a highly focused and strongly convergent beam, which is a key requirement for a stable and accurate electromagnetic trap. The translation symmetry of 3DNRFL provides translation-invariance for imaging, which allows an electromagnetic trap to be translated without moving the lens, and permits a trap array by using multiple sources with a single lens.

Abstract: The light redirecting films have a thin optically transparent substrate having a light entrance surface and an opposite light exit surface, at least one of the surfaces including a pattern of individual optical elements of well defined shape having two differently curved surfaces. The individual optical elements are quite small in size relative to the length and width of the substrate, and redistribute light passing through the substrate in a predetermined angular distribution. The individual optical elements may be distributed on the surface of the substrate such that some intersect each other, or the placement may be randomized.

Abstract: A slow light system includes a substrate and a metal layer formed thereon, the metal layer having a graded grating structure formed at a surface thereof, wherein the grating depth of the grating structure is sized such that surface-plasmon polariton dispersion behavior of the grating structure differs at different respective locations along the grating structure. Different wavelengths of incident light waves can be slowed at the respective locations along the grating structure.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical film exhibiting wavelength dispersion such that a retardation value is smaller on the shorter wavelength side, and capable of being also formed comparatively thinly. The optical film of the present invention is an optical film including a polyimide-based polymer represented by the following general formula (I). In the formula (I), m is 40% by mol or more and 100% by mol or less. R1 and R2 each independently denote a substituent having a carbon-carbon double bond or a triple bond. A, A?, B, B?, E, G, and H each denote a substituent, and small letters corresponding to these alphabets denote substitution number thereof. X and Y each independently denote bond part such as a covalent bond. The substituents having a carbon-carbon double bond or a triple bond represented by R1 and R2 are a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, a substituted or unsubstituted vinyl group, and a substituted or unsubstituted ethynyl group.

Abstract: A device for sorting and concentrating electromagnetic energy impinging a surface of the device, the surface including at least one plasmonics-based surface structure or similar structure of periodic or quasi-periodic surface topography. The device is characterised in that the surface (V) is provided with at least two such surface structures (2), acting as individual concentrator structures, which are at least partially spatially overlapped or superposed.

Abstract: A lens system with a lens formed of a material having a negative index of refraction in an operational frequency range, a first surface of the material having a convex hyperbolic curvature, and a second surface of the material having a concave circular curvature. A lens system can include two of these lenses, arranged with the concave circular surfaces facing each other. Far field radiation arriving at the hyperbolic surface of the the first lens is refracted by the lens material toward the circular surface, out of the first lens in a direction parallel to the original radiation direction, and into the circular surface of the second lens, where it is refracted toward the hyperbolic surface of the second lens, and exits the second lens in a direction parallel to the original direction. The lens material can have a tunable or fixed negative refractive index and/or resonant frequency.

Abstract: Digital cameras for spectrally imaging an object or scene comprise an imaging component, a fixed one-dimensional disperser and an image sensor having sensor pixels, the disperser and image sensor arranged with matching optical parameters and in a predetermined spatial relationship. Each sensor pixel detects multiplexed spectral information from at least two adjacent object points and the spectral information detected by each sensor pixel is demultiplexed and processed into spectral-spatial data to provide spectral images.

Abstract: Disclosed are structured optical films and optical displays incorporating such films. The film has a structured surface including a plurality of substantially parallel and elongate light-directing elements. Each element has a respective peak and defining at a junction with an adjacent element a respective valley. Each of the peaks and valleys define substantially the same dihedral angle and extend substantially uninterrupted across the structured surface. A first sequence defined by successive lateral distances between adjacent peaks is a first non-periodic sequence. A second sequence defined by successive lateral distances between adjacent valleys is a second non-periodic sequence. The second sequence is configured based on the first sequence, such that the peaks are arranged in a substantially coplanar formation. Alternatively, the first sequence is configured based on the second sequence, such that the valleys are arranged in a substantially coplanar formation.

Abstract: Described is a method for designing individual stages of a multiple cascaded etalon TDC device to allow continuous thermo-optic tuning over a desired range without inducing incremental signal distortion due to uncontrolled and unpredictable dispersion of the TDC during tuning. This allows the signal to transmit without encountering periods of incremental distortion or dark spots. The method includes prior knowledge of each etalon stage, after full assembly, for spectral group delay profile as a function of temperature through modeling and/or characterization. Characterization can account for performance variations that are due to allowed manufacturing tolerances.

Abstract: A method for changing an amorphous silicon film to a polycrystalline silicon film includes the steps of irradiating an elongate pulse laser beam onto the silicon film while scanning in the direction normal to the major axis of the elongate pulse laser beam, to form a plurality of irradiated areas, irradiating flat-surface light onto the irradiated areas in the direction parallel to the major axis, and analyzing distribution of the reflected light from the irradiated areas to determine the threshold value of micro-crystallization. The threshold value is used to further determine an energy density of the elongate pulse laser beam for the phase change process.

Abstract: A protective film for polarizing plate comprising k layers (k is an integer of 2 or more) of thermoplastic resin layer laminated, wherein a refractive index ni(380) at a wavelength of 380 nm and a refractive index ni(780) at a wavelength of 780 nm in the i th thermoplastic resin layer as well as a refractive index ni+1(380) at a wavelength of 380 nm and a refractive index ni+1(780) at a wavelength of 780 nm in the i+1 th thermoplastic resin layer have a relationship in ?ni(380)?ni+1(380)|?|ni(780)?ni+1(780)??0.02 (where, i is an integer of 1 to k?1). A polarizing plate is obtained by bonding the protective film for the polarizing plate and a polarizer. And a liquid crystal display comprising the polarizing plate and a liquid crystal panel.

Abstract: Spectrally filtering at least one input beam includes dispersing spectral components of at least one input beam at different respective angles in a spectral plane; changing at least some of the angles of the propagation axes of the dispersed spectral components so that the maximum angular separation among the propagation axes of the spectral components changes; receiving a plurality of the dispersed spectral components incident on a reflective surface at a location at which the central rays of each of the spectral components are incident at different points on the reflective surface; and tilting the reflective surface to select at least one and fewer than all of the received spectral components to be directed to a selected output path.

Abstract: An optical apparatus may include spectroscope means for splitting light irradiated from a light source into multiple color rays, polarizer means for polarizing the multiple color rays split by the spectroscope means, and trimming filters each trimming a wavelength component of at least one of the multiple color rays polarized through the polarizer means and guiding the resulting ray to an optical modulator, wherein at least one of the trimming filters is sloped about an optical axis.

Abstract: A textured window film has a prismatic effect that allows a substantial amount of incoming light to pass through a window while refracting the light at random or semi-random angles in a manner that distorts viewed images. The result is a window film that is brighter and more vibrant while also providing visual privacy. The textured window film can therefore better simulate real textured and colored glass.

Abstract: A chromatic dispersion compensator whereby the amount of dispersion and the group delay time can be easily adjusted. A dispersion unit, a transmitting lens and a group delay generation unit are arranged along the optical axis of incident light. The dispersion unit separates the incident light into beams of respective different wavelengths. The transmitting lens is arranged across the optical paths of the beams of different wavelengths separated by the dispersion unit, and refracts the beams at different angles according to their respective incidence positions. The group delay generation unit is arranged across the optical paths of the beams of different wavelengths refracted by the transmitting lens, causes the beams to undergo propagation delay for periods corresponding to their respective incidence positions, and converges and emits the beams of different wavelengths. Consequently, the beams of different wavelengths are imparted group delay corresponding to the refracting angles of the transmitting lens.

Abstract: Spectral separation filters for channels of a 3D image projection incorporate passbands of primary colors. In at least one of the filters, passbands are present in more than 3 primary colors. A set of two filters include a first filter having passbands of low blue, high blue, low green, high green, and red, and a second filter having passbands of blue, green, and red. The additional primary passbands of the first filter allow for an increased color space in projections through the filters compared to filters only having red, green, and blue primaries. The added flexibility of the increased color space is utilized to more closely match a color space and white point of a projector in which the filters are used.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for attaching a close proximity filter to an FPA (focal plane array) and more particularly, to a method and apparatuse that allows improved spectral discrimination of an MWIR detector by applying a an improved multi-color filter to an FPA, while employing existing production equipment and techniques to reduce cost and improve production yield.