Abstract: A high intensity lighting apparatus (400) includes an outer housing (402); a curved support disk (414) having an array of diode or laser-based integrated light source (410) attached thereto disposed within the housing. Each of the light source (110) includes a tube (112) having a laser or diode chip (111) at one end of the tube. The tubes each have at least one concave shaped exit surface (113) on an end opposite the chip, wherein the concave exit surface converges light emitted from each of the light source to focal points within the housing (402). A shape of the curved support disk (414) converges the respective focal points into a light beam having a common focal plane (441). Adjustable secondary optics (431) are disposed in the housing after the focal plane (441) for creating various angles of transmission of the light beam. The laser can be a diode laser, while the diode can be a light-emitting diode (LED).

Abstract: A system for selectively blocking electromagnetic energy. The system includes a first mechanism for employing a perforated component to pass a beam characterized by a first property and reject a beam characterized by a second property. A second mechanism selectively alters a beam passed by the first mechanism so that upon reflection, the beam exhibits the second property. In a specific embodiment, the first property corresponds to a first polarization, and the second property corresponds to a second polarization. In the specific embodiment, the perforated component includes a beamsplitter having a first perforated metallic plate. The second mechanism includes a quarter-wave plate having a second perforated metallic plate.

Abstract: A prism unit includes a prism having at least one optical surface in its inside, and a prism base disposing the prism, the prism base including at least three seating surfaces that are attached to a surface orthogonal to the optical surface of the prism, a seating surface bonded part that is bonded to the prism by an adhesive. At least the three seating surfaces and the seating surface bonded part are symmetrically arranged on the optical surface of the prism.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for balanced-demodulation procedures that remove image clutter even in the presence of scene motion. A system that employs balanced demodulation moves a chopping reticle located in the intermediate focal plane where front end optics focus a high-resolution image. The chopping reticle has a checkerboard pattern of clear and opaque cells and moves in an uneven rate (e.g. ?x??y) along the x-axis and y-axis. The resulting image is projected on a focal plane array from which differences are calculated to generate the desired balanced demodulation value. This invention further provides a foveal enhancement of the baseline spatial-modulation staring sensor. In this enhancement the WFOV low-resolution conventional image is displayed to the operator, but with a selectable subarea of that image replaced by a conventionally generated high-resolution image at the same scale.

Abstract: In one aspect, the disclosure features an optical system configured to create from a beam of light an intensity distribution on a surface, whereby the optical system comprises at least a first optical element which splits the incident beam into a plurality of beams some of which at least partially overlap in a first direction on said surface and whereby the optical system further comprises at least a second optical element which displaces at least one of said beams in a second direction on said surface.

Abstract: An integrated optical filter apparatus, which can be used for a miniaturized waveguide and can reduce crosstalk between adjacent signals. The integrated optical filter apparatus includes a first optical filter reflecting a light beam of a first wavelength and transmitting a light beam of a second wavelength from an externally incident light beam, and a second optical filter facing the first optical filter and reflecting the light beam of the first wavelength reflected by the first optical filter to the first optical filter. The light beam of the first wavelength is reflected by the first optical filter at least twice to remove noise within the light beam of the first wavelength.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optical delay module for lengthening the propagation path of a light beam comprises a first spherical mirror and a second spherical mirror, the first spherical mirror and the second spherical mirror having equal radii of curvature, the first and the second mirror being arranged on a common axis of symmetry with concave sides of the first and second mirrors being situated opposite one another at a distance from one another which corresponds to the radii of curvature of the first and second mirrors. The module also includes a coupling-in area for coupling the light beam into a space between the first and second mirrors and a coupling-out area for coupling the light beam out of the space between the first and second mirrors.

Abstract: A laser processing apparatus is provided including: a laser generator generating a light beam; a branching means for branching out the light beam to a plurality of beams arranged at equal intervals; a shifting means for shifting the plurality of beams at a pitch equal to a multiple of natural number of the arranged intervals relatively over a target; and a control means for controlling the intensity of the beam synchronously with the shifting pitch of the plurality of beams.

Abstract: A coherence remover is provided. In an embodiment the coherence remover includes a first mirror and a second mirror coupled to the first mirror. The coherence remover is configured to receive an input beam. Each of the first and second mirrors is configured to reflect a respective portion of the input beam to produce respective one or more intermediate beams. The intermediate beams collectively form an output beam that has a reduced coherence compared to the input beam.

Abstract: A projector incorporating a prism and a plurality of light valves for modulating light that passes though the prism, wherein the color splitting-converging prism includes a dichroic coating having multiple layers of high and low index of refraction and ¼ wavelength thickness at each desired angle of incidence for reducing dichroic shift and thereby minimizing light loss.

Abstract: An optical system for a laser level is described. The laser level includes at least two optical systems which are parallel to and oppositely adjoin to each other in a same plane. Each optical system includes a laser light source, a regular lens, a diffusion lens, a beam-splitting element, and an outer casing as well as the regular lens and the diffusion lens are located between the laser light source and the beam-splitting element. For the optical system of the laser level, the laser beam is sequentially regularized, diffused and split into a fan-shaped light beam with an angle greater than 180 degrees to ensure that the light beams from the optical systems are spread in the same plane. Thus, the laser level generates a disk-shaped light beam with 360 degrees to indicate a circular mark in the same plane.

Abstract: A telescope includes an objective lens to receive an optical signal from an object and an electronic signal generator that generates an electronic signal representing for example distance and direction of the object. Both signals travel through a magnification system to from images on a viewer side image plane. The image representing the electronic signal is further transmitted, before reaching the image plane, through a reflector prism, by which the image of the electronic signal is maintained invariable with respect to the variation of magnification factor of the telescope.

Abstract: When the second harmonic of a YAG laser is irradiated onto semiconductor films, concentric-circle patterns are observed on some of the semiconductor films. This phenomenon is due to the non-uniformity of the properties of the semiconductor films. If such semiconductor films are used to fabricate TFTs, the electrical characteristics of the TFTs will be adversely influenced. A concentric-circle pattern is formed by the interference between a reflected beam 1 reflected at a surface of a semiconductor film and a reflected beam 2 reflected at the back surface of a substrate. If the reflected beam 1 and the reflected beam 2 do not overlap each other, such interference does not occur. For this reason, a laser beam is obliquely irradiated onto the semiconductor film to solve the interference. The properties of a crystalline silicon film formed by this method are uniform, and TFTs which are fabricated by using such crystalline silicon film have good electrical characteristics.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for using a tunable optical source in safety curtain applications provide for enhanced operation of the safety curtain. In an embodiment, a safety curtain includes a transmit unit and a receive unit to operate as the safety curtain, where a single tunable light source generates different wavelengths of light and a single detector is used to detect the generated light.

Abstract: A microscope lens barrel includes an input port where observation light enters the microscope lens barrel; a plurality of output ports which the observation light goes out of the microscope lens barrel; an optical-path switching mechanism which selectively switches an optical path of the observation light to guide the observation light from the input port to at least one of the output ports; and a supporting part which supports the optical-path switching mechanism. The input port, the output ports, and the supporting part are integrally formed as a tubular body frame so that the input port, the output ports, and the supporting part are arranged at respective center positions of sidewalls of the tubular body frame.

Abstract: A phased-array light telescope includes at least two non-obscured light subtelescopes. Each of the light subtelescopes is aimed along a common boresight. The phased-array light telescope further includes a non-obscured combining imager that receives and combines the output beams of the light subtelescopes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an illumination system for combining two light beams. A prism bounded by two entrance faces that form a dihedron. An integrator is coupled to an exit face (20.3) of the prism. Each beam penetrates the prism via one of the entrance faces and is reflected by internal reflection on the other entrance face toward the exit face. These beams are substantially focused onto the entrance face of the integrator in such a way that the latter delivers an almost uniform exit beam. Applications: Projection and backprojection apparatus.

Abstract: An optical system for viewing an object has a plurality of lenses and a main optical axis coincident with the centers of the lenses. The optical system further comprises a low magnification optical subsystem that is operative to view the object at a first magnification and a high magnification optical subsystem that is operative to view the object at a second magnification that is higher than the first magnification. The high magnification optical subsystem has a high magnification optical axis along which light rays that are received from the main optical axis are transmitted. A movable element is locatable on the high magnification optical axis and is movable in directions transverse to the axis for receiving and transmitting light rays.

Abstract: There are provided: a display surface (20) (mixed picture display part) for assigning a plurality of pieces of video information, respectively, to a plurality of a first divided area (S-I), a second divided area (S-II) and a third divided area (S-III), so as to display the plurality of the pieces of the video information on the display surface (20); a first picture separating mechanism disposed on the display surface (20) corresponding to the first divided area (S-I) of the plurality of the divided areas (S-I, S-II, S-III), and defining a predetermined polarizing direction; a second picture separating mechanism disposed on the display surface (20) corresponding to the second divided area (S-II) and the third divided area (S-III) of the plurality of the divided areas (S-I, S-II, S-III), and defining a predetermined polarizing direction different from the polarizing direction of the first picture separating mechanism; mirrors (optical means) (31, 32) disposed rightward and leftward relative to the display surfa

Abstract: A light-pipe array system is provided. The system comprises a light projector that projects light, and a light-pipe array. The light-pipe array comprises a plurality of light-pipes. Each light-pipe comprises a dielectric transparent to the light, and an electrically conductive light barrier layer surrounding the dielectric. The barrier layer guides the light from an entrance of the dielectric surrounded by the barrier layer to an exit of the dielectric surrounded by the barrier layer. Each light pipe also comprises a light-receiving element that increases throughput of the guided light transmitted within the barrier layer via the dielectric. In one embodiment, the light-receiving element comprises an electrical conductor positioned along a central longitudinal axis of the dielectric. In another embodiment, the light-receiving element alternatively comprises a focusing element.

Abstract: A harmonic generation/beam shaping system to generate a shaped beam having a harmonic relationship with a beam generated by a laser, including a first harmonic generation element and a second harmonic generation element arranged sequentially along an axial beam path extending between an input from the laser and an output of the harmonic generation/beam shaping system and at least two beam shaping elements located along the axial beam path. At least one of the least two beam shaping elements is located between the second harmonic generation element and the laser to transform the beam energy profile into a preferred profile to distribute the beam energy across a larger cross sectional area of at least one harmonic generation element or to reduce peaks in the energy distribution profile of the beam, or both, wherein the preferred profile may be a flat-top profile or a Bessel function profile.

Abstract: An illumination system including at least one first light source, a prism and a light uniforming device is provided. The first light source is capable of providing a first beam. The prism is disposed on a transmission path of the first beam, and has four first facets. Two of the first facets are opposite to each other, and the other two first facets are opposite to each other. The first beam passes through one of the first facets and is totally internally reflected by another first facet opposite to the one of the first facets. The light uniforming device is disposed on the transmission path of the first beam from the another first facet. The cost of the illumination system is lower, and the illumination system has high flexibility of the light source design and can provide illumination with high brightness.

Abstract: An output beam from a laser is directed into an acousto-optic cell. The acousto-optic cell is driven by RF voltages at four different frequencies. A portion of the laser output beam is diffracted by the acousto-optic cell at four different angles to the laser output beam. This provides four secondary beams. The magnitude of the RF voltages applied to the acousto-optic cell and the power in the laser output beam may be cooperatively varied to provide a predetermined power in each of the secondary beams. The four secondary beams are directed into four beam separating optical fibers connected to four transport optical fibers for transporting the secondary beams to a location remote from the laser. Power in the beams is monitored at the output ends of the four optical fibers for controlling the magnitude of the RF voltages. All four beams are focused into the beam-separating fibers by a single lens.

Abstract: An optic element receives an input light beam with a first beam angle and an axis. The optic element includes a first surface that receives the input light beam and generates an expanded light beam with a second beam angle that is greater than or equal to the first beam angle. The optic element includes a second surface that receives the expanded light beam and generates an output light beam that is either substantially collimated or near collimated. The output light beam is tilted a predetermined degrees with respect to the axis of the input light beam.

Abstract: A method for improving nighttime visual awareness of a pilot flying an aircraft carrying an air-to-air missile including one or more one gimbaled imaging sensor. The method includes providing a helmet for the pilot, a helmet tracking system for determining the attitude of the helmet relative to the aircraft, and a helmet-mounted display. The method also includes determining a current imaging sensor viewing direction of the imaging sensor of the air-to-air missile, sampling an image from the imaging sensor of the air-to-air missile and displaying the image on the helmet-mounted display. The determining and the displaying are performed so that the image displayed on the helmet-mounted display viewed by the pilot is spatially aligned with the scene viewed by the imaging sensor.

Abstract: A vehicular signal mirror includes a reflective mirror element comprising a mirror reflector on a light-transmitting substrate. The visible light reflectance is at least about 40% for visible light incident upon the front side of the reflective mirror element. A turn signal light display and/or a blind-spot indicator light display is disposed to the rear of the reflective mirror element and configured so that the light emitted by the light display passes through the reflective mirror element to be viewed by a viewer viewing from the front of the reflective mirror element. The light display exhibits, when electrically powered and when operated in the vehicle during day time driving conditions, a display luminance of at least about 30 foot lamberts as measured with the light display placed behind, and emitting light through, the reflective mirror element.

Abstract: According to embodiments, scanned beam source may include a first beam shaping optical element aligned to receive a composite beam of light carrying a plurality of wavelength components and a second beam shaping optical element aligned to receive the composite beam of light from the first beam shaping optical element and configured to modify the first plurality of wavelength components of the composite beam to a plurality of dimensions proportional to wavelength. The first beam shaping optic may be, for example, a top-hat converter. The second beam-shaping optic may be, for example, a polarization-sensitive clipping aperture, a wavelength-dependent clipping aperture, and/or an achromatic corrector.

Abstract: Disclosed is a light source module including a first light emission unit having a first laser light source, and a first cooling part on which the first laser light source is mounted; a second light emission unit having a second laser light source, and a second cooling part on which the second laser light source is mounted; and an insulating member provided between the first light emission unit and the second light emission unit. The first light emission unit and the second light emission unit are constructed in such a manner that the first laser light source and the second laser light source are disposed close to each other, and the first cooling part and the second cooling part are disposed away from each other.

Abstract: An optical condenser device has light sources (10, 20) and an optical combiner (30). Each light source (10, 20) includes a semiconductor laser array (12, 22), a collimator lens (16, 26) and a beam converter (18, 28). The optical combiner (30) combines the beams from the light sources (10, 20). The spread of the beams in planes perpendicular to the direction of alignment of the active layers (14, 24) is restrained by the refraction of the collimator lenses (16, 26). The transverse sections of the respective beams are rotated by substantially 90° by the beam converters (18, 28). The spread of the beams in the direction of alignment of the active layers is thus restrained and crossing of adjacent beams becomes unlikely to occur.

Abstract: An image combining viewer transmits a daylight image directly through the viewer, while reflecting at least one wavelength other than visible light towards a sensor. A display for displaying the image received by the sensor in a visible wavelength is reflected by the back surface of the mirror back along the optical path, combining the displayed image with the daylight image so that they appear to be a single image.

Abstract: A monolithic optical transmitter photonic integrated circuit (TxPIC) comprises a plurality of integrated modulated sources which, when all operated at constant current, display a power output that varies as a function of array position similar to a quadratic-shaped curve and, further, forming an array of signal channels each having a different wavelength output. An optical combiner/decombiner is integrated in the circuit and has at least one free space region with a plurality of ordered bands along its edge where the zero order band is substantially at a longitudinal centerline of the free space region and where, on either side of this band, is a first order band followed by additional higher order bands.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an optical integrator panel is provided. The method comprises the steps of: suspending a plurality of elongate particles in a liquid; applying an electric or magnetic field to the suspension to orientate the particles with parallel longitudinal axes; and solidifying the liquid to fix the orientation of the particles, thereby forming an optical integrator panel having a homogeneous distribution of elongate particles. An optical integrator panel is also provided. The optical integrator panel is adapted to reduce the angular dependence of contrast of a liquid crystal display. Specifically, the optical integrator panel is for placement in the path of reflected or transmitted light emitted by the liquid crystal display. The optical integrator panel comprises: a solid transparent panel; and a plurality of elongate particles homogeneously distributed in the panel, wherein the plurality of elongate particles are orientated with parallel longitudinal axes.

Abstract: Substrate-guided relays that employ light guiding substrates to relay images from sources to viewers in optical display systems. The substrate-guided relays are comprised of an input coupler, an intermediate substrate, and an output coupler. In some embodiments, the output coupler is formed in a separate substrate that is coupled to the intermediate substrate. The output coupler may be placed in front of or behind the intermediate substrate, and may employ two or more partially reflective surfaces to couple light from the coupler. In some embodiments, the input coupler is coupled to the intermediate substrate in a manner that the optical axis of the input coupler intersects the optical axis of the intermediate substrate at a non-perpendicular angle.

Abstract: A head mounted display is disclosed that utilizes a single video display screen to transport images to both eyes. Multiple reflections are created by illuminating the display screen form a plurality of directions, or by illuminating the display screen with light beams of differing polarizations. The reflections of the display screen are focused in order to reduce the splitting volume and then redirected by a plurality of reflective surfaces located near the focal point of the display images. Different images may be sent to each eye of a user by interlacing multiple data streams for the display and linking each data stream with a specific illumination direction, or specific polarization.

Abstract: An optical unit that includes a polarizing beamsplitter (PBS). The PBS includes a reflective polarizer that transmits a portion of a light beam that has a first polarization and reflects a portion of the light beam that has a second polarization. A light absorbing device is operatively disposed relative to the PBS. The light absorbing device receives the light either transmitted or reflected by the PBS. The light absorbing device includes a light capture portion having a structured surface.

Abstract: An optical integrator is able to keep down a light-quantity loss in modified illumination with an illumination optical apparatus. An optical integrator of a wavefront division type according to the present invention has a plurality of refracting surface regions which refract incident light, and a plurality of deflecting surface regions provided corresponding to the plurality of refracting surface regions and adapted for changing a traveling direction of the incident light. The plurality of refracting surface regions include a plurality of first refracting surface regions includes an arcuate contour with the center projecting in a first direction, and a plurality of second refracting surface regions includes an arcuate contour with the center projecting in a second direction.

Abstract: An optical system for shaping an incoming beam having a divergence with an angular distribution at least in a first direction comprises at least one angle selective optical element for clipping the angular distribution in the at least first direction. The approach according to the present invention bases on using an angle-selective device operated by the principle of total internal reflection to reduce divergence of the incoming beam, in contrast to a spatially-selective device as for example a field-stop or slit. The method according to the present invention has the advantage that no physical sharp edges have to be exposed at high energy densities. Thus, thermal impact and demands on the optical elements to withstand a high power laser beam are significantly reduced.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for shaping a laser beam for interaction with a film in which the laser beam travels along a beam path and defines a short-axis and a long-axis. In one aspect, the system may include a first short-axis element having an edge positioned at a distance, d1, along the beam path from the film and a second short-axis element having an edge positioned at a distance, d2, along the beam path from the film, with d2<d1. An optic may be positioned along the beam path between the second element and the film for focusing the beam in the short-axis for interaction with the film. In another aspect, a system may be provided having a mechanism operative to selectively adjust the curvature of one or both of the edges of the short-axis element.

Abstract: The 2-channel display system with micro electromechanical systems (MEMS, e.g. DMDs from Texas Instruments) simultaneously generates a right and a left image in two discrete modulation channels, which differ by the polarization of their light beams. More specifically, the invention relates to the chirality (handedness) of MEMS and the geometric problems associated with this handedness in superposition systems. In this application we uncover a solution to superpose the images modulated by identical MEMSs (imagers of the same isomer type) without additional mirroring.

Abstract: A compact optical splitter module is disclosed. One type of compact optical splitter module is a planar attenuated splitter module that includes a branching waveguide network having j?1 50:50 splitters that form up to n?2j output waveguides having associated n output ports, wherein only m<n output ports are suitable for transmitting light to the at least one external output device. This provides a 1×m splitter module wherein each output port has the attenuation of a 1×n splitter module, thereby obviating the need for external attenuation. Another type of compact optical splitter module is a direct-connect splitter module that eliminates the need for an optical fiber array when coupling to external optical fibers. Another type of compact optical splitter module is a microsplitter module that serves as device and module at the same time and that eliminates the differentiation between device and module. The integration of device and module also makes manufacturing the microsplitter module cost-effect.

Abstract: The invention is a thermal imaging camera lens that has an LCD display mounted on the opposing side of the camera, which is integrated into a fire mask visor. The fire mask visor is used in conjunction with an oxygen mask. The thermal imaging lens is directed along the same line of sight as the user's, which provides for greater ease of use in hazardous situations. However, the thermal imaging lens can be rotated to a desired angle and line of sight of the end user. A sealant can be applied to the perimeter of the thermal imaging system housing and the visor to prevent the introduction of smoke and/or hazardous gases from entering the interior side of the visor.

Abstract: There is provided a collector. The collector includes a first mirror shell positioned inside a second mirror shell that has a chamfered end.

Abstract: There is provided an optical device including a light-transmitting substrate having at least two major surfaces and edges, optical means for coupling light into the substrate by total internal reflection and at least one partially reflecting surface located in the substrate.

Abstract: An imaging device comprising at least one image capturing subsystem of a first type, comprising a lens arrangement, configured to produce images. The device further comprises at least one image capturing subsystem of a second type comprising a lens arrangement, having optical or light gathering properties different from the subsystem of first type, configured to produce an image, and a controller configured to select the subsystem with which an image is to be taken.

Abstract: An integrated signal manipulator for manipulating an optical signal. The optical signal manipulator is integrated on a single material substrate by etching a curved grating mirror. The curved grating mirror decomposes a first optical signal into focused spectral components. These focused spectral components are manipulated by signal-processing elements that are realized on the same material substrate. The manipulated spectral components are then combined by another curved grating mirror, on the same material substrate, to generate a second optical signal.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a laser irradiation apparatus, a laser irradiation method, and a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device using the laser irradiation method that can suppress the energy distribution of the laser beam. The present invention provides a laser irradiation apparatus including a laser oscillator oscillating a pulsed laser beam, a lens assembly having a plurality of optical systems, position control means for controlling the position of the lens assembly to select at least two from the plurality of optical systems in synchronization with oscillations of a plurality of pulses of the pulsed laser beam, wherein the selected plurality of optical systems forms a plurality of pulses with spatial energy distribution inverted or rotated.

Abstract: A beam shaping lens for shaping an incident beam having an elliptic cross section into an outgoing beam having a substantially circular cross section includes a first plane which is a cylindrical surface having a generating line curving to form a non-circular cylindrical surface as an incidence side of the incident beam and a second plane which is a circular cylindrical surface as an outgoing side of the outgoing beam. The distance between both ends of the generating line of the circular cylindrical surface is larger than the distance between both ends of the generating line of the non-circular cylindrical surface.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a method of creating a dual appearance comprising providing a substrate. The dual appearance is further created by providing an illumination source proximate to the second major surface of the substrate. A reflective image is provided on the first major surface of the substrate opposite the illumination source. A transmitted image is provided on the second major surface of the substrate between the substrate and the illumination source. Generally, the reflective image is visible with the illumination source off and the transmitted image is visible with the illumination source on.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical collection device (26) comprising a first stage optical concentrating device (34) and a second stage optical collection unit (40) having a housing (42) and an array of individual light collecting elements (46) in the housing. The array of light collecting elements provide, in combination, a light entrance and a light exit, each light collecting element having a light entrance aperture (62), a light exit aperture (64), and a light collecting region (44) extending between the entrance aperture and the exit aperture. The light collecting region provides a tapering light reflecting surface (66) arranged to direct light received at the entrance aperture towards the exit aperture. The invention also provides an optical receiver (20) comprising such an optical collection device and having at least one detecting element (24, 72, 74) arranged behind the light exit apertures to detect light transmitted by the optical collection unit.

Abstract: The invention includes an optics array for beam shaping, which uses a micro lens combination, whose polygonal micro lenses are arranged in a level, whereby the geometric arrangement of the individual lenses and their diameters follow a distribution pattern. It is characterized by the fact that the number of corners as well as the length of the lens rims of each of the individual lenses of the micro lens combination is defined by a point distribution (P) of Voronoi points (2), which define a Voronoi Region (VR(p)) which can be described by the following equations for a Voronoi lens (1).