Abstract: A method and apparatus for laser marking is disclosed. An interference fringe is formed on a subject to be marked using a laser beam to make a marking.

Abstract: Mastering tools and systems and methods for forming a plurality of cells on the mastering tools are provided. In particular, the systems vary the geometry of the cells or the placement of the cells, or both, for forming a textured surface on a mastering tool.

Abstract: An imaging system for use in a vehicle is disclosed wherein the imaging system images an object spaced apart from the vehicle in a first configuration and images an object supported by the vehicle in a second configuration. The imaging system may include a fluid lens. An imaging system for use in a vehicle is disclosed wherein the imaging system has a first configuration corresponding to a first imaging application and a second configuration corresponding to a second imaging application. The imaging system may include a fluid lens.

Abstract: A display device is disclosed, wherein the display device comprises a light source configured to emit light, a projection lens configured to transfer the light to a display surface, at least one other optical element, and a lens disposed optically between the light source and the projection lens, wherein the lens is configured to enable a first transfer of the light from the light source to the at least one other optical element, and the lens is configured to enable a second transfer of the light from the at least one other optical element to the projection lens.

Abstract: In order to obtain a beam splitting prism which a beam can be split with simpler configuration in a state in which an optical path length is precisely controlled, there is provided a beam splitting prism having an incident and an outgoing faces orthogonal or parallel to each other, wherein transparent mediums, at least one beam splitter, and at least one reflector are combined so that the beam splitter and the reflector are located between the transparent mediums, the beam splitter and the reflector are arranged whose normal directions are orthogonal to each other, whereby a beam incident from an incident end face is outputted from an outgoing end face in the form of a plurality of split output beams.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention can provide an image display device that can include light sources provided, respectively, for regions obtained by dividing an image forming region of an electro-optic modulator into plural regions to irradiate corresponding regions, and a light source control portion that performs lighting control on the light sources. The light source control portion can perform the lighting control on the light sources for the respective region independently in sync with writing of image data to the electro-optic modulator, and the lighting control can be performed in such a manner that the light source corresponding to at least one region among the plural regions is kept unlit in a writing period for a screenful of image data.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display with mirror face function, including a liquid crystal display module and a reflective element. A lower polarizing plate and an upper polarizing plate are respectively disposed on two faces of the liquid crystal display module. The reflective element is disposed on one face of the upper polarizing plate distal from the backlight element, whereby the reflective element can reflect part of external light to achieve a mirror-face effect. When the liquid crystal display module display a picture, the light emitted from the liquid crystal display module can pass through the reflective element to enhance the transparence.

Abstract: A camera, in which it is possible to adjust the position of two mirrors easily for striking a balance between the focus detection performances in an optical viewfinder state and an electronic image display state. The optical apparatus includes a first mirror movable between a first position for an optical viewfinder and a second position for focus detection, a second mirror movable between a third position for focus detection and a fourth position where a light flux is not led to the second mirror, a first positioning member for positioning the first mirror at the second position, and a second positioning member for positioning the second mirror at the third position. The second positioning member is a member independent of the first positioning member.

Abstract: An imaging system and method for dual polarization imaging is provided. In one implementation, an imaging system includes a field stop located at a first image plane for limiting an incident light ray bundle passing through an aperture thereof and a polarization discriminating element adapted to separate the incident light ray bundle into a first ray bundle having a first polarization traveling in a first direction and a second ray bundle having a second polarization traveling in a second direction. The system also includes an image detector located at a second image plane to receive the first and second ray bundles such that the first ray bundle forms a first image at a first region of the image detector and the second ray bundle forming a second image at a second region the image detector, the first and second images laterally displaced from each other at the second image plane.

Abstract: Methods and devices for coupling the output of multiple emitters of a laser diode bar using a beam transform system with high brightness and coupling efficiency. Some embodiments may include wavelength locking with devices such as VBGs and other suitable devices and methods.

Abstract: Methods and devices for coupling the output of multiple emitters of a laser diode bar using a beam transform system with high brightness and coupling efficiency. Some embodiments may include wavelength locking with devices such as VBGs and other suitable devices and methods.

Abstract: In one aspect the system serves as a transmitter and comprises an optics system; a plurality of source elements positioned on the focal plane; and, a small angle beam steerer. The plurality of source elements are each capable of providing a point source of radiation to the optics system. The optics system provides a collimated output. The small angle beam steerer receives the collimated output and redirects the collimated output through a small angular deviation. The redirected output is thus transmitted in a desired direction without a need for mechanical gimbals and is capable of covering a large angular range with respect to the optical axis of the optics system. The system can also be implemented as a receiver.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for receiving a Gaussian profile optical input signal and splitting the input signal into two or more homogenized, top-hat profile output beams. In one embodiment first and second hexagonally shaped homogenizer tubes are coupled perpendicularly to one another. A beam splitting element is disposed within the second tube. A Gaussian profile input optical signal is directed into an input end of the first tube and reflects off highly reflective interior surfaces of the first tube as it propagates therethrough and impinges the beam splitting element. As it is split into two or more subcomponents by the beam splitting element, it continues reflecting off of highly reflective interior surfaces of the second tube until each of the output beams reaches a respective output end of the second tube.

Abstract: This specification discloses a power polarization beam combiner and its applications in fiber communications. The power polarization beam combiner uses the photonic band gap formed in a photonic crystal to produce a left-hand material with a negative refractive index and high dispersion rate. Using such properties of the photonic crystal, several beams with different wavelengths and polarizations are combined and output to a common port.

Abstract: A second surface micromotion display includes a see-through base having a first surface, defined in the art as a front surface facing a viewer, and a second surface, defined in the art as a rear surface opposite to the front surface and facing away from the viewer, an image formed over the second surface, a micromotion textured pattern formed over the image, and a reflective layer over the micromotion textured pattern, such that the illusion of motion is viewable through the base as reflected from the reflective layer through the micromotion textured pattern.

Abstract: A process and an arrangement are described by means of which a plurality of ray bundles emitted from individual radiation sources are combined with the aid of an imaging optics system. The individual radiation sources are in this connection arranged on at least one curve surrounding the optical axis of the imaging optics system. The individual ray bundles are substantially linearly polarised. The bundles are reflected on their path to the superimposition point at least at a surface whose reflection capability is polarisation-dependent. The polarisation direction of the ray bundles coming from the individual radiation sources is in this connection aligned so that the first reflection at the surface takes place with low loss, whereas a possible second reflection after previous reflection at the workpiece takes place with high loss. In this way the individual radiation sources are protected against damaging back-reflections.

Abstract: An illumination optical apparatus, used in a projection exposure apparatus for projecting and exposing a pattern arranged in a first plane to a second plane, for supplying the first surface with illumination light from a light source comprises an optical path combiner arranged in an optical path between the light source and the first surface, for combining a plurality of light beams different from each other from the light source such that the first and second light beams illuminate the first surface closely to each other. The optical path combiner includes a discrete point positioned on or near a third surface optically conjugate with the first surface. The plurality of light beams travel by way of a plurality of regions sectioned by the discrete point, respectively.

Abstract: An optical device comprises a dichroic beamsplitter for splitting an object beam into a reflected beam having a first waveband and a transmitted beam having a second waveband; an astigmatism-correcting lens element, disposed in the optical path of the transmitted beam; and a coma-correcting lens element, disposed in the optical path of the transmitted beam.

Abstract: An optical system includes semiconductor lasers arranged in the direction of the slow axis of the laser beam, an optical means which makes parallel the collimated laser beams, an optical member which is provided with inlet and outlet faces which are positioned in perpendicular to the optical axis of laser beams and total reflection surfaces which are opposed to each other at a space where the component in the direction of the slow axis of the laser beam entering from the light inlet face repeats internal reflection, and emits from the light outlet face a slow axis uniform laser beam, and an imaging optical means which images the slow axis uniform laser beam on a surface as a linear line beam extending in the direction of the slow axis.

Abstract: An optical beam splitter (1) for a light beam (2) that is parallel along a beam axis (A) has a transparent central area (3) and a plurality of reflecting reflector surfaces (4a, 4b) that are respectively inclined by a reflector angle (?) relative to the beam axis (A) for generating each a discrete spot beam (5a, 5b), with the central area (3) being convexly curved in the manner of a prism at least in part and/or has beam-expanding diffractive optics (19).

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a light mixing and homogenizing apparatus includes a tubular member and a dividing member. The tubular member has a reflective interior surface and a polygonal cross section. The tubular member has a first end configured to receive a plurality of incoming light beams and a second end configured to output mixed and homogenized light from the plurality of incoming light beams. The dividing member has a reflective surface and is located within the tubular member first end. The dividing member is configured to separate the plurality of incoming light beams from each other prior to mixing.

Abstract: A system and method for conditioning a beam of light comprised of several wavelengths by means of selecting from among the plurality of available wavelengths, a desired set of wavelengths simultaneously. A small number of multi-wavelength lasers or continuous spectra light sources, or both, may be the source for the plurality of light wavelengths, and a configuration of beam splitters/combiners, mirrors and wavelength selectable pass- and stop-filters provide a combined beam of light wavelengths selected from among the available wavelengths.

Abstract: The present invention describes several embodiments of electro-optical assemblies, which are capable of capturing full or nearly full spherical field of view. The present invention presents improvements of the prior art methods by unifying several methods to achieve coverage of a large field of view. The present invention provides a method for utilizing the concept of reflective surfaces and combining two image capture devices to achieve an even larger field of view than those presented previously.

Abstract: A vehicle periphery visual recognition system 1 is made up of an image pickup unit 11 for picking up images of image pickup ranges in three directions of the lower area at the front of a vehicle and the left and right side areas at the same time, and a controller 10 for performing image processing of an image signal provided by the image pickup unit 11 and then outputting the signal to a display 15.

Abstract: There is provided a collector for illumination systems for light having a wavelength ?193 nm comprising. The collector includes (a) a first mirror shell adjacent to, and positioned inside of, a second mirror shell around a common axis of rotation, in which the first and second mirror shells are rotationally symmetric, and (b) a component in a region between the first and second mirror shells. The collector is for receiving the light from a light source via an object-side aperture and for illuminating an area in an image-side plane, and the region is not used by the light.

Abstract: The invention relates to an illumination module for color display, preferably for use in data or video projectors as well as rear projection television sets, in which the light from at least three luminescent diodes (LEDs) or LED arrays of the base colors red, green and blue is collimated at a point provided for connection to a display unit and ranged on an optical axis of the illumination module. An LED or an LED array of a base color with a beam path (Lr) oriented in the direction of the display unit is arranged on the optical axis of the illumination module. For the purpose of color mixing, the LEDs and LED arrays of the other base colors are attached in such a way tat their beam paths (Lg, Lb) are laterally input in sequence under input angles (?, ?) of <90 degrees into the beam path (Lr) of the first base color.

Abstract: A polarizing beamsplitter is provided, comprising two wedge-shaped prisms of a birefringent material, the prisms forming a plan-parallel plate, wherein an incident light beam is separated into two partial beams being arranged parallel to the incident beam when emerging from the beamsplitter, the partial beams having a lateral distance with respect to each other, which is continuously changeable.

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: Optical multiplexers and demultiplexers are provided. In one implementation an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a first laser diode pair, a second laser diode pair, a polarization rotator coupled between the first and the second laser diode pairs, and an output port. The first and second laser diode pairs include a first laser diode, a polarization beam splitter, a first quarter waveplate, a filter; a second quarter waveplate, and a second laser diode. The first and second laser diode pairs are coupled to the polarization rotator at the polarization beam splitter of each laser diode pair. In one implementation the apparatus is operable to multiplex distinct light signals emitted from the first and second laser diodes. In another implementation, an apparatus is provided that is operable to demultiplex an input light beam having a plurality of distinct channels.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for optically combining light beams is disclosed. The apparatus includes a set of prism shaped doorways configured to receive output beams from at least one optical device. Each of the plurality of doorways has a common refractive index. The apparatus also includes a set of spherical mirrors disposed substantially parallel to the plurality of doorways. Each mirror is associated with one of the plurality of doorways. The apparatus further includes a boundary layer disposed between the set of doorways and the set of mirrors. The boundary layer has a refractive index greater than the common refractive index of the plurality of doorways. The common refractive index of the set of doorways and the refractive index of the boundary layer are configured to change the angle of each of the received output beams to combine the set of received output beams into a single output beam.

Abstract: A color display device is disclosed. The color display device includes an illumination lens system, a diffractive light modulation system, a combining system, a Fourier filter system, and a projection system. The illumination lens system converts a plurality of light beams into linear parallel light beams. The diffractive light modulation system produces a plurality of diffracted light beams having a plurality of diffraction orders by modulating each of the plurality of parallel light beams that are almost perpendicularly incident from the illumination lens system, The combining system focuses the plurality of diffracted light beams having the plurality of diffraction orders. The Fourier filter system selects diffracted light beams having desired diffraction orders using a dichroic filter. The projection system focuses the diffracted light beams on an object, and allowing the focused diffracted light beams to scan the object.

Abstract: A compact illumination system that is suitable for, e.g., projection systems, includes a plurality of light emitting diodes that are aligned along the same axis. The illumination system includes mirrors and a filter system for combining the light emitted by the different light emitting diodes. The light emitting diodes may be mounted within the same plane, e.g., on the same heatsink, which simplifies assembly and alignment of the system. Moreover, a collimator system with integrally formed refractive and/or reflective collimators, may be used. The use of an integrally formed collimator system advantageously reduces the number of piece parts and simplifies assembly.

Abstract: Designs of multiplexing/demultiplexing modules configured for N channels are disclosed. One of the features in the designs is to provide at least one concave mirror for compenstating filter tilting errors. The concave mirrors is placed where an incident traveling distance of a light beam is substantially similar or equal to the reflected traveling distance of the beam such that the filter tilting errors successively introduced over a number of optical filters can be successively reduced, compensated or removed over a subsequent number of optical filters as the light beams travels.

Abstract: The invention described herein represents a significant improvement for the concealment of objects and people. Thousands of light receiving segmented pixels and sending segmented pixels are affixed to the surface of the object to be concealed. Each receiving segmented pixel receives colored light from the background of the object. Each receiving segmented pixel has a lens such that the light incident upon it is segmented to form focal points along a focal curve (or plane) according to the light's incident trajectory. In a first embodiment, this incident light is channeled by fiber optics to the side of the object which is opposite to each respective incident light segment. The light which was incident on a first side of the object traveling at a series of respective trajectories is thus redirected and exits on at least one second side of the object according to its original incident trajectory.

Abstract: Multiple laser beams, each having a shape such as a Gaussian profile, can be incoherently combined to obtain a shaped, flat top laser beam. The combined laser beams can provide power levels necessary for material processing applications such as annealing, drilling, and cutting, while minimizing the amount of unused power. The lasers can be positioned in an array in order to shape the flat top beam, and can be staggered in position where necessary to give each output beam an equal beam path length. The relative frequencies and/or powers of the lasers can be adjusted to control the flatness and stability of the incoherently combined beam.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a method and apparatus for polarizing electromagnetic radiation is provided. The electromagnetic radiation may be divided into first and second portions, substantially all of the first portion may be linearly polarized in a first direction and substantially all of the second portion may be linearly polarized in a second direction, the first direction being substantially orthogonal to the second direction. The linear polarization of at least one of the first and second portions may be changed such that substantially all of both of the first and second portions are linearly polarized in a third direction. At least one of the first and second portions may be redirected such that substantially all of both the first and second portions are propagating in a fourth direction.

Abstract: An array refracting element for dividing laser beams in a sub-scanning direction, which is formed by linearly disposing a pair of refracting members, each having a unit surface shape for dividing one incident laser beam into two and emitting the divided laser beams, so that directions in which the laser beams are divided are coincident with each other and so that the refracting members locate along the division direction, is disposed on an optical path of the laser beams emitted from plural semiconductor lasers, and between a laser-beam outgoing opening of a fiber array section and a recording film. As a result, an array refracting element and an exposure device, which can improve quality of a recording image at an exposure recording apparatus at a low cost, can be obtained.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating a frequency comb and for its use in analyzing materials and in telecommunications. The frequency comb is generated by passing pulsed light from a laser through an optical fiber having a constriction. The frequency comb comprises a plurality of monochromatic components separated in frequency by a substantially constant frequency increment. The monochromatic components are used to probe materials for analysis. In preferred embodiments, the materials are DNA, RNA, PNA and other biologically important molecules and polymers. Optical responses are observed and used to analyze or identify samples. In telecommunication applications, the individual monochromatic components serve as carriers for individual communication channels that can carry information of any of a variety of types, such as voice, data and images.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing peak power of a laser pulse and reducing speckle contrast of a single pulse comprises a plurality of elements oriented to split and delay a pulse or pulses transmitted from a light emitting device. The design provides the ability to divide the pulse into multiple pulses by delaying the components relative to one another. Reduction of speckle contrast entails using the same or similar components to the power reduction design, reoriented to orient received energy wherein angles between the optical paths are altered such that the split or divided light energy components strike the target at different angles or different positions. An alternate embodiment for reducing speckle contrast is disclosed wherein a single pulse is passed in an angular orientation through a grating to create a delayed portion of the pulse relative to the leading edge of the pulse.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a light mixing and homogenizing apparatus includes a first tubular member and a second tubular member. The first tubular member has a reflective interior surface, a polygonal cross section with a first maximum diameter, and a first number of sides. The first tubular member has a first end and a second end with the first end configured to receive a plurality of incoming light beams. The second tubular member has a reflective interior surface, a polygonal cross section with a second maximum diameter smaller than the first maximum diameter, and a second number of sides that is different from the first number of sides. The second tubular member has a first end disposed adjacent to a first tubular member second end. The second tubular member second end is configured to output a homogeneous light beam comprising a mixture of the plurality of incoming light beams.

Abstract: A transflective type liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate having a pixel region, the pixel region including a transmission region and a reflection region that has a reflector formed thereon; a second substrate, which faces the first substrate, and on which a light guiding layer and a color filter layer are formed, the light guiding layer including a first medium and a second medium, a refractive index of the first medium and a refractive index of the second medium being different from each other; a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and the second substrates; and a backlight assembly positioned outside of the first substrate to provide light onto the first medium in a reflection mode.

Abstract: An optical pulse extender includes a delay loop formed by a plurality of mirrors and a graded reflectivity beamsplitter. The mirrors and the beamsplitter are configured and aligned such that a pulse to be broadened makes a predetermined number of round trips in the delay loop and is incident on a different zone of the beamsplitter after each round trip. The different zones of the beamsplitter have different reflection values and different transmission values. These values are selected such that the pulse extender delivers a plurality of temporally and spatially separated replica pulses each thereof having about the same energy. The delivered replica pulses together provide an extended pulse having a longer duration than the input pulse. The replica pulses may be passed through a beam homogenizer to spatially homogenize the temporal characteristics of the extended pulse.

Abstract: An interferometric system including: an interferometer that directs a measurement beam at an object point to produce a return measurement beam, focuses the return measurement beam to an image point in an image plane, and mixes the return measurement beam with a reference beam at the image point to form a mixed beam; a beam combining layer located at the image plane which is responsive to the mixed beam and produces an optical beam therefrom, wherein the layer comprises a thin film with an array of transmissive openings formed therein and further comprises a fluorescent material associated with each of the openings of the array of openings; a detector that is responsive to the optical beam from the beam combining layer; and an imaging system that directs the optical beam from the beam combining layer onto the detector.

Abstract: A display device is provided for generating an image which is perceivable, by a viewer (M) of an object located in an object plane (O), as being superimposed on the object, said device comprising an image generating device (1) for generating the image in an image plane (B) and a superimposing unit (7), wherein the image generating device (1) and the superimposing unit (7) are mounted on a support device (12), which is placeable on the head of the viewer (M), and the image generating device (1) comprises a focusing unit (3) by which the distance from the image plane (B) to the support device (12) is changeable and which includes a lens (4) having a variable refractive index as well as a control unit (6) for adjusting the refractive index of the lens (4), wherein, when the support device (12) is placed on the head of the viewer (M), the superimposing unit (7) effects superposition of the generated image on the object for the viewer (M) and the control unit (6) adjusts the refractive index of the lens (4) such t

Abstract: A beam shaping optical arrangement combines three incoming laser beams that are mutually laterally offset in two orthogonal directions (X and Y), including an incoming first central laser beam and second and third incoming beams laterally offset in the X direction on either side of the central beam, into one outgoing combined laser beam. The arrangement includes two lateral displacement optical units though which the laterally offset incoming beams are transmitted and that laterally displace the two laterally offset incoming beams along the X direction towards the incoming central beam but which do not laterally offset the incoming central beam.

Abstract: A beam combiner includes a first beam-input face, a beam-output face, and first and second reflectors. The first beam-input face receives first and second beams of electromagnetic energy respectively having a first and second wavelengths. The first reflector reflects the first received beam toward the beam-output face, and the second reflector passes the first beam from the first reflector and reflects the received second beam toward the beam-output face. In one alternative, the first beam-input face also receives a third beam of electromagnetic energy having a third wavelength, the beam combiner includes a third reflector that reflects the received third beam toward the beam-output face, and the first and second reflectors pass the third beam from the third reflector. In another alternative, the beam combiner includes a second beam-input face that receives a third beam directed toward the beam-output face, and the first and second reflectors pass the third beam.

Abstract: A polarizing beamsplitter is provided, comprising two wedge-shaped prisms of a birefringent material, the prisms forming a plan-parallel plate, wherein an incident light beam is separated into two partial beams being arranged parallel to the incident beam when emerging from the beamsplitter, the partial beams having a lateral distance with respect to each other, which is continuously changeable.

Abstract: An illumination optical apparatus for illuminating an object to be illuminated in an arcuate or rectangular shape. A first optical integrator forms a plurality of light source images in a substantially linear arrangement, based on a beam of parallel rays. Then a second optical integrator forms a plurality of light source images in a substantially square arrangement, based on the beam from the first optical integrator. A relay optical system is disposed between the first and second optical integrator, and makes a position of the light source images formed by the first optical cintegrator conjugate with a position of the light source images formed by the second optical integrator.

Abstract: At least one of four rectangular prisms in a dichroic prism is made longer than the other rectangular prisms. Parts of the rectangular surfaces of the long rectangular prisms partially protrude from the rectangular surfaces of the other rectangular prisms in the longitudinal direction. The protruding parts of the rectangular surfaces of the long rectangular prisms are not provided with a dichroic film. Such a construction makes it possible to prevent return light, which returns from the light emitting surface side of the dichroic prism and the dichroic prism, from emitting again from the light emitting surface.

Abstract: A polarizing conversion device in accordance with the invention includes a first optical element for condensing an incident beam and forming a plurality of intermediate beams spatially separated from one another, and a second optical element for spatially separating each intermediate beam into two polarized beams and aligning the polarization directions of the polarized beams, thereby obtaining the same type of polarized beams. In the second optical element, a shading plate is placed to prevent light from directly entering a section corresponding to a reflecting plane of a polarizing separation unit array. Since the ability of separating the intermediate beam into two polarized beams is thereby enhanced, it is possible to perform conversion into the same type of polarized beams polarized in the same direction, with high efficiency.