Abstract: To provide a micro-lens substrate wherein a higher contrast ratio can be obtained when used in a liquid crystal panel and the like. A micro-lens substrate 1A includes a first substrate 2 with concaves for microlenses having a plurality of first concaves 31 and first aligment marks 71 formed on a first glass substrate 29, a second substrate 8 with concaves for microlenses having a plurality of second concaves 32 and second aligment marks 72 formed on a second glass substrate 89, a resin layer 9, microlenses 4 consisting of double convex lenses formed of a resin filled in between the first and second concaves 31 and 32, and spacers 5.

Abstract: A spiral lens disk and a projection system adopting the same are provided. The spiral lens disk has spirally arranged cylinder lens cells and scrolls incident light by converting the rotation of the cylinder lens cells into rectilinear motion of a cylinder lens array. The projection system includes at least one spiral lens disk such that color scrolling is achieved using a single component to form a color image. Due to a reduction in the number of components, a light, low-price projection system can be obtained, and a single-panel projection system with high light efficiency can also be obtained.

Abstract: A light emitting device according to the present invention comprises a light source, a condensing mirror for condensing light from the light source, a light intensity controlling unit for controlling light intensity of the condensed light, a collimator lens provided from the light intensity controlling unit at a focal distance of the collimator lens, and an integrator lens, wherein light emitted from the collimator lens is overlaid on an entire incident surface of the integrator lens.

Abstract: A multiple-axis imaging system having individually-adjustable optical elements and a method for individually adjusting optical elements of the system. The system comprises a plurality of optical elements having respective optical axes and being individually disposed with respect to one another to image respective sections of an object, and a plurality of individually-operable positioning devices corresponding to respective optical elements for positioning the optical elements with respect to their respective optical axes. The positioning devices are specifically adapted to adjust the axial position, lateral position and angular orientation of the optical elements with respect to their respective optical axes. The system is particularly adapted for use as a microscope array, and the positioning devices may be micro-actuators.

Abstract: An optical imaging system with a first imaging lens, a field stop, and a second imaging lens configured to reduce the amount of dead space between images of samples.

Abstract: An optical device and method is provided for shaping light beams (e.g. emitted from laser diodes) into various shapes and profiles using lenses with different fast and slow axis to combine the light beams generated from at least one light source (e.g. laser diodes).

Abstract: A method for forming many microlenses comparatively easily and effectively is provided. On one end of an optical substrate is formed a plurality of lens planes at regular intervals. Lens areas containing the lens planes are partially covered by an etching mask and etching processing is performed on areas being exposed outside the etching mask to remove the areas to a specified depth. While the lens planes formed on one surface of the optical substrate are being held by a support substrate, polishing processing is performed on another end face of the optical substrate and each microlens formed in the lens areas is separated from the support substrate.

Abstract: A line producing system includes an input beam of radiant energy that enters a side of a low cost, radiant energy altering device. The radiant energy emerges from the light altering device radiating in a nearly 360 degree disc pattern forming a ring of ever expanding light.

Abstract: A lenticular imaging system for viewing printed images on a printed article, the lenticular imaging system creating the illusion of three-dimensional (3-D) images moving or floating across the printed article. The lenticular imaging system of the present invention comprises a substrate with a plurality of images preferably printed on at least one of the surfaces of the substrate and a plurality of spaced-apart convex lenses forming a lenticular lens array on-top of the plurality of images. The images may be centered directly under each of the lenses of the lens array or shifted in relation to the lenses of the lens array creating the appearance of depth, three-dimensionality and motion to a viewer viewing the printed article. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the images on the substrate are preferably separated from the lenses of the lens array by a fixed distance.

Abstract: The invention refers to the methods and means of conversion of electromagnetic radiation (mainly belonging to the optical range) with the purpose of forming of objects' images (mainly of spatially extended ones) within incoherent light. In an Optical System (OS) the following procedures are being performed: pre-defined distortion of optical motion of rays by means of Amplitude-Phase Mask (APM); optical-electronic conversion of distorted image of object 6 and deduction of the distortions inserted by the APM and by OS. Deduction of distortions is arranged by means of accorded spatial filtration of the distorted image. Distortion of optical motion of rays is accomplished in the direction that is close to the orthogonal one in regards to the distortions brought in by defocusing and by aberrations of the OS. In the meanwhile, the possibility to receive the function of distortions that possesses rotary symmetry is being secured.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical element comprising in order a light source, air, at least one thin layer having a thickness of 80 to 200 nm, and a thick layer, each layer varying in refractive index (RI) by at least 0.05 from the next adjacent layer, in an alternating manner.

Abstract: A lenticular lens sheet 4 comprises a plurality of lens elements of incidence 21 arranged on the incidence side, and a plurality of lens elements of emergence 22 arranged on the emergence side. The light that has passed through each lens element of incidence 21 converges via the protruding apex of the corresponding lens element of emergence 22. The lens plane of the center portion C of each lens element of emergence 22, the width of this portion C being a half of the total lens width L (i.e., L/2), is in the shape defined by a curved line fulfilling the conditions expressed by the following numerical formulae (1) to (4), and the lens plane of each side portion S of each lens element of emergence 22, the width of this portion S being a quarter of the total lens width L (i.e., L/4), is in the shape defined by a curved line fulfilling the conditions expressed by the following numerical formulae (5) to (8): y=a×b−x−e (−L/4≦x≦0) . . .

Abstract: A beam splitter (24)for splitting light in a wavelength range of about 500 nm to about 600 nm is arranged in a relay optical system of a taking lens (12). A green light beam reflected from the beam splitter (24) is directed through a relay lens (R3) to a focusing state determination imaging unit (26). The imaging unit (26) comprises three imaging elements (A, B, C) for capturing the directed green light beam to determine the focusing state. Thus, a device for determining the focusing state of the taking lens is provided, in which the green light beam is separated as an object light for determining the focusing state from the object light entering the taking lens (12), so that the focusing state can be determined with high accuracy on the basis of the high-frequency components of the image signal generated by capturing the green light beam by means of the imaging elements (A, B, C) having different optical path lengths.

Abstract: A display unit is provided which enables monocular observation of a magnified displayed image, and binocular observation of a non-magnified displayed image. The display unit comprises a liquid crystal display element having pixels arranged two-dimensionally, and a backlight source for illuminating the liquid crystal display element from the backside. The backlight source comprises a micro-spotlight illumination system constituted of a surface light source, a barrier element, and a microlenses. The barrier element is controlled to take a complete transmission mode to transmit the light emitted form the surface light source or an aperture-formation mode to form apertures in matrix arrangement. In the aperture formation mode, the microlenses are focused substantially on the apertures respectively.

Abstract: A light-transmission screen includes a diffusing element formed from a micro-lens array for projecting images in a viewing space. The screen generates images of improved quality by varying structural features of one or more lenses in the array so that light is directed in different directions and/or with different optical properties compared with other lenses in the array. The structural features which are varied include any one or more of size, shape, curvature, or spacing of the lenses in the array. As a result of these variations, the screen achieves wider viewing angles, improved screen resolution and gain, and a greater ability to reduce or eliminate aliasing or other artifacts in the generated images compared with conventional screens. A method for making a light-transmission screen of this type preferably forms the micro-lens array using a stamping operation based on a master.

Abstract: A lenticular lens sheet having (1) a light-transmitting lens sheet body with a lenticular lens group formed of multiple lenticular lenses placed on a surface of the body and a silver salt emulsion light-shielding layer laminated to the other surface of the light-transmitting lens sheet body. Light-transmitting areas in the light-shielding layer correspond to light-converging parts of the lenticular lenses on the body. The positions of the light-shielding areas correspond to non-light-converging parts of the lenticular lenses. The light-shielding characteristics result from the darkened silver dispersed in the silver salt emulsion. A method for making the lenticular lens sheet is disclosed also.

Abstract: A line producing system includes an input beam of radiant energy that enters a side of a low cost, radiant energy altering device. The radiant energy emerges from the light altering device radiating in a nearly 360 degree disc pattern forming a ring of ever expanding light.

Abstract: An optical imaging apparatus includes an optical probe and an apparatus main body which controls and drives the optical probe via a connecting cable. The optical probe includes a low-coherence light source, a half mirror, an XY reflecting mirror scan, an objective optical system, a reflecting mirror, a modulating mirror, and a photo detector. In the optical probe, the modulating mirror and the objective optical system, as optical path length interlockingly adjusting elements, are integrally arranged to an optical path length interlockingly adjusting base, together with a reflecting-side lens. The optical probe has an advancing and regressing driving unit which advances and regresses the optical path length interlockingly adjusting base in the optical axis direction (Z direction).

Abstract: A first multiple-lens array designed with positive-power lenses produces multiple bundles of converging light rays, and a second multiple-lens array designed with negative-power lenses produces multiple bundles of collimated light rays at a certain optimal separation between the two multiple-lens arrays. As the axial separation between the two multiple-lens arrays increases, the divergence of the entire beam of light increases.

Abstract: This project encompassed design and fabrication of a single pixel for a solar concentrator photovoltaic monolithic microarray. Photovoltaic concentrators offer a competitive electricity cost. Such concentrating microarrays may enable photovoltaic cells with 40-50% efficiency using III-V compound heterostructures. The main components of the design include a thin film solar cell, an array of soft polymer microlenses to optimally concentrate solar radiation, and a heat sink to manage the heat dissipated. Microlens arrays were fabricated in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using soft lithography techniques and the optical properties (absorbance, lens magnification, aberrations, etc) were characterized. The results indicate that such microarrays can be used for a monolithic concentrating photovoltaic array.

Abstract: In a solid state imaging device, sensitivity deterioration (shading) of the periphery of the imaging region is planned to be improved. An on-chip micro lens 28 corresponding to each sensor portion 23 in an imaging region 42 is comprised and the center of the reduction magnification of the exit pupil correction which is performed for the on-chip micro lens 28 is set to a position O deviated from the center of the imaging region 42.

Abstract: A line producing system includes an input beam of radiant energy that enters a side of a low cost, radiant energy altering device. The radiant energy emerges from the light altering device radiating in a nearly 360 degree disc pattern forming a ring of ever expanding light.

Abstract: A Fresnel lens sheet has a light-receiving surface and a light-emitting surface. The light-receiving surface is provided with a plurality of prism groups, each including a plurality of straight or circular prisms. Each of the prisms of the prism groups has a total reflection surface that reflects incident light totally toward a viewing side. The height of the prisms formed in a predetermined specific region in the light-receiving surface of the Fresnel lens sheet is bigger than that of the prisms in another region.

Abstract: A line producing system includes an input beam of radiant energy that enters a side of a low cost, radiant energy altering device. The radiant energy emerges from the light altering device radiating in a nearly 360 degree disc pattern forming a ring of ever expanding light.

Abstract: A lenticular lens array for creating a visual effect for an image viewed through the lenticular lens array comprises a plurality of lenticules disposed adjacent to each other. Each lenticule comprises a lenticular lens element on one side and a substantially flat surface on an opposite side. Each lenticular lens element has a vertex and a cross section comprising a portion of an elliptical shape. Alternatively, the cross section can comprise an approximated portion of an elliptical shape. The elliptical shape comprises a major axis disposed substantially perpendicular to the substantially flat surface of each respective lenticular lens element. The vertex of each respective lenticular lens element lies substantially along the major axis of the elliptical shape.

Abstract: A unit cell is disclosed that facilitates the creation of a layout of at least a portion of a microelectromechanical system. The unit cell includes a plurality of electrical traces. Some of these electrical traces pass through the unit cell. Other electrical traces extend only part way through the unit cell. At least certain boundary conditions exist for the unit cell that allow the same to be tiled in a row and in a manner that results in adjacently disposed unit cells in the row being electrically interconnected in the desired manner.

Abstract: A resin lens plate has, on its planar surface, convex lenslets arranged in a regular pattern with adjacent lenslets being apart from each other by a specified center-to-center pitch. Each of the convex lenslets has a rectangular or hexagonal contour in a plan view of the plate, and the lenslets are arranged such that the direction in which the center-to-center distance between adjacent lenslets takes a maximum value is in parallel with the lengthwise side of the plate. A groove or a ridge is formed along the bisector of a center-to-center line drawn between each pair of adjacent lenslets, and a light absorbing film is formed over the groove or the ridge. The groove or ridge inhibits the entry of stray light to the lenslet from adjacent lenslets.

Abstract: When a Gaussian power distribution laser beam is converted into a uniform power density beam by a converging homogenizing DOE and is divided into a plurality of homogenized beams by a diverging DOE, the power of the separated beam spatially fluctuates. For alleviating the power fluctuation of the beams, an aperture mask having a window wider than a section of the homogenized beam but narrower than a noise region at a focus of the converging homogenizer DOE. Since a homogenized beam can pass the aperture mask as a whole, the power fluctuation, in particular, near edges is reduced.

Abstract: An optical head assembly, method, and procedure which generates and then precisely positions multiple light beams onto a target. The system diffracts an input light source into a multiple light beam pattern, or initially generates a multiple light beam pattern, in which individual beams of the multiple light beam pattern are precisely spaced, corrected, focused and directed through a two axis plane to the target with minimal movement of any components of the optical head assembly. Such individual beams can also be individually modulated.

Abstract: Recent advances in surface techniques have lead to the development of extremely small (sub-micron) scale features. These techniques allow the formation of polymer micro-lenses as well as variable focus liquid lenses. The present invention primarily concerns the use of small scale lenses for the fabrication of novel displays which exhibit three-dimensional (3D) effects. Both still images and video images (or other motion images) can be generated.

Abstract: Microlens arrays are defined with microlens elements that differ from each other in accordance with a probability distribution for shaping an optical beam having a prescribed intensity profile within a desired far-field scatter pattern. The differences include random variations in a sag profile corresponding to a surface shape of the microlenses, a boundary profile corresponding to a boundary of the microlenses, and a spatial distribution corresponding to the relative position of the microlenses within the array. The sag profile variations can be used to homogenize an intensity profile of the optical beam. The boundary profile variations within an irregular spatial distribution can be used to apply the prescribed intensity profile of the optical beam within the desired scatter pattern.

Abstract: A micro-lens array and a method for making are described. The micro-lens array includes a base element and a plurality of lenses formed of an epoxy and including nanoparticles. The micro-lens array is formed from a master micro-lens array, which is placed within a replica micro-lens making assembly. The master micro-lens array is coated with an anti-stiction material prior to having an elastomeric material positioned over it and cured. Removal of the elastomeric material provides a plurality of cavities, which are filled with an epoxy including nanoparticles. Curing of the epoxy finishes the fabrication of the micro-lens array. The lenses of the micro-lens array are formed from a colloidal suspension of nanoparticles and resin.

Abstract: This invention is a lenticular lens sheet including an incidence plane that has a plurality of lens surfaces and an outgoing plane. A focal length at a center portion of each of the plurality of lens surfaces is longer. A focal length at an edge portion of each of the plurality of lens surfaces is shorter.

Abstract: In a projection display device, a plurality of light emitting diode elements are arranged to make up a light emitting diode element array, and a plurality of the light emitting diode element arrays are assembled to form a light source array. The device comprises a mechanism for moving the light source array; a light source driver circuit for turning on each of the light emitting diode elements within the light emitting diode element array; and a control circuit for controlling the lighting of each light emitting diode element. A first and a second fly-eye lens are each composed of a plurality of rectangular elemental lenses assembled in an array form, where the element lenses are identical in quantity to the light emitting diode element arrays. The light source moving mechanism reciprocates the overall light source array in a plane perpendicular to the optical axis of, the first fly-eye lens.

Abstract: A lenticular optical system is described in which a composite image formed by combined image strips (88) is viewable through a lens sheet (80) from a first angle and an object or image (74) is viewable from a second angle. Optical designs and alignment processes are disclosed which make possible the economical production of thin materials which facilitate the manufacturing and utilization of the optical system in packaging and the like.

Abstract: The present invention is aimed at providing a wavefront dividing type optical integrator which can yield a uniform illuminance distribution substantially over the whole illumination field formed thereby even when the size of each micro lens constituting the optical integrator is made smaller so as to set a large number of wavefront divisions. The optical integrator in accordance with the present invention is a wavefront dividing type optical integrator, having a number of micro lenses arranged two-dimensionally, for forming a number of light sources by dividing a wavefront of an incident beam; each micro lens having a rectangular entrance surface and a rectangular exit surface, and satisfying at least one of the following conditions: (d1/2)(D1/2)/(&lgr;·f)≧3.05 (d2/2)(D2/2)/(&lgr;·f)≧3.

Abstract: A solid immersion lens device and method of making. A solid immersion lens device is provided having a plurality of solid immersion lenses. The solid immersion lenses are provided in a predetermined pattern and secured so as to cause them to be in a fixed position with respect to each other.

Abstract: An illumination system and exposure apparatus and method involving illuminating a surface over an illumination field (IF) having an arcuate shape. The illumination system comprises a light source (54) for providing a light beam (100), and an optical integrator (56). The optical integrator comprises a first reflective element group (60) having an array of first optical elements (E) each having an arcuate profile corresponding to the arcuate shape of the illumination field. Each of the first optical elements has an eccentric reflecting surface (RSE) comprising an off-axis section of either a spherical surface (S) or an aspherical surface (ASE). The array of first optical elements is designed so as to form a plurality of arcuate light beams (108) capable of forming a plurality of light source images (I).

Abstract: Platelike first transparent members 321 and platelike second transparent members 322 are prepared. Each first transparent member has substantially parallel first and second surfaces (film forming surfaces). A polarization splitting film 331 is formed on the first film forming surface. A reflecting film 332 is formed on the second film forming surface. The films are not formed on the surfaces of the second transparent members 322. A plurality of the first transparent members 321 and a plurality of the second transparent members 322 are adhered alternately. A block is cut from the so-adhered transparent members at a prescribed angle to the surfaces and the cut surfaces thereof are polished to obtain a polarization beam splitter array 320.

Abstract: There is provided a structure for reducing optical loss in an optical apparatus (homogenizer) for making the intensity distribution of a laser beam uniform. In a multi-cylindrical lens (a glass substrate having a multiplicity of cylindrical lenses formed thereon) used in a homogenizer, convex cylindrical lenses and concave cylindrical lenses are arranged alternately, and the boundaries between the cylindrical lenses have a smooth structure. This makes it possible to reduce scattering of beams that has occurred at the boundaries between the cylindrical lenses.

Abstract: An optical lens whose focal length is different on first and second planes perpendicular to each other is provided. The optical lens is configured such that a convex element, which is formed integrally with a substrate having a flat face, has a convex curved face that functions as an optical lens and is shaped such that the curvature on a first cross section and the curvature on a second cross section perpendicular to and intersecting with the first cross section are different from each other, whereby the focal lengths on the first and second cross sections are different from each other. A groove of a substantially elliptical shape or a substantially rectangular shape is formed along the boundary between the substrate and the convex element. The optical lens is used to produce a focus error signal or is incorporated into an optical pickup apparatus.

Abstract: Lens systems and an array of lenses for reproduction, capture and display of three dimensional images. The arrays generally fall into two categories. The first type of array uses air as the low-index material. This type of array may be used, for example, in illuminated displays electronic image detection, machine vision, and real-time 3D video capture. A second type of array uses a fluoropolymer as the low-index material, and conveys a great preponderance all incident light to the image plane.

Abstract: Lens structures for flux re-distribution and for optical low pass filtering. The lens structure has a surface that includes a seamless profile, which is devoid of cusps. The surface includes a plurality convex elements and concave elements (e.g., an array of alternating elements and concave elements). The convex elements include a positive surface curvature area, and the concave elements include a negative surface curvature area. The lens structure can include a surface for producing a controlled amount of under-corrected spherical aberration and over-corrected spherical aberration.

Abstract: A microlens configuration having a substantially circular form is constituted of a part of one circle or aspheric curve at any section when a section is taken at a face which is vertical to a major axis or a minor axis of the microlens configuration. A laminate for transfer includes a concave and convex pattern having concave and convex forms of a transfer master pattern, in which a number of such configurations as mentioned above are arranged, transferred to a substrate to be transferred, and a thin film layer laminated on the concave and convex surface thereof wherein a surface of the thin film layer opposite to a surface in contact with a provisional support is used as a bonding face to an application substrate.

Abstract: A screen for a projection display system. The screen has a Fresnel lens for converting incoming light into parallel light and a Lenticular lens disposed on a surface of the Fresnel lens to change a path of the parallel light from the Fresnel lens, providing a three-dimensional image to a user. The Lenticular lens includes plural pixel lenses corresponding to pixels of the screen. Each of the pixel lenses has a central diffusing portion formed on a light-outgoing portion and a peripheral diffusing portion formed on a peripheral portion of the central diffusing portion.

Abstract: As the output of laser oscillators become higher, it becomes necessary to develop a longer linear shape beam for a process of laser annealing of a semiconductor film. However, if the length of the linear shape beam is from 300 to 1000 mm, or greater, then the optical path length of an optical system for forming the linear shape beam becomes very long, thereby increasing its footprint size. The present invention shortens the optical path length. In order to make the optical path length of the optical system as short as possible, and to increase only the length of the linear shape beam, curvature may be given to the semiconductor film in the longitudinal direction of the linear shape beam. For example, if the size of the linear shape beam is taken as 1 m×0.4 mm, then it is necessary for the optical path length of the optical system to be on the order of 10 m.

Abstract: Recent advances in surface techniques have lead to the development of extremely small (sub-micron) scale features. These techniques allow the formation of polymer micro-lenses as well as variable focus liquid lenses. The present invention primarily concerns the use of small scale lenses for the fabrication of novel displays which exhibit three-dimensional (3D) effects. Both still images and video images (or other motion images) can be generated.

Abstract: A near field solid immersion lens array, method of using, and making a near field solid immersion lens array. A cover slide is provided having a near field solid optical lens array having least one fiducial mark. The fiducial mark is used by a positioning device for locating the position of each of the lens in the array. A unique identifier may be provided for locating information of the position of each lens in the array that can be used for driving the positioning device.

Abstract: An optical arrangement for symmetrizing beams which includes a plurality of laser diodes arranged next to one another. The plurality of laser diodes emit beams which are asymmetrical relative to a first direction and a second direction, with the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction. A microcylinder lens optics is arranged in an inclined manner around an optical axis. The beams emitted by the laser diodes in the first direction are collimated and deflected at different angles and are separated thereby. A direction element is arranged downstream of the microcylinder lens optics. The direction element deflects a beam of each individual laser diode in the second direction, whereby each of these beams is deflected by a different angle in the second direction, in such a way that central points of the individual beams converge at a predetermined distance in the second direction.

Abstract: A solid immersion lens device and method of making. A solid immersion lens device is provided having a plurality of solid immersion lenses. The solid immersion lenses are provided in a predetermined pattern and secured so as to cause them to be in a fixed position with respect to each other.