Abstract: A system for coupling light emitted from a plurality of laser diodes to a single optical fiber provides increased pump light brightness to the optical fiber to provide increased power fiber amplifiers. The system takes advantage of the brightness mismatch in the fast and slow planes of a laser diode to allow capture of more than one diode's power into a single multimode pump fiber. A first cylindrical lens is disposed to collimate light from the fast planes of the diodes. A second cylindrical lens is disposed orthogonal to the optical axis and perpendicular to the first cylindrical lens and images light from the diodes in the slow plane. A collection lens is provided to image the light from the slow plane as well as collect light from the fast plane and directs light from multiple diodes into a single multimode optical fiber.

Abstract: An ellipsoidal solid immersion lens (ESIL) for use as a collimator for a waveguide. The ESIL has a refractive index n, an ellipsoidal surface portion defining a geometrical ellipsoid with geometrical foci F1, F2 along a major axis of length M. The ESIL has an attachment surface portion for joining to the waveguide. The attachment surface portion passes near or through the second geometrical focus F2. The geometrical foci F1, F2 are separated by a distance S=M/n, such that a substantially collimated light beam exhibiting a Gaussian type intensity profile propagating along the major axis M and entering the ESIL through the ellipsoidal surface portion converges to a Gaussian beam waist substantially at the second geometrical focus F2.

Abstract: A light modulator is comprised of two unit devices each using surface plasmon generated at the interface between thin metal films respectively formed on prisms and an electro-optical material, and a mirror. Both of the transmitted light due to absorption and re-radiation, and the reflected light arising from the unit devices are made into the outgoing light, the incident light on the next unit device, or the incident light on the mirror. Consequently, all light beams can be utilized as the final outgoing light beams with no loss of light. Further, the color of light can be spatially divided, and still further, it can also be temporally divided by changing the wavelength due to a voltage. As a result, the original light can be divided both temporally and spatially with almost no loss by combining two unit devices so configured as to re-radiate the absorbed light by surface plasmon using surface plasmon and a mirror, and thus utilizing both of the reflected light and the transmitted light.

Abstract: A reflective projection screen has in a first aspect a plurality of reflective elements. The upper surface of the reflective elements is either coated or textured to interfere with reflection of light from the upper surface to an adjacent reflective element. In a second aspect of the invention, a screen is provided that reflects light in the vertical direction like a plane surface, while reflecting light in the horizontal direction back toward the light source. In a third aspect of the invention, a projection system projects a three-dimensional image.

Abstract: A two element low energy source front projection screen for pictorially displaying upon a front face of the screen an image projected onto the front face from a projector comprised of a metallic support sheet having a front reflective surface and a sheet of lenticular lenses which overlays the front reflective surface of the support sheet. The lenticular lenses provide a focal point of reflective light on their surface in a narrow bright serpentine line separated from each other by dark regions. This optical arrangement is perceived by the eye as the brightness of the bright lines rather than the average brightness of the whole region.

Abstract: This invention provides a pattern exposure method which may be used for effectively preparing, for example, a DNA or peptide array with a lower cost and a device therefor. Specifically, the method is a method for pattern exposure comprising the step of exposing a photosensitive material on a solid-phase substrate by irradiating it with a light as a pattern, wherein the photosensitive material is selectively exposed with beams selectively emitted from multiple vertical cavity surface emitting laser sources aligned as an array.

Abstract: An optical turning film has a first surface including an array of prisms. The array has a plurality of first prisms, with each of the first prisms having a first prism configuration, and a plurality of second prisms, with each of the second prisms having a second prism configuration different from the first prism configuration. The optical film also has a second surface opposing the first surface, and light rays incident to the first surface are directed by the plurality of first prism and the plurality of second prisms along a direction substantially parallel to a viewing axis.

Abstract: A night vision system 10 is provided for detecting objects at relatively low visible light levels. The system 10 includes an infrared light source 14. The system 10 further includes a thin sheet optical element 16 extending along a first axis 27 receiving light from the infrared light source 14 and reflecting the light generally in a first direction. Finally, the system 10 includes an infrared camera for receiving the light reflected off objects in the environment and generating a video signal responsive to the received light.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical system that enables focal length, image-formation position, etc. to be controlled in simple construction by bending the optical system to shift a light beam passing through it and so making use of an arbitrary portion of the optical system. In an image-formation optical system comprising at least two optical elements S1 and S2, the at least two optical elements S1 and S2 are mutually decentered to vary the properties such as magnification.

Abstract: A method of fabricating plastic products with an integrated Lenticular lens material that thermally protects the ink layer and outer lens surfaces of the Lenticular insert. A Lenticular lens material is provided with a Lenticular lens layer with an outer surface of optical ridges and an ink layer bonded to a transparent lens layer. A thermal protective substrate comprising opaque flexographic ink is applied to the ink layer. The application of the thermal protective substrate is completed using a coating unit of a lithographic press. A Lenticular insert is formed from the coated Lenticular lens material and the insert is positioned within a mold cavity. The object is formed by inserting a liquid plastic charge into the mold cavity. The thermal protective substrate insulates the ink layer. Concurrently, the portion of the mold adjacent the insert is cooled to a temperature below the deformation temperature of the optical ridges.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compact display device that can be used in small personal devices, such as head-mounted displays, mobile phones and personal digital assistants (PDA). The display device is provided with a light source and a reflective display for forming an object image, and an optical system for projecting a virtual image of the object image. In order to improve the illumination of the reflective display, the display device is provided with a light-guiding means for substantially perpendicular illumination of the reflective display via total reflection.

Abstract: In a viewing optical system using a reflection type image display device and a decentered prism, occurrence of ghost light is prevented which would otherwise be caused by illuminating light reflected from a half-mirror and further reflected from the inner wall of a housing or the like. Illuminating light from a light source (5) passes through a polarizing plate (32) and enters a prism (10) through a polarization beam splitter surface (31) on a surface (13). After being reflected from a surface (12), the light exits from a surface (11) to illuminate a reflective LCD (3). Reflected light from the reflective LCD (3) enters the prism 10 through the surface (11) and exits the prism (10) via the surfaces (12, 13 and 14). The light enters a decentered prism (20) through a surface (21) and is reflected successively by surfaces (23 and 22). The reflected light exits the prism (20) through the surface (23) and displays an enlarged display image in an eye E.

Abstract: A reflective image display screen formed of two reflective sheets. The first sheet has a prismatic inward surface and an opposed outward viewing surface. The second sheet has a prismatic outward surface and an opposed inward surface. The second sheet's outward surface is prismatically interleaved with the first sheet's inward surface. An air gap substantially 0.5 &mgr;m thick is left between the prismatically interleaved surfaces. The prismatic surfaces each constitute a plurality of 60° included angle, parallel, linearly extending prisms. The first sheet's outward viewing surface and the second sheet's inward surface are flat. The sheets may be formed of a polycarbonate material having a refractive index of about 1.59.

Abstract: A sheeting having linear prisms and method for forming the same are provided in which the prism includes a base, a first side, and a second side. In one embodiment, the first side includes a first planar surface and the second side includes a second planar surface and a third planar surface. In another embodiment, the first side includes the first planar surface extending from the base plane to a fourth planar surface which extends to the second planar surface at an apex of the prism. In particular embodiments, at least three of the planar surfaces can have different cross-sectional lengths.

Abstract: A multi-beam tool is disclosed which can perform square, plumb, and level function which may be required in a construction environment. The tool can generate in a preferred embodiment up to five orthogonal beams with two beams being plumb and three beams being leveled. Combinations of two level beams, or a level and a plumb beam in orthogonal arrangement can produce a square alignment set of beams. The tool includes in a preferred arrangement a self-leveling pendulum to which a laser and quad-mirror arrangement is secured. The self-leveling pendulum is damped in order to allow the tool to settle down and provide alignment after the tool is positioned as desired. The quadmirror, the magnetic damping, and the coiled wire allowing power to be provided to the laser assembly, each separately, and also in combination, provide for a compact tool.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical apparatus enabling diopter adjustment, etc. to be achieved using, for instance, a reflection type variable-optical property optical element or a variable-optical property mirror but without recourse to any mechanical moving part. The variable-optical property mirror 9 comprises an aluminum-coated thin film 9a and a plurality of electrodes 9b. Via variable resistors 11 and a power source switch 13 a power source 12 is connected between the thin film 9a and the electrodes 9b, so that the resistance values of the variable resistors 11 can be controlled by an operating unit 14. The shape of the thin film 9a as a reflecting surface is controlled by changing the resistance value of each variable resistor 11 in response to a signal from the operating unit 14 in such a manner that the imaging capability of the variable mirror is optimized.

Abstract: In a liquid-crystal display device, a light pipe including an upper surface, a lower surface opposite to the upper surface, an incidence side surface, and a light output means formed in the upper surface is provided, the light pipe has a retardation of not larger than 40 nm between the upper and lower surfaces. Further, a light source is disposed on the incidence side surface, a reflection layer is disposed on the lower surface, and a liquid-crystal shutter is disposed on the upper surface and includes a liquid-crystal cell and at least one polarizer. Light incident on the incidence side surface from the light source goes out from the lower surface through the light output means, the outgoing light is then reflected on the reflection layer, and the reflected light is then transmitted through the light pipe so as to go out from the upper surface finally.

Abstract: In a light pipe unit, a surface light pipe includes at least upper and lower surfaces and connected side surfaces constituted by an incident side surface formed between the upper and lower surfaces and side surfaces adjacent to the incident side surface. A linear light pipe includes a light supply surface, and the surface light pipe is connected to the linear light pipe through the connected side surfaces and the light supply surface so that the linear light pipe converts incident light from a point light source into a linear light source and outputs the light of the linear light source through the light supply surface. The surface light pipe converts incident light from the linear light source into a plane light source. In another light pipe unit, a linear light pipe for converting incident light from a point light source into a linear light source, and a surface light pipe for converting incident light from the linear light source into a plane light source are provided.

Abstract: In an optical element composed of an entrance refractive surface, an exit refractive surface and a plurality of internal reflective surfaces provided between the entrance refractive surface and the exit refractive surface, a structure is provided for enabling the optical element to turn around a reference axis of the entrance refractive surface. Further, in such an optical element, an diaphragm member is disposed adjacent to the entrance refractive surface and is arranged to vary an aperture diameter thereof according to a movement thereof.

Abstract: An optical turning film has a first surface including an array of prisms. The array has a plurality of first prisms, with each of the first prisms having a first prism configuration, and a plurality of second prisms, with each of the second prisms having a second prism configuration different from the first prism configuration. The optical film also has a second surface opposing the first surface, and light rays incident to the first surface are directed by the plurality of first prism and the plurality of second prisms along a direction substantially parallel to a viewing axis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a projection optical system for projecting an image of an object onto an image plane, which includes a first imaging optical system for forming an image of the object, a second imaging optical system for re-imaging the image upon the image plane, wherein the first and second imaging optical systems are disposed in an order from the object side and are disposed along a common straight optical axis, wherein the first imaging optical system includes a first mirror for reflecting and collecting abaxial light from the object, wherein one of the first and second imaging optical systems includes a second mirror for reflecting light from the first mirror to the image plane side, and wherein, with the second mirror, the abaxial light is caused to pass an outside of an effective diameter of the first mirror.

Abstract: In an optical element (B1) prepared by integrally forming, on surfaces of a transparent member, a refracting surface (R2) for receiving a light beam, a plurality of reflecting surfaces (R3, R4, R5) with curvatures, and a refracting surface (R6) for outputting the light beam reflected by the plurality of reflecting surfaces, a reference portion (7) for defining the position of the optical element in a predetermined direction with respect to a Y′-Z′ plane including an incident reference axis (5) and an exit reference axis (5) of at least one reflecting surface of the optical element (B1) is formed on the optical element.

Abstract: Disclosed is an optical system including an internal reflection type optical member effective to change a direction of advancement of an approximately linearly polarized light on the basis of total reflection, and a depolarizing member for dissolving linear polarization of light emitted from the optical member.

Abstract: Where an object is irradiated and scanned with laser beams that have been shaped into a linear shape and are moved in their width direction, a cylindrical lens group that is used in an optical system has a cylindrical face having an interior angle X that is not equal to 90°. As a result, peaks of light interference can be prevented from being superimposed on each other, whereby striped irradiation unevenness formed in the longitudinal direction of the linear laser beams can be lowered.

Abstract: In a viewing optical system using a reflection type image display device and a decentered prism, occurrence of ghost light is prevented which would otherwise be caused by illuminating light reflected from a half-mirror and further reflected from the inner wall of a housing or the like. Illuminating light from a light source (5) passes through a polarizing plate (32) and enters a prism (10) through a polarization beam splitter surface (31) on a surface (13). After being reflected from a surface (12), the light exits from a surface (11) to illuminate a reflective LCD (3). Reflected light from the reflective LCD (3) enters the prism 10 through the surface (11) and exits the prism (10) via the surfaces (12, 13 and 14). The light enters a decentered prism (20) through a surface (21) and is reflected successively by surfaces (23 and 22). The reflected light exits the prism (20) through the surface (23) and displays an enlarged display image in an eye E.

Abstract: A lenticular optical system is described in which a composite image is viewable through a lens sheet from a first angle and an object or image placed at a preselected distance beneath the composite image 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: There is disclosed a technique in which stripe formation due to laser annealing is prevented and uniform laser annealing is made over the whole surface of a substrate. A laser beam having an energy distribution with an edge which has a nearly vertical shape is used, and when scanning of the laser beam is carried out, the scanning is carried out while the edge having the nearly vertical shape is made the front of the scanning.

Abstract: In an optical element (B1) prepared by integrally forming, on surfaces of a transparent member, a refracting surface (R2) for receiving a light beam, a plurality of reflecting surfaces (R3, R4, R5) with curvatures, and a refracting surface (R6) for outputting the light beam reflected by the plurality of reflecting surfaces, a reference portion (7) for defining the position of the optical element in a predetermined direction with respect to a Y′-Z′ plane including an incident reference axis (5) and an exit reference axis (5) of at least one reflecting surface of the optical element (B1) is formed on the optical element.

Abstract: A substrate is arranged to provide at least one optically variable image the substrate has a front surface formed with a plurality of groups of elemental areas, the different said groups of elemental areas corresponding to respective pixels of the image. The different elemental areas of each group are formed with respective sets of grooves or ridges, where the grooves and ridges of different elemental areas of each group are disposed at different orientations in the different elemental areas, such that each elemental area directs light to a viewer from a respective angle of view. For any given angle of view, the image seen by the viewer is made up of light reflected or refracted without interference.

Abstract: A process and device for forming and guiding the radiation field or one or several solid and/or semiconductor lasers, in particular the radiation field of an array or field arrangement of one or several solid and/or semiconductor lasers, comprise radiation transformation optics with refractive elements that generate a defined radiation field. The device is characterized in that the radiation field (4) is subdivided into at least two radiation fractions according to predetermined data. Each radiation fraction enters an associated refractive element (6, 15, 19, 21, 23, 24) with predetermined co-ordinates. Each refractive element (6, 15, 19, 21, 23, 24) refracts the corresponding radiation fraction on at least one of its surfaces (7) so that the radiation fractions leave the refractive elements (6, 15, 19, 21, 23, 24) with output co-ordinates and/or propagation directions modified in relation to each other.

Abstract: A surface light source device of side light type is provided with guide plate, a primary light source, a reflection sheet and a prism sheet. The back surface of the guide plate provides a light control surface (arrows D to F). This light control surface has a great number of projections running generally at right angles to an incidence end surface. Each projection includes a pair of slopes. Inclination angles of the slopes of the pair with respect to a normal to a general plane of the guide plate are equal to each other on a generally central portion of an emission surface, while inclination angles of respective inner slopes become larger gradually than those of respective outer slopes toward areas near both side portions, as viewed from an incidence end surface. Length between two side edges of the guide plate may be larger than length thereof along the running direction of the projections, as viewed from the incidence end surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and device for forming and guig the radiation field of one or several solid and/or semiconductor lasers.

Abstract: Where an object is irradiated and scanned with laser beams that have been shaped into a linear shape and are moved in their width direction, a cylindrical lens group that is used in an optical system has a cylindrical face having an interior angle X that is not equal to 90.degree.. As a result, peaks of light interference can be prevented from being superimposed on each other, whereby striped irradiation unevenness formed in the longitudinal direction of the linear laser beams can be lowered.

Abstract: A lenticular optical system is described in which a composite image is viewable through a lens sheet from a first angle and an object or image placed at a preselected distance beneath the composite image 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: A plate collects light and guides it to an internal focus (20). The plate is constructed of prisms (2) that allow simultaneous reflection and transmission of light. The prisms are easily mass-produced. The prismatic plate can be formed into many shapes.

Abstract: A light combining apparatus using a flat plate operating to combine at least two incident light beams entering the flat plate at a first angle with respect to the vertical direction on an incidence plane with wavelengths different from each other.

Abstract: A structure for creating brighter viewing three dimensional images which have a spacer with a rastor pattern having parallel lineations of alternately opaque and optically clear portions on one side of the spacer; an image on the opposite side of the spacer parallel to and spaced apart from the rastor pattern such that when viewed from said rastor side of the spacer, a three dimensional image is seen; and, the rastor pattern, spacer and or the image form a light enhancing structure to increase light impingement through the structure by various means and combinations of structure of the rastor, spacer and/or the image.

Abstract: An illumination optical system includes a light source which produces a light beam, the light beam having an anisotropic coherence, with a high coherence direction and a low coherence direction, and an optical integrator, which includes a plurality of lens elements upon which the light beam is incident. The plurality of lens elements each include an opening having a long direction and a short direction. The long direction of each of the plurality of lens elements is aligned with the high coherence direction of the light beam, and the short direction of each of the plurality of lens elements is aligned with the low coherence direction of the light beam.

Abstract: A lenticular lens sheet includes a substrate layer, a lens portion having a lenticular lens configuration which is shaped so as to be convex on a light incident face side of the substrate layer and an achromatic or chromatic colored layer formed adjacent to at least a light incident face of the lens portion. The substrate layer is not colored. Alternatively, it is colored thinner than the colored layer. With the arrangement, it is possible to restrict reflection of outside light and enhance the contrast of picture without reducing the intensity of image light so much. Further, it is possible to realize fine pitching of images.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a zoom device which is built up of several lenses wherein at least one parallel entry beam is changed with respect to its diameter. The exit beam has the same optical axis as the entry beam. The zoom device of the invention is assembled from several zoom systems. The optical axes of the lenses of the different zoom systems are arranged so as to be mutually parallel or at least in a fixed spatial relationship so that in a beam made up of many individual beams the defined diameter remains constant because of the axes of the outer individual beams.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the illumination system for a scanner incorporates an excimer laser whose square beam is incident upon a two-dimensional array of lenses. The light exiting the array is made incident on a long focal length lens for creating nearly parallel rays. The combination of the array and the long focal length lens causes the resulting square beam at the focal plane of the long focal length lens to have a substantially uniform intensity across its area. An array of cylindrical lenses receives these nearly parallel rays. The light output of the cylindrical lens array is then made incident on a first positive lens whose focal length is longer than the distance between the cylindrical lens array and the first positive lens. A second positive lens is located of the focal plane of the first positive lens. This results in all light rays from the cylindrical lenses which have the same angle to be focused at the same point on the second positive lens.

Abstract: The invention relates to a color display device comprising a chromatic dispersive grating and an active matrix possibly of liquid crystal type. This device moreover comprises a matrix of spherical microlenses, the shape of the cross section of the microlenses being such that it makes it possible to compensate for the spreading of the R G B colored beams by virtue of the use of a dispersive grating, and hence to make best use of the circular aperture of projection objectives.

Abstract: Laser diode bars with a plurality of light emitting facets have the light from those facets coupled into corresponding fibers of a fiber optic bundle via a microlens having a superconic cross section. An improvement in energy coupling of the typically less than 85 percent to up to 95 percent is achieved.

Abstract: A lenticular media (10) has an encoded portion (12) adjoining a main portion (14). The encoded portion (12) is located to provide alignment and registration for precisely determining the location of lenticules (16) in the main portion (14).

Abstract: An image display apparatus, e.g., a head-mounted image display apparatus, which uses a compact optical system and yet has minimal aberrations and a large exit pupil diameter. An image displayed on a liquid crystal display device (2) is projected as an enlarged image in a user's eyeball by a convex lens (3). Prism arrays (13 and 14) having the same vertex angle are disposed in parallel to each other between the convex lens (3) and an exit pupil (6) so that the array directions coincide with each other. A parallel beam of light passed through the convex lens (3) has a pupil diameter (a) determined by the numerical aperture of an illumination system (1). The parallel beam first enters the prism array (13) and separates into light beams traveling in four different directions by the prism refracting action. These light beams then enter the prism array (14), which has the same vertex angle as that of the prism array (13). Consequently, the light beams are refracted again to become parallel to each other.

Abstract: A lenticular optical system is described in which a composite image is viewable through a lens sheet from a first angle and an object or image placed at a preselected distance beneath the composite image 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: A scanning system includes an illuminating device for illuminating an object with coherent illumination light, and a scanning device for relatively and scanningly moving the object relative to the illumination light, along a scan direction, wherein the illuminating device is arranged so that a direction of interference fringe to be produced on the object by the illumination light is inclined with respect to the scan direction.

Abstract: An optical apparatus for converting an incoming array of light beams by interchanging the horizontal and vertical components of each beam, the apparatus having a series of grooves, one groove for each incoming beam, where each groove comprises two reflecting surfaces: a first reflecting surface operating to intercept the corresponding beam and reflect it to a second reflecting surface along a first path of travel, that is folded with respect to the incoming beam's direction of propagation, while rotating one of the beam's azimuths, and the second reflecting surface operating to intercept the beam reflected off the first surface and to direct it along a second path of travel, folded with respect to the first path of travel, while rotating the beam's other azimuth.

Abstract: A microlens array and mold for making same in which the perimeter of each microlens is a modified polygon in that each edge of the lens approximates an elliptical arc, the ends of which terminate at the corners of the polygon, wherein the middle of the arc curves toward the center of each microlens. The microlenses are preferably rectangular or triangular.

Abstract: A light control material generally comprising a transparent substrate for carrying a print or photographic image and a plurality of focusing elements which provide a field of view over which the brightness of the print or photographic image is enhanced. The field of view is controlled by the geometry of the focusing elements including radius, width, and degree of symmetry. By providing a field of view over which the brightness of the image is enhanced, the image may be viewed at angles which avoid the angles of specular reflection, which are usually seen as unwanted glare. Furthermore, selected portions of an image may be brightness enhanced more than others or selected portions may be brightness enhanced while others are not.