Abstract: Devices and methods that reduce or eliminate chromatic or comatic variations in the location of the excitation or emission in an optical system such as a confocal microscope, by enhancing parfocality are provided. Such devices include an optical collimator comprising a parabolic reflector and a convex aspheric reflector, wherein the aspheric reflector and the parabolic reflector are positioned such that light is incident at an off-axis angle relative to the axis of symmetry of the reflectors to extend the useable field of view.

Abstract: A light control device is disclosed that includes a two film construction, each film having a plurality of light reflecting regions. For example, the light absorbing elements can be a series of grooves or column-like indentations in the films that are filled or coated with a light reflecting material having a lower index of refraction than that of the films. The two films can be adjacently disposed so that their respective light reflecting regions form a plurality of light reflecting elements that extend along the thickness direction of the device.

Abstract: An optical integrator system comprises a first optical integrator including a plurality of first wavefront dividing elements arranged in juxtaposition along a predetermined direction, and a second optical integrator including a plurality of second wavefront dividing elements arranged in juxtaposition along the predetermined direction, which are arranged in order from the entrance side of light. The first wavefront dividing elements are so constructed that rays obliquely incident to a center on the optical axis of an entrance surface are emitted in parallel with the optical axis. The second wavefront dividing elements are so constructed that rays obliquely incident to a center on the optical axis of an entrance surface are emitted obliquely to the optical axis.

Abstract: A method of suppressing distortion of a working laser beam directed for incidence on a target specimen presented for processing by a laser link processing system uses a spatial filter to remove stray light-induced distortion from the working laser beam.

Abstract: A thermally switched optical downconverting (TSOD) filter is a self-regulating device including a downconverter that converts incoming light at a variety of wavelengths into longer-wavelength radiation and then directs it using one or more bandblock filters in either the inward or outward direction, depending on the temperature of the device. This control over the flow of radiant energy occurs independently of the thermal conductivity or insulating properties of the device and may or may not preserve the image and color properties of incoming visible light. The TSOD filter has energy-efficiency implications, as it can be used to regulate the internal temperature and illumination of buildings, vehicles, and other structures without the need for an external power supply or operator signals. The TSOD filter also has aesthetic implications, since the device has unique optical properties that are not found in traditional windows, skylights, stained glass, light fixtures, glass blocks, bricks, or walls.

Abstract: A brightness enhancing means (5), comprising a collimating means (6) having a receiving area (61), an output area (62) being larger than said receiving area (61), and sidewalls (63) at least partially extending between said receiving and output areas, is provided. At least a portion of the sidewalls (63) of said collimating means (6) comprises a first filter being arranged to reflect light of a first light property, which light is received via said receiving area (61) of said first collimating means (6), towards said output area (62) of said first collimating means (6), wherein said first filter is a dichroic filter or a polarization filter.

Abstract: An optical system and a projection system incorporating same are disclosed. The optical system includes a light source that is capable of emitting light. The emitted light includes one or more substantially collimated discrete light beams. The optical system further includes a lenslet array for receiving and transmitting the emitted light. Each discrete light beam in the emitted light has an intensity full width at half maximum (FWHM) at the lenslet array that covers at least a portion of a plurality of lenslets in the lenslet array. The optical system further includes an optical element for receiving the transmitted light from an input face of the optical element. The optical element homogenizes the received light and transmits the homogenized light from an output face of the optical element.

Abstract: A focusing lens for an LED is provided.

Abstract: An optical manifold for efficiently combining a plurality of blue LED outputs to illuminate a phosphor for a single, substantially homogeneous output, in a small, cost-effective package. Embodiments are disclosed that use a single or multiple LEDs and a remote phosphor, and an intermediate wavelength-selective filter arranged so that backscattered photoluminescence is recycled to boost the luminance and flux of the output aperture. A further aperture mask is used to boost phosphor luminance with only modest loss of luminosity. Alternative non-recycling embodiments provide blue and yellow light in collimated beams, either separately or combined into white.

Abstract: An image projection system has a first lens with a defined entrance pupil. An image source has an image field and a defined exit pupil. The exit pupil of the image source is configured such that the exit pupil of the image source underfills the entrance pupil of the lens for portions of the image source that are not in the center portion of the image field.

Abstract: The invention relates to a beam shaping system for providing a square or rectangular laser beam having a controlled intensity profile (uniform, super gaussian or cosine corrected for example) from an incident non-uniform beam intensity profile laser beam source (a Gaussian profile, a profile with astigmatism or any non-rotationally symmetric and non-uniform profile for example). The beam shaping system uses a first acylindrical lens for shaping the incident laser beam along a first axis and a second acylindrical lens orthogonally disposed relative to the first acylindrical lens and for shaping the incident beam along a second axis. The thereby provided light beam is a rectangular beam having a controlled intensity distribution in the far field.

Abstract: [Problem] The present invention provides an afocal lens for an optical head that can ensure WD while satisfying NA, the optical head, an optical disc apparatus, a computer, an optical disc player, and an optical disc recorder. [Solution] Using a blue-violet laser beam source with wavelength of about 400 nm, and in an optical head compatible to optical discs having different protective substrate thickness, an afocal lens 105 that expands a diameter of light flux of light from a collimating lens and emits the light as substantially parallel light to an objective lens is provided between the collimating lens 104 and the objective lens 106. The configuration makes it possible to ensure WD while satisfying NA.

Abstract: An exemplary light emitting diode (30) includes a light output unit (31), an optical lens (33), and a reflective sheet (35). The optical lens is mounted on the light output unit. The optical lens includes a light input surface (331), a generally funnel-shaped top surface (333) and a light output surface (335). The funnel-shaped top surface is distal from the light input surface. The light output surface generally between the light input surface and the top surface is an annular bulging surface. It is relatively easy to configure an injection mold for making the optical lens.

Abstract: Systems and methods for high brightness, improved phase characteristics laser diodes.

Abstract: A line scanning arrangement for imaging microarrays includes a line illuminator that converts output from one or more lasers to a radiation line. The laser output passes through a single mode fiber and a module that converts the laser light to the radiation line. The line is confocally directed to sites on the microarray, and retrobeams returned from the sites are collected on an imaging detector. The microarray is moved in the imaging apparatus so as to progressively illuminate an array or matrix of sites for imaging.

Abstract: An optical navigation system and method of estimating motion uses an optical structure configured to collimate light propagating along a first direction and to internally reflect the light off an output reflective surface of the optical structure downward along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction toward a target surface. The optical structure is also configured to transmit the light reflected from the target surface through the output reflective surface toward an image sensor.

Abstract: Various systems and methods are provided for non-attenuating light collimating articles. In one embodiment, among others, a phototool comprises a substrate; and a microstructured surface disposed on a first surface of the substrate, the microstructured surface comprising a plurality of light collimating articles.

Abstract: A projection system having a prescribed relationship between the condenser and the projection lens is disclosed, where an imager gate normally coinciding with a projection object plane is between and spaced away from a condenser back focal plane and a condenser image plane. The condenser images an extended source onto the condenser image plane. A pixilated panel or film defining a graphic image is located at the imager gate. The magnification of the condenser is chosen so the image of the source is essentially the same size as the pixilated panel. Positioning the imager gate away from the condenser image plane provides blurring of any brightness non-uniformities across the area of the source, providing a relatively uniform illumination pattern whose outer shape matches the shape of the imager gate.

Abstract: Provided is an optical scanning device that can consistently obtain a light beam having a desired beam spot diameter without allowing an aperture to block parallel ray to be admitted, and that can be manufactured at lower cost. The optical scanning device has a light source that emits laser light, a collimator lens that converts the laser light emitted from the light source into parallel ray, and a lens holder that holds the collimator lens and has an aperture portion for fairing the laser light, the aperture portion being formed integrally with the lens holder. The optical scanning device also may have a collimator lens having a lens surface with which an aperture portion for fairing the laser light is brought into close contact.

Abstract: An optical system (20) for efficiently collimating an elliptical light beam includes a light source (21), a collimator (22), and at least one prism (23,24). The light source is adapted for providing an elliptical light beam defining different diverging angles in different directions, wherein any cross-section of the elliptical light beam emitted from the light source defines a long axis and a short axis which are perpendicular to each other. The at least one prism is used for reconfiguring the elliptical light beam, thus obtaining a parallel round light beam having equivalent short axis and long axis.

Abstract: A projection display system comprises an illumination device, a prism assembly, a projection lens and a reflective light valve. The prism assembly has a first light incident surface, a first light emitting surface and a second light emitting surface. The first light emitting surface is an optical curved surface. An illumination beam is incident on the light valve after it enters the prism assembly from the first light incident surface. A modulated beam is generated after it is processed through the light valve. Finally, the modulated beam is projected into the projection lens through the prism assembly. Because a surface of the prism assembly is set to be an optical curved surface to replace a lens in the projection lens or the illumination device, a back focal length of the system is shortened and the projection lens or the illumination device is simplified.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optical systems, beam expanding assemblies, line narrowing modules, and lasers having refractive optical elements with wavefront correcting optical surfaces. The present invention enables the skilled artisan to provide optical systems, beam expanding assemblies, line narrowing modules, and lasers having improved optical properties, such as, in the case of lasers, narrow linewidth at high power, and substantially planar wavefronts.

Abstract: A collimator for use in an optical device, such as a display device, includes a multi-layered sheet of at least five alternating light transmitting and light impervious layers. A collimation angle of a few degrees is obtainable using the collimator. The collimator may be produced by co-extruding or injection molding.

Abstract: A projection engine is disclosed, in which white light from a uniform telecentric source is collimated, polarized, and split into red and cyan beams. The collimated red light passes through a red focuser, which has an off-axis, front-surface mirror that has an aspheric and/or conic profile, and a spherical lens. The collimated cyan light passes through a similar cyan focuser, after which it is split into blue and green beams. The mirror reflective surface has an aspherical shape to minimize aberrations at the edge of the field of view in the illumination optical path. The collimator is at the front focal plane of each focuser, making the emergent converging beam telecentric, and a pixelated panel is at the rear focal plane of each focuser. The reflected light beams from the red, green and blue pixelated panels are superimposed on a pixel-by-pixel basis and are directed to a projection lens.

Abstract: A collimating device and a transflector for use in a system having a backlight is disclosed herein. In one embodiment of the application, the collimating device and the transflector each include an immersing layer, a reflecting layer, and an optical element layer formed from a plurality of three-dimensional, optical elements. Each optical element is tapered such that a small area end has a horizontal plane cross-sectional area that is less than that of a wide area end. The optical elements of the collimating device are tapered towards the backlight and the optical elements of the transflector are tapered away from the backlight. The reflecting layer has apertures which correspond to the position and shape of the light input ends of the optical elements.

Abstract: Embodiments include an apparatus, a medical device, a method and a system. The medical device includes an ellipsoidally shaped reflector having a first focus and a second focus. The ellipsoidally shaped reflector also provides a translational coupling of electromagnetic energy from the first focus to the second focus. The medical device also includes a controllable electromagnetic energy source aligned to emit a non-biologically emitted electromagnetic energy in a proximity to the first focus.

Abstract: A laser collimator includes an optical lens having an optical axis; a sliding lens holder for housing the lens having a longitudinal opening parallel to the optical axis; a stationary lens holder ring for fitting to the front of the sliding lens holder and having a protruding key for receiving the longitudinal opening; and a focusing ring movable along the optical axis, wherein the protruding key placed within the longitudinal opening prevents the sliding lens holder from rotating.

Abstract: In an optical encoder which is designed to convert light generated from a light source into parallel light rays by using a collimator lens, thereby allowing the collimated light to radiate to gratings (a first grating, a second grating and a third grating), a diffusion means (a diffusion plate or a diffusion surface) is provided between the light source and the collimator lens to mitigate the parallelization degree of light, thereby weakening the second-order and the third-order or high-order diffraction light. Thereby, even where a light emitting diode (LED) or laser diode (LD) is used as the light source, a favorable interference output can be obtained.

Abstract: Laser-scanning microscope with at least one detection radiation input, in which an aperture plate is installed in front of the detector, whereby optics with variable transmission lengths and a fixed focal distance is provided for focusing varying wavelengths of the detected light onto the aperture plate level at the detection radiation path, which realizes the imaging from the infinite space into an image level with a finite conjugate distance, and/or with at least one light source launched via an optical fiber, whereby collimator optics with a fixed focal distance, and a variable conjugate distance are down-streamed from the fiber output, which transfers the point source at the fiber output with a numerical aperture into a parallel beam in the infinite space in front of the scan-objective lens, whereby a wavelength-dependent, at least partial compensation of the chromatic distortion of the micro-objective lenses occurs by means of turning the chromatic curve for the illumination wavelength used.

Abstract: Arrangements for combination and fast-axis alignment of fast-axes of diode-laser beams are disclosed. Alignment arrangements include providing each diode-laser with a corresponding alignable fast-axis collimating lens, providing individually alignable mirrors for steering an re-orienting beams from each diode-laser, and providing single diode-laser slab-modules in which the diode-laser beams can be pre-aligned to a common propagation-axis direction, and in which edges and surfaces of the slabs can be used to align the fast and slow-axes of the beams. Beam combination methods include combination by dichroic elements, polarization-sensitive elements, and optical fiber bundles.

Abstract: A laser system comprising a laser assembly for generating a light beam, and collimation assembly movable axially with respect to the laser assembly and being positioned in the optical path of the light beam. The collimation assembly comprises a collimation lens group comprising a first lens component positioned within a first lens mounting cell, a second lens component positioned within a second lens mounting cell and provided with a central portion for receiving and cooperating with the first cell to thereby adjust the axial spacing between the first and second lens components, means for radially adjusting the position of the second cell with respect to the first cell to thereby radially adjust the optical axis of the second lens component with respect to the optical axis of the first lens component, and means formed in the central and flange portions of the second cell for creating flexure therein.

Abstract: The optical device comprises a first and a second optical sources respectively emitting a first incident beam and a second light beam of different wavelength. Reflecting means, which may be a mirror, are arranged on the optical path of the first incident beam so as to form a reflected light beam. The reflecting means are arranged outside and proximate to the optical path of the second light beam so that the reflected beam and the second light beam pass through a zone of the space, wherein an object to be analyzed is to be exposed, and reach a common sensor.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods and devices for coupling light energy from laser emitters having a high spectral brightness and purity that may be used for a variety of purposes including the pumping of various laser gain materials.

Abstract: A method and apparatus emits light from multiple light sources and combines the etendue of the light sources such that the etendue is substantially uniformly distributed over an area.

Abstract: The dilemma encountered in most projection systems of having the etendue of the LED-based light source used often being much larger than the etendue of the imager used, causes such systems to have poor throughput efficiency. The etendue folding illumination systems of this invention being comprised of at least one folded collimator/concentrator having coupled into its input aperture an LED-based light source and having an output aperture characteristics that match the target etendue, overcome this dilemma by folding the light source etendue to match the target etendue of the projection system imager while efficiently conserving the flux generated by the light source.

Abstract: An optical manifold for efficiently combining a plurality of LED outputs into a single, substantially homogeneous output, in a small, cost-effective package. The optical manifolds can be used to combine multiple LEDs of the same color and provide a high intensity output aperture with very high uniformity and sharp borders, or they can be used to generate a multiwavelength output, such as red, green, and blue LEDs that are combined to generate white light. Embodiments are also disclosed that use a single or multiple LEDs and a remote phosphor and an intermediate wavelength-selective filter arranged so that backscattered photoluminescence is recycled to boost the luminance and flux of the output aperture. The optical manifolds are designed to alleviate substantial luminance inhomogeneities inherent to LEDs. The optical manifold utilizes principles of non-imaging optics to transform light and provide directed, substantially uniform light sources.

Abstract: A light collimating and diffusing film and a method for making the film are provided. The film includes a plastic layer having a first side and a second side opposite the first side and at least a first peripheral edge. The first side has a first textured surface, wherein between 7 to 20 percent of slope angles on the first textured surface proximate a first axis has a value between zero and five degrees. The first axis is substantially parallel to the first peripheral edge. The plastic layer collimates light propagating therethrough.

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: A two-dimensional image formation apparatus according to the present invention is provided with laser sources (1a)˜(1c), diffusers (6a)˜(6c) for diffusing light, illumination optical systems for irradiating the diffusers (6a)˜(6c) with lights emitted from the laser sources (1a)˜(1c), diffuser vibration units (13a)˜(13c) for vibrating the diffusers (6a)˜(6c), and spatial light modulators (7a)˜(7c) disposed near the diffusers (6a)˜(6c), for modulating the lights emitted from the laser sources (1a)˜(1c) and diffused by the diffusers (6a)˜(6c), wherein the diffusers (6a)˜(6c) are vibrated by the diffuser vibration units (13a)˜(13c) at a velocity that satisfies a relationship, V>d×30 (millimeters/sec), which is established between the grain size d of the diffusers and the vibration speed V of the diffusers, whereby speckle noise existing in an image projected on a screen (11) can be effectively reduced.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a brightness enhancement film comprises: a diffusing film comprising a front surface and a back surface, a coating on the front surface, and light redirecting structures disposed in the coating. The brightness enhancement film is capable of collimating light, and wherein, without the coating, the diffusing film would be capable of spread light passing through the back surface. In another embodiment, the brightness enhancement film comprises: a diffusing film comprising a front surface and a back surface, a coating on the front surface, and light redirecting structures disposed in the coating. The diffusing film has a stress retardation gradient of less than or equal to 50 nm/in, wherein an interval for calculation of the stress retardation gradient is less than 1 inch. The brightness enhancement film is capable of collimating light.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical film with array of microstructures, having a first optical surface and a second optical surface for receiving an incident light. The optical film comprises at least a transparent microstructure formed on the first optical surface, wherein the microstructure further comprises: a first side for scattering the incident light; and a second side for collimating the incident light.

Abstract: A microscopic lens, of size approximately 1 micron is used for its optical characteristics.

Abstract: A temperature-compensated collimating lens provided of a single piece of lens, which does not have variation in its focal distance due to temperature changes, and an optical scanning apparatus using the same. The collimating lens to transform a ray of light from a light source into approximate parallel rays. The collimating lens is provided a single lens of plastic, and the single lens has a refraction surface provided on one side and a diffraction surface provided on the other side. The refraction surface and the diffraction surface have predetermined powers to prevent power of the collimating lens from changing due to change in temperature. The refraction surface and the diffraction surface have a power to satisfy the condition of, - 3 ? K d K r ? - 2.

Abstract: To provide a lens array sheet capable of efficiently condensing diffuse light such as the light from a LED light source or EL light source. The lens array sheet comprises a transparent base material, a plurality of light-receiving sections each consisting of a transparent right frustum which is provided on the surface of the base material and is tapered outwardly from the base material, and a plurality of condensing lenses disposed on the back of the base material so as to face the respective light-receiving sections. The side face of the right frustum forms a taper angle larger than 0° and less than 15° with the central axial line of the right frustum, and an aspect ratio (H/D) which is a proportion of the height (H) of the right frustum to the minimum length (D) of the cut surface of the right frustum is larger than 0, and no more than 10.

Abstract: A collimator lens located in a light path from a laser light source to an optical information recording medium. The collimator lens is constituted by a cemented lens which is composed of a biconvex lens and a meniscus lens, and an aspheric plastic lens in the form of a transparent thin synthetic resin film which is laminated on a lens surface of the biconvex lens on the side of or facing toward an optical recording medium. When calculated on the basis of a composite focal length f=10 mm, the collimator lens has an epaxial chromatic aberration correction rate (a) and a numerical aperture NA in the ranges of (1) (a) <2.2 ?m/nm and (2) 0.4>NA?0.12, respectively.

Abstract: An optical system for a head mounted display includes a light pipe having two parallel surfaces along which modes can travel by total internal reflection. An illumination element allows selection of modes so that the desired modes can be transmitted along the light pipe, either axially or by total internal reflection.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for heating plastic by laser beams with the aid of a number of laser points on the focal plane, the laser points being produced by an optical arrangement with the aid of a multiple wedge plate. The arrangement can be integrated in a processing head.

Abstract: Laser beams respectively emitted from a SHG blue laser unit and a red semiconductor laser unit that have photo detectors respectively are turned into parallel lights by a collimator lens and then coupled by a dielectric multi-layer film mirror so as to be propagated on the same optical axis. The dielectric multi-layer film mirror is configured so as to transmit light with a wavelength of 500 nm or shorter and reflect light with a wavelength of 500 nm or longer for both P wave and S wave. The lights that are transmitted and reflected by the dielectric multi-layer film mirror pass through a polarizing hologram and a phase variable wave plate and are focused on an optical disk by an objective lens. In this manner, a simple configuration can realize a compatibility with many types of optical disks and a stable signal detection even when using a polarizing optical detection system.

Abstract: A system for actively aligning an optoelectronic device including a frame, a mounting and alignment assembly, and a camera. The mounting and alignment assembly can be movably connected to the frame and is configured to mount separate portions of an optoelectronic device such that the portions can be moved in relation to each other. An optical signal from a laser in the first portion is transmitted through an optical element in the second portion and captured by the camera to determine the positioning of the first and second portions of the optoelectronic device. The portions can then be aligned accordingly.

Abstract: A microchannel collimating array may be fabricated by casting an elastic sheet onto a substrate containing a plurality of pedestals. The elastic sheet may be cured, and then pulled away from the substrate, leaving the elastic sheet with a plurality of tubes at the locations of the pedestals. The plurality of tubes may collimate light incident on the elastic sheet.